Once both of us calmed down, I left the room, only to see a familiar face outside the door.
“Eli!” The moment I pushed through the guards, my brother Alfred hugged me. “I’m so glad you’re safe!” His body was trembling, and he sounded like he was on the verge of tears. I sobbed in response.
I looked up and saw my father standing there with a slightly stiff expression. I smiled and ran over to hug him. It tickled me to think how similar they were.
“I’m home, Father. I’m sorry I worried you.”
“Eli...!” Ever since my mother died when I was six years old, my father cried more easily. “I’m sorry,” he apologized, and I could hear so much emotion in his voice that all I could do was shake my head.
Maybe nobody could do anything about it. My father and grandfather had a mission that the family had inherited long ago, along with certain qualities, and because of that, they just didn’t get along with others. But from now on, little by little, even if it was difficult, I would improve the things that needed to be changed.
When I looked back at my father, he gave me a somewhat sad expression. “I still won’t let you marry her,” he said stubbornly.
I blinked, then realized my father wasn’t talking to me. Behind me was His Highness, who seemed to be preparing himself for battle, and my brother, who was laughing unconcernedly.
Next to my brother was Lady Anna, who was holding back tears and rejoicing that I was safe. Several workers from the library and other palace staff, along with some pharmacy staff who wanted to see I was safe with their own eyes, were there. This impromptu gathering made me realize that I had finally returned to the royal palace.
The next day, after I had finished greeting everyone and making various appearances and explanations, an urgent meeting was held with the two princes of Maldura, Prince Christopher, and me, Elianna.
There I saw Prince Irvin’s older brother, Reglisse Carranza, the second prince of Maldura, whom I had met once before. He was blind and kept both his eyes closed. His straight black hair fell below his shoulders and was loosely tied to one side. His appearance was soft and gentle—the complete opposite of Prince Irvin, who sat next to me. Even now, he held a cup of tea with a smile on his face.
I had already greeted him, but I couldn’t stop staring; his graceful gestures and the way he enjoyed the aroma of the tea made it difficult to believe he was visually impaired. Even though I knew it was rude, I kept watching with admiration.
Suddenly, the small spoon attached to Prince Reglisse’s tea set disappeared. In the blink of an eye, it reappeared from Prince Reglisse’s left palm. I stared at him again, and it disappeared again. This time, it reappeared from inside his right sleeve. I couldn’t help but applaud the spoon that moved like a small animal while I wondered what was going on.
Prince Irvin, who was flipping through the documents next to Prince Reglisse, took a deep breath. “Brother, if you have time to play childish tricks, check the documents instead.”
“It might be a private meeting, but why can’t she enjoy it?” Prince Reglisse responded.
“Now listen here,” Prince Irvin said indignantly, but he had an earnest look about him that I’d never seen before. I wondered if that was how he acted around his brother.
All of a sudden, a thought crossed my mind—how had Prince Reglisse known about my reaction? Meanwhile, Prince Irvin grunted, put the document on the table, and slid it to His Highness, who was quietly drinking tea next to me. There was a sharp, ironic look in his eyes.
“Evidence that Duke Odin and our third prince were secretly connected? How generous of you, princes,” His Highness remarked.
Prescriptions and raw materials for remedies were provided free of charge to the sick, just as His Highness had said earlier at the temple, and they couldn’t be used as bargaining tools either. However, the kingdom of Maldura couldn’t help but apologize even though it was my name that had been brought up. They had more evidence as well.
I could see that Prince Irvin was being cautious. He wondered what kind of conditions we were going to impose based on this new information.
His Highness quietly returned his teacup to the table and said, “What? It seems that the fifth prince over there illegally entered the country again and helped my fiancée in some way. Considering the price, it’s cheap.” He had a familiar smile on his face. “I’m different from someone who has worked hard to collect this level of evidence.”
A scary atmosphere pervaded the room, and I inadvertently pulled away from His Highness. Prince Irvin’s face also twitched violently.
“I wonder why?” Prince Christopher continued. “It sounds like you’re going to stay out of Sauslind for the time being because of internal political disputes with this material evidence?”
“At least your ears seem fine.” Prince Irvin, who seemed even more indignant now, took a deep breath and changed the direction of the conversation. “Well, that’s right. Until the disease and other matters settle down, your marriage will be postponed, won’t it? Well, at least that might drive my biggest threat away.”
