The Protagonists of Romance Fantasy Novels Have Escaped

31 – Terms of Custodianship (2)

The pastry shop, nestled not far from the city center, boasted staggering popularity from dawn, ensuring a bustling trade throughout the day. Hence, the scent of baking lingered ceaselessly within the shop.

Soft butter cakes.

Exquisite strawberry tarts bursting with freshness.

And even chocolate macarons sold to only a hundred customers a day.

Nobles from the countryside were fervently determined to acquire these macarons, even willing to leverage their family’s prestige just to lay hands on these renowned delicacies. Some blinded by desire for the macarons even engaged in battles, striving to claim victory in the macaron showdown.

“Why, even adults indulge in these to the point of losing their dignity.”

“Absolutely true.”

Had Emperor Barbarosa witnessed the riotous scene among the nobles over desserts, he might have impulsively razed the pastry shop to the ground.

Why would grown-ups behave in such a manner?

Exhaling deeply, Rua and company departed from the shop.

“Hehe! They must be delicious, absolutely delicious!”

A sprite sang a tune, striding cheerfully.

The anticipation of devouring the sweet cakes was palpable, almost exhilarating.

As if expressing these inner thoughts, their hair danced like the hands of a clock.

“I never said I’d give you any.”

“Oh, come on, Edan is such a prankster! Clearly, he stood in line since dawn just to receive praise for his dazzling performance!”

If Rua hadn’t sensed the stench of Mine, who disguised as Dangilak Branin, what terrible catastrophe might have unfolded? Surely, it was an unbearable thought.

If they were to name the hero of this expedition, wouldn’t it undoubtedly be Rua?

He was the first to decipher Mine’s true identity.

Well, more like accidentally provided a clue while taking a step back.

With Rua’s merit reported even to the Baltarian Imperial Family, undoubtedly, a significant reward awaited him.

“Well, that’s true. If you hadn’t sensed it, it would have been really tough for me.”

“Hehehe! It’s embarrassing.”

He praised sincerely.

In response, Rue laughed softly and scratched the back of her head.

“Cake! Cake!”

The moment they arrived at the accommodation, Rue bounced around, clinging excitedly.

It was like a tiger saying, “I won’t eat you if you give me a rice cake!” while leading a pack.

I quietly watched the little one.

Then, Rue confidently nodded and went to the sink to wash her hands.

“I washed my hands! I washed them all squeaky clean with soap!”

“Wait for a moment, then.”

With hands full to the point of awkwardness, Rue unpacked various desserts from the box. She arranged them on the table one by one and lit the candles on a white candle holder.

What’s she up to?

Rue approached, tilting her head in curiosity.

Ignoring the child’s question, I proceeded with the ‘ritual.’

“The devotee you favor offers sincere offerings. Please accept them graciously.”

“Hehe! Suddenly, Ethan has gone crazy!”

Originally, gods and their followers were in a relationship connected through faith. Therefore, blessings were granted based on the presence of faith. But I was an exception, closer to an outlier.

I paid the price for using blessings with ‘offerings.’

The relationship of holy faith was like a challenging business, hard to find even a speck of dust.

I used blessings when facing off against the Bomb Queen and later against the Mine. To pay off the accumulated cost all at once, I prepared a feast with the popular items from the bakery.

“I definitely got a serious head injury fighting with the Mine! I need to go to the hospital…! I should go to the hospital first!”

Arranging colorful desserts on the table and conducting the ritual looked like a bizarre spectacle that wouldn’t be out of place if treated as the antics of a lunatic. It would seem like playing a gloomy childish prank.

Rue’s frantic movements and flushed face were telling the story.

“Waaaah!”

Suddenly, Rue plopped down on the floor.

When trying to explain the situation to the bewildered girl,

“Edanant Phone Hohenberg!”

“His Majesty calls for a banquet! Prepare quickly!”

Thunk, thunk, thunk!

A resounding cry echoed along with the knocking sound.

Dull thuds followed in succession.

The knock was so fierce it seemed as if the door would shatter at any moment.

Damn it.

It couldn’t be some childish prank; that was out of the question. In an instant, the door was obliterated, as if it refused to allow even a fleeting moment of respite. Soon after, armored knights, bearing the unmistakable golden lion crest on their chests, barged in without warning. They seemed to be troops dispatched from the Valtaria Imperial Palace.

“His Majesty summons Lady Edanant! Including any fairies in there!”

Knights with imposing figures poured into the reception room, reminiscent of a scene where drug offenders were apprehended.

“…What?”

“Heeyak!”

Knights with imposing figures grabbed both of my arms.

True to their reputation for blind loyalty, these elite guards showed no mercy, not even a shred of consideration. Furthermore, they offered no explanation whatsoever.

And so, I found myself shamefully abducted in broad daylight.

* * *

The crimson dragon, spewing hellfire, incinerated the demons that had threatened the Pug Kingdom.

But that wasn’t all.

The 15 portals along the borders,

even the dark sorcerer forces scheming in the background, all were eradicated.

The citizens of the kingdom, who had witnessed a spectacle akin to the resurrection of a legend, cheered loudly. The strength displayed by Rudmila, which approached the level of a Sword Saint, surpassed even the prowess of the kingdom.

Citizens who had been forsaken by the king and nobility naturally gathered around Rudmila. They cheered as if they would immediately embrace her as their queen. In response, Rudmila passed through the crowds like a cloud, acknowledging their cheers with a nod.

“Princess Rudmila!”

“We indeed trusted the Valtaria Empire!”

The crimson dragon descended, driving away the demons from the underworld.

The king and nobles, who had abandoned the kingdom and cowered in fortresses like mice, hastily emerged. They showed a bold demeanor, as if they had never cowardly fled their subjects.

Rudmila furrowed her brow.

