As Althea watched Kaera depart, Lily approached her with a curious look.
"By the way, Althea, what did you think of Philip up close?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I was wondering if you were worried about his 'charm' abilities. After all, he’s the sibling of Persephone, so he might have that power too. If you're concerned, perhaps we should consider a purification."
Althea smiled gently. "I think I'm fine. Just a hunch, really."
Lily, noticing her smile, turned to Regalus. "Althea, maybe you should get purified just in case."
After pondering for a moment, Althea responded, "I believe I'm okay, but if it will ease your worries, I'll undergo purification. However, please do it with Kaera as well."
"With Lady Kaera? Why?"
"She mentioned she had been 'controlled.' This could mean she might be susceptible to future manipulations. If the cause was a form of charm, she should be purified too."
Regalus nodded in agreement. "Alright, let's purify her after her match. It will also save some magic if done together. Althea, you can go to the observation seats to cheer for Lady Kaera."
With a delighted expression, Althea hurried off to the spectator seats.
Once Althea left, Siegfried spoke up. "Lily, regarding Philip, I doubt he'll interfere anymore today. But you’re right, we need to prepare. Let’s gather tonight with Origami and Kartlis to discuss our strategies."
Lily nodded. "I agree."
Siegfried continued, "I think it would also be wise for Regalus, Althea, Laila, and maybe Jean and Curio to join us. Since we're in the capital, perhaps Sir Thomas could also attend."
Regalus nodded. "That should work. We are staying at my estate tonight, so let's meet there."
Lily then asked, "Should the purification also be done at your estate?"
"No, let's do it here in the waiting room," Regalus replied.
Lily nodded. "Understood. I'll wait here. Can one of you stay with me? I'm the only one here who can use light magic and perform purification, and they know it. I’m not a fighter like Althea. Please, I need one of you to stay and protect me."
Despite her request, which might be seen as inappropriate to the royal family, Lily's unique light magic and her status as a candidate for the Holy Maiden of the Illumi religion made it critical to ensure her safety.
After a moment of thought, Siegfried agreed. "Alright. Reg, can you stay? We can have Jean or Curio bring the others after the match."
"Sure," Regalus agreed.
Lily smiled gratefully, standing between them and taking their arms. "Thank you both."
Meanwhile, Althea, who had left earlier, was seated in the spectator seats, catching her breath as she prepared to cheer for Kaera. Suddenly, she felt a pair of strong, tanned arms wrap around her from behind.
"Prince Yugg, please stop this jest."
Without releasing her, Yugg replied in a bored tone, "Doesn’t it bother you to be embraced by a man?"
"Your Highness, have you ever considered the 'public eye'?"
"Not really. I dislike hiding things."
"Being open is admirable, but you should restrain yourself from such frivolous actions, especially towards Regalus's sister."
Even in the magic department, Yugg was popular. As the second prince of Starry Stars, his strong physique and tanned skin attracted many women. If Siegfried and Regalus were the typical prince types, Yugg was more of a knightly figure—always ready to protect, despite being a prince. His open and accepting nature drew numerous female admirers, yet it never caused trouble, which spoke to his charm. However, to Althea, that was all it was—just charm.
"Honestly... any other lady would blush, but you're as tough as ever," Yugg remarked with a sly smile, responding evasively to Althea's words.
He always did.
He would say things like "Marry me," but it never felt sincere.
Sometimes it seems like he just likes to tease me while watching my brothers' reactions. Will he settle down if he finds a fiancée? Speaking of which, my brother did mention something about his match-making...
Recalling a conversation from their summer break, Althea addressed Yugg. "I heard you interacted with many young ladies during the long break. Did you not choose a fiancée? I also heard you made inquiries with some duchies."
"Huh?!"
Caught off guard, Yugg abruptly stood up, releasing Althea from his embrace. Taking advantage of the moment, she stepped back to put some distance between them.
"Yes, I met many ladies, but that’s all it was. The country might be making a fuss and sending inquiries, but I haven't made any decisions. Why does RGC know about this? I haven’t even gotten engaged!"
"Well..."
After checking their surroundings, Althea lowered her voice and continued softly, "I heard that a marriage proposal was made to Lady Gresha from Starry Stars."
