“I accidentally scratched my brooch. I should have been more careful.”
Vivian showed off the chest decoration of her dress. There were traces of it being disheveled because she happened to have unbuttoned it once. Aslan’s eyes narrowed as he looked down at it. It was obvious that she was worried about her injuries but was unable to let down her guard. Jesus’ residual magic seemed to be stronger than expected. Vivian added hastily.
“I was in trouble because there was a lot of blood, but a wizard who was passing by found me and treated me. They told me to see the doctor again because it wasn’t perfect.”
“I guess I should find him and praise him.”
“There is no need for that. I gave him all the gold coins I had.”
“Good job.”
Aslan smiled softly and slowly removed the brooch from Vivian’s chest. He stared at Vivian as if asking for her unspoken permission, and when Vivian nodded, he clenched his fist and immediately balled it up. The surrounding metal and even the emerald in the center were instantly broken into fine powder.
“But where did you go earlier?”
Vivian asked as she was led by Aslan’s hand into the jewelry shop. She was just wondering why he suddenly disappeared. Aslan looked at Vivian’s calm face and smiled.
“Ah, I almost made an irreversible mistake.”
“It was irreversible?”
“That’s right.”
“How.”
“Dylan made a sacrifice.”
Aslan’s voice was as fresh and peaceful as the spring breeze. Thus, Vivian nodded her head indifferently, and Aslan was able to protect his precious fiancée from the crisis of breaking off her engagement.
＊ ＊ ＊
At the same time, Alex was lost in thought as he finished his official duties and left the imperial palace.
‘I got a call from Blackford saying he wanted to postpone the engagement ceremony. Why?’
Today he planned to visit the Grand Duke’s residence in person. He refused to breastfeed, but it was the work of his golden brother, whom he raised himself. He had just finished his knight corps training early, but suddenly someone came to me saying that the plan had changed.
‘Hmm, that doesn’t mean I won’t visit.’
Alex was the type of person who, once he made a decision, he always carried it out. Lately, things have gone awry and he has not been able to run away to a foreign country or marry the Margrave Nicholas, but he has always faithfully carried out his decisions.
‘I have to ask Vivian why the engagement ceremony was postponed.’
He nodded and was about to hurry his steps. A friendly shout was heard from behind.
“Lord Alex!”
“Ah, I send greetings to His Majesty the Crown Prince.”
“I guess there’s something urgent going on. The sun is still high in the sky, but you look busy walking.”
Johannes approached with a smile on his face. He raised Alex, who had his head down, and continued.
“Well, it’s a hectic time because of the preparations for the hunting festival. I don’t know if I held on to the busy ball for no reason.”
“…?”
Alex was curious inwardly. Although he had been studying abroad for a long time, it was the first time that Johannes had such a friendly conversation with him. To be precise, it was correct that they were not interested in each other to the point where they looked at each other like cows and chickens.
“Now that I think about it, it’s a hunting festival. I hadn’t participated in it since I was young, so I had forgotten about it.”
“Haha, it would be difficult if I forgot. The hunting festival is a big event in which all nobles in the empire participate.”
Before Vivian contracted lung disease, she often went to hunting festivals. He was so brave that he caught a wild animal and tamed it himself.
‘But will I be able to compete this year…?’
Thinking about Vivian being left alone in the capital gave him a bitter taste in his mouth. Johannes, who had been staring at Alex’s expression in silence, rolled his eyes as if he was regretful.
“Is this because of the princess’s work?”
“I’m sorry.”
“How can you not know how the Duke feels about his younger brother? I heard from your Majesty that this year’s hunting festival will be held in the Sacred Forest. It’s very close to the capital.”
“Isn’t the Sacred Forest the sacred place where His Majesty the First Emperor rests? How could a place like that…”
Alex opened his eyes wide in surprise. The Forest of Divinity was not only close to the capital, but it was also a land filled with powerful anti-magic power. As anti-magic power was the power to suppress all evil energies, Vivian’s lung disease would also be suppressed, albeit briefly. However, it has never been opened to the public until now. Entry to certain areas was only allowed once every four years, during the anti-demon ritual to commemorate the death of the demon Astaroth.
“As you know, it has been almost a thousand years since the first emperor founded the empire.”
“Yes.”
“It is said that if water stagnates, it will rot, and if a politician becomes complacent, he will rot.”
Johannes leisurely turned his gaze and looked at the spacious palace.
“I want to become a transformative monarch in the future. So, we must tear down old laws one by one. I hope you think of this hunting festival as the first step.”
“I didn’t know your highness thought like that.”
