The Protagonists of Romance Fantasy Novels Have Escaped

82 – Pursuit (1)

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As the news spread that Maximilian, who had been missing for a long time, had appeared in the kingdom of Bomon, the public’s attention began to turn towards the Hohenberg family.

It was only natural.

Maximilian was still the legitimate heir of the Hohenberg family.

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Therefore, after completing his business in the gunpowder peninsula, Maximilian returned to the Hohenberg family. Perhaps it was because the Valtaria royal family might send an investigative team as a precaution.

“Edanant!”

As expected, a guest from the Valtaria royal family visited.

But it wasn’t an investigative team.

The dazzling platinum-like beautiful princess exuded a commanding presence with an urgent voice. The servants of the Hohenberg family were deployed in large numbers to welcome the princess.

“…Princess Elizaveta.”

“Did you hear the news? They say Maximilian has appeared!”

It was indeed a close call.

Elizaveta arrived at the Hohenberg family just 2 hours after Maximilian’s return.

What would have happened if she had been late?

Surely the sharp-eyed platinum princess would have harbored suspicions.

Her heart began to beat rapidly.

Looking at Elizaveta, he swallowed nervously like a thief caught by the police.

“I heard this morning. My father was also surprised to hear the news.”

“And Edanant? Was Edanant also surprised?”

“Y-yes, of course…”

“Ugh, what on earth is going on? They say the impregnable fortress has completely collapsed.”

The sudden news was so shocking that Elizaveta let out a deep sigh, tilting her head in disbelief.

Of course, it was.

Maximilian was her former fiancé.

When the Valtaria royal family officially announced the breakup, their relationship became nothing. But cutting off emotions that had been held for a long time in an instant was extremely difficult, so Elizaveta must have been worried about Maximilian deep down.

“What if the kingdom of Bomon demands compensation from the Hohenberg family? They say Maximilian completely destroyed the capital of the kingdom! Don’t worry, I’ll talk to the emperor and figure out a way to deal with it!”

“….”

It was a somewhat unexpected reaction.

He thought Elizaveta would show some lingering feelings for Maximilian….

But she didn’t show any lingering feelings.

Instead, Elizaveta showed genuine concern for him.

Smiling faintly at Elizaveta’s worried reaction, he felt good to receive concern from the beautiful platinum princess.

“Thank you for worrying about me. I didn’t expect Princess Elizaveta to worry about me like this.”

“Of course! Because Edanant saved me back then. That’s why it’s like that!”

She said with a mischievous tone, as if probing her heart.

Upon hearing this, Elizaveta blushed all the way to her neck and shouted urgently.

It was a very cute reaction.

Seeing Elizaveta in a flustered state, I couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

“I’m sorry. Your Highness Elizaveta’s reaction is just too adorable…”

“Hmph! You dare tease a princess after all the trouble I went through worrying about you? Ugh!!”

If one were to find a common trait between Ludmilla and Elizaveta, it would be their easy-to-tease personalities.

But excessive teasing was out of the question.

Another common trait among the beautiful princesses was that their boiling point was much lower compared to ordinary people. Especially Elizaveta, who played the role of a villainess in the story, was even more so.

“Ahem!”

As I playfully watched the adorable side of Princess Platinum,

Ludmilla approached, expressing strong dissatisfaction through a forced cough.

“Mila, sis!”

“You came quite quickly. I thought you’d arrive a day or two later.”

“W-Well!”

“….”

At Ludmilla’s response, Elizaveta stuttered, showing a perplexed reaction. Ludmilla, with her arms crossed, gave me a sharp look.

It was awkward.

If a third party saw me, they would probably think of me as a troublemaker.

I shrugged my shoulders, insisting on my innocence.

Upon my gesture, Ludmilla’s eyes, filled with displeasure, became even sharper.

“Why are you here in Hujakryong? You left for the Boemon Kingdom to personally verify the situation, didn’t you?”

“…Huh?”

“No matter how much you like Edanant… Could it be that you lied to the Emperor and secretly met him?”

“No! That’s not it!”

Elizaveta’s misunderstanding was natural, considering she had joined Ludmilla in the Boemon Kingdom and then returned immediately to Hujakryong.

It was quite a misunderstanding.

Receiving such a misunderstanding, even of a ‘meaningful secret meeting,’ Ludmilla, who had turned from a beloved sister into a ‘red dragon of the empire who left the imperial capital with lies to spend time with her beloved man in the territory,’ protested vigorously.

