Translator and Editor: Effe and Nabi

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Chapter 41 – Walpurgis Night (4)

Sienna and Eleanor did not look away from each other. As if there were only two of them in the world, the surroundings became blurred.

Whose hand should she hold…?

Sienna loosened her strength from her shoulders and leisurely enjoyed the moment of her choosing.

She was certain.

She thought Eleanor would hold her hand. It wasn’t because Eleanor was particularly good, or because she was closer to her.

‘She’s a smart person.’

She was sure to quickly decide what was in her favour.

“It is an honour.”

Finally, Eleanor’s hand was placed over Sienna’s.

“Eleanor!”

Pierre lost his composure and grabbed Eleanor’s hand as if snatching it.

It was just the scene the two of them wanted. Eleanor hit the rude hand politely and resolutely, then bowed her head slightly toward Pierre, who had just stiffened.

“Then, I hope you have a good time, too.”

Sienna, who watched Eleanor’s actions, followed her and bowed her head.

“I’ll see you after the festival is over, brother.”

“You…”

Pierre was still speechless, but in an instant, he was surrounded by the girls.

Meanwhile, Sienna and Eleanor rushed out from the noisy lakeside. The two sat side by side on a long white bench under a tree in a secluded garden. The others were waiting far away, so there were only two people on the bench.

Eleanor said with a slightly awkward smile.

She had a voice that was cautious.

“I’m afraid you’re misunderstanding, but I’m not on the Princess’ side yet.”

“I know. But, by now, my brother must be very childish.”

Sienna added, remembering the expression on his face at the moment when Eleanor released Pierre’s hand.

“He looked like a child who had been deprived of his favorite candy.”

“….”

“So, you don’t have to worry about it. It was good for each other.”

“More than that, your wrist…”

At Eleanor words, she turned around with a playful expression on her face and lowered her voice at their short distance.

“It’s a secret.”

“….”

“Can you handle it?”

The deep blue eyes stayed in the air as if searching. Though soon, the corners of her lips drew an arc. It was a smile as smooth as if painted.

“I’m not going to do what I can’t afford.”

“It’s a smart choice.”

Sienna leaned her back and drooped her body. A warm breeze blew over her head, which was tilted back.

“It smells good.”

As she took a deep breath, she shut her eyes.

Eleanor, who was watching her, followed her and tilted her head.

“I know. It’s great.”

It was nice to hear the rustle of the leaves rustling in the wind.

‘I think everyone knows by now.’

She appeared quite loud, so rumors must have spread quickly. Those looking for her must have been busy at the same time.

Sienna thought throughout her return to the castle. How can she protect herself? Can she survive? She was lucky this time, but what if this happens again next time…?

Fear and anger swept away at once, leaving only a sense of helplessness in her place.

On this very peaceful night, she could feel her plight of being unable to do anything very clearly. All she could do now was expose her existence… To keep herself from harm, she only shouted with her whole body that Sienna Stern was here.

She opened her eyes only when her tilted head stiffened and stretched her out and stood up.

“Now, shall we really go play? There will be a lot of fun things.”

“I appreciate the favor, but I will decline. Actually, I was a little tired.”

“Really?”

“Yes. If you allow it, can I rest in the house for a while?”

“I’m sorry, so I can’t help it. Then, we’ll see you again next week. Master.”

“Really, that name is really, really boring during the day.”

“You will get used to it. Take a good rest and see you.”

“May the Princess have a good time, too.”

As Eleanor said so, she looked at Dandelion and smiled.

Thanks to this, Sienna’s cheeks instantly heated up.

Sienna and Eleanor, the gaze between them became softer and softer. She couldn’t stop her lips from rising over and over again. Her whole body felt itchy.

However, at this heartwarming moment, an uninvited guest interrupted.

“Why are you twisting your body?”

She wanted to tell Jad that his tone was more twisted, but she resisted.

“Did you follow us?”

“I didn’t follow you.”

Eleanor, who had seen the two exchanging words rudely as usual, cautioned Jad.

“Lord Valencia. Be polite to the Princess.”

Jad hesitated for a moment, then gently lowered his head.

“…Pardon the rudeness. Princess.”

Sienna blinked at the sight of Jad she had seen for the first time in her life. She couldn’t believe he was so docile. When it was his father, the Marquis of Valencia, or the King, he pretended to listen…

‘Love is truly amazing.’

She forgot to respond back and blankly chewed on the fresh sight. She wished he could have grown up a bit by this time.

While she was thinking like that, Jad suddenly spoke to her.

“So, what will the Princess do now?”

“I? I…”

Sienna confirmed Dandelion, who was still looking this way. He may come close, though he kept the same distance as Arthur.

“I’m going to play. It’s a festival I planned.”

Jad pursed his lips as if he didn’t like the answer.

“Then…”

Sienna didn’t care and pushed Jad’s back.

“Huh? Hey! Don’t push. I’ll go, anyway.”

“Yes. Yes.”

Jad kept glancing behind and was pushed away.

