Lost In Character: Transmigration Chronicles Of A Nameless Heroine 24 Promise Of A Challenge

The Viscount and the Barons left favorable impressions on many who had been required to show up at the steps to greet them. In an effort to distract herself, Hilde observed her immediate surroundings and noted this clearly.

Though she hadn't given it much thought earlier, she found that she expected it. The three's open and outwardly considerate personalities were not what any of them would antic.i.p.ate from the Lysean n.o.ble cla.s.s. Only the secret Prince in their ranks seemed to fit the stereotype, yet strangely, he was the one getting the most favorable response of all.

Then again, the individuals throwing him appreciative looks and smiles were mostly women. Among other things, Arnican females of all walks were generally not shy about matters of romance and physical attraction. Hilde supposed a beautiful face was a beautiful face, no matter the country that had birthed it. In fact, she quite agreed there was no harm in just looking.

She did not doubt for one second, however, that the unattached women in the crowd would never consider marrying him – perhaps not even if they were to learn he's a future king. Exile to a culturally backward kingdom was a poor exchange for a mere beautiful face, one who might not know how to love anyone more than he loved himself, as his appearance and general demeanor would suggest.

Leal cannot be unaware of the attention. Anyone would have expected him to be used to it, as Hilde did. How strange, though. The black expression he wore clearly indicated he was not happy about something. Did he really hate being stared at so much?

Just as she thought this, her attention was caught by Viscount Renard handing the Queen a thick scroll with a large wax seal, which presumably came from the King of Lys. She was next handed another object – a coin or a similarly small token.

Hilde didn't see what it was as her sister closed her hand on it with subtle haste, but she lifted her gaze in time to see the brief sweep of Queen Heloise's eyes towards the younger Lyseans. It narrowed for an instant upon settling on Leal, then she turned her attention back to the Viscount.

In her turn, Hilde brought her own attention back to the Prince – and was taken aback to find him looking at her.

Despite her efforts to suppress the memory, she was instantly reminded of the exchange they had earlier at the village inn. Leal had said it was funny how, of all people, Hilde should be the one to ask why he had come to Arnica. By "funny," she was half-certain that he actually meant "ironic."

Just like how she'd been avoiding physical and emotional pain until just a few hours ago, she had s.h.i.+ed away from thinking about the possible meaning behind Leal's words. But this too, she must face.

Was it ironic that SHE should ask because the answer was… "for her"?

Hilde clenched her teeth. 'No…' she thought, fighting against a sudden surge of dizziness. 'That's not the only answer – and I'm not the only princess around.'

"Are you all right?" a female voice said from somewhere to her left.

Hilde broke their eye contact – something that had lasted for perhaps three seconds, which was already three seconds longer than was necessary – and turned at once to the speaker. She had to tilt her head down a notch to be able to see and recognize Lady Saskia's face, framed by her brunette hair. The Royal Physician narrowed her dark eyes as she examined Hilde's appearance in turn.

Then, in a quiet but cheery voice that seemed as much a part of the older woman's character as her generous curves, Lady Saskia herself answered, "I would say 'not.' Your sister wants your condition checked, Princess. At once."

She'd been wanting to consult the Royal Physician as soon as she may, in any case. As Hilde nodded, the Queen finally invited the Lyseans into the residence, telling them their rooms were prepared and they may choose to stay in them before the rites were to start.

"You mean to honor our dead with us, to the fullest extent," said Queen Heloise, her words not quite a question.

"Yes, Queen," the Viscount responded anyway, his tone solemn. "That is our personal intention, and that is what His Majesty would do as well, were he here himself. Ever has King Madelon respected Prince Dieter, a man he'd faced in many battles but never truly defeated."

"As my brother had never defeated him," the Queen replied with a small smile.

Hilde saw that the Viscount did not know what to make of that statement. She could almost hear him wondering if he'd blindly walked onto thin ice. He swallowed and bowed. "Quite so, Queen."

Her sister's smile grew wider. "I thank you and your King, Lords, for your kind intents. I must warn you then that you will need your strength for what's to come." This time around, Queen Heloise's eyes flicked briefly towards Hilde, and then she said, "We all will."

***

The witnessing crowd parted to let the Queen, Hilde, and Lady Ilse through, followed closely by the Queen's handpicked rulers and their Lysean guests. Hilde paused at the foot of the staircase.

"Queen Heloise," she called, prompting not just the person addressed but also everyone else with them and behind them to pause as well. "Please permit me to consult with Lady Saskia while we wait for high noon."

"Of course," her sister answered lightly, as if the order to do so had not come from her.

"Queen, forgive my presumption," Viscount Renard interjected, surprising everyone. He waited for the Queen's nod before speaking again, and he sounded deeply concerned as he addressed Hilde, "Your Highness, I hope our quick pace earlier had not worsened your condition. You even stumbled just now! Had I known you were still so ill… but after our meal at the village, you appeared much better than before you fainted. Such intensity when you rallied the villagers! I did not notice at all you were silently suffering when our journey resumed – I should have. My sincerest apologies."

Hilde was flinching inwardly as the Viscount kept talking, and she didn't miss the looks her sister, her aunt, and everyone else still present were shooting her way. Though she wanted to, she could not have kept what happened at the outlying village a secret, but if she had the power, she'd have sworn everyone who was present to silence.

Showing a spare smile, Hilde shook her head and insisted that the Viscount's apologies were unnecessary.

"I only hope Lady Saskia will tell me when I may train again," she said.

"Train?" Lady Ilse quipped from behind the Queen. "What? Swords still?"

Hilde's sister turned her head ever so slightly towards their aunt, but that was enough for the Lady to understand she was being ordered to keep quiet.

"If I may," Leal cut in this time, barely containing his impatience before the Queen, whose fine eyebrows had risen, gave him leave to continue. "When you are well, Princess, do consider having a match with me."

To everyone who had no clue who he really was, Leal's invitation was incomprehensible. A Lysean lordling who wanted to cross swords with a girl? And an Arnican, on top of that! Surely he was enjoying a jest at their expense!

Even Hilde supposed he was only looking for a fair chance to insult and humiliate her, the so-called oddball princess who was good for nothing – not even for the one thing she was actually good at, just because she happened to be female.

Why did she even waste time dreading the possibility that he'll seek her hand in marriage? At most, Leal and others like him will only seek to get her out of the way so they could get to Gisela.

Inwardly, Hilde scoffed. As if she will let any of them do that, least of all this enemy prince.

"Certainly, Lord Leal," she said, showing him her best sweetly venomous smile. "When I am well. If we are ever to meet again."

'Which we will not,' Hilde added privately. 'If I could have my way.'

She made her parting bows to the Queen and to Lady Ilse, then smiled more warmly at the old Viscount, the two Barons, and finally, to Frieda, who must now rejoin her true mistress. She intended to commend her and the soldiers to Lady Ilse later for their exemplary service.

Taking the support that the smaller Lady Saskia offered, Hilde headed towards the right of the staircase. There, she entered the corridor leading to the ground floor rooms under the throne room, which included the kitchen, the attendants' living quarters, and the infirmary.

The two entered the last, and Lady Saskia led Hilde to the nearest of the twelve empty beds. She sat but didn't proceed to lie down, and the physician took the stool beside the bed. Silent all this while, the two were now face to face.

The physician had been wearing her seemingly permanent cheerful expression, but as Hilde watched, it morphed into one of confusion, and then, for whatever reason, to one of affront.

Out of nowhere, the Lady asked, "Why are you still alive?"