Forest Dreams (2)

"--I won't hesitate to kill you."

Cristo was not at the slightest surprised by Azrael's threat because he somehow knew that Azrael had a deep connection/relationship with Dorothy.

Cristo sighed deeply as he turned his head towards Azrael, meeting the deep dark eyes that held no life.

".. It depends."

Cristo responded to him bravely and Azrael's eyebrows twitched at the answer.

"... Dorothy and I saved you, and this is what we get? Quite a surprise."

Azrael smiled as he exclaimed sarcastically.

".. It's not like I'm asking to be saved."

Much to Azrael's dismay, what Cristo said was completely true.

It was her-- Him that wanted to make use of Cristo's magic ability to make them survive, at least, for now.

"... Just so you know, you could die anytime if it were not for Dorothy going to the Central Directive just to fetch you. I don't know exactly how your current condition is though."

Azrael reasoned him logically.

"She's one of the good masters out there that actually cares for their vassals. So be grateful. Because if I became your master and you were my underling, I wouldn't be that forgiving and soft."

Azrael warned again, then he glared at him slightly.

Cristo just stays silent.

He already knew that too well as he was aware of that fact.

-

[3 March 774/Present Day]

During those days of investigation and gathering as much information as we could, we finally found a lead.

Because of that, Azrael and I were able to properly located Selene's current location.

'... The process of searching was all worth the work.'

To cut it short, she lives in Hulda Town.

It's one of the smallest towns in the Lucretia Kingdom.

Despite the small area, it's still peaceful like the others.

In addition to this, we discovered that Hulda Town will hold a festival on a special day.

'... We have two weeks to prepare for the trip.'

In the next two weeks, Hulda Town will hold that festival to appreciate the year when the town was created.

The Town's Foundation Day.

I was astounded that the plan would be executed in a short period.

But when I got out of my bedroom for a walk, I realized something quite troublesome ahead.

'... It's quite bothersome.'

I sighed.

I suddenly felt those two weeks were too long for me to wait.

While waiting, I felt myself suffocating as it was like I could die at any time.

'Because--'

"Oh, Good morning Your Highness."

I narrowed my eyes at Althea, who clearly lives inside the castle.

The fact that her bedroom is beside mine is quite surprising as well.

With how she could inspect me anytime, even inside this castle, the execution of the plan would be harder than I thought.

'... This is the worst possible outcome...!'

Her eyes will be everywhere.

She could follow me every time she's not in her working hours.

"I heard that Your Highness is going sightseeing later. How fun~"

Althea smirked playfully in which I responded by looking at her in dismay.

And after she knew my plan to go to Hulda Town, she always asked me so many questions.

"So~ why now? I have heard rumors that Your Highness is a shut-in Princess."

She exclaimed as she played with her spoon on the plate.

We are now in the dining room.

I took a bite of meat into my mouth as my gaze turned towards Cristo, who is also eating his food.

I sighed.

'.. I would never think we will also share the same table at every meal-- I notice Cristo doesn't really mind it though, but I do. It's like she's doing this on purpose to interrogate me for something.'

I try to calm myself down and patiently answer her question.

"I realized that I should explore more of my Kingdom because I'm going to rule Lucretia, sooner or later."

I explained logically, considering my coronation is 3 years ahead.

She just nodded at my reasoning and stopped her movements.

".. Who will also come with you?"

It was a short silence afterward.

".. His Grace, Archduke Azrael de Revanche and Cristo Oswald."

I answered hesitantly.

She only nodded at the statement and continued to stare at me deeply.

It was as if she's trying to find a speck of lies in my eyes.

She took a bite of her food and looked at me nonchalantly with a mix of suspicion.

".. Your Highness is quite close to His Grace these days."

I slightly sweatdrop.

I was actually impressed that she noticed I've been with him despite her working hours.

'I know very well that we should avoid Directive Special Knights as much as we can. But for one of them to also live in a castle, it's quite an impossible task.'

