What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 354

#354

The Prince, the Saintess, and the Wardrobe (4)

After we learned a bit more about Sir Johann, successfully carried out ‘Operation Homing,’ and Gerrit underwent a significant change…

Some time passed after returning to the Imperial Palace.

“Your Highness, please close your eyes and relax your cheeks.”

“Yes.”

The head of the dressing room quickly brushed my face with a thick brush.

I wondered if I really needed to wear makeup, but Eunseo had nagged for about 10 years, saying, ‘The *oppas* [older brothers or male friends] are disgusting!’ and ‘They’re ugly!’, so it must be necessary.

“Benjamin, where should we put the newly made uniform?”

“Bring it here so the Palace Master can try it on. Pierre, is the carriage ready?”

“Yes, Benjamin. The Imperial Guard will escort us from the main gate…”

“I’ve brought three coat options for you to wear today.”

“It would be good to place them here in order, so you can see the shoes and corsage all at once…”

“Snacks for the Prince have arrived from the kitchen!”

“Benjamin, regarding the Cardinal’s birthday celebration tomorrow…”

The spacious Juliette reception room was bustling with scurrying servants and friends.

I was also incredibly busy from the crack of dawn.

First, I had breakfast with the very busy Sarah Beliard (I adjusted my schedule because she could only spare time in the morning), and we agreed to print 100,000 more leaflets by the end of the year.

In return, she wanted the sequel to to be published in .

I agreed to include the same paper book as a supplement.

I heard that the leaflets dropped in the Imperial territory were fetching up to 100,000 francs per copy.

They had become unexpected limited editions, causing even the great nobles to fret.

Lastly, the reporter praised Francois’ genius (“I knew it, but I didn’t know it was to this extent.”), saying that he was bringing a true revolution to the Imperial printing industry.

I’ve been there a few times, and the Claire & Adrien printing house hasn’t turned off its lights for 24 hours these days.

Maria and Therese, the Marquis’s younger sisters, were even there helping with the work.

I just hope our operation works out as well as the siblings are working hard.

Oh, and the ‘Shrine of the Trees’ has been peaceful since that day.

The Duke and Duchess of Blancaire, after hearing the whole story, turned as white as flour, but quickly regained their composure.

The Divine Relic is so pure that it doesn’t seem necessary for us to be involved in spreading the leaflets.

That’s a good thing.

After the journalist left Juliette, I reported the progress to Her Highness Aurelie and listened to her lecture.

Afterward, I took an hour of self-defense lessons from Sir Johann.

Honestly, I don’t think it will do my body any good, but my friends insisted so much that I couldn’t help it.

-Thud!

‘Save me! I can’t do it anymore, Sir Johann. My limbs are trembling!’

‘That’s the process of your muscles getting stronger. You can do it. I’ll make it possible for you.’

‘Are you going to keep talking like a personal trainer?’

‘If that’s what you want, even though I don’t know what it is. Let’s try three more times.’

Liar! He made me do it ten more times after that!

I was so hungry that I ate more for lunch than usual…

“Lady Mendy. I’ve brought refreshments. Please enjoy them while you wait.”

“Yes, Ganael. Thank you.”

I rolled my eyes and looked at Berenice, who was sitting on the sofa.

The young lady was reading a book in a demure posture, but the cover was all black, so it was hard to know what it was about.

She had been accompanying me as a partner to all the social events I had been attending recently.

Moreover, thanks to her being praised for her elegant words and actions every time, even I, who was standing next to her, looked somewhat decent.

She’s introverted and shy when we’re alone, but she’s cool when she becomes aloof in front of strangers.

I was so grateful that she stamped her Imperial Palace attendance card again today.

Duke Mendy, who always dropped her off, was beaming despite his second daughter’s frequent outings.

They were a very healthy-looking family.

“Your Highness, today you will be attending the Countess of Rambouillet’s tea party, the Duke and Duchess of Berang’s soiree, and the Count of Bardella’s ball. We will try to make time to visit the Salon de Victoire as much as possible.”

“Yes, Benjamin.”

“Among them, many local nobles famous for their charitable work will attend the soiree. They will surely be interested in medical support and military fund-raising. I have prepared materials so that you can memorize their appearances and tendencies.”

“Thank you. It will be a great help again today.”

I smiled brightly and accepted the booklet. A neat handwritten note from a middle-aged man caught my eye.

Meanwhile, the head of the dressing room finished my makeup and started doing my hair.

I wondered what to do, but decided to say it now.