The king and nobles, prioritizing their own survival over duty and responsibility, were the type of people she despised most in the world.

Despite this, the oblivious king and nobles praised Rudmila, who had achieved the impossible. It was as if they disregarded the citizens’ suffering, who had screamed in agony during the desperate situation.

“I am Prince Erik von Pug, the first prince of the Pug Kingdom. It is an honor to meet Lady Rudmila Drag Valtaria.”

“I am Rudmila Drag Valtaria.”

The Crown Prince of the Pug Kingdom politely greeted Rudmila, showcasing his handsome appearance. His mannerisms implied that he believed his charming appeal, which had captivated countless noble ladies and maidens, could undoubtedly enchant the unmarried princess of the empire.

However, his dazzling smile only fueled Rudmila’s strong disdain.

The wretched scoundrel.

To abandon the citizens and flee, wagging his tail in disgrace.

If he weren’t the crown prince with the first right of succession, he would have been slapped immediately.

Looking at the shameless king and nobles, a hint of disgust filled the air. It was because they had spared the lives of the vermin who deserved condemnation. These survivors shamelessly returned to power and began wielding their authority.

“We’ve prepared a banquet. Hurry and come to the palace. A splendid feast awaits you.”

“Enough. I will return to the empire.”

The demonic horde that had threatened the kingdom was annihilated, but the damage could not be undone.

Countless villages had crumbled.

Even the farms that were preparing for harvest had turned into desolation.

In this situation, they dared to prepare a lavish feast? If they had cared even a bit for the citizens, they would have prioritized relief efforts.

‘If it were Edanant, he would have confronted the demons, even if it meant facing them alone. That’s the kind of person he is.’

Only half a day had passed.

Yet, Edanant was sorely missed.

Was it because they had faced each other every day and shared conversations?

The sense of inevitability felt in his presence had turned into a nostalgic longing, flooding over like a bout of homesickness.

Let’s go back now.

All the enemies threatening the kingdom have been eliminated.

They coldly turned away from the persistently generous king and nobles, unfurling the wings of the red dragon while deploying their protection.

* * *

Rudmila, who had returned at full speed, arrived at the Imperial Palace of Baltaria.

The princess has arrived.

Cecilia, the commander, welcomed the red dragon who had returned from Pug Kingdom.

During Rudmila’s brief absence, she learned of the events that unfolded in the imperial capital from Cecilia. As the reports continued, Rudmila’s expression changed rapidly.

“So, Edanant managed to subdue the demons?”

“If Sir Edanant wasn’t there… a devastating catastrophe would undoubtedly have occurred.”

Cecilia, who had been in charge of guarding Princess Elizabeth, recorded the precarious situation in the skirmishes with the socialites.

Mines surrounded by sturdy metal.

Recalling the unidentified monster that had targeted the princess, she trembled at the thought.

If Edanant, the wielder of the Holy Sword, hadn’t intervened, numerous casualties would have surely occurred. Perhaps, a tragedy where the empire’s princess was kidnapped by the demons might have unfolded.

Cecilia, who had witnessed Edanant’s intense struggle on the battlefield, naturally praised his dance. With a confident voice, she hailed him as a ‘hero.’

“Yes, that’s right… Edanant Gongja has once again defended the Empire.”

He suppressed the bomb ma, saving Hwangdo. And this time, he also defeated the mines, protecting even his younger sister.

How could one not admire him?

The Valtaria royal family received help twice from the Gongja of the Hoenberg family.

Imagining Edanant’s courageous fight more bravely than anyone else, Rudmila formed a faint smile. With determined steps, she walked through the corridors, eager to meet Edanant immediately after reporting the victory to her father.

“Your Majesty, we have achieved victory in the Pug Kingdom and returned….”

With dignified steps, Rudmila entered the hall alone.

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The princess, looking up, lost her words for a moment as she observed the scene in front of her.

‘Father, Riza, and Edanant…! What on earth is going on?’

Her father’s face reddened, expressing anger.

Her younger sister blushing and being shy.

And Edanant, deep in contemplation, kneeling before the throne.

I don’t understand.

What on earth is this situation?

Rudmila, who had entered earlier to report the victory, froze in place.

‘Could it be…’

Something flashed in her mind.

Not as interested in romantic relationships as her sister Elizabeth, who was more into romantic novels than most women, Rudmila was still an avid reader of romance novels. The shelves in her bedroom were filled with novels.

Maybe that’s why.

She began to overlay the current situation with scenes from a romance novel she had read sometime.

– “Please give me your daughter, sir!”

– “Dirt should not enter my eyes! Get away, you scoundrel!”

The male protagonist requesting official courtship.

The vehement opposition of the female protagonist’s father.

Rudmila, who had been questioning the situation, started to interpret it in her own way.

‘Hehe! Finally, Edanant must have pleaded for official courtship…’

She was sure of it as she looked at the trembling figure of Edanant kneeling before them.

Hoho.

To dare to request an audience with the princess.

Edanant’s appearance felt charming.

After persistently denying until now, to step forward so boldly.

A smile wouldn’t leave my lips. Rudmila, with her nose held high, ignored her father and wholeheartedly supported Edanant.

‘But for Father to be so angry… Is it because Edanant is the youngest son of the Hohenberg family? Surely, he won’t allow it, even if dirt enters both his eyes.’

Scattering dirt into the eyes of the emperor, of course, would be disloyal and unfilial.

However,

What if it’s only in one eye?

Then, wouldn’t it pass as a momentary incident?

Rudmila, who thought that a man perfectly fitting her ideal had presented himself to seek approval for their courtship, even entertained dangerous thoughts.

It was all because she had become a twenty-seven-year-old spinster.

Though she had no intention of acting on it, she felt the urgency to entertain such thoughts.