The Abandoned Princess' Secret Bedroom

“Wow…”

Sir Paulo’s mouth fell open. Sir Dean, the vice-captain who came to relieve him of his duty, did the same.

Wearing clothes embroidered with sparkling gold thread, she was so bright that there was no need for another light source.

She was always worried about clothes because she liked to keep it simple, but Llewelyn looked good in luxurious clothes. Her shiny red hair was neatly pinned up, revealing a slender neckline and slim shoulders. Her golden eyes matched her clothes quite well. She was beautiful.

The mouths of the Red Knights were still wide open. Llewelyn’s appearance was elegant and refined. It reminded them that she was a noble.

The maids also admired her over and over again. They realized who they were serving once again. She was the sister of Bastian, a handsome king also known for his beauty.

The dress she wore was the latest social trend. It was tight-fitting, showing off the narrow curves of the body. Her beautiful neckline made her look good in any outfit. An aquamarine necklace finished off the look.

“Captain, isn’t it great?”

Paulo asked Tristan, who had been watching her for some time. The maids also looked at Tristan as if asking for affirmation.

“Hm? Oh, and I heard that the Captain was also invited. Very nice.”

“…”

Despite Paulo’s admiration, Tristan didn’t say anything. When he saw Almondite approaching Llewelyn, he walked away. His body heated up as if he had swallowed a fireball. Pain welled up in his chest.

Llewelyn looked at her hand in Almondite’s. Her hands were small compared to his. Back in the day, she took her escorts for granted. But now it was awkward, as if she was doing something wrong.

He was wearing a white robe embroidered with splendid gold, which matched Llewelyn’s dress very well. Perhaps feeling Llewelyn’s gaze, Almondite looked to the side.

“What are you having trouble with?”

“…”

“Oh, your legs. Are your shoes uncomfortable? They will be uncomfortable since you have not worn them for such a long time.”

When Llewelyn didn’t say anything, Almondite’s face contorted slightly.

“Yes. I’m not happy with the situation I’m in, that’s it.”

As Llewelyn answered, Almondite’s face grew cold. He turned to look at the large building in front of them. It was a hall that was only open once a year. Almondite spoke sullenly.

“It is already too late to turn back now. Unless you’re sick…”

“What are you talking about all of the sudden?”

Llewelyn furrowed her eyebrows.

“I’m just thinking because it’s been a while since I’ve been like this… ”

Llewelyn didn’t want to say that it had been a long time since she had been with him. It hurt her self-esteem to remember those days. Wouldn’t it seem like she valued those memories?

“I thought gold wouldn’t suit me, but it suits me well.”

“…”

“Let’s go.”

Llewelyn stepped forward cautiously. There was a strange odor mixed with the perfume on her garment. She wanted to take it off quickly.

When Llewelyn looked back, Almondite had an indescribable expression on his face. He seemed thrilled, but also sad. Llewelyn asked curiously.

“What’s the matter?”

“Llewelyn, gold does suit you well.”

At that, Llewelyn lowered her eyes. What went well with this rich looking feather suit?

Almondite narrowed the distance between them and walked by her side.

*

The Founding Ceremony, which always marked the beginning of the Founding Festival, was an important event. The golden raven was associated with Seongguk, but there was also another belief. The religion of the country regarded the first king as the embodiment of the golden raven, Brygent.

A myth that a golden raven turned into a human and gave birth to the Royal Family. The raven became the patron deity of the country. A Royal Family member was designated as the golden raven every year, ascended the altar, touched the fruit of light that God gave the raven to give it intelligence, the sculpture containing a magic stone, and memorized a prayer for the nation’s well-being.

The hall’s seating was raised in a way where everyone could see the ceremony.

Llewelyn did not want to be ridiculed, so she brought Almondite. But Pamela would likely have a different opinion.

Will Pamela let it go, letting her play the role of the golden raven, the country’s founder?

‘What the hell is going on?’

Llewelyn looked down at her golden dress. She realized that she had been playing around with the feathers on the dress. In fact, she was encouraged to play around with them. If she was humiliated, Pamela would smile with satisfaction.

Llewelyn had a different opinion. Although she was the one who would be disgraced, it was Pamela’s scheme that lowered the prestige of the golden raven. Therefore, since it was Pamela who disturbed the sacred ritual, Llewelyn was indifferent.

But Llewelyn changed her clothes. Was it the maids who first discovered that her dress was strange? Or was it because Pamela had a change of heart? She couldn’t figure it out.

‘Why did they do that? Why did I let them do that?’

Llewelyn couldn’t figure out why her maids were actively attending to her all of the sudden. They said that they had to inspect her clothes, and when they discovered that the wax that held the feathers to the fabric melted with body heat, they were livid.

There was no relationship between them. She knew that saving Rosalie won their favor. Weren’t they the ones who looked up to Pamela in the first place? Saving Rosalie didn’t mean that Pamela’s threat would go away, so what were they doing?

Before Llewelyn could tell them to leave it alone, the maids removed the feathers and sewed them on by hand. In any case, the threat of being disgraced was gone.

Her carriage arrived. After passing through the back passage, they saw that the nobles had already gathered under the stairs. Llewelyn noticed many were.watching her closely. It had been a long time since she’d been in public. It felt weird.

Just then, Marquis Gertlinger approached and greeted her warmly. More nobles reluctantly followed suit.

“Golden raven! This year, grant us intelligence and abundance.”

Llewelyn greeted them with a hard expression.

“Llewelyn!”

At that moment, Bastian smiled brightly and called Llewelyn. Pamela glared at him, displeased. Llewelyn smiled.

“Brother.”

“You are really beautiful. The golden raven suits you.”

“Is that what you think?”

At Bastian’s praise, Llewelyn became puzzled. He really seemed to think so. Bastian’s gaze turned to Almondite. He grinned.

“Please take good care of Llewelyn today.”

Bastian saluted Almondite. Bastian and Almondite were wearing polite masks, so they couldn’t tell what the other was thinking. Llewelyn looked between the two men and then noticed Tristan standing in the distance. Even though they knew each other, he avoided her gaze when she tried to say hello.

Llewelyn turned away in a strange mood. Her amber eyes fluttered.

Did something bad happen? Or was he scared to see Pamela again? 

No, he might have noticed that her personality wasn’t very good.

That’s right, a Royal Family member who lusted for men…

Almondite broke her free from her thoughts. 

“Princess. It’s time to go up.”

“Yeah.”

The wooden stairs were steep. Llewelyn looked to the top of the staircase. She wanted to cry.

‘How can I climb in these shoes…’

She had to go up two stories.

Llewelyn hiked up the hem of her skirt and began to climb the stairs. Almondite followed her. The stairs leading up to the altar had been built the day the country was founded, and had a long history. It wore down over the years, so it was bumpy and uncomfortable. When Llewelyn’s body leaned back slightly, Almondite held her firmly.

“I’ll support you from behind.”

At Almondite’s thoughtful remarks, Llewelyn nodded. The shoes she wore were uncomfortable. Could this be what Pamela wanted?