The bakery located in the not-so-distant downtown was so popular that it attracted long lines even from dawn. The smell of freshly baked bread was always wafting from the shop.
Soft butter cake.
Delicious strawberry tart with fresh fruit.
And the chocolate macaron, sold to only 100 lucky customers each day.
Noble bumpkins from the countryside, having traveled to the capital, were going crazy trying to get their hands on the macarons, which were considered a treasure of the Imperial City. Some nobles, blinded by desire, even went so far as to use their family’s influence to win the macarons.
“What are you, some foolish teen? Adults should know better…”
“Right?”
If Emperor Barbarossa had witnessed the ridiculous chaos among the nobles over desserts, he would have gone ballistic and demolished the bakery.
Why are fully grown adults acting like this?
With a deep sigh, I left the bakery with Rue.
“Hehe! They look delicious, so delicious!”
The chubby little fairy hummed as she skipped along.
She seemed so excited at the thought of eating sweet cakes.
Her hair bounced like the second hand of a clock, reflecting her inner feelings.
“I didn’t say I’d give any to you.”
“Hey, Edan is just being a trickster! I stood in line since dawn just to praise my shining self!”
If Rue hadn’t warned me about the stench from Meiros disguised as Dagilec Branon, heaven knows what horrific disaster would have unfolded.
If they were to choose the greatest contributor of this hunt, it had to be Rue, right?
She was the first to identify the monster’s true identity.
Well, more like she accidentally provided the clue while stepping back.
The Valtarian Imperial Family must have already reported Luinong’s achievements, so surely she would be rewarded handsomely.
“Well, that’s true. If you hadn’t warned me, it would’ve been really tough.”
“Hehehe! So embarrassing!”
I genuinely praised her.
Rue responded with a silly grin, scratching the back of her head.
“Cake! Cake!”
As soon as we arrived at the lodging, Rue was bouncing around and clinging to me.
She looked just like a tiger demanding, “If you give me a rice cake, I won’t eat you!”
I quietly watched the little one.
Then Rue, her spirit undeterred, nodded firmly and went to wash her hands.
“I washed my hands! Soaped them squeaky clean!”
“Just wait for a moment.”
I took out a variety of desserts I had brought—so many that I could barely carry them in both hands—from the packaging box. Then, I arranged them neatly on the table and lit a candle made of white silver.
What is happening?
Rue approached, tilting her head in confusion.
I set aside her question and proceeded with the ‘ceremony.’
“I offer these tributes sincerely from a devoted believer. Please accept them graciously.”
“Hyieeee! Edan suddenly went crazy!”
Originally, there was a hierarchy based on faith that bound the god and the believer. Thus, blessings would be granted based on the strength of one’s faith, but I was an exception, resembling a different breed.
The cost for utilizing blessings is paid with ‘tributes.’
Looking for divine faith is just a ridiculously rare occurrence in our business-like relationship.
I had used the blessing when defeating the Bomber and battling Meiros. Therefore, I planned this feast of popular bakery items to pay the accumulated costs all at once.
“You must have taken a heavy blow when fighting the monster! Hospital…! We need to go to the hospital first!”
Setting the colorful desserts on the table while performing the ceremony was certainly a sight that could easily be mistaken for madness. It would look like some silly childhood game.
Rue’s stunned expression clearly showed that she thought so too.
“Uwaaaa!!”
Finally, Rue plopped down on the floor.
When I tried to explain everything to the dazed girl, suddenly—
“Edanant von Hohenberc!”
“His Majesty calls for you! Prepare yourself quickly!”
Knock knock knock!
With a booming voice, heavy banging echoed through the door.
The knocks were relentless, as if they were about to shatter the door.
Damn it.
Could it be that my childish ritual had been discovered?
The door was smashed as if no time was to be wasted. In came the armored knights, bursting in unexpectedly. With the clear emblem of a golden lion on their chests, they appeared to be troops dispatched from the Valtarian Imperial Family.
“His Majesty summons Lord Edanant! And the fairy too!”
Brawny knights poured into the reception room.
It felt like I was watching a drug bust in the middle of a chaotic scene.
“…Huh?”
“Hyiek!”
The brawny knights seized my arms from both sides.
As expected of the famously blind loyalist knights, they didn’t show an ounce of consideration. They also didn’t bother to explain anything.
And just like that, I found myself face-to-face with the absurd situation of being outright kidnapped in broad daylight.
*
The Red Dragon breathed hellfire, incinerating all the magical beasts that threatened the Pug Kingdom.
But that wasn’t all.
It obliterated 15 portals set up at the border, as well as the underground forces of the Black Magicians.
The sight was like a reincarnation of a myth as the citizens of the kingdom cheered loudly. Ludmilla’s strength was so formidable that it surpassed even the Sword Saint.
Citizens who had been abandoned by the king and nobles naturally gathered around Ludmilla. They cheered as if they would gladly crown her as their queen. In response, Ludmilla nodded gracefully as she passed through the crowd that had formed like clouds.
“Princess Ludmilla!”
“We had faith in the Valtarian Empire all along!”
The Red Dragon of the Empire descended and repelled the demonic beasts from the demon realm.
The king and nobles, who had hidden in their fortress like rats while neglecting the kingdom, hastily emerged. Acting grand even after cowardly fleeing was a display worthy of ridicule.
Ludmilla frowned.
The king and nobles, who prioritized their own survival over their duties and responsibilities, were the kind of people she despised most in the world.
Yet those oblivious royals and nobles were busy praising Ludmilla, who had achieved miraculous feats, as though they were unaware of the agony of citizens who had screamed for help in desperate situations.
