The kingdom was plagued by internal and external troubles, and rumors swirled about the Otherworld Demons set to break free at any moment. It was enough to drain anyone.
Looking at this daughter, whom he never paid attention to growing up, now suddenly an adult and so striking in appearance, the king felt a surge of complicated emotions.
He had never realized that this little daughter of his had such a strong will to live! He always assumed she would die of illness sooner or later.
The coming-of-age ceremony proceeded step by step. Everyone wore blank expressions. There were no blessings and no joy. They were mechanical and numb, and even the applause felt perfunctory.
Freya couldn’t say she was disappointed or sad. She had long since stopped holding any expectations, so there was no emotional fluctuation. She was merely completing a set process and fulfilling a task.
“Sixth Princess, Freya Ramirez, congratulations. You have now officially come of age! You are about to step into the most brilliant and glorious stage of your life!”
The priest’s recitation was overly dramatic. Freya did not feel that her future held anything particularly brilliant or glorious.
Next, she was to prepare to set off and marry, wasn’t she?
She found the process far too long and boring. It would be better if they just put her directly into the carriage and sent her off to Alterg at the designated time.
Sure enough, King Serorida began reciting a lengthy wedding blessing.
“…I hope that Freya, my little princess, will live up to her mission and restore friendship between our two countries! May you have a bright future. May the gods bless you!”
Freya stared coldly and intently at the king on the high platform. She suddenly wondered. After saying such hypocritical words so often, did his heart ever feel even a twinge of guilt?
The king felt a strange unease under her gaze, but he quickly looked away.
She was just a young girl. How could she possibly make him nervous? It was all in his head!
The ceremony ended with words of blessings. Freya, supported by Lita, began to walk outside.
“Report!”
Bang—
The heavy doors suddenly swung open, accompanied by urgent shouts from outside.
No one expected a sudden turn of events at this moment.
“Your Majesty, it’s an urgent report from Commander Lant Rezigon.”
The riot in the Dark Night Forest was far more important than the coming-of-age ceremony of an unfavored daughter. King Serorida’s voice immediately turned anxious. “Quick! Read it!”
Before the messenger could utter a single word, a thick stench of blood hit his nostrils, followed by the sound of heavy footsteps approaching rapidly from behind.
“Your Majesty, I have fulfilled my duty and brought the beasts of the Dark Night Forest under control. I can assure you they will not trouble us again.”
Lant, radiating a murderous aura, strode swiftly into the hall from outside and knelt on one knee in a knight’s salute to deliver the report.
But his words were far too concise, which was basically saying nothing.
The messenger quickly recovered and continued reading the report: “Lant Rezigon, appointed as the temporary commander of the Knight Order, personally led over 10,000 cavalry straight to the Dark Night Forest. He slew more than 100,000 rampaging beasts and over 200,000 monsters…”
“That’s enough. You may stop reading.” King Serorida immediately cut off the messenger who wanted to say the good news.
Freya could not suppress her shock. She turned her head slightly to look at Lant, who was still kneeling in the knight’s salute beside her.
He returned so quickly?
But why was he covered in blood everywhere? No wonder the smell of blood was so strong! She wondered if he was injured…
Freya’s eyes unconsciously showed tension and concern.
The king was frightened by the sight of Lant. He didn’t expect Lant to return so soon!
He thought he could perfectly separate Lant and Freya, never imagining that Lant would finish the mission this early! The original schedule of one month had been shortened by him into just ten days.
In the past when seeing this young man, his impression was merely that of a thin child—good only in swordsmanship. He never imagined that Lant had such a terrifying side! The sheer murderous aura emanating from him, who knew how many monsters he had killed? It was simply suffocating! He himself might very well be a monster!
Freya’s ceremony was already over. She had no reason to remain in the hall. She cast a lingering look at Lant, then with great difficulty tore her gaze away and walked outside. She had to go now…
Sensing Freya’s gaze, Lant lifted his head slightly and watched her leave from the corner of his eye.
“Commander Lant, you have worked hard. Go back to change your clothes and get some good rest,” King Serorida said, though even his own voice lacked conviction.
“Thank you for Your Majesty’s kindness. However, according to the rule, I am the Sixth Princess’s personal knight. It is only proper that I follow the princess into marriage. I’m afraid I will no longer be able to serve Your Majesty in the future.” Having said this, Lant turned and strode away without looking back, leaving a group of royalty and nobles staring at one another in bewilderment.
Was it really reasonable for a mere knight to be so confident?
Shania watched in stunned silence as Lant walked faster and faster, chasing after Freya as he left.
In all her years, she had never seen such an arrogant knight!
But there was nothing wrong with what Lant did. He was Freya’s knight. He was supposed to follow her. Wherever she went, he was bound to go as well.
This time, Shania felt no jealousy, only genuine envy towards Freya.
King Serorida slumped onto his throne like a deflating balloon.
How did things turn out like this?
He had married Freya off as quickly as he could. Why was it still not fast enough?
Damn Freya! Damn Lant!
Did he just end up shooting himself in the foot?
Everyone could see how terrible the king’s mood was. They either stared at the ceiling or examined their own toes, pretending they knew nothing.
Sam Williams On TYMIMA Chapter 152