I Became a Ruined Character in a Dark Fantasy-Chapter 655

Taking a sip of the fragrant wine from his glass, Simon let his eyes wander.

The drawing room of the Sonnier family, bathed in sunlight, was spacious and luxurious, befitting the name. Seated opposite him at the long table in the center were his companions on the journey to the capital: Fael, Mukapa, and Shahin beside him.

They, too, were silently sipping the wine placed before them. Everyone had already said what they came to say—and now they were waiting for a response.

Setting down his glass, Simon slowly looked to the side. Past the empty seat of honor, a heavily armored knight stood like a statue.

"Hmm..."

A low murmur came from behind the thin screen draped behind the knight. Simon's gaze swept over the two shadows cast on the screen. The figure seated in the chair was undoubtedly Lady Ingrid.

"How long do we—"

"Shh."

At the whisper from beside him, Simon snapped his head around and brought a finger to his lips. Shahin, the Vantruian boy who had started to speak, shut his mouth abruptly and blinked.

Looking down into the boy's eyes, Simon shook his head slightly. Shahin nodded obediently, glanced at Mukapa sitting opposite, and brought his water glass to his lips.

Relieved that no displeasure radiated from behind the screen, Simon wet his lips with wine again.

So the master of the Ark Caravan already knew.

He glanced at Fael, who showed no sign of offense despite the prolonged silence. Of course, Simon wasn't offended either. Not even when the Lady's knight had made Brennen, Bor, and the other guards wait outside, nor when she greeted them hidden behind a screen.

In fact, his heart was racing at the thought that his suspicion might be correct.

"I have kept my honored guests waiting too long."

Just then, a low voice came from behind the screen. The seated figure stood up. As the attendant behind her glided forward, Simon, who had been sipping his wine, held his breath.

"Thank you for your generous understanding despite this rude welcome. Due to personal circumstances, I had to be cautious." The attendant pulled back the screen, and Lady Ingrid revealed herself.

Simon's eyes twitched almost simultaneously. She was indeed graceful and beautiful, but her hair was brown, and her eyes were blue.

"But after hearing your stories, I feel I no longer need to do so."

As she walked out with the attendant, the knight standing behind her strode forward, and Fael, seemingly sensing something, rose from his seat. He glanced at Simon, signaling him to stand.

Simon quickly got up, remembering to grab Shahin's shoulder and pull him up as well. Finally, Mukapa raised his massive frame.

"Kneel and show proper respect. Allow me to introduce her. Before you stands a follower of Lu Solar and Lu Entre—"

A stern, heavy voice emanated from behind the knight's visor. Dropping to his knees as if collapsing, Simon bit his lower lip hard.

I wasn't wrong!

He had to stifle the cheer that almost erupted. His heart pounded as if it would burst, and a vivid image of himself standing tall at the center of high society painted itself in his mind.

"The brightest star of the capital and master of the Morning Star Palace, the Watcher of the Crossroads."

The knight extended both palms respectfully toward her.

"Her Highness, Seras Astrea, the second daughter of His Most August and Revered Majesty."

"Long live His Majesty! Eternal glory and prosperity to the Empire!" said Simon with his head bowed.

Even though he had suspected it, he couldn't stop his voice from trembling or his heart from racing. After all, it was common talk in society that the Third Prince’s rise as the leading heir candidate was thanks to this very princess. Naturally, she herself was often the subject of heated gossip.

"Rise and take your seats," said Seras the moment the silence settled.

"Yes, Your Highness."

Standing up, Simon blinked in surprise. Seras's hair had turned blonde. The eyes looking back at the group were now red. She had been concealing the most prominent proof of her lineage with a spell.

"You have been deliberating for a long time, Your Highness," said Fael, the first to take his seat. He didn’t seem surprised; instead, a subtle smile played on his lips. After all, this princess was said to be the bearer of the golden insignia.

"The stories warranted it, didn't they? I never expected you all to meet on the frontier and come here together," Seras replied, leisurely approaching the table.

A somewhat cold-looking attendant glided over to pull out the chair at the head of the table. Simon sat down carefully, glancing at his companions.

Mukapa, as always, wore the same unreadable expression. In truth, Simon still couldn't read him properly.

What truly caught Simon off guard was Shahin. He gazed at the princess with bright, curious eyes, showing not the slightest hint of shock. Like Simon, the sharp-witted little fellow must have already suspected her identity to some extent—or perhaps he simply didn’t grasp the gravity of this meeting.

