I Will Protect You This Time

Episode 35

(The Banquet)

"By the way, El."

"What is it, Can?"

"Where is that maid who accompanied the Princess from Fellmirr?"

Cande asked in a low voice so that the other maids couldn't hear.

Ella replied while rolling her eyes.

"Aghh! Don't ask!"

'Tch! That b*tch.'

"What? Now you are making me even more curious!"

Cande and Ella are roommates. The other two of their roommates work for the Empress. 

Anyways both of them are working in the Castle for the past 10 years. So one can say they are like sisters. Moreover, because of their excellency in work and loyalty, they were promoted to Senior maids 2 years ago. And now both of them are assigned to serve Isabella.

"I will tell you when we return to our room."

"Sure. You promised."

"Wait. When did I- Sigh~ Okay."

After a while, Isabella was teleported back to her room and we all know the rest.

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*

Gasp*

"So pretty~"

"An angel?"

Everyone' in the Banquet Hall widened their eyes at Isabella's beauty. The ladies fan themselves upon seeing her. And the faces of the young man turned red. They couldn't take their eyes off of her.

"Wasn't there a rumour that she was the ugliest Princess?"

"Where? Are they blind?"

"Shut up! I am turning blind because of her beauty!"

The men talked among themselves. But soon shut their mouth at Leonus's glare.

The group of Lady Raina was the same. Raina's eyes were also wide open when she saw Isabella.

"Wh-What?"

"Is she the Princess?"

"So pretty-"

"What did you say?"

"I mean, she isn't as pretty as a princess should be."

But the girl soon changed her opinion at Raina's sharp eyes. 

In this group, Raina had the highest Rank. She was the daughter of a Viscount. And the others were from the Baron family. So they had to listen to her and appease her from time to time.

'She is beautiful, all right. But that's all there is to it. She must've seduced the Crown Prince. What a vixen!'

Raina thought while covering her face with a fan.

Suddenly the Emperor got up from his throne and everyone became silent.

"Welcome to Fellmirr, Princess Isabella Von Hagen Loire. No, I should address you as the Crown Princess Isabella Albus Carados Fellmirr. Hahaha~"

Isabella let go of Leonus's hand and bowed gracefully. 

"Greetings, the Emperor."

"I hope you will enjoy the Banquet."

"It would be my pleasure to."

"Very well then. Let the Banquet begin."

After that, the music started playing.

I was nervous at first. But somehow I wasn't afraid. It was reassuring to have Leonus by my side. But I still can't look at his face.

Haa~

Isabella started fanning herself with one hand as her face was getting red.

"Princess."

"Uh- Yes?"

"Shall we dance?"

Leonus asked while forwarding his hand.

"Yes."

After that, Leonus grabbed my hand and walked towards the dance floor.

Soon we reached the middle of the dance floor and started waltzing in the dance following the music.

"Princess, are you nervous?"

Leonus whispered in my ear.

Agh~ My ears are burning. It's already hard dancing with him. If he does this now…

"Princess… Are you angry?"

"No, I am not."

"Then why are you red?"

Aghh~ My face turned even redder. Don't say such things! 

Chuckle*

'What the- Did he just laugh?! The cold-hearted Crown Prince!'

Everyone in the banquet hall thought at the same time.

"Don't laugh!"

"If you get any redder, I will mistake you for an Apple."

What?

"And probably eat you up!"

Leonus whispered in a serious tone.

"Pfft! How can you get even redder, Princess?"

"Please stop!"

I am going to die from heatstroke in this cold weather and will be written in history.

"Okay. Okay. I won't tease you anymore."

After a while, we finished dancing and other couples began dancing on the dance floor.

"Princess, are you tired?"

"Yes?"

"Okay. Let's go outside."

Outside? Well, the banquet hall is on the first floor.

"Ah- Okay."

After that, we went outside. It was snowing. The snowflake that fell on my skin felt good. I feel refreshed.

It was a beautiful garden. And in the middle, there was a beautiful Gazebo. Leonus took me there and made me sit on a bench.

"Princess, seat here."

"Okay."

After that, Leonus sat next to me. He was silent for a while.

I guess he is tired too. 

"Princess…"

"Yes?"

"I apologize."

"Huh? For what?"

"For kissing?"

"Kyaa~ What?!"

"You know how I kissed-"

"I-Its okay! It was for the Ritual. And you were hurt too."

