Chapter 52

On that day, the grand guest room of the Shees' palace was filled with a large amount of luggage as Princess Celty arrived. More than half of the luggage consisted of women's clothing and accessories.

Three dresses with different designs were prepared for Princess Celty's evening reception, and a fitting was scheduled to be held immediately upon her arrival. The dresses were tailored according to the measurements provided by her lady-in-waiting, Willa, but if any minor adjustments were needed, a seamstress who accompanied her was ready to make the necessary corrections.

As the dresses, shoes, and formal attire were taken out of the boxes and neatly arranged in the closet, Celty hurriedly headed to the audience chamber for an audience with the king, while Luithas remained in the palace's living room, feeling somewhat bored.

Usually, Luithas would stay at a residence purchased by Ancheize, but this time, it was a visit with Princess Celty. As a noble accompanying the royal family, he was assigned a room in the palace.

By now, Fen should have arrived at the Uzuk residence and handed over the box containing the complete set of dresses to Princess Sedia.

The dresses Princess Sedia usually wore were mostly for everyday use and had simple designs, which would make her stand out in a negative way in the royal palace. Therefore, a few additional dresses suitable for walking around the palace were also prepared. By now, she must be busy getting ready with the delivered dresses.

As he impatiently waited, Princess Celty, who had received a permit from the king, finally returned, and the two of them headed to Uzuk together. They needed to protect Princess Sedia at the palace before Lord Cainz could interfere.

Escorted by a row of knights, the carriage slowly made its way through the city.

In the spacious carriage adorned with the royal emblem, Celty, sitting across from Luithas, became silent as they passed through the city gates, absorbed in the passing scenery. Although she had traveled abroad to Granteria and Perge, Shees was her first visit.

"Indeed, it is a land of faith. The number of churches here is incomparably greater than in Ancheize."

After a while, as they approached the countryside, Celty, seemingly tired of the outside view, spoke up.

"The churches also serve as elementary schools. The more populated areas have more churches."

After explaining, Luithas remembered something and continued, "I heard that Priest Roman arrived in the capital five days ago and is staying at the chapel within the royal castle."

To avoid drawing attention by traveling with Ancheize's entourage, Priest Roman entered Shees as a pilgrim and was welcomed into the royal castle.

"Yesterday, the king and queen summoned Priest Roman to their private chambers and heard his story directly. The king, who is a relative of the late Duke Glen, was deeply moved upon hearing about his long illness and bedridden state. He also bowed his head in apology for the injustice done to Princess Sedia."

"I see."

Luithas nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. In public, the king could not bow to a foreign prince, so he must have apologized in private.

"Was anything said about Lord Cainz?"

"…His views have not changed. He committed an unforgivable sin, but he wishes for Lord Cainz to confess his crimes himself."

"Lord Cainz's wife is apparently the king's childhood friend. Although what he did to Duke Glen is unforgivable, if he sincerely repents and bows to Princess Sedia, the king is willing to show leniency."

"The king does not seem like someone who would be swayed by such sentiments."

Luithas let out a soft sigh. "If that is the king's wish, there is no other way but to proceed accordingly."

Princess Sedia should have been returned to Ancheize at the age of eleven. The most sensitive and irreplaceable period of her life as a woman was taken from her. Even if those people sincerely repented and bowed, the lost decade could never be regained.

"Tomorrow is the day. I wish to restore her rightful status as soon as possible."

Thinking of the future promised to Princess Sedia, a faint smile appeared in Luithas's voice.

Celty, hearing this, said, "Yes," but leaned back into the seat, looking somewhat dejected. It wasn't that he disliked the idea of Sedia regaining her status; it was the weight of responsibility that he felt acutely upon hearing it spoken aloud.

"Since you are the only adult royal who can move freely, I hope you will take care of it," Viya had said, leaving the matter entirely to him. This case required a significant effort. While he was eloquent and had experience in ousting troublesome nobles in his own country, he couldn't help but think that this was quite a big job for his first diplomatic debut in Shees.

