The Protagonists of Romance Fantasy Novels Have Escaped

8 – The Proposal of the Crimson Dragon

The crimson dragon roared and crisped up the impudent kid.

– Such a development did not unfold.

Unfortunately, that’s the case.

“Companion of the Holy Maiden Party. Do you know where the Holy Maiden and the warrior have gone?”

“Yes, that’s correct!”

The little one, who had been trembling and sweating, raised his hand and shouted.

Lady.

The moment that word touched her lips, something inside her surged.

Ru appeared as though she had shrunk in the overwhelming presence, like a rabbit cowering under a beast’s roar. It seemed that she was greatly affected by the energy Ludmila, the princess, had emanated.

Instinctively, he realized he wasn’t dealing with an easy opponent.

Eyes, intense and alive with crimson.

A momentary, fiercely contorted expression.

He had undoubtedly struck a nerve of the hysterical heiress.

Rue, visibly shaken, promptly concealed herself behind me as soon as she finished speaking.

“If that’s the case, the Saintess Party might have gone to the Zisterd Kingdom…”

“They might have headed further east by now.”

Ludmilla murmured, biting down on her fingernail.

I interjected.

The eastern side of the Zisterd Kingdom.

They might have gone to the ‘Gunpowder Peninsula,’ where warfare and massacres endlessly repeat.

Carefully, I speculated to the heiress, “The Gunpowder Peninsula… Isn’t that the battlefield of the Abyssal Hell where even the Demon King refrained from interference?”

“Of course, it’s just speculation.”

The Gunpowder Peninsula.

A battlefield where numerous small and medium-sized kingdoms have engaged in all-out war.

A history of warfare spanning over a staggering hundred years.

These kingdoms, driven by hatred, brought forth the Abyssal Hell.

With so much war waged, it seemed natural that a kingdom would vie for dominion over the peninsula.

However, as all these kingdoms engaged in repeated wars with similar strengths, no victor emerged.

Moreover, with hatred accumulated over the years of warfare, their mutual hostility and division perpetuated endlessly.

“You couldn’t take a young child to such a dangerous battlefield.”

Ludmilla, glancing briefly at the trembling Rue, muttered.

“Your Grace.”

“Please speak.”

After listening to the story, Ludmilla, deep in thought for a while, finally spoke in a solemn tone.

What could she have to say?

She stared at me with tightly pressed lips.

Ludmilla continued her restless hesitation. After a long contemplation, she mustered the courage and, setting down her teacup, hesitantly began speaking.

“Liza’s… No, Princess Elizaveta’s heartache seems quite profound.”

“Yes?”

“Having received a devastating notice about the beloved one I’ve been mourning for a long time, how could my heart not be shattered? It has somewhat improved now, but until a few days ago, I confined myself to the bedroom, forsaking food and drink, doing nothing but crying.”

“……”

I am guilty of deserving death.

I will repent immediately.

Milady Rudmila’s words, filled with remorse, struck the heart.

‘Could it be that she plans to demand a high compensation for the notice she gave? Or perhaps she intends to once again question the responsibility of the Hohenberg family… Is this unmarried lady here seeking revenge for her late brother!’

The actions to find the holy party might only be a pretext.

It is undoubtedly a cunning plan to somehow devour them,

To somehow squeeze the Hohenberg family.

Doubt arose in response to Rudmila’s actions, which seemed to bring back Princess Elizabeth’s divorce. And with an anxious heart, she waited for Rudmila’s next words.

“I have a favor to ask of you.”

“I will shoulder everything. So, please grant me as much leniency as you would to the Hohenberg family’s extinction.”

“N-no, that’s not it…! I only hope that you will persuade your younger sister.”

“Are you asking me?”

It was an English request.

Persuade your younger sister, Princess Elizabeth?

Why would you ask me?

I would despise her like I despise the brother who gave the notice of divorce.

Even if I don’t openly despise her, it is only natural to feel awkward about the fiancée’s younger sister.

“Aren’t you Maximilian’s sister? Surely, even Lisa will listen to your voice. Moreover, you are an excellent speaker. I believe you can persuade Lisa. Trust me.”

“……”

Why does she trust me like she would an intimate friend for no apparent reason?

There has never been a favor done.

Perhaps, it could be because of my unfavorable work against the Valtaria Imperial Family.

Suspicious, I gazed at Rudmila, revealing my distrust.