Judging from Berenice’s personality, which I had come to know after spending some time with her, she would feel even more burdened if I arranged a separate meeting.

“Lady Berenice.”

“Ah, yes. Yes! Your Highness.”

The young lady’s cheeks, who flinched, were red.

At first, I was worried that she might be sick, but it seemed that she was born with rosy skin.

I slightly raised the corners of my mouth to reassure her.

“It’s nothing special. I just wanted to thank you.”

“Ah. No, it’s nothing…”

“I’m grateful that you always take the time like this, even though you must have personal schedules.”

“No, the honor is mine! I am, I am happier… I’m having a good time. Really!”

The young lady waved her hands and said hastily.

Thud! The book on her lap fell onto the carpet, but she didn’t care.

The grasshopper (Joan), who was lying next to her, picked it up and started reading.

‘Squeak!’ The lesser pandas gathered around her.

“Wow, oh my god! Your Highness! The Lady is reading an amazing novel!”

At that time, Joan jumped up from the sofa and shouted.

The head of the dressing room and I were surprised and turned to look at her.

The sound was so loud that the eyes of the workers, including Benjamin, were immediately focused.

The painter was now flushed and shaking the black book wildly.

The lesser pandas also opened their mouths and raised their front paws!

“Demi?”

-Kihou, kiheung, kiheo!

“Listen. I know the writing is a bit bad, but this is no joke! No matter how I look at it, it’s Cree, mmm—!”

“It’s nothing!”

Berenice, who gagged Joan, declared loudly.

It was the thickest and most intense tone I had ever heard from her.

Her wet eyes were shining like those of an eagle.

‘Eubeub! Eueup!’ Our Baron, who was much taller than her, couldn’t use any strength at all.

Her lemon-colored eyes were full of mischief, but I was more amazed by the young lady’s new side.

Where does that power come from—

“Beupeu seuseheu!”

“Baron!”

Fluttering! Joan waved her arm and threw the book in the direction of Sir Johann.

The Holy Knight was busy burping Tete, who was full, and didn’t even look at it.

The Divine Beasts ran after it. Oh no!

The moment I was about to scold her for bullying her friend,

-Snap!

“Heuheung!”

Harriet, who flew in, caught the book!

Pierre and Ganael cheered and applauded.

Only then did Sir Johann, who raised his eyes, smile as he hugged his son, who was fluttering down.

The little boy had a pair of wings about 30cm long on his back.

Did he know Harriet was coming and not receive it?

“Thank you, Harriet. It’s very bad to steal and throw a friend’s book. Joan!”

“Puhaha, sorry! To be exact, I picked it up after it fell, but whatever.”

“It’s the same as stealing it the moment you threw it. Someone could have been hurt if they had been hit by it.”

I said with a stern expression. Joan pouted and apologized to Berenice.

“Sorry, Lady. I was so excited after a long time. I won’t do that again in the future.”

“…It’s, it’s okay. Instead…”

The young lady straightened her clothes and walked over to Joan.

Surprisingly, she didn’t look angry at all.

No, maybe she was extremely angry and calmed down.

Meanwhile, Harriet left her father’s arms and brought the book to Berenice’s seat.

As she quietly reached out her hand, the child landed and walked towards this side.

At the same time, the small wings emitted a light purple glow—

-Saaaa, pong!

“Toughness, you did a good job too.”

-Pireut!

She immediately turned into a wren, took a seat on my palm.

The head of the dressing room groaned, saying that she was surprised no matter how many times she saw it.

I took care of the lesser pandas crawling up my thighs and smiled at Harriet, who was giggling.

“How is it? Have you adapted a lot?”

I was relieved that her nodding expression was bright.

The child, who became the owner of the Divine Relic, underwent various tests after returning from the Duchy.

The Master conducted them himself so that the boy would not be anxious, and Francois took the time to accompany him.

I was grateful to everyone.

‘It seems that the Divine Relic has been overlaid on this child’s thin vessel.’

And the result was like a miracle.

‘Here, I can see a vessel-shaped membrane that wasn’t there before. It’s not real, it’s a kind of imitation.’

‘Is that… Is such a thing possible?’

‘I don’t know exactly, but the Ark of Bireom has the power to freely change its appearance. I think it probably took the form that is most suitable for the owner.’

‘Then, then…’

‘Yes. If our theory is correct, Harriet won’t have to drink *Hetsalmuricho* [a special herbal tea] in the future. Let’s keep a close eye on him for the time being. However, I think the Ark’s ability range may narrow.’

