Chapter 622 - The True Dancer On the Tombstone (1/2)

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

In the previous chapter, we mentioned that the father of Olivia and Cirilla, Emhyr, wanted nothing but the crown of Nilfgaardian. He had long planned his ascension with Vilgefortz’s help.

To leave as a family member of the “Lioness of Cintra,” Queen Calanthe was not an easy task. Being a family member was another matter of hardship.

Therefore, Vilgefortz and Emhyr had engineered a plot to fake their deaths in a shipwreck. Pavetta, Cirilla, and Emhyr would be “dead,” in the deep sea with Vilgefortz guaranteeing their safety.

Olivia was never meant to be part of the “survivors.” Although Vilgefortz was a peerless strategist, adding Olivia to his band would greatly increase the risks of failing. He did not have any use of Olivia now, other than being the newfound love of his secretary. For the sake of his subordinate’s loyalty, Olivia must be alive.

It was the year when Olivia became four, and Cirilla became five. Still disguised as Dony, Emhyr found the perfect window of opportunity.

His family of four reached the island of Skellige Isles. The owner of Skellige Isles, King Bran, was the brother of Eist Tuirseach, the second husband of Queen Calanthe. [1][2] It was just another family visiting trip for the nobles.

King Bran had aged. Most of the matters on Skellige Island were now in the hands of his nephew, Crach an Craite. [3] Naturally, Crach was placed in charge of Emhyr and his family.

When Crach was much younger, he had followed his uncle Eist to arranged courtship of Queen Calanthe’s daughter, Pavetta. That night, he became friends with Geralt and Dony. Of course, he was not aware that Dony was actually Emhyr.

Crach eventually became one of Geralt’s closest buddies, but he detested Dony. Crach was known for being an honest and straightforward person. Physically, he was robust and strong, and he was a good wrestler. He soon earned himself the title, “Sea Boar.” He was the capabl e barbarian that King Bran would trust, and he would not trust a man with a cunning face such as Dony (Emhyr).

Crach always doubted Dony’s intentions of courting Pavetta. However, he put those personal thoughts aside and welcomed them as guests. He was happy to have Cirilla and Olivia around.

Therefore, Crach demanded that his two children, Hjalmar and Cerys played with Cirilla and Olivia. [4][5]

Hjalmar was the eldest among the four. His sister, Cerys, was slightly older than Cirilla.

Crach did not like Dony, and the feeling was mutual. He thought that the nobles of Skellige Isles were all barbarians and knew nothing about chivalry and courtesy. His Nilfgaardian was far better off compared to these islands. People lived far better lives here, unlike the Skellige Isles, where most people had to bleed to put food on their table.

Therefore, Emhyr wanted to frame Crach for his apparent death.

First, he had to leave evidence that pointed towards Crach. For starters, forging a document that showed The Sea Boar approving of their voyage to sea before they left. Of course, Crach never actually agreed to them dropping anchor during this season.

Emhyr accepted Crach’s rejection, but still left the port that night with his family. He was desperate to go back to Nilfgaardian. Confident with Vilgefortz’s arrangement, Emhyr could almost taste the air of Nilfgaardian.

In Emhyr and Vilgefortz’s meticulous planning, there lay a significant oversight: the innocent looking Princess Pavetta.

The bigger a pretty vase, the more troublesome it could be. Pavetta noticed that her husband was acting weird. Who would insist to set sail during this season? Though she neglected her responsibilities as a mother, she managed to sneak Cirilla and Olivia away from the ship before it was deported.

Just as the ship was closing in on the “shipwreck” point, Emhyr realized that his daughters had not followed!