"Even so, I owe you all another apology. I took far too long to make up my mind," Seras added as she sat down.

Simon, startled, bowed his head. "Not at all, Your Highness. We are merely sorry for requesting an audience without proper notice."

Mukapa added it was fine, and Shahin awkwardly bowed his head as well.

As the attendant poured wine with an impassive face, a gentle smile graced Seras's lips. "Thank you for understanding. I needed time to digest and organize your stories."

Mukapa had reported on the mission, and Fael and Simon had conveyed the Agent of the Saint’s message. The pretext was that it was to be delivered to the princess, but they had already guessed they were giving it to the person herself, so they held nothing back.

"First, thank you for faithfully carrying out the request, Sir Mukapa," said Seras. As the attendant glided back, Seras picked up her wine glass.

Mukapa bowed slightly. "I only did what needed to be done, Your Highness."

"It was hardly a simple task, despite what you say. You worked hard." Seras added, taking a sip of wine. Simon held his breath immediately after. The princess had set down her glass and turned her red eyes to him.

"Standing before the Great Church to testify to the Agent of the Saint's innocence wouldn’t have been an easy decision. You made a very courageous choice."

"T-Thank you, Your Highness!" Unable to hide his emotion, Simon placed a hand on his chest. "However, just like Sir Mukapa, I only did what must be done. As I said, I am a witness who saw firsthand the great deeds the Agent of the Saint achieved!"

An amused smile spread across Seras.

Fael, seated across from him, let out a chuckle. "Young Master Simon is said to have quite the reputation in high society. He will be invaluable in proving the Agent of the Saint’s innocence not only to the Great Church, but to many others as well."

Nodding, Seras picked up her glass again. "Just hearing him speak now, I can see why. I will hold a grand banquet in the name of House Sonnier so that the noble children and gossips of the capital can gather in one place."

Bringing the glass to her lips, her red eyes met Simon's. "Would it not be best to share your tales of the Agent of the Saint’s deeds with all of central nobility?"

Simon couldn’t respond, his eyes widening, not from being nervous, but because the words barely sounded real.

"Are you saying... you will hold a banquet for me?" Simon finally stammered.

Seras smiled. "Of course. I’ll send a letter to your family myself and assign attendants to you. Order whatever outfit you like. Don’t concern yourself with the cost."

"Oh, Lu Solar..." Simon sighed, slumping back into his chair and closing his eyes.

An overwhelming wave of emotion washed over him. A dream he had chased his entire life was unfolding before him.

"I hope you become the star of the banquet with the eloquence you showed today—so that every noble in the capital is drawn to the Agent of the Saint’s tales of heroism, and all the misunderstandings and troubling rumors that follow the Agent of the Saint vanish as if washed clean," Seras said softly.

Simon's eyes snapped open. The princess's face, staring at him meaningfully, came into focus.

The friendship with Ian Hope had once been one of the greatest weapons she and the Third Prince possessed. Yet now that he’d become a political hot potato, that same connection was bound to become an obstacle to the prince’s reputation.

"Leave it to me!" Simon blurted it out before he even realized he’d spoken—eyes wide, breath caught, the realization slamming into him all at once.

He struck his palm over his chest as though swearing an oath. With every ounce of sincerity he had, Simon said, "I will surely live up to your expectations and trust. For the sake of the Agent of the Saint, my benefactor, I will make everyone realize the truth and make them admire and praise him once again!"

Sensing the sense of duty in his voice, Seras smiled.

"Very reassuring. Ask the attendants for anything you need, and don't worry too much about the Great Church's interrogation. I’ll have bishops I trust oversee the hearings. The Agent of the Saint's knight will be watching over as well."

"Sir Philip... the Silent Guardian?" Simon asked, momentarily stunned.

Seras took another sip of wine and nodded. "He happens to be in the Papal States right now. Since it concerns the Agent of the Saint, he should be involved. He will be very pleased."

Her gaze turned to the seat beside Simon."Especially since the Agent of the Saint personally selected and sent a squire."

Simon followed her gaze to Shahin. Despite the princess’s eyes on him, he showed no hint of being cowed or frightened. To Simon, the sight was almost irritating; the boy even looked as if he were trying to look humble.

"Shahin. May I call you that?" Seras asked with a smile.

