Chapter 307: Her Highness the Self-Doubting Princess

As a princess of the royal bloodline, Blanche’s birth was inherently noble.

Yet, after the tragic illness and death of both grandsons of Grand Duke Vargis—the man to whom she had been betrothed—whispers began to spread that "whoever marries Blanche shall die," plunging her into a deeply awkward predicament.

Her position grew grimmer still when His Majesty King Bruno’s attempt to match her with the Grand Duke's third grandson was politely declined, tacitly turning Blanche into a quiet laughingstock among the high nobility.

Consequently, when she turned eighteen last year, not only was she unwed, but not a single house even expressed an interest in an alliance, leaving the royal family's prestige severely bruised.

Under such circumstances, why were so many people still coming to celebrate Blanche's birthday?

"Nobles love a spectacle, and they are especially fond of attending banquets hosted by the crown," Joly explained. "However, quite a few of them are here simply to witness the King's embarrassment. After all, the Princess will be nineteen after this birthday, and yet she still has no betrothed. It reflects poorly on the royal house."

Roning asked in surprise, "Is the Princess's inability to find a husband common knowledge even to you?"

"Hahaha..."

Joly could not help but chuckle. "My Lord Earl, you may not realize it, but gossiping about the royal family and the high nobility is a daily pastime for people like us."

No matter where one went, onlookers eager for scandal were never lacking; the affairs of great figures inevitably became the talk of the town over tea and wine.

In the eyes of the public, Blanche's current plight was likely similar to that of Wiggins before his legs were broken—both were objects of ridicule.

Only, she was quite innocent.

Joly let out a soft sigh. "I once caught a glimpse of Her Highness from afar; she possesses a truly remarkable beauty. It is a pity she brings ruin to her suitors. Two of the Grand Duke's grandsons perished by her side, and even their father, who arranged the matches, could not escape misfortune. I fear no man will ever dare marry her now."

Rhys instinctively glanced at Roning.

Roning’s official reason for coming to Golden Feather City was to offer a return gift in gratitude for the Princess attending Lulans's birthday last year, but as the heir of the Dennis family, Rhys knew the hidden truth.

Meeting Rhys’s "are you afraid?" expression, Roning shrugged his shoulders to signal that he harbored no fear whatsoever.

He spoke up on Blanche’s behalf, "In truth, there are many misunderstandings regarding this matter. It is highly probable that the Grand Duke’s two grandsons were simply frail and sickly to begin with."

"Marquis Jonson was no invalid, and it is said that the Grand Duke’s third grandson, Gano, fell gravely ill the moment he learned of the impending match with the Princess, only recovering after the Duke declined the proposal."

That... must have been sheer terror.

Joly was obviously unaware of the true purpose behind Roning’s journey, so he spoke without reservation, letting his thoughts flow freely.

"If a betrothal to Princess Blanche only cost wealth, it would be fine; the Grand Duke does not lack gold. But when a marriage demands a life, who can endure that? People are already saying that if His Majesty finds a house disagreeable, he need only marry Princess Blanche into it."

Roning could not help but sigh inwardly; accepting this alliance truly required an immense amount of courage.

When Lulans had originally arranged the match, it was to secure a retreat for Roning. If it were now, the old man might also harbor reservations and refuse the arrangement.

Regardless, since both parties had reached an agreement, the marriage had to proceed. Furthermore, in Roning's view, a tie with the royal family would be advantageous to his future.

As for the rumors of misfortune and curses, Roning placed no faith in them.

Well...

Though he had indeed encountered several perils since meeting Blanche, he had managed to turn every danger into safety.

Ultimately, it all depended on one's own strength.

...

The Golden Feather Palace was the stronghold of the Alduin family.

It was not merely a single castle, but a massive complex comprising dozens of palaces and thousands of courtyards and chambers.

Such a grand architectural scale made it the most prosperous and venerable district in Golden Feather City; no noble fortress in the entire kingdom could compare to it.