As she waved her hand towards him, Sienna exhaled a light breath. If Eleanor had Jad next to her rather than Pierre, it would be a good thing for her.

‘I feel a little relieved.’

Sienna called Dandelion and Arthur with a sullen face.

“Dan! Arthur! Let’s play.”“Yes? But, to His Majesty first…”

Sienna squinted her eyes and stared at the mouth that spit out useless noises. Eventually, Arthur let out a moan and finally let out a sigh, pretending not to win.

“Yes, yes. Do as you please, Princess.”

It was going to come out like that.

Sienna took the lead, laughing like a villain.

“What shall we do first?”

She was asking, but the answer was already decided. A festival starts with something in your hands. And so, she held a soft Shushu cotton candy in her hand and watched the firewood set on fire. The people gathered in pairs danced happily around the firewood.

She then asked Dandelion, who had been silent the whole time.

“Dan. Would you like to dance together?”

Instead of answering her, Dandelion bent over on one knee and politely asked her to dance.

Sienna grabbed his hand with a sullen look on her face. Tonight’s party did not have a fixed form or an elegant stringed melody. There was only crude and upbeat music and random dances.

Arthur looked at the two smiling broadly, holding round cotton candy.

But, unfortunately, he couldn’t laugh along.

‘Are you really okay?’

Sienna postponed the details of the story.

However, the wounds on her wrists and the crying expression on her face could tell that she had suffered badly.

‘With a face that looks like you’re about to collapse.’

He would have wanted to immediately turn on the fireplace in the bedroom, lay her on the bed, and cover her with the duvet up to her chin.

Still, now everyone knew that even that room wasn’t safe.

Arthur pretended to know nothing and felt disgusted with this peaceful night.

***

At that time, as expected, there were people urgently looking for Sienna.

Rumors that the Princess had appeared on the shore of the lake spread quickly. Although for most, it was just interesting gossip, shocking news to those who knew about the Princess’ disappearance.

Winter Brown, who was ordered by the King, was looking for Sienna, who returned to the castle on the spur of the moment. However, the castle was spacious, and the atmosphere of the festival could not be ruined, so it was not possible to move the troops recklessly.

In the end, they kept falling behind because they had to move secretly with a small group.

And, there was another person who was desperately looking for Sienna. It was Raffel, a young official who actually led Walpurgis Night.

“Princess!”

He was luckier than Winter.

“Raffel?”

“Are you okay?”

Siena, who was about to drink a cocktail in a pleasant mood, was bewildered by the unexpected appearance of Raffel.

An unexpected ambush appeared.

Workaholic, passionate man, glued to her like a gum. He was a person who could roughly be described with such a modifier.

How tenacious and perfectionist he had been torturing himself.

‘He would not have known that I was kidnapped.’

Raffel looked really surprised, and the holes in his face were all enlarged. His eyes wide open, his nostrils wide, and his mouth wide.

Sienna soon found out why, without difficulty.

“I heard that you have a bad stomach ache and can’t get out of the bathroom.”

“…What?”

At the unexpected answer, the strength in her legs was released in an instant. Sienna finally understood Anna’s words that she had properly returned those who had come to the Princess Palace.

‘Anna…!’

Among many reasons, why was it an upset stomach and a bathroom? What about the Princess’ face?

Nonetheless, Raffel, who did not know what Siena thought inside, laughed wildly.

“Hahaha. I’ve been looking for you so much when I heard that the Princess has been witnessed.”

“Uh, why?”

“Yeah, of course, I have something I want to ask you.”

She almost forgot one modifier for Raffel.

Question Mark Killer.

Why? Why? What principle is this? How did you know this? Why is this happening? Huh? Princess?

There were many times when she sweated a lot when he asked only questions that were difficult to answer. It was the first time she knew that there were people who couldn’t sleep at night if they didn’t have an answer to their questions.

He came at dawn and asked her that he didn’t understand the words on the sixth line on page 11 of the document. She still couldn’t forget that face.

“I’m glad you looked okay. Last time…”

Sienna quickly stopped before he spoke his words.

“Thank you for your concern. Then, I’ll get going.”

She just wanted to get away quickly. If she was caught here, she didn’t know what else she would get involved in.

‘I’m still tired, but overwork is an absolute no-no. Never!’

With that thought, she didn’t look back and she hurriedly pulled herself out.

“Princess? Princess…!”

She could hear calls from behind, but she pretended not to hear and hid among the crowd. Arthur and Dandelion followed with slow steps, not knowing anything.

Sienna, who had been walking for a long time, turned around and stopped.

“What time is it?”

“Is it an hour until midnight?”

In response to Arthur’s answer, Sienna looked around her.

People sipping their glasses, lovers leaning against the trees, whispering their love, smoke rising from the huge piles of wood. It was still peaceful here, and people were enjoying the spring night in their own way.

Even though she wanted to enjoy the mood, too, she couldn’t help but keep her nerves vigilant.

‘Will the story change…?’

Sienna wrapped her arms around her scorching wrists. As time goes on, the answer would come naturally to her, and she was curious about it.

Foolishly.

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