After a few hours, we could finally see a huge white wall on the horizon. It stretches so far that I couldn't even see the edge even after turning my neck fully to the left and to the right. Considering how high it seemed from this distance, it was most probably be 15 meters high, or even more than that.
As they come closer, everyone stared at the majestic in awe. The white wall reflected the entire spectrum of light, causing it to be blinding especially on a sunny day like this. On the wall, I could see several guards patrolling. Some were in the watchtowers, equipped with some sort of binoculars which allowed them to see further and thus respond quickly in case someone or something approach the city walls.
The wall came closer and closer, close enough to the point that they couldn't see the top of it anymore. There were several guards stationed on a relatively large gate. Since this was a path which only royalties or nobles knew about, there were not as many guards as there were in the main city gate. Though, the skills of the guards stationed here were head and shoulders above those soldiers.
Several guards saw three carriages guarded by knights approaching the gate. They immediately realise that it was the princess's carriage since a knight of the princess's guards came a while ago and reported about the incident to them and requested knights to be sent.
The guards welcomed the princess's carriage and said words of relief for her safety after seeing her person.
William told them about the situation and things regarding me and Austin and how we saved them. With that, the guards understood why adventurers could use or even know about this secret route that only royalties and high nobles used. They came towards the carriage and asked for their identification. Although they were already guaranteed by the leader of the princess's guard, they still needed to do it for formalities. Since the guild card was able to function as an identification card for adventurers, I and Austin presented it to the guard and received it back after he was done checking it. The guards expressed their surprise at two Demigods personally escorting the princess.
Seeing their expressions I can judge that the news about James getting murdered by me hasn't been made public till now.
The guards who were on duty all thanked me for saving the princess. Further by their expressions and actions, it seemed that the princess was incredibly treasured even by the soldiers guarding the wall.
After being let through the gate, our group had finally reached the royal capital.
I got down from the carriage and went towards the Aria. Seeing this, the coachman stopped to allow me to talk to the princess.
"Princess, please excuse my discourtesy. However, I will be unable to accompany you from here. I have to visit the guild master of the adventurer's guild Imperial capital branch, so we shall head there. In addition, I have to urgently visit Imperial institute to visit my sister."
"I understand. Although it is quite a shame that we couldn't be together until we reach the castle, I am sure we would meet again in the near future. At that time, let us enjoy our time leisurely."
"If such opportunity should arise, it would be an honour to do so."
"Also, I would like to thank you once more for saving us. Not only did you manage to apprehend the assailants, but you had also healed the knights' injuries and saved their lives as well. I can not thank you enough for what you have done."
"Ah, Please do not mind it. I just did what anyone would do in my position."
Aria smiled at me and signalled me to come closer with her hand. She moved her face closer to me and gestured to lend my ears.
"Remember to call me Aria even outside when we meet again, okay? *Smooch*"
My eyes widened in surprise at Aria's sudden kiss on my cheeks. I could hear William's voice loud and clear saying "What the hell did you do to the princess!?" from the carriage a few meters from me.
However, my brain was busy processing the current situation so I didn't flinch to William's shrieking voice. Receiving a kiss from such a beautiful princess would make anyone weak on their knees and threw their mind into chaos.
But, I began thinking of her reasoning behind her action instead. Was it to gain mine affection? Or was it to stir up the political world by publically announcing our relationship? Can she take such an important decision after just knowing me for a single day? Or based on her skill? Those were the reasons I could logically think of for Aria's action.
After all, doesn't matter how affectionate she acted in private. Doing such an act in public will have completely different significance.
According to her memories, she didn't seem like one to stoop to such low heights to trick me. That can even backfire on her. Additionally, she wasn't the one to be open in public.
However, after seeing Aria giggled with a very flushed face, I got even more confused.
Did she really want to have a serious relationship? Can't she see how many times I have tried to avoid her?
She looked genuinely happy and seemed amused at my reactions. Unfortunately, before I could reach to a conclusion, William approached me with a disturbed face.
Looking at him, I realised that it seemed the knights who were up front didn't saw the kiss and breathed a sigh of relief.
As expected she didn't want to play tricks to bind me towards her.
Although such expression would probably indicate that he, Mia and Rafael saw the kiss, that's ok it isn't a big problem for me.
It seemed that she positioned herself in a way that only which was behind us could see.
Several of her memories again flashed in front of me.
It made me feel guilty for not even trusting her after she already handed over herself unguarded to me before.
Am I being unfair to her?
...Likely yes.
She is looking forward to further development between us, while I am thinking of ways of avoiding her.
However, I do not have the obligation to take responsibility for every woman which I will meet in my path...
There are bound to be rejections. Let's not think about it now. If she survives till the next time I meet her, maybe will consider her lending her a hand.
"Leon. I would like to thank you again for saving the princess on behalf of the knights as the leader of the princess's guard.
I raised a brow. How did he become polite all of sudden?
"Do not mind it. It was but a coincidence. It's certainly nice seeing you like this...change is good...Now I don't have an urge to kill you every time you open your mouth"
William's mouth twitched. Surprisingly he didn't argue back,
"And...I am sorry for my previous conduct, please forgive me." Willie bowed at a straight angle making other guards surprised.
