Chapter 47

Nash exhaled deeply, her gaze fixed on her feet. As she breathes, smoke shoots out of her mouth.

"Young lady..." Nash looked up, astonished to see the high priest standing in front of her.

'Shi.. why is the high priest in front of me?!'

"Me?" Nash pointed at herself.

"You're the only lady here, young lady."

Nash looked around, and the high priest was right. She saw no lady other than her and what's worse is that they're all looking at her way.

"I apologize..." Nash said as she lowered her head.

"Why are you apologizing? Did you do something wrong?"

"Huh? Ah... no?"

'She kind of scares me for a reason,' Nash thought.

The high priest smiled, "Then don't apologize."

Nash fainted a smile and nodded.

"May I inquire as to your age this year?"

"17"

"So today is also your coming-of-age?" Nash gave a nod, "So, why are you here instead of taking part inside? Don't you think it's fun to be a part of such a ceremony?"

Nash shook her head, "It was just because I was not interested. I prefer performing my duties as a squad knight."

'I can't tell her that it was just because I wanted to wear knight attire!'

"I see you're committed." Nash nodded and smiled. "However, this day is special for girls your age."

The high priest didn't wait for Nash to respond, instead placing her palm on Nash's head and repeating the words she pronounced during the blessing. Nash is surrounded by light for a few seconds before it fades away.

During the moment when the light was around Nash, the high priest approached her and said, "I hope to see you well in the future, Imperial Princess Nashtassia."

Nash was frozen still as the high priest retreated.

'The high priest knows...'

"You're fortunate and unfortunate at the same time," Idris replied, standing on Nash's other side.

"That frightens me a little," she said.

...

The event concludes as the clock strikes twelve.

The nobles and commoners exited the Imperial Palace one by one.

"Nash!" exclaimed Marais, who was accompanied by her partner Brix.

"You look wonderful," Nash commented, praising her on her appearance.

"Thank you!" Marais hugged Nash. "Thank you for the necklace!"

"Don't bother."

They had a brief conversation before Marais and Brix left. They proceeded to their squad members, who were stationed at the front gate.

When all of the nobility and commoners had left, one senior knight requested that the knights enter the palace.

Inside, Katherine and the Duke of Barcley are conversing with Prince Lawrence.

When Prince Lawrence observed the knights, he excused himself and took a position in front of them, "Thank you for carrying out your responsibilities successfully; I know you're fatigued from standing still for hours. I want you to help yourselves and have a good time. I've already requested permission from the emperor for you to have an hour off before returning home, so please take advantage of this opportunity."

"This is the first time something like this has happened," says one senior knight.

"Is it because it was held at the Imperial Palace rather than the temple?"

The knights sat down, and servants brought them supper.

"Woah!"

"Your friend Katherine was the Duke's daughter?" Idris inquired, astonished. Nash gave a nod.

"Then why did you pretend as if you didn't know?" Aeries frowned.

"I'm sorry! I was requested to keep it a secret, but I would have told you anyway when we returned to our inn. I didn't expect a banquet to take place." Nash explained.

As the feast was held, the entire ballroom hall turned into a pub owing to the loud barbarous noise that contrasted with the earlier exquisite and fancy ceremony where most conversations were mumbled.

"Excuse me, miss." Nash turned to face the person who had called her. She recognized Bea. "Lady Katherine wishes to meet with you."

Nash looks at her squad. "I'll be back in a few minutes."

Nash followed Bea.

"Excuse me!" Nash bumped into a female magic knight. Because of her reflex, she catches her before the magic knight falls.

If Nash resembled a man, it would be too romantic because of the way she catches the magic knight's waist as they stare at each other.

Nash pulled the magic knight and asked, "Are you alright?"

'She looks drunk.'

"I..m fine.." the magic knight stares at Nash, blushing.

'I don't know if she's blushing because she fell for me or is it because she's not sober?' Nash thought.

"I see... then please excuse me."

"Wait!" The magic knight grabbed Nash's wrist, "My name is Aizzle... and you?"

"It's Nash, is there anything you want?" Nash looked at her with confusion.

"No... it's nothing. I just want to know your name... haha. Bye." Aizzle walks away with refreshed look. 'She's so beautiful... I think I'm falling...'

Nash simply shrugged and exited the ballroom hall through a door. She could see Katherine standing alone from there.

Nash smiled as she approached her, "You look so ugly"

Katherine retorts, "Isn't it you who chose this clothing for me? In addition to this headpiece?"

"That's because it would look good on me if I were the one to wear it." Nash rolled her eyes. Nash looked at her friend smiling towards her. She made a face, "Don't look at me like that, gross. If you want to say thanks, it's fine. I just don't want to see the Duke looking dirty with his beard."

"Reasons," Katherine said, smirking.

"What? Are you going to tell me something? My squad mates are waiting for me"

"I heard you're leaving?"

"Who said that? Is it sister?" Katherine nodded. Nash sighed, "It will only be for about a month. You do know that I can't just hide myself forever? I don't want to have anything else to hide if I'm introduced in public, therefore I'm doing everything I can to exploit my demon power."

"Where would you go? The temple will feel the demon's presence."

"In the underworld."

"What?! Aren't you hanging on a cliff doing that?"

"Don't worry, the demon lord took an interest in me saying he would help me with the training."

"Then... be careful. The Barcley's Diner would be managed by someone else, making it difficult for us to meet frequently, though we don't meet too often due to my continued mission. Tsk, I thought we would be together once I join the magic knight."

"It's fine, I don't have any business in your diner now that you're back in your duchy."

"But you can come to our duchy whenever you want; you're always welcome there, as I'm sure you already know."

"Of course, I'd go visit whenever I have free time," Nash chuckled.

...

"What is this?" Nash asked, pointing at a basket of desserts.

"You know that lady magic knight whom you catch romantically?" Idris said. Nash nodded, "It's from her, she wants to say "thank you"."

"I guess a lady fell for you," Aeries said.

Nash chuckled, "Who wouldn't"

The squad 15 member's face straightened. Nash became irritated and glared at them.

"Let's go back now, it's nearly 2 a.m.," Yjhan stated as he stood.

They proceed to Prince Lawrence, who is currently speaking with a group of knights.

"Oh? Are you heading back?"

"Yes, it's already too late." Yjhan said.

"I see... then have a safe trip back."

On their way back to the inn, they rode their horses. As soon as they lie down in their beds, they fall asleep.