“Mr. Louissoir, I’m truly honored to be your guest.”
Lita respectfully picked up the cup of tea in front of her, which had already gone cold, took a small sip, then bowed her head slightly to Louissoir, who sat across from her.
Lita wasn’t good at this sort of occasion, but in the Royal City, all sorts of etiquette were endless and inexhaustible—perhaps, even if she disliked it, she’d have to get used to it.
Earlier, Lita had only intended to inquire a little about Eltel, but when she’d reached the door of Louissoir’s House, Louissoir had suddenly called out to her.
“Since you’re already here, why not come in and sit for a while?”
This was just what Lita wanted, but she still felt that agreeing immediately would be impolite, and while she was thinking of how to decline, Louissoir spoke up slowly.
“You came here, wasn’t it for this very thing?”
Actually, it wasn’t. What Lita wanted to see was that room. But since Louissoir said so, then even if it wasn’t, she’d have to make it so.
That was why Lita was sitting here now.
But this visit wasn’t wasted; after being questioned by Lita, Louissoir spoke a lot about the other Crest Knights, and now Lita felt she understood those people she might deal with in the future much better.
“It’s getting late, so I won’t disturb your rest any further.”
“Not at all. If the exclusive knight chosen by Her Highness Cecilia is in trouble, I’ll help as much as I can.” Louissoir still wore his kindly, smiling expression.
Lita was just about to rise, but when Louissoir mentioned Cecilia’s name, an idea suddenly popped into her mind. She lowered herself back into her seat.
“Mr. Louissoir, actually, I have another question—I don’t know if I may ask. It might be a little sensitive, and it’s all right if you don’t answer, but I thought you might know something…”
Lita’s questions were usually brief and to the point, but this time she’d added so many unnecessary qualifications that anyone, whether they knew her or not, could tell she was hesitating.
“Don’t worry, just speak. If it’s something I can tell you, I’ll do my best to answer.”
“Then I’ll go ahead.”
“Of course, it’s all right.”
“Well…”
Lita paused, taking the time to swallow, and searched for words for the question that had troubled her for so long.
In the end, she chose the simplest, most direct way to ask the question that had weighed on her mind.
“Do you know what effect the curse on Lady Cecilia actually has?”
Within a luxurious House somewhere in the Royal City.
“I see, so that’s how it is.”
First Princess Emilia casually placed the stack of reports in her hand onto the table, then waved at the maid standing by the door, signaling her to leave.
The maid bowed deeply, closed the door, and quietly left the room. Not long after, someone knocked on the door again.
“You’re here? Come in.”
At Emilia’s call, a young woman in plain clothes entered, but her sharp aura showed through her features. Her short hair, streaked blue and white, was unforgettable to anyone who saw her.
As soon as she entered, the woman pressed a hand to her chest and struck a dramatic pose, as if reciting poetry to the highest deeds.
“Your Highness Emilia, your summons is like sweet dew—I come eagerly, hoping for the honeyed news that will nourish my heart.”
“Come, Shuangyue, look at this.” Emilia was already used to her exaggerated manner, and she tapped the stack of documents on the table lightly with her finger.
Shuangyue picked up the report and scanned it quickly, then covered her mouth in an exaggerated fashion. “Oh, it’s her! That lost little bird—her cries in the Royal City seem even louder now. Will it disturb your rest, Your Highness?”
“No.” Emilia leaned back in her chair. “Shuangyue, finish reading them first.”
“Yes, Your Highness, I’ll commit every word to memory and savor the flavor hidden within that others cannot know.”
Emilia said nothing more, waiting as Shuangyue flipped through the papers, page after page, until her gaze left the final line.
“Cecilia’s Sacred Knight has been stirring things up in the Capital lately—what do you think?”
“Hmm, let me think. Maybe her way of dealing with insolent fools is a bit over the top. I would only use my boots to kick them hard on the backside, not break both their legs; a duel, a beautiful scene—I’d win with elegance. As for that…”
“I know your strengths, Shuangyue. You are the one I chose, but what I’m asking is not what you would do if you were in her place. She’s been working with Eltel for nearly half a month, got involved with Iliya, tangled in a small murder case, and even visited Louissoir.”
“Your Highness, are you worried her actions will disrupt your plans? Rest assured—with my protection, no one can stop you from claiming that Crown. No one but you is fit for the throne.”
“No, I just feel that ever since Cecilia returned to the Royal City, she’s become far more active than before. She used to be indifferent to everything, but now she dares to defy Father, brought back a Sacred Knight, and even lets her act like this in the Royal City…”
“No, no, no. Her Highness Cecilia is not your obstacle. Your eyes should be set on the future of the realm. So many at court are willing to support you—your victory is assured. As for a Sacred Knight, she’s insignificant. She won’t be your obstacle.”
“I think the same. By rights, that person shouldn’t qualify to be a Crest Knight. But since Father won’t interfere, there’s no need for us to make an enemy of Cecilia over this—nor to go against Father’s wishes. Since Cecilia wants an exclusive knight, just go along with it.”
“Your Highness, if I have not misunderstood, do you want me to accept her?”
“Yes. Most people likely think the same. It isn’t worth offending Cecilia just for their vote.”
Emilia shredded the stack of reports in her hand, letting the pieces flutter down like snowflakes into the trash at her feet.
“Besides, she’s not the one Cecilia should be worried about. No matter what, she’ll never get past Eltel.”
“Unluck?”
Lita frowned deeply, unable to make sense of what Louissoir was saying.
“That’s right—Unluck. In the eyes of those who know, the effect of Her Highness Cecilia’s curse is to bring misfortune to those around her.”
Louissoir nodded in reply.
“Fortune and misfortune are things that can never be grasped. For example, suddenly falling seriously ill before a great war and being unable to fight; or having your weapon suddenly break during a battle; or being repeatedly drawn into bizarre incidents for no reason. Her Highness Cecilia’s curse is just like that.”
“It does no harm to Her Highness Cecilia herself, but as for the misfortune that lurks unseen—no one knows when, or how, it will descend.”
“So, Her Highness Cecilia is truly the very embodiment of Unluck.”