A Blend of Romance and Fantasy Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Singcester.

Our kingdom is the only Sacred Kingdom on the continent of Elysium.

Every citizen is born with divine power—but among them, the royal family possesses far greater amounts.

As a theocratic state, my older brother Erdan—who was born with overwhelming divine power—serves as both Pope and King.

But unfairly enough… perhaps because I’m the villainess—

I, Charlotte, have no divine power at all.

That’s why, in the original story, I grow jealous of Aurora, attempt to kill her… and end up executed by Cedric.

“Aurora, why do you think I don’t have any divine power?”

“Huh? Well…”

At my sudden question as we walked toward the altar, Aurora hesitated.

I was just curious—but she looked like she thought I was seriously troubled.

Her blue eyes wavered as she avoided my gaze.

“Maybe it’s because His Majesty has so much divine power? They say if one sibling has an overwhelming amount, the other might have almost none.”

“So it’s my brother’s fault?”

“Oh my! Don’t say that!”

Aurora waved her hands in alarm.

“If His Majesty hears that, he’ll be heartbroken! You know how much he loves you!”

“I know. That’s why he entrusted me with managing the royal relics.”

Originally, that duty belonged to Erdan, the Pope-King.

But to secure my position in the palace—despite my lack of divine power—he handed that role to me, even against the nobles’ objections.

Of course, Aurora, the Saintess, also supported me, saying I was qualified.

“Aurora, I’m grateful to you too. I really am.”

“Charlotte…”

For a moment, Aurora looked touched before taking my hand.

“You don’t have to thank me. I live in the temple outside the palace anyway. Managing the temple relics is already exhausting—so you handling the palace ones actually helps me.”

“Are you really the Saintess?”

“Even a Saintess gets tired.”

“Well, at least you’re consistent.”

Just then—

As we walked down the corridor, a sudden chill ran down my spine.

Aurora noticed it first.

Following her gaze, I saw a man in uniform.

He was turned away, so I couldn’t see his face—but the emblem on his cloak stood out.

A pitch-black background, a dense forest, two gray wolves, and a greatsword planted at the center.

The crest of Blackwood—the eastern house of Blake.

There was only one person on the continent who could wear that emblem.

I stopped walking.

Sensing our presence, he slowly turned around.

As expected—

The Sixth Prince of Blake, Leonard.

“….”

To be honest, he didn’t look like a mere extra.

His blood-red hair, sharp nose, and firm, slightly stubborn jawline gave him a striking presence.

Even beneath his cloak, his physique spoke of relentless training.

Broad shoulders, a solid chest, powerful build, long legs.

But more than anything—

his eyes.

Those crimson eyes felt both distant, as though he had seen everything the world had to offer… and cold enough to freeze you where you stood.

How could a gaze be both mesmerizing and terrifying?

Caught in that contradiction, I could only stare.

He stepped closer, his shoes clicking softly against the floor.

“Charlotte, get a grip.”

Aurora’s whisper snapped me back to my senses.

I straightened my posture and lifted my chin.

He stopped just one step away and gave a shallow bow.

“It is an honor to meet the beautiful princess of Singcester—and the holy Saintess of Elysium.”

“….”

“Though meeting in a corridor is unfortunate. If I’ve interrupted your conversation, I ask for your forgiveness.”

He didn’t sound sorry at all.

The slight dip of his head and stiff tone came off as arrogant—even for an imperial prince.

Unfortunately, I suffered from a rare condition: I tremble in front of handsome men.

Scolding him? Grabbing his collar? Starting a confrontation?

Impossible.

But Aurora—our heroine with maxed-out courage—was unfazed.

“Your Highness, may I ask why you are in the Dawn Passage?”

“…What do you mean?”

“This corridor connects His Majesty’s office to the royal altar. It is far from the guest palace. Why are you here?”

She had a point.

This passage led to the Altar of Sacred Blood, where a powerful relic protected Singcester from invaders.

A foreign prince being here—

was suspicious.

Snapping to attention, I stepped beside Aurora.

“The Saintess is correct. If you had arrived, I would have been informed—but I received no such report.”

At my words, he tilted his head slightly.

“How strange. I arrived half a day ago.”

“Half a day ago? I was never notified.”

“That would make sense. I was told the meeting was postponed because you were changing dresses.”

His perfectly shaped brows lowered ever so slightly, and I felt my composure slip.

“I apologize for postponing the meeting. But I truly wasn’t informed of your arrival.”

“Then it must have been a delivery error. I did present myself to His Majesty.”

His calm, reasonable response left me momentarily speechless.

But Aurora didn’t let it go.

“That still doesn’t explain why you’re here.”

“I got lost.”

“For half a day?”

“…Yes.”

Aurora crossed her arms, still unconvinced.

This is going to escalate.

For Aurora’s reputation—and to show my own grace as a princess—I leaned in and whispered:

“Aurora, let’s let it go for now.”

Then I smiled at Leonard.

“Your Highness, since it’s your first time here, it’s understandable to get lost. Our palace is quite beautiful—it’s easy to become distracted.”

“It certainly is.”

“But half a day is a bit much, don’t you think? Even someone with poor direction would have found help by now.”

I smiled sweetly, fanning myself, ignoring Aurora’s stare.

“…Yes.”

For some reason, his expression darkened—almost as if he’d been serious.

“It was meant as a joke.”

“Your Highness?”

“But I did genuinely struggle to find my way in an unfamiliar palace. So… could you guide me out?”

“Ah—of course! I’ll have a servant escort you.”

I quickly called for a servant and instructed them to guide him back to the guest palace.

“Then, I look forward to meeting you properly at the banquet.”

With that, he left.

And yet—

why did I feel uneasy?

Handsome men usually made me feel refreshed, not suspicious.

As I watched his retreating figure, Aurora jabbed my side.

“Stop staring.”

The door to the Rose Room—assigned to the Sixth Prince—burst open.

The culprit?

Leonard himself.

William, who had been sitting on the sofa reviewing documents, looked up.

“Welcome back, Your Highness.”

But Leonard’s expression was unusually sour.

A faint irritation lingered on his otherwise flawless face.

At this point, to be honest—

true to someone blessed by the heavens with absolutely no sense of direction—

Leonard had genuinely been lost.