Quest Complete.
Go to the place where the ‘Loyal Sword’ made its pact. (1/1)
The chi of the blue screen’s notification erased Shartia’s lingering desire to continue resting.
...
She couldn’t help but doubt it. The possibility that Ricardo was the ‘Loyal Sword’ the blue screen referred to.
From the way he carried himself, the actions he’d taken so far, and his unyielding deanor even in front of the Crown Prince, it was hard not to suspect that Ricardo was indeed the ‘Loyal Sword’ ntioned by the blue screen.
If that were true—
—Throb.
Perhaps the weight on her heart, which had been growing heavier for so long, could finally be lifted.
[Locate the Loyal Sword.]
Shartia was ready to answer the blue screen’s query without hesitation. She wanted to tell it that this man was the one it spoke of and to stop bothering her.
But—
"Let’s go."
"Huh...? Go where?"
Ricardo extended his hand toward Shartia, seemingly unaware of her thoughts.
"For a drink. When things get gloomy, nothing beats a drink. Don’t you agree?"
"...What? A drink?"
"Don’t worry, I’m not planning anything strange."
"Hold on a mont—"
"Alright, let’s go then."
Shartia sighed inwardly, wondering what on earth to do with this man.
The blue screen seed to point at Ricardo. At first, she couldn’t believe that ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) soone so devoted to the Desmont family could ever beco her sword. But then again, this was a story of "what no one knew."
And if the dream she’d just had was orchestrated by the blue screen, then judging by the build and tone of the man in her dream, Ricardo seed to fit.
"Heh... It’s been a while since I’ve had a drink."
Shartia closed her eyes briefly, then glanced at Ricardo.
"Just enough to get a little buzzed."
"..."
"Why are you looking at like that? Despite how I seem, I know how to handle myself. Or shall I get us two tables instead...?"
"...No, it’s fine."
Shartia chuckled at the absurdity of it all. Not knowing what else to do, she spoke to Ricardo.
"Alright, let’s go. I could use a break anyway."
"Then allow the most handso man in the world to escort you."
"Such a gentleman."
"I try..."
"If only you’d stop talking."
Setting aside her lingering unease, Shartia took Ricardo’s hand.
Whatever the blue screen intended to show her, she could only hope it wouldn’t be a tragedy.
The tavern they arrived at was lively and bustling.
"Cheers!"
"Drink up!"
"Let’s drink until we drop!"
Ricardo, grinning like a child, turned to Shartia.
"What do you think?"
"What do you an, what do I think?"
He was like a child, eagerly seeking praise for his choice of tavern.
"Isn’t it nice? The atmosphere’s great, and the prices are reasonable."
"..."
"Well? How is it?"
If he had a tail, it would surely be wagging. Ricardo, oblivious to how ridiculous he looked, was undeniably endearing.
"Let’s see... How about so snacks..."
Even the way he muttered to himself was laughably foolish.
"Since you haven’t had dinner, shall we get so chicken and fried food? I’m not picky, so whatever you prefer..."
"Just order sothing."
"Understood."
After placing the order, Ricardo rested his chin on his hand, his expression calm.
"Not bad, right? This place."
"It’s alright."
"You probably don’t get to visit places like this often, do you? And I know you’re not fond of crowded spots."
"...?"
"Of course. You’re a treasure of the Empire. It’d be a hassle if people started asking for your autograph."
"I’m not so actress..."
"But you are beautiful. That’s why I seated us in a corner, just in case any strange guys tried to bother you."
"Wow, you’re surprisingly considerate."
The unexpected thoughtfulness made Shartia chuckle softly and shake her head.
"Most of the people here won’t recognize you. They’re mostly adventurers, and flirting with others at this tavern is against the house rules."
"That’s a rule?"
"Good eateries always have their quirks."
Shartia smiled warmly, finding Ricardo’s reasoning endearing, and spoke softly.
"Even if I went out, no one would recognize ."
"Sorry?"
"I’ve never been able to engage in public activities. Or rather, I wasn’t allowed to."
"..."
"If I tried to attend a social event, Mother would tell it was too dangerous. And if I attempted to go to a party, my brothers would glare at and keep from leaving. How could anyone get to know my face?"
"..."
"When I first ca to the academy, people whispered, ‘So that’s what the infamous Second Princess looks like.’"
With a wistful smile, Shartia continued,
"It wasn’t until I ca to the academy that I could participate in anything remotely public. I thought I’d finally get to use the dances I worked so hard to learn, but I never got the chance."
"That’s... That’s a heartbreaking story."
"Like you said, I’ve just been too busy."