However, facing the eyes full of trust, I realized that Rudmila’s words were sincere.

More cold sweat dripped down my face.

“If it’s Her Highness’s command, I will certainly follow it with joy. However, I am concerned that the group harboring resentment against the holy party might target the viscountcy again. I have a duty to protect the viscountcy and the people. I sincerely regret that I cannot comply with Her Highness’s command.”

Accompanying Rudmila to the imperial capital would undoubtedly lead to a series of extraordinary situations.

Princess Elizaveta’s target of venting her anger,

Or receiving the emperor’s wrath, who sees the Hohenberg family as unwavering supporters.

Either way, I’d prefer to decline.

I just want to live quietly in the Count of Hohenberg’s territory.

Therefore, I had to escape from the malicious princess’s schemes to avoid a dreadful disaster.

‘If there hadn’t been any changes, I would have been helplessly caught. But I have a perfect justification.’

I presented the defense of the Hohenberg territory.

The attack on the Hohenberg County.

It turned out to be an excellent justification for me.

Having predicted Princess Ludmila’s actions to some extent, I genuinely expressed concern for the safety of the family and citizens.

In response, Ludmila nodded her head, showing a consenting reaction.

“Of course. How could I overlook that?”

“Then….”

I replied with a hint of anticipation.

Upon that, the princess smiled kindly.

“Don’t worry. To alleviate your concerns, I’ve brought the elite Central Knights, renowned as the One Hundred, with us.”

“…?”

“As soon as we leave, the Central Knights will be deployed to defend the Hohenberg territory. The majesty of the Central Knights defending the imperial capital is enough to make any criminals think twice.”

“Well, I see.”

I was caught.

Completely caught.

Had she brought the Central Knights for this purpose?

A fearsome maiden.

Though showing a relieved expression at being completely caught by Ludmila from start to finish, I couldn’t help but shed tears of frustration internally.

The shame of being caught by the cunning maiden overwhelmed my mind.

* * *

Ludmila values honor and pride more than anyone else.

To her, Edanthe von Hohenberg was a ‘figure of respect’ and a ‘symbol of excellence.’

The elder brother, who was a hero, disappeared.

Due to a disastrous engagement, he became affiliated with the Valtaria Imperial Family.

He had to shoulder even the astronomical compensation that was nearly impossible to repay at once.

Irresistible calamities continued to strike one after another.

Nevertheless, Edanant did not flee from his position.

He exerted all his efforts to protect the Hoenberg family.

In a situation where everyone was on the verge of giving up, he, as a scion of a prestigious family, did his best to safeguard the family and the territory.

“Edanant von Hoenberg….”

Ashen hair.

Sharply forged golden eyes.

An elegant physique and facial features that proved his noble lineage.

Not as illustrious as Maximilian, who was hailed as the “Charming Duke” by the Empress and her daughters, Edanant was still quite handsome.

If not for his distinctive sharp demeanor, he would have received a much more positive evaluation than he does now.

“If it were Her Highness’s orders, I would certainly follow them with joy. However, I am concerned that those who harbor resentment against the saintly party might target the earlship again. I have a duty to protect the earlship and the territory. I sincerely regret that I cannot comply with Her Highness’s orders.”

His words were filled with sincere appeal.

And his voice conveyed resolute pride and dignity.

Recalling Edanant’s unwavering determination, she couldn’t help but smile.

“Indeed, he is a perfect individual. Endowed with exceptional character and abilities. Moreover, he values pride and honor. We can’t confine such an individual only to the Hoenberg earldom. We need talents like Edanant to prepare for the upcoming crises.”

It was a hasty thought, but Rudmila briefly considered recommending Edanant as a new fiancé for her younger sister, Elizaveta.

If Edanant were to be connected to Elizaveta, it could potentially restore relations between the Valtaria Imperial Family and the Hoenberg family, strained due to the attack on the Hoenberg Castle.

Also, with Edanant possessing outstanding character, abilities, and handsome looks, Rudmila hoped her sister wouldn’t dislike him too much.

If, however, her sister still showed a strong opposition,

Well then, I’ll have to step in on her behalf.

“But with Edanant… there’s always a scent of gunpowder.”

She heard that Edanant engaged in a shootout against the intruders who attacked the Hoenberg Castle.

It must have been a necessary action at that time.

But it wasn’t just that.

Even when they first met, there was always a scent of gunpowder around Edanant.