Dahlia, with a subtle glint of curiosity in her eyes, posed a question to Princess Lucy, probing her intentions regarding the throne. This was, in essence, a calculated test—a way to gauge the princess's ambitions. If Dahlia were to discover even the faintest hint that Princess Lucy harbored desires to ascend to that coveted seat of power, she would waste no time in issuing a stern warning to Catherine. She would advise her dear friend to keep a safe distance from the princess, for such aspirations were not merely dangerous—they were a potential spark that could ignite a wildfire of chaos and betrayal in the kingdom.
"No, that's not what I meant at all," Dahlia said calmly, her sharp eyes carefully studying Princess Lucy's expression. The princess's face, a canvas of sincerity, provided the answer Dahlia sought, allowing her to breathe a quiet sigh of relief. With her suspicions allayed, she continued in a measured tone, "Princess Lucy, are you perhaps planning to leave the Kingdom of Siacan altogether?"
Dahlia's mind was a whirlwind of analysis. Though she often teased and critiqued the novels Princess Lucy wrote, she never underestimated the princess as a person. In terms of intellect, Lucy was every bit her equal, if not more. However, Dahlia prided herself on her ability to project an air of superior cleverness, a façade she maintained through her poised demeanor and quick wit. She knew that underestimating Lucy would be a grave mistake, for the princess's mind was as sharp as a blade, even if it was often concealed behind a mask of carefree creativity.
"…" Princess Lucy fell silent, her eyes flickering with a mix of hesitation and resolve. After a long, contemplative pause, she nodded slowly, her voice soft but firm. "Yes, I do have such plans."
Her desire to leave the Kingdom of Siacan was not a whim but a carefully considered decision. She yearned to explore other kingdoms, to immerse herself in their diverse cultures, customs, and landscapes. Such experiences would enrich her writing, providing a treasure trove of inspiration and material for her novels. But there was more to her decision—darker, more pressing reasons that weighed heavily on her heart.
One of those reasons was the relentless harassment from the princes of the royal court. Their unwanted advances had become a suffocating burden, and she knew that her departure would throw them into a state of unease. They would undoubtedly send agents to track her down, desperate to maintain their influence over her. But beyond that, there was an even greater concern—Jones, her loyal companion, a leopard-eared beastkin. Traveling together through the Kingdom of Siacan would inevitably attract the attention of unsavory characters, particularly human traffickers who preyed on beastkins. Jones had warned her of this danger, her voice laced with the bitter experience of her kind, and Lucy knew she could not ignore such a threat.
"What?!" Catherine, who had been listening quietly until now, shot to her feet, her hands slamming down on the table with a force that rattled the teacups. Her eyes, wide with shock and disbelief, locked onto Princess Lucy. "Lucy, why? Why would you even think of leaving the Kingdom of Siacan? If you go, does that mean we'll never see each other again?"
"Catherine, please, don't get so worked up," Princess Lucy said gently, reaching out to grasp Catherine's trembling hand. Her voice was steady, but there was a deep undercurrent of sorrow in her words. "I plan to travel through the cities of the Kingdom of Siacan first. I want to… I want to be there to see my father off on his final journey."
Lucy's heart ached as she spoke. She knew her father, the King of Siacan, was nearing the end of his life. Just a few days ago, she had witnessed him coughing up blood, his once robust frame now frail and weakened. The king, in his love for her, had urged her to leave the capital for her own safety, knowing that the political turmoil following his death could endanger her. But how could she simply walk away, leaving behind the man who had doted on her, who had been her rock? How could she live with the regret of not knowing when he would pass, of being absent in his final moments? The thought of wandering foreign lands, her heart heavy with uncertainty, was unbearable.
So, after much deliberation, Lucy had devised a plan with Jones. They would first explore the cities within the Kingdom of Siacan, keeping a close eye on the developments in the royal palace. When the time came, she would secretly return to bid her father a final farewell, ensuring she fulfilled her duty as his daughter, even if it meant risking her own safety.
"But… does that mean you'll still leave in the end?" Catherine asked, her voice tinged with a profound sense of loss, her shoulders slumping as the weight of the revelation settled over her.
"I don't want to, believe me," Princess Lucy replied, her voice breaking slightly as she fought to maintain her composure. "But I feel there's no longer any reason for me to stay."
No one truly wished to abandon their homeland, to leave behind the familiar comforts of their life. Lucy longed to remain the carefree princess she had once been, spending her days lost in the worlds she created through her writing, unburdened by the harsh realities of the world. But life, she had learned, was a tapestry woven with threads of obligation, danger, and heartache, and she could no longer escape the knots that bound her.
"But…" Catherine began, her voice trembling as she struggled to find the words to express her anguish. Before she could continue, Dahlia gently but firmly tugged at her arm, cutting her off mid-sentence.
"Princess Lucy," Dahlia interjected, her voice calm yet laced with a knowing undertone, "Are you perhaps planning to search for a witch doctor?"
"Uh…" Princess Lucy froze, her eyes locking onto Dahlia's piercing gaze. For a moment, she was at a loss for words, caught off guard by the other woman's perceptiveness. After a long, tense silence, she managed a wry smile, her voice tinged with reluctant admiration. "Dahlia, has anyone ever told you that you're far too clever for your own good?"