‘Of course, that will also be the choice of the Divine Relic.’ The Master looked at the father and son alternately and said kindly.

That day, Toughness shook her body and received a lot of adult petting.

Sir Johann hugged his son and cried silently for a long time.

The child smiled a lot instead of her father.

“Isn’t Toughness being picky?”

I asked carefully. The child shook her head and dangled her arms.

Then the wren bit my finger right away. Ouch!

-Pii!

“No, I’m not saying your personality is bad. You didn’t even like it when I greeted a sparrow passing by last time, ouch!”

-Piiii!

“You have to say it right. I admit that you are like a phoenix to Harriet, but then you’re not Toughness anymore, are you? Toughness Haines or—”

-Pirrrr!

“Ugh, it really hurts!”

-Kkia!

“Heuheung.”

Harriet giggled as she watched Toughness jumping up and down and the lesser pandas enjoying themselves.

I ended up fixing the child’s hair and laughing with her.

I wrote this news at the beginning of the letter last time, and I will write it again later.

Christel will be very happy. Someone won’t show it on their face, though.

“I’m going to send another letter to the front tomorrow morning. Did Harriet write everything too?”

“Yes.”

“Wow, already? What did you write? Did you say you miss your aunts and uncle?”

“Eueung.”

“They’ll be so happy. Aunt Elizabeth will cry.”

“Heheheheng.”

The boy shook his body, embarrassed.

None of us have received a reply from the Toegye couple yet, but there must be an answer within a few days.

I heard that Ganael and Elizabeth have been exchanging letters steadily in the meantime.

His Majesty the Emperor also sends a personal letter to the Master every week.

It’s been almost 3 weeks since I returned to the Imperial City, and I’ve sent a lot of Aether-filled Sacred Stones in the meantime…

Well, there’s no news of whether they’re alive or dead. According to His Majesty’s message, it seems they are fighting well.

-Thump, thump, thump!

It was then.

Suddenly, the outside of the reception room became noisy, and heavy footsteps and running sounds poured out.

‘Commander of the Guard, what!’ Hearing such shouts, it seemed that Erbe had come.

Everyone’s eyes turned to the wide-open door.

A man who made even the tall entrance look small was striding into the reception room.

Behind him, a dozen guards stood in an orderly line.

Harriet and I smiled and greeted him.

“Sir Erbe!”

“Commander of the Guard. The Prince is now the Palace Master of Juliette, not a hostage. I don’t think you don’t know that it is a principle to request an audience before meeting him, except for His Highness the Crown Prince, the owner of Romero. Especially if you are a person who leads the military.”

Ah. I quickly bit my lip and rolled my eyes.

I felt like I was being scolded by Benjamin’s solemn attitude.

Francois has never been scolded for that, did my brother give up on that side?

At the middle-aged man’s gesture, the head of the dressing room and his party quickly packed their bags and left the room.

The other workers also disappeared in an instant as if they had made an appointment.

Chuk chuk! Then Sir Erbe straightened his legs and saluted with precision.

His handsome face looked somewhat troubled, and cold sweat was running near his temples. What’s going on?

“Please forgive my rudeness, Your Highness. It was a matter of urgency, so I couldn’t observe the etiquette.”

“No, it’s okay. We’re friends.”

Benjamin sighed so loudly at my words that the ground sank. Um, sorry.

“But the urgent matter is,”

“It is the sad news that His Highness the Crown Prince has gone missing.”

…

“Not only His Highness. Lady Christel Rambouillet and Lady Marguerite Diop, who were with him, have also disappeared. Two thousand Imperial troops were mobilized to search the area thoroughly for three days and nights… It is said that not even a trace could be found.”

…

“Marquis Mute defined this as not a simple disappearance… but as a combat loss. This is because it happened immediately after a fierce battle with the Venetian. Currently, His Majesty is considering moving to the front.”

His voice trembled unlike usual. This was impossible.

I hugged Harriet and the troublemakers and moved my lips. No, no way…

But I couldn’t speak because of the shock. I felt out of breath for some reason.

“According to rumors, Crown Princess Elissa of the Holy Kingdom and Grand Duke Judith Kamingha have also gone missing. Therefore, a tacit ceasefire has been established at the forefront.”

“Lord God…!”

A scream-like sound was heard from the sofa. Leah burst into tears.

I gasped like someone who was short of oxygen and looked at Sir Erbe.

“…”

“…”

The pink eyes did not smile. It was real.