“Lita, why do you think that way?”
Cecilia asked first after Lita made her suggestion.
“I do not understand things that are too complicated, but I remember Lady Cecilia said back in Solus City that many things cannot be done by one person alone,” Lita said with a straight face.
“The Royal Selection is coming up, so it feels wrong for Lady Cecilia to get mixed up in messy business. My mission is to protect Lady Cecilia, but I am completely out of my league with the current situation. I want to help, but I do not even know what to do.”
“This current situation involves Royal history and the Alien Ghosts, and there is even an Alien Ghost who can use Emblem Power. How can the few of us resolve this just by discussing it here?”
Lita left one sentence unsaid.
‘Since Aierteer sent me to the Northlands and I discovered such a huge deal, and since she likes doing everything herself so much, why not just lay this matter out in front of her and let her handle it? Besides, the more things are involved, the easier it will be for me to be exposed.’
‘Aierteer knows my identity, and I showed my abilities in front of Kaisa. I might accidentally let something slip if I am not careful, so it is better to say nothing.’
Ultimately, Lita could help ease someone else’s worries, but the Alien Ghosts had not attacked yet.
She could not afford to get herself caught in the crossfire right now.
Lita’s words sounded like she was retreating and shirking responsibility, yet they were perfectly logical.
These matters truly were not something they could solve with a small meeting.
Anything involving Golden Blood and Crests had to be decided by the King.
The group remained silent, but everyone had made up their minds.
Rosalia would stay behind for a few more days to ensure Brandon had enough time to return to Snowfall City and petition the King.
Besides, it was indeed inappropriate for her to return to the Royal Capital with Cecilia.
A day later, the group set off on their journey back to the Royal Capital.
The scale of this group was much larger.
Four Rangers, Cecilia, Lita, Shirley, Brandon, and an army belonging to Brandon left the Great Wall of Despair and rushed toward Snowfall City.
Lita received a new pony, Pearl, who was the best horse at the Great Wall.
The route was the fastest planned path, and this lineup almost guaranteed an unobstructed journey.
Although the spectacle was much larger, the journey was even more silent than the trip there.
Some rumors had already leaked out, and everyone was heavy-hearted.
Even the most lively girl, Shirley, had restrained herself significantly.
The scenery of the Northlands remained vast and spectacular.
However, the excitement they felt upon arrival had long since vanished.
It was replaced by the pressure and faint unease of carrying such a massive secret on their backs.
After a brief day of rest in Snowfall City, Lita enjoyed the full bathing service once more.
Brandon then wrote a formal petition to His Majesty for Shirley and several Rangers to carry.
He prepared another carriage for Cecilia, and then they departed again.
There were fewer people traveling together this time.
Shirley, two Rangers, Lita, and Cecilia made a total of five people.
Three were there to deliver the letter for Brandon.
Shirley’s presence as a member of the Snow family was a sign of respect.
The two Rangers were there to describe the current state of the war in the Northlands.
They also intended to help the socially awkward Shirley save face in front of His Majesty.
“The situation in the Royal City does not seem peaceful either,” Lai Anna whispered instructions to Shirley and Cecilia before they left.
“I heard Princess Lilia has been busy with something around the Royal City lately, and Princess Amelia is further winning over other powerful officials. Be very careful.”
Lai Anna already knew that Lita had saved Brandon.
Even if Lai Anna did not fully trust Lita, she gratefully leaked a bit of her recent intelligence.
Of course, the main purpose of this information was to protect her somewhat naive younger sister.
Shirley was going to the Royal Capital for the first time, and even the company of Rangers could not put Lai Anna’s mind at ease.
Regardless of any worries, it was time to depart.
The horse team continued south, and a few days later, the accumulated snow practically vanished.
They crossed the thawing rivers, leaving the bitter cold of the Northlands behind.
In its place was the warmth of the Kingdom’s heartland.
Although it was currently winter, winter in the Kingdom could not be compared to the deep frost of the Northlands.
A few more days passed, and the familiar silhouette of the Royal City appeared on the horizon.
Lita actually felt as if a lifetime had passed.
There were the towering city walls and the Royal Palace buildings in the distance that looked like inverted blades.
She could even faintly see the Golden Tree of the Twilight Hall.
Everything was the same as when she left, yet it felt entirely different.
