The Protagonists of Romance Fantasy Novels Have Escaped

70 – 70. Lingering (1)

—-

The Edanant Rudmila knew was gentle yet discerning.

Always displaying a humble demeanor.

Occasionally showing a playful side, but never causing friction.

The news that Edanant barged into the infirmary and had a fierce argument with Prince Erik came as quite a shock to Rudmila.

Edanant was never one to harbor hostility without reason.

‘Prince Erik of Pug Kingdom is a cunning man who likes to flatter those in power. It’s natural to feel antipathy towards such a person. I, too, do not hold Prince Erik in high regard. But this must be Edanant’s first encounter with Erik….’

Leaning against the wall, lost in thought, Rudmila finally came up with a conjecture.

“S-surely… jealousy?”

Where did she hear that Prince Erik had flirted with someone, laying out sweet words?

Hence, it was clear Edanant expressed hostility towards Erik out of jealousy.

Jealousy.

Edanant was jealous.

Recalling Edanant’s fiercely confrontational stance towards the Prince, Rudmila burst into a wry smile.

“Edanant must be a rational man with strong judgment…. For him to feel jealous. He must love me deeply. Edanant is truly an irresistible man.”

Like a cuckoo bird flapping its wings, Rudmila’s shoulders moved restlessly.

Being loved this much.

Such a surge of pleasure that she wanted to shout right away.

She almost kissed while riding a train to the imperial capital.

And nearly kissed again while waltzing on a fancy terrace.

In reality, it was just a confession short of being lovers, wouldn’t you say?

Having inflamed the pure maiden’s heart to such an extent, it was only natural for Edanant to take responsibility as a man.

“Is there something good happening, Your Highness Rudmila?”

“Ahem. Do I seem that way?”

“You’ve been smiling all the way until you entered the study.”

“It’s nothing.”

Javelin, who entered the study, looked at Rudmila with a suspicious gaze.

What could have happened?

Frowning at Rudmila’s effort to hide her smile, Javelin thought, ‘I used to think of the renowned holy maiden of the victorious kingdom as a threat. But Edanant loves me wholeheartedly. hahahaha, it’s absurd to think of a weakling like him.’

Glancing at the holy maiden with her thin, silver hair and frail figure, Rudmila sneered inwardly. And she silently celebrated her victory in the Edanant competition.

It’s ridiculous.

A holy maiden like her never stood a chance in the first place.

Who in the world would fancy such a weak chest and buttocks? Unless it’s a man with peculiar tastes.

Rudmila expressed heartfelt gratitude to her mother who bestowed her with a perfect figure.

“May I dare ask why you’re scrutinizing me all of a sudden?”

“Surely not.”

“Just now, it seemed like you were mocking me.”

“It must be a misunderstanding on the maiden’s part.”

On the subject of the old maid.

Why is she being so persistent?

Could it be that something happened between Edan and her after all?

Jebline felt her heart twist at Ludmilla’s relaxed demeanor as a victor.

“Did Your Highness summon me to mock me?”

“Of course not.”

The princess skillfully served milk tea to the maiden.

For a girl with stunted growth, milk tea mixed with milk suited well. The mockery was to grow her chest, akin to chewing gum.

However, Jebline either didn’t grasp the hidden meaning or chose to drink the milk tea immediately.

* * *

There was no next.

What in the world is this ‘next’ supposed to be?

Pondering over Legnas’s testimony, coerced from Prince Erik, she expressed her doubts.

No idea.

She wasn’t particularly fond of deciphering codes.

“The maidens’ party must have surely successfully subjugated the demon king, the ultimate villain in the story… It should have ended with a cliché happy ending, ‘and they all lived happily ever after.'”

Part one had ended.

And part two should have begun.

However, the missing protagonists somehow started inciting chaos, turning into villains. The world, barely restored to peace and order, was slowly engulfed in turmoil by the protagonists.

What exactly was Legnas trying to convey?

She recalled the figure of the avenger, the fallen sword saint, with a heavy sigh.

“Avenger, do you have any concerns?”

“…It’s not your place to ask.”

A woman with flowing black hair entered and asked.

