n

n

nThud!

n“Mommy!”

nSlash!

nIt was a total overpowering ass-beating the dozen or so assassins got from anyone but Sylvester. Elyon clawed the throats of his enemies, Felix stabbed them, Lady Aurora stabbed and roasted them, and Gabriel stabbed while taking the lord’s name. Bishop Lazark first killed one, then made it a zombie and had it attack its allies, which was genuinely hardcore. As for Sir Dolorem, he moved like he saw everything all around himself in each direction and easily dodged all enemy attacks, then retaliated with minimal movements.

nThe Assassins turned out to be an A-tier group who had come out to make a name for themselves by trying their luck on Sylvester. Although there was an unwritten rule only to allow S-ranked assassin groups to go after a bounty between half and full million, they still went for it, as Sylvester’s bounty was at precisely half a million.

nUnfortunately, for them, they were abysmally underpowered by Sylvester and his group. So they all died while crying for their mothers and families. But, they received no mercy as they were assassins, and they chose this path in life.

nClaps!

nLady Aurora cleaned her hands and returned to sit beside Sylvester while the others burned the bodies on the side of the road and removed the carriage.

n“See, that’s how you do it, Sylvester. You’re not alone in all this.” She said while sitting beside him. “But have you thought about finding a healer for this?”

n“Maybe mum can help me… If she’s fine.” He didn’t sound very convincingly confident, though.

nLady Aurora also sighed. “I hope she’s fine. Let’s be quick now.”

nSoon, they cleared the road, burned the heathens and were on the way again. This time, as the sun had risen completely, the road had become much busier, even more so since it was Season of Solis. So, no more assassins dared to attack Sylvester.

nBy evening, they arrived at the Green City.

nThe place looked ordinary; just a few small flags were hosted here and there to signify that something important was happening. The number of guards had also increased, and the people seemed more cheerful.

nThe occupation by the Inquisitors had ended long ago, and everything was back to what it was before. But, none of them expected that Sylvester had become a legend after his short speeches that night when riots had occurred, and people tried to run away from the city.

nSylvester was quickly recognised for his shining hair and pretty face as the carriage passed through the wide streets.

n“Lord Bard!”

n“You’re back!”

n“May the Lord have mercy!”

n“My day will be good now!”

nMany comments were leaving the mouths of the people as they waved at the carriage. Some tried to get close, but Sylvester waved his hand and shined his light on them without stopping.

nFor them, this was enough as whatever their problem was. Whether financial, family or health, it gave them hope that they had blessings from the Lord’s Bard.

nAfter some time, some city’s royal knights arrived and escorted the carriage straight into the walls of the castle complex. The drawbridges were down. The gates were open to welcome them.

nBy the time the sun had set and the night drenched the world in the dark, they stopped in front of the main gate of the royal castle.

n“How do I look?” Felix came out of the carriage and asked.

nSylvester shrugged. “Like any other day. You’re wearing the same old ordinary clergyman robes, Felix. Just combing your hair and washing your face five times won’t make you look better. In any case, you look decent already.”

n“Decent? What do you mean by that? Women tell me I’m very handsome.” Felix proudly folded his arms.

nJust then, Gabriel passed by. “Great, he’s now delusional.”

nFelix’s shoulders fell. “Damn you, Gab! You foolish man gifted with good blood. Why does he get to have such a majestic beard, and we get nothing, Sylvester?”

nIndeed, Sylvester also glanced at Gabriel enviously. “I ask that question daily when I wash my face, Felix. Forget it… Women like smart, clean men anyway.”

n“Is that a coping mechanism?” Gabriel commented while taking some items out from the carriage.

nSylvester and Felix ignored him and walked in. Prima of the King, Count Harvard Zeelif, was there for them and showed them all their rooms in the castle, as they’d be staying for the night after attending the ceremony and the feast.

nIt wasn’t that the King or Isabella didn’t feel sad from the death of their mother and brother, but they knew that the kingdom and the nobility needed a reason to let go and enjoy themselves so the air around the royal family could be cleared up a bit.

nIt went without saying they were given the best rooms in the same tower the King and the Princess lived in, as they were much more than just guests.

nThen, everyone went into their rooms to get ready. They were to wear ceremonial dresses. For Sylvester, it included a mitre on the head. But, he was still lacking a rank plate on his chest. ‘I should get one after returning.’

nKnock Knock!

nJust then, a few rapid knocks came on the door. He quickly went to open it, wondering if it was an emergency.

n“Hey, Sylvester. How are you?”

nSylvester was taken aback by the person. A beauty of mad proportions was a better word for her. Isabella stood in her elegant regal white gown with a long high neck and open space above her chest, showcasing her spotless skin. Her dress had golden embroidery of leaves, giving a more royal look. Around her neck was also a necklace with a huge blue crystal, likely magical. Above all, she wore something akin to a coat, also white. All of it embellished her figure and height as well.

nShe had not tied her blonde hair, letting them freely fall to her back, some tucked behind her left ear, revealing her diamond earrings. All the while, her grey eyes sparkled at the sight of Sylvester.

