Chapter 140

She was not only there, but her expression was frightening, as if she could kill a bull with her bare hands, or bite through marble with her teeth. In any case, the moment Livra saw her, she felt a terrifying aura rushing straight at her.

Sheffy let out a light sigh and halted her steps.

When she turned back, she was unsure whether her attitude should remain as "the dignity of Sheffy" or "the playfulness of Shaya."

In truth, she had not even made that judgment yet.

Livra was never one to fear oppressive force. Like a stubborn child with an iron head, she walked forward step by step. In her emerald eyes, Sheffy’s silver hair was reflected, and her tone carried nothing but absolute certainty.

"Princess Sheffy... I chased after you because... I really wanted to confirm, that in fact you and Miss Shaya are the same person... aren’t you...?"

"Eek!!"

"Belith, it’s fine, relax."

"Understood."

At the very instant she heard Livra’s words, Belith’s eyes went cold, and she was ready to cut Livra in two on the spot.

Royal Sister longed for a life of peace and quiet. If Princess Livra of the kingdom knew this secret and let it slip, it would surely threaten the life Royal Sister hoped for.

But when she heard Royal Sister’s command to stop—

Belith did not ask further, and she withdrew the blade of her magic sword.

There was no need to ask.

If Royal Sister felt it was fine, then she must have her reasons. As long as this girl was not like the Hero, clinging to Royal Sister like some sneaky cat, Belith had no reason to cut her down.

Livra felt like crying without tears. Why did she keep feeling like she was walking on the edge of death lately...?

However...

Princess Belith’s reaction just now seemed to have already answered the very question Livra had asked.

Sheffy looked up at Livra’s tightly pressed lips and anxious expression, then lowered her gaze to the two black feathers in Livra’s hand—feathers that had already been used for defense.

There was no point in hiding anymore.

Disguise was meant to fool fools; it could never deceive the sharp-minded.

"Yes."

Sheffy spoke the single word softly.

That was as good as an admission, a confirmation.

She thought Livra would surely be angry because of this.

Livra had always treated Shaya as a friend, and when Sheffy had acted under the identity of Shaya, she had indeed shown that she could be considered Livra’s friend.

But the other hidden identity behind Shaya—was actually the Demon Clan Princess, the mortal enemy of the kingdom.

There was reason behind it all, but if their positions were reversed, it could very well be seen as a betrayal of friendship.

And yet, when Sheffy raised her eyes to observe—

What she saw was not blame, nor condemnation.

—But instead, a smile of complete relief, even to the point that it could be called liberation.

With the moonlight and starlight shining through the forest leaves as backdrop, Livra’s smile was truly worthy of being called the "treasure of the kingdom."

"Haa... thank goodness... thank goodness..."

"Thank goodness? Are you out of your mind, you fool...?"

"Tha—no no! My mind is perfectly clear!"

Livra patted her chest, which had a graceful and fitting curve, assuring that her mind was perfectly clear!

It seemed that her mood at this moment was truly as she said—exceptionally at ease.

"I just feel that Miss Shaya and Princess Sheffy share so many similarities. The way they speak is alike, their personalities are alike, and even their aspirations and ideals are equally noble and broad-minded!"

Livra clasped her hands together in front of her.

She paid no attention to how her noble shoes had been soiled by dirt as she ran along the way.

Her focus was entirely on the ground—on two fiery-red ants crawling in opposite directions.

"But the two of them... one happens to be the Demon Clan Princess, and the other, a human orphan skilled in sealing demons. These past days, I’ve been troubled... I could cooperate with Princess Her Highness, but if I told Miss Shaya... she would surely think such cooperation absurd. Most orphans in the kingdom are orphans because of the wars with the Demon Clan. If, merely because of kindred spirits, I were to ask her to cooperate with demons... that would be unbearably cruel. I truly could not figure out how I should approach her with such words."

"Besides, even if I managed to convince Miss Shaya, her ability only works against Your Highness’s kin. In the end, you two are destined to be enemies."

"And if cooperation truly succeeded... if peace came, and there was no more need to fight, then Miss Shaya would no longer have a chance to demonstrate her talents. In the end, she would only be forgotten by all, turning from a hero of the kingdom back into a lonely, pitiful child. No matter which possibility I considered, it would be cruel to Miss Shaya, so..."

Under Sheffy’s blank gaze, Livra finally let out a long exhale.

At last, she released the entanglement she had wrestled with for days.

"So... for Miss Shaya and Princess Sheffy to be the same person, it’s truly wonderful. They don’t need to become enemies... and they don’t need to be hurt by one another. Sheff... Shaya... um... may I ask, what should I call you now that would be more fitting?"

"......"

Sheffy was stunned after hearing those words.

Her eyes, which could discern truth from lies, looked at Livra’s pure smile...

It was like gazing at a lake of crystal-clear water, without the slightest impurity.

All these days... you were thinking about this?

Until now, whether as "Shaya" or as "Sheffy," Sheffy herself had always believed her relationship with Livra to be nothing more than mutual cooperation.

To call it friendship had only ever been a matter of words.

After all, aside from the family who truly loved you, who would ever show concern for another outside of their own interest?

Yet she never imagined... that Livra would think so deeply for Shaya’s sake.

Shaya’s present, Shaya’s future, Shaya’s worth, Shaya’s joys and sorrows.

Even Shaya’s ultimate fate.

