...Am I becoming emotionally weak.
After that question that apparently increased the tension in the carriage for some reason, the princess went back to asking irrelevant questions about me.
Austin who was usually quiet around people started engaging in conversations with William and Rafael.
Aria usual expressionless face now had a hint of excitement and happiness as she talked about me.
Few hours after sunset, the princess propose that they stop for the day and start preparing camp. It was still pretty early into the night, but she said it would be better to continue it tomorrow morning since they were only a little bit over half a day away from the Imperial Capital.
The camp didn't take much time to set up. In fact, I helped them to prepare it a lot faster.
Now, they don't have to worry about Night watch thanks to me and Austin.
The campfire was lit and dinner was prepared for us by princess maids. As for others, they cooked their own meals.
To be honest the quality of food was reasonably good assuming it was prepared for a Royalty.
I thought that the conversation, or rather, the princess questioning anything and everything about me would stop for the day. However, I realized how naive I was when we were eating dinner.
The princess sat beside me even after we'd finished dinner. Although she didn't act clingy, her interest in me seems to be genuine and she likes being with me.
There were occasional stares from knights. But it disappeared as soon as it appeared, maybe they are scared of me.
I even began to sense Adventurers and William's intense stare as I chat with the princess. Every time she accidentally made physical contact with me, they would increase the intensity of their stare, even though our hands only slightly touched each other while she was handing her empty bowl to me.
Yet, I don't care about anyone looks. They are not worthy enough for my attention. I shifted my attention to Aria.
Why am I tolerating this?...
Don't tell me it's just because I sympathise with her.
Aria life due to her innate skill was always filled with loneliness. She was surrounded by numerous people yet She has no one to talk to.
She can sense their intent from afar thus she always maintained a friendly smile upfront. But inwardly she was disgusted by most of them.
Life is like this when you are at a higher position everyone just wants to take advantage of you by getting on your favourable impression.
However, I don't think this is the reason behind it...
There are thousands of people in this world living in much more worse conditions than her. I don't think I feel bad for any of them.
... After all, it's a cycle.
Balance must be maintained, whether poor and wealthy or powerful and weak it is always balanced.
If there are ten peoples out of which 1 is rich and powerful then it is bound to have remaining 9 as poor and weak. These are just relative words with no exact meaning.
In the end, it is all about balance.
As long as there are people who rule there will be people who get ruled.
Whatever, not like I am going to meet her again. Just complete this mission then to Imperial Institute.
She must be excited to meet someone other than William who does not possess any negative feelings towards her.
It's just attraction nothing else.
Involvement with her means trouble on my part.
... At most, I can grant her one wish for saving Freya, nothing else.
Mia looked at me in doubt. "Ahem, Leon about James....was it really you."
Austin frowned. He looked at me perturbed. Till now I haven't told him anything about James.
Aria stopped talking, she narrowed her eyes at me curiously. She must be interested in knowing the reason for James death. It will affect the Empire as a whole.
William shifted his attention to me as well.
Did they still remember this?.. I thought they must have forgotten about it.
"It was nothing serious just some disagreement in the party between me and him regarding leadership." I shrugged casually and did not go into details.
If I say something it has a chance to contradict the statement later released by Yves.
"Oh,...ok" "mm..."
Did they believe me?
Of course not but they knew one thing now, it is useless to ask me anymore they won't get anything out of me.
There was a brief silence.
Everyone was speculating the future course of events that will take place after the results of our Assignment is published officially. Many big powers are going to get into action.
They are looking for opportunities to exploit.
As for William, he must be considering me as a threat to Empire.
Rafael gave me a sympathetic look. "Dude, you are gonna face a lot of public outrage after this."
Public Outrage, hehe.
A single soldier can hold a mob of hundreds not because they are weak but because nobody wants to die first.
"Sure, I woul-..." Instantly, my eyes opened wide, a sharp glint flickered across it.
"EXACTLY!!" Smiling, I turned to Aria. "Ahem, Aria you must maintain distance from me. Considering my current situation, It can spoil your image. It is a piece of humble advice from your wise friend."
William agreed.
Aria has a noble image across the whole Empire. She is worshipped by many as an ideal woman. If she is known to have maintained contact with the person who killed people's hero it could adversely affect her. James was famous across Silveria for helping the poor free of cost.
Aria furrowed her brows. But soon a smile glowed on her beautiful face.
She smiled softly. "Exactly, this is, even more, the reason we should be together, it can improve your image."
".."
I take back the words beauty and wisdom in the same body.
Why she isn't dumb?
"Consider your decision again Aria, Church will trouble me "
"Didn't you say you solved it already?"
"...I did."
"I am old."
"How much?"
"100 years."
"It's alright you still have 400 year's to live."
