Elise silently watched the people constructing the award stage.
“Miss, what is this?”
Regina looked worriedly at Elise’s bandaged hand.
“You must have been in so much pain. Shall I call for Dr. Leber?”
Fiona also fussed over her.
“I wasn’t badly injured. No need to make a fuss.”
“What did the palace physician say?”
“To keep the wound clean and well-managed. And to take the medicine properly.”
“I’ll take good care of it,” Regina said resolutely.
The three stood side-by-side, watching the award stage nearing completion.
“People keep staring,” Regina muttered, sounding uncomfortable.
“It’s because of the wolf. Even I would stare. He’s so majestic and magnificent. Not something you easily see anywhere. Can I lightly touch him?”
As if waiting for the wolf topic, Fiona rapidly spoke and reached her hand towards Uls.
The wolf, thought to be sleeping, opened his eyes, letting out a strange purr-like sound while shaking his head.
Though a small movement, it posed a big threat to the noble ladies.
“Eek!”
Fiona stumbled backwards, flailing her arms to keep her balance. Ruo, returning from an errand, caught her.
“It will take time to become friends with Uls.”
Elise stroked Uls’ fur, signaling she wanted him to befriend Fiona, Regina and Ruo, but he ignored it.
Unable to force him, Elise was satisfied he didn’t bare his fangs, and looked at Ruo.
“Did you find out, Ruo?”
“Yes, I did.”
Ruo replied firmly before directly addressing Elise’s curiosity.
“His Highness Chase has been confined to the palace.”
“Not a prison, but the palace?” Regina trembled.
Elise brought her finger to her lips.
“Keep your voice down.”
Elise recounted her ordeals to the inquisitive Regina, Fiona and Ruo about her injury.
Regina cried that she had guided Elise into grave danger.
It was Ruo who consoled her, or rather, stated the facts.
[We cannot undo what has passed. Going forward, being more cautious and diligently assisting Miss Elise is the way to seek forgiveness.]
Fiona elbowed Ruo’s side, but she continued nonchalantly.
[It seems to have rather brought a blessing upon Miss Elise.]
Elise was to be appointed as a warrior.
Elise sided with Ruo’s words, agreeing they were correct, and Regina barely raised her head.
Afterwards, Elise explained the situation in detail. There was also the judgment that it would make it easier to deal with Chase and Iris later if they knew.
“Miss, that’s nonsense. It’s merely imprisonment in the palace. You are now a legitimate member of the Tetris royal family! It’s the charge of attempting to kill royalty. From what I’ve heard, in Tetris, a charge of that degree can even lead to immediate execution.”
Regina vented her indignation in a small voice, saying her head should be cut off immediately.
“His Highness Chase is the prince of Bedrokka.”
His status will protect him.
“But……”
Regina chewed on her lips several times as if feeling wronged. Tears were also welling up in her eyes.
“But we can’t just let this go.”
Elise intended to at least make Chase completely lose Lange’s trust.
“Do you have a plan?”
At Ruo’s question, Elise nodded.
****
The awards ceremony was boisterous.
“Oh my, look at that pelt. It’s so beautiful.”
“A silver wolf appearing, isn’t that an auspicious sign for the kingdom?”
“That’s right. The wolf won’t even leave Miss Elise’s side. She must have some extraordinary ability.”
“But why is that woman the champion? Shouldn’t Miss Elise be the one holding the championship trophy? Just defeating 10 wild boars compared to the silver wolf?”
As Iris ascended to the podium upon being named the winner, the people’s derisive voices doubled in volume.
Not only was the winner from Bedrokka, but Iris, whose feats at the hunting festival paled in comparison to Elise’s, was declared the champion, leaving public opinion in shambles.
“So the rumors of her being a great mage were all groundless?”
“So her magic is merely that level? Our warriors are truly remarkable.”
Taunts rained down on the back of Iris’ head.
Iris pretended not to hear anything and tightened the corners of her mouth.
The situation where Chase had been captured. She had to carry herself with more dignity.
“Congratulations.”
Tyllo personally presented Iris with the crown of glory and award. The trophy made of gold depicted the silver wolf, the very one responsible for imprisoning Chase.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Iris bowed her head. But there was no following cheer or applause.
That cheer and applause burst forth when Karan received his award.
Waiting for the quiet, Tyllo raised his hand as if the ceremony was not yet over and declared,
“I appoint Elise Worton as a warrior of Tetris.”
Elise strode forward as if she had been waiting, accompanied by Uls.
Loud applause and cheers shook the forest.
****
A banquet was held to celebrate the hunting festival, the final event following the engagement ceremony.
Elise and Karan attended the banquet hall to make an appearance before returning to their chambers.
A discussion about Uls and the Chase issue was needed.
“I never thought His Majesty would entrust me with the matter of His Highness Chase.”
Elise said as she opened the bottle stopper that Regina had prepared.
“It was unexpected for me as well,” Karan held out his glass. The clear amber liquid filled Karan’s transparent cup.
“Though I did request it.”
“But let’s not thank His Majesty for this, Elise. He merely passed the troublesome Chase issue on to us.”
