Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic-Chapter 546 - Princess and Shard

Chapter 546: Chapter 546 Princess and Shard Chapter 546: Chapter 546 Princess and Shard “As for the promotion, I’ll explain when we get home later, but it’s a long story.”

“That’s alright, I like long stories, and perhaps we can have dinner together.”

Her Highness the Princess said as she reached out to the cat lying on Shard’s lap, intending to pick it up. But as soon as she extended her hand, Mia swiped her hand away with a paw.

The cat rested its chin on Shard’s leg, making its face look rather flat due to this gesture. A “meow~” sound came from its mouth as its amber eyes looked at Dorothy, as if curious about who she was.

After returning to the home he had been away from for a day, Shard briefly related his experiences from yesterday to Lecia. Luviya asked him to keep the secret about The Chosen One and their relationship, while Miss Galina also instructed him not to disclose anything related to the Witch. Thus, Shard omitted some key fragments from his narrative.

Even so, the story’s fascination far exceeded Lecia’s expectations.

Especially when Shard mentioned that Mia had been accidentally packed in a box and taken to the Dark Realm, and had stolen a critical Relic during the battle, Lecia repeatedly confirmed:

“Is this really something an ordinary cat can do? Although you’ve said that Mia is very smart, this seems a bit too smart, doesn’t it?”

“I suspect there is a bloodline of a magical creature within Mia that we do not know of.”

Shard sat on the sofa, scratching under Mia’s chin:

“But I’ve had my friend check, and apart from being smart, it doesn’t have any other special traits. So this time, I think it was my luck that saved me.”

“That really is quite a pet; I think you should indeed buy it from its owner,” said Lecia.

“Oh, speaking of which, it gives me a headache. Miss Mia Gold writes a letter every month, very concerned about Mia’s condition. It probably won’t be so simple to have her give me the cat. I plan to take a long trip in the spring tomorrow, personally visit Miss Gawder’s family in their town and make the request in her presence.”

“What if she doesn’t agree?”

Lecia asked with a smile.

“Then…”

“Will you use special means? To acquire the cat?”

Shard thought for a moment:

“By next spring, I’ll have prepared a large sum of money. Although Gold Pounds aren’t omnipotent, I think a sufficient amount of them comes close to being so.”

Lecia’s smile broadened.

The two of them talked a lot that afternoon, and as a result, Lecia learned that Miss Feliana’s appearance was indeed related to Shard. She envied Shard for being able to cross two Eras and win the favor of the Academy’s founder, but it was unfortunate that she still could not “fully trust” Shard, unable to become a toy and join him in the stories of the past.

In the evening, Shard went to a restaurant for dinner with the girl by his side, and then, as usual, took a walk in the sunset while walking the cat, heading back to Saint Delan Square on foot.

Lecia and Dorothy’s exchange would last until eight o’clock tonight, so she planned to go home a bit early and write down the communication with Shard to prevent him from having to spend time in the evening to repeat what was said in the afternoon.

After having dinner at home and discussing Shard’s path as a Circle Sorcerer, Lecia offered him some advice on studying Arcane Technique. At seven o’clock, Shard escorted Lecia downstairs, but before going out to find a carriage, Lecia reminded him again:

“In the future, unless it’s necessary, don’t do such dangerous things. Shard, sometimes I really don’t understand what all this frequent adventuring is for.”

“It’s of course for greater power, and besides, I haven’t experienced any life-threatening adventures; this went smoothly,” Shard said, standing in the hallway.

Lecia curled her lips into a smile, and under the gaslight in the foyer, the blonde girl with a purse in hand used her emerald eyes to look at Shard:

“Then prove it to me—please lend that Ever-Young Leaf to Dorothy again.”

“No problem.”

Shard said with a smile, having anticipated that Dorothy or Lecia would make such a request and was thus prepared.

Searching his pocket for his pocket watch, he handed over the leaf that Tifa had held, giving Lecia the original one with information about the Dark Dungeon.

She took a look at the leaf and chuckled:

“Shard, this isn’t the same leaf.”

“What?” Shard blinked.

“Although there are multiple Ever-Youth Leaves, each one is unique. The scholarly consensus is that the true Relic is actually the tree that grows the Ever-Youth Leaves; the leaves themselves are merely derivatives of the Relic, just as you’ve mentioned, like the relationship between the Dark Realm and the Servant of the Hidden. Shard, you really should brush up on this basic knowledge.”

She reached up to hug Shard’s neck, tiptoeing a little and looking at him under the gaslight. Those emerald eyes, though not as otherworldly as Luviya’s purple eyes, still captivated Shard.

He really felt that through the eyes, you could see the soul, and right now he indeed saw Lecia.

“Shard, don’t deceive me; it’s pointless.”