Prince Irvin grinned, and now His Highness looked indignant. “Who are you calling a threat?” he shot back.
I could tell now that the conversation between His Highness and Prince Irvin was not progressing, and I looked to the two people who stood behind Maldura’s second prince for help.
Rei, Prince Irvin’s attendant, had already taken off his disguise, revealing the same pure white hair and graceful features as when we first met. A Maldurian maid stood next to him, giving off a similar atmosphere. It was puzzling. At first glance, she looked like a very ordinary maid, but...
Prince Reglisse gave me a small smile. “Those bluish-gray eyes look like they’re about to fall out of your head, Lady Elianna.”
My eyes grew even wider, and Prince Irvin paused his argument with Prince Christopher and looked at his brother. He hesitantly tried to stop him, but Prince Reglisse said, “Oh, it’s fine.” Both of his eyes were definitely closed, but he was looking straight at His Highness and me.
“It seems that His Highness already knows the secrets of our royal family. Besides, Lady Elianna not only helped us with food assistance earlier, but now she has helped us with medical assistance. Maldura cannot come close to repaying her.”
“Still, that doesn’t—”
Ignoring Prince Irvin, who was still trying to stop his brother, Prince Christopher replied, “God’s Beloved Prince. Does your name in the Maldura royal family mean that you are blind, yet actually able to see in some way?”
I was shocked, but Prince Reglisse smiled softly. “Today, Lady Elianna is dressed in a pale pink and soft gray gown. Spring flowers are embedded in the lace. They look like lovely blooms that have gently sprouted in early spring.”
Oh my goodness! I blinked in surprise, but I could see that His Highness was even more displeased. Perhaps he should have commented on the pattern of the tea set instead of my clothing to affirm Prince Christopher’s suspicions.
Prince Reglisse laughed a little at my reaction. He certainly was Prince Irvin’s older brother. “My mother is from a slightly special clan. Even I, who inherited that blood, can use strange powers. Unfortunately, it’s not very useful without an intermediary.”
When I looked at the intermediary, the maid behind him, she asked for permission to speak and touched her bangs once. Then, just like Prince Reglisse’s magic trick earlier, she suddenly changed completely, becoming a stunningly beautiful woman with pure white hair and silver-gray eyes. She looked very similar to Rei in this form.
“Goodness!” I exclaimed, and I heard a laugh that sounded like a tinkling bell.
“You are a very honest person, Lady Elianna Bernstein. I have been able to see your activities in detail through Rei here. I wish I could take you home with us to Maldura.”
I felt Prince Christopher growing even more tense beside me.
The woman was full of confidence and spoke with accumulated experience, which was hard to believe from a maid. As I looked at her in surprise, she smiled at me, then introduced herself.
“My name is Nina. I’m a descendant of the Rimuru people, a clan of star guides who serve the Maldura royal family.”
“Star guide...” As soon as I realized what she meant, I leaned forward eagerly. “You mean, those who served the former Kai Arg Empire and supported it at its peak, then abruptly disappeared, their footsteps fading from history—that clan?”
The woman nodded, looking like a historical figure that had come back from time past.
I clenched my hands in ecstasy. “Is that mysterious technique also the power of the Rimuru people? Or can only star guides use it?”
When I asked again if Rei usually wore a disguise, Lady Nina smiled at my curiosity. “Only a few members of the clan have inherited this power. Rei, for instance... Even though he has inherited the characteristics of his ancestors in appearance, his abilities are empty. It’s a waste of treasure.”
Rei looked away in disgust at her harsh words.
“By the way,” Lady Nina said, leaning forward, “do you know the person who was riding with Rei on the horse when they returned to the royal capital? Ray didn’t inherit the power, but it seems like that person might have. Could you introduce me? I think they might have Rimuru blood too.”
Oh my goodness. A certain lazy manservant came to mind. However, when I smiled and shook my head, Lady Nina withdrew regretfully.
“And Lady Elianna, what you see with your eyes is not necessarily the truth,” she said, giving me a mischievous warning. “Honesty is a virtue, but there are people like His Highness, the Crown Prince, who are not deceived by the Rimuru’s abilities. What His Highness sees may be different. It is also important to determine what the truth is.”