The Returnee Wants Peace

Chapter 42

Princess Illien Marcia looked like a beautiful doll.

Not yet asleep, she sat in a comfy chair by the large window overlooking the lake, staring outside with hazy eyes.

Seemingly lost in thought and unaware of their presence, the princess belatedly turned her head towards the door. Then her eyes widened upon seeing Rosha peeking in.

“...!”

The startled princess jumped up and pressed herself against the wall.

Seeing her wary demeanor, Rosha raised both her hands to reassure her.

“Your Highness, I apologize for startling you. May we speak for a moment?”

She gently persisted.

“I’m Rosha from the Aper family. It’ll only take a moment.”

She assured her once more.

All she promised was to have a chat and leave. But no matter what she said, the princess just kept shaking her head.

Froy, who had stayed outside the bedroom and was observing, murmured quietly.

“I didn’t expect it to be this bad...”

Then, it happened.

“Hey, move out of the way.”

Koko, which had been in her pocket, chirped softly and flew towards the princess.

At the sudden appearance of the bird, the princess, who had halted her actions, curiously looked at it and then reached out her finger.

The bird willingly perched on her finger, hinting at the princess’s head with a small gesture.

‘Hmm...’

Upon closer inspection, it was evident.

The entangled magical traces indicated deliberate brainwashing.

‘...There’s no choice.’

Rosha wondered how many years the princess had been like this.

As she examined the tangled flow, Rosha used [The Guiding Lantern].

Sssssha-

The summer palace at night.

Moonlight softly descended into the room from the wide window overlooking the lake and forest.

Amidst the tranquil motion, a golden line appeared, guiding Rosha in her task.

While the princess was distracted by Koko, Rosha approached and carefully manipulated the magic following the golden trail.

It felt like threading a very fine needle.

Despite her confidence in handling magic after 18 years of practice, she was cautious not to make any mistakes.

Now, she could guess why the God of Prophecy had given her this quest.

Because at this moment, the only one capable of undoing the princess’s brainwashing might be the 18-year veteran magician and owner of [The Guiding Lantern].

Then, suddenly:

“Ah!”

She had a hunch where it was. Froy seemed to have an inkling too, and muttered,

“It’s the Diamond Mines of Marquis Lycaon.”

And then it happened.

Suddenly sensing something, the man scanning the surroundings flashed his purple eyes in warning.

“Someone is approaching. It’s not just one person.”

She couldn’t sense anything yet, but it seemed like his special ability.

Indeed, the sound of approaching footsteps was soon heard.

It was the guards.

How did the guards know? They didn’t touch the magic barrier, did they?

She was puzzled, but the answer soon became apparent.

“Oh... It seems I made a mistake.”

The princess, looking like she might cry any moment now, pointed to a spot on the wall.

There was a small tile, more recessed than the decorative tiles around it.

‘She must’ve been brainwashed to press that when intruders come.’

Rosha’s head turned quickly.

They could potentially sneak out now, but the princess’s brainwashing wasn’t completely undone.

‘It’s better to finish today for the quest of the God of Prophecy. The security will only get tighter from tomorrow.’

Fortunately, thanks to Froy’s ability, they could hide for a while. However, they needed to conserve his energy for the way back...

Then, the princess, with a deeply apologetic look, hurriedly opened her wardrobe and said:

“Hide in here. They... are very bad people.”

The wardrobe didn’t have many clothes, so if they squeezed in, two people could fit.

More than that, Rosha was curious about the princess’s statement about ‘bad people.’

“Bad people?”

“Hurry up!”

Though she wanted to ask more, the princess hastily ushered them in.

Just as Rosha and Froy squeezed into the wardrobe, the princess shut it with a bang.

Their view turned pitch black.

Although they had become used to the darkness while wandering the night palace, in a space without a hint of light, they really couldn’t see anything.

It’s said that when one sense is blocked, others become more sensitive.

“Aren’t you uncomfortable?”

“Yeah, well.”

Startled by the voice right behind her, Rosha nodded. Whether the hair touching the chin was itchy, Froy brushed her hair slightly.

Due to the narrow space, they inevitably overlapped a bit.

Touching her back, their arms brushed, and their breaths were too close. Although they didn’t say anything, they felt an odd tension.

Breaking the tension were the guards, who entered the princess’s room without permission.