Translator: Nox
(30) Star Festival and Ash Gray Wolf (2)
Floyd chuckled at Kirshan's sharp remark.
"Well, the princess says even this crazy being inside me is a Spirit. A Fire Spirit."
Adrian, who had been sarcastic all along, fell silent as the two men's conversation began to sound plausible.
Monsters weren't greatly affected by ordinary fire, but strangely, Floyd's flames seemed to inflict damage on them just by touching them, causing them to scream. The Great Temple called Floyd's power 'another kind of divine power,' and the Magic Tower called it 'strong Magical Energy,' but no one had clearly identified the true nature of his power.
The Great Temple wanted to capture Floyd and study his power, but Floyd's power was too strong, and he had too many admirers, so they were just watching for now.
Adrian frowned and said, "If that princess is sane and really uses Spirits, it'll be more dangerous than ever. Until now, only Lucas Pelur has been after the princess, but if it becomes known that there's a Spirit User here, the Great Temple and even the empire will try to get their hands on the princess. They might even kill her on the spot."
"It's not just the princess. Have you forgotten what power the Monarch of this country uses?"
"Ah, that's right. If the princess is a Spirit User and it becomes known what Spirits can do, the power our Monarch uses will also be questioned."
Adrian ruffled his hair with both hands and then turned to Floyd, speaking seriously.
"Monarch, maybe it's better to chase that princess away..."
Floyd kicked Adrian away and then ordered Kirshan.
"For the time being, keep this from getting out of the Grand Duke's palace. It'll be known someday, but it's good to prepare beforehand."
+++
An Eagles flew over the Torkan capital city of Selshar.
Before the knights who had gone out to subjugate returned, the news brought by the Eagles caused some to worry about the various problems that would arise, but most were greatly pleased and prepared for the festival more boisterously than ever.
Even though not all problems had been resolved, the people of Torkan, who resembled their Monarch, were enthusiastically preparing for the Star Festival, the biggest event of December.
Just as the excited atmosphere of the capital reached Roxana, who had been confined to the Lily Palace, Floyd and the Red Spider Knights entered the capital's gates.
The waiting people scattered flowers and played instruments, praising the Monarch and the knights for their hard work.
When a woman threw a flower at Floyd, he subtly dodged it. Adrian, who was next to him, took the flower instead, kissed the petals lightly, and tucked it behind his ear.
When Adrian, who was prettier than the woman, smiled brightly with a vibrant Red flower behind his ear, the women squealed and chanted Adrian's name. Kirshan, who was walking silently, muttered.
"It seems like it's not the princess who needs mental treatment, but you, sir."
"In a situation where Spirits and Spirit Users are appearing, it's okay to go a little crazy."
Adrian hummed along to the musicians' playing, then suddenly jumped off his horse and grabbed the wrist of a nearby woman, pulling her to dance.
The woman chosen by Adrian blushed, and the women who had missed the opportunity looked on with jealousy.
And Floyd clicked his tongue at the sight.
"He's completely lost it."
+++
As the city was bustling with the Monarch and knights' entry, Petria went to see Head Maid Countess Eldred Hills. In the Grand Duke's palace, where there was no mistress, the Head Maid's permission was needed to use funds for the women.
Floyd had provided Roxana with a good palace and food, but he lacked the attention to detail to take care of her clothes. Roxana's clothes consisted of only a few thin dresses and cardigans that were not suitable for the current season.
Above all, Petria was concerned that she didn't have a dress to wear for the upcoming festival.
"A dress?"
Eldred frowned at Petria's request.
"Petria, don't you know what the situation is in the Grand Duke's palace right now?"
"Of course, the water is Contaminated Water, so..."
"The water isn't the problem right now. The problem is that the entire forest has burned down. If all the people who lived in that forest come to the capital, the Grand Duke's palace's funds will be used to rescue them, and in this situation, a dress... you're too immature. The Grand Duke's palace needs to tighten its belt right now."
Petria pursed her lips at Eldred's harsh refusal, then mustered her courage and said, "But Head Maid, even if it's not a dress, the princess needs warm clothes. She's only just recovered her health a little, and it would be a disaster if she caught a cold."
Eldred sighed.
