Chapter 106 - 33: Big Brother is Back

Chapter 106: Chapter 33: Big Brother is Back

Lilia never broke stride, walking straight out the main entrance of Victor’s bedchamber.

Seeing the Princess storming out from the inner chambers, the male servant who had been waiting outside simply froze, a single question echoing repeatedly in his mind.

’Didn’t Princess Lilia already leave? Why is she coming out from inside now?’

’What in the world happened inside when I wasn’t looking?!’

Lilia ignored him.

Undeniably, she was annoyed.

Anyone could see something was wrong with Victor just now, and Lilia was no exception.

She didn’t believe those cold, final words were what Victor truly meant.

But just because she didn’t believe them didn’t mean she wasn’t angry hearing them.

So she retaliated.

’If someone’s going to be miserable, it’s not going to be just me.’

Now that she had vented her frustration, it was time to think about her next move.

The news of Adrian’s return was a Sword of Damocles hanging not only over Lilia’s head, but over Veronica’s and Leo’s as well.

That even included Chris.

He had always feigned a well-behaved and innocent demeanor, but who could guarantee he didn’t have his own designs on the throne?

Therefore, Lilia was certain that as soon as Adrian returned, the war for the Light Kingdom’s crown would begin.

Lilia’s relationship with Veronica and the other royal scions was decent enough, but in the face of immense personal gain, such thin bonds of kinship were like ants before a wheel, easily crushed.

Just as Veronica had said.

No matter what, they were all rivals.

Given Lilia’s circumstances—her exceptional talent and the King’s favor—no one would exclude her from this war simply because she claimed she had no ambition for the throne.

’If that’s the case, should I stick to my original plan? First, figure out how to survive the war for the crown, and then leave the Light Kingdom to find Lucian?’

...No.

’I can’t.’

Lilia found she couldn’t just leave Victor behind.

She was incredibly curious about what Victor could have possibly discovered to make him so determined to exclude her.

And...

’And that place he mentioned, Navia County, bordering the Valgipps Mountain Range... does it truly hold a Demon’s secret, or was it just a lie he made up to placate me?’

The only way to verify it was to go with Victor and see for herself.

But if she waited until after the war for the crown... it would be too late.

’I have to find a way to get to Navia before the war begins.’

Which led to the question.

’As a powerful contender for the crown... how could Veronica and the others ever feel at ease letting her leave?’

"Princess Lilia!"

Before she knew it, Lilia had walked back to the spot where she and Rebecca had parted ways.

She had told Rebecca to go on ahead, but the young maid clearly hadn’t listened. Or rather, in Rebecca’s heart, a proper maid’s duty was to wait in place for her mistress to return, no matter how long it took.

Lilia was long used to her maid’s peculiar persistence in such matters. After a brief nod, she started walking back toward her chambers with Rebecca in tow.

"Princess Lilia."

Rebecca, unable to stay quiet, said, "I heard from a passing maid that Prince Adrian’s retinue has already entered Hillflan. They should reach the Royal Court in a day at most."

Lilia: "..."

’This girl... She always seems to get firsthand information from the strangest sources.’

’A unique talent, I suppose.’

She didn’t press the matter. "Any other news?"

"It seems Princess Veronica wants to host a welcome party for Prince Adrian, but everything is still in the planning stages, so I don’t know the specifics..."

At this, Rebecca asked curiously, "Your Highness, Princess Veronica is sure to invite you. Will you go?"

Lilia answered without a second thought. "I won’t."

"Why not?"

The young girl didn’t understand.

’A welcome party hosted by a royal scion! It sounds so interesting!’

Lilia knew exactly what she was thinking.

But she was thinking much further ahead than Rebecca.

The supposed "welcome" for Adrian was likely just a front. Veronica’s real purpose in hosting the party was to get everyone to probe and test one another, trying to analyze their rivals’ trump cards and future intentions from their conversation.

In other words,

the only people attending that party would be those who intended to claim the throne.

Only they would view each other as mortal enemies, willing to use their own siblings as stepping stones.

Lilia couldn’t be bothered to stand around playing mind games with a group of people.

She would rather use that time to figure out how to leave Hillflan and go to Navia County to uncover Victor’s secret.

"Rebecca," Lilia began.

The young girl walking behind her straightened her back. "Present!"

"I need you to spread a rumor for me."

Lilia said, "The more people who hear it, the better. The conditions are the same as last time: don’t let anyone trace it back to us."

"Understood." Rebecca nodded. "So, what’s the message?"

"You will say..."

Lilia stared straight ahead. "That Princess Lilia has always been a person of simple tastes. All she wants is a peaceful life."

"That she has no interest in so-called power, status, or even... the highest position in the Kingdom."

...

As always, Rebecca was remarkably efficient.

In just two short days, the rumor that "Princess Lilia only wants a quiet life" had spread throughout the entire Royal Court.

Upon hearing this, some mocked the Little Princess for being truly short-sighted; no matter how talented, she was ultimately unfit for the grand stage.

Of course, others suggested the Little Princess possessed great wisdom, arguing that with no Noble support, she stood no chance of winning the crown anyway.

Rather than wasting her efforts on a futile struggle, it was better to declare her harmlessness early on. That way, she could at least win some goodwill from the likes of Veronica.

While the rumors were flying,

two major events took place in the Royal Court.

The first, of course, was the return of the Eldest Prince, Adrian.

On that day, Adrian led a troop of light cavalry, riding in from the city’s main thoroughfare. The handsome, high-spirited man in his twenties was clad in Silver Armor. It was said the young women lining the streets were all overcome with excitement, and the flowers and handkerchiefs they tossed nearly buried the returning procession.

The second event, naturally, was the welcome party Veronica prepared for Adrian.

The party was held in Veronica’s residence, and just as Lilia expected, only a few royal scions and the high-ranking Nobles who backed them attended.

Rather than a welcoming feast, it was more like a treacherous banquet, albeit one without murderous intent.

Lilia didn’t know what transpired at the party, nor did she care.

In fact, she didn’t even know what Adrian looked like. On the day of his return, she had claimed to be ill and recuperating, and she hadn’t set foot outside her chambers since.

Lilia thought this would be enough to demonstrate her resolve to Veronica and the others, but she never expected...

"Princess Lilia."

Rebecca knocked on her bedroom door. "Prince Adrian is here to see you."