Chapter 7

Living like the dead, like she didn’t exist, she was called the “blonde ghost.” Daphne remembered a time when Merina was embroiled in a scandal with a knight brought from Serenho, but thanks to that, or perhaps because of it, things quickly quieted down.

Meanwhile, the Inacos allied forces had occupied surrounding countries one by one to obtain food, and Serenho was among them. The princess, who no longer provided military support and hadn’t produced a prince in ten years, was easily forgotten.

No one sees her. No one talks to her. No one cares about her.

It wasn’t particularly unfortunate. Just the utterly ordinary life of a princess. Daphne quickly lost interest in her and resumed walking. Just then, she saw Joffrey entering the garden from the opposite side.

A paradise-like landscape, and the most beautiful Thessarian. Daphne bowed her head gracefully to her brother.

『Ah, Daphne.』

Joffrey, approaching closer, exuded an artificial floral scent. But even that strong floral scent couldn’t completely mask the strange odor emanating from him. It seemed that their private feast had just taken place.

Joffrey and his other brothers inhaled unidentified smoke every day, inviting guests. Joffrey, who usually seemed to have two different personalities, easily hurt people, especially when he was using drugs.

Screams and the smell of blood inevitably followed him.

『My lovely sister. You are dazzlingly beautiful today as well.』

Fortunately, today’s Joffrey seemed to be in a particularly good mood. Perhaps there wouldn’t be any bloodshed today. Nevertheless, her brother could change at any moment. Daphne kept her eyelids lowered, remaining vigilant.

She could feel Joffrey’s gaze meticulously scanning her entire body. This was the first thing Joffrey did whenever he summoned her. He carefully examined her from head to toe to see if there were any blemishes, in order to sell his sister at the highest price. Daphne endured his blatant gaze with familiarity.

Joffrey’s gaze stopped at her chest.

『Your breasts seem to have gotten smaller?』

『…Do they?』

『We should increase the meat in your meals.』

『…….』

At first glance, it seemed like she was receiving the most precious treatment in the world, but in reality, Daphne’s life wasn’t much different from the animals in the cages. Her cage was simply a beautiful palace instead of iron bars.

While Daphne was enduring the shame she could hardly get used to, Rhea, who had been keeping her head bowed behind her, suddenly spoke up.

『Yes, Your Highness.』

Deliberately using a sweeter voice and a gentle smile in order to catch Joffrey’s eye even once. However, Joffrey was too busy scrutinizing Daphne to pay attention to Rhea.

『You haven’t started your period yet, have you?』

『I’m sorry about that.』

『Well, it’s alright.』

…Alright? Daphne suddenly had a bad feeling. Joffrey said with his usual bright smile,

『Oh, I have something to show you today.』

『To me?』

『Yes. Follow me.』

Joffrey then turned around and walked ahead with brisk steps. It wasn’t surprising, given his usual capriciousness.

By the way, what did he mean by “it’s alright” even though she hadn’t started her period? Daphne followed Joffrey, trembling with unease. And once again, she was taken aback. She had thought he would just take a walk in the garden, but he was abruptly leading her outside the palace.

Daphne had never left the palace alone with Joffrey. Also, although she had secretly gone outside the castle, she had never been on the walls…

Getting out of the carriage, Daphne couldn’t hide her puzzled look as she looked up at the high castle walls. Joffrey chuckled.

『Take my hand, Daphne.』

In this way, he looked like a very picturesque prince and a kind older brother. Daphne took Joffrey’s hand and began to climb the central tower, said to be the most important fortress of the wall. The guards, stationed at regular intervals, bowed their heads, not daring to look directly at the royalty.

When they finally reached the top of the tower, Daphne was momentarily captivated by the panoramic view of the city.

『Look over there.』

At the voice coming from behind, Daphne reflexively turned around.

『Ah.』

Then she saw the horizon stretching beyond the walls. The endless landscape made her chest strangely flutter. She had memories of going to see the sea often when she was young, before the war.

『Look down there, Daphne.』

However, if she lowered her gaze a little, it was quite different from what she remembered. Enemy camps and hundreds of warships densely covered the coastline.

『Those are the beasts from across the sea.』

The young soldier of the Inacos allied forces she had encountered in the forest naturally came to Daphne’s mind. He was certainly different from her and her brothers.

Vivid, strong…

‘…Quite beautiful.’

Just as she flinched in surprise at the thought that unconsciously came to her,

『I have good news, Daphne.』

『Good news?』

Because of that, her reply was somewhat awkward. Fortunately, Joffrey didn’t find it suspicious. He said with a joyful smile,

『The war will be over soon.』

The war will be over? The war… can end? Daphne’s eyes widened for a moment.

『Is that true, Brother?』

She had wondered why Joffrey seemed to be in such a good mood today. Daphne’s voice also rose. She could hardly hide her expectation that she might be able to avoid the marriage with Equilla.

『Yes. A few days ago, an oracle was given to those beasts.』

『An oracle…?』

『Their god Kona has commanded a duel between the strongest warriors. An oracle that if our Bellares warrior wins, the invasion must stop.』

After blinking a few times, Daphne unconsciously asked,

『…What if they win?』

『What?』

Joffrey frowned and laughed irritably.

『Oh my, my beautiful sister. What are you talking about? How could they possibly win?』

『But…』

『Then such an oracle wouldn’t have been given in the first place.』

As Daphne smiled vaguely, Joffrey sighed softly.

『Are you being forgetful again? We are the incarnations of the goddess. The heavens must be on our side. Those beasts beyond the walls will learn that painfully this time.』

Joffrey’s eyes gleamed with conviction. He genuinely believed that Thessaria, that he, was special. As his older brothers died one after another, and he got closer to the throne he thought would never be his, this belief became even stronger.

『…Of course, Brother, you’re absolutely right.』

『Yes. You are a little slow to understand. It’s alright, I understand.』

『…Thank you.』

Joffrey gave a benevolent smile as if it were nothing and added,

『And don’t we have the leader of the Lazan?』

『…Equilla?』

『Yes. Equilla.』

『…….』

『He will bring victory to Bellares.』

『Equilla… will be the warrior of the oracle?』

『Well, he is the strongest warrior.』

『But until now, he hasn’t personally gone to the battlefield…』

『This will be the first time.』

“Equilla” in the Lazan language meant the strongest leader, that is, the “king.” Therefore, he had never personally stepped onto the battlefield.

『Annoyingly, I haven’t received confirmation yet.』

『Then…』

However, he had visited this city three times so far. According to their tradition, it was to personally retrieve his bride.

『He wants to see you once before that.』

How dare he, a mere horse-riding wanderer, not consider it an honor to be able to help us. Their arrogance is becoming excessive. Joffrey muttered his anger. Of course, Daphne, whose mind had suddenly become complicated, no longer heard Joffrey’s voice.

Equilla is coming. She had thought it would be soon…

『Equilla will arrive in two days. So be prepared, Daphne.』

What should she do?

『Daphne?』

When Daphne didn’t answer immediately, Joffrey frowned. Then, as if understanding her reaction, he made a pitiful expression.

『Oh dear. There’s nothing to worry about. It’s just a formality, a condition he set forth because of those rumors surrounding you.』

Equilla wasn’t demanding a princess out of greed for noble birth in the first place.