A Blend of Romance and Fantasy Chapter 17

Chapter 17

When I arrived, the space outside the office was already packed.

Shrine maidens following Aurora. Holy Knights. Blake’s royal guards. Even Cedric’s aide.

…Yeah. I knew exactly what this was about.

When the door opened, just as expected—
Aurora, Erdan, Cedric, and Leonard were all inside.

And every single one of them looked serious.

“Come here, Charlotte.”

At Erdan’s call, I walked over obediently to the desk.

“This morning, Prince Blake explained everything. Tell me if it’s true.”

He repeated Leonard’s story in detail.

“…Yes. It’s all true.”

“I will go, Your Majesty.”

Of course.

The moment I finished, Aurora stepped forward.

Honestly, female leads are exhausting. Why do they always turn self-sacrificial at the worst possible moment?

“No. The Saintess doesn’t need to go. Right, Your Majesty?”

“I’ve already sent the White Owls to Fleet Forest,” Aurora replied calmly. “The situation is severe. If Blake is involved, I need to confirm it myself. And we’ve lost contact with the Moonlight Shadows sent to capture Evelyn. This cannot be ignored.”

Her tone was far more serious than I expected.

But Erdan’s expression was just as cold.

“You are Singcester’s Saintess. I cannot send you away.”

“I must go because I am the Saintess. And last time, it was Charlotte who stopped Nox Glaston. I’ve done nothing for the kingdom. This time—it should be me.”

Her words were so selfless they felt suffocating.

As they argued, the other two men remained silent.

Cedric, as always, unreadable.

Leonard… looked slightly uncomfortable.

Guilty, even.

But whether that was real or an act—I couldn’t tell.

“This isn’t going anywhere,” I muttered under my breath.

Then—

“I’ll go!”

Silence.

Everyone turned to me.

Even Cedric reacted—straightening immediately.

“What are you saying, Charlotte?” Erdan asked.

“I handled Nox Glaston before. I’m not afraid of Damian either.”

“This isn’t about courage. You don’t even have divine power. Isn’t that right?”

He glanced at Leonard.

Leonard hesitated.

Of course he did. Yesterday I’d been refusing outright—and now I’d flipped completely.

But I had thought this through.

“First of all, Aurora can’t go.”

“Why not?”

“Because you two are in love. Aurora has to stay and become queen.”

“…What?!”

“…Charlotte, what are you saying—”

Both of them turned bright red instantly.

Cute.

Very cute.

But not the time.

“And Aurora is the Saintess. If she leaves, people will criticize the royal family—or accuse her of abandoning her duty.”

I paused.

I really didn’t want to say this.

Even if I died and came back, I never wanted to use this method.

“…But I’m different.”

My hands clenched.

“…Because I like His Highness!”

Silence exploded across the room.

I could practically feel the heat climbing up my neck.

This is the worst.

Aurora was the first to react.

“I-I had no idea! So that’s why you kept meeting him even when I tried to stop you?”

Then she turned to Leonard.

“Your Highness, I’m so sorry! I didn’t realize—”

“….”

No response.

Wait.

Why is he so quiet?

I carefully glanced at him—

Oh.

Oh no.

“Your Highness… your face is red.”

Aurora burst out laughing.

Erdan coughed awkwardly.

Is he seriously blushing over this?

This was supposed to be an obvious lie.

How am I supposed to fix this later?!

Our eyes met—

and I immediately looked away so fast my neck nearly snapped.

“Everyone, please calm down.”

Cedric’s voice cut through the chaos.

His gaze swept across us before settling on Erdan.

“Whether the princess likes him or not is not a sufficient reason.”

Wow.

What a talent for killing the mood.

“The Duke is right,” Erdan added quickly. “Blake is not a place one goes for love. And His Highness is not seeking a wife.”

“Then I’ll marry him.”

“…What?”

“If I marry him, it becomes political support for the Sixth Prince. Damian won’t act recklessly. And any priests or knights accompanying me would reinforce that support.”

“M-marriage…?”

Erdan looked like he might faint.

Aurora grabbed his arm to steady him.

“Yes. Otherwise, what role would I go in?”

“I… see…” Erdan said weakly. “If that’s truly your reasoning… it’s difficult to refuse. But Prince Blake must feel the same, yes?”

He looked at Leonard desperately.

Please say no. Please.

Leonard didn’t.

“I’ve been waiting to hear that.”

Erdan froze.

“In truth, I came to Singcester intending to court Princess Charlotte. I would have loved her even without any abilities.”

Wow.

What a line.

I nearly snorted—but instead, I stepped forward and took his hand.

He flinched.

I flinched internally too—but held on.

“Brother, I’m serious. Please let me go to Blake.”

“Charlotte… I need time to process this…”

“How long?”

“…Until the banquet ends?”

“Too long. Tomorrow.”

“What?!”

Erdan looked like he’d been struck by lightning.

“Is it that urgent?”

“You decided Aurora’s fate in seconds. Why am I different?”

Direct hit.

“Three days,” he said weakly. “Please.”

“…Fine. Three days.”

He nodded immediately.

I smiled brightly—

then grabbed Leonard’s hand and pulled him toward the door.

“Then we’re going for a walk! We need to discuss our bright future together!”