Chapter: 73. Trust (4K)
“This doesn’t feel like New Year… Xiya, look at their long faces; this celebration feast feels more like a memorial service.”
“Not like New Year? It’s not New Year today…”
“I’m just using it as a metaphor. Why can’t you even understand a metaphor? You’re missing the point.”
The luxurious carriage slowly entered the castle palace.
Along the way, the soldiers guarding the area all wore stern expressions, knowing full well they were increasing their vigilance. Anyone unaware would think the horses passing by owed them money.
The oppressive atmosphere in the palace formed a stark contrast to the joy everyone felt during Princess Xue Feiya’s previous visits when they celebrated peace.
And with a single sentence, Xiya pointed out the hidden truth.
“In fact, this is the norm in the palace.”
“Is the norm referring to the horses owing them money?”
“No, I mean, the time when you first arrived in the Aulus Kingdom just happened to coincide with the onset of peace, so everyone celebrated and relaxed for a while. But most of the time, it’s more like this—tense and oppressive, not knowing when the Demon King’s Army might breach the borders and invade the capital. The king is also busy from the moment he wakes up.”
“I see… No wonder Livra is always trying to run away over the walls. Who wouldn’t want to escape this atmosphere? It’s not easy for her either.”
“……”
Xiya’s sudden silence was deafening.
Xue Feiya was taken aback for a moment.
When she saw Xiya’s cheeks slightly puffed up in dissatisfaction, the emotionally intelligent Xue Feiya immediately understood something.
She maintained her previous statement but added another line.
“Ah, but if we’re talking about difficulty, Xiya definitely has it worse than her, yes, that’s for sure.”
“…!”
Look at that.
That previously gloomy expression on her face suddenly cleared up just because of a single sentence~
Well, no matter what the atmosphere is like, we’re here today to get a reward.
If we don’t manage to snag a bag of gold coins to take home, that would be a loss!
……………………………….
The atmosphere outside was oppressive.
But when they actually entered the grand hall, the environment was even stranger.
The nobles standing upright in formal attire on both sides of the grand hall slowly backpedaled to the sides.
The reason was— that silver-haired witch was leisurely walking into the palace.
They dared not speak loudly, but their pride as nobles and being the masters of the human territory bravely reminded them to whisper.
“Tch… What a disgrace… the Demon Princess openly stepping onto the grounds of our Aulus Palace, truly thinks she’s some Peace Ambassador… Maybe she has ulterior motives; there’s nothing good about the demon race.”
“The hero really has guts, daring to accompany the witch… Sigh, truly must be careful; can the hero control the scene if the witch decides to create chaos…?”
“Isn’t the bravest one Princess Livra?! She’s actually waving at the witch! Ah… for the kingdom, the princess has made such great sacrifices, even going so far as to flatter the witch… admirable, yet tragic…”
“Shh… don’t speak… don’t speak…”
Human nature is like this.
Rather than focus on how the royal family of the gladiatorial arena has been saved, they preferred to only believe in the common sense they’ve understood since childhood.
It’s like they firmly believe the sky is blue simply because they can see it when they look up, and no one cares whether that blue sky is just a reflection of the ocean.
They think the demon race is inherently evil, so no one would ever believe that there could be exceptions.
But coincidentally, Xue Feiya didn’t expect them to offer any understanding.
And Livra…?! You need to tone it down a bit! I know you just confirmed a few days ago that I’m the one who saved you as a child, so you’re really happy, and your excitement hasn’t faded, but at least don’t be giggling when you see me!
Well… it’s probably fine; maybe Livra has her own considerations. For the exchange between the two countries, princesses should indeed show a friendly attitude; perhaps she’s just trying to ease the atmosphere?
Never mind, that should not be the more reliable explanation; sometimes she’s just a fool.
Xiya walked to the center of the circular crystal floor, secretly exchanged glances with Xue Feiya, and the two continued moving in different directions.
Xiya headed toward the lineup of the Light Family on the right side of the throne.
And Xue Feiya had her own destination…
Uh…
Where am I supposed to go…?
Xiya, what direction was that glance aimed towards…?
Because your eye signal had no meaning, I forgot to look!
Let me tell you, as the demon princess, Xue Feiya isn’t a subject of the Aulus Kingdom.
Despite everyone standing, she couldn’t just stand there.
Although her status wasn’t higher than the king of Aulus, as a member of both royal families, she was a guest, and guests should be seated.
Ah, this is what’s so complicated about etiquette; if it were up to Xue Feiya, she’d find sitting too tiring and would prefer to lie down directly, but this matter isn’t for her to decide and would embarrass her parents.
Although her mind was racing with thoughts, Xue Feiya’s actions merely involved stopping in her tracks and slightly furrowing her brow.
