Raising the Princess to Overcome Death-Chapter 348: Childhood Friends - Defare

Raising the Princess to Overcome Death-Chapter 348: Childhood Friends - Defare

“Indeed, our Aisel Kingdom is a bit peculiar like that. Was there anything else that caught your attention?”
Princess Elika chuckled softly, her laughter bright and graceful. Upon meeting for the first time, the man and woman—soon to be engaged—had an audience with the king. Afterward, they moved to a more private space, where they engaged in light-hearted small talk. It was an effort to learn a little more about each other, even if only now.
He seems like a decent man. But...
Can this man truly save me and my little brother?
Of course not.
Elika buried the secret she would take with her to the grave deep within her heart. Wearing a perfectly crafted smile, she gazed at the prince before her.
Meanwhile, Eric spoke politely, yet thoughtfully.
“Pardon me if this sounds rude, but I must admit I found it rather unusual and amusing that multiple noble houses coexist within a single royal palace.”
“...I understand why it might feel unfamiliar, but amusing? Why is that?”
“Because it implies that anyone who inherits the lineage of the Manjaman Imperial Family has the potential to become king. In practice, however, only the Isadora Royal Family and the House of Kyrgyz have taken turns occupying the throne.”
‘Anyone,’ huh.
It seems he has ambition, at the very least... But does he have the ability to match it?
Elika keenly picked up on the subtle emphasis in Eric’s words. For a fleeting moment, a trace of melancholy crossed her mind. But wasn't that the nature of royal marriages? A give-and-take relationship where both sides devour each other to get what they want.
Love?
I stopped hoping for something so foolish long ago.
Elika returned his gaze with a smile so carefree it could almost be mistaken for naivety.
“You're absolutely right. Despite your short stay, you’ve already grasped much about our kingdom. You’re truly wise.”
Even as she spoke, she was calculating in her mind, “How should I manipulate this man to my advantage?”
But then, she noticed something strange in Eric’s expression. His face showed a mixture of mild surprise and faint disappointment.
Ah, so he doesn’t like shallow flattery, huh.
He seems to enjoy acting refined. Fine, I’ll play along. Elika was about to change the subject when...
“Then, Prince, you—”
“Elika.”
Eric leaned forward, his posture serious and deliberate.
“Forgive me for interrupting, but it seems there are many things we should discuss openly before the wedding.”
“...What kind of things?”
“Things we can’t say in front of others.”
He glanced at the knights stationed nearby.
“Sir Rev, forgive me, but could you give us some privacy? Princess, I ask that you dismiss your guards as well.”
The disheveled-haired knight who had been staring blankly into space immediately obeyed, stepping outside without a word.
Elika gazed at Eric, a prince who dismissed his own guard without hesitation.
Her eyes lingered on him with curiosity. His eyes met hers without a hint of hesitation.
“Please,” he urged.
His voice sounded sincere, as if he genuinely meant it.
***
Dizzy.
Having stepped outside, Rev tried to settle his swirling thoughts.
Isadora and Princess Elika. Gilbert Forte. Elika and Eric de Yeriel.
He was beginning to see the larger picture of what role he might be expected to play. But still...
What exactly is it that I’m supposed to do?
Rev furrowed his brow, deep in thought, before shaking his head with a loud exhale.
There’s still about a week left before I join Prince Vivian on his campaign. I have time to figure it out.
And if it comes to it, I can always contact Lean. I’ll need to borrow communication access from Eric, though.
Caught up in his thoughts, Rev finally glanced around his surroundings. The walls were lined with redwood, and flames were etched into the decor at every turn.
Where am I?
He vaguely remembered boarding a carriage after the audience with the king, following Eric.
They had ridden down Langharang Avenue for quite a while, but his memory grew fuzzy after that.
It took a moment for Rev to get his bearings.
This is the southeastern wing of the Offrontis Royal Palace—specifically, the area belonging to the House of Kyrgyz.
The term "royal palace" refers to the residence of the king, but in the Aisel Kingdom, which boasts a self-proclaimed imperial lineage, things are a bit different. The king does not hold exclusive control over the palace.
With every noble house demanding a claim to authority, the palace underwent constant expansion. Over a hundred so-called "imperial families," legitimized by the Golden Charter of Cornelius, established a presence within a single royal palace.