Moreover, Luithas Radas didn't know, but his sister had secretly entrusted him with another matter, which was even more troublesome for Celty. It was a field in which his sister excelled, but he was not suited for it.

Will it go well? He wondered, twisting his head, when Luithas said, "Ah, we're almost there."

It might be the first time the emperor's close aide, who always seemed approachable but never showed any weakness, had shown such an unguarded smile to him.

"Well, let's see how it goes…" Celty muttered to himself.

Meanwhile, at the residence where the royal prince was to be welcomed, Sedia and the servants were eagerly awaiting his arrival. Tension was visible on every servant's face, and Sedia, dressed in a magnificent dress she had never worn before, tried to hide her turbulent emotions by lowering her white face.

As the leading horsemen appeared through the trees, the group gradually approached, and a grand carriage with the royal emblem slowly stopped in front of the entrance.

A servant respectfully opened the door and prepared a step. The one who descended, holding the servant's hand, was a handsome young man with a princely appearance.

"Sedia, sister?"

At the young man's first words, Sedia involuntarily clasped her hands. Looking up at the young man's anxious face, she recognized the familiar smile in his eyes and finally relaxed.

"Yes."

Although they shared the same father, there was a significant difference in status between her, a commoner, and her brother, who had the right to inherit the throne. Sedia was extremely anxious about whether she would be accepted as a sister.

"Celty, is it?"

With a forced smile, she said, "You can just call me Celty, since I'm your younger brother."

While she was deeply grateful, Sedia was at a loss and didn't know how to respond. Just then, a nostalgic voice came from behind Celty.

"It might be difficult to call you by your first name on the first meeting."

"Lord Luithas…!"

Seeing him, a smile involuntarily appeared on Sedia's face. Her tense heart felt lighter, and a warmth of relief and joy welled up in her chest.

"Sedia, it's been a long time. I made you wait for a very long time."

As Luithas slowly approached, Sedia couldn't take her eyes off his resolute figure. Despite meeting only twice, she was surprised at how much she had relied on him.

The young man who walked beside the prince without hesitation looked down at Sedia with concern. "Weren't you anxious about the delay?"

Sedia shook her head slightly. "I received many letters. I knew you would definitely come, so I wasn't at all anxious."

She had been eagerly waiting for the letters, and the days passed quickly without any time for anxiety.

Meanwhile, Celty, who had become somewhat overshadowed, watched the two of them talking and thought to himself, "This feels familiar." It was the awkward, itchy feeling of being the odd one out between a half-brother and a half-sister.

He hadn't expected to feel the same way in Shees, but the clear attitude of the two made him feel somewhat grateful. It was as if he had inadvertently found a weakness in the impeccable and flawless noble, Lord Radas.

"Lord Radas, shall we go soon?"

Since time was short, he called out, and Luithas, as if waking from a dream, turned to him.

Seeing Sedia lower her head to hide her flushed cheeks, Celty frowned, feeling somewhat jealous. His presence had been completely forgotten.

"Lord Radas, you've ruined the touching first meeting between siblings."

Approaching Luithas, he whispered, "We're adults now, so a touching first meeting was probably impossible from the start."

Sedia's lack of embarrassment and mature composure were strangely annoying.

Lord Radas, with his refined and natural demeanor, was someone Celty had never seen flustered or stammering.

Of course, he was not just a showman. During the political upheaval, when Lord Sezon led his men to kill his brother Alek, Lord Radas was ready to fight with a small group to protect his master. He was a loyal and brave aide, trusted not only by his brother but also by his sister.

So, Celty had developed a desire to give Lord Radas a taste of his own medicine, to make him say "gyah!" or something.

Celty, 18 years old, was a self-proclaimed sister supremacist, and his first love was his sister at the age of five. He had a breakup after being seen wetting the bed six months later.

And now, he was experiencing a very late rebellious phase, against someone who had nothing to do with him.

But perhaps, it wasn't entirely unrelated. Since he was taken in by Antore at the age of twelve, his brother Alek had been his idol, and the next closest elder was his brother's three aides. Among them, the one who could skillfully manipulate his brother, the emperor, after his beloved sister, was Lord Radas.

