87: Chapter 87 Private Conversation! Questioning! Response! Mira's Mystery!

The small reception room.

The other vassals had all withdrawn, and the room fell silent.

Princess Alice subconsciously relaxed her posture slightly, as if Rowan were a trusted friend of many years.

She picked up the black tea by her side, blew on it gently, took a small sip, and then looked at Rowan, her iris-purple eyes appearing exceptionally bright behind the swirling steam.

"Baron Flynn, the merits you have achieved this time are indeed impressive."

She set down her teacup, her tone casual yet filled with praise:

"I have looked through the records. Your father, the old Baron Flynn, answered the royal summons years ago to participate in the Battle of Twilight Canyon. He fought bravely until the very end; the royal family will always remember his loyalty and valor."

Rowan bowed slightly. "It was my late father's duty to serve and share the royal family's burdens. It is the honor of the Flynn Family."

"It was merely a subject's duty; I do not deserve such high praise from Your Highness."

He answered flawlessly, while simultaneously and quietly releasing the [Charm] skill to envelop her.

This time, the effect seemed slightly better than in public. The invisible barrier around the Princess appeared to loosen somewhat due to the privacy of the setting and the depth of the conversation.

"Duty is certainly important, but ability and opportunity are equally indispensable."

Princess Alice's tone suddenly shifted as she looked at Rowan with an inquiring gaze:

"Baron Flynn, after you killed Count Farrell, did you happen to find anything... unusual?"

"Or rather, did he reveal any... special words in his final moments?"

Hearing this, Rowan's heart stirred slightly.

Princess Alice's question seemed casual, but it felt as though she were hinting at something.

But she also seemed uncertain?

"To answer Your Highness," Rowan said, putting on a look of appropriate confusion and recollection, choosing his words carefully:

"I pursued the Count into the mountains. The confrontation was hasty, and in his severely wounded state, his words were already incoherent—mostly expressions of resentment and curses. He did not mention anything specific."

"As for items... I handed his remains over to the Church Knights who arrived later; I did not search them myself. May I ask what unusual item Your Highness is referring to...?"

He answered with a mix of truth and lies. He didn't mention the existence of the Spatial Ring, instead tossing the topic back to the Princess.

Princess Alice watched him quietly for a few seconds, seemingly judging the truth of his words.

Rowan met her gaze calmly, his eyes sincere.

Thanks to the sense of affinity created by [Charm], he showed no flaws.

A moment later, the sharp scrutiny in the Princess's eyes seemed to fade a bit. A sweet smile resurfaced, revealing two faint dimples as she said:

"It's no matter. Perhaps I was overthinking."

"It's just that Count Farrell managed Gino County for many years and had deep roots; there are bound to be some secrets.

"Now that he has been brought to justice, these hidden dangers must be cleared up one by one."

She paused, her tone turning to one of reassurance and encouragement:

"Baron Flynn, you have performed outstanding service this time, and the royal family is well aware of it."

"Once the Church's investigation concludes and it is time to reward merit, a title of Viscount and the corresponding territory will certainly be yours."

"You are young and promising, with a limitless future ahead. You should continue to be diligent and loyal, serving the Empire."

"Thank you for your trust, Your Highness! I will certainly exert all my efforts to repay the trust of the royal family and Your Highness!"

Rowan appropriately displayed gratitude and excitement, bowing once more.

"Very well, that will be all for today. You have worked hard as well; go back and rest early." Princess Alice waved her hand gracefully, signaling the end of the conversation.

Rowan respectfully bowed and took his leave. Turning around, he walked steadily out of the small reception room at the signal of the Lady-in-waiting.

The door closed silently behind him.

Princess Alice sat alone in her armchair, her fingertips lightly tapping the smooth wooden armrest. As she watched the direction in which Rowan had departed, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.

"Strange..." she murmured to herself, her voice so soft only she could hear. "Why do I feel... quite a bit of fondness and expectation toward this frontier baron?"

She knew she wasn't someone easily swayed by appearances. While Rowan's handsomeness was certainly outstanding, to a Princess accustomed to seeing all kinds of talented and handsome men in the Imperial Capital, it wasn't a decisive factor.

