“Please have a seat for a moment. I’ll go brew some tea for you both.”
After saying this, Vera left the room. Judging by the way she was carrying a bucket, she was probably off to fetch water.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, “Your Royal Highness” and Selene began to examine the furnishings in the room.
“It’s surprisingly bare in here… Doesn’t this woman have any hobbies at all?”
Selene strolled around the room, fanning herself.
The room was very spacious, but the furniture and decorations inside were pitifully few.
Morning light streamed through the tall windows, casting diamond-shaped patches on the empty floor.
Apart from a large bed by the wall, the most striking object in the room was the marble-carved fireplace on the opposite side.
Yet, even that fireplace seemed to have hardly ever been used. There was no ash inside, and the candelabra on the mantel held not a single candle.
“…The only thing in this room that feels at all lived-in is this dressing table.”
“Your Royal Highness” ran her hand over the surface of the dressing table.
It was empty except for a small comb and several tiny ceramic jars.
She picked up the comb for a closer look and saw a few strands of hair stuck in its teeth.
She also picked up the jars and gently sniffed them—
“She doesn’t seem like someone who likes to dress up. I can’t smell any of these scents on her.”
“Isn’t that just like you?”
“…Don’t talk nonsense.”
Staring at the unfamiliar face reflected in the mirror, “Your Royal Highness” silently put everything back where it belonged.
“I heard it earlier. The conversation she had with the maid downstairs—looks like the rumor about her being unwell is true.”
“Oh? So those Familiars of Vlad’s are useful after all. Even lying in bed, he can still control those creatures?”
“That’s not Vlad’s information. He’s only regrown half a lung so far and can only rest in his room. I heard it from our compatriots who attended the Unveiling Ceremony… They seemed to have witnessed the Duke arguing with her from very close by.”
“It couldn’t possibly be an argument. Aren’t those two women closer than real sisters? Back then, our people tried to blend in among the human nobles, planning to strike while the Duchess was giving birth. But this woman brought the entire Imperial Capital’s army to guard the border and that Farm day and night, making it impossible for anyone to act… That’s why she’s in this state now.”
“It’s precisely because she’s our greatest obstacle that we’ve come here to check on her condition. And from what we’ve seen so far… Selene, you likely won’t have to force yourself to confront her any longer.”
“Really?!”
Selene exclaimed with joy—she even forgot to maintain their telepathic conversation.
At once, “Your Royal Highness” raised a finger, signaling her to keep her composure and sit down quickly.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
Vera entered the room carrying a tea tray. It seemed she had brewed the tea outside and brought it in… and judging by how out of breath she looked—
Did she really brew it herself?
“Your Royal Highness” found this unexpected, but also took it as confirmation that Vera was indeed unwell.
After all, she was the renowned Sword Saint… If she were healthy, how could she be so exhausted just from making tea?
She glanced at Selene again, who was also looking back at her with delight, nodding slightly.
“Your Highness, you’ve gone to such trouble for us—brewing tea yourself—”
“Not at all. Since you’re the children of Brother Roland… as your elder, I should do my part to look after you. There’s no need for such formality in addressing me… If you’d like, you may call me Aunt Vera.”
Her kind demeanor and clearly unpracticed smile sent shivers down both of their spines. But to avoid arousing suspicion, “Your Royal Highness” spoke first:
“If Aunt Vera is willing to let us address you that way, then of course, we won’t refuse.”
Are you really going to call her that?
Selene shot her a shocked look—
What are you staring at? You call her too!
Under the meaning-laden glare, Selene had no choice but to look at that fearsome face… The woman, despite trying to restrain herself, couldn’t hide the anticipation in her eyes—
What is wrong with this woman?
“Ve…ra…Aunt…Aunt…”
Selene forced the words out through clenched teeth. Taking her hesitation as a sign of shyness, Vera’s face instantly lit up:
“Thank you, both of you… It’s truly been so long since I’ve felt this happy. I must think of a way to get Lian to call me that as well—”
“Aunt Vera?”
Noticing that Vera seemed lost in thought, “Your Royal Highness” tried to bring her back.
“Oh, sorry. This isn’t the place to talk about that. You’re staying at Xīlong Pavilion in the palace, aren’t you? Have you been comfortable there these days?”
“The Duke’s hospitality has been wonderful. It’s just that she seems very busy—we haven’t had a chance to see her yet.”
“Sigh… She’s still the same. She doesn’t even have time to see the children of old friends. I’ll definitely speak to her about this. But don’t worry, tomorrow before the Flower Crown Parade, she’ll be sure to invite all the distinguished guests at Xīlong Pavilion onto the carriage. You’ll see her then…”
“Aunt Vera, will you be attending too? Tomorrow’s Flower Crown Parade?”
“Me?” Upon hearing the question, Vera’s bright expression clouded over with a heavy shadow: “I… I probably won’t go. My health hasn’t been good lately.”
She recalled nearly pushing Melia off the platform yesterday.
“Y-Your health, what’s wrong?”
This time, it was Selene—who had been silent since calling her “Aunt”—who blurted out the question, her anxious look only making Vera feel her niece’s deep concern.
“It’s nothing… just some old ailments. I should recover with a few days’ rest. No… as long as I have this sword Lian gave me, maybe by tomorrow…”
Feeling her body begin to chill, she hurriedly drew the Imitated Holy Sword from her waist, cradling it as she channeled her magic.
As its familiar warmth slowly spread through her, some color returned to her cheeks.
And this entire scene was clearly witnessed by the two sitting in front of her.
“Please don’t push yourself, Aunt Vera.”
“Brother is right. You’re a symbol of this nation—you mustn’t let the people see you in such a state. I think you should just rest here in your room.”
The two spoke in harmony, coaxing Vera into a daze, her face alight with happiness.
“I see… Then I won’t go. Yes, I won’t go.”
…
……
…….
“What is she doing up there… Do they really need to talk for this long?”
Lian asked Feiyin, who was sitting beside him. It had been more than an hour since Vera went upstairs.
Looking out from the great hall’s window at the street, he saw the sunlight pressing the once-dappled shadows of the trees along the residential district into dense patches.
It was already nearly noon.
“Are you hungry?”
“No. I just remembered I still have the second day of the Martial Tournament this afternoon… I need to tell her about it.”
“What’s there to struggle over? Vera Royal Highness is your priority now. You should just give up on the Martial Tournament.”
“No way! You might not know this… but the Martial Tournament is something both her and your Lady asked me to join!”
With a pained expression, Lian continued to gaze at the staircase where Vera had disappeared.