Chapter 20- Of Promises and Rumours

Deciding he had made things uncomfortable enough as it is Cael wasted no time following the two up the ladder. Eventually poking his head out into the open air not unlike some manner of mole he assessed the situation on the surface.

Looking around he couldn’t see the others but he heard talking in hushed whispers on the opposite side of the massive tree. After leaving the comfort of his ladder and stepping out from behind the Elder Wood Cael took note that Ciara was present as well but when she saw him in turn, she had the strangest of reactions looking at him almost with an appraising sort of eye.

『Hhmm, not bad at all. Well they definitely could have done worse.』

『What?』

Hearing the confusion laced into Cael’s voice as he stood there head tilted, Ciara merely shook her own with a thousand watt smile.

『It’s nothing you have to worry about, oh but I heard you had quite the night.』

At that Cael could only respond vaguely with a powerless chuckle as he himself wasn’t even quite sure of what had happened. All he knew for certain was that his instincts were telling him that “something” happened the exact nature of that “something” however seemed forever out of his grasp what with his missing memories.

Moving on so as to not dwell on the uncomfortable subject anymore Cael began to give his farewells to the mother-daughter duo as he knew he couldn’t stay for long if he was going to return before the end of his deadline.

『Well miss Ciara it was nice seeing you again but Selene and I have to go if I don’t want to y’know ... die or something.』

『Of course, oh and call me Big Sis though Mom has a certain ring to it as well, hehe.』

Cael couldn’t help but sweat drop a little as the crazy tree lady struck again once more showing off her true colours.

I just noticed it, but she laughs like some kind of perverted old man.

Backing away slowly from the dangerous person Cael instead turned to look at Lily heart feeling somewhat awkward. Countless feelings came to mind though none of which easy to put a label on. Lowering his eyes to the ground Cael rubbed the back of his neck while struggling to find the right words to say.

『Look, about earlier I didn’t really mean any…』

Whatever words he might have said however were swept away in the end anyway when Lily blocked his lips with her index finger.

『I know.』

At her words Cael looked up eyes widening slightly.

『You don’t have to explain ... but I’m not going to say goodbye either. All I want to hear is “See you later, Lillianne.” Okay?』

Moving her finger away from his lips Cael couldn’t help but answer with what was in the back of his mind no matter how much he tried not to think about it.

『I don’t know if I can do that, you said it yourself there’s a good chance that fruit could kill me.』

Furrowing her brow Lily did something unexpected. With the same hand that gently silenced him earlier she smacked the back of Cael’s head with an audible thwack.

『Ow!』

『See … you … later … Lillianne. Okay?』

『Hey, I’m trying to be serious here.』

『Don’t. Doesn’t suit you.』

In the background Cael thought he could hear a certain princess snorting, of course he should be mistaken as everyone knows princesses shouldn’t make such sounds.

Seeing that Cael was distracted Lily once more did her best impression of a particularly well-known hard boiled navy cop and smacked him on the back of the head just as viscously as before.

『Hey, quit it!』

『Do I have to repeat myself?』

Finally giving up with a sigh Cael put on his trademark grin and let Lily have her way.

『See you later, Lillianne. Happy?』

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

『Nn, very.』

Shaking his head Cael walked over to Selene and grabbed her by the hand despite her mild protests and ran off with her into the distance in an effort to cover up his embarrassment. The only thing he left in his wake was a shout intended for Ciara.

『I’ll come by for another visit after everything’s over okay, Granny!』

Hearing Cael’s final parting words the nymph felt a vein throb on her forehead and only managed to get out one word as he left.

『Brat.』

🙦🙥🙧🙤

Running for quite some time the two had managed to make it back into the castle corridors. Though Cael didn’t pay it any mind Selene had taken note of the shocked expressions on all those they passed.

At first she simply thought it was because they were running around weaving and dodging people as they went but after some careful thought a blush quickly spread out across her face and she strongly anchored herself on the spot bringing Cael with her much to his surprise.

『Why’d you stop?』

With eyes darting back and forth looking anywhere but directly at the redhead in front of her, Selene slowly managed to mumble out her problem.

『Um … you see … the thing is … my hand.』

『Hmm, what about it.』

Feeling her blush intensify even further Selene had no choice but to spell it out for her oblivious cohort.

