4

The place where Lewellyn invited him to was a tea room. It was unusual for Tristan to even get invited to a tea time, especially by someone who was so accustomed to such things. Tristan's life was far away from such leisurely activities. Even having tea with someone was an unconventional situation for him. He'd even rejected an invitation to one of the Queen Dowager Pamela's tea parties once.

Unaware of the maid's gaze, Tristan squinted and looked at the Princess' residence, which was located in the most remote part of the Royal palace. The princess' private palace was sparsely populated. As Tristan walked all the way to her tea room he clicked his tongue while looking for the knights guarding this residence. The Red Knights were not in charge of guarding the royal family, so he could not use his unit to change anything.

"This is the place."

A dark wooden door was in front of him. It was too simple of a door to be for a Princess' residence. It was excessively plain compared to the residence of the Queen Dowager. The maid knocked and called to the princess, then a gentle and soft voice was soon heard. A voice that felt as soft as a flower, yet had a soft resonance like a tree.

When the door opened and Tristan entered, Princess Lewellyn was looking out the window. Her reddish brown hair was tied down with a dark blue ribbon, revealing her white neck through her hair. Her face with it's rosy cheeks, which looked like they'd been pinched, was lost in a serious thought. It was quite different from the disorganized look he had seen last night. However, that was also an appearance of the princess he had seen before.

"I will see you later, Your Highness."

Then the maid departed.

She sighed and looked away from the window. Those soft amber eyes looked at Tristan. The princess was wearing a light azure robe, which made her skinny body look slimmer.

"Welcome, Sir Jayad."

The princess did not maintain a "social" bearing that many nobles were good at. Tristan sat across from her and glanced at the princess. As soon as he sat down, she got to the point of her summons.

"Yesterday, I heard that you returned me to my residence after I passed out."

"That's right!"

Tristan's behaviour stuck out like a sore thumb. No matter how noble he acted, he couldn't get used to the etiquettes needed, such as drinking tea. The princess stared at him while he was drinking his tea. It was as if she was trying to figure out if his behaviour was ungentlemanly.

"First of all, I would like to thank you."

"It was just something I had to do."

"…."

"Are you alright? Are you still sick?"

"…I'm fine."

"As I commanded, I have been silent about the part to keep secret."

"Secret?"

Tristan noticed that Lewellyn stiffened and her eyes widened.

"Is there something wrong?"

Tristan asked.

"I'll tell the princess if anything happens."

Lewellyn's hands tensed up as her gaze fell on Tristan.

Did using the word 'secret' mean that he was also that person? She examined Tristan while drinking tea. However, the honest knight never showed his feelings.

In a way, he was a person who was good at managing his facial expressions. No matter what she said, his expression stayed the same. How would she figure out what's inside? She became frustrated and couldn't say anything.

"Princess, I'm a knight. A sword of the royal family with an oath of allegiance in blood."

"…."

"I'm not a gossip."

Lewellyn became curious. Tristan and she had never spoken to each other, except once in the past. That was the first and last time they spoke. Didn't she insult Tristan at that time? The reason he suddenly recited the oath was clear and that was obvious…

"You're a person, not a sword. How could I treat a person like a sword?"

"…."

"I'm a little curious. You probably don't like me, so why are you saying this? Is it some base desire to know my secrets? If not…"

Lewellyn and Tristan, who were trying to continue what they were saying, opened their mouths at the same time.

"I want you to say that I slept with you."

"I know that the princess has given a favor, not an insult…"

Tristan couldn't finish his words at Lewellyn's words. He couldn't understand her words for a moment.

"Is it grace to entangle our bodies?"

Lewellyn was amazed by Tristan's words. Was it a blessing for a knight to sleep with the princess? She thought it was a little funny, as they enjoyed tea together.

"I seems you liked it quite a bit. I'm so glad you kept it a secret."

The silent and expressionless knight was looking at her with a bewildered face. She bit her tongue slightly at the mildly startled look that was revealed in his dark crimson eyes.

"The princess and I slept together? What are you talking about?"

She made a mistake.

She chose a deadly wrong answer.

***

"Are you still not feeling well?"

Bastian whispered as he looked at Lewellyn.

Lewellyn's face was blank.

"Lewellyn?"

She revived herself from her thoughts, and returned to herself because of his worried voice.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty. What were you talking about?"

"…."

Bastian's eyes were filled with worry as he continued to look at Lewellyn.

"You seem to have lost your dignity as a member of the royal family. What are you doing in front of guests?"

Pamela looked at her with displeasure and finally voiced a complaint.

"I'm sorry…"

When Lewellyn apologized gently with a blank look, Pamela looked puzzled. It was the same with Bastian. Usually when Pamela attacked, Lewellyn would apologize in a hard tone and the atmosphere would become harsh. Bastian was always arbitrating between the two, but today Lewellyn was docile. Pamela had nothing to criticize.

"It's fine."

Lewellyn raised her head at the man's voice. The face of the man sitting across from the table caught her eyes, it was Armandite. He was looking at Lewellyn with a strange expression.

"It seems that the princess is ill."

Blue-green eyes stared at Lewellyn tenaciously. Normally she would feel anger at that dark gaze, but she had no room for it today. Tableware, which had been set diligently, had not been touched since being placed.