However, in fear of exposing her warlike nature, Ludmilla swallowed her complaints and ultimately remained silent.

“It’s quite surprising. I always thought of you as a gloomy old maid, but it turns out you were bold enough to secretly meet Edanant as if for a rendezvous… I see you in a new light.”

“Ugh!”

Elizaveta sighed with pure admiration.

In response, Ludmilla bowed her head, her face blushing like a teapot.

***

Was it because of Maximilian, who caused a rebellion in the Boemon Kingdom?

Or was it to punish the one who stole the daughters raised like golden leaves?

A summons arrived from the Valtaria Imperial Palace.

To be precise, it was summoned by the Emperor of the Valtaria Empire, Barbarosa.

She hesitated, sweating coldly at the sudden summons by the Emperor. However, she couldn’t simply follow in Maximilian’s footsteps, who declared their engagement and vanished suddenly, so she ultimately accepted the summons.

“Edanant Gongja. Have you heard the news that the Holy Maiden Party caused a rebellion in the Boemon Kingdom?”

“…Of course.”

A middle-aged man with a sharp mustache asked.

She expressed her discomfort and opened her mouth.

“The Black Star, the Hero, and even the former war fanatic who was treated as a ghost of the past all appeared. Such significant events happening in succession… What is happening in this world…”

“….”

As Barbarosa expressed her dissatisfaction with a stern voice, her heart began to beat faster. As the conversation continued like being called to the principal’s office, her anxiety grew.

What’s going on?

Could it be that she knows the true identity of the war fanatic?

If she already knows, is she conducting this ‘Edanant Show’?

Listening to Barbarosa’s voice, she continued her paranoid thoughts. The Emperor’s sudden summons upon her return to Hujakryong with Ludmilla raised suspicions due to the series of mysteries.

“The Imperial Intelligence Department is having difficulty getting accurate information. Whenever they ask the King and knights of the Boemon Kingdom about the situation, they remain silent.”

“…The Boemon Kingdom regards the Holy Maiden Party as their savior.”

Why did the Black Star fall from being the King’s executioner?

Why did the Hero appear?

And why did the former comrade in arms, the war fanatic, engage in battle?

Barbarosa was racking her brains with numerous questions. As the dialogue continued, it seemed like she would explode with questions, so she swallowed her dry saliva.

“Of course, it’s probably just a rumor… But the Intelligence Department brought some strange news.”

“Strange news, you say?”

“The rumor was that a war enthusiast might be serving the disaster deity. Of course, it was all nonsense.”

“…….”

It was natural that the revelation of the disaster deity’s worship would come to light while fighting Maximilian.

It was expected.

But the feeling of bewilderment couldn’t be avoided.

How much had they discovered, really?

With a scrutinizing gaze, Barbados carefully observed Vera’s expression.

“I heard from Riza subtly, but… that you are continuing your relationship with Mila?”

“Yes? Oh, no… Yes. I, I mean, yes….”

It’s completely fake news.

It’s a scheme of the villainess, who is determined to marry off her elder unmarried sister.

Although I tried hard to refute, I couldn’t open my mouth in front of Barbados, who was full of expectations.

“Hmm. That’s what they say.”

“…….”

They must have called me to respond to the rebellion caused by the Saintly Party.

I fell for it.

It was a lure to bring me out.

In Barbados’ expression, a strong desire was felt. It was evident that he intended to quickly elevate me to the position of a royal consort like roasting beans over a bonfire.

“Why not go out for a hunt once. Didn’t they say they wanted to see the skills of a marksman?”

“…Y-Your Majesty, it’s an honor.”

Tap, tap.

The Emperor said, patting my shoulder.

I nodded with a lowered voice.

“It might not be easy to go hunting right away due to the tumultuous situation. Even the nobles of the Saintly Empire are spreading petitions in all directions, intending to expose the true identity of the war enthusiast.”

“Yes? What does that mean…?”

“The relentless inquisitors of the Saintly Empire, famous for their persistence, might approach you as well. You are the younger sibling of a hero, aren’t you? They might demand cooperation to find the war enthusiast together.”

“…….”

I sincerely want to avoid the heretical inquisitors of the Saintly Empire, known for their fanaticism.

They want me to find the war enthusiast? Is it like asking me to look in the mirror?

I should be the one finding myself.

I never expected such an ironic situation to arise in my life.

It’s not like a coming-of-age quest for self-discovery in a stormy adolescence.

Ponytail Santa Saint