Chapter 164

Along the way, the guards on duty all had eyes wide with anger, their vigilance heightened. Those who knew the situation would understand they were strengthening security, while those who didn’t might think the passing horses all owed them money.

The oppressive atmosphere in the palace now stood in stark contrast to the cheerful celebrations of peace that had greeted Sheffy during her earlier visits.

And with a single sentence, Xiarette pointed out the hidden truth.

“Actually, this is the normal state of the royal palace.”

“Normal state, as in horses owing them money?”

“No, I mean, Sheffy, when you first arrived in the Kingdom of Aurus, it just happened to be during the coming of the peace period, so everyone celebrated and relaxed for a while. But in truth, most of the time, it’s like this now. Tense, oppressive, never knowing when the Demon King’s army might break through the border and invade the Royal Capital. Even the king wakes up each day already buried in endless affairs.”

“So that’s how it is… no wonder Livra always tries to sneak over the walls to run outside. Who wouldn’t run away from this kind of atmosphere? She really has it tough.”

“......”

Xiarette’s sudden silence at this moment was deafening.

Sheffy was stunned at first.

But when she saw Xiarette’s slightly puffed-up, dissatisfied cheeks, Sheffy—quick-witted as she was—immediately understood something.

She kept her earlier words unchanged.

But on that basis, she added another sentence.

“Ah, ah~ but speaking of this, Xiarette surely has it even tougher than her. Mm, that’s for certain.”

“...!”

See?

That once-clouded expression—wasn’t it brightening up instantly just from a single sentence~

Well, atmosphere aside, today they had come to claim a reward.

If they didn’t squeeze a sack of gold coins out of this, then they would truly be at a loss!

.....................................

Outside, the atmosphere was suffocating.

And upon stepping into the Grand Hall itself, the environment grew even stranger.

The nobles lined neatly on both sides of the hall in formal attire all stepped back little by little.

The reason was clear—the silver-haired witch was strolling leisurely into the palace.

They dared not speak loudly, but their noble pride and the confidence of being on human territory still gave them the courage to whisper among themselves.

“Clicking their tongues… what disgrace is this… the Demon Clan Princess openly stepping foot into the Royal Palace of Aurus, does she really think of herself as some peace ambassador? More likely she has ulterior motives. Nothing good ever comes from the Demon Clan.”

“And the Hero is bold enough too, actually daring to accompany the witch… ah, but truly, caution is needed. If the witch suddenly attacks and causes chaos, can the Hero really control the situation…?”

“Isn’t the bravest of all actually Princess Livra…! She’s even waving at the witch! Ah… Her Highness has sacrificed so much for the kingdom, going so far as to show goodwill to the witch… admirable, yet so pitiful…”

“Shh… don’t dare to say… don’t dare to say a word…”

Such was human nature.

Compared to focusing on the fact that the royal family at the arena had been saved, they were more inclined to only believe in the common sense they had understood since childhood.

Just like how they firmly believed the sky was blue—simply because they could see it by looking up—without ever wondering whether that blue was only the reflection of the ocean.

They believed the Demon Clan was born evil, so naturally, they thought there could be no exceptions.

But conveniently, Sheffy also never expected them to offer her any understanding.

And Livra…?! Could you tone it down a little! I know that a few days ago you just confirmed I was the one who saved you when you were little, so of course you’re happy and still riding that excitement—but at the very least, don’t keep giggling like that every time you see me here!

Well… then again, maybe it was fine. Perhaps Livra also had her own considerations. Between two nations, of course the princesses should display a friendly attitude toward each other. Maybe she was simply trying to ease the atmosphere?

No, forget it. More reliable explanation—sometimes, she was just a fool.

Xiarette walked to the crystal floor’s central ring, secretly exchanging glances with Sheffy, before the two continued on in different directions.

Xiarette was heading toward the Wright Family’s line, to the right of the throne.

As for Sheffy, she too had her own place to…

Uh…

Where was she supposed to go…?

Xiarette, that look you gave me just now—where exactly were you signaling toward…?

Because your eye signals have never had any meaning, I didn’t bother paying attention!

One had to understand, as a Demon Clan Princess, Sheffy was not a subject of the Kingdom of Aurus.

Even if everyone else in the hall was standing, she could not stand.

Though her seniority was not greater than that of the King of Aurus, as royalty of the opposite side, she was still a guest, and guests were expected to be seated.

Ah, this was why etiquette was always so troublesome. If it were up to Sheffy, she would complain that sitting was tiring and just lie down flat instead. But this wasn’t for her to decide—it would shame her father and mother.

Even with countless thoughts swirling in her heart, Sheffy’s outward action was only to pause her steps, frown slightly, and nothing more.

But just that small, simple action made several nobles in the front row show fearful expressions.

They thought the witch was about to lose her temper!

Fortunately, according to etiquette, at this moment it was the kingdom’s side that ought to deliver a welcome address.

Cold sweat beaded on the king’s forehead.

He believed that Sheffy Harl halting her steps was meant as a show of dominance, an implicit rebuke that he had not shown her due courtesy.

Without waiting any longer, the king stood up with the support of his children.

Respect—he would personally extend it.

With a glance, he signaled for the civil official below the platform to read the king’s greeting aloud, his voice echoing across the slightly restless hall.

“To Her Highness the Demon Clan Princess who has come from afar, we invite you to take your seat. The kingdom has prepared delicacies for our most honored guest. The aid you have granted to Aurus shall serve as the beginning of friendship between our two nations, and be recorded in history forever.”