When they entered the city, the guards already recognized Lita from her constant running around with Aierteer.
Upon seeing the signature blue hair of the Snow family, they let the group pass without a moment of hesitation.
At this time, Shirley also became serious for once.
“I have a handwritten letter from my brother that needs to be delivered to His Majesty. I trouble you to lead the way.”
Just like last time, two city guards led the carriage and escorted the group to the Royal Palace.
The rhythmic clicking of hooves and wheels on the stone road drew the attention of pedestrians.
People on both sides of the street looked over and whispered to one another.
-Is that not the Fourth Princess? Has she returned from the Northlands?-
-I heard she went missing in the Northlands?-
-Your news is too slow. I heard something big happened in the Northlands, and it seems Alien Ghosts came to the door!-
-More than that, I also heard… Shh, someone is looking over. We should not talk too much!-
Lita felt for the first time exactly what it meant for news to travel faster than a horse.
She had only gone out for one trip, and rumors were already flying everywhere before she even returned to the Royal Capital.
“The Royal Selection is near, so it is only natural for some people to pay attention to us princesses. Do not mind the rumors,” Cecilia reminded them from inside the carriage.
When the group arrived before the Royal Palace, several attendants were already waiting there.
Someone must have sent word ahead.
“Princess Cecilia, Miss Snow, Lady Lita, and the two Black Knight brothers, His Majesty is waiting for you.”
“Black Knight” was the respectful title commoners used for Rangers, and it sounded much more impressive.
The group dismounted and followed the soldiers into the Royal Palace.
They headed straight for the Banquet Hall of the King.
A soldier announced them first, and after receiving permission to enter, he pushed open the doors to the Banquet Hall.
The King was sitting crookedly in the main seat.
He rested his arm on the armrest and leaned his chin on his hand while watching young girls dance in the hall.
Seeing the group enter, the King waved his hand.
The musicians playing on both sides stopped immediately, and the dancers retreated to the side to clear a path.
The King’s fat body shifted, but he only changed from leaning to one side to leaning toward the other.
“My daughter, you have returned safely. That is truly wonderful. After hearing the rumors in the city lately, I thought something had really happened to you in the Northlands.”
Cecilia bowed respectfully to the man on the throne.
The others bowed along with her behind her.
“Father, my journey to the Northlands was indeed dangerous, but I also gained much.”
The King laughed loudly.
“Good! That is good! It is fine to gain something! You may rise. Rise now. Quickly, tell me, what have you gained?”
Now was not the time for small talk.
It would be quite inappropriate to chat about family matters while leaving Shirley and the two Rangers aside.
“Father, most of my experiences in the Northlands are recorded in the letter from Lord Brandon.”
“Oh? A letter? Why did that boy Brandon think of writing me a letter?” The King laughed heartily.
However, when he saw the letter Shirley produced and the wax seal on the envelope, his smile faded significantly.
This letter was too formal.
It was definitely not just a report on Cecilia’s journey to the Northlands.
An attendant took the letter from Shirley’s hand and presented it to the King.
The King tore open the envelope and pulled out the stationery inside.
Then, the King furrowed his brows as his gaze swept across the lines of text.
He read quickly at first, but his speed gradually slowed down.
One could tell by where his eyes flickered that he had read the letter more than once.
Silence filled the room as everyone knew how to read the atmosphere.
Furthermore, the King’s face was currently ashen, so no one dared to speak or even make a sound.
Lita noticed the musicians and dancers from earlier wanted to leave quickly.
However, their feet felt like they were filled with lead, and they could not move at all.
The King panted with heavy breaths that anyone could hear as he read it again.
Lita estimated this was already the third time.
“Fine, I understand. Everyone, leave,” the King said as he crumpled the letter and tossed it onto the table.
“Snow, and the two Black Knights, you will receive your due rewards for escorting my daughter Cecilia back to the Royal Capital. Attendant, find a suitable inn for them. As for the rest… give whatever rewards should be given. You know who to look for.”
“Daughter, you have traveled a long way and must be very tired. Rest early. Lita, take your master back to her room to rest.”
Cecilia already understood her father’s intention, but Shirley did not.
“But Your Majesty, there are still some details within that have not been reported to you…”
“There is no need.” The King glared at the paper ball on the table.
“This matter ends here. Do you understand?”