Pillar of Yita

”Achilles, what happened outside the palace today?” Princess Rupert looked calmly at the man in front of her. In the courtyard, the branches of the Phoenix Tree hung like shadows, gently swaying in the wind, with fiery flowers weaving a sea of clouds.

The wind brought a rustling sound, as if the trees were whispering. Achilles glanced over and lightly shook his head: ”Everything is as peaceful as ever in Quistack after His Majesty’s departure. Lord Saisheer is a retainer, and knows how to handle the current situation. His Highness Aleph has performed well.”

”Aleph has always been excellent. If it weren’t for some insecurity about his background, he should have stood out long ago.”

Achilles nodded slightly, agreeing with the princess’s words.

”Is there anything else you need to tell me?”

Princess Rupert routinely asked.

The wind stirred the sheer fabric, as snow-white curtains brushed against the columns. Occasionally, a few maidservants walked by in the distance.

Achilles withdrew his gaze from afar and replied: ”After the Golden Phoenix Flower blooms, half of autumn will have passed. Following the Star Ceremony, trade across regions will quiet down for a while. Slave traders and Dark Followers will also enter a dormant period.”

”The discussions about that great sandstorm have decreased recently. The ’communications’ among the Holy Choosers seem to have resumed...”

”People are speculating about the purpose of the Phantom Sea journey...”

”The Colin emissaries have settled in the palace. They don’t seem to be here because of the Phantom Sea...”

As always, Achilles recounted events that had occurred inside and outside the palace in the past few days.

Princess Rupert listened silently.

After a while, she quietly asked: ”Is that all?”

”That’s all, Your Highness.” Achilles replied.

”Alright, you may leave.”

The princess extended her hand, as usual, letting the man kiss her fingertips.

Achilles gently lowered her delicate hand, his gaze resting on her.

”Remember to inform me if there’s any news from Bain’s side.”

Achilles looked at her and nodded deeply before turning to leave.

Princess Rupert watched him walk away, his figure faintly visible behind the snow-white curtains, until he finally disappeared at the end of the corridor.

In the distance, a shrub rustled, and ’Lady Papamo’ emerged from it, wearing a maidservant’s robe, which looked somewhat ridiculous due to her short stature and plump figure.

’She’ clumsily climbed over the railing, brushing off withered leaves from her body as she approached the princess. ’She’ placed a Record Crystal on the table, pressed it with both hands on the stone surface, stood on tiptoe to tap it, then turned around. ”Ade was absolutely right; this guy definitely didn’t intend to deliver the letter to you, Princess. Not only that, he didn’t even mention it—”

”Perhaps he forgot.”

”How could that be? Princess, don’t deceive yourself.” ’She’ counted on her short fingers: ”It’s only been a few hours. Even the old cat from Dewok Family isn’t that forgetful.”

”What is that?”

”Oh, a fat and greedy cat, but that’s not important. Have I told you about that Evil Dragon incident?”

”You mentioned it before,” Princess Rupert smiled slightly: ”Mr. King of Night Thieves.”

”We must have missed some details.”

”No need.”

”Oh...”

The princess turned around, a hint of disappointment flashing in her eyes.

Though she spoke these words, she knew in her heart that the other party was meticulous and would never forget such an important matter. She lowered her gaze to her fingertips, feeling a twinge of loss.

Not far away, the Record Crystal emitted a gentle glow.

The light wove a scene, depicting a vision overlooking from under tree shadows, with a man soon appearing in the image.

It was Achilles, who took out a letter in the image, talking to himself. However, the scene was silent, with only visual representation. After a while, he put the letter away and kept it close, glanced around, and walked forward, disappearing from the frame.

It took quite some time before the light of the scene gradually faded, dispersing like stardust.

A maidservant entered from outside, glancing reverently at the princess: ”Your Highness, just as you said, some people have arrived outside...”

”Did they tell you their identity?”

”They said their name is Ade, I think.”

”Bring them in.”

The princess added sternly:

”Don’t tell anyone.”

”When Mr. Achilles asks, the same applies.”

The maidservant timidly nodded.

...

Fang Hong hadn’t expected that the princess would start speaking directly when they met.

”That girl was taken by my people.” Princess Rupert said calmly.

She did not mention the name ’Affia,’ probably because she instinctively associated it only with her sister—and also her mother.

Fang Hong froze for a moment.

He paused and exchanged glances with others—mainly Hilveld—after receiving a signal from Miss Ship’s Officer, he quickly regained composure, took a breath, and addressed the princess: ”Grand Princess, technically this is a family matter of the Royal House of Penelope, and I shouldn’t interfere. But now you should be aware, someone involved is not speaking the truth about Miss Affia and her relationship with your father...”

”You may suspect that the girl is my father’s illegitimate child because ten years ago... because of this reason, my father chose to act against my mother, so there was never any wandering Alchemist; it was all arranged by my father.”