“......”

Stop spouting so much useless nonsense already… the important part is to tell me where I’m supposed to sit…?

【Sheffy…! The pillar! The pillar! I forgot to tell you… the pillar in the center of the hall is called the Radiant Pillar. The chair in front of it is specially prepared for honored guests. You can sit there!】

【Huh?】

As expected of Xiarette—Sheffy had only demonstrated it once, and she had already learned to use telepathic voice?

Sheffy was greatly comforted.

Just now she said… in front of the pillar in the Grand Hall?

After leisurely glancing around, Sheffy felt confident.

Even though she had no chest, she was still full of confidence.

Haha, this Grand Hall only had one pillar in the middle~

The other supporting pillars were all at the four corners of the hall, which made the matter simple.

Built as one with the pillar, there was a gilded luxurious chair in front of it, finely crafted.

That must be the place Xiarette had meant, right?

Uh… but looking at the palace’s structure, the four corner pillars alone should have been enough to support everything. Wasn’t this largest one in the center a bit unnecessary?

In truth, the grand shining pillar in the middle, carved with ornate railing patterns, had its own origin story.

It was said that before founding the Kingdom of Aurus, the first King of Aurus went out hunting in his youth. Along the way, he encountered a magical beast. He fought alone and was falling into disadvantage, when a farmer courageously stepped in, risking his life to help the young king narrowly defeat the beast. In a sense, he had saved the king’s life before he ever achieved glory.

Later, when the first king gathered soldiers and founded the Kingdom of Aurus, the very first thing he did was to search the land, find that brave farmer, and invite him into the newly built Grand Hall, to be honored as a guest.

But during the fight with the beast, the farmer had been left crippled, his legs inconvenient, and the vast hall offered nothing to lean on. The first king immediately ordered the construction of this extra pillar in the palace center, naming it the Radiant Pillar, for the farmer’s name had contained the word “Radiant.” The pillar and chair were built solely for honored guests to lean upon and rest.

In truth, across a thousand years, the palace had been rebuilt several times.

Whether this was still that same pillar, or whether the story itself had ever truly existed, was impossible to verify.

But the meaning it carried, and the sincerity of goodwill, was enough.

The murmuring around never ceased, but the moment Sheffy sat firmly on that chair, all voices sank into silence.

There was something that could command respect and overwhelm the atmosphere—something called presence.

The Demon Clan Princess had no regard for the stiff rules of human etiquette.

Her skirt swirled sharply as she turned, like blue roses blooming, cutting through the air with a rustling sound.

Her naturally proud and ice-cold eyes looked down on all creation.

It was hard to imagine that such an apparently delicate and fragile girl, upon sitting down, could overshadow all the surrounding grandeur, dimming it into insignificance, leaving only the pressure she carried by her very being.

Born with the bearing of a ruler… perhaps this was exactly what that meant.

Many nobles turned their eyes away in unwillingness. Even if they wished to deny their enemy, they could not deny that the Demon Clan Princess possessed a quality their own royal family did not.

—That was the fearless arrogance of one who looked down from above.

With absolute strength as her guarantee, of course she could stand proud and unafraid.

Even if it was on your Aurus land. Even if she came alone. So what?

Ah yes, yes, yes—Sheffy really did perform excellently in official occasions. After all, she had studied royal etiquette, and studied it well.

But the most crucial reason was…

There was a full table of delicious dishes laid out right in front of her seat!

With such a prime spot, how could Sheffy not rush to claim it?!

In truth, even if she hadn’t, no one would have dared compete with her anyway.

Because today, the main focus of this gathering was none other than this foreign princess.

Sheffy didn’t hurry to start eating. She planned to pack these things up later and take them home for Timani to see.

Not to share with Timani, but to let Timani watch her eat. That way, the food would taste even better.

Surrounded by members of the royal family, the King himself descended slowly from the high platform of the throne, stopping directly across from Sheffy’s chair.

When Sheffy looked up, she noticed that the king seemed to have aged far more than just a short while ago.

Well, nothing could be done about that. With all the turmoil recently, the old man, already at the advanced age of seventy and carrying countless battle wounds, was doing well enough just being able to walk and speak normally.

No wonder he was so anxious to train Livra. He probably knew he himself might not last much longer…

Best not to mention that.

Since he had offered her such a feast, she would simply wish him longevity.

Two knights worked together to carry a spare wooden chair behind the king.

King Celt Aurus sat slowly upon it, facing Sheffy across the long carpet on the floor.

On the red carpet lay the emblem of the Aurus royal bloodline.

Thus—

For the first time in history, a conversation unfolded between humans and the Demon Clan without the two sides standing opposed at a negotiation table.

It began here.

“Princess Sheffy, in this past time… we have offended you much. On behalf of the Royal House of Aurus, I offer you my sincere apology.”

“It is no matter.” Sheffy slowly opened her eyes, her deep violet gaze brimming with spirit. “In times of war, there are always casualties on both sides, both victories and losses. Within such struggles, there is no offense to speak of.”

“Hah… as expected, Your Highness is a wise one.”

Of course she was—at least wiser than his three daughters.

Look at them, those three princesses, all busy trying to observe her posture from every possible angle.

Livra, she had promised to teach you magic, but she never promised to teach you how to sit properly, you know?

At this point, King Celt Aurus did not continue sitting any longer.