Shahin nodded. "Yes, Your Highness."

"Good. Once it becomes known that you received heavenly grace through the Agent of the Saint, you will experience many things. Some of them won't be pleasant. So if you wish, I will help you keep that fact a secret."

"May I... give you my answer after speaking with Sir Philip, since I’ve come here to serve him, Your Highness?" Shahin asked after a brief hesitation, meeting Seras’s eyes.

Simon couldn’t help glancing at Shahin. He’d always known the kid had a nerve, but this was another level. The boy had practically just slapped the princess’s hand away.

Simon, who had been imperceptibly shaking his head at Shahin, suddenly froze.

Seras had burst into laughter. "Indeed! There is a reason the Agent of the Saint chose you!"

At her admiring tone, Simon finally looked back at Seras.

"Yes. You are right, Shahin. I spoke out of turn. It was unnecessary interference. You will make a fine knight."

Smiling broadly, Seras leaned forward slightly.

"Sir Philip is also under the protection of House Sonnier. So if a problem arises that you cannot solve on your own, come here anytime. The family will help you. Understood?"

"Yes. I will keep that in mind, Your Highness. Thank you for your help." Shahin bowed his head.

At his nonchalant demeanor, Simon stifled a faint chuckle once again. Thinking about it, the boy had been blessed by the Agent of the Saint—no wonder the princess’s protection didn’t seem all that remarkable. The boy served a demigod, after all.

Smiling with satisfaction, Seras wet her lips with wine and turned her head to the other side. "Will you return directly to Borta, Master Fael?"

"For now, yes. I have instructions left by the Agent of the Saint." Fael answered readily.

Seras’s eyes twitched slightly as she nodded, a faint ripple spreading through her gaze.

Only then did Simon realize that, through their stories, she had learned the corrupted former Crown Prince was still alive—and would soon return to the Empire. He had briefly forgotten that fact, distracted by the mystery of her identity and the utterly unshaken composure she wore.

So is this the greatness of the Imperial bloodline...

Even considering that she’d had time to steady herself and sort out her thoughts, her boldness was nothing short of astonishing.

As Simon inwardly marveled, Seras looked back at Fael and said, "How about staying a little longer?"

"In the capital, you mean?" Fael paused and asked.

Seras smiled and added, "I was hoping you could attend the banquet with Master Simon. Plenty of nobles have their eyes on the Hexagonal Alliance’s insignia, so your presence beside him would be a great support."

Fael let out a low hum and brought his glass to his lips, looking at Seras with a strange glint in his eyes.

Taking a light sip from her glass, the princess added, looking a bit troubled, "There’s a small chance I may need your help. Just a very small one."

Setting down his glass, Fael let out a quiet sigh before nodding. "That alone is unsettling enough, but very well—I’ll do it. Now, could you tell me what sort of help you need? I should at least be able to prepare myself, shouldn’t I?"

"It’s better that you don’t know for now," Seras said with a smile.

In that moment, Simon didn’t miss the knight’s gaze, glimpsed for an instant between the attendant behind her and the edge of his visor, fixed on the back of her head. He didn’t miss the strange anxiety in it, either.

Just as Simon's eyes twitched like Fael's, Seras turned to Mukapa.

"Sir Mukapa?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

"While the others tend to their duties, I’d like you to accompany me to the Morning Star Palace. My brother is likely to trust your words more than mine."

"As you wish."

"And after that, there is something else I wanted to ask of you."

At Seras's added words, Mukapa gave a low hum instead of an answer and turned to look at her. "Forgive me for saying this, but I don't think I can accept another request."

"Why is that?"

"I still have a debt to repay to the Agent of the Saint. And he said he would be heading North." Even though Seras's brow furrowed slightly, Mukapa continued, "So I, too, plan to go to the North once my business in the capital is finished. Even if the Agent of the Saint hasn’t returned yet, I’ll wait for him there."

"Is that so?" However, unexpectedly, Seras's furrowed brow smoothed out.

With a smile mixed with strange relief, she nodded. "Then it doesn't matter. It might even be for the best."

Simon didn’t miss the attendant and the knight exchanging another glance toward the princess. This time, their unease was far more blatant.

He tilted his head for a moment.

"By any chance..."

The scandal that had once set the entire social circle ablaze flickered through his mind, and the words slipped out before he knew it.

"Are you planning to leave the capital again to look for the Agent of the Saint?"