This chaotic state gave birth to the airborne fortress known as Offrontis, a palace above a city.
The city below became Langharang, a district where commoners lived in the shadows of the nobles. From his vantage point, Rev peered down at the world below.
Looking down from the balcony, he saw children in the streets of Langharang. Their gazes followed him, their eyes brimming with longing.
The scarlet embroidered wooden railing suddenly felt unbearably gaudy.
Naturally, there was a colossal gap in wealth and status between the upper and lower levels of the city.
The children stared up at a place they could never hope to reaChapter What surprised them even more was Rev—a man who, at a glance, looked like a commoner—standing at such a height.
Their gazes clung to him with fascination.
“...Hey,” Rev called out softly, feeling awkward just standing there. He raised his hand in a small wave.
“Kyaa!”
The children giggled.
“What’s your name?” he asked.
“I’m Connie, and this is—”
“I’m Derry! Mister, are you allowed to be up there?”
“Hey, don’t call me 'mister.' I’m still single, you know. I’m not that much older than you—”
“Kyaaa! He says he’s single!”
The kids burst into uncontrollable laughter, giggling as if they’d just heard the funniest joke in the world. Children at that age could laugh at just about anything.
Even though they teased him, Rev didn’t mind. Their innocent laughter was oddly comforting.
When did I lose my own innocence, I wonder? he thought to himself.
Maybe I should bring them something to eat...
Rev pondered for a moment before deciding to call over a servant to bring some snacks for the kids.
But just as he was about to do so—
“Ah!”
“Connie! Kids, get inside!”
A shadow passed overhead. Gray clouds loomed, and the urgency in the parents’ voices was clear.
Then came the rhythmic click-clack of footsteps echoing down the corridor.
The silhouette of a figure approaching was long, impossibly tall.
Rev squinted, his eyes narrowing.
What he saw was a woman—a towering figure of grace and power. A mage.
Her robe was sleek, her movements sharp, and the air around her crackled faintly with an aura of mana.
Tock, tock, tock.
The sound of her heels echoed like clockwork.
Soon, she came into full view, standing before Rev.
“Dame Angelica Lydia Kyrgyz. You’ve arrived, I see.”
His eyes narrowed.
Dame?
The princess's escort knight, who had stepped outside with Rev, greeted the mage with a respectful nod.
Rev's eyes widened in surprise. The title given to the mage did not suit her at all.
Dame?
Typically, this title was reserved for knights—those tasked with guarding members of the royal family or noble houses, granting them the honorific recognition of their status. However, in the Aisel Kingdom, mages were often "adopted" into noble families and served them as retainers.
Angelica Lydia Kyrgyz.
This meant she was a mage who had (likely) been adopted into the House of Kyrgyz and was tasked with protecting the family. She also hailed from the Lydia faction of the Cornell Mage Tower.
It was possible that she was a natural-born noble from the House of Kyrgyz who just happened to possess magical talent. However, since mages were so exceedingly rare, cases like that were virtually unheard of.
The only known exceptions on the continent were Count Soarel Demetri Ogleton of the Kingdom of Orun and Prince Oscar de Isadora of the Aisel Kingdom—both born with the rare fate of being mages despite their noble lineage.
But Angelica Lydia Kyrgyz?
The name felt familiar somehow.
Rev studied her closely. She was incredibly tall (though still not as tall as Ray), dressed in clothes adorned with elaborate lace, and her skin was so pale that her blue veins were visible beneath it. Her hair and aura both carried a grayish hue. Yes—gray.
She held a fan in one hand but didn't even glance in Rev’s direction. Instead, she addressed the princess's escort knight.
“I’ve come to see the princess. And the prince as well.”
“...Ah, I see. But I’m afraid you’ll have to wait a moment. The princess has asked for privacy.”
“I’m busy. I’ll be going in.”
“...?”
Rev's face went blank with disbelief.
Whose permission?
Did she not hear the escort knight?
The princess herself had asked for privacy. Inside were not only the princess but also Prince Eric de Yeriel of the Kingdom of Conrad. And yet, this mage dared to barge in unannounced?
Rev was already annoyed, but what happened next irritated him even more.
“Then ask him for permission yourself.”
“???”
“Are you the prince’s escort knight? I have business with him, so I’ll be going in.”
