Reasons to Protect the Witch's Son

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From the looks of it, it seemed like he was planning on pretending not to notice. Well, all the nobles here were Michael’s people. Naturally, Michael’s words would be trusted more than Ash’s. Michael probably knew that too, which is why he was acting so shamelessly.

As expected, the nobles didn’t seem to believe Ash’s words.

“Your Grace, why are you making up such ridiculous stories!”

“What insolence!”

One by one, each of them spoke up, and Michael’s expression completely relaxed. He glared at Ash and scolded him.

“It’s a serious crime to deceive the royal family. Can you take responsibility for those words?”

It was then that a clear voice was heard.

“Oh, then the person who came to see me wasn’t Your Highness?”

With the sound of echoing footsteps, a woman wearing a dress, elegantly decorated with jewels, appeared.

“Yulina Lakers greets His Majesty the Crown Prince, the glory of Philion.”

Yulina bowed, grasping the hem of her dress in a fluid, graceful motion.

“…!”

Michael’s expression clearly showed his confusion when he saw her. Yulina bent her knees and smiled brightly at him.

Some of the present nobles were a little upset. As hostess to the Lakers family, she had an active social life. However, about two months ago she suddenly stopped all her external activities and basically disappeared. The reason stated was health problems.

She now appeared for the first time in two months. And that too, dressed up perfectly. Yulina greeted him with the utmost courtesy, but then she tilted her head as if puzzled.

“But it’s strange. I heard from my father that His Highness came to see me.”

“…”

“I wasn’t feeling well at the time, so I wanted to apologize for not being able to greet you properly and say hello…”

Yulina, tilted her head with an expression on her face that made it seem like she didn’t understand what was going on.

“Perhaps my father misspoke?”

However, there was no one present who didn’t understand what those words really meant. They could only take what she said as the truth, as the words came from the person involved.

“I heard that His Grace the Duke of Killiard also visited that day. Have you been well since then?”

In addition, the fact that Ash visited was revealed, adding credibility to his words. He crossed his arms and silently looked around. The surrounding nobles, including Michael’s fiancée, all gazed at the crown prince. When his lie was revealed, Michael’s face burned in shame.

In fact, he knew his visit to the Lakers would be revealed as soon as Yulina showed up.

However, immediately after returning from there, Michael had his confidant investigate the internal affairs of the Margrave’s family. They announced she was resting due to poor health, but her condition was so bad that she didn’t even dare to greet the crown prince. If it wasn’t because of her health, he would never forgive them for the way he was treated.

And then he found out the truth. Yulina’s lover, a member from the Lakers Knights, had an accident, and the resulting trauma left her in a state where it was impossible for her to lead a normal life.

It wouldn’t have mattered if the engagement was accepted, but since it was rejected, news of his actions should not be allowed to reach his father.

Judging from what’d happened so far, it seemed that Yulina Lakers had not yet recovered from the shock. In that case, there was a high probability that she would not attend this birthday banquet.

Since she hadn’t inherited the title, she was not obligated to attend the banquet. However, the Lakers Margrave would definitely attend.

The Margrave was not one to speak lightly about such things. Moreover, talking about something that would damage the crown prince’s reputation, since it was an act that would go against the king’s wishes. In short, it wouldn’t be good for either of them.

His actions had been the result of taking all of those things into consideration. But why did Yulina Lakers appear here? And she was even protecting that guy, Ash.

The guy’s face was the same as always. The moment his indifferent purple eyes met his gaze, Michael’s hand clenched into a fist and trembled. He said with a contorted expression.

“You… It looks like there’s been a misunderstanding.”

He knew there was no point in pretending anymore; everyone had already seen through the lie. However, not admitting it until the end was the only way to protect his pride.

Since the Crown Prince had said this, refuting his words would be a challenge to the royal family. Yulina Lakers closed her mouth, and Michael turned around and walked away with his back straight. His fiancée and the nobles glanced at Ash and Yulina before hurrying after him.

The next song began, with the lingering afterglow of the celebration. Yulina was handed a goblet of wine by a passing servant. She turned to Ash and smiled.

“Did I help you a little?”

Ash responded calmly.

“There was no need for you to interfere.”

“Well, even if I hadn’t, you would’ve taken care of it. Still, I wanted to help.”

Even for a member of the Lakers, it was risky to defy the crown prince, the one who would inherit the throne in the future. It didn’t matter to Ash, since they were enemies from the beginning, but she didn’t need to take risks to help him.

