“What are you looking at, ‘Royal Highness’?”
“……”
Though he used an honorific, there was not a trace of respect in Vlad Chesterton’s tone—instead, it brimmed with provocation.
Prince Nolan ignored him.
He continued to direct his gaze at the maid sitting in the corner of the banquet.
“If you can’t trust that woman, why didn’t you just get rid of her earlier?”
“You’re completely mad.”
Aoke was clearing the food brought to the table with incredible speed. Considering his size and build, such an appetite seemed only reasonable.
While devouring the meal, he gave his thoughts on Vlad’s suggestion.
“Shut up. Just enjoy the feed the humans prepared for you.”
Even such a direct insult didn’t stop Aoke from moving his utensils.
From this alone, it was clear he didn’t care about his companion’s hatred or contempt.
“Vlad, I’ve already warned you. You’d better rein yourself in. I don’t want our plan exposed before it even begins just because you two idiots clash.”
Princess Eleanor covered her mouth with a fan, and with the other hand, used a spoon to scoop soup from the bowl before her.
To outsiders, this was the very picture of noble dining etiquette—a lady at table.
No one would have guessed that, behind this cover, she was hurling venom at her companions.
“I say, Selene… Do you really take yourself for a ‘Princess’? Spare me your lectures. As I recall, the four of us are supposed to be in ‘fair competition’, aren’t we?”
Vlad looked at her with a sly smile. His mouth never moved, yet his mocking voice echoed directly in the mind of the “Princess”—or rather, Selene, disguised as one.
“I don’t recall ever being on equal footing with a cave-dwelling bat like you.”
“What did you say…?”
“Enough, both of you. Do you want to start a fight here? Are you just going to ignore the Regent’s orders?”
Their psychic confrontation abruptly paused as the two looked in annoyance at the person who’d stepped in—Prince Nolan. He turned around, meeting their gazes squarely:
“As you say. We are equals, and the only way to determine who stands above is to fulfill the Royal Highness’ commands.”
Only when he mentioned the word “Regent” did a ripple of emotion stir in the prince’s violet eyes—a powerful, unrestrained reverence and longing.
“He’s right.”
Aoke also stopped eating and joined the conversation. Unlike the others, however, he spoke aloud.
“I’m not provoking you, ‘Brother’. It’s true our actions are on the Regent’s behalf, but we’re not her subordinates. Bringing her up to pressure us isn’t quite right, is it?”
“Don’t remind her, Selene. Let her wallow in those fond memories of ‘Mommy.’ After all, she’s the only real ‘Princess Royal Highness’ among us… Oh wait, you’re disguised as a man now, so I should call you ‘Prince Royal Highness’, shouldn’t I?”
The two who had just been at each other’s throats now burst into unrestrained laughter, their abrasive voices echoing through their shared psychic link.
“Don’t mind what they say, Royal Highness. You know, they’re both insane anyway.”
Aoke comforted the “Prince.” Among this group called companions—though in truth, nothing but strangers—it seemed only the two of them got along at all.
“Thank you, Aoke. Actually, I’d already cut off my psychic link with them before they even started talking.”
“That’s good. But what about that maid? I’m certain the magic that triggered the barrier came from her. Does the Duchess know?”
Having severed their psychic link, the two kept their voices very low.
They could have simply reestablished a private psychic connection, but if a group just sat together, neither eating nor talking, staring blankly at each other, it would definitely arouse suspicion.
“I don’t think the Duchess knows. She only sent someone—this maid must be her agent. It’s probably their usual trick. If she really knew, we wouldn’t still be sitting here now.”
Even with his voice this low, the “Prince” avoided any suspicious terms.
He glanced around the banquet hall, then his eyes once again locked on Lian, who was chatting with Tilly in the corner—the one he’d been watching from the start.
Confirming that no one was using magical perception, he finally spoke slowly:
“I’ll ‘discipline’ her my own way. Since we are royalty of Nolan, at the very least, we should respond in some way to such a rude probe—it’s only proper.”
…
……
………
The somewhat drawn-out luncheon was nearing its end.
Guests were leaving in succession, though some lingered in the lounge beside the hall to continue their conversations.
“Well, Lian, I have to get back to Young Master Bert.”
Tilly reluctantly squeezed Lian’s hand. Bert was in the lounge, chatting and laughing with other nobles, while his household servants shot ugly looks in their direction.
They wanted to cause trouble, but with no support from their young master, all they could do was gnaw their knuckles and glare.
If those people ever found out that the “earthquake” at the tavern was actually her slamming Bert to the ground, they’d probably steer well clear of her, wouldn’t they?
Lian thought wordlessly. But if she were to go over and say, “I caused that earthquake. If you know what’s good for you, stay far away,” they’d probably just think she was some deranged villainess.
And if she went out of her way to prove it, she’d be caught damaging Melia’s property and reported as a walking monster—the worst possible outcome.
That would definitely invite an investigation. Once her identity was exposed, it would inevitably lead to a fiery duel with Vera, which Lian had to avoid at all costs.
So, she decided to put the matter aside for now.
“Don’t worry about me. The Prince and Princess Royal Highness here are really kind. They were just chatting away with me earlier.”
To set her at ease, Lian shamelessly lied. In truth, she and the prince’s group had spoken less than three sentences in total.
Feeling reassured, Tilly ran off toward her waiting fellow servants, while Lian returned to the table where Nolan’s group had dined.
They seemed to have just finished their meal, conversing with several nobles who’d come over to greet them.
“Who would’ve thought that an autumn harvest festival could attract both the Prince and Princess Royal Highness of the oldest kingdom in Northland… As a Northlander, I am truly honored.”
“Please, Northern Frontier Earl.” Princess Nolan’s laughter was as clear and sweet as silver bells.
“Ever since the Crown Festival was first reinstated after the war, our kingdom has always sent envoys to attend. The reason my brother and I came this time is by our father’s will—he wants us to deliver to his beloved niece, your brightest jewel, an unforgettable coming-of-age gift.”
“Hahaha! It seems our princess truly is loved by the entire world!” The middle-aged man chatting with the princess was likely a local Northland noble.
His hearty laughter filled the hall, radiating the adoration he held for the girl regarded as an idol across Northland.
Lian had already met this “princess” twice herself—her own daughter, Milin Klauschel.
Tilly had previously told her that the Crown Festival grew more grand each year, but this year’s festivities were unprecedented.
Tourists from all over the continent packed every inn in town, and even the inner Xīlong Pavilion—normally reserved only for royalty and nobles—would be overflowing in just two or three days.
“Everyone came just to catch a glimpse of the young lady’s beauty and charm after her coming of age! After all, she’s the daughter of that great Hero and our Duchess—Northland’s, no, the continent’s brightest jewel!”
Lian still remembered the feverish light in Tilly’s eyes as she said those words.
Yet her shout had drawn not a single sideways glance from those dining nearby—instead, it had sparked a round of applause from the entire room.
“Seems her popularity is far beyond what I’d imagined…”
Although being hated by her daughter left her with complicated feelings, learning that the whole world cherished her brought a gentle smile to Lian’s lips.