“Haha, I’m still lacking a lot.”
Johannes smiled shyly at Alex, who was genuinely impressed.
“Now that I think about it, it seemed like he was busy going somewhere earlier…”
“I was on my way to the Grand Duchy to see my younger sister Vivian.”
“Then I guess I’ll meet my brother too.”
“Yes, I think so.”
Johannes’ blonde hair sparkled dazzlingly in the sunlight. But an even brighter smile appeared on his face.
“When you see Aslan, please say hello to him. Let’s meet at the hunting festival.”
* * *
The rumor that this hunting festival would be held in the Sacred Forest spread quickly. It was the first time since the founding of the nation that the shrine where the first emperor rested was opened to people other than the royal family. Almost all nobles in the empire looked forward to this hunting festival.
‘Ah, the crown prince finally did something. I’m saying I’ll stick with the original.’
Vivian was lost in thought as she massaged her pounding head. In the original Forest of Divinity episode, two major events occur.
‘The first is the incident where Aslan turns into a demonic beast in front of people…’
The Forest of Divinity contains powerful anti-magic properties. Aslan was tricked by the crown prince’s scheme and entered the grave of the first emperor. In the end, he was unable to overcome the rampaging demon energy and a disaster occurred.
‘Secondly, the Empress suddenly drank poison and collapsed. Her life was saved, but Aslan, who was unable to prove his alibi, was framed as the culprit.’
The real culprit in the assault on her empress was the emperor’s mistress, Countess Amelia. However, thanks to her blaming Aslan for her crime, she escapes safely without being involved in the incident.
“Vivian, aren’t you tired?”
“I’m okay.”
“Besides, your complexion hasn’t been good since a while ago. It would have been better to stay at the mansion.”
“If you are attending, how can I miss it?”
Vivian was heading to the Sacred Forest with Aslan. Because today was the day of the hunting festival. The fact that the location of the hunting festival was decided to be the ‘Sacred Forest’ was a clear provocation by the crown prince. Aslan knew it was a trap, but he had no choice but to go there.
Vivian smiled brightly at Aslan.
“You didn’t forget what you promised me, right? I want to go everywhere with you.”
“How could I deny you what you want? But it still bothers me to put you in danger.”
“This isn’t the first time I’ve participated in a hunting festival. And maybe this will be the last time…”
Coughing, Vivian covered her mouth and turned her head to the other side. Then Aslan’s face suddenly distorted.
“I made a mistake. I said I would let you do whatever you want.”
“No, I understand Aslan’s concerns.”
Vivian smiled repentantly beneath her handkerchief. She then came up with her appeasement plan as if she had just thought of it.
“Then I’ll be waiting in the barracks. How about joining you after the hottest part of the year? It’s impossible for me to compete all day.”
Now, if Aslan became the murderer of the Empress, she, his fiancee, would also be accused of being an accomplice. She couldn’t let Aslan be in danger at this critical moment.
‘In terms of order, the attack on the empress comes first, so let’s stop that first and then help Aslan.’
While she was lost in thought, I arrived at the Divine Forest. Vivian got off the carriage and felt that her breathing became easier. It was said that his anti-magic properties prevented all evil forces, and it felt like he was also suppressing the symptoms of lung disease.
“The sun is hot. I’ll be in the barracks. See you later.”
“Vivian.”
As she was about to leave without any regrets, she was carefully caught. Her back came into contact with the hard armor Aslan wore behind her.
“Won’t you give me a kiss of encouragement?”
“…”
Vivian looked around. Numerous couples or lovers were sharing passionate kisses while cheering each other on. She glanced up at Aslan. His golden eyes sparkle fiercely. Her arms, which had gently hugged her waist, grew stronger as people passed by. She seemed to be aware of them.
‘Aslan also cares about the attention around him.’
She was a little embarrassed because she didn’t think she would save face in this area. However, it was not good for him to attract attention by revealing his cold relationship. Vivian slowly turned around in his arms. They were in a position where they faced each other.
“You’ll do well without me cheering you on, but…”
She gently stroked Aslan’s cheek to ask him to lower his head. Then his golden eyes became even darker. Heat mixed with the breath that touches her forehead.
“No, I need your support.”
As Aslan lowered his head, his posture became closer to her. Beyond the thin hunting clothes she wore, she could clearly feel the texture of Aslan’s light armor.
“Would you like me to kiss you?”
—————————————————————
Translator Note:
Hello there! This is RJR. I hope you liked it <3
If you like my work please support me with Ko-fi or Patreon. Next post will be released on April, 2.
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