"Lewellyn, if you don't feel well…"

"Didn't you act rude to the Duke of Biserk yesterday?"

Pamela blocked Bastian's consideration. The reason Pamela had to face Armandite and Lwellyn like this was because she'd run away yesterday. Pamela acted as if she were trying to confirm something. Even though Lewellyn said she wanted to go to the monastery, she didn't trust her.

"Should I call the royal doctor?"

"No, it's okay."

Lewellyn smiled faintly, however her heart was in serious agony. Who the hell did she sleep with? How will she deal with this in the future? First of all, she made a big mistake with who she'd confronted.

Tristan.

She remembered Tristan's face, shocked by the question of whether they slept together. It was one of the most foolish acts in her life. It happened recently, so even though she wanted to forget it, she remembered it quite clearly.

I can't… I'll just pretend I didn't hear that.

If Tristan hadn't regained his composure at that time and said that, she would have found a way to keep his mouth shut forever.

Thinking about it again, her heart was pounding faster. She'd revealed her flaws to someone who'd known nothing. Fortunately, Tristan seemed to have kept his word. She knew he hadn't said anything because of Pamela. She was sensitive to rumors, and wouldn't have stayed still. As usual, Pamela had a displeased expression on her face.

Lewellyn listened to the conversation between Bastian and Pamela.

"They said that they are going to send an emissary from the church."

"Emissary?"

"Yes, mother. The warlocks must have been quite troublesome. The church is showing an unusual interest in Duke Biserk this time."

"Really? That's not bad."

"Perhaps, the Pope might give the duke a blessing."

A blessing? Lewellyn's eyes widened. A blessing is the greatest honor that can be conferred by the Pope, the ruler of the Holy Land, other than canonization. When someone receives that grace, God's blessing will be engraved on their body. Their wounds will heal quickly, even if they were seriously injured, and they will no longer need to deal with minor illnesses.

Receiving a blessing conferred other rights. The blessed person would be recognized as a member of the Holy Kingdom. They were free to enter and exit the Holy Lands, even if they commit a crime and become a sinner. Also the Pope would protect them from the moment they stepped past the borders, into the Holy Kingdom, under his own name. They were not respected like saints, but they were protected by God's clergymen.

Was the removal of the warlocks so satisfactory? Lewellyn frowned, and thought it must have been very serious. Then she remembered that he had obtained the Holy sword and that convinced her.

"The previous dukes also received the blessing, and now even the current duke will be blessed. Your father, the former duke, in heaven must be pleased."

In an instant, Pamela's eyes lit up. Seeing the bright smile on her face, Lewellyn frowned a little. Why is this woman so happy for the Duke of Biserk to receive a blessing?

"I didn't do anything to deserve it," The Duke of Biserk said sternly.

Although humble, he did not look subservient. The talk of 'blessings' made his eyes widen, but he had a relaxed attitude that said he didn't need such honor. Of course, Lewellyn had no interest in his graceful humility.

"It is only natural for the nobles, one of the pillars of this country, to wipe out those who disobey God, serve demons, and plunge the country into chaos."

Meanwhile, Llewellyn was lost in thought with a serious look on her face…

Of course, the Pope hated the demons. However, she was temporarily branded by Asmodeus. What if the Pope's emissary saw her and realized something was wrong? What if she was accused of being involved with demons? Then would she be the star, not the spectator, at the guillotine!

Lewellyn was tormented, not knowing that some turquoise eyes were staring intently at her. After being cursed by Asmodeus, nothing had worked properly. She was really on the road to ruin.

At that moment, Pamela spoke to Lewellyn.

"What do you think, Princess?"

"Yes?"

"Do you think the princess also deserves the same blessing as Duke Biserk?"

"…."

"Of course, I think he deserves it. He even managed to arrest an evil woman, who had bribed a warlock to curse others along with her predecessor…. As well as myself. The Duke of Biserk seems to have a knack for cleaning out warlocks."

Lewellyn's heart pounded widely. It was very obvious who Pamela was talking about. She looked at Pamela's scornful expression, it was very clearly meant to provoke her.

"Princess, I don't think you are feeling well again… Do you want to go back?"

Pamela was mocking her to see if she was going to run away again. After all, Lewellyn was the dog who lost the fight in the first place. In front of Armandite, it was not easy being trampled on and ridiculed. In the past, she was a noble princess. Being ridiculed in front of her childhood friend, who remembered those days, was a different matter than how she was used to being shamed.

Lewellyn clenched her fists. Bastian was looking at Pamela, and Pamela was smirking. The servants and maids in attendance, and the servants and maids in training, were also observing the princess. They were unable to hide their curiosity at the trampling.

Lewellyn caught her breath for a moment.

"I'll be leaving."

Then, she heard the sound of the chair being pushed back. Lewellyn reflexively looked at the opposite side of the table. It was Armandite's chair, not her's. That was what happened. It was a dinner he was invited to by the king. What he was doing was rude, even downright disrespectful.

"Duke Biserk?" Pamela asked with a strange look.

The Duke of Biserk said with an elegant smile, "It's because I'm not feeling well."

"What…"

"Your Highness, the Queen Dowager does not seem to understand."

"Duke Biserk."

"Even if Biserk family swore an oath of allegiance, I never swore to be tool."

"What do you mean by this?"

"A tool of harassment, Your Highness