Chapter 4: The Journey Begins
As the year draws to a close, we are finally preparing to depart for the land of the demons where he resides.
Normally, I would be quite busy, but since I’ve had plenty of time, I’ve already taken care of all the necessary greetings to various parties. My own preparations are being handled by my demon servants, so I’ve had enough free time to play with Shelly and Betty.
We’ll be departing from the royal castle, so Noel and I are already staying there. However, I’m not in a guest room—somehow, I’m in my very own “Princess Palace” within the royal palace.
It’s a place where men are strictly forbidden, but there are exceptions.
For example, my personal butler Noah, or the cooks and other servants I’ve brought from my mansion.
Then there’s the family category, like my father and grandfather. Since they’re practically royalty, it’s only natural.
In short, aside from family and servants, no men are allowed—not even high-ranking nobles or the Pope.
However, there’s one special exception that even surpasses royalty.
And that is… the [Hero]. (Dramatic music!)
“Lady Eur, Sir Noel la Barbanas has arrived.”
“Thank you, Fel. Could you show him to the garden?”
“Certainly.”
Fel, the blonde maid, smiles warmly and leaves.
Since my mother is also staying in the Princess Palace, the trio of maids—Vio, Fel, and Min—are here as well.
Though they’re no longer just “maids” or “girls”…
They still wear maid uniforms for convenience, like Tina, but the three of them are now officially my mother’s attendants. Well, I’ll explain the details later—for now, let’s greet our guest.
“Lu… Princess Eurushia.”
“Welcome, Noel.”
Without showing a hint of the turmoil in my heart, I put on my perfect [Saintess] persona and smile gently.
Noel, who had been led to the palace garden, almost called me “Lucia” but caught himself just in time. He then awkwardly bows in the noble fashion.
It’s understandable. Noel is only twelve. The affectionate nickname he used to call me is no longer allowed at this age—only “fiancé” is allowed to use nickname now.
And the “la” in his name? That’s because he became the Hero of the Holy Kingdom and was granted the title of Count.
Previously, Noel was the adopted son of Baron… um, Mr. Bear? But now, while maintaining his relationship with his adoptive father, he’s been elevated to the rank of Count.
Normally, like Mylene, he would act as a proxy until adulthood, but apparently, if he weren’t officially a Count, the nobles wouldn’t take him seriously.
“So, what brings you here?”
Noel must be busy, right? Now that he’s a Count, he can turn down visits from middle-ranking nobles who say things like, “Hero, my daughter is a nice girl, would you like to meet her?” But even so, compared to me, who’s protected by the royal family, he still has more people he has to meet.
When I tilt my head and ask, Noel makes a slightly troubled face.
“Well, I kind of… ran away. From Shelly.”
“Ah…”
Shelly… She was all fired up about teaching the Hero his place, but I didn’t think she’d actually go through with it…
“No, I mean… I agree that Princess Eur is amazing, but at some point, I stopped understanding what she was saying…”
Of course.
“But she’s your friend, and compared to people who only see me as the ‘Hero,’ talking to her is more relaxing. Though she’s pretty intense.”
“I see…”
Shelly’s something else. Really, as a citizen of the Holy Kingdom, she should at least show some respect to the Hero… But as Noel said, she’s a precious friend who doesn’t see me as just the [Saintess].
“And… I wanted to see your face.”
As he says this, Noel looks away, his cheeks slightly red.
…Huh? Isn’t this just like a lovestruck boy?
But! I won’t let myself misunderstand! After that incident with Rick, who acted all suggestive and made me agonize over nothing, I’ve learned my lesson! Idiot.
With everyone around me always saying how “adorable” I am, I became overly self-conscious. But I’ve finally grown into a mature woman who doesn’t misinterpret things!
Noel’s been a fan of the Saintess since forever, so if I accidentally act like I’m charming, I’ll just end up embarrassing myself! (Clumsy!)
“…Is something wrong?”
While I’m deep in thought, I notice that Noel, who’s been looking at me, seems a little down. But… a gloomy look actually suits him.
“…Am I unreliable?”
“Huh?”
Where did that come from?
Well, I do rely on him. Even as the Saintess of the Holy Kingdom, I can’t embark on this journey without the Hero. Wait… is that not what he meant?
“When I rescued you from that demon with Ludrick, I thought I’d become stronger. I could use the ‘light’ power I couldn’t before, and people started calling me the [Hero]… I thought I could finally protect you.”
