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Kingdom of Aldegyr - Royal Palace
A silver-haired knight in the uniform of the Aldegyr Royal Guard hurried toward La Folia's chambers.
Knock, knock—
A voice came from inside.
"Kataya?"
Kataya Justina was a noble from a bloodline connected to the royal family and technically La Folia's older cousin. On top of that, she served directly under the Royal Knights, assigned specifically to La Folia's protection.
"It's me, Your Highness," Kataya answered, trying to steady her breathing. "There's new information regarding the Fourth Primogenitor."
La Folia immediately replied, "Then hurry and come in."
"Excuse me."
Kataya opened the door and stepped inside. At the vanity, she found La Folia in a white nightgown, blow-drying her hair. A perfect waifu.
"So they've located the Fourth Primogenitor's private jet?" La Folia turned off the dryer, her hair falling against her shoulders as she glanced over.
Kataya composed herself and spoke. "Foreign Affairs has acquired the jet's signal."
"Where?"
"Baltic Sea."
"I see…"
La Folia let out a small breath of relief, combing through her hair with her fingers.
"For trouble to start so close to the border, I'd say the Empire is riddled with moles."
"Moles?" Kataya looked up in shock.
La Folia rolled her eyes. "Try learning some politics, cousin."
"I'm just a knight…" Kataya muttered.
La Folia gave her a look, sighed with pity, then waved it off.
"Forget it."
She reached for her skincare on the table.
"If the Fourth Primogenitor is now 'safe,' then all I need to do is wait here in the palace. Overthinking the rest is pointless."
"But…" Kataya hesitated, expression odd. "Before I came here, we received notice that the Fourth Primogenitor canceled his visit."
La Folia froze.
She slowly turned her head, blue eyes fixed on Kataya with no expression at all.
"Is something wrong…?" Kataya asked weakly.
The only response she got was La Folia glaring, then standing up and evaporating all lingering moisture off her body with spirit power.
"This is the sort of thing you mention first, you idiot knight."
Kataya immediately shut her mouth and bowed. "I sincerely apologize."
La Folia shot her another glare, strode into the wardrobe, threw on a black knight uniform, and walked out at full speed.
"Where's Mother?"
"The third parlor," Kataya replied.
"Let's go!" La Folia barked, already sprinting.
...
Polifonia Rihavein looked up as someone knocked.
"Your Highness, Princess La Folia requests an audience."
Polifonia sighed without surprise. "Let her in."
The door opened, and La Folia's voice arrived before she did. "Mother, what did the Dawn Empire say in response?"
"..."
"They say it was an unexpected incident and that they temporarily altered their itinerary. They hope we won't misunderstand."
Polifonia had barely finished speaking before La Folia sank onto the sofa, rubbing her temples.
"This is a mess." La Folia groaned. "'Don't misunderstand' basically means 'please imagine the worst,' doesn't it?"
Did they really think the princesses and queens of Aldegyr couldn't read diplomatic code?
"There's something I'm worried about," Polifonia admitted with a bitter smile.
"The Fourth Primogenitor has taken an interest in our women?" La Folia answered instantly.
"Yes."
Polifonia nodded. "You know our family's women inherit high spiritual power from the royal bloodline. Sometimes we become vessels for higher-dimensional angels or spirits—chosen as saints."
"And for a Primogenitor, that bloodline is the sweetest delicacy."
One of the major reasons Aldegyr and the First Primogenitor's Warlord Empire still hadn't formally ended hostilities was this very issue. One side sought to protect its saintly women; the other craved their blood. Hardly a reconcilable situation.
"A sudden visit, a sudden attack, a sudden cancellation… even I'm starting to suspect the Fourth Primogenitor staged everything to pressure us."
La Folia sighed, helpless. "Though personally, I don't believe Ryo would deliberately target us."
A year and a half ago, they'd shared a brief exchange from a distance. That was when La Folia's opinion of him soared.
He hadn't wanted anything in return, yet he casually sealed her unstable clairvoyance ability and saved her from real danger. Later examinations confirmed the seal was harmless and even stabilized her constitution.
That was why she thought so highly of him.
Of course, people change.
It wasn't impossible that Ryo Yagami changed his mind and now wanted Aldegyr's saintly blood.
Polifonia went quiet for a moment, then sighed at her daughter. "We need confirmation. We must learn what His Majesty truly intends."
La Folia immediately understood and replied without hesitation. "I understand. I volunteer for the mission. I'll go to the Dawn Empire."
"I knew you would," Polifonia muttered, sounding exhausted. "Even if I didn't say it, you'd suggest it yourself."
"With the Royal Knights with me, you don't have to worry about my safe—"
Polifonia cut her off with a wave. "I'm not worried about your safety. If anything, I'm more worried about his."
Polifonia stared at her daughter, deadpan. "And yes, it's my failure as a mother, but La Folia, put away that little dream of marrying 'the strongest man.'"
"I am not ready to become a grandmother at my age."
"You're joking, Mother," La Folia smiled shyly. "I still want to stay with you and Father for a few more years."
Polifonia looked touched, even wiping at her eyes.
Of course, she didn't believe a word of it, but for a moment, she allowed herself to imagine it was real.
Meanwhile, La Folia was already thinking about what kind of commotion she needed to cause to extend her stay in Itogami Island… maybe a year or two if she played it right.
After three seconds of shared scheming disguised as silence. "La Folia, how long do you intend to stay on Itogami Island?"
"Uh… how about seven days to start?"
"I'll give you fifteen. Will that put a stop to your little schemes?"
"Deal."
.
.
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