Chapter 20 - Ronée Palace

Chapter 20 – Ronée Palace

The carriage headed to the white castle. In front of the humongous building were strictly vigilant knights, and they all bowed their heads without daring to face the wagon.

“I see you, Your Majesty.” They greeted Nabel one by one, but he paid no attention to their salutes. Nabel pulled the hood of his blue robe, revealing a bright blond hair.

Ronée’s eyes shifted to his hair. When the sunlight shone upon it, it seemed to shine brighter than the sun itself. Her gaze then moved from his hair and fell on the white gloves in his hands.

“Don’t you like this?” Nabel leaned slightly.

Ronée knew that her assumption of Nabel was true, as he did not even deny the title that was called to him. It was less realistic than it was surprising. What had happened in his childhood, when he was in the East as a slave?

Ah. Ronée’s thoughts quickly found the right answer.

The day she first met Nabel. The day she found Nabel in the wagon. It was a hundred days since the Western Empire became ruled by the Miltan Imperial.

They claimed that they have destroyed the people of the House of Iver, who were recognized for their blond hair and conjunctive quality. However, Nabel seemed to have survived.

“Nabel Iver.”

Nabel laughed at Ronée’s words. “In this palace, the only person who can call my name is you, sister,” he whispered low.

It was when Ronée silently shut her mouth. Was it rude?

Nabel laughed once again. “So, please call me more.”

Ronée opened her eyes wide. Nabel leaned over to her, a gentle smile forming on his lips. Their conversation seemed like a dream.

“I like the name my sister says.” He liked it as it reminded him of his sweet childhood memories.

Ronée blushed slightly. Very lightly.

*

Kwaang!

Bell seemed to have regained a bit of its strength. By the time the wagon had arrived in the white castle, Bell nestled in Ronée’s arms.

The fox, which had been playing with a ball on Ronée’s lap, seemed surprised when the guards saluted at the wagon all at once.

“Shall we go?”

There wasn’t even a pebble on the ground. The Imperial Palace, the Emperor’s residence, was situated in the remotest place of the Western Empire.

The most expensive robes, their fabric light and soft, were laid in front of them. Nabel handed Ronée one.

“The people outside…” It was too much for Ronée; she was too embarrassed and could not utter a word. It was displayed all over her face; there was no need for Nabel to read her thoughts. There was no need to touch her.

Nabel looked outside. “Don’t raise your head.” As the order fell from his lips, the knights’ heads bowed all at once. Nabel turned back to Ronée again. “How about this?”

He spoke to the knights with a voice that of a dignified king. Then, he turned to Ronée and his voice softened. Ronée stared at him for a little while and laughed. If he hadn’t ordered them sooner, the guards outside would become more uncomfortable.

“I think it’s a little better.” Ronée took his hand. Bell jumped up and settled over her head.

“Come this way…” Nabel led Ronée slowly. They passed through numerous maids and knights standing on either side, and approached the palace.

Kwaang…

The sight of the crowd worried Bell, so the creature returned to the shadows.

“……!” Gasps slipped from the mouth of the maids and knights, surprised as the two passed by them.

“…Shinshu?”

“Surely….”

They looked at Ronée’s shadow with wide eyes. Then, as the shadow became darker, the fox’s sharp ears and tail shook and soon disappeared

It was indeed a Shinshu. Not long after, rumours began to spread in the castle.

His Majesty had brought the owner of Shinshu.

*

“This person…?”

Dia, the chief of the court, was a bold figure who had been holding the position of the maid’s court for thirty years.

She remained in the palace all the way until the fall of the Iver family and its revival. Naturally, she was demoted as a maid when the Miltan family reigned over the continent.

However, as the chief, her well-established experience and promising ability to manage the palace wasn’t disregarded and saved her neck from the sword. She was an outstanding figure, remembered by Nabel, who had stayed in the palace for a short time at a young age.

So, as soon as Nabel regained his imperial status, he reinstated the chief position to Dia. Then again, the palace returned to being one of the most beautiful places. The palace was named after Ronée — ‘Ronée Palace.’