บท 218: Capital
Translator: Cinder Translations
...
Catherine returned to the palace and hurried to the queen's residence with the letter in hand.
Just as she was about to enter, she noticed her mother—Queen Felice—being escorted by several noblewomen as they walked out.
The queen had just concluded a meeting with these noblewomen and was preparing to personally see them off.
"Your Highness!"
Seeing the arrival of the Crown Princess, the noblewomen all curtsied and greeted her, and Catherine nodded in acknowledgment.
After seeing off the guests together with her mother, they returned to the queen's living quarters.
Queen Felice asked curiously, "You've been spending your days at the military camp lately. Why have you returned so early today?"
Catherine took out the letter and waved it. "There's news from little sister."
Queen Felice, who had been calm until now, immediately put on an expression mixed with concern and excitement. She reached out to take the letter from Catherine's hand.
Catherine preempted her, saying, "Let me explain first. Eileen is safe and sound there."
The worried expression on the queen's face eased slightly upon hearing this. She took the letter from her daughter's hand and read it carefully.
After finishing it, she breathed a sigh of relief and then began to complain.
"Really, how can a girl like her only go and do things that are usually done by men?"
"That Grayman surname, I can't help but feel he has ill intentions. Could he possibly have some designs on Eileen?"
Catherine smiled awkwardly because her mother's first sentence seemed not only aimed at her younger sister. Now that she was sharing some of her father's administrative and military duties, they were also "activities typically done by men."
"Mother, Eileen has found something she enjoys doing. Just let her have her fun. Reports from my people say that Count Grayman is a pretty decent lord and shouldn't have any ill intentions toward Eileen."
A shade of bitterness appeared on the queen's face. "She's enjoying herself indeed. She doesn't think about how her mother worries and misses her day and night. I've raised a daughter who is so carefree. Moreover, for a princess, each and every one of them, to be serving under a country lord, how disgraceful! If this gets out, won't people laugh to death?"
The Northwestern Bay has always been considered a barren land by those in the capital. Although the Grayman family's title is not low, they are still seen as country lords.
Catherine defended her sister, "Um... Let's consider it as Eileen going out to survey public sentiment. After all, she's also grown up."
The queen sighed, "In the end, we can't let her stay there for too long. We need to find a way to bring her back sooner."
Catherine sighed sadly, "It's just that Father... You know Eileen's temperament. This time she left home without a word. If she comes back and Father pressures her again, she might do something even more extreme."
Hearing her eldest daughter's words, Queen Felice also began to feel conflicted. In her heart, she cursed Giles, Vibern, and others, saying that if it weren't for these people messing around, her flesh and blood wouldn't be separated. In the end, she even included her own husband.
"Alas... let her continue to stay there for a while. You must have someone keep a close eye on her."
"Yes, I understand."
"And don't let your father know."
"Well... alright."
Catherine did not mention her speculation that her father already knew about Eileen's whereabouts. After chatting with her mother for a while, she left the living room and headed towards the king's office.
On the way, she met Earl Merlin, who managed the kingdom's intelligence system. The Earl looked hurried, as if he had something important to report to the king.
"Earl Merlin, do you have urgent business?"
"Your Highness, I have important matters to report to King Rodney."
"In that case, let's go together."
"Yes."
Earl Merlin didn't hesitate, knowing well that Princess Catherine was the right hand of the king. During the king's severe illness and coma, she had directly taken on the responsibilities of a sovereign ruler.
...
King Rodney XVI looked at his eldest daughter, who had a serious expression on her face, feeling utterly helpless.
Since Eileen ran away from home, his relationship with his family has deteriorated considerably.
Fortunately, his eldest daughter, Catherine, did not let personal emotions interfere with official matters.
He already knew that Eileen had settled down in the Northwestern Bay and that Catherine was secretly protecting her sister. If he didn't know about such things, he wouldn't deserve to be king.
Initially, he wanted to send someone to immediately fetch his youngest daughter back, but Eileen's fiery temperament made him hesitate. Alas... he realized he knew too little about this daughter of his in daily life, and things could go terribly wrong once a joyous occasion turned into a funeral.
Later, intelligence from the Eastern Frontier gradually diminished his thoughts of marrying into the Vibern family. The situation was changing; the Vibern family seemed to have decided to stand with Giles.
At this time, marrying his daughter into that family would only be a case of burning his face and sticking it on the cold buttocks.
TL Note: The phrase "burning his face and sticking it on the cold buttocks" is not a traditional Chinese saying, but it could be interpreted metaphorically. In a metaphorical sense, it may suggest someone making a great effort to gain favor or attention from someone who is indifferent or cold. The idea of "burning" one's face implies a significant effort or sacrifice, while "sticking it on the cold buttocks" suggests seeking approval or warmth from someone who is unresponsive or uninterested.
Both of the kingdom's largest landowners were opposing the royal family. He, as the king... was quite a failure.
King Rodney XVI hesitated. Should he bring his youngest daughter back and apologize properly to repair his relationship with his family?
But his dignity as king made him resist this idea.
Alas... let's settle the rebellion first.
The king organized his thoughts and asked, "Earl Merlin, do you have something to say?"
Earl Merlin looked serious. "Your Majesty, Your Highness, there have been some peculiar developments regarding the rebel forces at Thorn Fortress."
King Rodney XVI and Catherine immediately paid close attention.
The rebels launched an attack on Thorn Fortress, and detailed reports of this battle were sent to the capital.
Of particular note was the description of soldiers wearing armor impervious to blades and possessing extraordinary strength, making them seem like knights facing peasants.
Those remaining in the capital found it unbelievable, but the report was authored by Duke Dodge, co-signed by Viscount Klein and Viscount Lester, the three highest-ranking commanders at the fortress. They all confirmed the authenticity of these incredible events.
Klein and Lester had personally battled these unusual rebel soldiers.
Due to these bizarre enemy soldiers, Thorn Fortress nearly fell, but Duke Dodge finally used his last resort—"Hellfire"—to halt the rebel assault.
"According to the reports, it appears there are 'holy men' among the rebels, and after some... peculiar prayer ritual of theirs, those rebel soldiers transformed into the described forms."
"Holy men? Aren't those supposed to be churchmen?"
Though infuriated, neither the king nor the princess found this surprising; there had always been tensions between the church and the kingdom. Secretly supporting the rebels was possible, but...
"I've never heard of any church ritual that could transform people like that!"
Catherine was deeply perplexed. Could those charlatans really have moved the Lord of Light to bring down miracles? Don't joke around.
The three continued discussing in the room for a long time, still perplexed.
(End of the Chapter)
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