All of these were reflected in Livra’s eyes, telling of how, in just a few short months of friendship, she could treat her with such sincerity—sincerity that had already reached its very limits.

In her heart, a faint warmth inevitably rose.

The corners of Sheffy’s lips quietly curved into a small arc, but the smile vanished in an instant.

"Just keep calling me Shaya."

"Is... is that appropriate?"

"Weren’t you just now always thinking about Shaya? Then keep calling me Shaya. When I was ‘Shaya,’ I was your friend. But when I’m ‘Sheffy,’ I’m not your friend yet. That friendship, you’ll have to start over!"

"Eh?! I have to start over making friends?! Princess Sheffy, aren’t we already friends?!"

"I told you, you have to start over. Try again."

"!"

Heh, wasn’t this just like when you went fishing, the fish bit the hook, you were about to reel it in—but at the last moment, the fish escaped?!

Oh, right.

That topic could wait for now.

There was another matter. Sheffy felt it wasn’t really necessary to bring it up, but at the very least, it deserved to be mentioned.

"Livra."

"Here..." Livra was still steeped in the sadness of losing a friend.

"Sorry, I killed your royal brother just now. Didn’t even leave a trace of ash behind."

"Ah? Ah... right, it’s fine, Miss Shaya... As for that, I believe Royal Brother Milh brought it upon himself. What you did was correct. He intended rebellion, his heart was consumed by greed, he deserved his fate. Not only do you not need to apologize, but you are actually a hero who saved the royal bloodline of Aurus. I think Father will also thank you."

Understood.

In other words, I killed your brother, and you’re saying thank you—plus your father will thank me too.

Milh, may you rest well. No one will mourn you.

It wasn’t that Livra was heartless, but toward Royal Brother Milh, the fact she wasn’t openly cursing him already counted as kindness.

Milh had always been a man of few words, acting reserved and dull. But one time, Livra accidentally discovered that many of the childhood rumors spread about her within the palace had all been stirred up in secret by Royal Brother Milh, fanning the flames.

She never told anyone of these things, keeping the grievances buried in her heart, for she believed harmony in the family was what mattered. After all, what end could come from vengeance upon vengeance?

Now that he was dead, it could be said he had paid the price for his past deeds.

As for Princess Sheffy aiding the kingdom in quelling internal rebellion, Livra believed that once Father regained his composure, he would surely express gratitude properly. Compared to that, her own thanks now were as thin as paper, hardly worth mentioning.

But more than this...

What really concerned her now was another matter!

Standing behind Sheffy, both Belith—wearing an expression of inexplicable vigilance—and Lady Xiarette exuded an oppressive aura, making Livra shrink her neck nervously.

And yet, what needed to be asked... she still wanted to ask!

"Uuh... this may be a bit presumptuous to ask... but Miss Shaya, since you’re not actually an orphan, then when you said before that Miss Syla was your distant relative, that must have been false too, right? May I ask... who exactly is Miss Syla...? If... if it’s inconvenient to answer, that’s fine too!"

52. Another One? (Beginning of the month—asking for monthly votes!)

Could she ask?

Go on and ask, then. Anyway, her identity was already exposed. What else was there to hide, that perverted creep? Let’s all just explode together!

That was how petty Sheffy’s mindset was.

I’m finished—don’t think you’ll have it easy either, hmph!

"Xiarette, let her come out. Today it’s better to lay everything on the table, so Livra won’t keep imagining nonsense in the future."

"I can, yes..." Xiarette raised the golden Holy Sword from her waist, though her expression looked somewhat troubled. "But Sylatrella should be asleep... she seemed to have exhausted herself during her duel with Miss Timani."

"Oh oh, Livra, you heard that, right? Unfortunately, she’s not available at the moment."

"......"

I... what did I just hear?!

She heard it, yes... but to actually understand it, that was rather difficult.

After all, Livra wasn’t abstract-minded. How could she possibly know someone could reside within a sword and sleep?

"I-is that so... that’s really unfortunate. If Miss Syla isn’t around then—"

"Who’s calling me? Are we home? Is it time to eat? Are we fishing? Can I help Lady Sheffy reel in the catch yet?"

"Who’s speaking?!"

The sudden voice startled Livra so much she jumped.

Her long black hair bristled like fur standing on end. She raised her guard in a defensive stance—weak but determined.

Belith’s brows lifted. She confirmed that the little girl Syla was indeed the Holy Sword’s true body. Father and Mother’s suspicions were correct.

Seeing that the Third Princess still hadn’t processed the situation, Xiarette could only bring the Holy Sword forward and present it closer.

When she came within a certain distance of Livra, Sylatrella’s slightly languid voice echoed again from within the Holy Sword.

"So you’re the one calling me? Tch, another little brat of the Aurus royal bloodline... I hate talking with them. I’ll just go back to sleep. Lady Sheffy, when we get home, I’ll help you reel in the catch, alright? Mmph... so tired... so sleepy..."

"T-t-t-the s-s-sword talked?!"

—Thud.

It was exactly the reaction Sheffy had anticipated.

After Livra frowned and confirmed that the voice truly came from within the Holy Sword, she let out a terrified cry and fell flat on her bottom.

She could hardly believe—something without a mouth could speak!

Was that the important part?!

Before Sheffy continued speaking, she quietly patted the Holy Sword’s sheath.

It was like bidding Sylatrella a good night.

That little one was nearly collapsing already... and still thinking of helping her fish and reel in the catch...

What a noble spirit of a fisherman.

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