A Dignified Departure

Oh! The Sage is truly beautiful.

As Ziyao descended the staircase, step by step, Raphael was in the midst of her meal.

However, at this moment, the Saintess felt utterly sated.

A feast for the eyes… perhaps.

“You look good too.”

Ziyao’s reply was understated.

Today, Raphael finally exuded the aura of a Church Saintess. Her white robe, adorned with golden threads, perfectly accentuated her dignified demeanor. Her four pigtails, still resembling delicate wings, reminded Ziyao of the angels from myths in her previous life. Such a Raphael truly deserved the title of Saintess.

Finding an empty seat, Ziyao settled down. Breakfast, after all, needed to be properly eaten.

Today… who knew when her next meal would be.

Picking up a piece of bread, Ziyao nibbled at the frosting in small bites. Just like a hamster…

Raphael rubbed her temples, wondering why Ziyao seemed to have changed so quickly.

Only a month ago, she had been boisterous and lacking any girlish charm. But now, she appeared… almost like Aiya.

Still, it wasn’t a bad thing.

“Would you like some milk?” Raphael pushed a cup of milk towards Ziyao.

“Thank you.” Lifting the cup, Ziyao took a sip of the milk. Sweet…

“Did you give me Aiya’s cup?”

She didn’t recall Ailin ever preparing sweet milk for her.

Although, she did like it.

“Eh? Is that so?” Raphael leaned closer to the cup and sniffed. A hint of sweetness wafted into her nose. She couldn’t tell if it was the milk’s scent, or… Ziyao’s fragrance.

“You’re too close.” Pushing away the face that had suddenly appeared, Ziyao lifted the cup and took another sip of milk. She had already drunk from it anyway. At worst, she could ask Ailin to prepare another cup.

She certainly couldn’t let Aiya drink milk she had already taken a sip of, could she?

About ten minutes later, the two princesses descended from upstairs.

By then, the utterly bored Ziyao and Raphael had begun discussing what they would do if a Martial Saint suddenly appeared next to Aiya.

“We couldn’t win, absolutely couldn’t win.” Ziyao vigorously shook her head. She was a Sage, true, but to make her engage in close combat with an experienced Martial Saint… Heavens, she begged to be spared.

“Um, what are you two discussing?” Elena, holding up her skirt, was utterly bewildered.

“Nothing. You two should eat quickly; we don’t have much time.” Thanks to Elena, Ziyao finally didn’t have to agonize over how to contend with a Martial Saint.

“I don’t understand…” Elena picked a seat and sat down.

“Oh, Miss Ailin, please pour Aiya another cup of milk.” Ziyao raised her empty cup towards the maid. “I accidentally drank hers.”

“Of course.”

With the maid’s assistance, Aiya also took her seat, looking just as radiant today. The Roland imperial family’s genes were truly remarkable. Both princesses were stunning beauties, and the Emperor and First Prince, whom she hadn’t yet met, were said to be equally handsome and elegant.

But it made sense. The Emperor, after all, was a man capable of attracting a Shadow Assassin; it would be strange if he weren’t handsome. And the Queen was also a great beauty, so how could her children not be gorgeous? Some people, it seemed, began their lives already at the finish line.

Soon, the two princesses finished their breakfast. They tidied their dresses and rose simultaneously. It was time to depart.

The Emperor’s speech would begin promptly at ten in the morning, and they needed to arrive at the square in front of the palace by nine. Currently, it was eight in the morning. Time was not abundant.

Two luxurious carriages were parked at the entrance of the small courtyard, serving as the princesses’ designated transport.

“Raphael, is no one picking you up, Saintess?” Ziyao stood on her tiptoes and patted Raphael’s shoulder.

Heh heh, our church is barely making ends meet, alright? Besides, this is the Roland Imperial Capital; she has no special privileges here.

“No. Who do you want to sit with?”

Although the carriages were large and luxurious, they certainly couldn’t fit five girls. Therefore, Elena and Aiya absolutely had to be in separate carriages. After all, if the two princesses sat together, who would ride in the remaining carriage?

Ziyao? Or Raphael?

While both of them held positions worthy of a private carriage, it… simply wouldn’t be appropriate. Of course, neither Raphael nor Ziyao noticed that when Raphael posed the question, both princesses’ hands subtly tightened.

Evidently, neither of them particularly wished to sit with Raphael.

“Ailin should be accompanying Aiya, right?” Ziyao didn’t answer directly, instead posing a question of her own.

“That’s correct. I will always stay by Her Highness’s side.” The maid, not far away, nodded as she helped Aiya into her carriage.

Emmm…

Ziyao fell into contemplation. Although, in her opinion, both carriages should be much the same, yet… why did her choice feel so important?

Perhaps… Elena?

There shouldn’t be any major issues along this route, as the assassins wouldn’t know which carriage the little princess was in. Rash actions would only lead to failure.

“I’ll go with Elena,” Ziyao finally decided.

Aiya, accompanied by Ailin and Raphael, should be fine. As for Elena, it was better if she went herself. To prevent her from feeling lonely.

Walking to Elena’s carriage, Ziyao lightly leaped inside.

“What’s wrong? Catching up on sleep with your eyes closed?” Entering the carriage, Ziyao saw Elena with her eyes tightly shut. She seemed very nervous, muttering something under her breath.

“…Gods… side…”

Hearing Ziyao’s voice, Elena’s eyes snapped open, and she looked exceptionally surprised.

“I thought you’d go with Aiya,” she said.

“Aiya has Ailin and Raphael with her; there shouldn’t be any masters there.”

“So, I’ll be in trouble?” Elena felt offended.

“Don’t fidget. You’re about to meet your subjects; be dignified.” Seeing Elena start to move her wrists, Ziyao quickly advised her.

At that moment, the carriage gave a slight jolt and began to move forward.

Ziyao, seated inside, felt very little vibration—a testament to the quality of a carriage reserved for royalty.

Pulling back the curtain at her side, a ray of sunlight shone on Ziyao’s face, causing her to squint uncomfortably.

The main avenue was bustling with pedestrians—so numerous that one would be half-crushed just to buy a small item. This was the magnificent scene of the Imperial Capital during the Festival of Blossoms. As for carriages… today, no carriages were allowed on the main avenue except for those with special permits. This was to avoid conflicts with the teeming crowds.

“It’s very lively,” Ziyao remarked.

“Of course, our Roland’s Festival of Blossoms is the grandest festival on the continent,” Elena spoke with immense pride.

Hearing Elena’s boast, Ziyao smiled; the girl was still so spirited.

Hmm?

Is that…

A flicker of black passed through her vision.

“Youlan…” she murmured.

Although she had never seen this dark-haired girl before, for some inexplicable reason, a name appeared in her mind.

Her name was Youlan.

Ziyao was utterly certain.