Chapter 99

#099 The Royal Counterattack (4)

"I will eat well, Your Majesty."

"Yes, I will eat well too."

Sir Haines offered his greetings, and I smiled in response.

Everything was proceeding smoothly.

Yesterday, I listened to Kristel's troubles and also shared one of my own.

It wasn't so much a trouble as a small thorn under the fingernail, but I thought it wouldn't hurt for the protagonist to know.

Prince Cedric was clearly wary of Sir Haines.

However, he didn't give a proper answer to my question about what had happened.

That meant there was no concrete evidence of suspicion.

Still, it was hard to ignore his warning.

The prince was the 'main male lead' of the regent.

I didn't want to become a cliché minor character who gets sacrificed first for ignoring the protagonist's advice.

It was true that Sir Haines had saved my life, but if he was hiding something, I had to address it.

"His Highness said to keep a distance from Sir Haines."

"His Highness did?"

"Yes. It feels strange to hear that, but it's a bit... awkward to suddenly distance myself from Sir Haines. He's so kind."

"That's true. I didn't sense anything unusual from him either."

Kristel replied. She and I were quietly lost in thought in the middle of the flower garden.

How could I draw out his true feelings without making things awkward...

"Let's have a meal together."

"Shall we set up a dining arrangement?"

Kristel and I said simultaneously. We looked at each other and nodded solemnly.

Indeed, to get someone to open up, you had to first put something in their mouth.

"Madam Croc is excellent. This is the best sandwich I've ever tasted."

"Laurens' cooking is the best. I'm glad it suits your taste."

In response to Sir Haines' words, I snapped back to reality and replied.

The royal palace's rear garden wasn't as beautiful as the garden of Juliet Palace.

However, it was completely free of passersby and quiet, making it perfect for a private conversation.

Benzaimon and Kanael were waiting inside the temple as I had requested.

In the distance, the temple knights guarding me were visible.

"The weather is really nice today."

"Yes. The 7th month in the Holy Kingdom is quite hot, but the capital is quite livable except during the heatwave period. The dry air makes it less tiring."

Sir Haines continued with a drooping gaze.

The way he held his fork and knife, his neat eating habits, and his elegant demeanor were typical of a noble paladin.

A few strands of his white hair were blown by the gentle breeze.

I chewed on the crispy bread, the gooey melted cheese, the hot ham, and the fried egg, choosing my words carefully.

*gulp*

"Sir Johann Haines."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Um... May I ask how you started your mercenary life?"

His eyes widened slightly.

He didn't lose his smile, but his face showed a mix of discomfort and embarrassment.

"I guess I haven't shared enough about myself. To have you go to such lengths to set this up..."

I steadied my heart with the fragrant camellia tea, waiting for Sir Haines to continue.

He tidied his mouth with a napkin and began.

"I was a mercenary even before I became a paladin."

I raised my head slightly. He leaned in and continued.

"Being a mercenary was the job that paid the most, and it was something I was good at. So I didn't quit even after being appointed."

I was curious about why he needed money so badly, but that would have been an impolite question.

It was hard to ask, even though I knew I had to.

There were many minor nobles in the empire.

The children of the Verand noble family, who were sacrificed to the twin assassins, couldn't use the portal and had to travel by carriage because they were poor.

I held the teacup silently.

"I have a son to take care of."

Sir Haines seemed to have read my mind. Our gazes met.

"He needs to take medicine every day. There was no choice."

"..."

"It's okay, Your Majesty. It's not a fatal illness."

He reassured me. I couldn't tell what my expression was like that made him say that.

I tried to see my face in the tea, but the blood-red camellia flowers blocked my view.

Sir Haines' tone was calm.

"It's just that without the medicine, he would be in pain and distress."

"I'm sorry."

"It's natural to be curious. I wouldn't easily trust someone like me either."

He concluded.

His tone was no different from when he praised Kristel's reflexes.

His face, as he spread cream on the croissant, was as lazy as usual.

I still couldn't verify if he was lying due to the difference in our divine powers.

"Is any part of the mission a lie?"

I asked. Sir Haines put the croissant back on the plate.

"Which part?"

"Did Her Highness the Crown Princess order you to kill me after delivering the letter?"

"No."

His answer was firm. I sipped my tea, organizing my thoughts.

I wondered if the Crown Princess had tried to make me let my guard down and then assassinate me, but upon reflection, it seemed like an overly complicated assumption.

If she really wanted to kill me, there would have been no need to send a letter to remind me of her presence.

It would have been more effective to strike without warning, like when the imperial envoy sent a young assassin.

Then.

"Is there another mission you haven't told me about?"

"For example?"

"Did you also receive money from the Imperial Envoy?"

My voice was calmer than I expected. I met his gaze squarely.

Sir Haines was the first to close his eyes.

[Let's make a pact.]

"Excuse me? Wait a moment,"

His voice turned into a divine message. I was taken aback and raised my voice.

Paladins couldn't make pacts.

Or rather, no paladin would take such a risk.

