Chapter 171: Departure Festival (9)
The attitude of Griff, who had introduced himself as a member of the Imperial Knights, was as courteous as could be.
However, his words and actions carried a subtle pressure, as if refusing was not an option.
“His Highness wishes to have a brief conversation alone with Lady Cecilia Everglenn. Would you kindly accompany us for a moment?”
Alone.
That word meant Lian and Allen were expected to step aside.
In fact, Griff didn’t even spare them a glance, as if they didn’t matter.
“In addition,”
Still keeping his eyes on Cecilia, he added,
“I apologize to the others, but I ask for your understanding.”
“……”
At that, Cecilia’s expression stiffened ever so slightly.
To others, it might’ve looked like nothing had changed, but Lian could instantly tell how displeased and irritated she was by the situation.
“Well then……”
After a short pause, she cautiously opened her mouth.
Her voice, as always, was calm.
“I understand your words, Sir Knight, but I’m afraid this might be a bit difficult.”
“Difficult, you say?”
“Well, I have my own circumstances too.”
Cecilia spoke in a quiet, almost murmuring voice.
“I don’t know if you’re aware, but I haven’t even been betrothed yet. Furthermore, under the name of the Everglenn family, if I were seen meeting a royal, and no less than the Second Imperial Prince, alone—people would not take it kindly.”
After a brief pause, she continued.
“To be frank, I can’t even begin to imagine what sort of unnecessary misunderstandings might arise. So I find it difficult to respond to such a sudden invitation and act hastily.”
Her words were careful but clearly and firmly a refusal.
Griff, however, responded smoothly, as if he had expected it.
“I understand your concern, My Lady. But when I said ‘alone,’ it was merely a figurative expression. Naturally, attendants and maids will be accompanying you.”
“……So you mean His Highness will bring his attendants, but I am expected to come alone?”
“……”
Cecilia’s eyebrows slightly arched upward.
Griff, seemingly flustered for a moment, remained silent before quickly regaining his composure and replying.
“I am simply conveying His Highness’s orders, My Lady.”
“Is that so.”
Cecilia responded in an even deeper, subdued tone.
“Then, if any unpleasant rumors about me or my family arise from this incident…… may I take that to mean His Highness—and by extension, you, Sir Knight—will take full responsibility for everything?”
“That is…”
“It’s the host’s duty to ensure the guest’s safety and reputation, isn’t it? Wouldn’t you agree?”
Cecilia asked in a gentle voice, yet with a razor-sharp tone.
Once again, a flicker of unease passed over Griff’s face.
In the end, he had no choice but to repeat himself.
“As I’ve said, I am merely conveying His Highness’s orders.”
“……”
“……”
Cecilia fell silent for a moment.
Griff, too, kept his head bowed in silence.
Thus, the conversation hit a brief stalemate.
“……Sigh.”
Cecilia’s gaze soon dropped to the ground, then slowly lifted back to Griff.
Then, as if talking to herself, she muttered,
“Do I look like I dislike accompanying you, Sir Knight?”
“……Forgive me, but that is how it seems.”
“There’s actually a very good reason for that.”
Cecilia said.
“The main reason I’m so hesitant is because I’m actually deeply concerned about His Highness’s well-being.”
“……?”
Griff’s eyes trembled slightly with confusion at her words.
His lifted face seemed to ask, What are you talking about?
Cecilia gave a faint smile.
“Some people know this, but I was once called the Everglenn family’s revenant. Have you heard of it?”
“……I beg your pardon, but yes, I have.”
“Then this’ll be quick. Ever since I was young, I’ve occasionally affected those around me—entirely against my will. And in very… unfortunate ways.”
She let out a small sigh and murmured,
“So if something were to happen while we’re alone together… doesn’t the thought alone send shivers down your spine?”
“……”
“I could never take responsibility for such a terrifying event, nor could I bear it. Just the thought alone worries and frightens me. And surely, it won’t end with just me.”
Depending on how one heard it, it could’ve sounded like a veiled threat or outright contempt.
Indeed, a clear hint of displeasure crossed Griff’s face, however briefly.
“My Lady, you need not worry about such a thing. I, along with the rest of the Knights, am fully capable of controlling and managing the situation should anything occur.”
“Is that so? Well then…”
Cecilia, upon hearing his answer, appeared almost reassured and looked as if she might comply without resistance.
As she took a step toward them—
Vwoom!
A sudden roar.
One of the knights surrounding Cecilia was hurled like a projectile and crashed violently into a wall across the way.
“Urgh!”
“What, what’s going on?!”
Startled by the sudden event, the remaining knights and attendants shouted in confusion.
But before they could react, they too were lifted roughly into the air and scattered in all directions.
“Aaaah!”
“Help!”
Lian and Allen were no exception.
They, too, were immediately swept into the air.
“Oh.”
“……?”
But their situation was clearly different from the others.
While the knights and attendants were tossed around and rolled across the ground, Lian and Allen floated gently in the air, as if carried by a soft breeze.
At most, they lightly bobbed up and down a couple times, as if someone wanted to remind them they hadn’t been forgotten.
Tap tap.
“Hm?”
In that moment, someone tapped Lian on the shoulder.
Turning his head, he saw a familiar and welcome face.
“You…”
― Creak!
It was the spider.
Raising its front legs in greeting, it looked pleased to see him.
Seeing the creature looking well, Lian couldn’t help but smile.
“……Thank goodness. You’ve been doing well.”
― Creak! Eeeee!
Even as the spider approached and rubbed itself affectionately against him, Lian only smiled gently in response.
