Chapter 36

Tera parted ways with Adela, who returned to the hotel by carriage. Inside, Adela looked at the sword in its white wooden box, beaming with delight. Seeing her, Alexa asked,

“Are you that happy?”

“Yes, it feels even more thrilling because I won it over someone else. It’s been a long time since I felt this competitive.”

“Tomorrow’s gossip headlines are set. 「As expected of the generous Princess, she spends money like water.」”

“Pfft.”

Adela laughed loudly, startling Alexa.

Adela had changed a lot—because of that man.

She laughed more easily now, and seemed much happier.

Alexa was glad Adela was happy, but felt a bit uncertain about whether to be entirely pleased.

“Tch, it’s enviable for a mere gladiator slave to receive such a fine sword as a gift.”

“Should I buy one for you too, Alexa?”

“A sword worth five thousand gold? No thanks. Would I ever treat it as a family heirloom?”

Alexa shuddered.

“Pick something suitable. I’ll give it to you as a gift. You work so hard.”

“Work hard? We’re always relaxing. Even honeymoons aren’t this long.”

Today, Alexa got to escort Adela for the first time in ages thanks to her meeting with the Duchess.

Adela usually spent her time with Braden, and Alexa didn’t tag along on their dates since Adela disliked interruptions.

She trusted Braden’s skills, but more importantly, the two spent more time inside than outside.

Alexa tried not to think about what went on inside, seeing the growing number of kiss marks on Adela’s body. That was all she could do as a close attendant.

“By the way, is it okay to spend money so freely?”

“Money is meant to be spent. It’s my own fortune, so don’t worry.”

“I know. Your fortune only grew because you had no reason to spend it. That’s why it feels wasteful. It seems like unused money always ends up with the wrong people.”

Alexa grumbled.

“I’ve received much more.”

The jewels and gifts she’d gotten from Shutal and Braden far exceeded five thousand gold.

“Trying to compare with a magic mine, are you?”

“Haha, I suppose so.”

“Is that really so funny?”

Alexa blinked in confusion. Right now, Adela seemed like a young girl who’d laugh at even a falling leaf.

Well, her smile was pretty.

Maybe she was making up for not laughing much during her girlhood.

That seemed fine. If she looked this beautiful to Alexa, how much more beautiful must she seem to Braden?

No wonder he came looking for her as soon as he opened his eyes, and wouldn’t let her go once he took her away.

Though Alexa was a knight, lately it was harder to see Adela than Braden.

“Oh, right. He said to send it with a flourish.”

“Isn’t the drama at the auction enough?”

“He said to send it to his quarters in the Colosseum. Send it there today. I hope he likes it.”

“You worry too much. Wouldn’t he be happy even with a pebble, if you sent it?”

“What nonsense.”

“This gladiator should know how much this sword is worth.”

“The gossip magazines will tell him.”

“That’s true.”

The carriage arrived at the hotel. As Adela got out, Logan was there to greet her.

“Welcome, Your Highness.”

He looked perfectly fine on the outside, but Adela, who had known him for a long time, could see he was restless.

“What’s going on?”

“Marquis Adamante is waiting for you.”

The smile that had filled Adela’s face vanished like the tide.

“So he’s here. News must have reached Edel Kingdom properly.”

Now, the real challenge began.

She had to do well.

***

Adamante stood by the living room window of the guest suite.

Outside, lights began to appear one by one. The quickly darkening surroundings were soon colored by dazzling lights. It was a night view that mesmerized everyone, but Adamante didn’t notice it.

“All of it is true.”

Only the words his attendant had said before coming here repeated in his mind.

‘It’s true?‘

Until the moment he arrived in Lasve yesterday, Adamante hadn’t believed the rumors about Adela.

Such a dignified, tidy child involved in a scandal with a gladiator slave? It was absurd to believe.

But the rumors weren’t false. Adela’s magic mine had gone to Shutal, and ‘The Princess and the Gladiator’ had become a brand, sold everywhere as a tourist attraction.

Even so, Adamante wouldn’t believe it until he saw Adela with his own eyes.

She was a granddaughter who had never once disappointed him.

No, it can’t be.

Adamante still believed in his granddaughter.

