Chapter 160

Perhaps it was due to the temple’s presence, but moving to the center was not difficult. The High Priest would open a portal from the temple whenever he moved, allowing for travel at any time. However, it came with the condition that it could only be used for official matters. This was why Sevi had persistently requested personal teleportation stones from Leilda.

Scheuer gaped at the enormous portal that opened before her. She had often seen such portals when the Raygrain would go on expeditions from Blenga, but the one opened from the temple was much larger and impressively bright.

“Ahem. This is only opened when the High Priest moves,” 

Sevi announced, proudly stepping through the portal, showcasing powers that weren’t even hers. Raygrain and Scheuer followed behind.

The air in the center felt both unfamiliar and oddly familiar, enveloping her in just a few steps.

“May the blessing of the God Lapel be with you.”

Upon arriving at the temple located in the center, numerous priests and some knights sent by the royal family were waiting for Sevi.

“We greet the one blessed by the god Lapel.”

The one leading the imperial knights was none other than Crown Prince Silcaro. Given that the stone tablet had been discovered, it was expected that Sevi would return to the temple. Crown Prince Silcaro only seemed surprised by the fact that the people from Blenga had come along.

“I didn’t expect you to come with them from the north. It’s a pleasure to see you again.”

Despite Crown Prince Silcaro’s shy smile, Reygrain merely bowed his head in a formal greeting without a word. Sevi, feeling triumphant in the attention he was receiving, shouted out loudly.

“So, where exactly was the stone tablet discovered?”

“It’s in the territory of Netriga. I will guide you there.”

Netriga?

Scheuer instinctively furrowed her brow, tensing her face. This was something that didn’t exist in the original story. If there was a stone tablet in the Netriga territory, it would have been a significant event in the original story, especially to support Erina, who had been thriving more than anyone else.

However, she couldn’t be sure of anything in this situation. While Sevi walked confidently alongside the paladins without a hint of doubt, Silcaro turned to Raygrain for a moment.

“Would you mind staying in the center while the High Priest checks the stone tablet?”

“That was my intention.”

Crown Prince Silcaro, looking slightly apologetic, continued.

“I haven’t seen the excavation process of the stone tablet either, so I will return to the palace shortly and join you.”

With those friendly words, he went ahead to guide Sevi again. The examination of the stone tablet was entirely under the High Priest’s domain, and even the Holy Knights couldn’t get close to it.

In this situation, both Raygrain and Crown Prince Silcaro found themselves in a position where they had to wait patiently. After sending Sevi off, Scheuer fervently hoped that this sudden turn of events would pass without any issues.

After greeting His Majesty briefly upon entering, she was heading to her room when—

“Oh my, Your Grace! What a surprise!”

“Lady Annabelle…!”

An unwelcome figure approached with a feigned friendliness. Lady Annabelle was flaunting an even more extravagant appearance than before. She wore an elaborate headdress made of luxurious peacock feathers and a dress that looked much more detailed and expensive than her previous attire.

She had always had a flair for the extravagant, so this wasn’t too surprising. Forgetting her previous role in sowing discord with letters, Lady Annabelle shamelessly acted as if they were close friends.

“It’s been a while! I’ve often thought of you. You came because of the stone tablet, right?”

“Oh, yes. That’s right.”

“Congratulations on your wedding! If you had sent me an invitation, I would have brought a gift!”

Her characteristic chatter flowed quickly. Raygrain glanced at her and quietly asked, “If you wish to converse, you should step aside. Unless you want to stay, of course.”

“No, it’s fine.”

Scheuer cut in sharply, but Lady Annabelle responded with a hint of disappointment, “Why not? It’s fate that we met like this. Let’s share some tea together.”

Her expression seemed genuinely oblivious, which was rather perplexing. There didn’t appear to be any malice or ulterior motive behind her face.

Because of this, not only Reygrain but even Silcaro found themselves in a position where they had to wait patiently. After sending Sevi off, Scheuer fervently hoped that this sudden situation would pass without any problems.

After entering the palace and greeting the Emperor briefly, they were heading to their room when—

“Oh my, Your Highness! What a surprise!”

