The moment she entered the room, Dolores felt the world around her become quiet, and a warm sensation washed over her.
This was likely some kind of high-level magic circle. Beyond just providing a silencing effect, considering the King’s condition, it probably also possessed some healing properties.
Furthermore, several faint lines appeared in Dolores’s vision, arranged in an orderly and systematic manner.
‘Strange, are these magic patterns?’ Dolores remembered that magic in this world seemed to have various methods of manifestation.
Most magic circles possessed these magic patterns, and it was said that one needed talent and diligent training to see them.
‘Am I a genius?’
As Dolores let her mind wander, the voice of her father, Felz IV, interrupted her thoughts.
He was sitting on a jade-colored stool, which was clearly a magic tool with healing properties. An almost suffocating pressure emanated from his body.
“Dolores, you’ve come.”
“Father, I’ve returned,” Dolores replied.
Felz IV first asked about her condition. After confirming that she had returned from outside the palace, he naturally asked about the situation beyond the walls.
Dolores kept certain details hidden, such as Green bathing in dragon blood, Silverbell being a Saint, and the matters regarding Albecco. She then reported the general state of things outside the palace to her father.
She did not hide the fact that Green had lured the dragon away, nor did she omit the undead from the Sulanck Kingdom. She spoke of the guard units who had worked tirelessly to maintain order, the students and teachers from the university, and the deeds of the various guilds and citizens.
She also mentioned opening the royal treasury and proactively asked for punishment.
However, after listening, Felz IV shook his head. Just as Dolores thought he would fly into a rage like the stereotypical kings in her memories, he spoke to comfort her first.
“No, my daughter, you did nothing wrong. You did well. In such a crisis, that is exactly what our royal family should do.”
“That armor was primarily crafted by the previous king. Although we usually only let the guards wear it during grand ceremonies, it exists to be used in times like this.”
“If it weren’t for a legendary creature like a dragon, we wouldn’t have lacked the time to distribute that armor to the guards in most situations.”
“But speaking of the dragon… I should thank Green. He helped lure the dragon away just as I was reaching my limit.”
“From what you’ve said, he has done enough to be considered our benefactor in this disaster.”
Felz IV’s expression relaxed slightly. In front of Dolores, the aura of a king and the hard, stern demeanor of the “Stone King” seemed to fade a little.
“I hope you can speak with him. He has feelings for you. Inquire about his needs indirectly. The Kingdom of Rand will not mistreat its benefactor.”
Although Dolores tried her best to restrain her expression, it was impossible to escape the observation of her father, a true king.
“My daughter, you seem to be showing a bit of difficulty,” Felz IV noted.
“…I’m just not quite sure how to face him.” Dolores gripped the hem of her skirt, her eyes flickering away.
She could still maintain her reason and act normally for now, but just thinking about Green gave her a strange sensation.
She knew very well that if she actually met Green, that hazy sense of love from the system would drastically affect her behavior and judgment.
She might do something wrong, or perhaps she would realize the pathetic fact that she couldn’t escape it, leading her to become even more pessimistic.
“Why is that?” Felz IV asked curiously.
Dolores couldn’t tell him about the dreams. Her father wouldn’t believe such a thing, and more importantly, the matter involved Albecco.
Given Albecco’s status, involving her would surely lead to trouble. Dolores already felt guilty for deceiving her with the lies she had fabricated.
The other woman had believed her and chosen to risk going to the neighboring city. Dolores couldn’t bring herself to drag her into this.
Right now, it seemed she could only stall, but unlike the aimless stalling from the beginning, she now had a clear time limit. She only needed to wait two days.
Once Albecco returned, she might have a temporary way to escape the system’s influence. It couldn’t be called a cure, but it was definitely a way to extend her life.
At least it was a sliver of hope.
Besides, even if she managed to get through this time with an excuse, what about afterward?
She couldn’t avoid meeting Green forever. She couldn’t stay shut inside, and she was even worried that the moment she saw Green’s face, she wouldn’t be able to resist the fluttering in her heart and would take the initiative to open her doors for him.
‘Thinking about it like that, it’s almost hilariously tragic…’
Since she couldn’t run away, attempting to accept and face it was the only option Dolores had left.
“I will go meet him. I’ll deliver your gratitude and bring back word of his needs to you.”
Dolores gave her promise, dispelling Felz IV’s doubts.
“Even so, daughter, you needn’t worry. If he seeks your hand in marriage as a reward, I will not agree… If he asks, you need only tell him this.”
“You are the daughter of Felz IV, the Princess of Rand. If he wishes to marry you, he must prove himself more to me. I will only allow it when you are willing and when I feel he can protect your future.”
Dolores was a bit surprised. She seemed to hear a hint of familial affection in Felz IV’s words, a sense of familiarity she hadn’t felt in a very long time.
Felz IV’s instructions were mostly finished, but as Dolores was leaving, he called out to her again.
As Dolores turned her head back, Felz IV looked closely at her emerald-green eyes, his gaze then shifting to her loose white hair.
His eyes held a trace of loneliness and nostalgia. Then, he told Dolores it was nothing.
Once Dolores had left, Felz IV leaned back in his chair, his eyes filled with longing.
“Dorothy… our daughter looks so much like you. She’s grown up, they’ve all grown up…”
His voice gradually faded in the empty space, followed by a long silence.
***
After Dolores came out, Vesperian and Haigor were waiting by the door as if nothing had happened, making no sound.
Vesperian nodded to her, and then Haigor entered the room again. Before going in, he told them they could leave.
Haigor gave Dolores an extra glance.
Just as when they had arrived, they walked silently through the palace, but Dolores felt a sense of dissonance.
She couldn’t put her finger on it, but she felt that the way Haigor had looked at her at the end was strange.
“Vesperian, did you and Haigor talk about anything while you were out here?”
Dolores asked casually. Vesperian’s expression stiffened for a moment, but she quickly replied:
“Princess, Sir Haigor and I were only discussing… some insignificant matters.”