Capítulo 27: Chapter 27: Featherwing Fortress II
"Yes. We didn't talk about anything else."
Seeing her dazed appearance and dry reply, Princess Amelia couldn't help but feel that her heart had grown cold. This was why she did not pursue the matter anymore and decided to leave Lady Elena's room to rest on her own.
Herbert who did not know about what happened between the two stretched his arms before proceeding to clean up.
"What was that?"
"What do you mean what?
"Did you just ask her out to have tea with you? I thought you liked blondie, don't tell me you also like her little follower as well?"
At this point, Herbert had been enlightened. He finally understood why the author focused on the brainwashed Ingrid more than the usual Ingrid. Sometimes Herbert wondered if this was the sick way that the author used to balance the characters in his story, his method to his madness. Make Ingrid the second most powerful being in the book, but also make her annoying every time she opens her mouth.
Just as Herbert was about to feel like he had been sent to hell to babysit a child in an adult's body, Ingrid went over and took the gift that he had been given and once again opened her mouth to ask him a question.
"Hey, can I open this? Do you know what's inside?"
"Do whatever you want."
"Alright, thanks, Bertie."
"..... What did you just call me?"
"Oooh! Look, it's some weird shiny orb. Do you know what's this?"
"Hey, don't just ignore me!"
Ingrid then took the orb from the box and twirled it around her fingers as she observed the strange thing in her hand.
Herbert who had seen the thing that Ingrid was holding raised an eyebrow, he understood the worth of the present that Lady Elena had given him and was pleasantly surprised.
"That is the thing that you can get once you smash open the head of a monster. To be precise, this is a Rank 7 Monster Core."
At his words, Ingrid almost dropped the thing that she was holding, fortunately, she had been able to enhance her dexterity and reaction speed better than the time when she had not yet awakened.
"So this is what a Monster Core looks like."
Herbert then shot her a glance as he was surprised that a daughter from a Ducal household had never seen a Monster Core before, but knowing her circumstances, he felt that it made sense so he did not pursue it any further.
"It's perfect timing since the Rozenbloods would probably not be supporting you as an awakened. I'll ask for it to be refined so it could be used as the foundation for your personal weapon once you reach a higher mastery of your powers as an awakened."
Ingrid's eyes brightened, she had really hit a jackpot with Herbert. Not only was he rich, but he was also very generous.
"Thank you."
After seeing her sincere and bright smile that appeared silly as a child's, Herbert momentarily forgot that he was still annoyed with her. However, he quickly recovered and made Ingrid leave so that she could rest as it was already late.
The next morning, the guests once again had breakfast with Herbert. Although the atmosphere felt a little strained, Herbert continued to act nonchalantly and did not bother much both with Lady Elena and Princess Amelia. When night came, Herbert once again repeated his previous behavior the other day and invited Lady Elena for tea. After wasting her time, she would return to her room with Princess Amelia asking her what happened to which she would reply nothing other than drinking tea.
As a princess, Amelia had been educated to hide her true feelings, this was how she had been able to pretend to have a good relationship with Herbert in the past. She would never have thought that she would once again have the chance to use this skill on the person that she had once trusted the most. She felt as if she had her heart broken by Lady Elena's betrayal but she still kept her relationship with her by acting as if she wasn't bothered by her recent acts. Naturally, Lady Elena did not notice the weird behavior coming from Princess Amelia as she had been extremely bewildered by Herbert's strange behavior. She vaguely felt that something was wrong but she just couldn't tell what it was. Intuitively, she knew that there was a subtle hint of danger that had been permeating behind Herebrt's every move.
Three more days passed with Herbert repeating the same thing, however, today he would have to change his tactics. He was already done with making Princess Amelia suspicious about Lady Elena's behavior. He also tasked the maids and nearby servants to keep their ears and eyes open. This was the reason why Herbert had confirmed that what he was doing had worked.
He understood the principle of fishing. Pulling his bait too early or too late would result in not catching any fish, this was why he had to wait for the right time before he does his next course of action.
The incoming event was something that he could make use of and he definitely wouldn't let go of the opportunity. Today was the day that his father would be returning home from his yearly trip to inspect the northern borders where the fortress that is famous for being impregnable lay. This fortress was located near the northeastern area where the Wildlands lay.
Every year there would be a monster tide that would come gushing out from the area trying to enter the kingdom. This was why it was essential for every Ravenmoon Duke to inspect the fortress every year to make sure that it was in a good state and could resist the monster activity during winter. As the heir, it was also his duty to experience being on standby at the fortress at least once.
This was something that the original Hebert had already done, this was why he had been exempt from doing this troublesome duty. However, he believes that he could once again take on the role to get bonus points from his father and accomplish his goals.
It was around the afternoon when his father returned from his trip from the Featherwing Fortress. As he was still a supposed loyal vassal of the kingdom, Herman greeted the Ninth Princess with the bare minimum before glancing at Herbert with an unimpressed look.
At his gaze, Herbert felt his heart skip a beat, and not in a good way. It had never been any good news for him to see that kind of look from his father. His trauma had almost got a hold of him. However, he soon shook the thought away from his head. Once his father had settled down, he summoned Herbert into his study. After knocking gently, Herbert entered with his father's permission.
"Father, how was your trip? Did you notice anything unusual among the movements of the monsters?"
Herman did not take whatever Herbert had said seriously and replied in a cold and stern tone.
"It's nothing much, everything is still the same as usual."
After answering Herbert's question, Herman then began questioning Herbert with a displeased look on his face.
"So? What's taking you so long? I thought you would have already gotten everything settled once I had returned."
Status de energia semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Pedra de
Poder