Chapter 173

Chapter 173 – Prestige

Translator: Atlas / Editor: Regan

“Raphael has gone to the palace today to announce his mastery,” Annette explained. “The rumor that Deltium has a Sword Master will spread so quickly, His Majesty won’t be able to move against him for some time. No matter what else they say of Raphael, he is a hero now, and brings honor to his country.”

“Which will give us time, won’t it?”

“Yes. At least for a while, everyone’s attention will be on him.”

“It seems odd under the circumstances, but congratulations, all the same,” Celestine said, and hugged Annette like a sister. “It is incredible that he became Master of Swords. What an honor for Carnesis!”

It almost compensated for the shock of learning that the King had tried to have Annette killed. It gave Celestine chills to think of facing King Selgratis again; what would she have done, if it weren’t for Annette? She could never have dared to oppose a man that had manipulated her so effortlessly.

“What will you do with the doctor?” She asked. “Are you holding her as another witness?”

“Yes,” said Annette slowly. “I am having her send occasional reports to His Majesty, just as she was before. Eucaly works through an intermediary, I think I will be able to catch him sooner or later. I will have a trap waiting for him.”

“As thorough as always,” Celestine said, admiring. How lucky she had been that Annette was on her side. Ever since they had decided to ally, Celestine hadn’t had a single nightmare. At last, she could put the past behind her, and Annette was the one that had given her the courage to confront what had happened to her.

“I can’t thank you enough,” she added. “You do so much, it makes me ashamed of my small contribution. But please, don’t forget that I am on your side. You are my most precious friend.”

She added this last shyly, her eyes as green as a cat’s, her expression tender. Annette took her hands.

“I should thank you,” she said, smiling. “I will always be grateful for your friendship. Though I am not the head of either Bavaria or Carnesis…I swear, neither family will ever forget the debt we owe you.”

Annette kissed Celestine on the cheek.

“Thank you, Crown Princess.”

“……!!”

Celestine’s face reddened, and she tugged her hands away, fluttering at the sudden attack. Celestine liked Annette, but she certainly had a way of striking a person at the heart.

* * *

Exiting the King’s audience hall, Raphael looked up at the sky. At some point during his audience, it had darkened, and he let out a deep sigh. It was always exhausting to talk to his father.

“You have become a Sword Master?”

The King had looked disbelieving at the news, as if it were a possibility he had never imagined. But Raphael had noted the nuance of his expression: disbelief and frustration. Perhaps Raphael’s achievement had come more quickly than expected, and interfered with the King’s plans in some way.

Annette had said that the story must spread as quickly as possible, so that Selgratis wouldn’t be able to move recklessly against him, and it seemed she was right. The King was off-balance from the sudden development. It was only the second time in Deltium’s history that it could boast a Master of Swords.

Though King Selgratis would be alarmed that Raphael had accomplished something so amazing, he would also be busy thinking about how he might turn it to his advantage. He would be distracted, and less likely to realize that they had discovered Eucaly.

Having completed his mission, Raphael turned to leave, eager to go home and kiss her. But there was someone blocking his way.

Again?

Raphael was having flashbacks. Instantly, a scowl of displeasure appeared as he found himself facing Crown Prince Ludwig once again.