Chapter 126
To summarize the Riana I knew, she was always composed in all matters and always held the upper hand.
*Given Riana's personality, she would never enter a contest she couldn't win.*
As her feet showed, her style of producing near-perfect results through immense effort meant that it was originally very difficult to see her like this.
*I don't know if it's because we've grown closer, or if there's something else at play...*
But in front of me, she was displaying a somewhat discomposed appearance, staring intently at me, as disheveled as her hair.
*...This is it, then.*
At this point, even someone as oblivious as I am could easily discern what kind of feelings Riana harbored for me.
As I pondered what to do about Riana, she shyly rubbed her cheek with her hand and spoke to me.
"...D-Damian, Brother. You know, not yet."
“Not yet” and 'can't.' The moment I realized what Riana was saying, my eyes widened in surprise.
Riana wiggled her toes and continued.
"First, the Saintess claimed you first... so the Saintess was before me. Ugh."
It seemed Riana was overcome with embarrassment as she spoke.
Her face completely flushed crimson. She shook her head wildly.
Then, as if unable to bear it any longer, she stood up and told me.
"A-anyway, just know that! The Saintess first! Then me!"
"...Do what?"
I feigned ignorance, asking her back just to tease.
Riana shook her head vigorously, saying she didn't know, then fled as if escaping.
*...*
Watching her, I found it amusing, but also felt a strange worry for the future, so I gave an awkward smile.
* * *
The day after Riana's foot rub incident.
I decided it was time to head to the Imperial Palace and waved goodbye to the Companions who would remain in the Shadow City.
"I'll be waiting."
Since I could return to the Shadow City every evening anyway, even if we were separated, it would only be for a few hours.
Nevertheless, Shiren seemed reluctant to part with me, burying her face in my chest as she hugged me tightly.
I stroked Shiren's head, then decided to leave, slowly making my way out.
Traveling to the Imperial Palace didn't take long.
Because I had placed a Shadow near the Banquet Hall I'd visited last time, all I had to do was move there and then shift right next to it.
Thus, I arrived near the Imperial Palace in less than an hour.
*It's certainly magnificent.*
The House Karsaril's grand Mansion was beautiful enough to be described as a work of art.
The Imperial Palace, however, felt so opulent and ancient that it seemed to exist on a different plane entirely.
*Ordinary people would definitely feel immense pressure just looking at it.*
There was no easier way to maintain power than through its visible display.
I nodded, observing it, and pondered how to enter the Imperial Palace.
*To sneak in... there's Detection Magic, after all.*
Unlike the Order or Dark Mages, at least two Monsters lived in the Imperial Palace, so I needed to proceed carefully to avoid them.
Therefore, I decided not to act rashly and to enter discreetly, contemplating how to get in.
*Logically, it should be Infiltration...*
In the case of the Order, outsiders were allowed to some extent, and I could enter with Ruen's help.
The Imperial Palace, however, strictly excluded such things, making that impossible.
As I was wondering what would be the best approach, Daisy suddenly popped out of my pocket and pointed at the river.
"Th-there."
"You want me to go in there?"
"Mnyang."
It seems an Underground Passage is connected there, providing a way to get inside.
I hadn't known Daisy had such an ability, so I stroked her head.
Daisy puffed up with pride, giggling.
*Cute.*
After stroking her round head, I quickly moved, following the river inward.
*
Pushing the water away with Shadow so my clothes wouldn't get wet, I entered and saw...
There was a massive Purification Device and a huge Barrier installed to prevent people from sneaking in.
Seeing this, I crossed my arms, pondering how to secretly bypass it.
*Breaking it doesn't seem difficult. The problem is, if I break it, that information will flood the Imperial Faction.*
Crawling through the Underground Passage would become meaningless.
So, I needed to find a way to secretly break this Barrier, when Daisy popped out in front of me and began waving her hands, burning the Barrier.
"Mnyang."
"...?"
*Could it be that she's reached High-grade Spirit status and can now effortlessly overpower a Barrier of this level?*
I praised Daisy, stroking her head vigorously to show how well she'd done.
Daisy's shoulders puffed up even more than before, and she became utterly confident.
*Am I spoiling her? Will it be okay?*
Thinking, *If not now, when would I praise her?*, I shook my head.
Then, carrying Daisy, I secretly infiltrated further.