Seeing Ricardo’s darkened expression, Shartia let out a chuckle and reassured him.
"Don’t worry about it. It wasn’t all bad. I got to avoid tedious events, so I didn’t mind it too much."
"..."
"Cheer up."
"The Second Prince..."
Ricardo’s expression grew grim as he began to speak.
"The Second Prince did that, didn’t he?"
"Why bring him up all of a sudden?"
A cold smile played on Ricardo’s lips, as if he were a five-year-old child ready to break a toy he’d just found amusing.
"Perhaps this is the perfect ti to clip his wings for good."
Shartia considered her options.
Should I really tell him...?
If she told Ricardo what the Second Prince had intended to do to Olivia, she had no doubt that Ricardo wouldn’t let him die a peaceful death.
Not just the Second Prince, but even his mother—Ricardo could annihilate them both if he wished. The thought tempted Shartia, but she couldn’t bear to witness the death of her own bloodline.
So she chose her words carefully. She couldn’t keep it to herself entirely, but she could soften the truth.
"Hey, Ricardo."
"Yes?"
"The Second Prince... no, Olivia Desmont. Is she planning to marry anyone?"
"Ah."
Ricardo let out a dry laugh and replied,
"The Desmont family doesn’t do arranged marriages. Our patriarch built his family out of love, not alliances, so there’s a fair amount of freedom when it cos to marriage."
"Ah..."
"And honestly, I’m probably the only person in the world capable of handling Lady Olivia."
Shartia rolled her eyes, unable to suppress a laugh at Ricardo’s shaless proclamation of himself as Olivia’s perfect match. The tension left her shoulders, dissipating in the absurdity of his confidence.
"I suppose that’s true."
Ricardo grinned.
"It seems the Second Prince is up to sothing interesting, doesn’t it?"
"...Huh?"
"Am I wrong?"
"N-No."
"It’s fine. You didn’t say anything, after all."
Ricardo’s cold, smiling eyes felt especially intimidating today.
"Just don’t kill him, okay?"
"I’ll think about it."
Their conversation shifted to lighter topics as they continued to talk.
About work:
"I’ve said it before, the Crown Prince is dood from the start. Doesn’t he just have one of those faces you want to punch? Of course, Princess, you’re much prettier."
"Please...! Keep your voice down! What if soone hears you?"
"Everyone here is talking about politics anyway."
About the West:
"The Crown Prince nearly got himself killed out there."
"..."
"What a sha."
"Stop it. I told you not to kill him."
"I’ll consider it."
"Haa..."
And then—
"You don’t have to push yourself so hard."
It was the kind of comfort she hadn’t heard before.
"No one’s forcing you to run yourself ragged, so why do you keep doing it as if your life depends on it?"
"..."
"Even cutting into your sleep to do it."
"I don’t know... Running is all I know how to do. I’ve forgotten how to stop."
"I think you’re even dumber than I am, Princess."
"Do you want to die?"
"If it’s by your beautiful hand... gladly!"
"You’ve lost your mind..."
It had been a long ti since she felt this way.
She wanted to believe that he was truly the Loyal Sword the blue screen spoke of.
And she couldn’t help but wonder—what if Ricardo had been hers, not Olivia’s?
But then she laughed bitterly at herself. Ricardo isn’t an object...
Even so, she couldn’t shake the thought. It wasn’t just his charm as a man, but his undeniable appeal as a person.
"Why do you keep flattering ? It’s embarrassing. Do you... do you like or sothing?"
"Mm...?"
Ricardo didn’t flinch. He answered with a shaless smile, as if this conversation was nothing new to him.
"I like all beautiful won."
"You’re insane."
"My dream is a harem."
"...And that’s sothing you say to a princess?"
"To the next Empress of the Empire, no less. I thought I should be clear."
"Haa..."
"Even as Emperor, please allow to keep polygamy legal."
"Unbelievable..."
What a strange man.
"Isn’t that just how people are? Great n are known for loving many won."
"...I don’t think I’ll ever understand how your mind works."
"Well, I’m quite the unique package."
"That mouth of yours...!"
Ricardo laughed brightly, even as Shartia lightly punched his arm.
"That’s why I’ll help you."
"...What?"
"I can’t stand to see a beautiful woman cry."
"I just want to stop a beautiful woman from crying herself to sleep," he had said in her dream.
It was as if the man from the blue screen had been him all along.
And then—
Quest Complete.
The mont her doubts turned to certainty, it felt as though the long-standing turmoil in her mind had finally settled.
"Your food is here."
"Thank you."
Everything on the table was exactly what she liked.
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