Chapter 140
“It’s fine, he says…….”
After seeing the system message that showed the complete opposite, I suddenly felt like crying.
Not just Isaac and Killis, but now even Reno’s affection was decreasing.
Once again, I couldn’t offer Reno any words of comfort or explanation.
‘If it weren’t for the linked quest, I would have given up on this hidden quest altogether.’
Managing the affection of those I knew was more important to me than unknown new characters.
Above all, having strangers approach me in unexpected ways was beyond surprising—it was burdensome and frightening.
‘Who knew selecting a new guardian would cause such huge waves.’
I understand considering the guardian position prestigious. According to what Reno had told me before, if I became Evgenia, they could become a state minister, and if they received mana, they could use it like sword energy.
So while I understood why the royal knights were so enthusiastic, I hadn’t expected even the magicians to act this way.
‘Didn’t they say magicians couldn’t become guardians because they had difficulty properly accepting mana?’
Though I was curious, I had no one to ask, so my questions remained unanswered.
Afterward, with the spirits’ help, we returned to the Princess’s Palace without encountering anyone else.
‘Surely they won’t keep acting like this until the new guardian is chosen?’
Just as I was trying to swallow my rising anxiety and stepped into the palace, I noticed the maids who should have welcomed me, even if just ceremonially, were nowhere to be seen.
Instead, I was greeted by a middle-aged man in a neat uniform.
“May the light of Lublin be with you. It’s been a while, First Princess.”
Who is this?
From his attire, I could tell he was a royal guard. But that was all I knew, so I couldn’t pretend to recognize him.
While I hesitated to speak, fortunately, the man stated his business first.
“I apologize for the sudden visit. I received orders from Her Majesty Evgenia to arrest all the maids working in the First Princess’s Palace.”
“All of them?”
“Yes. Additionally, Your Highness must also undergo questioning.”
“Why would Her Highness give such an order……?”
“It’s for the safety of the Princesses. We ask for your cooperation.”
‘Princesses’? Plural?
As I listened to the man’s words, I caught something that I might have missed. At the same time, I instinctively knew. Evgenia must have finally discovered something about Cirilla.
While I didn’t understand why they were arresting all the maids in my palace, since it was Evgenia’s order, I decided to comply.
And my intuition was right. When I was questioned in a private room at Evgenia’s palace, all the questions were about Duke Futurum and Cirilla.
After answering everything I knew, a maid working in Evgenia’s palace politely told me.
“Your Highness will be staying here for the time being. Please wait in the reception room while we prepare your room.”
In the reception room I was guided to, there were unexpected figures.
‘……Meliana? Cirilla?’
Moreover, just as I had come with Reno, next to Meliana was that black-haired unnamed guardian I had seen before.
Just as I noticed them, they noticed me, and their expressions changed. Their reactions were contrasting—Cirilla’s face brightened upon seeing me, while Meliana frowned.
“I thought so, big sister came too.”
Meliana’s gaze lingered briefly on Reno. Then, as if showing even more discomfort than before, she openly frowned.
“Of all people, not Lord Isaac but that Medietas……. How unlucky.”
Though she seemed to mutter the last part quietly, unfortunately, it was all audible. If I could hear it, Reno definitely heard it too.
“Why…….”
As I was about to snap at Meliana, Reno grabbed my hand and said.
“You should sit down. You must be tired from the questioning.”
His attitude was more affectionate than usual. His intention to soothe me was obvious. Seeing Reno act this way, I lost my motivation to argue.
After all, I knew better than anyone that arguing with Meliana would accomplish nothing.
Finally, pretending to give in, I let Reno lead me to where the sofas were. There were only two long sofas in the reception room, already occupied by Meliana and Cirilla.
So naturally, I sat next to Cirilla, but…….
“Big sister, why aren’t you sitting there?”
“Should I sit next to you instead?”
For a moment, Meliana’s lips parted wide. With a face clearly showing bewilderment, she blinked her eyes and let out a sigh.
“No…… Really, what are you saying?”
Ding!
[<System> Affection with ‘Meliana Via Anesis’ has slightly increased.]
……That should be my line.
I was also left speechless at the sudden appearance of the message window.
Of all people, Meliana’s affection is increasing?
‘Right. I could raise her affection too?’
I remembered the previous time when I checked and Meliana’s affection had increased.
But it was perplexing in many ways. All I did was snap back at her, yet her affection increased.
Until now, I thought Isaac had the most puzzling conditions for raising affection, but Meliana seemed just as complicated.
‘It probably won’t be useful even if I raise it.’
Still curious, I quietly checked Meliana’s affection level.
[<Character> Meliana Via Anesis
―Affection: -15 / 100 (Hostile)]
Still negative.
I closed the system window, seeing the meaningless number. But sitting face to face with Meliana was uncomfortable.
‘If only I could at least talk with Cirilla.’
But I couldn’t. The situation wasn’t fully clear yet, and showing friendliness with Cirilla in front of Meliana when we’d had little previous contact could lead to unpredictable results.
‘When will the room be ready?’
I was just waiting for the maid to assign us separate rooms when—
“Speaking of which, I heard you’re selecting a new guardian?”
Meliana’s topic made me flinch unconsciously. I’d been having quite a time with that issue these past few days.
Moreover, knowing Reno was standing behind me made me even more conscious of it. Though it would have been the same if Isaac were standing there instead.
“Did you finally decide to get rid of that Medietas?”
“What……?”
“Well, isn’t it true? Given your usual personality, shouldn’t you have refused even if Her Majesty Evgenia offered to let you choose a new guardian?”
“I don’t know why you’re making such assumptions, but it was difficult to refuse when Her Majesty said it would be my birthday gift.”
“Don’t lie. You refused just fine before, didn’t you? Even when you had better options but chose that Medietas instead.”
“…….”
“Besides, isn’t this the first time it’s been announced so publicly? You’ve always brought in guardians quietly, since Lord Isaac’s time.”
These were all things I didn’t know about. But hearing this, I could understand why even Isaac was shaken. How surprised and bewildered they must have been by this unusual behavior.
“Well, at least you’re thinking straight now. After all, what’s a Medietas anyway?”
“What’s wrong with being Medietas? Technically, aren’t we Medietas too?”
“Are you crazy?”
Meliana immediately raised her voice.
“Are you comparing us to that thing? We are descendants of the great founding dragon Lublin. How dare you compare royalty to something like that?”
Seeing her react as if it was absurd, I was left speechless. While Meliana seemed to think it was pride, to me it was just discrimination.
But I had no intention of trying to persuade her. Persuasion only works with people who can be reasoned with. Thinking further conversation would only tire me out, I decided to ignore her.
“You don’t know how chaotic the palace atmosphere has been lately because of you. It’s quite a spectacle.”
Hmm, I’ll admit that. There have been quite a few strange people around.
“They’re all doing pointless things. What glory could they possibly get from sticking to you?”
Oh, these snacks are tasty! I should ask the maid to bring more later.
“The royal magicians are ridiculous too. I don’t know why they’re so desperate when they can’t even become guardians.”
Ah! I was curious about that too, so you noticed it as well?
As I was half-listening to Meliana’s words, I heard Cirilla’s quiet voice from beside me.
“……Can’t magicians become guardians too?”
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