Chapter 167 - EPISODE 167 – ENTERING THE PALACE (2) (1/2)
Terms used in this chapter:
Jeon-eum – a Korean fictional martial arts term that refers to the skill of secretly transmitting your voice to your target without being heard by other people. Jeon-eum literally means ‘sound transmission.’
The present king of the Sälen Kingdom, King Henry II, had many children.
He currently had three queens and seven concubines.
However, it was only the children of the queens who were the official successors of the throne, and among them, the First Queen’s children were the highest in the line of succession.
‘The first in line to the throne.’
The direct descendants of the present king were higher in the line of succession than the king’s siblings.
In the Sälen Kingdom, there was no distinction between men and women when it came to inheriting titles, so as soon as Daphne, the eldest child of the First Queen, was born, she naturally became the first in line to the throne.
‘Princess Daphne.’
Children of nobles in the Sälen Kingdom were only recognized as adults when they reach 20 years of age.
It was very late when compared to the fact that children of commoners were treated as adults when they reach 15 years of age, but this was unavoidable.
‘Nobles are different from commoners.’
So they had to assume more responsibility and show that they had better skills.
Naturally, there were many people who became adults because they reached the age requirement, but it was a bit different if the person was a proper noble or the firstborn child.
They really had to show a noble figure.
‘Anyway, about Princess Daphne.’
Or rather, the Crown Princess.
She was the so-called all-around superhuman who excelled in both scholarly knowledge and martial arts.
Her innate talent undoubtedly played a big role in that, but in fact, it was more because of her efforts than her being a genius.
‘The next monarch is the Crown Princess.’
Princess Daphne had heard that statement every day since her childhood.
Oftentimes, when people of her position hear that kind of statement, they would become lazy or spend their time idly, saying that “I’m the next king anyway!”, but Princess Daphne was different.
Her personality was sincere, and she studied and studied every day in order to become a person fit for the monarch position.
‘She has a younger brother.’
Prince Dion, who was also a child of the First Queen.
He was two years younger than Princess Daphne, and as he saw his older sister crazily studying hard, he thought.
‘I’ll become the monarch if my older sister is gone. So I should study hard like my older sister!’
His words didn’t mean something like ‘I’ll become the next monarch if my older sister is gone, so I have to get rid of her!’
He studied hard in order to prepare for the scenario of his older sister dying, and in the midst of that, Prince Dion came to learn of her tremendous efforts and nearly worshipped her.
‘I’m the second in line, so I’ll assist you perfectly!’
So Prince Dion studied magic.
Princess Daphne studied so much that 24 hours a day was insufficient, and she learned about the monarchy, politics, swordsmanship, foreign languages and so on, but magic was the only thing she didn’t learn.
Thus, Princess Daphne found Prince Dion’s efforts to be very laudable – no, she thought it was cute.
A younger brother who worshipped his older sister, and an older sister who cared and loved such a younger brother.
Moreover, since they were the first and second in line to the throne, problems related to the succession of the throne did not happen in the Sälen Kingdom.
‘That’s why Princess Darianne was able to get along with Princess Daphne and Prince Dion.’
The position of Princess Daphne was so firm that Princess Darianne, who was the firstborn child of the Second Queen, was not seen as a rival who threatened her succession, but considered to be just a cute and pretty younger sibling.
Because of that, Princess Darianne was loved by Princess Daphne and Prince Dion, and though she wasn’t as good as Prince Dion, she became Princess Daphne’s faithful follower and spent her days happily.
“I’m excited because unnie’s tea party will be in a few days.”
Princess Darianne lightly laughed, and Duke Spencer who was a leader of the aristocrats but also a moderate, smiled too.
However, Jude and Cordelia had bitter feelings amidst their happiness.
‘Their fates in the game.’
In the game, the Lord Protector’s plan to massacre the royal family had succeeded.
It wasn’t only Princess Daphne and Prince Dion, but also included Princess Darianne and the children of the concubines whose names were not even mentioned in the game.
In fact, all of the children who possessed the current king’s blood ended up dead.
Among those deaths, Princess Daphne and Prince Dion’s deaths were gruesome.
The bodies of the two, who fought hard in order to protect their younger siblings in a situation where their retreat was blocked, were torn apart by the demon followers who were angry at their strong resistance, and dumped on the streets, becoming food for the stray dogs.
‘It will be different this time.’
The future would have a happy ending.
It would be the classic good triumphs over evil.
Because they wanted the good to be blessed and the evil one to be punished.
