Chapter 62: Consolation Meeting

Alesia was the focal point of the royal family’s [consolatory party on the cooperation among the seven countries]. Along with Alesia, there were officials who had worked tirelessly on the partnerships, soldiers who had escorted them, and those in charge of behind-the-scenes operations who had organized the distribution of water to the various regions.

His Majesty the King expressed gratitude to Alesia and the others at the start of the consolation party.

Alesia was busy as usual in her blue-green robe and thick veil, dealing with those who came to greet her, accompanied by Mark.

Some of those in attendance were considerate enough to keep their gaze away from her face, while others continued to look at her casually, attempting to make out her face through the veil. Those who did so were quickly forced to flee by Mark’s ruthless gaze and angry aura.

“Are you tired? Do you need a break?”

“It’s fine, Your Highness. I’ll try harder, so it won’t be rude if we leave in a few minutes. Hm? Did I say something odd?”

“No, it’s not. I just thought it was odd that you sounded like you’d been to this kind of party many times.”

“I was just wondering if that was the case. Of course, I’ve never been to such a glamorous place.”

Alesia was greeted by the Minister of Military Affairs.

After thanking her for keeping Farrill, the greatest threat, at bay with the cooperation of the six surrounding countries, he said, “I would like to borrow Your Highness for a moment,” as if addressing the prince’s fiancée or wife.

(I can’t let things go on like this with His Highness…)

—○

I don’t dislike his highness. Actually, I like him. He is a gentle man who treats me with respect.

I just can’t get over the fact that in a previous life, I was executed because the king didn’t believe me. I apologize for my predicament. Your highness is not guilty of any crime or responsibility.

But I’m now used to entering the palace. I used to despise it.

Isn’t it true that I’m finally getting over my bad memories from my past?

After a while, His Highness Mark reappeared.

“Alesia, that’s enough. Let’s leave.”

“Yes.”

—○

They quietly exited the hall together. The four soldiers who were guarding them all exited the hall at the same time. Then, apparently waiting outside, a lovely young lady approached them.

“Your Highness!”

“It’s been a long time, Oriela. How are you doing today? Is Jibril still in the hall?

Oriela, the young lady, smiled as she looked at Alesia. Her gaze, however, seemed strangely piercing, in contrast to the smile she had given His Highness.

“This is my first meeting with you, Wizard-sama. I’m Oriela, the daughter of Jibril, the Deputy Prime Minister.”

“Oriella-sama. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“May I ask what your name is?”

Mark slipped in between the lines.

“Oriella. Wizard-dono does not reveal her name.”

“So she won’t even let us see her face, let alone tell us her name?

“Yes. I’m sorry. Now, if you’ll excuse us.”

They were about to leave when Oriela reached out from the blind side and grabbed Alesia’s veil. One of the guards notices her and quickly brushes her arm away, but it’s too late. As a result, the veil was grasped by Oriela’s fingertips and placed in her hand.

“Ah…”

“What are you doing!”

With Alesia’s veil removed, Mark raged at Oriela, and the guards surrounded her. The sound and presence of that rage could be felt in the hall, and through the wide open door, several people near the door emerged into the corridor to see what was going on.

Mark quickly removed his jacket and draped it over Alesia’s head.

“Restrain Oriela. I’ll be back to hear from you later.” and urged Alesia to leave.

Oriela remained in the corridor, muttering and clutching her hand. Jibril, the Deputy Prime Minister, dashed in, possibly because he had been informed by someone who had been watching.

“Oriella! Why are you here?!”

But Oriela remained silent, her face expressionless.

“Oriela! What’s wrong?!”

Jibril turned to face the guards when he noticed his daughter clutching something in her right hand.

“…Oriela-sama has removed Wizard-sama’s veil.”

“How dare you! Oriella, you’re sick—come on, let’s go home.”

“His Highness has given orders to restrain her. We’ll confine her to the barracks until His Highness returns.

“…I see. My daughter is sick. Please don’t hurt her if at all possible.”

The guards did not respond, instead grabbing Oriela’s arms from both sides and dragging her away. Many people spilled out into the aisle to watch the entire thing.

“Alesia, are you all right?”

“Yes, I’m perfectly fine. I was simply taken aback.”

“I can’t believe Oriela was so impolite. She will be severely punished. She will never be permitted to be near Alesia again.”

Alesia thinks that the veil being ripped off was insignificant in and of itself. It was only Oriela’s desperate expression that bothered her. She has been unable to forget it since they boarded the carriage.

“Your Highness, my resolve was half-hearted. Perhaps she wants to see it because I keep it hidden. I was not hurt. I will no longer wear the veil from now on. I don’t want this to happen again and for someone else to be blamed…”

“But wouldn’t it be inconvenient if they knew your face?”

“Your Highness once said, [both hardships and joys are on my path]; then I’ll live my life knowing that both inconveniences and joys await me.”

Mark watches Alesia as she repeats his words from over a year ago. as if to see if she really meant what she said.

“Well… If that is what Alesia desires, so far, I’ve kept my guards hidden from plain sight, but they’ll be visible around you from now on. I understand how inconvenient it is, but please bear with it for your own safety.”

“Thank you for your consideration. And there is no need to punish Oriela-sama.”

“Alesia…”

“Perhaps she is sick at heart. I had a strong feeling. Her expression was one of sadness rather than hatred.”

The source of her sadness was most likely her relationship with His Highness. Her behavior was most likely caused by the fact that they do daily activities together.

—○█○—

Everyone in the hall was whispering at the time.

“Oriela-sama was taken away, wasn’t she? What exactly did she do?”

“Didn’t you notice? She ripped Wizard-sama’s veil off.”

“Huh? Why did she act so impolitely?”

“It’s not only impolite but also outrageous… I did, however, catch a glimpse of her profile.”

“Yes, she is stunning. Ugliness is a big lie.”

“She was beautiful in profile, but she had a softness about her.”

—○█○—

Mark returned to the palace after dropping Alesia off at the farm.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Oriela. The Father and daughter are waiting for him in the barracks.

“No charges would be brought against Oriella,” Jibril looked as if he could not believe his ears.

“Alesia says it’s human nature. However, Oriela requires medical attention.”

“I’ll have her examined, and we’ll make sure she’s treated! I swear we’ll never bother you again. I will never forget this kindness!”

“Jibril, I will not allow you to quit your job. Keep serving my family and my kingdom.”

“I will serve you with all my heart. Thank you very much, your Highness!”

As a result, the Deputy Prime Minister burst into tears as a father.

Oriela was diagnosed with a mental illness and placed in medical care following a medical examination.