Chapter 33

#033 Think of it as a picnic (2)

"Um, I have a question."

I spoke up.

Although I was nervous being alone with Cardinal Boutier, I also had something to say to her.

Since it was her side that brought up the topic of the prince first, I felt less burdened.

"Ask anything."

"His Highness is the only child of His Majesty the Emperor. Does he need something else to ascend to the position of Crown Prince?"

It wasn't a problem that required deep thought.

While the number of imperial family members, including collateral lines, wouldn't be small, Sedric was the only legitimate heir to the throne.

Unless he refused the position or caused a huge scandal that disgraced the royal family, his position as Crown Prince and the throne were guaranteed.

Regarding the engagement with the Sarnes family, it wouldn't be strange for him to be proactive, as it could provide steady political support if things went well...

"What does the divine artifact ‘Mars' Favor’ have to do with the Crown Prince position...?"

"..."

At that moment, a thought flashed through my mind.

A divine artifact with fire attributes, and a child who uses fire ether.

"Could it be for Seidi?"

The cardinal's eyes widened.

Her usually unreadable face now clearly showed surprise and a bit of confusion.

"Is that the name the child told you?"

"Yes, that's how he introduced himself."

My words made her expression change.

She seemed both amused and exasperated.

I had seen this kind of expression before, but couldn't remember where or from whom. Of course, that wasn't the important thing right now.

The Crown Prince position was just an excuse, and it seemed the real reason the prince wanted the divine artifact was because of his son, who was suffering from a lack of ether.

"Is the child you asked me to help a few days ago him?"

I finally asked the question I had been wanting to ask for a few days.

The cardinal touched her temple and let out a small sigh.

"Yes."

"..."

"And I knew that the child had drained your ether. I'm sorry."

For the first time, I heard her sincere apology.

The ether depletion referred to the incident when I first met Seidi, and he drained a large amount of ether from me, causing me to faint.

When I woke up, the cardinal and Sir Elizabeth were by my side.

At the time, I thought the cardinal was there to use her healing power on me, and Sir Elizabeth was there to express regret as my security detail...

Looking back, both of them knew Seidi.

"I scolded him a bit that day. There hasn't been a repeat since, right?"

"Yes, well... He seems to get ether through the circle now."

"That's a relief."

The cardinal genuinely seemed relieved. But I was still full of questions.

"Does the child not have a cleric partner?"

"Has he told you why he's in such a 'condition'?"

I closed my mouth involuntarily.

Seidi had never given a proper answer to my questions, nor had he ever confided in me about his background.

If this was a private matter, I shouldn't pry any further.

As if reading my hesitation, the cardinal smiled and continued.

"I wish I could tell you everything, but it's best to wait until he opens up himself."

She added, "He seems to have opened up quite a bit to you already."

I wasn't sure about that part, but if someone who was practically family to Seidi said this, it was hard to ask more.

I nodded slightly.

I knew I didn't really have a choice, but going reluctantly and going proactively were clearly different in terms of attitude.

"I will cooperate with His Highness as well."

At my declaration, the cardinal smiled broadly.

Today, I seemed to be seeing more of her bright smiles than usual.

*

"There's a place like this in the palace!"

Kanael said excitedly. I smiled and nodded.

A cool spring breeze blew over the hill that Bengiamin pointed to, gently laying the short grass to rest before moving on.

It was a magnificent view. I thought it would be even better if Eunseo and my brother were here.

"I thought it was just a mountain, but there are places like this too."

"Whenever you like, Your Highness."

Agnes, the mountain keeper, who was walking ahead, answered my comment straightforwardly.

I moved Demy, who was hanging from my waist, to my shoulder.

"It feels good to be out in the open, doesn't it?"

- Ki

The little guy chirped happily.

Every time I took Demy out for a walk in the garden or to the balcony when it wasn't time to sleep, it was clearly not enough.

Even though he's a divine beast, he's still an animal and must feel stifled.

Feeling guilty, I stroked his fluffy tail.

Wednesday morning, 11 o'clock.

The reason we climbed the hill behind Juliette Palace during the cardinal's 'group tutoring' was clear.

So, the day before yesterday, Monday. The day I announced my participation in the Beast Suppression Tournament.

