I Became the Childhood Friend of the Northern Duchess – Chapter 145

Edgar gazed at the long, neatly arranged road stretched out before him, momentarily lost in thought.

He had felt it before during his last visit, but it really was the capital and the most bustling city of the Empire.

This grandeur, which he hadn’t even experienced in Hespania, could only be described as extravagant.

He would’ve loved to get off and look around for a bit, but unfortunately, today wasn’t going to allow it.

If he were alone, it wouldn’t be too hard to manage, but wandering around with Ariel next to him might cause quite a stir if someone recognized her face.

It might have been possible when she was just the sole daughter of the Robeheim Family, but things had changed significantly now that she was the true master of the ducal house.

“It’s really unnecessarily vast. When are we ever going to get to the Imperial Palace…?”

On the other hand, unlike Edgar, Ariel, with her half-dead eyes, was just watching the scenery pass by when a complaint slipped out of her mouth.

It felt like the time taken to reach the Imperial Palace was longer than the journey to Hildak itself.

The endless stretch of road was unbearably monotonous.

“Don’t you have any patience?”

“Hmph, my patience isn’t the problem; it’s this stupidly large city that is the issue!”

Even with Edgar’s teasing, Ariel stubbornly pouted and continued to critique the layout of Hildak, not taking her eyes off the passing scenery.

She wanted to quickly finish all the bothersome business and head to the villa for some cozy time with Edgar.

Maybe that’s why this time, which she wouldn’t normally think much about, felt so painstakingly dull and frustrating.

“It really is impressively vast. I didn’t realize it since I hardly ever come to Hildak…”

Hagel empathized with Ariel’s words, but unlike her, he admired the panoramic view of Hildak with a hint of wonder in his eyes.

Meanwhile, Silvia realized that Hagel’s residence was relatively close to Hildak and raised a question.

There were quite a few of her friends who lived near Hildak, and it was common for many to visit the capital for fun, given the distance.

“Hagel is fairly close, isn’t he?”

“To be honest, I don’t really prefer going out. My trips can be counted on one hand.”

Being from a military family and lacking any particular hobbies, he typically spent time training himself.

His experience visiting Hildak was limited to when he followed his father as a child, so naturally, he didn’t know much about the place.

Since he started dating Silvia, he had become more active with her naturally, which led him to go many places.

In that sense, Silvia had significantly changed Hagel’s life.

‘I see.’

However, Silvia interpreted his words somewhat differently and felt a bit down.

Although her intentions were good, she worried it might have caused trouble for her partner.

Especially since Hagel had always been so considerate of her, she thought he might be suppressing his annoyance at having to go out so often.

“I’m sorry, Hagel. I didn’t realize…”

“Oh, no. Silvia. I’m truly grateful.”

As she lowered her head, Hagel waved his hands in a flurry to clarify.

It had initially been a bit awkward, but the memories they had of traveling together around the country were some of the best moments of his life.

Undoubtedly, had it not been for her, he would have never laid eyes on the cold, snowy fields of the North.

In a way, one might say he developed a new perspective on the world through her.

As Hagel conveyed his heartfelt gratitude, Silvia gently leaned into his embrace, softly closing her eyes.

Meanwhile, across from them, Ariel, momentarily lost in the warmth of their tender moment, jabbed Edgar in the side with her elbow.

It felt as if their past stories mirrored her own and Edgar’s very closely.

“They’re not so different from us, are they?”

“What do you mean?”

On the flip side, Edgar wasn’t particularly in resonance with her comment and appeared to be somewhat detached.

Seeing this, Ariel pouted her lips in annoyance.

“Don’t you remember? I was always dragging you out to play when you were holed up in the mansion since you were little.”

“Dude, you better get your facts straight. You may have dragged me out, but I’m the one who actually played with you!”

Edgar didn’t strongly deny that he had mostly stayed in the mansion while Ariel had brought him out.

However, he felt there was an error in her statement; he was the one who should say, “I played with you.”

Ariel was always playing the bossy one, insisting on going somewhere, but when they arrived, she’d often stand there and ask, “So, what do we do now?”

It was no joke that Edgar had often wondered, “Why did you even bring me if we were going to just stand here?”

Ultimately, whenever Edgar found something fun to do, they would end up spending time together doing it.

Ariel boasted that she’d find something fun next time, but when the time came, it would be the same cycle repeating.

They always bickered, yet those days spent together were the happiest.

And even now, as adults turned lovers, it was clear that not much had changed, as evidenced by the scene before them.

“If it weren’t for me, you’d be sprawled out somewhere, crying every time you fell!”

“Hey! It’s normal to cry when you get hurt as a kid! Were you really going to tease me for something like that?! What a jerk…!”

“C’mon, stop pinching me! Do you know how sensitive that is?!”

“I’m just saying it’s supposed to hurt, silly!”

Despite being in the same space, the two pairs of lovers were so different.

What would their parents think if they saw this scene?

As each chariot loaded with their own memories hurried along, they eventually arrived at the Imperial Palace.

“Stop!”

“Step off the carriage and state your identities!”

As Edgar’s group reached the entrance of the Imperial Palace, two guards stepped forward to halt the carriage.

Except for a few exceptions, all who entered the Imperial Palace must dismount and undergo inspection.

