In the Gael Holy Kingdom, the “First Saintess” held a peculiar position.
The successor of the White Dragon.
The incarnation of the divine white dragon that protects the Goddess.
Only a virtuous maiden chosen by the White Dragon can become the First Saintess.
Despite Beatrice achieving the feat of awakening her saintly powers before Zebeline, she became the Second Saintess because she did not receive the blessing of the White Dragon. In the Holy Kingdom, laws and traditions are prioritized above all, making it impossible to change the ranks.
“I’m sorry for the humble treatment.”
“It’s okay, I’ll forgive your disrespect in the name of the First Saintess.”
A girl with fluttering silver hair raised her teacup with a sulky expression.
Milk tea mixed with black tea.
Today, it was a special cheesecake that the mischievous fairy was supposed to have as a snack.
Wanting to serve the suddenly visiting Saintess, some desserts were hastily brought out. Rue, who spent the morning doing document sorting while anticipating the dessert, screamed and fell to the ground. The cheesecake she had been eagerly waiting for was slowly disappearing before her eyes.
“Hieeek…!”
“Would you like to have a bite?”
“Yes!!”
“Just kidding. This is a precious gift I received from Edanant.”
The Saintess handed a fork with cheesecake to the despairing fairy.
But,
She had no intention of sharing the cake at all.
As Rue brightened with expectation and opened her mouth, Zebeline popped it into her own mouth.
Oh my gosh.
How wicked.
Such playfulness is way too unkind for a benevolent Saintess.
“Ahem! We’ve had enough chit-chat… I believe it’s time for the Saintess to get to the point.”
The Imperial Princess, who had been watching the noisy spectacle, spoke up. With her luscious blond hair, she cleared her throat and urged the Saintess to get serious.
Then the Saintess opened her mouth.
“I actually want to have a secret chat with Prince Edanant right away… but since Princess Ludmilla won’t step aside, I’m stuck wasting time here.”
“That’s quite the joke.”
“No, aside from the prank I just pulled on the little one, I haven’t made any jokes.”
“…….”
The Red Dragon and the White Dragon began a battle of wits disguised as a quiet conversation.
Scary.
Who knew a battle of wits could be so terrifying?
The fierce silhouettes of dragons seemed to roar behind Ludmilla and Zebeline. It must have been an illusion, but cold sweat dripped down my back.
Rue had the same shocked reaction.
It felt like watching a little squirrel caught up in a battle of top predators. I could fully understand the misery of a shrimp caught in a whale fight right now.
“You both are being overly playful.”
If this mental clash heated up, the villa surely wouldn’t remain intact.
Summoning courage, I tried to intervene.
“Your Highness and the Saintess represent the Empire and the Holy Kingdom. Even in a private setting, please maintain some respect.”
Was it a habit from mediating between the saintess party’s male members who fought like sworn enemies?
I spoke in a polite yet serious tone.
With that, Ludmilla and Zebeline exchanged awkward glances and dropped their terrifying presence.
“I’m sorry; I lost my composure for a moment.”
“I didn’t mean to be rude. I seem to lack training.”
The Princess and the Saintess acknowledged their responsibilities.
However, it was certainly not an apology.
Asking for forgiveness after committing an offense is an apology. But Ludmilla and Zebeline did not ask for forgiveness from each other. They only apologized to me for halting their sharp battle of nerves.
Ugh-.
My stomach began to ache.
It had been a while since I experienced this pain after damned Maximilian made his unauthorized escape.
“Edanant is a user of the Holy Sword, so he must be exceptionally skilled in combat, right? He achieved great feats by vanquishing the ruthless Bomber with one swift strike.”
“One swift strike… isn’t entirely accurate.”
Zebeline, who had been sitting on the sofa, suddenly stood up and leaned forward to an uncomfortable extent. I felt uncomfortable and responded.
What is her goal?
It felt like leading questions, so I cautiously replied.
“But it seems a bit strange.”
“Yes?”
“Prince Edanant is so loyal that he would risk everything to eliminate the Bomber, so why didn’t he participate in the Racial War that broke out three years ago?”
“…The Racial War, you say.”
The total war waged between humanity and the Demon King’s Army.
This is referred to as the Racial War.
The fates of many races were determined by the war’s outcome.
The Demon King, defeated and losing legions in the Third Racial War, met a glorious end at the hands of the Saintess Party’s surprise attack while trying to regroup. That was the result of the Racial War and the conclusion of the romance fantasy “The Lady of White Blessing.”