Because they were so close, Shard could even feel her breath as she spoke.

“Alright, I won’t do it anymore. I just didn’t want to worry you.”

“That’s just silly.”

She whispered, and then kissed Shard.

Both of them closed their eyes, embracing one another. When they eventually parted, Shard hesitated for a moment before finally revealing another matter:

“Actually… I don’t want to deceive you, I have feelings for another girl.”

After Shard’s relationship with Luviya progressed further last night, he didn’t want to hide this fact and act as though he was unaware of anything while being with Lecia. Despite his greed, wanting everything, he ultimately didn’t want to be someone who deceives someone else’s feelings. He was prepared for the consequences of admitting this, but the outcome was better than he expected.

“Oh, is it Luviya?”

Lecia asked with a smile.

“How did you know?”

“Dorothy saw something was off between you two long ago. Today, she nearly kept her eyes glued to you. I’ve known Luviya for so long, and it’s the first time I saw her so irrational. It’s okay, I appreciate that you told me willingly. A man of your age and appearance would be odd if he didn’t have a lover.”

She reached for Shard’s face, her expression tender but also terrifying:

“But you have to answer me one question, Shard. Did you sleep with Galina?”

She was very direct, not even using a metaphor.

Shard felt if he answered “yes,” he certainly wouldn’t end well today, but fortunately, he had not done such a thing:

“Of course not. Although the gossip in town claims I am the lover of your aunt, in reality, we only have a business relationship, at least for now.”

“That’s good.”

The blonde girl’s fingers traced Shard’s cheek, the emerald green in her eyes brimming with countless emotions:

“In my family, my grandfather, father, uncles, and brothers each had lovers no one could keep count of. I’ve grown up in such a family and I’m used to such matters. Shard, you know the feelings both Dorothy and I have for you. Due to status, I can’t make any promises now, so I don’t mind what you do with Luviya. As for Dorothy, I can temporarily hide it for you, but with Galina…”

Her gaze suddenly became sharp:

“At your age, I understand the desire for flesh. Yes, whether you’re with Luviya or if I find you some pretty maids, I understand, after all, they are people I’m acquainted with. However, do not sleep with Galina, at least, not before I allow it. Shard, you can consider this…”

“I know, your relationship with Miss Galina is very special. I won’t do anything before everything is clear.”

Shard spoke softly, aware that he was taking advantage, but he indeed was greedy.

“That’s very good.”

The hand that was caressing Shard’s face slid down to his chin, and she gently lifted his chin as she tiptoed to look at him. This time, it was Shard who leaned in for the kiss:

“This feeling of kissing you at will is indeed delightful.”

The soul within those emerald eyes clearly expressed her emotions.

“If your sister Angelina were here, she’d surely say that’s a line from knightly romance novels.”

Shard said, and the golden-haired girl at last showed an expression that truly belonged to Lecia. The arrogance, triumph, coquettishness, and even some haughtiness in her expression was something the real Miss Writer could never display:

“Maybe I can convince Dorothy to let her body be used to meet you often. The status of a princess grants me power, status, and money, but it cannot give me the freedom to see you.”

“We can’t ask fate to give us everything we want.”

This chapt𝓮r is updat𝒆d by ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom.

Shard remarked, having deeply pondered this phrase of late.

“Only the powerless think that way. What you want, you should reach out and take. Shard, I want you, Dorothy, and everything else. And I will succeed.”

Lecia stated, touching her lips with her hand, kissing her fingers, then pressing them to the corner of Shard’s lips:

“No need to walk me to the street corner, I’ll find the carriage myself. Get some rest, Shard, you’ve been terribly busy the past half-month. However, if you find some time, consider this: ‘Sleeping’ Spirit Runes can be acquired in many ways, think about which of the Four Elements you would ask for. Goodbye, knight who slew the demon, I hope next time I can taste your lips with my own body.”

She reached back, opened the door, and Shard watched the blonde girl carefully step backward down the stairs, walking into the moonlight:

“Meeting you, I really…”

“Oh, Shard, don’t talk using those knightly romance phrases, it’s revolting. Just understanding you’ve stolen the hearts of girls is good enough.”

She said with a laugh, playing with the golden hair by her ear, then turned and left Saint Delan Square. With her back to Shard, she knew he must be feeling complex emotions now, her lips curling into a smile; this was the effect she desired.

Shard watched “Dorothy’s” silhouette board the carriage before he shut the door. Facing the wooden panel, in the dim light of the gas lamp, he closed his eyes and sighed deeply.

[Outlander, are you repenting for your sins?]

She always knew just what to say.

“No, I’m wondering if luck is indeed conserved, just when will I be struck by lightning.”

Shard was well aware of himself.