nA

/N: See Isabella here.

nNow, Sylvester would be lying if he didn’t find her attractive. She was definitely one of the prettiest women he had ever seen in both worlds combined. But he was not Felix, nor interested in relationships. For Solis’ sake, just staying alive was proving to be challenging recently, so romance was far back in the warehouse of ideas in his mind.

n“Woah, you look…” Sylvester replied.

nImmediately, Isabella rotated full circle and excitedly asked. “How do I look?”

n“Cute.”

n“…”

nHer cheeks got puffed, and she pouted angrily, joking clearly as the scent implied. “You fiend! How could you call this heavenly jade beauty just ‘cute’. Cute is reserved for children, and I’d rather hear beautiful, gorgeous and…”

nThud!

n“…”

n“How dare you close the door in my face!” She roared like an angry white kitten and entered his room again. “Now, tell me seriously, do I look good?”

nSylvester glanced back as if he was uninterested and nodded. “Indeed. You look gorgeous, but why ask me?”

nSylvester had already sensed the red flags, sadly. And he was cursing himself for not making it clear already. He could smell the excitement, love and lust coming from her. ‘Come on, girl… I don’t want to play with your feelings. Don’t go down this route.’

nHe immediately realised that he had to do a few things to ensure she didn’t see him as anything other than an elder brother. ‘Perhaps Aurora can help me with this. I hope she can…’

nShe folded her arms and replied in a rather stoic manner. “My brother, of course. He’s trying to lure some strong high noble to marry me now. I’m just seventeen, for god’s sake. I don’t want that, so I need you to walk with me into the hall when the ceremony starts.”

nSylvester denied it immediately. “Take Felix. I’m busy.”

nShe didn’t budge. “No, it has to be you… I don’t feel comfortable with him.”

nSylvester glanced back at her. “Then you have mistaken him. He may seem like a horny degenerate, but he knows his boundaries. Most of the time, he’s merely joking, and you never have to fear him jumping on you. He’s just goofy.”

nShe nodded silently and shyly played with her hands. “But still… I want you because then everyone will shut up. You’re too… handsome, Sylvester.”

n“I know that,” Sylvester replied, having met women in the past who would have thrown themselves at his feet if he had politely asked. “You don’t really have to worry. You’re to be the queen, so no random rich lord can marry you. Unless the Church and I approve, you can’t marry.”

n“What about now?” She asked again, looking into his eyes.

n‘God, will she cry if I keep pushing?’ He wondered and walked up to her. He could sense her emotional state, trying to find something to hold on to with half of her family lost.

n“Fine, but you must maintain a one-foot distance between our shoulders. I don’t want any rumours that the Lord’s Bard has been tainted. I very much wish to remain a virgin.”

nShe chuckled and nodded firmly. “Aye, Aye, Lord Bard.”

nWith that, she quickly turned around and left his room. Sylvester glanced at Miraj sitting on the bed and watching everything with interest. “So clingy. What’s with you two?”

n“Because in Maxy, I trust,” Miraj replied lazily and started rolling on the bed.

n…

nTwo hours later, the throneroom of the castle was filled with nobility of all kinds, from close and afar. There were also traders, the wealthy ones. Then there were various clergy members, though they were only hanging around Lady Aurora, trying to curry favour.

nThud!

nJust then, the gate at the far end of the hall, perpendicular to the throne, opened. The herald shouted the announcement.

n“Here comes the Crown Princess, the lady unmatched in beauty, by the grace of the god—Princess Isabella Gracia. With her comes the famed Bard of the Lord, the wise, the favoured one—Sylvester Maximilian!”

nThe door finished opening, revealing the forms of the two. Isabella, in her expensive, regal and royal gown, looked stunning. While Sylvester, in his ordinary robes, mitre on the head, still looked devilishly handsome without even trying. But both being blonde, they appeared like a perfect match.

n“I said, one foot apart. Now you’re holding my arm.” Sylvester scolded her from the side of his mouth.

nShe did the same and waved her hand with a smile. “I’ll make it up to you later. But, for now, just smile and wave. I really need this suitor to be called off.”

n“Who even is this man you’re so scared of?” Sylvester finally asked.

nShe pointed at a certain someone with a nod of her head. The man appeared exotic with his brown skin and the golden ornaments around his neck.

n“That man—He’s the fifth prince of the Masan Empire. Here to apologise on behalf of his father and forge a friendship.”

nSylvester read through the lines. “So his claim on the throne of Masan may grow stronger with the Emperor nearing his death.”

nShe nodded and reeked the scent of fear. “M-My brother… He is such a fool even to entertain him and believe his words.”

nSylvester clutched her hand tighter, gesturing to her that she was safe. “Without Church’s approval, your brother can’t do anything. However, this Masan prince… After all that’s transpired…”

nHe stared at the man, wondering what schemes the Shadow of Masan planned now. Could this be the man himself?

n“The audacity!”

n________________________

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n