I was discouraged that the situation isn't what I had expected, but I don't really have another option.

"Yes, I told you that Azrael and I are quite close."

I answered her truthfully.

She looked at me quite startled but she later smiled slightly.

"Then, I will come with you,"

My eyes widened in surprise as I could feel my heart fell.

"--as an escort."

I was shocked by her decision. It is as if my consciousness was taken away from me.

On many situations I have encountered with her, she always gave me something so surprising and troubling for me to handle.

I noticed Cristo as he gives me a sidelong glance.

He was telling me that we're clearly in big trouble.

'.. She won't leave us alone, will she? This is absolutely going to be more troublesome.'

With her being our escort, I can't refuse it either because it will be against the Directive Orders since opinion is not needed here.

'But... perhaps I can get away from her.'

I realize that it's a festival that we will attend.

I should plan something that will separate our paths. By force, of course.

To put up my brave font, I formed a gentle with a slightly exciting smile towards her.

"Really.. ? Lady Genetta will escort us? I am thrilled... ! Thank you for taking the time with us."

Althea smiled back.

"Thank you for your understanding."

-

[17 March 774/Present Day]

Thanks to Azrael's understanding, we went to Hulda with Althea accompanying us as our escort.

I was getting bored inside the carriage so I asked Althea for permission to walk around the festival with a brown robe.

It was in case if the villagers will saw me as the Princess and Azrael as the Archduke.

That kind of sight will definitely cause an uproar.

"Of course. Your Highness must have been bored to death in this carriage."

With that, she agreed as the four of us walked around the town.

It took me one to two hours to arrive, so I better not miss my chance to find Selene.

'.. It's not just I'm curious about witchcraft. There's something I'd like to ask Selene, considering she's a witch.'

By the time we walked around the town, there were stalls everywhere and many of them were surrounded by people.

Even though the sky was so clear and blue, fireworks are releases to brighten everything up, including the cheerful music for this festival.

'It's quite crowded now with how many events they set up.'

I smiled as I was finding the right time to carry out the plan that I created.

I already explained it to Azrael and Cristo days ago for me to search for Selene without Althea interfering with our plan.

Althea only knows that I will take a look around the town and travel to many towns.

The act was just like how a royal should get to know their people better.

'.. If I just thought of that, it would be foolish. Of course, Althea knew something was up, that's why she wants to escort us.'

With the plan I had in mind, I glance at Azrael.

He notices my gesture as he nodded and start to look around the area.

"Wow, Hulda is such a peaceful and cheerful town!"

I complimented Hulda Town on a whim to start up a conversation.

"Though it's hot here."

Azrael complained as I mentally facepalmed.

"Well, it is warmer here because it's a bit far from the Capital City."

Althea explained softly as I nodded.

'.. So, the area around the capital is a lot warmer, huh? That's new information for me. Maybe the weather is useless but it's quite nice to know.'

Azrael turned around the corner as the rest and I follow.

We find more stalls and more people, arguably very crowded.

'... Time to carry out our plan.'

"Oh~ I want to try that food!"

Azrael exclaimed out of nowhere and start to walk towards a random food stall with the crowds crushing him side to side.

'I feel a bit bad.'

"Wait, Your Grace, it's crowded. Don't separate yourself!"

Althea raised her voice because of the loud music that was played in the town while being pushed aside by the citizens that are walking around.

"Your Highness--!"

She met my gaze as she raises her hand and I try to reach for Althea's hand as well.

However, a group of citizens with weird costumes I assume for the festivals, accidentally separate us as I was being pushed to the back.

While I had the chance without the presence of Althea, I hurriedly escaped from the crowds.

I also noticed that Cristo is also gone but I never really planned on leaving him.

'Guess the crowds really are crazy.'

I happily grinned and find a calmer place to think everything through to find Selene's house.

'Plan #1, find a louder and more crowded crowd, made myself get separated coincidentally from Althea and finding Selene's house.'

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