However, the Lakers were a family of knights who protect the North. She valued chivalric spirit and faithfulness above all else. Yulina may not wield a sword, but she was still a Laker at heart.

Unlike before, when she was drowning in despair and frustration, Yulina’s eyes staring at him were clear and vivid.

‘You’ve changed.’

He didn’t know what changed her, but it wasn’t bad.

“Is your health improving?”

“Of course. It’s been a while since I recovered.”

Even when he saw her two months ago, Yulina had no health problems, other than her body being a bit thin and her stamina falling. Despite this, Yulina chose to not resume her outside activities for these two months.

“What have you been doing all this time?”

“I had something to prepare.”

Yulina just smiled and responded vaguely.

“By the way, more importantly, did she come with you as well?”

“She?”

“Dame Elaine. She’s your guard, so of course she came, right?”

“Why are you looking for Elaine?”

“I just wanted to see her. There were things I wanted to thank her for.”

“Elaine is waiting in another room.”

“Okay.”

Yulina nodded and took a sip of wine. Crimson liquid sloshed around in the transparent glass. She lightly bent her knees and gave an elegant bow.

“Then, I’ll see you later. I hope you have a pleasant time at the banquet.”

Yulina turned around and walked away while holding her glass. Just then, the Margrave was seen entering late. While the Margrave approached Ash and greeted him, Edwin Lister also arrived. As he was having a short conversation with them, a loud trumpet sounded throughout the hall.

At the same time, the huge door opened and the king and queen appeared, stepping on a red carpet.

 

* * *

 

‘Is Ash okay?’

As she walked down the long corridors of the royal palace, Elain thought of Ash, who would be in the banquet hall by now.

Knights accompanying a noble cannot enter the banquet hall. All weapons worn were surrendered when entering the palace. She was moving to a separate waiting room with the other members of their party.

The crown prince would surely be there, and she worried unnecessarily when she remembered how much he hated Ash and wanted to crush him. Worst of all, the thought of the king and Ash in the same room made her feel sick, as if something had not settled well in her stomach.

The man responsible for the bloodshed in the city and Bella’s death.

Back when Bella and Lloyd were married, Elaine had seen the current king a few times in and out of the palace. Of course, she’d only seen him from a distance, never speaking to him or even making eye contact. So, she didn’t really know what he was like.

‘But…’

Elaine lifted her gaze and looked straight ahead.

The palace, which famous artists and craftsmen poured their hearts and souls into, was more splendid and beautiful than anywhere else on the continent. Not only the exterior, but even the hallways where people commonly walked were amazing.

The ceiling and pillars were carved with delicate patterns, like the work of a painter. Silver and gold were added all around. Priceless paintings and sculptures by great artists decorated the building, like an art exhibit.

It was a scene that clearly showed the king’s wealth and power.

Was this what he wanted to achieve?

Was this the only thing that came about from shedding the blood of so many people?

Elaine closed her eyes for a moment before continuing to move on with her steps. A royal knight wearing a pure white uniform and several servants and maids walked in from the other side.

Approaching them was a middle-aged man and woman. They were the king and queen, appearing noble on all accounts.

Elaine’s eyes were fixed on the king, held captive.

Golden hair like Lloyd’s, his twin brother but with a completely different appearance. The eyes beneath the pale, shining crown were noble and intimidating, and also cold.

A face she saw from afar a long time ago. A man about 20 years older than how she remembered him was in front of her. Her hands clenched into fists automatically.

The Philres knights all retreated to the wall and bowed their heads deeply. Elaine, who’d been frozen, quickly came to her senses and followed them, bowing her head.

“Infinite splendor and glory to Philion.”

Heavy, aristocratic footsteps echoed off the marble floor as they approached.

Her head quickly rolled back reflexively. There were five royal knights guarding them, all master level. The king was just a few steps away. What would happen if she ran in and grabbed his neck? Elaine didn’t have her weapon with her, but she could have still done it.

She wanted to ask him if it was really him who made Seveka become like that. A strong emotion stirred within her heart. Elaine suppressed her impulses and kept her hostility from leaking out.

And as the king’s footsteps became louder, she bowed her head more deeply. Even though she thought there was no way he would recognize her face, she still couldn’t relax.

The king and queen appeared to be heading to the banquet hall. They didn’t seem to have the slightest interest in the Philres knights standing beside the wall, their emotionless gazes landing only briefly on them before moving on.

Or that’s what she thought.

The king stopped walking.

Slowly, his head turned to Elaine.