“Yes…”
Oh, dear. I’m sorry about that.
“But I was wrong. I wasn’t stronger. When that black demon showed its true power, I was just a burden you had to protect…”
“That’s not…”
It’s normal, isn’t it? Even if his power was weakened, a human standing against his strength is usually impossible. As I’m thinking this and about to reach out to comfort him, Noel takes my hand in both of his.
“This time, I’ll protect you. I won’t let you fight alone like last time, Lucia.”
“Noel…”
Calling me by my nickname and holding my hand is a no-no!
…But when he looks at me so earnestly, I can’t help but feel like I might start misunderstanding again.
What should I do…? As I glance around, I see Fel giving me a thumbs-up.
Nope, that’s not it. But just then—
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“—AAAAAAHHHHHH!!”
Suddenly, a girl’s voice echoes, and when I turn around, Shelly is there, glaring at Noel, who’s holding my hand.
“Sh-Shelly!”
“I found you, Lord Noel! Disappearing in the middle of my explanation and then daring to hold Lady Eur’s hand—even if all the gods in heaven with their omniscient mercy were to forgive you, I, Shelly, will never allow it! Never!!”
Someone! Bring Betty from wherever she’s receiving her queenly education in the castle!
And so, the Hero of the Holy Kingdom, faced with an opponent he could never defeat, ran off as if being chased.
“…Peaceful, isn’t it?”
“Lady Eur…”
As I sip the tea that was prepared but left untouched, Fel looks at me with a somewhat pitying gaze, and I murmur to myself.
The next day…
“Eurushia.”
“Oh, Ludrick, what’s wrong?”
Hmm, this feels familiar.
After receiving some private encouragement—and secretly some sweets and pocket money—from the Pope in the reception room, I’m met by Ludrick, who had apparently been receiving similar encouragement from external guests.
While Ludrick and Noel are constantly visited by beautiful young ladies, my well-wishers are all elderly gentlemen. It feels a bit unfair.
“I need to speak with you.”
“I see…”
Again? Is it happening again? Even though you don’t mean it, acting like this is why girls everywhere keep misunderstanding you!
You usually smile and interact normally with others, so why do you suddenly look so stern when you see me!? The castle women who wanted to talk to Ludrick awkwardly walked away!
“Just come with me.”
“Yes…”
Ludrick, as usual, suddenly grabs my hand—no, he offers his hand like a proper escort. …It’s annoying how much he’s grown.
I place my hand on his and let him lead me.
Even though he says he has something to discuss, we’re too conspicuous to have a private conversation. But walking through the garden like this, we can talk without being overheard.
But…
“…Brother Ludrick?”
“Yeah…”
As Ludrick hesitates to speak, his hand feels slightly colder, so I call out to him again. After a pause, he finally speaks.
“I… am weak.”
“…Huh?”
Ah, I see… He’s not speaking as a prince.
“I’ve heard you’ve been doing well recently, though?”
“It’s true I’ve become stronger than the average knight. But compared to you and Noel, I feel like I’m lacking something.”
“But… you’re the [Holy Warrior], aren’t you?”
“Yes, I am. But even that power is just a leftover from you and Noel. The spirits of the earth chose me out of necessity to save you back then. My strength… doesn’t compare to Noel’s or yours.”
“That’s not…”
Well, maybe…
The [Holy Warrior], blessed by the great earth spirits, is different from the “Holy Knights” created to protect the royal family. It’s a genuine title, a [True Warrior] who fights alongside the Hero.
I’ve heard the legends of the Holy Kingdom and the Costol Church.
The [Hero] is blessed by light, becoming the hope of the people and illuminating their path.
The [Saintess] heals hearts with love and compassion, guiding people to the right path.
The [Holy Warrior] has a will of steel, protecting the weak and vanquishing evil.
In short, unlike the Hero and the Saintess, who become the hope and guide of the people, the Holy Warrior must be stronger than the Hero in battle…
To put it bluntly, while Ludrick might win in a sword duel, in an all-out battlefield, Noel is stronger.
“I need to become stronger. Not because I’m the [Holy Warrior]. Since I was young, you’ve always been the one protecting me…”
So he’s aware of it…
“This time, I’ll protect you. I won’t stay behind you—this time, I’ll be the one guarding you.”
“Brother Ludrick …… ”
TLNOTE:
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