“Her Highness has arrived.”

Joy reported. Soon, Adela entered.

“What brings you all this way, Grandfather?”

Adamante’s eyes trembled at Adela’s greeting.

Her relaxed lips, her light voice.

It was Adela, but not the granddaughter he’d seen for so long.

What could have happened in just a few days?

“I should be asking you. What are you doing here, Your Highness?”

Adela, unlike in the palace, called him Grandfather, showing a personal relationship, but Adamante didn’t abandon the title ‘Your Highness.’

“I’m enjoying myself. Isn’t this Lasve?”

“Enjoying yourself?”

“I’ve never had a chance to truly enjoy life, always buried in work.”

Adela sat on the sofa, looking disheveled.

It wasn’t just her posture. Her airy dress was provocative, and her face wore a loose, tipsy smile.

Instinctive anger surged in Adamante’s heart.

He felt bitter betrayal.

Adela was a Princess of Edel Kingdom. She shouldn’t look like this.

If she were truly his granddaughter, she couldn’t be this way.

“You seem to have had enough, so let’s go back, Your Highness.”

Adamante took a deep breath, trying to suppress his intense emotions, then exhaled slowly.

“Go back? I’m just getting started.”

“The royal wedding is soon. You have much to do, Your Highness.”

“You want me to work again?”

Adela sounded annoyed.

“It’s His Majesty’s wedding. Why should I be working? Surely His Majesty can handle it. I want to rest now. I want to play.”

“Is this rebellion?”

“Rebellion? Against whom? The nobles who want to put me on the throne?”

Adela sneered.

“…….”

“Joy, bring some wine.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Joy, as if used to it, brought wine and matching snacks to the table.

Adamante watched silently.

“You drink alcohol now?”

“I had too much work at an age when I should have been sleeping. I had to drink tea every day to stay awake. Now, I can’t sleep even when I want to. This helps me sleep.”

Adela looked into the wine Joy poured, then sipped it.

“……”

“Grandfather, have a glass too. I haven’t drunk wine for long, so I’m not a connoisseur, but I find it pleasant.”

At Adela’s gesture, Joy poured wine into a new glass.

“I’ll pass.”

“Would you dine with me? Lasve has many seafood dishes. We’ll need a reservation at the best restaurant. Logan, Logan!”

Adela called out to Logan loudly, disregarding decorum.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“That seafood place, you know?”

“Antalia, you mean?”

“Yes, that one. Can we book it now?”

“No, Your Highness. I won’t be dining with you tonight.”

Adamante cut off the conversation between Adela and Logan. He was so upset he couldn’t imagine eating.

“Really? It’s delicious.”

Adamante couldn’t stand Adela’s light tone.

He took a breath. Was this truly his granddaughter, so carefree in her manner?

He had planned to ask about the scandal with the gladiator slave and the magic mine. But now, he couldn’t bring himself to ask.

He was even afraid she’d admit to everything.

“I’ll come for you in the morning.”

Adamante looked at Joy, meaning, ‘Pack everything by tomorrow.’

“I’m not going back to the Kingdom.”

Adela’s voice was sharp.

“Your Highness!”

“I’ll return before the royal wedding. So please, just leave me alone.”

Adela put her wine glass down on the table with a loud clink, her face showing utter weariness.

“Why are you acting like this, Your Highness? You could be a perfect sovereign.”

“Holden is the same.”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Because you resemble the late Queen.”

“I do resemble my mother in appearance. But what does that matter?”

Except for the black hair passed down in the royal family, her blue eyes, features, and body shape were all like her mother.

“Your Highness, let’s be honest. Did the late King ever run the country properly, even once? He was the worst, most incompetent King in history.”

Adamante’s lips twisted coldly.

“How dare you.”

Despite Adela’s rebuke, Adamante continued.

“The only good thing the late King did was marrying my daughter. She was talented enough to be the ruler of a Kingdom. After the marriage, she handled affairs in place of the King.”

“…….”

It was true, so Adela couldn’t argue.

“Isn’t it tragic? She died so young from illness. But the gods blessed the Kingdom and gave us you. A perfect ruler, just like my daughter.”

“Enough!”