“I am Erik von Pug, the first prince of the Pug Kingdom. It is an honor to meet your highness, the esteemed Red Dragon who protects the Empire.”
“I am Ludmilla Dreg Valtaria.”
The prince of the Pug Kingdom made a polite bow, showcasing his refined appearance. He must have thought his charm, which had captured countless noblewomen, would surely enchant the Empire’s unmarried princess.
However, his dazzling smile had only a strong disdain for Ludmilla.
What a pathetic guy.
The one who had abandoned the citizens and fled now dared to flaunt himself.
If he weren’t the first prince, I would have slapped him right away.
Feeling a surge of repulsion for the shameless king and nobles, I was reminded of the fact that these worthless creatures had also been spared life. They would soon return to the royal castle to wield their power again.
“I have prepared a banquet. Please come to the royal castle. A lavish feast awaits you.”
“No thanks. I will return to the Empire.”
Although the army of magical beasts threatening the kingdom had been defeated, damage could not be prevented.
Numerous homes had collapsed.
Moreover, the farms preparing for harvest had turned into complete ruins.
In such a situation, how could they prepare a lavish feast? If they cared even the slightest about the citizens, they would have sent help first.
“If it were Edanant, he would have stood against the beasts all alone. That’s the kind of person he is.”
It had only been half a day.
Yet I missed Edanant so much.
Was it because we used to face each other daily in friendly conversation?
The familiarity that had once felt so natural now turned into longing, like a nostalgic melody.
Thinking of Edanant brought a sense of calmness to my heart, which had been previously filled with disgust and rage. Through him, Ludmilla realized that the favorable feelings she had for Edanant had faded into a sense of deep affection.
It was time to return.
Having vanquished all the enemies threatening the kingdom.
I turned my back on the king and nobles, who were persistently laying on the sweet talk. Unfolding my blessing, I spread the wings of the Red Dragon.
*
Ludmilla returned at full speed to the Valtarian Imperial Palace.
The princess had arrived.
The Red Dragon who returned from the Pug Kingdom was welcomed by Lady Cecilia.
Having been away for a moment, Ludmilla learned from Cecilia about the events that had transpired in the Imperial City. With each report, her expression changed drastically.
“Did Edanant defeat the monster?”
“If the prince had not been there… a catastrophic disaster would surely have occurred.”
Lady Cecilia, who had been in charge of guarding Elizaveta, felt a sense of crisis when it came to the fight against the cultists.
The dungeon was surrounded by durable metal.
Ludmilla’s fingers trembled as she recalled the identity of the mysterious monster that had targeted her.
If Edanant, the wielder of the Holy Sword, had not intervened, countless lives would have been lost. If things had gone differently, it could have resulted in a disastrous kidnapping of the Imperial Princess.
It was only natural that Cecilia, who had witnessed the fierce battle firsthand, praised Edanant’s valor, calling him a ‘hero’ with confidence.
“Yes, that’s right… Once again, Prince Edanant has protected the Empire.”
He had subdued the Bomber and saved the Imperial City.
And now, he had fought the monsters and protected his sister.
How could one not feel joy over that?
The Valtarian Imperial Family had been aided by the Hohenberc Family’s prince not once, but twice.
Imagining Edanant battling more valiantly than anyone else brought a subtle smile to Ludmilla’s face. She strode confidently down the hallway, intending to report the victory message to her father and then meet Edanant right after.
“Your Majesty, I have returned victorious from the Pug Kingdom…”
With dignified steps, Ludmilla entered the throne room.
As she raised her head, the scene in front of her left her momentarily speechless.
‘Father, Liza, and Edanant…! What in the world is going on?’
Her father’s face was flushed with anger.
Her sister was blushing with embarrassment.
And Edanant was sprawled on the carpet, looking pale.
I don’t understand.
What kind of situation is this?
Having entered to report the victory, Ludmilla found herself frozen in place.
‘No way…’
Something flashed in her mind.
Though not as romantically inclined as her sister Elizaveta, who was overly interested in romances, Ludmilla had a penchant for reading romance novels as well. Her bookshelves were lined with romantic stories.
Perhaps that was why.
She began to overlay the current situation with scenes from the romance novels she had once read.
-“Please give me your daughter, my lord!”
-“I won’t allow it even if I have to put dirt in my eyes! Get out of here, you scoundrel!”
The male protagonist requesting formal courtship.
The female protagonist’s father vehemently opposing it.
Ludmilla, who had shown signs of confusion, suddenly began to interpret the situation on her own.
‘Ahem! It seems that Edanant is finally asking for my hand in courtship….’
Seeing Edanant bowing down and trembling, it seemed undeniable.
Hehe.
How bold of him to ask for a relationship with a princess!
Thinking of Edanant made her feel strangely fond of him.
She had been denying herself all this while, but he was now stepping forward so courageously.
A smile couldn’t help but break across her face. Blinded by love, Ludmilla set her father aside and began to cheer on Edanant wholeheartedly.
‘But why is Father so angry? Is it because Edanant is the second son of the Hohenberc Family? Surely he wouldn’t allow it even if he had to put dirt in his eyes.’
The act of throwing dirt in the Emperor’s eyes was, of course, an act of betrayal and disloyalty.
But,
What if it were just one eye?
Wouldn’t it just pass as a minor joke?
Thinking that Edanant, who perfectly matched her ideal type, had come to the palace to ask for her hand, Ludmilla found herself having thoughts that were dangerously reckless.
She had, after all, become a 27-year-old old maid.
Although she didn’t truly intend to take action, such a thought crept into her mind, making her feel a rush of urgency.
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