Shadowless Night

Since one wouldn’t know what happened inside Moonstone Castle, everyone would use their imaginations and inflate the rumors. Less than half a day after Dimla visited Moonstone Castle, rumors circulated about the alliance between Prince Ricardis and Lagos.

Power always gathers where it intersects. Their meeting was nothing more than an empty but colorful jewelry box, yet everyone judged it based on what they initially saw. The news would shake the opportunists attached to Elpidio.

Dimla’s visit was welcome for other reasons too. Now that the banquet revealed Rosaline’s blood relation to Dimla, her value increased even more. Covetous people drooled more, but it became more difficult to touch her. If they misbehaved out of greed, they might have to deal with Dimla.

The situation not only applied to the nobles of Illavenia and the royalty of other countries, but it also extended to the imperial family of Illavenia, especially now that the political atmosphere in Balta was unusual.

Depending on the final placement of Lagos’ power, there was a possibility Dimla’s appearance would flip the game upside down. They say Dimla isn’t doesn’t act emotionally, but that doesn’t mean she will go against her heart. Even the Emperor or Elpidio would not be able to exploit Rosaline willfully.

Valuable aid appeared at the right time. Ricardis laughed.

Moonstone Castle, which always gleamed, shone even more with the addition of floral decorations. Rosaline also received some education. Along with extravagant things like Lagos’ royal lineage and history, Ricardis had also told her that Dimla was the great Baiferm of Lagos in the past and that she was Edelweiss’ grandmother. Rosaline only received that much superficial information.

Dimla was a powerful woman, but Ricardis didn’t mention that it would be good to get her help. Recruiting Dimla by convincing Rosaline, who knew nothing about delicate political situations, was not the strategy he pursued. The biggest reason was that a motivated Rosaline had a higher probability of creating an incident.

No one knew Dimla’s purpose in visiting Moonstone Castle, so there was not much they could do. Jumping into the battlefield without preparation was foolish, not courageous. What’s more, the opponent was an old-fashioned veteran. It was obvious that she would see straight through any clumsy tricks. Rather than greeting her with a hidden agenda, the better plan was to make Dimla’s visit comfortable. 

The promised time had arrived. Ricardis’ decor sparkled in the dazzling sunlight. Rosaline had to constantly blink her eyes at the swarm of lights that filled her field of vision. Ricardis was smirking as he looked at her when the carriage arrived. Calyx came down first, escorting Dimla and Guandite.

“Thank you for taking such a long trip, Baiferm Guandite. I’m Ricardis, the 2nd Prince of Illavenia,” Ricardis bowed slightly, slowly closing his eyes and then opening them. A young Baiferm with brown, coriander-colored hair took a step forward and greeted him.

“Thank you for welcoming us despite this sudden visit, 2nd Prince Ricardis. I enjoyed the beautiful scenery that unfolded with every step I took. The cold wind of the north wind does not reach Illavenia.”

“It seems that the Most Supreme [E/N: Idelavhim] has arranged such sights for the pleasure of the Baiferm.” Ricardis shifted his gaze from Guandite to Dimla. “How was your journey, Regent?”

Hearing Ricardis’ question, Dimla looked at Rosaline behind him. Rosaline still blinked her eyes, distracted by the twinkling of the jewels. Dimla’s expression distorted slightly. She turned her head slightly to meet Calyx’s gaze. Calyx awkwardly smiled when Dimla asked if that was her great-granddaughter.

His blinking sister, who shook her head with a wrinkled expression, looked a little… a little… perhaps a lot… not so clever. As it was a meeting between high-ranking officials from Illavenia and Lagos, Calyx’s heart became frustrated because he could not open his mouth recklessly. No, she’s not like that usually. She’s better than that. He wanted to say this, but, in reality, it would be worse than not saying anything.

As Ricardis was about to suggest they move inside, Rosaline, who had closed her eyes, suddenly moved. She quickly ran past Ricardis towards Dimla. Guandite and Dimla’s escort knights startled and half-unsheathed their swords.

Clang!

The sword, which had been almost out, slid back into its sheath and made a sharp sound. Rosaline had stepped on the end of the handle to stop the escort’s action.

As the escort panicked, Rosaline swung her fists toward Dimla. Without blinking an eye, she stared at Dimla with a ferocious look.

“Rosaline!”

“Sister!”