“Lady Annabelle…!”

Someone not particularly welcome approached them with familiarity. Lady Annabelle appeared even more extravagant than before. She was adorned with luxurious ornaments made from  feathers, and her dress, more detailed and expensive-looking than previously, only added to the grandeur. Given her already flashy nature, it wasn’t particularly surprising.

Lady Annabelle, acting as if she’d forgotten all about the letter she had meddled with to sow discord, shamelessly pretended to be close.

“It’s been a while! I’ve been thinking of you from time to time. You’re here because of the stone tablet, right?”

“Ah, yes. That’s right.”

“Congratulations on your wedding! If you’d sent me an invitation, I would have brought a lovely gift!”

Her characteristic chatty nature was in full swing. Reygrain glanced at her briefly and asked quietly,

“If you wish to converse, I should step aside. Unless you want to stay, of course.”

“No, it’s fine.”

Scheuer cut her off sharply, but Lady Annabelle, looking disappointed, said,

“Why not? Meeting like this is fate. Let’s have some tea together.”

Her expression, as if she truly didn’t understand anything, was almost bewildering. There didn’t seem to be any malice or ulterior motive in her face.

Scheuer asked carefully,

“That’s all right. How is Viscount Litton  doing?”

This was the first step in inquiring about the letter that had been sent separately. Lady Annabelle blinked, then chuckled and replied,

“Of course! My dear husband and our son are getting along so well. Recently, they even sparred together, even though my husband can’t even hold a sword properly.”

From the conversation alone, nothing seemed off.

‘Was it just my imagination?’

There didn’t seem to be a clear reason for her to send the letter separately.

‘Maybe they had a marital spat back then.’

Pushing aside the uneasy feeling, Scheuer smiled and replied,

“It’s nice to hear they’re getting along. We came here straight after our wedding in the North, so I apologize, but could we leave now?”

“Oh my, didn’t you come with the High Priest?”

“Yes, he officiated the ceremony.”

“The High Priest officiated?”

Her eyes widened in surprise. It was certainly an unusual event.

There had never been a precedent where the High Priest officiated a royal wedding, which was why Lady Annabelle enthusiastically showered Scheuer with compliments in her characteristic high-pitched voice.

“My, it seems even the temple was moved by Your Grace’s love.”

“Maybe so. Well, it was nice seeing you, Lady Annabelle.”

“Indeed! You must be tired, so please rest!”

Lady Annabelle hurried off in her usual quick, bustling manner. As Scheuer watched her retreat, a sudden thought occurred to her.

‘How did Lady Annabelle know that the High Priest came with us to the center?’

It was common knowledge among those present, but neither Lady Annabelle, her son, nor Vicount Litton  had been there. Even the time they spent greeting the Majesties was very brief.

‘Is news traveling this fast?’

Scheuer calmly watched Lady Annabelle’s retreating figure. She reached out and tugged at Raygrain’s sleeve, saying,

 “Your Grace, may I ask you for a favor?”

“If you call my name, I will listen.”

“Excuse me?”

Taken aback by his sudden response, Scheuer turned her head sharply. She wondered if she had misheard him, as he maintained a composed and handsome demeanor.

‘Was last night too shocking for me…?’

It seemed that his request for her to call his name had left a significant impression on her. However, Raygrain shamelessly leaned toward her and said,

“If not, perhaps you’d prefer a kiss?”

It wasn’t her imagination!

The royal maids were lingering nearby, ready to guide them, but after the interruption from Lady Annabelle, they seemed unsure of how to proceed, watching the scene with wistful eyes from a distance.

Looking up at him with a pitiful gaze, Scheuer pleaded,

“You said you’d listen to everything I asked!”

“I didn’t say I wouldn’t listen…”

“But it’s conditional! That’s different from what you promised!”

Reygrain narrowed his eyes slightly, scrutinizing her as if displeased, then leaned down and planted a brief kiss on her lips.

“It’s hard to win against you sometimes.”

The sudden, fleeting kiss took Scheuer’s breath away.

“Fate lead the willing and

drags the unwilling”