Lillian understood the content of the conversation that Jean was conveying.
'This man who is talking to the princess now is her guardian.'
His name is Joseph Vespin, and he is rumored to be a count of the kingdom.
The princess, only sixteen years old, had little political power due to her father's weak front, so a regent was appointed for her.
After a while, Jean whispered: “It seems that man is gone now.”
“Then let's go”
Lillian knew that meeting the princess at the temple wouldn't be difficult.
First: ‘She herself hides her true identity’
Second: It is very normal for the women who came to pray in the temple to exchange conversations.
'And to avoid detection, she can't have too many guards around her.'
So, when they broke through the bushes and approached without causing unnecessary noise...
They saw a girl squatting near the pond.
A teenage girl, with dark green hair and silvery gray eyes.
It was clear from her appearance that she was of noble origin, and although she was wearing a veil, her face appeared red from trying to suppress her crying.
The women around her seemed to be trying to console her to no avail.
“Your Highness, please don’t be too sad… huh!”
The bridesmaids suddenly noticed Lillian's presence, and they immediately showed signs of caution.
The princess got up from her place, pretending to be firm: “Who are you? I mean, who are you? Are you a visitor to the temple?”
“May the generosity of the Ruler of Genesis be upon you. I am Lillian of the Taillard family.”
“……!”
The princess and her accompanying delegation were stunned; Lillian's name was universally known in this world... albeit with a bad reputation.
Lillian smiled sweetly; She knows that she is the princess, but she will play the role of someone who does not know!
“I saw your sad expression in the temple, and my heart could not help me pass by without stopping. I apologize if my intrusion disturbed you.”
“…….”
“But, may I ask why a young heart should suffer like this?”
If this had been a social ceremony it would have been difficult, but in a temple on the outskirts it is easy to have such dialogues; People tend to be honest sometimes with strangers they think they will never meet again.
“...My guardian... He is ashamed of me.”
The princess clasped her trembling hands: “Me too.. my ability.. is terrible...”
At that moment, Lillian glimpsed something; Between the gaps of the glove and the sleeve, what looked like a “small blue snake” beneath the skin moved quickly, and glimpses of snake scales also appeared.
'This is the suffering of mutants with abilities.'
Human and animal structure are not inherently compatible.
'But power forces this consensus.'
So, the higher the rank, the more pronounced the side effects.
As for that count, who was over thirty, instead of helping the princess overcome her complex, he was using her to break her will.
What a harvest season for scoundrels!
Lillian looked with cold eyes at the princess's pendant: “That's why you're wearing a control artifact.”
“…yes”
“But this necklace you are wearing now is useless.”
“……!”
The princess quickly raised her head, and so did the servants around her.
"Based on what are you saying?! This piece was made by Iris Taillard herself!"
“I know that...”
Because I designed it.
But it seems that they manipulated the cost and reduced the quality of the materials, making it ineffective.
“The design is based on malachite stone as the central stone, surrounded by control stones.”
Just as small diamonds are set around a large stone.
“But the number of stones is too few, and the magic circuits that suppress the ability are insufficient.”
“What…?”
The princess's face showed shock, as if she had been slapped; It is known that pieces sold under the Iris name are very expensive.
To be told that the design is ineffective and the metals are missing is unbelievable.
But —
“Will you give me a chance?”
"an opportunity?"
“I have the necessary tools and materials. If you lend them to me, I can fix it in two days.”
“……!”
“Then, the side effects of the ability that worry you will disappear.”
Lillian was honest; It just requires some modifications to the current framework.
'Telling the villain in advance where to get the control stones was really helpful.'
As they say, adversity begets opportunity.
And since her magic tools are in her bag, she can do anything.
The princess looked unsure: “Ki...how can I believe you...they say you have no ability-”
“Mmm. Can you listen to this for a moment?”
Lillian took the recording stone out of her bag again.
Ah, the tiger leaves his skin, and Ramio leaves his scoring stone.
He's definitely still alive... Isn't it? Anyway —
“...I must assign Lillian to the new job quickly. This matter should never reach my grandfather’s ears.”
Iris's voice was really beautiful, especially when it had a tone of worry and confusion instead of her usual bright tone.
As for the princess and her accompanying delegation, they opened their mouths in astonishment.
Lillian looked at their expressions and smiled brightly: “Can you trust me a little now?”
* * *
In the princess's residence inside the temple —
“How dare you entrust Lillian Taillard with reform!”
Count Joseph Vespin’s voice rose angrily: “Do you want your condition to get worse?”
“No, it's not like that.”
Meliora tried to muster her courage; Her guardian, who was much older than her, had always been intimidating to her.
Her fear increased because he was the person protecting her from her brother, a competitor for the throne.
“Even though she was not awake, she seemed to be very experienced in repairing. Most importantly, she said that the design was all her own making-”
“Huff, Your Highness, you are so naive.”
The Count shook his head right and left in denial.
'Tsk. To make this girl obedient, I must continue to manipulate her complex towards her appearance.'
The princess had rank A ability, superior to her brother; If it continues like this, the balance will be in its favor in the competition.
The Count narrowed his eyes and smiled shrewdly this time: “Since it is Your Highness’s choice, how can I stop you?”
“Count...”
“But you must bear responsibility for any outcome that results from this. You know what will happen if the reform fails, even if it is just a little.”
“…….”
“You don't want to get hurt, do you? Even the ladies of the kingdom will be worried.”
Meliora shrank into herself and was unable to respond.
'But.. I felt like I could trust her.'
A calm and steady confident person does not need to intimidate others.
The princess silently clenched her trembling fists, while the small blue snake moved under the skin of her wrist as if swimming.
* * *
Inside the temple, at Lillian's residence, a small workshop was equipped.
Evren stood idly watching this scene.
Lillian Taillard...a woman who never ceases to amaze him.
She was able to convince Princess Tenberen and give her the task of repair.
“Is this the place you set up to work?”
“نعم ، بالضبط!”
Today her face looked brighter than ever, and her voice was full of vitality.
Lillian continued to take out the tools from her bag: “All I have to do is add some missing stones and adjust the wire decorations! It will be done soon. I need the torch, the auto-cutting box, the tweezers, the cooling box, and the gloves-”
“...What the hell is in that bag of yours?”
Is there a whole universe inside it? Tools come out endlessly...
Efrain watched Lillian carefully arrange her tools; He was wondering how she was doing after she seemed so hurt over her B rank.
“Miss Tillard”
“Yes-”
“Before you start work, control me.”
“……?Are you feeling very upset today?”
“You grabbed my leash, why are you being so stingy? Hold my hand.”
“present”
Her tone of voice immediately turned calm.
Evren grabbed her hand, which was much smaller than his own.
A sweet, chilling sensation ran through the palm of his hand.
And…
'The emotions are flowing again'
This time was completely different from what happened during the rank measurement.
His heart was beating as if a small animal was jumping and turning inside his chest.
...Does she now think of herself as a rabbit instead of a butterfly?
“Hmmmm”
Evren smiled, furrowing his eyebrows slightly.
What an addictive and strange feeling.