"What?! Does RGC have a habit of spreading unconfirmed information?"
"It's not spreading rumors... Ah, I see. Prince Yugg, you wouldn't know that Lady Gresha stayed at our estate during the long break. The proposal was discussed at the Monclair estate, so only Lady Gresha, my brother, myself, and the royal family know."
"To think that was her residence... But I'm not ready for an engagement or marriage. Although, if a woman I'm interested in becomes a candidate, who knows..."
"Is that so? Lady Gresha didn't seem entirely disinterested, though. Still, I'd appreciate it if you stopped bothering me. Ah, it looks like Lady Kaera's match is about to start. Let's watch quietly."
With a gentle hush, Althea signaled Yugg to be silent and took her seat, focusing her serious gaze on the arena where her friend Kaera was preparing for her match.
Yugg quietly moved to a seat beside Althea, one spot away, observing her profile as she watched the match intently. Despite his presence, she showed no interest in him, her attention fully on her friend in the arena.
Initially, his interest had been piqued by Regalus, the famed protector of RGC. Althea was merely Regalus's sister in his eyes. When she first confronted him, he saw it as a small animal trying to defend itself. But her interactions always caused intriguing reactions from Regalus and Prince Siegfried, so he continued to tease her for amusement.
Yet today, she seemed more dignified and beautiful than any woman he had ever seen. For a moment, he genuinely desired her.
"Damn it..."
As a prince, he could obtain almost anything he wanted, but choosing a spouse freely was not an option. Until a fiancée was decided, he indulged freely, accepting anyone who came his way.
He recalled hearing about a proposal to a saint candidate from the duchy. Was that Lily Gresha? He hadn't been interested enough to respond.
"Could I obtain her if I wished for her as a fiancée? But the kingdom would likely prefer a connection with a saint. Still, Lily Gresha, a woman to be protected, versus Althea Monclair, a warrior woman by my side..."
Yugg sighed softly as he watched Althea, who, with shining eyes, cheered for her friend Kaera's brave display in the arena.
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As Althea watched Kaera depart, Lily approached her with a curious look.
"By the way, Althea, what did you think of Philip up close?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I was wondering if you were worried about his 'charm' abilities. After all, he’s the sibling of Persephone, so he might have that power too. If you're concerned, perhaps we should consider a purification."
Althea smiled gently. "I think I'm fine. Just a hunch, really."
Lily, noticing her smile, turned to Regalus. "Althea, maybe you should get purified just in case."
After pondering for a moment, Althea responded, "I believe I'm okay, but if it will ease your worries, I'll undergo purification. However, please do it with Kaera as well."
"With Lady Kaera? Why?"
"She mentioned she had been 'controlled.' This could mean she might be susceptible to future manipulations. If the cause was a form of charm, she should be purified too."
Regalus nodded in agreement. "Alright, let's purify her after her match. It will also save some magic if done together. Althea, you can go to the observation seats to cheer for Lady Kaera."
With a delighted expression, Althea hurried off to the spectator seats.
Once Althea left, Siegfried spoke up. "Lily, regarding Philip, I doubt he'll interfere anymore today. But you’re right, we need to prepare. Let’s gather tonight with Origami and Kartlis to discuss our strategies."
Lily nodded. "I agree."
Siegfried continued, "I think it would also be wise for Regalus, Althea, Laila, and maybe Jean and Curio to join us. Since we're in the capital, perhaps Sir Thomas could also attend."
Regalus nodded. "That should work. We are staying at my estate tonight, so let's meet there."
Lily then asked, "Should the purification also be done at your estate?"
"No, let's do it here in the waiting room," Regalus replied.
Lily nodded. "Understood. I'll wait here. Can one of you stay with me? I'm the only one here who can use light magic and perform purification, and they know it. I’m not a fighter like Althea. Please, I need one of you to stay and protect me."
Despite her request, which might be seen as inappropriate to the royal family, Lily's unique light magic and her status as a candidate for the Holy Maiden of the Illumi religion made it critical to ensure her safety.
After a moment of thought, Siegfried agreed. "Alright. Reg, can you stay? We can have Jean or Curio bring the others after the match."