A priest who broke a pact would receive the divine punishment of 'loss.' The scope of loss was wide and deep.

Some lost family or lovers, while others lost small amounts of money or trivial memories.

But for a paladin, the loss was only one thing.

A paladin who broke a pact would have their power sealed.

This was why pacts had become obsolete among paladins.

[I have never received money from the Imperial Envoy. He is not my employer.]

Sir Haines' gentle voice echoed through the temple courtyard.

He was now swearing to me with all his ether.

The silvery-white ether that gushed from his heart soaked his white hair and spilled onto the ground.

If the pact were broken, he would lose his power forever, a sin for which he would be stripped of his honor and position as a paladin and live the rest of his life in disgrace.

- *rustle* *rustle* *rustle* *rustle*...

Eventually, the man's ether disappeared. He slowly opened his eyes.

"Your Majesty, are you alright?"

"..." I listened to the paladin's divine message.

"Ha ha ha."

My voice wavered. He chuckled briefly.

According to the scriptures, there were only two cases where a paladin could issue a divine message.

One was when making a pact, and the other was when a cardinal-level paladin revealed their 'saintly mark.'

The former was something no sane paladin would do.

There were only six cardinal-level paladins on the continent, so the latter was rarely heard.

"Before long, you'll be able to see a saintly mark."

"Indeed."

I replied. Two cardinals were arriving in the empire next week.

If one of them was a paladin, I might get to see a rare sight.

"Then, am I cleared?"

"Is there even a need to say 'cleared'? You've made a pact..."

I took a large bite of scrambled eggs drizzled with truffle oil. I was conflicted.

A man with a son to take care of, who had sworn to me with his stable job and the blessing of his deity.

There was no choice but to trust Sir Haines. But why did Saeidi say such things?

"Still, be careful of the Imperial Envoy. His Highness the Prince knows better..."

Sir Haines smiled bitterly.

"He's a scary person. He doesn't care about the means."

*

At the same time, the royal palace of the Penetian Holy Kingdom was in turmoil.

The precious Second Princess had refused to eat for two days.

"Your Majesty, please, just take one spoonful for the old maid's sake."

"No. Big brother isn't here..."

The little girl sitting alone at the large dining table shook her head.

Large green eyes were filled with tears, and she clutched a pig figurine in her hand.

The attendants paced around the princess, wringing their hands.

Cornelius had grown up like a flower in a greenhouse and was only seven years old.

If she continued to refuse meals, her health would be severely affected.

The head attendant of the princess's attendants sighed.

He didn't want to say harsh words to the one he had raised like a daughter.

But it was better than letting her starve.

The envoy was busy attending a party of a royal priest and didn't visit the princess today.

So, Her Highness the Crown Princess would surely support her.

"Would you like to go to the Emperor? Shall we invite him to have dinner together?"

"No. The Emperor is sick, and if I go, it will only make it worse..."

The little girl's face contorted.

King Christner of Krista had recently become more severely ill, unable to recognize even his beloved daughters.

To be precise, he was suffering because he saw the envoy's face superimposed over his daughter's.

Cornelius, though young, knew that her mother found it difficult to see her.

Even if she wanted to throw a tantrum about eating alone and her brother breaking his promise, she had to hold back.

Her sister was very busy today. So, she would be alone until late at night.

"Can't I just have one bite..."

"You've made a good decision, Your Majesty."

The attendants quickly moved the utensils and tore the bread for the princess.

Despite having only drunk water and juice for days, the child couldn't quickly swallow the food.

It was unclear if it was because she was sad or her stomach was too tight. Probably both.

"Why hasn't big brother come even after more than 100 days?"

"If you eat well and sleep well, he will definitely come. He never breaks his promises to you."

"But... It's almost 120 days. I can count well, you know."

The attendants praised the princess, saying, "Excellent, Your Majesty."

It had been four months since Prince Yeseo left the palace.

Until last year, the princess had struggled with arithmetic, but now she could accurately calculate the days on her own.

If he saw her now, he would surely be delighted and lift her up high.

But the cruel man didn't return to the Holy Kingdom even after the 100th night, as he had promised.

Because he had become a hostage of the empire.

"Can't I just go there?"

"Excuse me?"

The attendants were surprised by the princess's question and responded.

"Since big brother can't come, can't I go to the empire?"

"There's no need."

At that moment, a low voice echoed through the dining hall.

The attendants surrounding the princess turned their bodies and bowed to the visitor.

There was no need to confirm who it was or why they were here.

The deep blonde hair that reached the floor and the piercing blue eyes were dazzling.

"Little one."

"Big sister!"

Cornelius jumped off her chair and ran into Elysia's arms.

Though she had said she would be late, her sister had arrived hours earlier, which made her happy.

The Crown Princess's face, as she tightly embraced her sister, was unusually joyful.

She was out of breath, and a light sweat was visible on her forehead.

"I've taken charge of the prince's affairs. So, I will go myself."

"Huh?"

The youngest princess tilted her head. Elysia held the child's cheeks and whispered with joy.

"I will go to the empire and meet Yeseo."