Chapter 127: The Woman Who Intrudes a Private Residence
“…Going home?” When I said this, Sarah looked at me with a gaze full of suspicion. “Peilo, isn’t your home in Winter City? Or do you have a place to stay here?”
I gave Sarah a sweet smile. “Yep, a dwelling.”
“Do you have relatives here?”
“Uh…”
I thought about it for a second and decided it was too much trouble to explain, so I simply nodded.
“Sort of… Gotta go now!”
I turned and hurried towards the door, but after just a couple of steps, I heard Sarah shout from behind, “What do you mean sort of… Hey, Peilo! Don’t forget, there’s a troublesome guy keeping an eye on you! Be careful not to run around!”
Troublesome guy? Who… oh, that red-haired one.
Come to think of it, I hadn’t seen him these days; I nearly forgot about him…
“Got it—”
I replied and stepped out, making my way down the tower to the first floor.
After a light rain in early spring, the air was filled with the lovely scent of warm, moist earth. A thin mist wrapped around the path ahead and the flowers and trees on either side, shrouding everything in a dreamy veil.
I loved this feeling.
The darkening clouds of dusk didn’t feel oppressive at all. Following the road, I walked out the gates of the academy, where many plain, pale blue war chariots were parked on either side.
According to Sophia, these war chariots are available for rent and are a signature of the Royal City. They gather at the academy’s entrance every rest day, with drivers mostly being older uncles who gather in groups, chatting casually until a student approaches to ask about prices.
Some war chariots have very prominent family crests printed on them, with correspondingly more presentable drivers. One glance tells you they are likely servants or butlers here to escort young masters and misses home, but those chariots are few and far between.
The vast majority of students still walked out carrying bags or just empty-handed.
I approached a kind-looking uncle, negotiated a price, hopped onto the chariot, and rode it back to Longdoll Street.
Such “rented chariots” aren’t allowed into Longdoll Street, so I had to get off at the street corner. After tossing in a tip and handing the driver a silver coin, I walked towards my own residence.
When passing by Mansion No. 2, I suddenly noticed a few soldiers standing guard outside the iron gate and curiously slowed my pace, peeking in… The soldiers quickly became alert.
“Excuse me, miss, is there something you need?”
The tone of the question was quite polite… which makes sense, since this is Longdoll Street. If it were somewhere else, they might’ve just shoved me away.
“No, nothing.” I waved my hand at the soldiers.
“Little girl, it’s getting dark soon; you should hurry home.” One soldier smiled at me.
“Mm.”
I nodded obediently and continued walking.
Just a casual glance revealed that there were more soldiers in the courtyard, and their armor shone brightly, looking far better than those guarding the Royal City gates. The deeper part of the mansion was brightly lit; they must have important guests!
At this time, that woman might be inside, enjoying dinner with a bunch of fat nobles… there must be a lot of delicious food… tsk.
I was originally planning to find her tonight, but seeing how busy she’ll be, I guess I’ll just go home and make dinner for Captain Gray!
Thinking of how long it had been since I had Captain Gray’s meal, I became cheerful again and skipped lightly to the front of Mansion No. 3. Upon unlocking the heavy door, I suddenly sensed something was off.
…There’s someone here.
In the courtyard stood a woman.
Clad in a long, emerald green dress with a light pink silk shoulder wrap, the classic red-green combination was made oddly elegant by her graceful figure; her back alone was mesmerizing.
She stood silently under the grand tree in the courtyard, seemingly entranced by the flower buds on the branches, her long, golden hair flowing freely, gently stirred by the breeze, rippling like water.
I instantly recognized who she was.
Victoria… What is she doing here… Wait, how did she get into this courtyard!
I glanced back at the heavy iron gate; it was definitely locked just now. Frowning, I quickly walked over to her.
I deliberately made my footsteps loud, and she turned her head after a few steps.
“You’re here.”
She said, still with that indifferent tone, her face beautiful yet detached, her vast eyes showing no emotion.
It felt as if she were the owner of this little manor, and I was the guest.
So, once I reached her, I raised my head, glaring at her, and unhappily asked, “How did you get in?”
Victoria raised her right hand, her slender finger pointing lightly at the nearby fence wall: “That way.”
…So you actually climbed over the wall to get in?
No, she can fly… Flying is impressive, huh!
“Just casually breaking into someone else’s home—”
Before I could finish, I noticed a subtle change in her expression; her eyebrows furrowed slightly, looking rather puzzled: “Aren’t you doing the same?”
Uh…
d*mn, she’s right… but so what? This time I’m in the right!
So I glared at her, gnashing my teeth… I felt my eyes were wide open enough to intimidate her… then I realized she was a head taller than me; looking up like this felt off-putting, so I stood on my tiptoes—only to find I still had to look up, which made me even angrier.
“But you’re a queen! How can a queen just barge into a commoner’s…”
“You’re a Pope Knight, not a commoner.”
“…Well then, she absolutely shouldn’t—”
“Why can’t a queen do what a Pope Knight can do?”
“……” I was left speechless.
Frustration boiled up inside me, but I couldn’t think of anything to retort; all I could do was glare at her in exasperation.
Yet Victoria clearly wasn’t interested in this silent stare-down; she turned away, looking once more at the blossoming tree.
After a moment, she said, “This honey fruit tree will be blooming soon; it needs careful tending. Look, some of these buds are drying out.”
Her calm and indifferent tone was infuriating.
“What’s it to you…?”
Victoria glanced at me.
“It has nothing to do with me; I’m saying this tree shouldn’t be spoiled in your hands. After all, its fruit is quite sweet.”
I frowned at her words.
So this tree wasn’t just a decorative one? It also bears fruit… honey fruit? I’ve never had it; is it really that sweet?
“I can’t take care of trees… just watering it is enough, right?”
“There’s also insect repellant; I’ll have someone bring it over for you.”
…Is she trying to be nice?
No, she’s changing the topic.
Realizing this, I quickly said to her, “Don’t try to change the subject. What exactly are you doing here?”
“I don’t have anything else to do.”
“No plans, just standing in the courtyard?”
Didn’t she have guests arriving? Stupidly standing there staring at a tree? What kind of queen…
I noticed Victoria’s beautiful eyes dart back towards the two-story building in the courtyard: “I don’t have the key.”
…Meaning, if you did have the key, you’d just go in, huh?
“Why don’t you just smash a window and fly in?”
No idea how to respond to this loony woman… whatever, I’ll ignore her.
I was getting a bit hungry anyway; it’s best to focus on food.
