355: Chapter 173 Princess Ines 355: Chapter 173 Princess Ines “Except for the ring on his finger that symbolized his identity, there were no other decorations on his person.”
“A black leather coat with stand-up collar, fastened by a simple brass buckle and a wide belt, accentuated the tall figure of its wearer, making him seem slim and fit.”
“Black hair, black eyes, black suit, black boots.”
“Apart from his skin, the only impression Ines had of this person was a seamless dark silhouette.”
“Yet the clear and handso lines of his face, with a young and vibrant expression, mitigated the solemnity conveyed by his clothes, and his peaceful and amiable temperant did not make one feel the severity and aloofness his attire might suggest.”
“At first glance, such a dashing knight in black seed far removed from the ‘lecherous’ impression Agatha had given.”
“‘Your Highness, since the day he entered the city to the ceremony banquet, his gaze has been fixed on you without stray,’ Agatha quietly reminded, following closely behind her lord.”
“On hearing the warning from the captain of the guards, Ines raised an eyebrow.”
“Well, it cannot be ruled out, after all, people often put on a façade.”
“But as long as one has sufficient ability…
it may not be a bad thing…”
“…”
“Is he coming over now?”
“Leon, who had been waiting for an opportunity to chat with the princess after she and her suspected consort, a noble rotund gentleman from Kosos County, parted ways, felt a chill in his heart when he saw her, after greeting Count Eriv, heading directly towards him.”
“Why would the princess, of all people, take initiative to approach him?”
“Although the probability of Olivia being exposed was minuscule, Leon still prayed it was not the worst-case scenario.”
“On high alert ntally, he put down his wine glass and showed a courteous smile, bowing with a hand over his chest as the princess approached.”
“Ines closed her fan and gently nodded in return, her hands poised at her waist.”
“‘Respected Highness, it is an honor to et you.
The banquet today shines even brighter with your presence.
May I ask, how may I be of service to you?'”
“Leon was the first to speak.”
“Although concerned, since she had approached him, it spared him the trouble of having to think of a way to strike up a conversation.”
“‘Relax and enjoy the banquet, Sir Pendragon, I was rely curious about the brave ‘Snake Slayer’ from the poems of Kosos County,’ Ines said softly.”
“‘To have co to your attention is my fortune.
However, the details in that poem are mostly the result of exaggerated rumors, especially the content about slaying the Poison Snake Baron, which was fabricated by so minstrel and should not be taken as truth,’ Leon put forth to clarify.”
“In this world, it’s not uncommon to have nicknas, not just for knights but for everyone from common folk to the king, who all commonly have various titles and monikers.”
“Just like Olivia used to be called the ‘Golden Lion’ by her village.”
“So titles co from famous deeds.”
“So are simply because the na is too common and needs a moniker to distinguish one from another, like ‘Cripple,’ ‘Sheep Handler,’ ‘Born Under the Bridge’…
such eccentric nicknas are countless.”
“Compared to the ‘Snake Slayer’ nickna concocted for himself by Galliard, he actually preferred the ‘Griffin’ nickna given to him by Count Eriv.”
“At least the latter was genuinely related to him – he did have a griffin companion.”
“As for the forr, truth be told, the real ‘Snake Slayer’ who killed the Poison Snake Baron Dawson in the story was actually Olivia.”
“When he first claid he had killed Baron Dawson to help Mr.
Brian Sr.
mislead others, it likely caused the giant dragon poet who had flown to Kosos County at so ti to gather material to adopt the public narrative circulating among the local commonfolk.”
“‘A poem not to be taken for truth?
You’re quite modest.
Certainly, the legend of the Griffin Knight can’t be false, can it?’ The princess raised her fan with a smile in her eyes.”
“Leon grew more alert upon hearing this, replying carefully: ‘The reputation of the Griffin Knight is also a bit exaggerated.
However, just the other day, my steward told that a beautiful and noble blonde lady ca to Selva wishing to see the griffin—could that lady have been you, Your Highness?'”
“Faced with this confirmation, Ines nodded generously in admission: ‘Please forgive my use of a lie to conceal my identity that day; I did not wish for my unexpected visit to disturb everyone.'”
“Disturb…”
“Leon was slightly surprised.
Was there an implication in her words?”
“Just as he felt uncertain, Ines showed a curious look and continued: ‘…It’s just unfortunate that I wasn’t lucky enough to see the griffin that day.
Have you ridden it to Glade County this ti?
Just as my father rides a dragon.'”
“‘…Ah, that is precisely the exaggerated part of the rumors I wanted to point out,’ Leon said with relief in his heart, as there was no ntion of Olivia in her words.”
“He then explained regarding the griffin: ‘My relationship with that griffin is not that of a master and a riding beast but rather friends who have saved each other’s lives.
Before you, I can only tell the truth; to this day, I have never had the privilege of it carrying in flight.
In fact, it’s only within the last month that it has chosen to occasionally fly to Selva to visit .'”
“‘I see,’ Ines’s azure eyes sparkled with appreciation, not solely due to his honesty.”
“She had heard rumors that the knight, outnumbered, had repelled an invading enemy five tis their size in a territorial conflict, having presud it was with the griffin’s might.”
“If one has the support of such a legendary beast, defeating an unprepared army would be no surprise.”
“But since it wasn’t relying on the griffin…”
“With a hint of pleasant surprise, Ines adjusted her tone appropriately.”
“She showed the knight the astonishnt one should display at this mont: ‘…So you’re saying, just over two months ago, with only two hundred soldiers, you defeated a thousand of Gunnar’s troops, entirely through your own bravery and skill?'”
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