If she had received this request a few days ago, she would have ignored it, but she had heard the story of Roxana treating the people who had collapsed because of the Contaminated Water. She didn't know the details, but when she heard the story, Eldred thought, 'At least she's earning her keep.'
The fact that Roxana, who was branded as a slave, had taken over the Lily Palace still bothered her, but since she had earned her keep, she had to be treated accordingly. Eldred took out a few coins from the emergency fund she carried around.
"I don't want to be so harsh, but we need to save money for the time being, so buy ready-made clothes. Anyway, it doesn't seem like that woman will be wandering around to see the festival, so don't waste a lot of money on buying a dress."
Petria was dissatisfied with the amount, which seemed like it would only be enough to buy a coat and a few dresses, but she bowed her head, thinking it was fortunate that she had managed to get even this much from the strict Head Maid.
"Yes, Head Maid. Thank you."
But she couldn't hide the dissatisfaction in her voice. Eldred shook her head as she watched Petria turn around with a pout.
'I thought she was a smart child, but she's so immature.'
Eldred still considered Roxana an unwelcome guest who would eventually leave the Lily Palace. She couldn't spend too much money on such a person.
Floyd's generous spending often gave Eldred a headache. Every time that happened, Eldred would scold the maids and reduce her own salary to maintain the Grand Duke's household.
Floyd knew that the discipline of the Grand Duke's maids and servants would not be well maintained without Eldred, so he tended to turn a blind eye to some extent, even if Eldred crossed the line.
'The Lily Palace isn't the problem right now.'
Although she didn't reveal it to anyone, Eldred had a big concern.
When Magical Energy Contaminated Water in the Lily Palace, there was one more place that was affected. It was the Hills Count's garden, which was close to the Grand Duke's palace.
That garden was the pride of Countess Eldred Hills. When she received an award at the 'Wonderful Garden Contest Where Even Fairies Would Visit,' also known as the 'Fairy Garden Contest,' held once a year, she was happier than when her son, Formiller, received his knighthood.
That garden had now turned into a place of death where not a single blade of grass grew and even a rotten smell wafted. She hadn't told anyone about this yet, but someday others would find out.
'Countess Tivrang will be incredibly gloating when she finds out. That woman still can't accept that her garden didn't win.'
The Tivrang Count's family was far from the affected Grand Duke's palace, so they must not have been affected by Magical Energy.
Eldred wanted to revive the dead garden somehow, but she didn't want to bother Floyd and his vassals, who already had a lot to think about, so she was just agonizing over it in her heart.
"Um, Head Maid."
At that moment, a maid approached and carefully reported.
"Countess Tivrang has come to see you."
Eldred frowned at the name. Countess Tivrang would occasionally come to the Grand Duke's palace to scout for knights to marry her daughter to, while bothering Eldred and then returning.
When Eldred entered the drawing room, Countess Tivrang and her daughter, Carrie, were sitting on the sofa. Carrie looked displeased, as if she didn't want to be in a place like this, but she greeted Eldred politely when she entered.
'The daughter is so kind...'
Eldred had no ill feelings towards Carrie, so she greeted her with a smile and sat on the opposite sofa.
"Everyone is busy preparing for the festival, so what brings you to the Grand Duke's palace? Are you here to grab the captain of the royal guard one by one and talk to them again?"
Carrie blushed at Eldred's words, but Countess Tivrang said shamelessly, "Would I come for such a thing? I came all the way here to comfort you because it seems like you have a lot of troubling things to deal with."
For a moment, Eldred flinched, thinking that her dead garden had been discovered. But Countess Tivrang brought up a completely different story.
"I heard that an unwelcome guest has come to sit in the Lily Palace?"
Eldred clicked her tongue inwardly.
She had strictly ordered everyone to keep the matter of Roxana a secret, but she couldn't prevent it from leaking out of the palace. She felt that what was coming had come, and she was annoyed by Countess Tivrang, who had rushed over as soon as she heard the rumor.
"An unwelcome guest? I wonder where you heard such a thing..."
"Aren't there many people coming and going from the Grand Duke's palace? I heard that His Grace the Grand Duke carried her in himself, is that true?"
Eldred could guess why Countess Tivrang had come. She wanted to find out the truth of the rumors, and if Floyd had shown interest in a woman, she must have thought that her daughter would have a chance as well.
Eldred stared at the greedy Countess Tivrang and then opened her mouth.