"I'll take that as a compliment," Dahlia replied smoothly, her expression serene, though inwardly she felt a flicker of satisfaction. She had seen through Lucy's intentions from the start. The princess, renowned for her filial piety, would never abandon the capital without a purpose. Dahlia had pieced together the puzzle—Lucy's departure was not an act of escape but a mission, a desperate quest to find a cure for her ailing father.
"Wait, what?" Catherine blinked, her confusion evident as she glanced between the two women. "Weren't we just talking about her leaving? How did we get to searching for a witch doctor? I feel like you two are speaking in riddles!"
Dahlia turned to Catherine, her expression serious as she explained, "What Princess Lucy means by 'leaving' is something that will happen only after the King of Siacan passes away. For now, her journey has a different purpose."
"Oh, I see!" Catherine exclaimed, her face lighting up with sudden understanding. But her relief quickly gave way to indignation as she turned to Princess Lucy, puffing out her cheeks in a pout. "I thought you were leaving right away! Honestly, Lucy, you scared me half to death. With the king's current age, he could easily live for several more years, right?"
"…" Princess Lucy's smile faltered, her heart twisting painfully at Catherine's innocent optimism. Several more years? Oh, how she wished that were true. But the harsh reality was far bleaker. The palace witch doctors had delivered their grim prognosis—her father had, at most, until next autumn. She forced a weak smile, unwilling to shatter Catherine's hopes, though the weight of her unspoken grief pressed heavily on her chest.
"If I may offer a suggestion," Dahlia said, her cyan eyes narrowing thoughtfully, "You should consider traveling to Sedona City. It's known as a city of miracles. You might find something unexpected there—something worth seeing."
"A city of miracles?" Princess Lucy echoed, her brow furrowing in confusion as she stared at Dahlia. The idea seemed almost absurd coming from someone as pragmatic and business-savvy as Dahlia. Since when did this sharp-minded woman believe in miracles?
"Yes, Lucy, you absolutely must go to Sedona City!" Catherine chimed in, her voice brimming with enthusiasm as she clenched her fists excitedly. "It's a place beyond anything you could imagine. Honestly, if I weren't bound by certain restrictions, I might have stayed there and never returned to the capital!"
Catherine's eyes sparkled with longing, her expression one of wistful yearning. The truth was, her recent days of confinement had been suffocating, and to make matters worse, her father, the duke, had begun probing her about her thoughts on Prince Lucia, the eldest prince. The implication was clear—he was considering arranging a marriage between them. The very thought filled Catherine with dread. Prince Lucia, with his polished smiles and hollow promises, was the epitome of hypocrisy, and the idea of being bound to him made her want to flee not just the duke's mansion but the capital itself.
"What's so special about Sedona City that both of you are singing its praises?" Princess Lucy asked, her curiosity piqued as she leaned forward, her eyes narrowing with interest. She had never seen Dahlia and Catherine so enthusiastic about a single place, and it intrigued her.
"Oh, Lucy, let me tell you!" Catherine said, her face lighting up as she launched into an animated explanation. "Sedona City is home to so many beastkins, and they live there in harmony with humans! Even Elisa is there, and everyone—beastkins and humans alike—coexists peacefully. And the food! Oh, the food is incredible! They have steamed buns, pizzas, and so much more…"
"Wait, wait, Catherine," Princess Lucy interrupted, her voice tinged with disbelief as she cast a quick, concerned glance at Jones, whose expression had grown cold and guarded. "Are you saying beastkins and humans live together in peace? And Elisa is there too? You're not making this up, are you?"
"I swear, everything Catherine says is true," Dahlia said softly, her voice carrying a reassuring warmth. To her, Lucy's reaction was entirely understandable—such a concept was almost unheard of in a kingdom where tensions between humans and beastkins often simmered beneath the surface.
"That's… almost too incredible to believe," Princess Lucy murmured, her hand rising to cover her mouth as her eyes darted to Jones. If even Dahlia, with her sharp intellect and discerning nature, vouched for such a place, then perhaps it truly existed.
"…" Jones, meanwhile, remained silent, her hand resting on the pouch that held her finger blades. Her mind raced with skepticism. Beastkins and humans living in peace? Was such a thing even possible? She knew all too well the real reason behind Lucy's desire to leave the Kingdom of Siacan—a significant part of it was to protect her, a beastkin, from the dangers that lurked within the kingdom's borders.
"That settles it, then," Princess Lucy declared, a determined smile spreading across her face. "In a few days, we'll set out for Sedona City. It's been far too long since I last saw Elisa, and I'm eager to witness this harmony between beastkins and humans for myself."
At the very least, she thought, before she left the Kingdom of Siacan for good, she wanted to see such a place with her own eyes—a place where the impossible seemed possible, where hope might still exist.
"Lucy, I'm telling you, Sedona City is full of fascinating things!" Catherine said, her excitement bubbling over. "For example…"
"Really? Is the food truly that delicious?" Lucy asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Absolutely!" Catherine replied, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. "You'll see for yourself…"
.
.
.
.
You can read advance chapters and view R-18 images of the characters on pat reon page.
pat reon.com/GreenBlue17
300 Power Stones for 1 extra chapter.
5 New reviews for 1 extra chapter.