Terrified, squeaky screams sounded out. There was no reason for Rosaline to attack Dimla, but no one had time to guess due to the sudden situation. 

Even after a few seconds passed, no one heard the old regent scream or the distinct ring as her escorts drew their weapons. The scene was as quiet enough to listen for a pin drop. Isserion, whose eyes were tightly closed, cracked one of them open. Rosaline’s fist pointed not at Dimla’s face but at the space right next to her.

Everyone looked at her without breathing. Rosaline brought her fist forward and spread her fingers. A giant wasp had died in her palm.

“It’s a wasp.”

Anyone who had eyes could see that much.

“A black wasp. I saw it in a book.”

No one had noticed it, but they had heard of the insect because of its infamy. The Black wasp was a species in Illavenia known for its potent venom. The risk of death is even higher if it stings young people like Guandite or elders like Dimla. It’s great to have prevented the incident, but…

Rosaline apologized to the owner of the sword she had stepped on and cleaned the handle. The man’s expression became very strange, but she didn’t seem to care and finished cleaning every nook and cranny with great care. Guandite tiptoed forward and snooped from behind. Knowing what she wanted, Rosaline showed the girl the Black wasp. Guandite’s eyes twinkled.

“Do you want it?”

In shyness, the young Baiferm didn’t answer but only held out her pocket. Rosaline put the insect carcass in it properly, and the maids freaked out from behind them.

Rosaline, who returned to Ricardis, clapped her hands and looked forward with incredible calm.

“…”

Everyone didn’t know how to let this situation proceed, so they kept their mouths shut.

Clack, Clack!

Dimla, who hadn’t budged even though a fist had quickly approached her, tapped the floor with her cane and called everyone to attention.

“It was full of surprises.”

She seemed to be replying to the question Ricardis had asked earlier. 

[How was your journey?] 

Ricardis laughed awkwardly. I’m sure it was full of surprises.

Ricardis, Baiferm Guandite, Regent Dimla, Rosaline, and Calyx walked with the escorts surrounding them. It was a beautiful day, so they decided to have tea in the garden.

While walking down the hall, Guandite tripped and almost fell, but Rosaline quickly grabbed her collar and stood her upright. The slightly strangled girl coughed.

Rosaline checked Guandite’s condition with embarrassment. Calyx was also bewildered and copied his sister by bowing, not knowing what to do. Fortunately, Guandite had no injuries. She smiled slightly, replacing the blank expression she had worn since this situation was funny.

Whatever Guandite’s opinion, however, Rosaline was summoned by Starz to the back of the escort and briefly scolded. ‘You should report first before moving. Don’t approach the royals recklessly.’ She was annoyed because he scolded her for both good actions and intentions.

They soon arrived at the central garden filled with the gorgeous flora of Moonstone Castle. Dimla, Guandite, and Ricardis sat at a table in a shaded area under a large tree. Calyx smiled and spoke to Guandite.

“Baiferm, the gardens of Moonstone Castle, which are in full bloom this time of the year, are famous for their beauty.”

The capital of Lagos, Morien, was located near the sea and had a higher temperature than other regions of Lagos, but flowers were not a common sight.

Guandite’s gaze went to Dimla, asking if she could look around. Dimla glanced at Calyx as if telling him he was being very talkative, and Calyx smiled. Isserion, on the other hand, looked at Calyx and covered his mouth. That’s the Cute Calyx of the rumors…

Guandite, accompanied by Rosaline and Calyx, went to explore the gardens. Dimla stared at the back of two adults who slowly walked to match the child’s steps. Clatter. A clear sound echoed as the cup Ricardis set down hit the saucer. Only then did Dilma look at Ricardis.

“I’ve been looking forward to meeting the person who the children of Gala-Zertaye follow,” she said.

Are you the little Ricardis my great-grandchildren follow? Such sarcastic scorn could not be an illusion, seeing her hard, ferocious smile.

“It is an honor to meet Dope-Zertaye, who illuminates the Baiferm, Regent Dimla. Once again, thank you for coming such a long way with Her Majesty Baiferm Guandite.”

Dimla’s wrinkled forehead twitched. Her gaze did not waver for even a moment as she gauged Ricardis.

The elderly must feel better when they reminisce about their grand past… Was it a mistake to think that?

Dimla had noticed a common trend in many people she’d met since arriving in Illavenia. They saw her as the great viper of the past, not the regent, as if the present little Baiferm was invisible.