"..."
"I have multiple lovers."
Mia and Rafael looked in surprise to think that I would have a girlfriend other than Ellen. William snorted. [ This bastard already have several wives, still want to put his hands on The Princess...pathetic.]
The corners of Aria mouth twitched. "How many?"
"Three"
"I can compromise"
"..." "..." "..."
Silence.
We looked at her speechless. How adamant can a person be?
She is supposed to be the only princess of the biggest human Empire, how can she compromise so easily.... Princesses were supposed to be proud and arrogant.
Will deal with her later. I raised my hands in defeat. "Are you sure You aren't going to regret your decision later?"
"Sure."
"Pffft.....you guys" Mia chuckled.
She was imagining what would happen if people get to know that the women loved and adored by everyone, even in the neighbouring countries is being rejected by a man today.
There were numerous proposals across the Empires for Aria but she rejected it all.
And today she is being rejected by a man ⊙︿⊙.
If the Nobels & Adventures who proposed her get to know about it they would chase Leon to death.
I had a tired expression across my face. Should I teleport Aria directly to Imperial Palace... It is feasible but Nah.
Let's keep it as a last option.
"Hey, Leon where are you going after this?" Rafael asked out of nowhere.
"Imperial Institute." What's up with him now?
"Mm."
Aria eyes shone with curiosity. "Institute...??" She has a lot of memories of her time at Imperial Institute.
"His sister is working there"
"...you have a sister."
"Why, can't I?"
"No ju-...It's nothing."
"We are going to Imperial Institute as well, why don't you come along," Mia added.
"That would be a goo-..." I turned towards Mia only to find her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Is she still stuck in learning magic from me?
... A wise man is not the one who is strong but one who knows when to escape.
"Thank you for the offer, but I would have to politely decline. I have to visit Yves once and brief her about the situation."
Though disappointed, Mia agreed.
I heaved a sigh. No magic from now.
"Yves? The guild master of Imperial Capital." Aria blinked her blue eyes with curiosity.
"Yup."
Various emotions rippled across her face.
She asked after a brief pause. "...Is she your girlfriend."
"Nope, her sister Ellen." I told bluntly. I have plans for Yves, but now we are no better than friends.
William stared at me astonished.
Aria quivered.
She maintained a calm smile outside but inwardly her resolve was shaken. [ Headmistress friend's sister!! No Aria you can't be defeated so easily...be strong. Rumours about Bloody Witch must be false... She shouldn't be that scary right?]
William spoke with suspicion. "You seem to know a lot of powerful people."
What's up with this watchdog now?
"You are weak it's not my fault." I sneered.
William's face turned ugly but immediately he turned serious.
"Do you have any idea who was behind the attack on Princess?"
Amusing, at least he is sincere at his work.
"Didn't you heard your guardian, no idea." I laughed him off casually.
William glared as if not believing me.
"This is about Empire Security." He yelled.
"So what??" I smiled contemptuously.
"YOU!!" He stood up with face contorted in rage.
His eyes narrowed, and one palm moved to the hilt of his sword.
"William sit down," Aria ordered him.
"Bu-"
Aria stood up and glared at him.
William snorted as he unwillingly moved back to the carriage.
I chucked. "Hahaha.... Miss Aria, you need to teach him some manners before your Sir Captain losses his head."
Aria smiled wryly and bowed. "My sincerest apologies, he is usually not like this. Today's incidents must have been a lot for him to take."
Aria stared at the back of William with a troubled face. He is guarding her from childhood. Till now, William hasn't encountered a single failure in protecting her.
Today's failure must have left a scar on him. Maybe that's the reason for his impulsive behaviour.
She took a deep breath and sat down.
Ultimately, she decided to talk to him someday later.
Aria blue eyes narrowed as she looked at me. "Hmm...Leon, what is your opinion about today's attack."
"Opinion..." I put on a pondering expression, wondering whether it will be of any use to tell her about God or not.
"I can only tell you one thing if it was just a random attack you should feel fortunate."
"However...if it was planned for you... Just forgot about it like it never happened."
Aria wrinkled her brows. "What do you mean!?"
I laughed. "A dead man tells no tale, Miss Aria. Well, I would be going to bed."
Aria was startled by sudden information. Mia and Rafael watched me in disbelief. I just indirectly told them that the princess is going to die soon... Believe me or not it is up to them.
I was unconcerned by their dumbfounded reactions.
"Oye Austin, the night watch in on you." I shouted without turning back and left in the direction of my tent.
Austin reluctantly left towards the guard post not forgetting to mutter a few curses before.
Aria was left there dazed.
She muttered in a stupefied manner. "Is he right? But who is so much powerful enough to breach Empire's security..."
...