{T/N: Three days ago as I had just started this chapter, my grandmother drew her last breath. I was able to continue this chapter just now with the intention of letting the readers know that I won't be translating this fic again for at least 3 weeks... Until then✌🏾}
~~
"No worries Yae, just be brave. Look at me, I always speak my mind in front of the princess, and I'm doing just fine."
Graham patted her shoulder, giving a thumbs up.
Hearing this, Yae's face twitched, then she turned away, ignoring him...
'Do you think everyone can be like you, acting recklessly and still being valued?' Yae mused.
She was sure that if any servant dared to act up in front of Priscilla, they would be dead without a trace!
~~
After getting an eye roll from Yae, Graham brought freshly brewed tea to the hall once again.
Priscilla's suspicious gaze swept over him.
"I swear, I didn't drink it this time. But I still think I should test it for poison first..."
"Are you not afraid of death?" Priscilla frowned, looking at him with dissatisfaction.
'Testing for poison... testing for poison... if it really is poisoned, wouldn't the tester just die?' She thought bitterly.
Hearing her question, Graham's face turned serious, "If I don't go to hell, who will? I'm afraid of death, but I'm more afraid of... the princess dying in front of me. So, if I have to choose, I will die before the princess..."
"Shut up! Are you jinxing me?" {T/N: Jinxing looks like a Chinese word, but it's not...}
"Huh? No, I was just..."
"Get out!"
"..."
With a dejected look, Graham was driven out again.
Watching his back, Priscilla revealed a pleased smile.
"I will never let you become my 'husband,' Graham. You will always be my knight!"
She believed that a husband is someone who doesn't love her, only seeks death, and then really dies.
So, what she needs is a knight named Graham, not a dead husband with an empty title.
In the evening, Graham shamelessly came to Priscilla's bedroom again, under the pretext of fulfilling his knightly duties.
And Priscilla, with just a glance, accepted this explanation.
'This man, his shamelessness is quite interesting! Nonetheless, it's still because of my charm. Indeed the world is tailored for me! All beings are equal... beneath my feet!'
...
With new agricultural techniques and Priscilla's wise use of talents, the territory of Barielle presented a prosperous scene.
Because Leip lost his ability as a lord, Priscilla announced to the people that she would take full responsibility for managing the territory, and the people showed joy.
Actually, from Graham's perspective, he thought Priscilla was very suitable to become the 'King' of the Kingdom of Lugunica, after all, she managed her territory so well.
The people also respected and supported her, willing to give their all for her.
But this is quite difficult.
This is the law of the world, and it is incomplete.
It is said that hundreds of years ago, one known as the 'Witch of Envy' devoured most of the world.
In the end, she was sealed by the Dragon God, the Great Sage, and the Sword Saint.
Because most of the world was devoured, the laws are incomplete, and many of the world's powers were taken by the 'Witch of Envy'.
Perhaps, the world bestows so many blessings on humans to fight against the 'Witch of Envy'.
Moreover, besides Priscilla, there are four other Royal Selection Candidates.
The process of determining the candidates is actually very simple. As long as the Dragon Emblem of the Kingdom of Lugunica glows, it proves that the person has the qualifications of the Dragon Priestess and is a 'King' candidate.
But currently, only four candidates, including Priscilla, have been confirmed, and one candidate is still missing, so the election cannot proceed normally.
However, thinking about this now is a bit far off.
What needs to be done now is to manage the territory well.
...
Unlike Leip, who was often active only in the mansion and among the upper nobility, Priscilla would inspect the territory every few days.
Of course, Graham was always there with her.
Everywhere they went, enthusiastic citizens would come to praise Priscilla.
The reputation of the 'Sun Princess' was increasing at an incredible rate.
At least within the Barielle territory, everyone knew her.
And these would become the most advantageous factors in the 'Royal Selection'.
Honestly, relying on Leip's old ideas, he might never be able to help Priscilla ascend to the throne in his lifetime.
Leip was just an old noble who only knew how to oppress the people. Even in gaining the people's support, he only relied on Priscilla's beautiful appearance and the integrity of her knight to win votes.
But Priscilla was different. She personally inspected the territory and provided the people with what they needed to survive.
She fundamentally gained the people's gratitude, and in this way, she could obtain absolute support.
The people would even feel that not supporting her was wrong and would be condemned by their conscience.
After the inspection, Graham drove the dragon carriage slowly along the wide road.
"Princess, you are really popular. I can't believe you've only been in this territory for a month."
Priscilla crossed one leg and smiled sweetly.
"Remove the 'can't' for me, Gra~. Look at my extraordinary beauty. Isn't it natural for commoners to admire me and gather around to appreciate me?"
"Indeed, the princess's appearance is the most beautiful I've ever seen."
Hearing this, Priscilla's lips curved into a perfect arc.
"Then you should contribute your strength to me even more. In this way, I can show a little mercy and give you a reward."
"Ok~"
"What does 'ok' mean?" Priscilla looked at him with interest.
"It means 'no problem'."
Graham answered while staring at her profile, slightly lost in thought. Such a confident and beautiful woman, no matter from which angle, was full of indescribable charm.
Since he had met her, he really didn't want to let go.
Moreover, despite Priscilla's reputation for having caused the deaths of seven husbands, there were still endless suitors.
Now that old Leip is as good as dead, who cared? Priscilla already has complete controll of the Barielle family.
Especially the thousand-strong 'Crimson Battlefront', which consisted of soldiers who had been on the battlefield!
However, what annoyed Graham was that a few days ago, batches of nobles who looked decent came to visit the mansion.
What was their purpose? Naturally, it was to propose to Priscilla.
Now that Priscilla had inherited the Barielle family, she was essentially a wealthy and powerful 'jade' beauty! {T/N: Originally 'White beauty', but white doesn't sound nice, so I opted for 'jade'}
If they could catch her eye and even marry her, they wouldn't have to worry about food and drink for the rest of their lives.
Moreover, Priscilla was a 'Royal Candidate'. Just this status was enough to make the nobles ignore her 'Bloody Bride' title and use all means to court her.
But who was Priscilla?
She liked interesting people.
The nobles' tricks were unoriginal, so she directly had Graham turn those guys away.
They didn't even enter the mansion before being driven away by Graham.
Such clowns! He hadn't even succeeded in proposing to Priscilla, so how could he let these crooked melons and split dates succeed?
Kotowaru!