Ceres

72

Lennard started teaching Leona how to gather and absorb spiritual essences. But, no matter how Leona tries, she can only see them.

Even though it was the case, he wasn't disappointed.

He was actually thinking that even if she can't absorb it, it wouldn't take too long before she does. The most important question right now is how did she see spiritual essences?

"Is it perhaps... Because of Cerio? Maybe when he was healing me..."

When Leona said that, Lennard wasn't really stunned. He already thought of that possibility. Also, he thought of how Ceres was helping him replenish his spiritual essences before. Ceres' way is not different from the usual spirit healing but there are still minor differences such as the warmth he felt back then.

"If he really helped you... Our whole kingdom would definitely be indebted to him. Also, your engagement with that third prince wouldn't be necessary anymore."

Leona kept on smiling and she even started fidgeting.

"Father would surely be happy."

Lennard couldn't help but shake his head and smile once more.

"I'm sure he would... And, mother, too."

Leona looked outside the carriage's window and she couldn't get rid of the smile on her face.

But Lennard's real thoughts are definitely more than those he just said.

If Ceres was able to grant Leona the ability to see pure spiritual essences, what does this mean?

Putting aside Leona's circumstances, if even Ceres' knowledge in poisons and her spirit healing abilities were made known to the public, a lot of people will still covet her.

Someone without even an ounce of spiritual essence in their body was able to do such things... This is truly something that would cause uproar in the entire continent.

Thus, this doesn't exclude their kingdom from wanting to win her favor.

The next question here is why did Ceres decided to show her abilities to them? Did Ceres trust them that much? Or there's more to this that they need to know?

Lennard sent a message to their father when they were healed and he knows that their father would surely investigate about Ceres. But, he is not contented with that. He also made preparations to send another message but to another person instead.

---

"Someone saved them?"

Glenn was reading the report that his subordinate gave him. After reading, he laughed. Currently, he was in his courtyard in the royal palace of Winsterein kingdom. He already arrived a day before and was busy greeting people ever since. Because he felt the presence of one of his subordinates, he immediately retired to his courtyard and received the report.

Even though Emperor Dwight seemed happy to have his children reunite in this event, in reality, he wasn't. He knew that there would be trouble the moment Glenn arrives although he doesn't know what it is.

Glenn was busy greeting different nobles who went to see him right after he entered the palace. His father, the Emperor, excluded him from helping with the event saying an excuse like he needed to rest because of the journey. The truth is that, Dwight feels like Glenn would ruin everything at some point. Dwight doesn't fully trust his first son.

Well, it is the truth.

The moment Glenn helped in the preparation, he will be able to execute his plans more smoothly and also, devise more plans.

Even though he was forbidden from helping, it didn't stop him from working. Glenn needed to portray that hardworking and diligent prince and as such, urge Dwight to allow him to help even in other matters. As such, Dwight still gave documents to Glenn about the kingdom's affairs and also gave Glenn the job of greeting other people. This is why even though he just arrived, he was also already busy. Yet, despite everything, he still finds the time to read reports of his subordinates; much more right now when they have a plan to execute soon.

"It doesn't matter if Poisoned Ghost Body failed since I have other plans. But, who on earth are those two?"

Glenn burned the report letter with his fire magic.

"Someone who doesn't have any background at all? I don't believe it."

Glenn thought that if he cannot be sure of such people then, he needs to eliminate them as soon as possible or those people may hinder his plans.

He treats people as chess pieces and when he doesn't have any use for them, discards them. If he doesn't fully know a person then by all means, he would think of a way to eliminate them. He believes that not knowing everything will obstruct what he painstakingly prepared.

He turned around and started walking out of his courtyard. This time, he wasn't planning on doing anything related to what Dwight gave him but to meet people for their upcoming move in this kingdom.

---

The day before the banquet, fortunately, Ceres' group arrived in the capital city. It was only a half day from their meeting point to the capital city that's why they were able to arrive before the sun was down.

The moment they arrived, Ceres and Gil was planning on separating from them for a while since they wanted to observe the city more. But contrary to their plans, the royal siblings except Leonard were begging them to stay at the royal palace.

Ceres and Gil along with Leonard waited for Lennard's group to arrive near the city gates. The moment Ceres was about to open her mouth, Lennard rushed to her and was about to grab her shoulders.

Before Lennard could even touch her, Ceres evaded. Lennard was certainly surprised by her actions and also, puzzled.

Did I do something wrong along the way? Or did she notice something was off?

He wanted to ask Ceres if there's something wrong but before he could even speak, Gil spoke.

"He doesn't want anybody to touch him so randomly."

Leona arrived near her brother and was looking at Ceres with big wide sparkling eyes full of respect and gratitude. She wasn't able to read the awkward atmosphere.

To break the silence, Leonard was the one who spoke.

"Why are you so agitated, first brother?"

Leonard doesn't have any idea since he was left alone by Lennard and Leona at the meeting point.

Lennard couldn't help but cough twice and then, smiled at Ceres.

"You must accompany us until the end of this event!"

At his side, Leona was nodding her head energetically. It looks like she really wanted Ceres and Gil to accompany them more.

"Okay."

Ceres agreed. It's not that she didn't want to accompany them or that she badly wants to tour the city. It's just that she remembered that she would be with them until the event ends.

WhenLennard heard her agree, he was relieved and heaved a sigh. He really wanted todiscuss about Leona's situation without any intentions of alerting Ceres ormaking her feel something was off. Also, they needed to pay respects to theemperor right away and wouldn't be able to talk properly for some more time. Ifin the brief moment that Ceres is not in their sight and she decided to leavethem then, it would mean that he wouldn't be able to know what he wanted toknow. -tbc