Ughh~ Don't mention it again.

"But still I shouldn't have sucked your lips-"

Kyaa~

"S-Stop."

Isabella said while blocking Leonus's mouth with one hand. At her sudden action, Leonus's eyes widened for a bit.

Aghh- What am I doing?! 

Leonus tightly grabbed my hand as I was trying to remove my hand from his mouth.

"Really? It was okay?"

"Yes!"

So now let go of my hand!

"Then it won't be a problem if I kiss you again."

"Wh-What-"

But before I could say anything else, Leonus put his lips on mine and started kissing me.

Wh-What?!

My eyes widened at his sudden action.

What are you doing? No… What am I supposed to do! I can't breathe!

Suddenly our eyes met! Was he doing this while keeping his eyes open all along! As I felt shy, I tightly closed my eyes.

"Mmph-"

I tried to push him away! But all my efforts were in vain.

After a while, he stopped.

Huff* Huff*

His eyes are red.

"Princess…"

Leonus said in a hoarse voice.

"You have to learn how to breathe while kissing."

What is he talking about?! 

"You are red again."

It's all your fault.

"Pretty…"

After whispering that, he suddenly bit my ear.

Kyaa~

"What are you doing?"

"Princess… You are tired, right?"

"That-"

"Let's return to our room."

What? OUR room? What is he talking about?!

But without saying anything, Leonus grabbed my hand and we returned to the Banquet Hall.

After that, he went in the direction where the Emperor and the Empress were standing. After that, he whispered something to her.

Now that I think about it, both the Emperor's and the Empress's attire are of the same colour as our attire. Is it a coincidence? 

Anyways they look so good together. The Empress with silver hair and the Emperor with pitch-black hair just like Leonus. I guess Leonus is more like his father.

The Empress… Oh my! The gentleman from the journey. What was his name again… Randall Erlshade… Yes. They look similar. 

I started looking around. Sir Randall was standing next to a beautiful lady who looked just like the Empress. Is she his sister? The Empress, Sir Randall and that beautiful girl… All three of them have silver hair and silver eyes. Are they from the same family?

That must be it! 

Come to think of it, Sir Randall was a witness in the Ritual. 

"What are you looking at, Princess?"

Suddenly Leonus whispered in my ear from behind.

I looked behind in surprise. Wasn't he with the Empress a minute ago!

I looked at the Empress. She was waving at me with a smile.

"Princess, you didn't answer. What are you looking at?"

"N-Nothing."

"Is that so?"

Leonus said slowly with a smile while looking in Sir Randall's direction.

" Anyways Princess, let's go."

"Ah- wait."

I silently bowed to the Empress. 

"Are you going to come? Or I am going to take you myself?"

"Yes! Let's go."

After that, we left the banquet hall.

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"Apologies! You all might know that My son and daughter-in-law just returned to Fellmirr today. So they are really tired. As a result, they returned to their room. But please do enjoy your time here."

The Emperor announced.

'That's impossible! Out of everyone, the Crown Prince can never be tired!'

Everyone thought at the same time.

"Someone is impatient!"

And the hall burst into laughter.

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.

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Chapter Extra:

Randall and Azleza were standing in the corner of the banquet hall. They were drinking and talking among themselves.

'Ughh! Why is it suddenly so chilly?'

Randall thought while rubbing his nose.

He looked behind. 

'Eek~ Why is he looking at me like that?!'

Leonus was looking at him with a smile.

'What the fu*k?! Why is smiling like a devil! Ughh! Did I do something?! Shit!'

"What's wrong, Brother?"

Azleza asked her brother worriedly.

"N-Nothing!"

Randall said while crying inwardly.

The next time he sees me I will die for sure.

"Az…"

"Yes?"

"Pray for me."

"What are you talking about?"

"Nothing."

"You are being weird, brother."

"Tch! You big meanie! How can you call your brother 'Weird'?"

"Stop it! You are embarrassing me!"

"What are you saying? I am as Graceful as ever!"

"What?"

Azleza asked while frowning.

"You won't understand. I will just have to show you."

Saying that Randall winked at a girl.

"Kyaa~ Sir Randall!"

"See~ You understand what I mean?"

"Ughh! Yes."

"Hoho! Don't be so jealous, Azy!"

"Shut up!"

~ End of Chapter Extra ~