Jude and Cordelia looked at each other and simultaneously smiled. Because they realized that the other was thinking of the same thing.
‘She’s really nice.’
‘Even if his insides are dark, my Jude is not an evil person.’
The two smiled once more before they looked in front again and continued to chat with the excited Princess Darianne.
More than an hour passed by.
After talking for quite a long time, their chat finally came to an end.
Aside from Princess Darianne, Duke Spencer had a lot of business to attend to since he had recovered from his illness.
“Then, please enjoy the Banquet of Swords. I’ll look forward to meeting you again.”
“Thank you very much for everything.”
“Thank you very much.”
When Jude and Cordelia courteously thanked them in turn, Duke Spencer concluded the tea party by bowing to Princess Darianne, the person with the highest rank in the group.
And ten minutes later.
Having finally left the main building of the mansion, Cordelia groaned to suppress her desire of stretching out her body.
Because Duke Spencer’s staff was still in front of them as the staff guided them back to the annex.
[I want to go in quickly and stretch out. And change into more comfortable clothes.]
She complained as she let out her frustrations through <Message> magic, and Jude burst into a small laugh.
[Yeah. If we were in the wild lands, I would have carried you on my back and went back to our tent.]
[Eh…that’s awkward. Come to think of it, the Banquet of Swords is until tomorrow, right?]
[Yes, tomorrow seems to be a time where the prospects are free to have fun or do what they want.]
[Haa…that’s bothersome. I’ll just hide behind you and watch.]
Cordelia wanted to make friends, but because this was the Banquet of Swords where only swordsmen gathered, the wizard Cordelia felt out of place.
[Anyway, we earned a lot today.]
[Duke Spencer seems like a nice guy. He’s a big spender. Ufufu~ We’re rich now, we’re rich~]
[Exactly… I feel that the scale is different.]
Count Bayer’s one-year income wasn’t that great. It was close to the lowest ones among the 12 northern families.
But he was still a count and part of the 12 northern families.
To be comfortable with spending such an amount equal to the yearly income of Count Bayer, Duke Spencer was indeed one of the wealthiest people in the Sälen Kingdom.
[And there was also the talk about our titles, right? First of all, a knighthood is guaranteed, huh?]
[Yes. After this month, you’ll be Dame Cordelia and I’ll be Sir Jude.]
[As for the baron title… Duke Spencer-grandpa said that he is working hard for us to receive it, right?]
[Perhaps we’ll get it.]
Jude nodded pleasantly before he looked straight ahead. Because they had arrived at the annex.
The sun had already began to set, so the area around the annex was very quiet.
Most of the prospects staying in the annex were probably in their own rooms or gathered in a drawing room to chat.
And because of that, he could feel it.
The sudden piercing gaze.
[Oh, come on. I want to rest.]
Cordelia felt the gaze too and complained through <Message> magic, and Jude had a bitter smile before he turned his gaze.
Under a low tree.
A young man with dark blue hair stood there and was smiling.
[Do we still have to meet him? Do we still have to get close to him?]
[We have to get close to him. Should I meet him alone? Would you like to go in first and take a rest?]
[No, let’s go together. I think that we should not be careless around him. He’s a really sly guy.]
Having said that, Cordelia ended her magic and straightened her posture, and Jude dismissed the staff before he completely turned towards the young man standing under the tree and waiting for them.
“First Sword-nim.”
“Oh, I was waiting. Would you like to go on a short walk?”
The voice of First Sword came into the ears of Jude and Cordelia like <Message> magic.
‘It’s Jeon-eum.’
‘Can you do that too?’
‘Uh, perhaps it’s possible for me now?’
Jude and Cordelia exchanged short glances before they walked towards First Sword and not prolonged their conversation further.
“Did you wait for us on purpose?”
“Yes, I wanted to talk to you. Can we talk for a moment?”
At First Sword’s question, Jude and Cordelia simultaneously nodded, and First Sword had a small smile again.
“It would have been a dull conversation between guys, so I’m glad Lady Cordelia would be with us.”
“I’m also interested in what First Sword-nim wanted to say.”
Cordelia firmly answered, and First Sword quietly smiled before he turned around and took a step.
“Then I’ll get to the point and talk. It’s not my style to drag out a conversation.”
First Sword said as he headed towards a bench in the garden which they could see.
“Frankly, I was a little surprised today. I didn’t think you’d really make me move six times.”
When First Sword naturally brought it up, Jude nodded as if he knew that to be the case, but not for Cordelia. Because she realized it again.