210: The Battle Maiden is at the Crossroads of Marriage (27)
Gravity suddenly took hold of Natalie’s body and she fell to the floor with a thud. However, thanks to the fur carpet, it didn’t hurt that much.
The shock caused her to close her eyes, but she gingerly opened them. Before her were a pair of leather shoes slightly muddied by the soil by the lake and a pair of slender feet.
“—I didn’t expect you to follow me.”
An exasperated yet mocking voice came from above Natalie who was on her bottom. The king of that kingdom bent down to meet Natalie’s gaze.
Natalie gasped.
The Southern King of Kratos—a well-known figure within the Rave Empire. He was a king who had delegated his governmental duties to his son, built a palace made of gold in the Agelle Peninsula in the southern area of the Kingdom of Kratos, and indulged in debauchery with men and women of all ages.
Despite his vile reputation, the man was slender and beautiful. The cruelty that lurked in his dark eyes, however, was otherwise faithful to the rumors.
“Are you afraid? Then why did you follow me? Are you trying to get my son’s attention?”
“…That’s my line, Your Majesty the King of the Land of Love.”
She retorted, puffing out her chest as much as she could.
“Why did you take the National Seal?”
“It’s impolite to answer a question from an elder, let alone the king, with a question.”
Laughing, Rufus stepped on the hem of Natalie’s dress.
“I’m the one asking the questions here, young lady who pretends to be a princess of the Dragon God.”
“—Oh my.”
She buried her fear and anxiety into the pit of her stomach and smiled with pride as she stared into those deep black eyes.
She was an outcast princess. Her ability to display a good face, which she had learned from being told over and over again, was second to none in the Rave royal family.
“I’m the Dragon Emperor’s sister, Father-in-Law.”
Rufus’ eyebrows twitched. Then, he retorted.
“’Father-in— ‘… You crazy?”
“Surely you know who am I and what am I here for?”
“Of course, for I’m the king of this country.”
“Yes, while your son is a fine actor that you can rely on.”
This time, Rufus’ smile vanished as his expression became frigid. He had an expression that looked exactly like that unsociable prince’s.
In this way, they’re truly parent and child.
“Could it be, doing away with me will ruin your scheme? If you want to make the Dragon Princess your ally, shouldn’t you at least give me a warm welcome?”
“That’s a strange way to beg for your life. But the person who will decide that…”
There was a knock on the door.
“Come in.” Rufus spoke while standing up.
A woman in a priestess outfit concealing her face with a hood drawn over her head entered the room.
“Your Majesty Rufus, it seems that the Dragon Emperor has fled from the Saber family’s villa.”
Slowly, Natalie’s eyes widened in shock. Rufus, who didn’t fail to notice, laughed.
“Is Dragon Princess-chan with him?”
“No, Lady Jill Saber remains. She seems to have broken all ties with the Dragon Emperor.”
“Hahaha, that was surprisingly quick. Too quick, in fact. So, is the Dragon Emperor going to return to his glorious empire?”
“He seems to be going somewhere, most likely to regroup with the Rave Empire army. The Saber family is chasing after him.”
Rufus snorted.
“Is he really going to start a war? Just because he lost Dragon Princess-chan? How simple—”
—Rufus suddenly turned to Natalie, as if he had noticed something.
“…This development is far too convenient for me. Do you know something?”
That king was by no means a foolish king. He was as sharp as the prince—and a great actor, to boot.
Her eldest brother told her that when he was the crown prince, he was a famous child prodigy.
Her second brother reminded her not to push herself too hard.
Her third brother, who was responsible for the country, asked her for a favor.
“About what?”
She calmly asked him. Rufus cleared his throat.
“All right, fine. You’re a guest who came here by mistake. If I wish to comply with Dragon Emperor-kun’s claims, keeping you hostage or killing you won’t do.”
“Thank you for your wise decision, Your Majesty the King.”
“But don’t forget, you are going to die. I don’t know what you are planning, provoking the Southern King…”
“You’re doing this for your son, aren’t you?”
Rufus burst out laughing at Natalie’s honest evaluation.
“—That’s exactly right! Nobody has ever understood me before. What a shame. I wanted for you to call me ‘Father-in-Law.’”
“Oh, you have no idea what the future holds.”
“Actually, I do. You see, a Dragon Princess isn’t a shield that serves to protect the Dragon Emperor, but a spear that hones him about love.”
Rufus turned on his heels, leaving Natalie in a daze.
After he disappeared, Natalie rested her hands on the floor. Her back was covered in sweat. She began to tremble.
…There’s still something, something we don’t know about the Dragon Princess…
—Hence why Brother Hades gambled like this. Will Jill be okay? Will she even notice?
She didn’t know what was going on, but none of that mattered. She clasped her trembling hands in front of her chest.
“…Frida, Sister Elynsia, Brother Listeard, Brother Vissel, Brother Hades…”
I won’t wait for the prince, because I promised.
I’ll return home alive and safe. I’ll definitely be of help.
Indeed, because of the oath she made with her siblings, Natalie could fight with her head held high even now.
***T/N: OOOOOO I KNEW IT, THE RAVE ROYAL FAMILY IS PLANNING SOMETHING.
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