Karan’s words were probably correct.
Handling the crime committed by the prince of Bedrokka against the prospective princess of Tetris without diplomatic friction would be extremely difficult.
“I don’t know if it’s right for you to take this on,” said Karan, downing his glass in one gulp. It was to quell the anger brewing in him since Elise had appeared injured.
“Your Highness…”
When Elise said she would handle Chase’s punishment, Karan raised his voice in objection.
His claim was simple–Chase’s crime was the charge of attempting to kill royalty, so he must be punished without leniency according to Tetris law.
And naturally, he insisted that the punishment should be his responsibility.
However, in that case, war would break out between Tetris and Bedrokka. Even if it meant Karan falling out of Tyllo’s favor and distancing himself from the throne, the lives of Tetris citizens would become miserable.
Chase’s downfall, revenge against Iris – it was all important.
But he did not want to harm the kind people of Tetris who had smiled at him and only just accepted him.
So Elise stepped forward. Knowing Karan’s character full well, Tyllo followed Elise’s intent. In exchange, Elise left the handling of Duke Odilon to Karan.
“His Majesty must have great concerns, Your Highness. Duke Odilon, who he considered a close aide, betrayed His Majesty and Lysandro out of greed.”
“It was His Majesty’s mistake to trust that treacherous face,” Karan showed no mercy towards Tyllo.
“Still, I hope Your Highness resolves this well without further upsetting His Majesty.”
Karan had been about to tear off Odilon’s limbs for conspiring with Chase and helping him, and toss them into the forest.
He had planned to confiscate the duke’s title and property, and make his family servants.
‘This much should satisfy His Majesty.’
Elise thinks Tyllo is an extremely rational and reasonable person, but she speaks without full knowledge.
Tyllo could be more cruel than a beast toward those who coveted what was his.
“Understood, Elise. I’ll handle things to His Majesty’s full satisfaction. So don’t worry about this side.”
Just please turn your attention away.
Hoping she would remain ignorant of his actions, Karan pushed Elise’s glass aside.
“Your Highness, that’s my glass of wine.”
“I know. And I haven’t forgotten that you were injured today.”
It had been an eventful day. And after today, there would be no time to unwind with drinks for a while.
Elise didn’t particularly enjoy alcohol, but today was full of things to celebrate.
If she didn’t drink on a day like this, when would she?
Elise looked wistfully at her wine glass.
That longing gaze pierced Karan’s heart.
Having a toy snatched from a child would likely induce less guilt than this.
“No, Elise.”
Karan drew a line first, even though Elise hadn’t asked for it.
In fact, he was restraining himself. For he felt he might easily cave under her gaze and hand over the glass, even pouring her a drink.
“We should have celebratory drinks. That’s what I’ve heard is done in Tetris. When there’s cause to celebrate, you eat, drink, and make merry all night long.”
She looked out the window. The noises from the banquet hall drifted in through the slightly open door.
“You’re supposed to be there too, Your Highness. As the champion.”
There was no rule that the winner had to remain at the banquet hall until the end, but it was customary.
It was only right to be feted all night for an achievement worth celebrating.
“Events like that…”
It might sound boastful to say he had attended many.
Karan smiled wryly at his hesitation over how he might come across to Elise, and took her hand on the table.
“Having you celebrate me is enough. You’ll congratulate me more sincerely than those people, won’t you?”
“Yes, my heart celebrating you will be greater, I promise.”
Elise boldly uttered an embarrassing statement, even though she wasn’t drunk. Where did she find such courage?
Ugh, Karan inwardly groaned.
You’re too adorable. I want to devour you whole.
Karan gripped Elise’s hand as if reining in his loosening restraints.
Gazing into her clear, spotless eyes, the reins seemed to tighten, yet loosen…
“But it’s not just one thing to celebrate, is it Elise? You’ve also become a warrior.”
“It was sheer luck,” Elise feigned humility. Otherwise, she might have broken into an unseemly laugh.
After receiving the warrior title, Elise learned its profound meaning from Ruo.
Becoming a warrior of Tetris meant having the status to protect not just Tetris citizens, but the kingdom itself.
She had put down perfect roots in Tetris. Even if issues arose with Karan, she now had the qualification to remain here.
“It was skill. Though the process wasn’t exactly to my liking,” said Karan, letting go of Elise’s hand and gripping the table instead, perhaps thinking of Chase.
With a creaking sound, one side of the table buckled inwards.
It was made of sturdy wood, yet it crumpled like paper.
“Huh, the table is quite flimsy. I’ll have it replaced.”
Seeing Elise’s startled look, Karan brushed off the wood chips from his hand.
“In any case, we both have things to celebrate. Are you disappointed about the wine?”
“Yes, a little.”
She didn’t necessarily need to drink, but Karan’s question prompted the candid response.
“Well then.”
Karan picked up the bottle. Finding it a waste of time to fill a glass, he wetted his mouth directly with the wine.
Elise stared intently as his prominent Adam’s apple bobbed up and down.
Though she hadn’t drunk, a thirst arose, and Elise found herself swallowing in sync with his movements.
