Chapter 119 - 2‐1 ？Perspective
I stood before the mirror, brushing back the hair falling over my cheek, and let out a natural sigh.
I traveled all the way to this neighboring country just to attend this ball, only to have to return home immediately. How tedious.
"Are you ready?"
"Yeah, no problem."
I turned at the sound of a knock to see Adolfo, a subordinate I had brought from home.
"...Prince Isaac, please don't run away."
"I know. I'd rather be training with the knights, but I came all this way. I'll fulfill my royal duties before I leave."
I didn't say "for my brother's sake," but Adolfo seemed to understand. I've never liked socializing; swinging a sword suits me much better. But this is the duty of a third prince.
To be honest, I wasn't thrilled when the invitation to the Kingdom of Dutoit's ball arrived. However, they are an ally, and as a royal, someone had to go. I didn't want to leave the country at such a critical time, but it was a direct request from my eldest brother, the First Prince. I had no choice but to obey, however reluctantly.
"Prince Isaac, shall we go?"
"Yeah. What a pain. I'll just greet my aunt and leave early."
"No, it would be better to stay for the announcement."
"Announcement? Why? Isn't it just about the Crown Prince's marriage?"
I stopped in my tracks as I pulled on my jacket, Adolfo's words catching my attention. I turned back, frowning suspiciously.
Adolfo adjusted his glasses and smirked, as if he had expected this reaction.
"Rumor has it that aside from the Crown Prince's marriage, another announcement will be made at this ball."
"...It's probably just showing off the Saint of Light, right?"
The Saint of Light. My eldest brother tried to get his hands on her, but apparently, he failed. ...How pathetic.
As a nation, we want a Saint. After all, since our country split from the Dutoit royal family, no Saint has been born in our land for five hundred years.
"Five hundred years ago, a Saint was the reason we parted ways with the Dutoit royal family. Because of that, Dutoit is likely quite wary of us regarding this matter."
"You mean because we secretly approached the Saint?"
"Yeah. It's exactly the kind of thing Faust-niisama would do. But if he had succeeded, his power would have been unshakable... so I suppose you could say we were saved."
"That is a difficult matter to judge."
Yes, five hundred years ago. A war broke out in a single country, and it was split in two. The story that a Saint was at the center of that conflict is famous in our land.
But I doubt anyone in this country knows the truth, that there were two Saints back then.
Even though we've formed an alliance and trade has flourished in recent years, the gap between our two neighboring countries remains vast. That's why we have no intention of letting the secrets of our royal lineage or our mana reach foreign ears.
Adolfo's smile deepened as he watched me lost in thought.
"What? You're being awfully mysterious."
Honestly, this guy loves probing for secrets so much he probably missed his calling. I reached up to scratch my head but stopped when I realized I'd just had it styled.
"So, if it's not the Saint of Light, what is it?"
"According to information my subordinates gathered, it seems the Crown Prince's fiancée has received a blessing from a Spirit King."
"What!? A Spirit King!?"
I stared at Adolfo, my eyes wide at the unexpected news.
What does that mean? I thought the Crown Prince's fiancée wasn't the Saint of Light.
"...Did he change fiancées?"
"No, that's not it."
"Huh? Then what? Stop being so cryptic."
I furrowed my brow at his suggestive tone. Adolfo chuckled, covering his mouth with his hand.
"Even you will be surprised by this. The Crown Prince's fiancée, Miss Rachel Marcel... is the Dark Saint."
What!? The Dark Saint?
I froze, stunned by the revelation.
"Is that... is that true?"
"Yes. They likely intend to announce it at tonight's ball. Inviting so many neighboring countries was probably to spread the news far and wide."
"Unbelievable. To think..."
To think that someone blessed by the Dark Spirit King would appear in the neighboring country instead of ours.
"...So, Darkness has given its blessing to Dutoit. What could this mean?"
"Your Highness, what do you intend to do?"
"I have to tell my brother immediately... no, he might already have the information. Wait... is that why he sent me?"
I didn't have the mental capacity to answer Adolfo's question as I pressed my fingers to my brow, trying to organize my thoughts. Now, what to do? Various schemes crossed my mind, but none seemed particularly effective. Still, I was glad I found this out before the ball. I finally had a reason to attend this boring event.
"I haven't sorted it all out yet... but it looks like I can make use of this."
"I thought you might say that."
I signaled Adolfo with a look, and he understood my intent instantly. This subordinate of mine is incredibly sharp. He placed a hand over his chest respectfully. "As you wish," he said, bowing as he opened the door.
"I'm starting to look forward to tonight's ball."
Rachel Marcel, huh? I wonder what kind of person she is. I've suddenly become very interested.
Part 2 begins abruptly with a new character. The story continues from the end of Part 1. I hope you'll join me for Part 2 as well.