Chapter 47.2

“I am grateful to you for welcoming me into the land of the demons, which is normally separated from the rest of the world and is unacceptable to enter. Can I take it as a sign that you are thinking of living together with humans again?”

“As you know, the Kingdom sent Lydith, daughter of Duke Annemaria, to our country. It is Lydith’s wish to connect the countries that were separated by a war in the distant past. I am positive, I am thinking about it.”

“For us, too, the Great War is so far in the past that even our grudges have faded away. We believe that it is to the mutual benefit of both countries to join hands again… A companion for King Gilbert, after all.”

Rafael-sama’s gaze turned to me once more. I looked back at him without averting my gaze, which seemed to have been stifled by my intense emotions.

I felt nostalgic, meeting an old friend again after a long time.

“Ah. Duchess Anne Maria, I take Lydith as my companion.”

“I came here myself to consult with you about it. Originally, Lydith was my fiancée. The fact that King Gilbert has decided to take her as his Companion must mean that he approves of Lydith’s purity of heart and her ladylike behavior.”

“Such words are not enough to express my deepest trust in Lydith.”

“It is only natural, since she learned from an early age how to be a queen for me.”

Rafael-sama’s soft tone turned somewhat venomous.

It is not that I was learning for the sake of Rafael-sama, but I hesitated to interject.

Gilberto-sama seemed to be calm, so I should keep an eye on him for a while longer.

“Lydith must have come to you out of concern for her country, which is still reeling from the wounds of the Great War. Her desire to connect people with the demons is admirable. But for my part, I want Lydith to return to her country. The engagement has not been officially broken. Lydith is still mine.”

“The engagement is only in writing. The laws of the Kingdom of Evandia are not valid in my country. I am sorry, but I cannot accept your offer. I would welcome any meaningful offer of friendship and the restoration of diplomatic relations.”

Gilbert-sama was saying something clever.

It was strange that even though he just changed his tone, he looked like someone who was full of dignity and superior.

If circumstances permitted, I would like to compliment him for being wonderful.

In addition, I understood how Rafael-sama, who tried to cling to me, could not forget a graceful, lovely and bewitching beautiful girl like me, so I would like to stroke him to calm him down for a moment.

“If you want to marry for the sake of… friendship, it doesn’t have to be Lydith. I have brought someone more suitable.”

Rafael gave a gentle smile that seemed to have no malice in it.

A woman wearing a hood stepped forward at Orchis’s urging.

I wondered what she really meant to do.

Cynthia, you don’t really want to marry Gilbert whom you have never met, do you?

If she was following the orders of Raphael and the others and had no choice but to do so, it would be pathetic and I think she should be saved.

The woman standing next to Rafael took off her hood.

Through a gap in her robe, which was open to her chest, I saw a sun-like imprint on her chest. It was probably the mark of a goddess.

Cynthia was standing there with a very bewildered and dismayed expression on her face.

It was my first time meeting Cynthia in this life, but my impression of her as a reasonably pretty person with soft, shoulder-length chestnut hair and blue eyes was the same.

Although I am incomparably more beautiful than she is, her petite body reminded me of a small animal, and her eyes were moist with anxiety, making me feel protective of her.

I was impressed by fact that she was the quintessential Anahoriasdee, as she was so moist. This time as well as last time.

“Her name is Cynthia, the girl who is the supreme treasure of the kingdom, the vessel that holds the soul of the goddess Elvisa. As a sign of friendship between our two kingdoms, who could be more appropriate? I would like you to return Lydith to me.”

Cynthia trembled at Raphael-sama’s words.

I turned my attention to Gilbert.

Gilbert-sama has been worried about Lucis’s obsession for a long time.

Lucis, who desires the goddess, and Aria, who wishes for her disappearance. What would happen to his suppressed feelings, which were not his own, in front of Cynthia?

Gilbert-sama, with a wrinkled brow and a pained expression on his face, slowly stood up from his throne.

He is about to go to Cynthia-san.

As soon as that thought occurred to me, I too took a step forward.

“Gilbert-sama!”

I ran up to him and touched his arm.

Gilbert-sama took one look at me with a ruthless expression on his face that I had never seen before, and then he brushed my hand away carelessly, as if he was trying to get rid of an insect in his way.

Gilbert-sama may have thought that he was just lightly brushing my hand away, but my palm became red, swollen and bruised. I didn’t fall, but I lost my posture, and Ria gently supported me from behind.

“I finally meet Elle again.”

Gilbert-sama, who muttered enchantedly, seemed like a different person.

That gaze no longer reflected me, and was only staring at Cynthia.

“Gilbert-sama… it’s no good.”

I shook my head, not knowing what to say.

Gilbert-sama must be currently consumed by Lucis’ obsession. Is it so easy to be overpowered like this? Is that how strong his delusion is?

“Back off, woman. I forgive you for touching me so casually. If you don’t want to be killed, go away.”

I thought I was fine.

I thought I would be able to take pride in any situation without being swayed by emotions, making calm judgments and accepting them.

However, I am very sad now

“No… I don’t want to…”

I felt something warm trickled down my cheek. Surprised to find myself crying like a spoiled child, I bit my lip, feeling so pathetic.

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