Chapter 61

Cordelia decided to change the subject and steer the conversation back on track.

"Assuming what I felt earlier was Bernaldo's killing intent, why would he do such a thing?"

"Probably, he wanted to test something."

"Test what?"

"The truth about the 'Holy Beast,' of course."

"Ah, I see."

Cordelia understood. At that time, Bernaldo had wanted to know why the 'Holy Beast' favored her. By sending killing intent, he was trying to see if Cordelia had any knowledge of swordsmanship or martial arts.

(Maybe he also thought that if I felt a sense of danger, the 'Holy Beast' might appear to help me?)

After speculating on Bernaldo's thoughts, Cordelia felt exasperated. While she understood his curiosity about the 'Holy Beast,' his methods were too extreme.

"Sending killing intent in the presence of the king could have led to a major disaster. Isn't that a bit too unconventional, Bernaldo-sama?"

"Unconventional, but... I did try to control it."

"Control it? That?"

"Indeed, most people didn't even notice the killing intent, except for me. ...Even though there were many soldiers present."

"That's true... But still, it's too extreme, isn't it?"

Even if he had controlled it, Bernaldo was still an extremely dangerous person. Cordelia couldn't forget the cold sweat and palpitations she had felt earlier.

"Ah, that's for sure. If Bernaldo-sama tries to approach you again, I'll cut him down this time."

"Cut him down this time..."

This meant that Leonhardt had been more than half-serious about cutting Bernaldo earlier. Wasn't that also a rather extreme statement?

(If the prince shows real hostility, Bernaldo-sama, you're someone to be wary of...)

Cordelia strengthened her vigilance towards Bernaldo internally. After discussing how to handle him with Leonhardt,

"Cordelia, do you have time later today?"

"What is it?"

"Could you talk to my father for a bit?"

"With the king?"

Cordelia blinked. Today's ceremony, which had many military participants, had been kept short. The king's part was already over.

"If you're tired from the incident with Bernaldo, we can reschedule for another day..."

"I'm fine. If there's something to talk about, I'd like to hear it today."

Nodding, Cordelia stood up from the bench. She had a hunch about what the king wanted to discuss. If her guess was correct, it would be a conversation she had been hoping for. Straightening her resolve, she headed towards the king's office.

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When Cordelia arrived at the king's office, she was asked to enter alone. Leonhardt looked a bit worried, but she reassured him and went in.

"Cordelia, thank you for coming. Please, have a seat."

"Yes, thank you."

Following King Balmond's invitation, Cordelia sat down on the bench. Balmond, a robust man of forty-nine, sat across from her. His hair, slightly darker than Leonhardt's, was neatly combed back. Though his hair was starting to turn white, he was far from looking old. As Leonhardt's father, he had a handsome face and retained his youthful beauty.

"Thank you for attending Bernaldo's welcome ceremony today. What did you think of him after speaking with him directly?"

"I felt he was a very competent and upright warrior."

While answering, Cordelia carefully observed Balmond's expression. His amber eyes had a mischievous, testing glint.

"Your Majesty, if I may ask a somewhat impertinent question..."

"Go ahead, no need to be hesitant."

"...Then, I will. I felt killing intent from Bernaldo-sama earlier... Was that at your instruction?"

Earlier, Leonhardt had said that "most people didn't notice the killing intent." "Most" implied that not everyone was oblivious.

(If Bernaldo-sama really sent killing intent spontaneously, Leonhardt would have been much angrier.)

The king, Leonhardt's father, Balmond, had been sitting on the throne. Sending killing intent without any preparation in the king's presence would be too foolish.

"Did you instruct Bernaldo-sama through a letter or something to 'send killing intent to Cordelia during the welcome ceremony'?"

"Ha, sending killing intent, huh. I didn't go that far. I just asked him to 'turn a blind eye to any rudeness and try to rattle Cordelia.'"

"…So, you wanted to test me."

Cordelia felt a slight fatigue at Balmond's chuckle.

It was probably a pop quiz. Bernaldo was the questioner, Cordelia the answerer, and Balmond the grader.

While Bernaldo was dangerous for sending killing intent just because he was asked, Balmond himself was also a difficult person to read. As Cordelia sighed internally, Balmond laughed louder.