Seeing a knight captain bowing to a demigod adventurer is not something you can see every day.
Although a knight captain is a level lower than Demigod but you can't ignore the fact that he controls a whole regiment of an army. In Imperial guards, his status is only lower than the first regiment commander who personally guards the Emperor and Imperial Guards Captain.
William continued. "I have no right to interfere in princess personal choices. But understand my position as her personal guardian. I have seen her grow from a mischievous and playful kid to a responsible girl who can carry the burden of being Empire's only princess."
"Please forgive me if I offended you earlier. Do not let my earlier actions impair the relationship between you two. If you are not satisfied, I am ready to bear your anger...But please do not disappoint her."
I stared at him blankly as he finished speaking.
I sighed. "Get up." I helped him stand. He watched me anxiously waiting for an answer.
...Everyone deserves a second chance.
I paused briefly before smiling. "You know I have met thousands of knights over my lifespan...Yet only a few have the ability to accept their mistakes and apologise."
"Hah, I never thought you would be one of them, you earned by respect man."
Then, glancing in the direction of Aria, I turned back to him. "As for the Princess I can't comment on it now, as I said earlier we can start as friends. But rest assured I mean no harm to her."
William nodded relieved. "That will be enough for me."
He scratched his chin awkwardly. "A-Also... If you visit the castle in the future, please lend me a few of your time so we could spar together... I would like to ask for your instructions regarding swords."
"It would be my pleasure. But rather than me instructing you, I feel that It would be better if you learn from Austin. I am not good at swordsmanship."
...Is it true, Nope.
"Sure, I can learn magic from you instead. Thank you very much."
The princess giggled as she watch the exchange between William and me. The rest of people also got off their carriage to said their farewells to the princess and departed towards the main street shortly after.
When we were about to separate, William told me the direction to reach the main street. There was a particular route where one could reach the main street without anyone noticing which was used in certain situations by the royal family and high-rank nobles.
...I appreciate his gesture, although I already know most of the routes from Aria's memories.
I took back the Silver from Aria's hand and left. She was slightly disappointed and hopefully, she proposed to keep him as her pet. I would have normally agreed but it is God beast can't take risk.
After I and Austin departed, Aria and William were watching us go further and further away. William saw Aria watching them go with a lonely face and got concerned.
"Princess, is something the matter?"
"... Until the end, Leon was still not ready to accept me."
"Eh? What do you mean, your highness?"
"I used my unique spell to see his aura. His aura is not same as those filthy nobels...But whenever we talk I can sense the distance between us. It seems like he is close yet distant at the same time.."
<
Even if she did trust someone, she would fear that they would one day betray her. That's why she treasures her relationship with William very much. She didn't want his only friend to betray her and would always try her best to stay on good terms with him. She would even use <
When she used that unique spell, she confirmed it. While William's aura was pure, innocent and radiant which attracted her, Leon's aura was similar to a light that has lost its radiance, just like her.
... At that time she didn't knew her spell is not powerful enough to detect Leon's aura and just showed a reflection of her own.
She thought that maybe he was just like her, and felt like she just found her soulmate. When she first realised this, her heart beats faster and the feeling of excitement and joy welled up inside her. She couldn't help but smile.
That was why...
"Even so, I want him to place even a little bit of his trust in me. I want him to look at me for who I am, and accept me."
She wanted to get along with him, she wanted to be friends with him, she wanted to be with him.
The last few days of her journey was the best. Although she was attacked, she got to meet Leon and his friends. When she introduced herself as the princess to Leon, she thought he would just try to curry favor from her or try to seduce her. But in reality, Leon tried to protect himself instead.
She knew that because she had experienced trying to protect herself from becoming political piece by the nobles. Although the Imperial family wouldn't make her a political bargaining chip, they were still Imperials that needs to serve the citizens. In the end, she was the only one who could protect herself.
When she realised that Leon was the same as her, she felt just like how she first met William. Happy, joyful, ecstatic, excited, and relieved. That was why she was incredibly happy and excited while talking with Leon about his daily lives.
"... I am sure he will, my princess. He is a virtuous man who helped us without even demanding compensation. In addition, he was respected by the Guardian...And he is powerful, maybe even more than the Guardians itself. Only his unknown origins are the problem."
"However, His Majesty will surely be more than happy if you can put him to Empire's side. He has a connection with Guild possible Church as well. Else he wouldn't be worry-free after killing James, ... pawn of Church."
Aria fell silent.
William became worried. Her silence was worse than her anger.
When the silence became uncomfortable, she glared at William. "How many times I have to explain, I don't want to use him."
"P-P-Please forgive me princess."
She sighed. "I just want to marry a normal man, live normally without worrying about getting used... Is that too much to ask for?"
"Do I do not even deserve that..."
"Let us return to the palace. I am sure father would ask the adventurer's guild to call him to the Palace. I look forward to spending time with him again. This time, leisurely."
"Yes, your highness!"
Seeing Aria's face brighten also brightened up his heart. William knew there was still problems ahead waiting in the palace and he was sure that Aria was aware of that. However, seeing Aria now, she looked like she would be able to solve anything.
A hero really did save her from her predicament.