Deciding to stop bothering Luithas, Celty changed his expression and looked at Sedia.

"Sister, I believe you have heard the general story from Lord Radas's secretary. Are you ready to proceed to the Shees royal palace?"

"Yes."

Nodding, Celty noticed Sedia walking towards him without hesitation and furrowed his brow. He realized that she hadn't fully grasped the situation.

"Sister, we will welcome you to the Shees royal palace and expose Lord Cainz's crimes at tomorrow's evening reception. Once the crimes are made public, you will regain your rightful status, and the connection with the Cainz family will be severed. In other words, you will never be able to return to this residence."

Sedia's eyes widened, and a murmur of surprise spread among the servants.

"If there is anyone you wish to say goodbye to, do so now. We don't have much time."

Sedia nodded stiffly and headed towards the servants.

As Celty quietly watched, Sedia called each servant by name, took their hands, and expressed her gratitude and farewell. One of the maids, unable to bear the sight, hugged Sedia with her thick arms.

"Mark."

Mark, who had been watching with a somewhat pained expression, was called by Luithas.

"Yes?"

"Once we leave, go report to Lord Cainz immediately. Tell him that the prince of Ancheize visited Sedia and took her away with the king's permission. If it's by royal order, you won't be blamed."

Mark took a deep breath. "Understood."

After a moment, he added, "Lord Radas."

"I heard from Lord Fen. There was someone inside the residence who guided the priest to the young master for confession."

Luithas, frowning, said, "I was only informed."

"I don't know who it was, but I believe I should take responsibility. If it comes to revealing the name, you can use mine."

Luithas narrowed his eyes. "I appreciate it, but are you sure?"

"I plan to leave for Ancheize once everything is settled. If I leave this country, I won't have to fear retaliation. So, it would be best for me to take the blame."

"Do you have any connections in Ancheize?"

Mark, surprised, said, "You haven't heard about Willa yet?"

"Willa?"

She was the maid closest to Sedia and Mark's daughter, right? Confused, Luithas repeated the name, and Mark dropped a bombshell.

"Willa is going to marry Lord Fen."

"Fen!?"

Luithas was taken aback. Calling Fen over, he reported proudly, "I proposed just now. After exchanging letters, I realized she's the only one for me."

"..."

It seemed he had sneakily included his love letters with the master's correspondence. No wonder Luithas had never heard a complaint when he asked for letters.

Looking up at the sky in exasperation, Luithas asked, "Do you really need to report every development in your love life to the master?"

"No, it's not necessary."

It would be awkward to hear about it anyway. He didn't really want to know...

As an afterthought, Fen added, "Willa is an only child, so I plan to bring her father, Mark, to Ancheize as well."

"Sounds good."

Luithas had no objections. He intended to give Fen a position as a steward eventually. Mark had experience and knowledge, making him a good fit as an assistant.

When Sedia came to say goodbye to Mark, Luithas pulled Fen aside.

"Fen, once everything is settled, the Cainz family will be in dire straits. All the servants here will likely be dismissed."

Luithas looked at the servants gathered at the entrance, wiping their tears with their sleeves. Fen followed his gaze.

"If you need letters of recommendation, I can arrange them. Please take care of them."

For the past ten years, these servants had treated the young Sedia like family, caring for and protecting her. If they were to suffer because of her, Sedia would be deeply saddened.

"I understand."

Fen nodded. "I will stay here for a while under the pretext of gathering Sedia's belongings. Can I have a few guards for protection?"

Luithas smiled and nodded. "Use them as you see fit."

When Sedia returned after saying her goodbyes, Celty placed a hand on her shoulder in a comforting manner, and the three of them boarded the carriage. As the servants watched intently, the carriage slowly began to move.

The servants stood silently, watching the carriage carrying Sedia gradually disappear. When the last horseman vanished into the trees, the servants, having lost their master, entered the residence one by one with heavy steps.