As a princess of the realm, Blanche's residence lay nestled within a lush, verdant garden, surrounded by high walls and sturdy towers to secure her safety and privacy.

Within the Golden Feather Palace, she had few friends aside from the servants who tended to her, a loneliness born of the rumors. During her time at the Royal Academy of Magic, many of her peers avoided her as much as possible.

Eventually, at her own request, the King consented to hire tutors for her, allowing her to study within the confines of her own palace.

Such an environment was solitary, but it was at least more comfortable than watching people deliberately steer clear of her or overhearing their hushed whispers at every turn.

Cultivating, reading, and strolling through the estate to admire the beautiful flowers and trees were her primary daily activities, offering a deep tranquility.

Yet, with her nineteenth birthday approaching, this quiet life was bound to be disrupted.

At the same time, her heart grew anxious. She had already learned from her father that Roning would be attending the birthday banquet.

The thought of Roning's handsome face and the stolen kiss she gave him upon parting brought an involuntary blush to her cheeks.

Though a princess of high status, that sudden display of affection had been terribly forward, but she truly wished to escape the fate of being viewed as an omen of ruin; it was her own attempt to grasp her destiny.

She only wondered if this betrothal could endure to the very end.

"Your Highness, your friend Knight Mici has arrived," a maid reported, stepping inside.

"Oh?"

Blanche, who was painting in the garden, showed a look of delight. She immediately set down her brush and, without waiting for the servant to convey the message, ran out to greet her guest personally.

This was not only because Mici was her dear friend, but also because she might bring the news Blanche so desperately desired.

Today, Mici wore no armor or helmet, revealing her short golden hair. Compared to Blanche’s gentle beauty, she possessed a boyish charm.

Blanche hurried forward to take her hand, asking expectantly, "Well, Mici, has he arrived?"

"Look how impatient you are!" Mici smiled. "Word just came from Cape Horn Port; he has landed."

Blanche's hanging heart finally settled. "How is Roning? Was his journey smooth?"

Hearing this, Mici’s brow furrowed slightly, and she shook her head. "I heard that their ships were attacked at sea by the Beluga Pirates."

"Ah?"

Blanche froze, a look of panic flashing through her eyes. "How could that happen? Is he injured?"

"He is unharmed. However, I hear the Dennis family's ships were destroyed, and the accompanying guards and crew suffered significant casualties."

Blanche breathed a sigh of relief. Though the panic on her face softened slightly, she remained deeply anxious and her spirits plummeted.

She pulled Mici further into the estate. "Tell me, do I truly bring misfortune to others?"

The rumors had circulated for years; let alone others, even she herself sometimes doubted her own nature.

If the answer was no, then why did everyone betrothed to her perish?

"Why would you think that?"

Mici offered a genuine smile, comforting her, "I know you are a kind girl. How could those misfortunes and curses have anything to do with you?"

"But since Roning met me, he has already come close to being killed twice."

Blanche shook her head with lingering fear; she dared not imagine what kind of life she would face if Roning were to die.

"Those were merely accidents, my Princess!"

"Were they truly accidents?"

Blanche traced her delicate fingers through the empty air, drawing a magical rune.

The moment the rune was completed, a dark light surged, forming a summoning array.

Immediately following, a skeleton head wearing a rudimentary helmet slowly rose from within the diagram.

"This is the third-tier magic, Skeleton Summoning!"

Mici’s eyes gleamed. "You have become an advanced mage?"

Blanche nodded, pressing the skull back into place, her face devoid of any joy from her recent advancement.

She wondered if her affinity for dark elemental magic had brought misfortune to others.

Missy, as the princess’s friend, knew exactly what the latter was thinking.

“You’re not the only dark mage—others don’t bring misfortune, and neither do you.”

She gazed at Blanche with sincere warmth and smiled: “Instead of doubting yourself, why not convince the King to launch an expedition against the White Whale Pirates? Let’s settle the score for Ronin!”

These words momentarily pulled Blanche from her self-doubt. She nodded. “You’re right—I’ll go see Father at once!” (End of chapter)