Ah, right.
Lian then turned to Allen, who was floating beside him, intending to signal that everything was fine and to stay still.
But it wasn’t necessary.
Allen seemed to have already grasped the situation.
Realizing the force wasn’t hostile toward them, he instead began flailing his limbs awkwardly in an attempt at acting.
“……Ugh, aah…”
“……”
…Wouldn’t it be better if he just stayed still?
Seeing Allen stiff like a plank, Lian could only think that.
A few moments later, the commotion subsided with the wind.
“Huff… Huff…”
Only Griff managed to barely stay standing, his feet barely touching the ground as he trembled uncontrollably.
Even then, he was down on one knee.
The others were sprawled across the floor or groaning in pain where they had been flung into the walls.
“……”
Cecilia brushed off the dust that might have clung to her clothes, as if nothing had happened.
Then, she walked over to Griff, who was struggling to stay upright, wearing what she must have thought was a deeply concerned expression.
To others, it looked more like mockery.
“……Are you alright?”
Her voice seemed filled with genuine concern.
But Griff’s expression contorted with rage.
“What… what is the meaning of this…!”
Griff muttered, his voice shaking.
Cecilia wore an expression that was seemingly full of remorse.
Though to others, it might have looked like pure disdain.
“……That’s why I told you, didn’t I? That things like this sometimes happen beyond my control.”
As she spoke, her eyes turned toward Lian and Allen, who had gently descended to the ground.
More precisely, her gaze was fixed on Lian.
“The reason I always make sure to stay with my friends is exactly because of this. My friends… they have a knack for suppressing this kind of power of mine. In any case, it wasn’t intentional, and I’m truly sorry.”
Cecilia looked at Griff with a face that seemed sincerely apologetic.
“If circumstances allow, I’ll make sure to visit His Highness whenever it suits you, as a gesture of apology.”
Griff struggled to speak.
“When would that be?”
“Well… perhaps when I’m able to fully control this power of mine.”
Cecilia murmured softly.
Griff seemed to have nothing more to say.
He barely managed to squeeze out a voice.
“……How am I supposed to report this to His Highness?”
“Well.”
At his question, Cecilia tilted her head in genuine confusion.
As if to say, Why are you asking me that?
“But if this situation becomes known, wouldn’t it be His Highness who ends up in trouble rather than me? If rumors spread that he tried to summon a daughter of the Everglenn family for a private audience and it ended in disaster… well, that would be quite embarrassing for the knights as well, wouldn’t it?”
“……”
At those words, Griff fell silent.
His expression now held resignation that had eclipsed any anger or confusion.
Cecilia watched him for a moment, then bowed her head politely.
“Well then, I’ll be taking my leave.”
Without hesitation, she turned and walked toward Lian and Allen.
The streets around the Academy were thick with a strange heat.
Far more extravagant decorations lined the streets than just a few days ago. Joyful music and the buzz of the crowd filled the air.
With the Departure Festival being a major event, and with the Merchant Group of Demons visiting on top of that, the streets were filled with an exotic scent and vibrant atmosphere.
The three walked slowly through the lively crowd.
It was then that Lian suddenly asked Cecilia,
“Are you really alright?”
“With what, Lian?”
“What just happened, I mean.”
What had just occurred was essentially a blow to the dignity of the Second Imperial Prince.
It was hard not to be concerned about the consequences.
Cecilia shrugged and replied,
“There’s no need to worry, Lian. They were clearly in the wrong, so they won’t be able to confront me about it directly.”
She continued with an added explanation.
“People from the Three Dukes can’t just have private meetings with royalty. Especially not in situations where there’s clearly suspicious intent. If I had gone and something had happened, or rumors had started… things would’ve gotten truly out of hand.”
Cecilia’s voice was filled with confidence.
Seeing her so sure of herself, Lian nodded.
Well… Griff did keep watching her the entire time and didn’t say a word at the end either.
Given the special position the Three Dukes held within the Empire, Lian figured there must be rules or traditions he wasn’t aware of.
The fact that someone as cautious as Cecilia had taken such a bold step must’ve meant she had her reasons and something she was confident in.
“And besides…”
Cecilia gently shook her head.
“……There’s really no need to worry too much. But thank you for your concern, Lian.”
“If you say so, then I understand.”
Lian didn’t press further.
Surely, she knew how to handle these things better than he did.
That’s what Lian believed.
Besides, we’re finally outside the Academy.
Even if just for a moment, he wanted to forget all the complicated thoughts.
Just as he was thinking that—
Tap.
Someone lightly bumped into Lian’s back.
A pickpocket?
But instead of fleeing, the person tapped Lian’s arm again.
What the…
Lian turned his head, puzzled.
And then—
“……”
There stood a woman he had never seen before.
A woman in elegant, vintage-style clothing, exuding a strange aura.
And above all, she was so breathtakingly beautiful it made him question whether someone like her could truly exist.
Bow.
Just as Lian looked at her, wondering who she could be, she suddenly bowed deeply toward him.
So deeply that her head nearly touched the ground in a formal, reverent bow.
“……Greetings, Elder. It is an honor to meet you.”
Her voice was youthful, yet carried a sense of depth.
Lian stared at her in shock.
Who is this?
Had she mistaken him for someone else?
Lian shook his head, wondering if he had failed to recognize her.
But there was no way he could forget a woman like that.
While Lian stood stunned, the woman remained bowed, her voice steady and unwavering.
“It is our first meeting face-to-face, but a child of the clan offers her greetings. I humbly ask that you accept them with grace.”