She sighed again.

“I will assist in anything to uphold the justice of the avenger who will one day drive out the arrogant sole deity and bestow upon us a new world!”

“…….”

To pledge allegiance to the villain who had razed the Imperial Palace of Baltaria.

It felt as if she, too, had turned into a villain.

“If you fool around, I’ll throw you under the scorching sun for half a day. And I’ll add a pinch of garlic to your blabbering mouth.”

“Ah… Indeed, you are the chosen avenger of the calamity of war. How noble.”

Had her mind gone astray from the month-long imprisonment? Despite the threat to her life, Ariel seemed to be lost in ecstasy, her face blushing.

Insane.

Even vampires fall prey to mental disorders.

Dealing with them individually was just a headache.

She raised her head, looking at Ariel, eagerly awaiting orders with a sense of anticipation.

“How many vampires are awaiting news in the ruins?”

“Yes, a little over five hundred.”

Quite a lot.

From Noble mtl dot com

To have over five hundred vampires.

If she could use the vampires, who roamed the night sky ravaging the world, as spies, they would undoubtedly be useful. Of course, for now, she had no intention of subjugating the Sangheil Tribe.

“I will cherish the gift you bestowed upon me, Avenger.”

“It’s a bomb necklace. If you stray too far from me, your head will fly off, so be careful.”

Ariel wore a choker made of coarse black explosives around her fair neck. It was a safety device designed in case Ariel betrayed or fled.

If activated, heads would roll.

It was not a metaphor.

It was indeed a bomb necklace designed to detonate.

For now, it served a purpose, but she was a dangerous figure who had attacked the Imperial Palace. Hence, she prepared extreme safety measures for contingencies.

“Then back off and wait. Don’t get caught for no reason.”

“Yes.”

Closer and closer.

The sound of footsteps drew nearer.

Elegant yet bold strides.

She confirmed Elizabeth’s approach through the distinct sound of her footsteps.

“I told you to hurry.”

“I tried to vanish into the mist… but because of the choker you gave me, I couldn’t.”

Darn it.

Come to think of it, that’s true.

She pondered hastily hiding Ariel in the wardrobe, but it was impossible.

Elizabeth had already reached the door with her footsteps.

“I’m coming in, Edanant.”

“Just… please wait a moment!”

However, the nonchalant antagonist, Seongjeong, opened the door without hesitation.

“……”

“……”

Elisabeth, who entered without a warning, found herself face to face with a woman with flowing black hair.

Caught off guard by the sudden situation, Elisabeth froze with her hand on the door handle.

Shock and confusion washed over her.

She felt a sharp sense of danger as the antagonist Seongjeong, staring at the vampire intently, exuded a menacing aura.

I know.

The emotions emanating from Elisabeth’s emerald eyes would soon turn into rage.

“I’m going to tell Unni right away. Edanant brought a woman he’s never seen before into the room…!”

“It’s a misunderstanding!”

She wasn’t insane enough to feel a s*xual impulse towards vampires.

As Elisabeth hurriedly moved to leave the room, a sense of unease gripped her heart. She needed to come up with a convincing excuse to placate her immediately.

“I, I am a maid from the Hoenberg family.”

“That can’t be true. For a family maid, you’re too exceptional looking…”

“It’s embarrassing to admit, but my father was one to appreciate the female form from a young age. Therefore, the maids who assist in the family business are all beauties.”

“Hmm. Is that so?”

It couldn’t be helped.

In order to diffuse the immediate crisis, she had sacrificed her father.

How much effort had she put into protecting the Hoenberg family until now? She believed that even if her father found out later, he would understand and not doubt her actions.

When Ariel was introduced as a maid of the Hoenberg family, Elisabeth’s fierce suspicion gradually subsided. It seemed she couldn’t fathom fabricating lies to the extent of betraying her family and father.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you for the first time, esteemed Lord Edanant. I am the maid who will serve you from now on.”

The woman with flowing black hair elegantly greeted while lifting the corner of her skirt. It was a graceful gesture befitting a maid from a prestigious family.

Despite sending disapproving looks, Elisabeth nodded her head.