‘Is she just testing me? Or does she know something?’
How many would bring up a serious topic in a socializing context with someone they just met?
Someone lacking social skills or a madman who enjoys war and bloodshed.
However, the First Saintess did not fit either category.
She knew something.
So she tossed out a question that was difficult to answer with her sparkling blue eyes.
If I were timid and weak-hearted, I would have confessed everything immediately under her leading inquiries, digging my own grave. But I was different. I had honed an almost shameless level of fortitude while accompanying the saintess party in battle.
Leading questions?
Go ahead and try. I’ll not give you a straight answer.
I briefly mimicked the emotionless expression of Maximilian.
“Since my brother, the chosen hero, left the county to fulfill his noble duty… I’ve been doing everything I can to support my father in place of my brother. He entrusted me multiple times with the security of the county before leaving with the Saintess party.”
What an elaborate tale it was.
No one would doubt it.
Humans strive to follow reason but ultimately are creatures of emotion.
For a lie concocted in an instant, the quality was remarkable. I thought it might get selected if I sent it to a newspaper. After all, even the cold-blooded would be swayed by such a tale.
“When Maximilian, the chosen hero, left abruptly, you must have gone through a lot as well.”
Ludmilla spoke in a solemn voice, seemingly touched by my tale.
She nodded silently, acknowledging it.
“Uh-huh.”
On the other hand, Zebeline wore a meaningful smile, making it difficult to discern her true thoughts.
What is that smile…
It felt like, ‘Your effort is commendable, so I’ll let it slide this time.’
Staring at the girl with stunning, bellflower-like silver hair, I desperately searched my memory but couldn’t recall anything. There was no way I could forget a girl who boasted beauty on par with Ludmilla.
“I’ll be taking my leave. I apologize for suddenly visiting without notice and disrespecting Prince Edanant.”
“…It’s fine.”
“Oh, really? Then I’ll drop by again next time without warning.”
“No, actually, it’s not fine.”
With a bitter smile, I showed my discomfort, and the mischievous Saintess burst into laughter.
And Ludmilla glared at Zebeline, revealing her growing discomfort.
“Uwaah.”
“E–Edan! Edan is dead! Hweeeeng!!”
The Imperial Princess and the Saintess, who had been on the brink of conflict, simultaneously exited.
At that moment, with a wave of fatigue washing over me, I collapsed on the floor.
It felt as if all the blood that had been circulating throughout my body had suddenly drained away.
The Red Dragon and the White Dragon.
The Imperial Princess of the Valtarian Empire and the Saintess of the Holy Kingdom invaded.
As I imagined their unyielding confrontation without a moment’s retreat, I groaned.
Damn it.
If this situation continues, I’ll surely meet my end at an early age.
Rue burst into tears, shaking my collapsed form. I wanted to lift my head and respond for a moment, but my body felt as heavy as lead, preventing me from doing so.
*
Having left the villa simultaneously, Ludmilla and Zebeline distanced themselves as if to say, ‘It was dirty and messy meeting even for a moment, and let’s avoid even seeing each other.’
Was it a hatred stemming from instinct?
Or perhaps loathing born from intuition?
I just dislike it.
Is a reason necessary to dislike someone?
Every time a summit meeting between the Valtarian Empire and the Gael Holy Kingdom was held, we kept running into each other by coincidence. Every time, Ludmilla and Zebeline remained unchanged, confirming that the Red Dragon and the White Dragon were still implacable rivals.
“Still, she’s quite cute.”
Hehe-.
The girl with fluttering silver hair let out a laugh.
It was an innocent smile, devoid of any pretense, one that had never been shown to anyone until now.
“After three long years… I’ve finally found you.”
When I pulled on his arm and embraced his sturdy form, the smell of gunpowder lingered.
It was the scent of a man I had long desired and missed. The moment filled with the fragrance of yearning nearly brought tears to my eyes.
“However, since you’ve made an effort, shall I pretend not to notice for now? Teasing you is quite fun.”
A warmonger.
At last, I found you.
In the territory of the Valtarian Empire, far removed from the Holy Kingdom.
Is this what they call fate?
No,
It doesn’t matter if it’s fate or not.
Just as I finally found you from distant lands, I will find you no matter where you vanish.
The White Dragon of the Holy Kingdom will never break her obsession.
Zebeline hummed a cheerful tune as she recalled the flustered Edanant, beads of cold sweat glistening on her forehead.
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