*Fortunately, it seems the information about the Barrier being broken hasn't reached upstairs.*
I looked around the eerily quiet surroundings, then hid myself in the Shadow at an opportune moment and stealthily surveyed the area.
*First, let's hide Shadow Bombs everywhere.*
It was always good to have insurance, no matter what.
So, I decided to hide Shadow Bombs everywhere, quickly darting around, placing them in various spots.
As I moved around, setting up the bombs, one question lingered stubbornly in my mind.
*The number of Guards stationed in the Imperial Palace is quite low.*
How low? It felt like there were even fewer than those in the Order.
Of course, all important areas had Escort Personnel stationed... but even considering that, the number felt excessively small.
*I don't know if it's because the Imperial Palace is so vast, or if it's truly empty.*
Deciding to relay this to Riana, I was quickly attaching bombs to unseen spots when Pria, with an expressionless face, came into view, looking down at the Garden from the Corridor.
Judging by her face, which looked considerably more tired than when I saw her at the Banquet Hall, it seemed she had been suffering from a heavy workload since I last saw her.
As I was wondering if I should make her a cup of tea, Pria let out a deep sigh and began walking somewhere.
*What should I do?*
I debated whether to follow her or leave her be.
But my intuition was screaming that it would be best to follow Pria, so I decided to do so.
* * * * *
"—Princess, the day will soon come when you must make a choice. Please decide before then."
Princess Pria sighed as she watched the birds flying peacefully.
Unlike herself, trapped by countless restrictions and entangled in a myriad of interests, unable to do anything freely, she envied the birds that flew around so peacefully and freely.
*...I know it's a privileged thought, but...*
Still, she couldn't help but feel envious, so she closed her eyes tightly and fell into thought.
*As much as I want to run away right now,*
Running away was impossible, and even if she could, the numerous responsibilities surrounding her wouldn't disappear.
She knew that maintaining the status quo was the ideal option.
...Of course, this too would become meaningless after the 'decision' she would have to make soon.
As she was thinking this, staring intently at the white birds, a strange sensation emanated from nearby.
It was peculiar, yet familiar... a sensation she had felt somewhere before.
While others would never notice it, it was a sensation distinctly felt by her, one with Imperial Blood flowing through her veins, so she almost turned her gaze in that direction.
*No. Let's pretend not to notice.*
She decided to draw in the unknown entity by feigning ignorance, and continued down the corridor, acting as if nothing was amiss.
*By the way, where had I felt this before?*
She had definitely felt this sensation, but she couldn't quite recall where.
*Still, it shouldn't be a big problem... If something goes wrong, a Sword Master or Archmage will come to help.*
Trusting this, she continued forward, luring the presence, when a small voice reached her ear.
"Pria."
She was so startled that her body trembled.
The numerous Maids and Guard Knights following behind her looked at her with bewildered expressions.
Her face flushed crimson from the embarrassment of the situation.
But she forced herself to act as if nothing was wrong and headed to her room.
*...Could it be Damian?*
The moment she heard the voice, she instantly recognized that the person following her was Damian.
She didn't know how Damian could possibly be here.
A wave of welcome washed over her, and she unconsciously curved her lips into a smile, hurrying towards her room.
As soon as she entered the room, she dismissed the Maids and Guard Knights who had followed her in, and firmly closed the door.
The moment the door closed, Damian slid out of the Shadow, waving his hand in greeting.
"Long time no see. How have you been?"
When she saw him, a smile bloomed unconsciously on her face.
Perhaps it was the strange sense of relief, or perhaps it was the last chance to escape this situation, but she didn't feel entirely bad and waved back unconsciously.
*Ah.*
Realizing she had acted a bit foolishly, she felt a little embarrassed and momentarily froze.
*Why did I copy him?*
She couldn't figure it out no matter how much she thought about it, so she forced her flushed face to relax, pretending to be fine.
Damian approached her and spoke.
"Can I ask a favor?"
At the word 'favor,' she paused slightly.
A 'favor' in the Imperial Family meant getting entangled politically, entering a Contractual Relationship.
Of course, she knew Damian wasn't using it in that sense, but she felt her expression stiffen slightly, and she nodded awkwardly.
"Let's hear it first."
At her words, Damian replied as if it were truly nothing at all.
"I want to terrorize the Imperial Palace a bit. Can you help me?"