TGS - Chapter 70
Chapter 70: A Malicious Invitation
The current city lord was a member of a collateral royal branch, installed after the old lord had “died of illness.” To be more precise, he was a nephew from Horst's own line.
Perhaps because his attempt to intimidate them yesterday had failed, leaving him feeling slighted, the city lord deliberately ignored the Princess and extended an invitation to the caravan master.
The letter feigned a desire to discuss a partnership with the caravan, only mentioning the Princess in passing at the very end. It roughly said:
“I hear your guards are mostly from the Royal Guard, and even include the exiled princess and the once-famous Captain of the Royal City Guard, Motis? How peculiar. This lord is quite curious. Remember to bring them along when you come to discuss business, so that this lord may broaden his horizons.”
It was a blatant provocation, an undisguised display of contempt.
Was this something any normal city lord would do?
Inside the city lord's mansion, his many advisors and officials thought the same.
Provoking the Princess was one thing—a few private jabs might be overlooked. But to write it so openly in a letter, send it off, and even stamp it with his official seal... My lord, one of them thought, are you afraid she won't have any leverage against you?
An advisor pleaded earnestly, “My lord, the invitation has been sent, and what's done is done. But I implore you, please let us handle the negotiations. There is no need for you to trouble yourself with it. Would that be acceptable?”
The city lord, watching a dancer raise her arms and twirl before him, drawled lazily, “Do you really think I intend to discuss a partnership with that pathetic little caravan?”
The advisor fell silent. Of course, he knew the city lord merely wanted an opportunity to humiliate the Princess. That was precisely why he had to be stopped!
“I don't understand what you're all so afraid of,” the city lord said, genuinely perplexed. “Alyuin is just a destitute little girl who has barely come of age. So what if she's had some success on the border? What is there to fear? It's not as if the border legions can cross half of Solancia to support her.”
“But she is the Princess, after all—”
“The former king's daughter, not His Majesty's. What kind of princess is that?”
You're just His Majesty's nephew, and not much older than the Princess yourself. Where do you get the nerve to look down on her? Is it just because His Majesty installed you here?
The advisor cursed inwardly, his patience at its limit.
For eight years, he and his colleagues had served at the city lord's side. They managed all the affairs and shouldered all the responsibility, while the city lord did nothing but squander wealth and find fault in his leisure, leaving the officials utterly exhausted.
Take this matter, for instance. Anyone could see that while the Princess could use her status as a caravan guard to decline, no one could actually treat her as a mere guard, let alone openly make things difficult for her.
If word of this got out, what would the people who revered the royal family think? What would the former king's old ministers who supported the direct line think?
But the advisor could only mutter these thoughts to himself. Out loud, his words were still cautious and persuasive.
“My lord, I simply feel there is no need for you to concern yourself with the Princess. She is of the direct royal line, after all. It would be best to simply ignore her. Why get entangled with her? It would not reflect well on your reputation.”
The city lord's face darkened. “Insolence!”
The advisor flinched and, along with the officials behind him, hastily lowered his head. He heard the city lord rage, “The direct line? Listen here! Only His Majesty's line is the legitimate bloodline. It is now, and it always will be!”
The advisor's lips trembled, and he could not utter another word.
The city lord asked, “Why so quiet?”
The advisor managed, “I misspoke. I beg your forgiveness, my lord.”
“How boring...”
The city lord waved his hand, having lost interest in the graceful singing and dancing, and swaggered out of the council hall.
The council hall. Ha.
What other city lord's mansion had dancers performing in its council hall?
The officials exchanged glances and shook their heads in dismay.
The date on the invitation was for two days later.
As one of the guards specifically noted on the invitation to “remember to bring along,” Alyuin was perfectly calm.
She had completely forgone her ornate golden jewelry and robes. Clad in light armor with her combat boots laced tight, the Princess stood before a full-length bronze mirror and fastened the waist ornament Lotus had given her. The simple, elegant accessory did not clash with her armor and practical attire.
Lotus glanced down at her own clothes—the standard attire of a lady-in-waiting.
Just as she was about to tie up her black hair, she heard Alyuin ask, “This time, would it be possible for you not to go?”
“Hm?”
“The letter only mentioned Motis and me, so they probably won't allow other guards to accompany us. If you attend as my lady-in-waiting, I worry that fool won't know his place and will offend you with his words.”
It wasn't a worry; it was a certainty.
Judging from the intelligence they had gathered and his two previous provocations, the current city lord was, in all likelihood, an idiot. Alyuin felt no compunction in labeling him as such, for no sane person would behave that way.
Faced with such a man, Alyuin was reluctant to let Lotus even enter his field of vision. Who knew if he would spout some nonsense upon meeting them and offend a goddess?
Though the possibility was low, the mere thought of Lotus hearing words of contempt, belittlement, or even curses filled Alyuin with murderous intent.
Lotus was unaware that this was the focus of the Princess's concern.