The princess's escort knight hesitated before nodding his head as if granting permission.
What the hell?
Rev let out a hollow laugh, utterly dumbfounded.
“Where do I even start?” Rev muttered sarcastically. “Follow proper procedure, will you? I don’t care how important you think you are, but you need to seek permission from the prince first. If he doesn’t allow it, you’re not getting in.”
“...”
The escort knight gasped in shock, while Angelica Lydia Kyrgyz simply looked down at Rev with disdain. She let out a quiet snicker before tilting her head playfully.
“Then be a good knight and get that permission for me,” she said with an amused grin. “Tell them Dame Angelica Lydia Kyrgyz is requesting an audience with the prince. He’ll grant it anyway.”
“...Wait here.”
Rev shot her a look of utter contempt before turning and knocking on the door. After getting permission, he stepped inside to relay the message.
“Pardon the intrusion. I’ve come to inform you that a mage by the name of Angelica Lydia Kyrgyz requests an audience. Shall I tell her to wait?”
“...Let her in,” said Princess Elika, wiping the corner of her eye with a handkerchief. She glanced toward Prince Eric as if seeking his approval.
Rev had secretly hoped Eric would refuse.
But why is the princess suddenly supporting this?
“Allow her to enter,” Eric said plainly.
“...She’s a mage. There’s a chance it could be dangerous. I’ll remain inside as well.”
“No. Sir Rev, I want you to stay outside and ensure no one else enters. I have some things to settle with Dame Angelica.”
“...Understood.”
Rev grabbed the door handle and prepared to leave. As he turned around, he noticed Eric offering a handkerchief to Princess Elika, an image that lingered in his mind as he opened the door.
“Whoa!”
Rev flinched. What the hell?!
Angelica Lydia Kyrgyz was standing right in front of the door, waiting like a predator ready to pounce.
Without so much as a glance at him, she pushed him aside and stepped inside with complete confidence.
“...Tch,” Rev muttered under his breath. “Damn it.”
He turned away, his mood thoroughly soured.
“What’s with her? Acting so arrogant for a mere mage.”
The princess's escort knight, who had been observing quietly, spoke up.
“She’s not just any ordinary mage, you know. I understand you’re a foreigner, so you might not know this, but that woman is one of the most renowned mages in our kingdom. She’s also been granted full authority on behalf of Duke Kyrgyz.”
“Full authority?”
“Over the capital, at least. It’s not that surprising, really. Dame Angelica Kyrgyz is also the only Archmage on the continent.”
…Ah.
Rev’s eyes widened in realization.
He hadn’t been struck by the awe of her status. Rather, a memory had suddenly resurfaced in his mind.
Angelica Lydia Kyrgyz.
Archmage.
He still wasn’t certain what his purpose in this place was, but he now understood at least one task he would have to handle personally. Originally, this would have been Lean’s responsibility.
But we’re beyond such formalities, aren’t we?
What Lean does is essentially what I do. And what I do is also what Lean does.
Hahaha... Hahahahaha!
Rev’s low, unsettling laughter echoed as he completed his task for the day.
He later escorted Prince Eric back to their lodging. As soon as they arrived, Lena rushed over, her arms flailing in excitement.
“Rev! I’ve got something HUGE! Listen!”
“Ow, ow! What is it now?”
“It’s about the Golden Charter of Cornelius!” Lena's eyes gleamed with excitement as she leaned in close. “It has an owner! I heard it straight from the cardinal, so it’s legit. The owner is none other than—Princess Iina Isadora! She’s the legitimate heir to the imperial throne of the Arcaea Empire!”
“...What?”
Rev's expression shifted instantly.
As I suspected.
If that’s the case…
The image of Iina Isadora flashed through his mind. Her faded, autumn-leaf-colored eyes. Her thick glasses that failed to hide her severe nearsightedness.
She was hiding it.
She had been hiding her defare—her dazzling golden eyes, the mark of the true imperial bloodline of the Arcaea Empire.
Rev replayed every piece of information he had gathered from the Rules of the Back Alley to the searing pain he had felt behind his own eyes. He even recalled Lean's third memory—how Lean had wandered across the continent, searching for his lost sister.
It was clear now.
This was never my mission.
This place was where Lean and his sister were meant to be—not him.

.
!
Chapter 348: Childhood Friends - Defare