A Blend of Romance and Fantasy Chapter 27

Chapter 27

A bow.

Arrows.

And… a horse saddle.

Three relics at once.

It sounded impressive—

but in reality, it was nothing but confusing.

“…Why these?”

I didn’t even know how to use a bow.

And in Singcester, women weren’t taught combat in the first place.

Finding someone to teach me now?

Nearly impossible.

After returning to my palace, I quietly hid the relics in my study.

Then, following Erdan’s advice, I told Abigail Everhart and Dorothy about my divine power awakening.

The result?

“…Sniff…”

“…Waaah…!”

They cried.

Actually cried.

“Should we secretly throw a celebration party?”

“Just for today, I’ll allow three kinds of cake!”

“Calm down. People will notice.”

I scolded them—but honestly…

My chest felt light.

Warm.

Even if the mark on my hand wasn’t Singcester’s lion—

It was still pink.

The same color as my brother’s.

“…Cake does sound good.”

I smiled faintly.

“Should I send Sir Aaron to Jaret Shop?”

“Please don’t use a royal knight for errands like that.”

“Oh, come on—”

Knock knock.

Perfect timing.

“…Sir Aaron?”

But his voice—

Was urgent.

“Princess. Deus Training Ground has been destroyed.”

“…What?”

All three of us froze.

At the same time.

The Destroyed Training Ground

Deus Training Ground.

The strongest barrier.

Built for high-level knight sparring.

Destroyed?

Impossible—

Unless someone bombarded it with large-scale magic.

“…How?”

Sir Aaron answered immediately.

“A spar between Cedric Myers and Leonard Blake.”

“…Excuse me?”

Destroyed.

From a spar?

“Their sword energy shattered the barrier.”

“…My goodness.”

Abigail covered her mouth.

Dorothy added calmly:

“Prince Blake is known as the Descendant of the Dragon Slayer.”

Abigail blinked.

“But he has dragon blood…?”

“Which makes it more terrifying.”

I resisted the urge to ask who invented these ridiculous titles.

“…Are they hurt?”

“No. Both avoided fatal strikes. The Saintess has already treated them.”

That meant—

Aurora was already there.

“…I’ll go.”

Teleportation

I pulled out a royal teleportation scroll.

Tore it.

A purple magic circle bloomed—

And in an instant—

We arrived.

Tension in the Aftermath

The training ground…

Was ruined.

Cracked stone.

Shattered barriers.

Scorch marks everywhere.

“…Charlotte.”

Aurora approached.

“It’s exactly what you heard.”

“…Will this cause diplomatic issues?”

“I doubt it. But…”

She glanced behind me.

“…those two are the real problem.”

I followed her gaze.

There they were.

Standing apart.

Silent.

Tense.

Like a storm waiting to break.

Charlotte’s Dilemma

I walked forward—

Then stopped.

Who first?

Leonard?

My “fiancé”?

Or Cedric?

If I chose one—

The other would notice.

…This is ridiculous.

Before I could decide—

They both moved.

Cedric First

“I apologize for the damage. House Myers will compensate.”

“Forget that—are you hurt?”

“I’m fine.”

Then—

He pulled open his collar.

“…Would you like to check?”

“…?!”

Everyone froze.

Including me.

“…That won’t be necessary!”

“Duke.”

A shadow fell over me.

Leonard stepped forward—

Blocking him.

“Perhaps you should refrain from exposing yourself in front of another man’s fiancée.”

His voice was calm.

Too calm.

“Rumors would be inconvenient. Especially for the commander of holy knights.”

Cedric didn’t react.

“I was only showing my injuries. As I did for the Saintess.”

“…Hah.”

Leonard exhaled softly—But didn’t escalate further.

That alone was strange. Something Is Off

I leaned slightly.Looked up at Leonard.

His expression—Was wrong.

Not mocking.

Not amused.

Tired.Genuinely tired.

“…Leonard.”

He looked at me.

“Are you okay?”

“…I’m fine.”

“You don’t look fine.”

“I wasn’t injured.”

“Then why—”

“Your Highness.”

Cedric stepped in again.

And just like that—

The moment broke.

A Small Choice, A Big Distance

“Ah—Cedric. Sorry.”

I turned away from Leonard.

“…You should rest.”

“…You’re sending me away?”

“Yes. We can talk later.”

“…I see.”

He paused.

Like he wanted to say something.

But didn’t.

“…No. Nothing. And he left.

Just like that.

Uneasy Silence

I watched him go.

Something felt—

Off.

Wrong.

Before I could think further—

Tap.

Leonard touched my shoulder.

“You’re staring.”

“That’s not why—”

“Are you worried about him?”

“…No.”

That wasn’t it.

Not entirely.

“I’m asking because you don’t look okay.”

“…Were you hoping I lost?”

“…What?!”

I snapped.

“Why are you twisting everything?!”

The entire area fell silent.

Even the attendants froze.

Leonard blinked.

Then—

He smiled.

Soft.

Almost amused.

“I wasn’t hurt.”

A pause.

“It was a draw.”

Another pause.

“…Thanks for worrying.”