Chapter 52: Beloved Princess

  Unexpectedly, Prince Jantrakant didn't do anything unusual. He simply conversed with the many guests, and after finishing his rounds, formally thanked them once again.

  The banquet ended just like that. Nitaan, though puzzled, wouldn't refuse if he could return home a little earlier.

  "Lalanta, don't forget about Princess's mission. I have people prepared, but there are many limitations," Nil said.

  "Don’t worry, I have already prepared a group of trustworthy people," Colonel Lalanta smiled faintly.

  "Little one, I wouldn't ask for anything frivolous like telling you to quickly become an Enlightened, but I have high expectations for your future. In a political war like this, the more allies you have, the better," Nil turned to Nitaan with a smile.

  "I will try my best," Nitaan only offered a weak smile. He couldn't promise anything. He himself wasn't even sure what his future held.

  "Your Highness, the progress of the rural well-digging project and the suppression of the Devil beasts that are enemies of agricultural crops is going very well. Next time, I will bring the results and documents with me." Colonel Lalanta bowed slightly.

  "It's alright. I will be visiting City Guard unit in a few days anyway. I can pick them up myself." Princess Pailin smiled.

  Colonel Lalanta smiled faintly. Nitaan, who had been secretly observing, couldn't help but think that Colonel Lalanta's gaze towards Princess Pailin was gentler than usual.

  "I apologize for my impoliteness, but I still need to finalize documents for tomorrow's work. We will take our leave." Colonel Lalanta bowed respectfully, glancing at Nitaan, signaling for him to bow as well.

  Nitaan didn't hesitate and bowed down obediently.

  "Please do. I won't keep you here any longer. As always, thank you so much for protecting my people.” Princess Pailin granted permission with a smile.

  Colonel Lalanta holds her right hand at her chest, clenches it, and then releases it. Imitate the flame that is burning in her heart with this gesture.

  This is the most formal gesture of respect for royalty of the Akni Firegan bloodline. Same as touching the left palm with the right index finger gesture of First Knowledge.

  She bid farewell to the other guests before leading Nitaan away from the event.

  "Nitaan, don't worry about what happens today. We’ll handle it." Princess Pailin said while holding up two fingers playfully.

  Nitaan knew that Princess Pailin was referring to the repercussions of his ambush on Qianbao Yue.

  So I won’t get jumped? Nitaan thought.

  "I apologized for disappointing you, Your Highness. I will not disappoint Your Highness again in the future." Nitaan bowed. He continued to act as if he hadn't done anything and apologized for not being able to represent her in the competition.

  Nitaan couldn't bring himself to call Princess Pailin simply "Pailin." Although their ages weren't far apart, she was still a Princess with the right to inherit the title of Throne Holder.

  "Just Pailin is fine. I have a feeling we'll see each other many more times," Princess Pailin smiled slightly.

  Nitaan listened without much thought. As a City Guard unit member, what chance did he have of meeting a Princess often? Nitaan dismissed Princess's words as mere formality.

  As they walked out of the grand hall. Nitaan secretly glanced at Nil and Princess, who were still together. Both were still chatting with various guests, their faces bright and cheerful as always.

  She is really good at politics. Nitaan thought.

  Colonel Lalanta led him into the same luxurious carriage. Kiita quickly jumped in beside Nitaan. As the carriage door closed, Nitaan couldn't help but unbutton his shirt and sigh wearily.

  Many servants lined up, bowing respectfully to Colonel Lalanta and him until the carriage disappeared from sight.

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  “You did very well today.” Colonel Lalanta gently patted Nitaan’s head, the grand palace now just a giant shadow in the background.

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  “At least Colonel should have told me beforehand. My heart felt like it was going to stop beating so many times today,” Nitaan complained.

  “No way you would come if I tell you first.” Colonel Lalanta laughed.

  “What were you thinking, dragging me into the middle of a battlefield like that?” Nitaan asked.

  If asked whether he was displeased? The answer was yes. Even though he knew he needed support if he wanted to improve himself further in the future, being forced like this still annoyed him.

  “What’s your guess?” Colonel Lalanta smiled slightly.

  “At first, I thought Colonel might want to test other factions. But judging from today’s results, you probably want people to remember me. A debut, perhaps?”

  “A debut to a higher society of the Firegan Kingdom. Not as a genius of City Guard unit, but as a promising young rising star siding with Princess Pailin.” Nitaan thought for a moment before answering.

  “Maybe as a distraction? To be someone others’ factions have to be wary about.”

  “Oh? And aren’t you afraid? I already told you about assassination and ambush.” Colonel Lalanta raised an eyebrow.

  “I’m pretty sure I still have my use, so you probably won’t let me die easily,” Nitaan smirked.

  “I thought you’d be angry?”

  “Definitely. But if I continue living in peace, I won’t be able to take another step in Fate Scripting. These kinds of situations are also good experiences for me and for Word Comprehending.”

  “Besides, as you told me before, ‘As long as it doesn't anger the queen,’ it means there should be quite a few limitations.” Nitaan starts speculating.

  “If it’s something below Enlightened, I think I can handle it.”

  "Ooh, confident much? You're still a Learner. You might easily die with just one slip-up." Colonel Lalanta laughed. She rarely saw him in this arrogant, confident light.

  "I'm not that confident. Of course I will lose if I have to fight those Engravers. They are a lot stronger than I am." Nitaan shrugged.