She thought that while it was normal for Alyuin to have a lady-in-waiting when attending an event as a princess, the presence of one would be inappropriate if she was going as a guard.
So, Lotus nodded lightly in agreement.
It was no great matter not to accompany her. However, the inviter's attitude was clear, his methods crude but direct. Worried for the Princess, Lotus thought for a moment and decided to go along as an invisible spirit.
When Alyuin reached the entrance hall, the caravan master was already waiting. Motis sat to one side, diligently polishing his sword.
“Your Highness, are you certain you must go?” the merchant asked, still hesitant. “This city lord has no regard for basic etiquette. His demand for your presence is likely just an excuse to cause trouble.”
Alyuin replied, “To be precise, he will undoubtedly do everything in his power to make a fool of me.”
It couldn't even be considered a death trap; not just anyone was capable of laying one of those.
Motis used to puzzle over such intrigues himself, but he hadn't had to use his brain much since he started following the Princess. Her words finally made him understand, and he gripped his sword hilt, letting out a cold sneer.
“If he dares, I'll be the first to show him the might of the royal family.”
Does he really think the Royal Guard is just for show!
Alyuin said, “I heard an interesting piece of news. Last night, there was a commotion at the city's arena. People were coming and going. It seems it will open today.”
Motis froze, his expression finally changing.
“He wouldn't be planning to—”
“I believe so,” the Princess said, rubbing her leather bracer. “No matter. Whatever he has planned, I will return the favor in kind.”
If he has no sense of propriety, then as the target of his provocations, I will have no choice but to cast propriety aside as well, won't I?
In any case, by now, word of the city lord's disrespectful and provocative actions toward a passing princess had already spread among the city's nobles and wealthy merchants. It was only a matter of time before it reached the common folk.
Alyuin was the first to step out of the hall, the corners of her mouth unconsciously curling into a cold arc, her gaze sharp and severe.
The city left behind by the old lord was now being oppressed by a man sent by Horst, who lorded his power over everyone.
If she didn't teach him a lesson, he would never learn his place.
In her spiritual form, Lotus had reverted to her true, silver-haired appearance. She floated at Alyuin's side, her gaze unconsciously fixed on the cold curve of the Princess's lips, her elegant brows raised slightly.
Lotus found this novel.
The river goddess was, of course, intimately familiar with Alyuin. She knew all the girl's habits and remembered her every unconscious gesture, yet she had rarely seen the Princess wear such an expression.
When the goddess was by her side, Alyuin always restrained her aura somewhat.
Even when facing someone she detested, she would at most reveal a cold disdain, never such a fierce and intimidating presence.
The Princess's aura was like a blood-stained blade—that was her true nature. But she always carefully sheathed its sharpest edge, which was the gentleness she wished to present.
Only when Lotus was not near would this usually hidden severity reveal itself.
The merchant, having never been on a battlefield, did not sense this change. But Motis's keen senses, honed by years of hovering between life and death, put him on alert, making the hair on his arms stand on end.
Is Her Highness truly angry this time? Surely not, over a mere buffoon...
Motis guessed wildly but soon found that thinking was exhausting. He tossed the question aside and paid it no more mind.
The carriage sent from the city lord's mansion was parked outside their residence.
It was the same official as before. He stood by the carriage door, unable to hide a wry smile. “Your Highness.”
Alyuin gave a slight nod.
Perhaps her nod gave the official courage, for he ventured, “Your Highness, the city lord is still young and often acts like a playful child. If he offends you in any way, please do not take it to heart.”
The Princess gave a faint smile. “How old is your city lord?”
“Er, he just turned twenty-one.”
“Is that so? I had my coming-of-age ceremony just last month.”
The official was speechless.
He was left speechless and could only brace himself and invite the Princess and her two companions to board the carriage.
Lotus floated up lightly and settled on the roof of the carriage, sitting peacefully as if suspended in mid-air.
The horses hitched to the carriage neighed and broke into a run. The cold wind immediately picked up, but it could not move the spiritual form in the slightest.
Lotus watched the direction the carriage was heading, her eyes narrowing slightly.
This was not the road to the city lord's mansion.
And indeed, a quarter of an hour later, the carriage stopped before a massive building.
The structure was cylindrical, tapering downward, with three tiers of spectator seats encircling a round field at the bottom.
—It was the city's only arena.
A place of entertainment favored by the nobility; a place of death for gladiators, slaves, and beasts.
The city lord sat in a pavilion set apart from the three tiers of seating. Supported by pillars, it was the exclusive box for royalty and the event's host.
He wore a smug smile as he cast his gaze upon his guests.
His gaze swept past the Princess, glanced at Motis with contempt, and finally settled on the caravan master.
“The weather is freezing, so I couldn't very well invite you to admire the gardens, and watching singers and dancers is so dull. After much thought, I decided the arena is the most interesting place.”
“Great merchant, this lord took the liberty of choosing this location. You have no objections, I trust?”
Get instant access to all the chapters now.
Comments
Post a Comment