Chapter 257

Chapter 44 – The Culprit?

The carriage slowed to a stop.

After a moment, the coachman lifted the curtain and bowed his head humbly, “Her Majesty the Queen, please step down.”

Are we here already?

I immediately stood up from my seat, jumped out of the carriage first, patted my skirt, and looked around.

Twilight was gathering, and the afterglow painted the sky with hues of red and orange.

The mottled clouds of fire stretched across the sky like famous paintings in an art gallery. The orange-red light poured down, casting the surrounding palaces, resplendent and magnificent, into a dreamy form, with intricate carvings and splendid designs.

In the wide square in front of the palace, there stood a statue of an old man dressed in fine clothes and riding a horse, holding a long sword with eyes wide open, as if he were a brave warrior galloping on the battlefield. Various types of carriages were parked fifty meters away from the statue under the green and white stone canopy, and the distant sound of beasts could be heard.

People dressed in fine attire came and went. Some noticed the carriage stopping here and, after a brief look of surprise, greeted with full smiles.

Click.

Victoria stepped down from the carriage gracefully, her heels clicking.

“Her Majesty the Queen, greetings.”

“Her Majesty the Queen, I offer you my sincerest blessings. May you have a pleasant night, and may Esterbel flourish under your reign.”

“Thank you all.”

Victoria responded to them while glancing calmly at me and raising her right hand to her side—

Ah…

I immediately understood, walked quickly to her side, and gently held her soft hand.

“Her Majesty the Queen, the banquet has already started. Please follow me into the palace.”

A middle-aged knight in silver armor, leading a group of guards, removed his helmet in front of Victoria, placed his left hand over his chest, and slightly bowed.

Victoria nodded and said to the crowd, “Please move to the palace and enjoy the delicacies and fine wine tonight.”

At the same time, the middle-aged knight gestured to the city guard who had been following the carriage, instructing them to form ranks and stand guard on the square. Then, he led us forward towards the grand palace ahead.

Reckert followed silently like a shadow. I held Victoria’s hand, surrounded by a group of nobles. Only when we were about to enter the main gate did I suddenly realize: Ah, this seems to be the palace…

Since coming to the Order City, this is the first time I’ve entered the palace.

Previously, because I didn’t like Victoria’s arrogant demeanor, when Carlos asked me to visit, I stubbornly refused. Also, at that time, the guards had told me many bad things about the nobles of the Order City, so I had preconceived notions and imagined them as a bunch of fat, oily, and sinister individuals, which made me even less willing to interact with them.

But in the end, I still came.

And these nobles don’t seem as bad as I imagined… At least most of their appearances are not unpleasant.

Proper formal attire, shiny hair, a charming smile at the corners of their mouths when talking to others, and every movement exudes typical noble elegance… They actually look more pleasant than the rough men in Winter City.

This might be the cultural heritage of a thousand-year-old kingdom.

My initial resistance has long dissipated, and now I feel a little excited.

Most importantly…

I haven’t tasted the cake in the palace yet!

It must be much better than those on the streets!

Thinking of this, I couldn’t help but lick my lips in anticipation.

Walking on the smooth marble floor, passing through the columns adorned with intricate carvings, Victoria and I entered the banquet hall and stepped onto the luxurious red carpet.

Rushing applause filled the air.

In this inner chamber filled with artistic atmosphere, under the dazzling chandeliers, the long tables covered with white cloths were laden with various cold dishes, arranged neatly by candlelight. Champagne towers rose layer upon layer, their rims glistening.

Young and elderly nobles engaged in conversation, their faces lighting up with joy the moment Victoria arrived. Amidst the clinking of glasses, they raised their cups high or offered the warmest applause, elevating the atmosphere to its peak.

“Her Majesty the Queen, may your beauty last forever!”

“You are the hero of Esterbel, and we will always remember you!”

“May the royal city rise like the sun under your guidance!”

Victoria waved to them, “Please take your time and enjoy. I wish you all a pleasant evening.”

She still wore that calm expression on her face as she continued to pull me quickly past the tables and crowds, along the red carpet towards the inner hall.

Occasionally, I heard such remarks: “Who is that girl next to Her Majesty?”

“Black hair… Is she an imperial royal family member?”

I didn’t pay any attention, my eyes fixed on the cakes and pastries on the table, my nose filled with the aroma of cream. Suddenly, I felt my legs sink, almost unable to walk.

They all look so delicious… I want to taste them right away…

Victoria walked a few more steps forward, perhaps feeling the weight in her hand, she turned around with an expressionless face. Sensing her gaze, I shifted my eyes from a pink fruit cake to Victoria’s cold face, blinking.

“I want to eat… that…”

To my surprise, Victoria winked at me too.

“We’ll eat later.”

Hearing her firm tone, I became anxious, pulling her hand gently and pouting.

“Let’s eat… just one piece…”

My voice sounded pitiful.

Although I knew someone was watching, I really wanted to eat that cake, regardless…

Then I heard Victoria sigh lightly.

“Reckert, bring her two pieces.”

After saying that, she pulled me forward again.

I wasn’t quite reassured, looking back as we walked, seeing Reckert indeed go to the table, holding plates with cakes in both hands. Then he hurriedly followed us, using his sleeve to cover his face.

“It’s not me who wants to eat… This is so embarrassing…”

But I didn’t care, my heart blooming with joy, unable to hide the smile on my lips.

We walked through the hall and reached a door at the far side. The servant immediately opened the door for us, and the knight gestured for us to enter. Victoria and I stepped into the room, and when Reckert came in too, the knight standing at the door closed it from outside.

What’s going on…?

Looking around.

This looked like a meeting room. The round table in the center was now full of people. They all stood up and bowed as we entered.

“Her Majesty.”

“Congratulations! Her Majesty.”

“Her Majesty, you look radiant tonight! If I were twenty years younger, I would definitely be your most devoted admirer.”

“Haha!”

One of the elderly knights, dressed in exquisite armor, approached with a cheerful smile.

“Marquis Reckmont.”

Victoria let go of my hand, raising her delicate hand in front of her. The elderly knight kissed her hand lightly and then looked up.

“Her Majesty. This time, I have come representing the Reckmont family with a surprise for you. So tonight… you must let me drink freely!”

He looked weathered yet vibrant, his smile very approachable. If he removed his imposing armor and put on civilian clothes, he would be no different from a neighbor’s grandfather.

“That won’t do. Marquis, you should return early to rest as your health isn’t good.”

“What do you mean, my health isn’t good?” The old knight pounded his chest, “It must be that little Radel spreading nonsense! I’m perfectly fine…”

Boring small talk…

I wasn’t interested in their conversation. I snatched the plate from Reckert, grabbing a cake and stuffing it in my mouth.

Chew… chew…

My eyes lit up.

Wow… this taste, the smooth texture… so sweet! So delicious!

I started devouring the cake, puffing out my cheeks and eating greedily. At the same time, I looked around with my eyes darting, trying to find a corner where no one was, but suddenly everything went dark.

“Oh, there’s a pretty little thief eating cake!”

The old voice came from above. I stopped chewing and looked up, meeting the elderly knight’s coffee-colored eyes for a moment.

“Little girl, let me guess. You’re the culprit who caused my grandson to break his leg, the one he always dreams about?”