  "But assassination is a form of hunting, and when it comes to hunting, I'm pretty confident," Nitaan smiled.

  "You're more hot-headed than I thought. Let me tell you, I did try to make you the center of attention, but all the troubles and eyes after that? It’s totally on you." Colonel Lalanta flicks Nitaan’s forehead. His cheeky smile really annoys her.

  “Ouch! Anyway, please take good care of me, Colonel. If there’s someone I can’t handle, I will run to you.” Nitaan dodged, yet he still gave her a fake ‘Ouch!’.

  Colonel Lalanta couldn’t resist Nitaan’s irritating smile. She flicked his forehead again. This time her speed was too fast for Nitaan to dodge, making him cover his forehead in pain.

  I won’t make the same mistakes twice. Colonel Lalanta thought to herself, not uttering a word, only offering her usual faint smile.

  Being able to talk and be silly with Nitaan like this made her happy. At the same time, her thoughts start running wild. How nice would it be if Nitaan’s real parents were here?

  She forced herself to stop that thought, looking at Nitaan, who is playing with Kiita on his lap. She swore to herself again and again to protect them.

  I can’t interfere too much in his growth. It’s important for kids to live and learn through mistakes.

  Besides, Princess still needs a friend she can be herself with, a friend who can help her realize how precious she is. Colonel Lalanta pondered these thoughts as she looked at the Nitaan.

  Her main goal is to make two troublesome kids meet. All the experience and political benefits are just a bonus.

  Of course, she wouldn’t say it out loud. Letting him believe that was more than enough.

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  “Nitaan, how was the party three days ago? You still won’t tell me. Today’s the day you have to talk!” Napha’s face was flushed. One hand held a glass of cloudy liquid. The other was around Nitaan's shoulder, shaking it back and forth.

  "It was just a typical royal banquet," Nitaan sighed.

  Since returning from the banquet, his comrades had been teasing him non-stop. Even tonight, when the whole unit was having dinner together at their usual place, Bharata restaurant.

  "Ho ho, I think Napha means whether you met any wealthy young ladies that caught your eye." Tawan said, his face beaming without any drunkenness.

  "No, most of them were older than me. There weren't many who were close in age," Nitaan replied.

  "There is no one you have fun talking to? What a waste! You were dressed so handsomely," Kasa laughed. Rain, who is perching on her shoulder, flapping her wings knowingly.

  "I didn't talk to anyone much in particular. Just greeted each other and introduced ourselves. The person I talked to the most was Ms. Fang Ming, whom I knew before, and Princess Pailin."

  "There! Isn’t Ms. Fang Ming cute? She’s rich too!" Napa, drunk and barely audible, suddenly burst into laughter.

  "She's a full-fledged businesswoman. It's purely a business relationship, nothing more." Nitaan waved his hand dismissively.

  "You talked to Princess Pailin too? No wonder, it’s Princess Pailin." Leader Mei shrugged.

  "Leader Mei, you've talked to Princess too?" Nitaan asked, wanting to change the subject from himself to something else.

  "It's not just me. I think almost every citizen in Ratana City has talked to her," Leader Mei laughed.

  Nitaan's fork, which was poking at a large piece of grilled meat, stopped. He had met Princess Pailin before, so he understood her friendly nature. He wouldn't be surprised if Leader Mei and Unit 3 had talked to her.

  But the entire Ratana City?

  "Ho ho, that adorable little girl is always ready to help everyone. She likes to hang out in the city, chatting with people, helping out here and there, and never being bored with it.” Tawan laughed.

  "That's right! I once saw Princess covered in mud because a local child dropped their doll in the canal," Gion added, his face beaming with amusement.

  "I once saw Princess competing in a freshly baked bread-eating contest held in the town square. She said bread sales weren't good, so she wanted to help," Leader Mei added.

  "If you want to see Princess, go to the place where people are most numerous and smiling. That's what the old folks in town say," Gion chuckled.

  "You guys talking about Princess Pailin? The other day she helped my mother sweep the yard. A stray cat knocked over a flowerpot, making a mess. Luckily, Princess happened to pass by," said a large, shabby man sitting nearby.

  His voice was so loud it drew the attention of everyone in the shop.

  "I've met Princess Pailin too! She even helped me choose some clothes! I have saved up for years hoping to buy a pretty dress, but I gained weight and didn't dare try it on at the store. Do you know what she did? She kept changing my outfit non-stop and complimented me until I mustered the courage to wear this dress! Now it's my favorite!" A plump woman exclaimed, her face beaming as she twirled around in her pretty, light purple dress.

  "I also met Princess Pailin! My son was lost a while ago. When I found him, Princess Pailin sat and talked with him until dark!"

  "I also met Princess Pailin!"

  "Me too!"

  A cacophony of voices echoed throughout the restaurant. Soon, the place had become a hub of boasting about how they had been helped by Princess.

  Everyone's face was beaming with genuine smiles. Just a mention of Princess seemed to brighten the whole restaurant. Her name alone seemed to melt away any sorrow.

  Nitaan was slightly taken aback by what was happening. Even his fellow unit members were chatting amongst themselves as if this were a perfectly normal occurrence.

  Nitaan watched everyone's smiles. He couldn’t help but laugh.

  The picture of a woman with fiery red hair and pink eyes pops up in his mind. That small and fragile figure was so strong it left a deep impression. His faction leader was so beloved.

  There's no way she will lose that election.