Such a simple action sent several nobles in the front row displaying expressions of panic.
They thought the witch was about to explode!
Fortunately, according to etiquette, it was time for the kingdom to give a welcoming speech.
The king perspired cold sweat from his forehead.
He believed that Princess Xue Feiya pausing was a subtle warning about his hospitality…
Without further ado, the king stood up with the help of his children.
It was his responsibility to show respect.
With a glance, he signaled a civil official standing below the stage to read out the king’s greeting, which echoed in the slightly noisy grand hall.
“Your Highness Princess Xue Feiya, we are honored by your visit, the kingdom has prepared a feast for our esteemed guest, and your assistance to Aulus will serve as a foundation for amicable relations between our two nations, becoming a milestone in history.”
“……”
Stop with the small talk already… the key is to tell me where to sit…?
【Xue Feiya…! The pillar! The pillar! I forgot to tell you… the pillar in the middle of the grand hall is called the Huang Pillar, and the chairs in front are specially prepared for distinguished guests; you can just sit there!】
【Huh?】
As expected of Xiya; I had only demonstrated once, and she’s already learned to communicate telepathically?
Xue Feiya was quite pleased.
So, she meant… in front of the grand hall’s pillar?
Xue Feiya leisurely looked around.
Feeling confident.
Though she might not have an ample chest, she still felt confident.
Haha, this grand hall only has one pillar~
The other support pillars are at the four corners of the grand hall, making things simple.
Connecting to the pillar, there was a luxuriously crafted golden chair in front of it.
Is that where Xiya was referring to?
Uh… but considering the palace’s structure, the large corner pillars should be good enough for support, wouldn’t this central one be a bit unnecessary?
Actually, that intricately carved and gleaming central pillar has its own story.
It’s said that before the establishment of Aulus, the first king encountered magical beasts while out hunting, and he was at a disadvantage until a farmer bravely helped him, risking his life to assist the king in defeating the beast, thereby saving the unaccomplished king’s life.
Later, the first king formed the Aulus Kingdom, and his first task was to seek out this brave farmer, inviting him to the newly constructed grand hall and entertaining him with great hospitality.
However, that farmer sustained a disability after battling the magical beast and found it difficult to move comfortably within the spacious palace. Thus, the first king immediately ordered the construction of this “extra” pillar in the palace’s center, naming it the Huang Pillar, because the farmer’s name contained the word “Huang.” This pillar and its chair were merely for guests to lean against and rest.
In fact, over the millennia, the palace has been renovated several times.
Whether this is still that same pillar, or whether the story has any truth, has become impossible to verify.
But the meaning and sincerity of friendship are sufficient.
The murmur of discussions never ceased, but when Xue Feiya sat steadily on that chair, all sounds faded into silence.
There was something admirable that emanated from within, intimidating the surroundings—called presence.
The etiquette of the demon princess did not disdain the rigid rules of the human race.
As she twirled, her skirt blossoming like a blue rose, it rustled as it cut through the air.
Her naturally proud and icy gaze regarded all with indifference.
It’s hard to imagine that a seemingly delicate and fragile girl could, upon sitting down, outshine all the magnificent architecture around her, casting everything into shadow, leaving only her imposing aura.
Perhaps that’s what is meant by the natural demeanor of a ruler…
Many nobles unwillingly averted their gazes, despite wanting to deny their adversary; they could not deny that the demon princess possessed qualities their royal family lacked.
—The quality of being unafraid and looking down from above.
With absolute strength to guarantee it, one can certainly act fearlessly.
Even on your Aulus territory, even if I am all alone, what does it matter?
Ah, right, Xue Feiya indeed performed excellently on an official occasion; after all, she learned royal etiquette and learned it well.
But the key reason is…
The table before her was filled with all sorts of delicious dishes!
So this perfect spot had to be snatched up quickly by Xue Feiya?!
In fact, even if she didn’t claim the seat… no one would dare to compete with her.
Because, today, this gathering’s main character is the foreign princess.
Xue Feiya didn’t rush to dig into the food; she planned to pack it up later and take it home to show Timani.
It’s not to share with Timani; she just wants Timani to watch her eat because that makes it taste better.
The king personally walked down from the high throne, surrounded by royal family members, standing directly opposite Xue Feiya’s chair.
Xue Feiya looked up and noticed that the king seemed to have aged even more since their last meeting.
This was inevitable; after so much upheaval recently, this old man was already seventy years old, burdened with battle injuries, and it was already quite good that he could still walk and speak normally.
It’s no wonder he was so eager to cultivate Livra; he probably knew he wouldn’t have much time left…
Let’s not mention it.