After leaving the office, the cardinal and I entered the indoor training ground a little later than Cristel and the prince.

It was only a 15-minute difference, but in that time, the two main characters had caused quite a commotion.

When we arrived, the training ground floor was drenched as if a flood had hit, and all sorts of swords and what looked like cannonballs were embedded in the walls and ceiling.

Cristel seemed to have been completely soaked, unable to control her power, while the prince, surprisingly, still had his perfect hair styling.

Cardinal Boutier looked at the two and asked calmly,

"Who started it?"

Honestly, if it were me, I would have immediately admitted fault and bowed in the face of such a situation.

I would have explained that I was just caught up in the prank and offered to start cleaning immediately.

But our main characters and the male lead just glared at each other silently.

"..."

"..."

"I see."

The cardinal muttered to herself, "There are many broken places, so repairs will be needed. This is a place that Sedric uses often..."

At that, Cristel looked a bit flustered.

"I apologize, Your Excellency. I will cover the repair costs..."

"Spending money like water, huh."

The prince cut her off.

It sounded like a provocation aimed at her ability, which made me laugh, but...

"..."

"I'm sorry, I just chuckled a bit..."

The three of them looked at me simultaneously. I shut my mouth, feeling a bit embarrassed.

The cardinal scanned us and sighed.

"Young and energetic, I can't blame you. It was foolish of me to try to teach you in such a confined space."

And then she said,

"Next time, let's have a field trip."

Despite her smile, the cardinal was clearly upset, and by then, Cristel and the prince seemed to have realized her mood.

So, no one objected to her sudden suggestion.

Even if she had called it a march, we would have had to follow her silently.

"Let's set up here."

Agnes, who had guided us to a flat hill on the back mountain, pointed to a spot.

I snapped out of my thoughts and helped Kanael and Bengiamin lay out a large picnic mat.

Natalie, the cardinal's attendant, and David, the prince's attendant, were busy unpacking the luggage and setting up drinks and snacks.

"It really feels like a picnic."

The cardinal said affectionately. Everyone seemed to agree silently.

Until just before we left, the terrifying keyword 'full military gear' had dominated my mind, but the neatly arranged forest trail and the green hill made my heart feel peaceful.

Finally, the group of nine and one creature settled down comfortably.

"Let's eat."

I wiped my hands with a damp towel and received a warm piece of quinamang and a lightly brewed artichoke tea from Bengiamin.

Biting into the crispy surface of the bread, the sweet taste of caramel spread in my mouth first.

The scattered almond pieces added texture and a nutty flavor, while the chewy inside clung perfectly to my tongue.

"Really delicious..."

When I gave my usual tasting comment, Bengiamin and Kanael looked very satisfied and began to savor their coffee and strawberry juice.

Cristel laughed brightly at the scene.

"I thought the same thing last time. Your Highness really enjoys your food."

The cardinal smiled and agreed, "Isn't that true?"

Natalie, who always brought me snacks on tutoring days, also agreed without hesitation.

"Thank you."

I often heard such compliments when I lived in my original body, but receiving such affirmation in front of so many people was a first.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, I reached for the fruit plate.

- Gurur

I gave Demy a peeled lychee, and my heart finally calmed a bit.

"..."

"Do you have something to say?"

Then, my eyes met with Crown Prince Sedric, who was sitting opposite me.

He looked displeased and hadn't touched his espresso at all.

If the coffee was too bitter, he could have added water and sugar...

"Can't you sense it at all?"

He suddenly asked.

I wondered if this was how the male leads in the novel usually spoke, or if this guy was just special.

"I don't understand what you mean."

"There's a problem with your mana sensitivity."

The prince bluntly stated and stood up.

David, his attendant, smoothly took his cup.

I blinked, wondering what kind of quarrel this was, and Cristel abruptly stood up to follow him.

She left her iced Americano with me.

"Something is coming."

"Huh?"

Cristel's words made Kanael flustered.

She stood next to the prince, looking beyond the hill.

I turned my gaze in the same direction, but I didn't see or feel anything.

"Your Excellency."

The prince called the cardinal in a very low voice.

Her beige eyes looked at me and softened.

"I said it feels like a picnic, but I didn't say it was a picnic."

- Rumble!

At that moment, a rumbling sound came from the distance.