『Can you let go of my hand! I’m a princess I can’t be seen holding the hand of a boy! Oh gods just thinking of the scandals! We can’t do this sort of thing in public!』

Watching the princess descend into a spiral of panic was actually rather entertaining and did something to relieve the stress Cael was feeling regarding his own potential fate. His inability to resist pouring oil onto already burning fires has always been a shortcoming of Cael’s but alas as a leopard cannot change it spots so too could the teen not help but poke fun at Selene’s words.

『So you’re saying it’s fine as long as we’re alone.』

Hearing this the redness on the girl’s face had finally reached saturation and her eyes rolled back into her head as she unexpectedly fainted. With no other choice Cael caught Selene as she fell hoisting her up into his arms.

Looking down at the sleeping girl he couldn’t help but smirk a little at the absurdness of his current situation.

『Heh, princess carry.』

Shaking his head at that once in a lifetime pun he continued his trek only this time doing so in a slow walk being careful to not jostle the sleeping beauty. Curiously despite him obviously carting around the unconscious second princess no one had actually said anything to him and let him pass without a word.

I guess it’s all about confidence. I mean would a kidnapper be as brazen as I am? Must be why the guards aren’t really reacting, though with how lax they are it’s actually a bit concerning if anything.

Deciding not to look a gift horse in the mouth he didn’t dwell too much on the sentries leisurely attitudes. After a few more minutes of walking Cael had finally managed to locate the throne room he so unceremoniously left yesterday afternoon.

Seeing the familiar double sided wooden door assigned with its two mob character guards Cael felt like a burden had been lifted from his chest. Being late to his own trial because he got lost on account of teasing his guide into unconsciousness probably wouldn’t go over too well with the Emperor afterall.

Funnily enough the first to actually take exception to Cael carrying around a sleeping maiden was actually none other than one of the no-name door guys.

『Halt! What are you doing with her highness the second princess? Unhand her at once!』

『Ah~ I can explain, y’see the thing is; while her highness the most respected and venerable princess Selene was on her way to guide me a legendary summoned hero to meet with the Emperor of this land, unexpectedly what would appear before us was none other than a truly most grotesque of cockroaches!』

The two guards in a state of half believing half doubting couldn’t help but lean their heads in closer and question Cael’s tale.

『A cockroach?』

『Indeed! A cockroach, but not just any cockroach this one was truly as large as a rat not only that but it seemed of the variety to fly a most dread inducing creature as any for a fair maiden as princess Selene to face.』

Hearing more of Cael’s story the guard on the left couldn’t help but nod his head in approval before reciting his own experience in such matters.

『Certainly, my sister back home always used to say that women were no good with bugs and such always getting me to dispose of the critters for her when she was younger.』

The leftmost guard truly seemed almost entirely convinced by Cael’s logic and was inclined to let him pass by, the guard on the right however seemed to be of the more sceptical sort and was slowly inching his hand towards the pummel of the sword by their waste.

『Regardless of the reason I don’t think it would be appropriate to let someone largely unknown handle the princess while she’s unconscious.』

Having already prepared an answer for such a response Cael was quick to put on an expression of empathy.

『You, my good man are of course right and that is why I thought to myself “Who would be the best hands to leave the sleeping princess in?” and therefore I could only come up with one suitable answer. That answer obviously being the emperor himself!』

Locking eyes with the unsure guard Cael pressed his attack.

『That is of course unless you believe it would be better to leave her with your most esteemed self as opposed to her wise and great father. I am certainly no expert when it comes to the law but is it not something of a crime to supersede the Emperor when it comes to such matters.』

By this point the rightmost guard who entered the conversation overflowing with confidence was beginning to sweat bullets no doubt trying his best to simply avoid a case of lese majeste or even worse treason.

『Not to worry, not to worry because being the most intelligent gate guard you are you would no doubt let me pass; no?』

Left with no other choice the guard could only force out a smile that looked uglier than crying.

『Haha, just trying to be vigilant you can’t blame a guy for being cautious.』

Calmly nodding his head like it was someone else who just threatened the sentry with execution, Cael responded in an understanding manner.

『No doubt, it’s a dangerous world we live in afterall.』

『My gratitude for being reasonable. By all means don’t let this lowly one hold you up the court is no doubt anxiously awaiting your arrival, please go right on inside.』

Chuckling to himself with his mischievous grin showing in all its splendour Cael thanked the guard and continued on his way, the whole while still carrying Selene in his arms. In the future tales of the second princess’ legendary fear of insects would become common household knowledge all throughout the lands of Eden, much to Selene's dismay.