They provided such delicious food; wishing him longevity would suffice.
Two knights worked together to move a spare wooden chair behind the king.
King Celtic sat down slowly, facing Xue Feiya across the long red carpet.
On that red carpet lay the emblem of the Aulus royal family.
Thus.
A conversation that had never happened in history, where humans and demons were not positioned oppositely at a negotiation table, began.
“Your Highness Princess Xue Feiya, during this time… we have been quite offensive; I represent the Aulus royal family to express our sincere apologies.”
“It’s nothing.” Xue Feiya slowly opened her eyes, her deep purple irises brimming with spirituality, “War brings mutual casualties, with victories and defeats; the contest itself cannot be regarded as an offense.”
“Haah… Your Highness truly is a wise person.”
Well, at least a lot smarter than your three daughters.
Look at your three daughters; it seems one of them is trying hard to observe my sitting posture from various angles.
Livra, I promised to teach you magic, but I never said I’d teach you how to sit properly!
At this point, King Celtic stopped sitting.
He struggled to stand up.
Everyone wanted to help, but he waved his hands to both sides, stubbornly standing upright on his own.
The old king surveyed all the nobles in the room, looked around at the palace that had undergone decades of storms alongside him.
Finally, his gaze fell on the already standing Xue Feiya.
“Your Highness Xue Feiya, today, since all the nobles who can speak nationally are present, may I ask you a question?”
“Sure.”
“Even if this question might anger you?”
“I am not one to take pleasure in anger.”
“Then I’ll ask.”
Though his gaze was old, it retained the resolve to contribute one last effort for this country.
“Your Highness, may I ask what you genuinely mean by peace… is it a sincere endeavor, or merely treating it as a chess game, a pastime in your leisure?”
As soon as the question was posed, the hall was full of uproar.
Livra reacted quickly, immediately catching the questioning tone in her father’s words.
She knew that Princess Xue Feiya was such a gentle person; she hoped her father wouldn’t harbor any hostility toward her even now.
“Father…! You…”
“Livra, you don’t need to speak. Right now, I’m asking Princess Xue Feiya.”
“But…!”
“If you still consider yourself a member of the Aulus royal family! You should be silent at this time!”
“……”
This… isn’t how things were supposed to go…
Livra had heard today was a celebration feast honoring Princess Xue Feiya for saving the royal family and the Aulus Kingdom, meant to give her the rewards she deserved.
But… how did it turn into an interrogation?!
Or rather… was the true purpose of this gathering always like this…?
Did Father want to obtain a clear answer here, in front of the nobles?
With the king’s somewhat harsh and sharp words, the nobles’ gazes felt like blades.
The hatred in their blood directed entirely toward the demon princess standing before the Huang Pillar, and discussions could no longer conceal the rising tide of doubt.
Xiya furrowed her brow, pressing her finger against the hilt of the holy sword.
She did not wish to betray her country; if possible, she wanted to continue her duty as the sword of protection.
But if everyone was going to act this way toward Xue Feiya…
She wouldn’t mind taking Xue Feiya and leaving this uncomfortable place.
Xue Feiya’s priority in her heart far surpassed honor or blame.
Just before she could take any further action, Ecklight lightly stepped on the ground, causing a ripple of barely noticeable disturbance.
But that was enough to catch Xiya’s attention beside him.
“Father…?”
“Patience, precision, loyalty.”
Ecklight spoke the three words he had often repeated to Xiya since she was small, while his resilient gaze glanced at her.
Then he quietly imparted another piece of wisdom.
“Apart from those… also, trust. Trust those you feel you can rely on. If I’m not mistaken… the witch herself is likely the girl named Shaya, who is often by your side, right?”
“Uh… you figured it out…?”
“Because the look in your eyes now is the same as when Philex spoke ill of Shaya.”
Xiya’s lips quivered in indecision, but she still tightly gripped the sword sheath.
“Father… I will heed your teachings, but I may not always be able to guarantee loyalty like you.”
“You can do it or you cannot; let her decide. I don’t know why you trust each other to this extent, but your trust in her is still insufficient.”
“……”
Xiya slowly relaxed her grip on the sword sheath.
And all her sharpness turned into resilience and trust, directed toward the silent Xue Feiya not far away.
—Trust.
Ecklight hoped Xiya could grasp the essence of this.
Xiya, ever since you were a child, you’ve never shown that rebellious look in your eyes.
For someone to be trusted to this degree by you…
Can they truly respond to your expectations?
If she can, then she must also offer an awareness equal to yours.
For you, she could betray your sworn loyalty.
Then, to ensure you won’t have to betray your loyalty or face a dilemma…
She must quell the harsh words before the avalanche strikes.