Was it his steady and humble response?

Or was it the potential he showed by killing a heavily wounded Great Knight at such a young age?

But soon, she suppressed these subtle personal emotions and began to analyze what she had gained tonight.

From her private contact with several royal vassals, the royal family's direct forces in Gino County were indeed as she expected—

Weak!

Old families were withering, and newcomers had shallow foundations.

The strongest among them was likely Rowan Flynn, who had demonstrated the strength of a Peak Knight and achieved great merit.

But this was still far from enough.

A Peak Knight... in the upcoming reshuffling of power across Gino County, his weight was still too light.

As far as she knew, the few families in Gino County's House of Lords that remained unscathed were all trying to find ways to break through to the rank of Great Knight.

Their purpose was self-evident.

Princess Alice frowned slightly, her fingertips tapping gently on the armrest.

Without a core combat force at the Great Knight level, the royal family's influence here would ultimately be limited.

This made her regret the death of the Red Maple Knight even more.

Was she really going to sit by and watch Duke Witton regain control of Gino County, or let those old foxes in The Senate reach their hands in?

After a moment's thought, she began to ponder another matter.

Besides fulfilling her duty as a royal observer on this trip, she also wanted to take the opportunity to scout some promising individuals in the North—far from the whirlpool of the Imperial Capital—to build her future team.

For now, only Rowan of the Flynn Family and Mira of the Mesa Family seemed worth a bit of attention and investment.

Especially Rowan Flynn: young, powerful, meritorious, with a clean background, and his family had shown unwavering loyalty to the royal family.

"Perhaps... I can observe a bit longer." A trace of thought flashed in Alice's eyes:

"Let's see how far he can go in the coming storm, and... how much value he can demonstrate."

...

On the other side.

Led by a maid, Rowan left the small reception room and returned to the main hall.

The banquet had ended, and most of the guests had already left.

But Mira had not departed.

She stood alone by a tall stained-glass window.

Her crimson-gold eyes gazed at the deep night outside, appearing lost in thought.

Hearing footsteps, she quickly turned her head.

Upon seeing Rowan, a bright radiance instantly lit up her eyes.

Then, with her skirt swaying, she stepped forward quickly and naturally took his arm.

"Is it over? What did Her Highness say to you?" Mira looked up slightly at the man beside her, her tone filled with concern.

Spending time together day and night at White Cliff Castle had long since made her accustomed to intimacy with this man.

"Just routine business. Some encouragement and a few questions about Count Farrell," Rowan replied with a light chuckle.

The two walked out of the manor together.

The chill of early winter brushed against their faces.

The waiting carriage rolled over the thin snow and stopped before them.

They boarded the carriage.

The carriage drove them toward Snow Velvet Manor.

Inside the carriage, Mira leaned back against the seat, her body relaxed.

This was her first time attending a noble banquet.

Rowan noticed her slight fatigue.

Her fair and pretty face was flushed with a faint pink from relaxation and a bit of wine.

He reached out, his fingertips gently brushing a slightly stray lock of hair from her forehead, and said softly:

"Mira, you are truly beautiful tonight..."

Hearing this, Mira's body trembled almost imperceptibly.

She lifted her eyes to look at Rowan.

And met his focused, appreciative gaze.

An uncontrollable heat welled up from the depths of her heart.

Her cheeks grew redder, and her crimson-gold eyes seemed to ignite with starlight, becoming exceptionally bright.

She involuntarily tilted her face up slightly, her red lips parting unconsciously. "Rowan..."

She murmured his name, her voice carrying a hint of dazed softness.

Rowan chuckled inwardly.

He leaned down...

...

An unknown amount of time passed.

The carriage came to a gentle halt.

The driver's respectful voice came from outside:

"My Lord, we have arrived."

Only then did Mira wake as if from a dream.

She released her arms from around his neck and gently pushed the man away.

Then she leaned against his chest, panting softly.

Her eyes were watery, and the flush on her face spread all the way to her ears and neck.

Rowan stroked her back and helped her tidy her slightly disheveled long hair and gown.

"We're here. Let's get out."

"Mhm."

...