"Sure," Regalus agreed.
Lily smiled gratefully, standing between them and taking their arms. "Thank you both."
Meanwhile, Althea, who had left earlier, was seated in the spectator seats, catching her breath as she prepared to cheer for Kaera. Suddenly, she felt a pair of strong, tanned arms wrap around her from behind.
"Prince Yugg, please stop this jest."
Without releasing her, Yugg replied in a bored tone, "Doesn’t it bother you to be embraced by a man?"
"Your Highness, have you ever considered the 'public eye'?"
"Not really. I dislike hiding things."
"Being open is admirable, but you should restrain yourself from such frivolous actions, especially towards Regalus's sister."
Even in the magic department, Yugg was popular. As the second prince of Starry Stars, his strong physique and tanned skin attracted many women. If Siegfried and Regalus were the typical prince types, Yugg was more of a knightly figure—always ready to protect, despite being a prince. His open and accepting nature drew numerous female admirers, yet it never caused trouble, which spoke to his charm. However, to Althea, that was all it was—just charm.
"Honestly... any other lady would blush, but you're as tough as ever," Yugg remarked with a sly smile, responding evasively to Althea's words.
He always did.
He would say things like "Marry me," but it never felt sincere.
Sometimes it seems like he just likes to tease me while watching my brothers' reactions. Will he settle down if he finds a fiancée? Speaking of which, my brother did mention something about his match-making...
Recalling a conversation from their summer break, Althea addressed Yugg. "I heard you interacted with many young ladies during the long break. Did you not choose a fiancée? I also heard you made inquiries with some duchies."
"Huh?!"
Caught off guard, Yugg abruptly stood up, releasing Althea from his embrace. Taking advantage of the moment, she stepped back to put some distance between them.
"Yes, I met many ladies, but that’s all it was. The country might be making a fuss and sending inquiries, but I haven't made any decisions. Why does RGC know about this? I haven’t even gotten engaged!"
"Well..."
After checking their surroundings, Althea lowered her voice and continued softly, "I heard that a marriage proposal was made to Lady Gresha from Starry Stars."
"What?! Does RGC have a habit of spreading unconfirmed information?"
"It's not spreading rumors... Ah, I see. Prince Yugg, you wouldn't know that Lady Gresha stayed at our estate during the long break. The proposal was discussed at the Monclair estate, so only Lady Gresha, my brother, myself, and the royal family know."
"To think that was her residence... But I'm not ready for an engagement or marriage. Although, if a woman I'm interested in becomes a candidate, who knows..."
"Is that so? Lady Gresha didn't seem entirely disinterested, though. Still, I'd appreciate it if you stopped bothering me. Ah, it looks like Lady Kaera's match is about to start. Let's watch quietly."
With a gentle hush, Althea signaled Yugg to be silent and took her seat, focusing her serious gaze on the arena where her friend Kaera was preparing for her match.
Yugg quietly moved to a seat beside Althea, one spot away, observing her profile as she watched the match intently. Despite his presence, she showed no interest in him, her attention fully on her friend in the arena.
Initially, his interest had been piqued by Regalus, the famed protector of RGC. Althea was merely Regalus's sister in his eyes. When she first confronted him, he saw it as a small animal trying to defend itself. But her interactions always caused intriguing reactions from Regalus and Prince Siegfried, so he continued to tease her for amusement.
Yet today, she seemed more dignified and beautiful than any woman he had ever seen. For a moment, he genuinely desired her.
"Damn it..."
As a prince, he could obtain almost anything he wanted, but choosing a spouse freely was not an option. Until a fiancée was decided, he indulged freely, accepting anyone who came his way.
He recalled hearing about a proposal to a saint candidate from the duchy. Was that Lily Gresha? He hadn't been interested enough to respond.
"Could I obtain her if I wished for her as a fiancée? But the kingdom would likely prefer a connection with a saint. Still, Lily Gresha, a woman to be protected, versus Althea Monclair, a warrior woman by my side..."
Yugg sighed softly as he watched Althea, who, with shining eyes, cheered for her friend Kaera's brave display in the arena.
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