IOTLYG – 3

“Sir Jasper is more of a watchdog than an aide.”

[No! He may have been at first, but now he’s a fervent follower of Your Royal Highness. Of course, I was suspicious of him as well at first.]

Lynette couldn’t help but laugh at how cute he looked as he spoke indignantly.

[This is no laughing matter! His Grace should be grateful to Your Royal Highness. Does he know how much work you’ve done while he was away?]

Gregorian continued, counting his tiny fore fingers one by one.

[It was Your Royal Highness who made clean drinking water accessible through the waterway project, who fed the people of the territory by developing new seeds strains, and who settled the chaotic territory while its master was busy hunting demon beasts.]

“I didn’t ask to be recognized for any of it. I just so happened to get that deeply involved.”

After all, there’s nothing wrong with Duchy becoming prosperous.

But Gregorian thought differently. As if he couldn’t understand Lynette’s nonchalant words, the mouse raised his voice.

[Your Royal Highness is always like this. Even when you were in the Holy Nation, you always worked for the people. Without anyone asking, without anyone even acknowledging it! Things no other royal has ever done!]

“That’s why they all cried when I left.”

At Gregorian’s words, Lynette recalled 2 years ago, when she left the Holy Nation.

On a road where no one was supposed to be on, the people of the Holy Nation had come out to see her off.

‘Princess Lynette, please go and live well.’

‘We’ll pray to the goddess for you.’

“I’m doing well because I received their blessings. That’s why I came to the Empire with a happy heart.”

In the Holy Nation, there was a tradition of seeing off and praying for blessings for those embarking on long journeys.

Usually, the family of the person leaving would lead the blessing, but not even a single strand of Lynette’s blood relatives heads were seen.

‘I knew they wouldn’t participate.’

Thanks to that, she received blessings from many more people, so it was fine.

[Your Royal Highness is too kind. Coming to this harsh place and suffering like this.]

“I’m telling you, it’s fine. I’m living in an even better environment than before. The people of the Duchy are all kind and cherish me.”

[Of course! Everyone who meets Your Royal Highness can’t help but like you. Just look at Sir Jasper.]

At Gregorian’s words, Lynette looked troubled.

It was problem that Jasper Harper, who had been Dervel’s aide and her watchdog, was now insisting on serving her and only her, refusing to leave her side.

“But now that His Grace has returned, he’ll go back to being his aide.”

[Based on how he’s acting now, he’s likely to burst into tears because he wouldn’t want to part from Your Royal Highness… granted, he should return. I am more than capable of being your Royal Highness’ sole aide.]

Gregorian raised his paw and thumped his chest.

Lynette couldn’t help but laugh at the gray mouse’s hasty add-on, letting slip his concern regarding being replaced. She was rather fond of the self-serving gray mouse.

“Yes, Gregorian. I always feel reassured thanks to you.”

[Ahem. Don’t forget. I am Gregorian, Your Royal Highness’ loyal servant.]

Lynette laughed at the small gray mouse’s banter.

“Thank you, Sir Gregorian.”

[By the way, if His Grace is going to stay at the mansion from now on, how are we going to find the ‘lucky star‘?]

“Well…”

Lynette trailed off, lost in thought.

The lucky star.

A legendary holy relic of the Holy Nation.

It was said to be the holy relic used by the first Igraine, the Saintess and Founder of the Holy Nation, when she sealed away the first demons.

But the ‘lucky star‘ was last used when it sealed those demons, and had disappeared around the time the Holy Nation was established.

Leaving behind only a legend that it gave power to those who seek it, and even granted wishes.

[Doesn’t Your Royal Highness need that holy relic to gain power and succeed the throne?]

“I do need it.”

Only with that holy relic will I be recognized as the successor.

And if I can gain authority befitting a princess of the Holy Nation, that would be even better.

“I’ll have to find a way. Maybe we just need to move more discreetly.”

It won’t be as easy as before, but I still have to do it.

I even proposed a contract marriage to come here to find the holy relic.

‘Make a deal with me, Your Grace. I’ll help you end all those marriage talks, so take me to your territory. And…’

It was my only chance. So even though I knew he had a negative opinion of the Holy Nation, I proposed the contract.

That’s how desperate I was.

‘Because Sariana and that other one started plotting things.’

I don’t know what his intentions were, but Dervel Chrysian readily accepted my deal.

I’m grateful for that alone, but.

‘The problem is that his subsequent behavior is beyond infuriating.’

Thinking about his two-faced behavior on the way back from the Holy Nation made her blood boil.

Anyway. Setting all that aside, Dervel Chrysian was Lynette’s only chance.

So I can’t waste this opportunity.

Lynette steeled her resolve once again.

* * *

At the very moment Lynette was grumbling to Gregorian.

“Oh, darling, is it? She’s already calling you that? It’s only been a month since you reunited.”

As soon as Lynette left, Evan approached whistling.

“I’ve never heard you use such words before. I knew it, you two are dripping with honey.”

“…Evan.”

Dervel called his aide in an ominous voice.

But whether Even was deliberately ignoring him or not, he continued speaking.

“Of course, people only realize their love for each other after being apart. Congratulations. After hardship comes blessing… Ack!“

“Human life is truly fleeting.”

A sharp sword had appeared at Evan’s neck, leaving only a hair’s breadth of space.

Duke Chrysian’s sword was famous for its unique blade.

Unlike ordinary swords, the entire blade had a peculiar pattern, which amazingly changed from moment to moment. As if it were alive.

Evan gulped dryly.

It looked interesting and nice from afar, but up close, it was eerie, as if the pattern might rise up and engulf him.

“I’m sorry. I was out of line. Please spare me just this once.”

“Tsk.”

At his aide’s ill-timed words, Dervel clicked his tongue and sheathed his sword.

As Dervel slumped back into his chair, Evan cautiously set down the documents he had brought.

“Here are the documents you asked for. I searched every village on the outskirts of the territory thoroughly and brought them.”

Dervel glanced at the stack of documents Evan had set down but said nothing.

“I’m not just saying this, but Her Royal Highness is truly amazing. Besides the waterway project, she’s had a hand in countless other things.”

“……”

“She completely renovated the bridges and roads leading into Aster, increasing trade volume as well.”

“……”

“She even improved crop seeds with the help of a mage.”

Evan let out an exclamation as he flipped through the documents.

“Look at this. Production has increased by 30% compared to last year.”

His surprised eyes held a light of admiration beyond mere amazement.

“Our wealth has truly doubled. It’s equivalent to what we achieved in two years of hunting demon beasts, Your Grace.”

Dervel found his aide’s pure admiration distasteful.

How on earth did she manage to do all this, so that her name appears on every single document before him?

“What exactly has she been up to?”

There were more than a few suspicious points. Even though he had given her the authority, he never expected her to go this far.

He had to give it to her.

The Holy Nation’s Princess Lynette Igraine had completely transformed the Chrysian Duchy in his absence.

She had laid the foundations for the wealth he had always desired and made life easier for the people of the territory. And in a very positive way.

There was just one thing that bothered him.