Chapter 62

The consolation party for the "Seven Nations Coordination" hosted by the royal family centered around Alesia. In addition to Alesia, the event gathered foreign ministry staff who had worked tirelessly on the alliances with other countries, the soldiers who had served as guards, and the staff responsible for planning the distribution of water to various regions.

At the beginning of the party, the king expressed his gratitude to Alesia and the others.

Alesia, as usual, was busy in her green robe and thick veil, greeting the people who came to pay their respects, accompanied by Marks. Among the attendees, some were considerate enough to avert their gaze from her, while others subtly tried to peek at her face through the veil. Those who did the latter were quickly driven away by Marks' cold stare and aura of anger.

"Are you tired? Shall we take a break?"

"I'm fine, Your Highness. I can keep going a bit longer. Soon it won't be rude to leave. What? Did I say something strange?"

"No, it's not strange. It just sounds like you've been in such situations many times before, which is why I found it odd."

"I just thought so. This is my first time in such a grand setting, of course."

The Minister of Military Affairs approached and greeted Alesia, expressing gratitude for the successful containment of the greatest threat, Faril, through the coordination with the surrounding six countries. He then said, "I'll borrow Your Highness for a moment," in a tone as if he were asking permission from a fiancée or wife, and led Marks away.

(I need to do something about the situation with the prince,) Alesia thought. She didn't dislike the prince; rather, she found him pleasant. He was a kind person who treated her with utmost care.

However, she couldn't shake off the memory of being executed in her previous life because the king didn't believe her, which made her hesitant. She felt guilty about this state of affairs, as the prince had no fault or responsibility.

(I've gotten used to entering the palace. I used to hate it so much. I'm overcoming the unpleasant memories from my past life, right?)

After a while, Prince Marks returned.

"Alesia, it's enough. Let's leave."

"Yes, I will."

The two quietly left the grand hall, and four guards followed them out. As they stepped outside, a beautiful young lady approached them quickly.

"Your Highness!"

"Oriella, it's been a while. What brings you here today? If you're looking for Jibril, he's still in the hall."

The young lady named Oriella turned her gaze to Alesia with a smile, but it felt different from the one she gave the prince, almost piercing.

"Magician, it's an honor to meet you. I am Oriella, the daughter of Jibril, the assistant to the prime minister."

"Oriella. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Could you tell me your name?"

Marks smoothly stepped in between them.

"Oriella, the magician has not revealed his name."

"Oh, you won't even show your face or tell me your name?"

"Yes, I'm sorry. Excuse me."

As he placed his fingertips on Alesia's shoulder to leave, Oriella quickly reached out and grabbed Alesia's veil. The guards, recognizing her as the assistant prime minister's daughter, avoided using force and only intervened to separate them. As a result, the veil was caught by Oriella's fingertips.

"Ah!"

"What are you doing!"

Alesia's veil was torn off, and Prince Marks, with a look of anger, approached Oriella, while the guards surrounded her. The tense atmosphere and voices reached the grand hall, where the doors were still wide open. Several attendees near the door came out to see what was happening.

Marks quickly took off his coat and covered Alesia's head. Then he said,

"Restrain Oriella. I'll come back to talk to her later."

He led Alesia away from the scene.

In the corridor, Oriella, still holding her arm, muttered to herself. The assistant prime minister, Jibril, ran over when he heard about it.

"Oriella! Why are you here!"

But Oriella, with a dazed look, didn't respond.

"Oriella! What's wrong!"

Jibril noticed what his daughter was holding in her right hand and looked at the guards.

"Oriella took the magician's veil."

"What have you done? Oriella, you are ill. Let's go home."

"The prince ordered us to restrain her. We will keep her in the barracks until the prince returns."

"…I see. My daughter is ill. I would appreciate it if you could handle her gently."

The guards, without responding, took Oriella by the arms and led her away. Many people who had come out of the hall witnessed the entire scene.

"Alesia, are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine. I was just surprised."

"Oriella's rudeness is unforgivable. She will be severely punished and will never be allowed near Alesia again."

Alesia thought that being unmasked wasn't a big deal. What bothered her was Oriella's desperate expression. She couldn't forget it even after getting into the carriage.

"Your Highness, my resolve was half-hearted. Hiding makes people want to see. No one used violence. I will stop wearing the veil. If the same thing happens again and someone else is blamed, it would be…"

"But if your face is known, it will be inconvenient, won't it?"

"Your Highness once said, 'Both painful and joyful things are on the path I walk.' I will think the same way and live my life."

Marks looked at Alesia, who repeated her own words from over a year ago, trying to gauge if they were sincere.

"I see… If that's what Alesia wants. From now on, I will have the guards protect you visibly. It will be bothersome, but please bear with it for your safety."

"Thank you for your consideration. And please don't punish Oriella."

"Alesia…"

"She might be mentally ill. I felt more sadness than hatred in her expression."

The cause of that sadness was probably her relationship with the prince. Her half-hearted actions every day might have led to such behavior.

Meanwhile, in the grand hall, everyone was whispering.

"Oriella was taken away? What did she do?"

"Didn't you see? She tore off the magician's veil."

"Really? Why such a rude act?"

"More like a violent act. But I caught a glimpse of her profile…"

"Yes, she was beautiful. The rumors of her being ugly were lies."

"Even just a profile, she had a soft and beautiful aura."

Marks sent Alesia to the farm and then returned to the palace.

When he told the assistant prime minister and Oriella, who were waiting at the barracks, that "Oriella's crime will not be punished," Jibril looked as if he couldn't believe his ears.

"Alesia said, 'Hiding makes people want to see, so don't punish her.' However, Oriella needs to see a doctor."

"I will have her examined and, if diagnosed with an illness, will ensure she is accompanied by someone during her recovery. I promise she will not cause any more trouble. I will never forget this kindness."

"Jibril, I will not allow you to resign. Continue to serve my royal family and the kingdom."

"Your Highness, I will serve with all my heart. Thank you."

The assistant prime minister, now showing his fatherly side, shed tears.

After the examination, Oriella was diagnosed with a mental illness and began her recovery.