However, a couple of issues arose here.

Firstly, the previously mentioned exceptions only applied to those in a carriage authorized by the masters of the ducal house or the Imperial family.

Secondly, the carriage that Ariel was in didn’t display the Robeheim Family’s emblem and appeared rather ordinary for a ducal house’s carriage.

The reason for the emblem’s absence was due to a countermeasure devised by Yulken after the two had been ambushed by Vincent and his gang previously.

While proving that they were part of the Robeheim Family was essential, his point was that it could increase the risks of an attack from assassins or unidentified enemies.

Considering these points, confusion was entirely possible; hence, Ariel chose to wait in the carriage without taking direct action as the others waited for the door to open.

She believed Shuri, who was in another carriage, would soon step out to handle the situation, so she didn’t think it would pose any problem.

As predicted, Shuri stepped out of her carriage and, unlike her usual dull demeanor, spoke assertively to the guards.

“There’s a royal highness inside. Please open the door promptly.”

“Do you think we’re blind? There’s not even the ducal emblem on the carriage, so who the hell—!”

Considering Shuri just a mere user, the guard quickly started bullying her as he brandished the standard.

However, Shuri understood their situation and thought they would grasp the issue well enough to continue calmly.

“Then if his highness were to come out personally, would you open the door?”

“If his highness comes out, he ought to do so. But I cannot tolerate someone of your lowly status mentioning him so carelessly. At least have a representative come forth!”

With some rather disrespectful remarks thrown in, Shuri’s eyebrows twitched.

While her current appearance didn’t differ much from that of any other user, the guards wouldn’t have a clue that she came from a noble background.

However, even if she had approached submissively, such disrespectful words towards her were certainly impolite, and she felt a need to correct this.

But as a mere user, she couldn’t dare call out for Ariel, feeling quite anxious.

At that moment, another carriage’s door opened, and at last, Ariel revealed herself.

“Did you call for me?”

“…I don’t know who you are, but we’re looking for royal highness.”

Noticing that the aura surrounding Ariel was not that of an ordinary criminal, the guard hesitantly switched to a more respectful tone, but rather than helping, this only fanned the flames of Ariel’s indignation.

“The heart of the Empire, and you’re slow on the uptake. Didn’t you hear that the head of the Robeheim Family has changed?”

“Hmm? I’ve heard… huh!?”

The guard, who had been responding dully, widened his eyes in shock upon witnessing Ariel.

No one would be unaware of such a significant change as the head of the ducal house, but not everyone would know the new head’s identity.

Especially that the fact the ducal house had only one daughter and that the only child had recently become the head at such a young age would be common knowledge only if one was keeping ears open.

“…”

The guard who had been so dismissive of Shuri turned pale, trembling uncontrollably.

It finally dawned on him the information he received from his superior.

Surely, a young girl who had just turned of age had inherited the position of head of the ducal house.

They might not frequently visit the Palace, but it was necessary to store that knowledge just in case.

Seeing the color drained from the man’s face, Ariel smirked slightly as she approached him slowly.

At first, it was a situation full of potential misunderstandings, and she had planned to observe quietly.

To be honest, she would have been a little upset if they had shouted for her to come out right away, but that wouldn’t have made her as angry as she was feeling now.

However, that the guard had insulted her choice to send Shuri, who was serving as her representative, ignited her rage.

As the magic of dominion proving her descent from the Robeheim Family began to glow a reddish hue from her body, the guard hastily kneeled and bowed his head.

Another guard nearby rushed over, joining in to plead for mercy.

“I sincerely apologize for not recognizing you, your highness!”

“I apologize!”

Ariel looked down at the two of them, wearing a cold smile that lacked any emotion.

They were still at a total loss for what to do.

Even now, had they added an apology for Shuri on top of the prior one, she might have been willing to let it go this once.

After all, with Edgar and her friends present, she would have preferred a peaceful resolution.

But they insisted on continuing to punish themselves.

That being the case, she had absolutely no intention of smirking as she stained her hands with the likes of them; she sought the simplest form of punishment.

“I’ll inform his majesty of this matter directly, and let him deal with your punishment. You’re confident you can bear the weight of that sin, yes?”

“…!”

The head of the ducal house was practically on par with the royal family in the country.

Just seeing how even the lofty nobles would lower their heads in front of members of the Robeheim Family proved their might.

Yet to be punished directly by her for tarnishing her honor?

Given that crimes against the nobility could lead to instantaneous punishment, it was equivalent to a death sentence.

From their perspective, it would have been a hundred times better to be simply trampled and kicked by Ariel than to face that consequence.

Even if it meant losing their ears and having their eyes gouged out, it would still be better to keep their lives.

However, not one of the two guards thought to cling to Ariel’s pants to plead for their lives, despite the inevitable punishment.

When briefly catching her gaze, it was as if it said, “This is the best mercy you could hope for.”

“Oh, look, the door’s opened. Then I’ll be off. I won’t bring up this crime any further.”

With that, Ariel ascended back into the carriage without even lifting a finger and strolled through the now-opened door into the Imperial Palace.

Why did everything have to go awry when she just wanted to finish her business and escape this ridiculous palace as soon as possible?

She vowed that anyone who bothered her on this day wouldn’t get off easily.