Golden Princess [4]

This sudden event of apprehending the people who had possession of the ring was not only happening inside the Hall of Sun but also outside.

A member of the Shadow unit who was positioned in the city, Aurea, executed their task of confiscating the ring in the darkness.

Fortunately, the situation outside was less chaotic because the action was carried out secretly.

In fact, the order was already issued a few days ago.

And it was wrapped up by one person.

Initially, more than fifty Shadows were sent to investigate. Their task was to find the target and report them.

After they finished identifying the individuals with the ring, one of them carried out the execution.

A particular Shadow stood on the roof. Her already dark eyes intensified in the darkness. Those looked like a void. Her shoulder-length jet-black hair gently swayed when hit by the night breeze.

She was watching a street festival that was going on as if nothing had happened.

She looked down at the bag slung around her shoulder. A dimensional bag. Although it didn't look like it, it was actually filled with rings she had snatched from people.

Despite already confiscating more than a thousand rings, the Shadow could not help but be concerned.

Currently, more than 80.000 people were filling the capital city, Aurea.

Because of that, the Shadow kept thinking about the difference in numbers between the rings and the population.

Was it really this much? Or was there more?

At least, there should be around 8000 rather than 2000.

As she thought about it, the Shadow recalled what her master told her.

"If we leave it be, they will turn into a monster of at least tier 7. It might not be a problem if it is just one, two, ten, or a hundred. But if the numbers are more than a thousand... it will be a disaster."

"..."

Meanwhile...

The situation in the Hall of Sun had been resolved.

The banquet atmosphere was ruined. However, after the Young Dragon, the Empire's representative, said it would be his responsibility, the guests had to dryly swallow the air and continue the occasion.

It was awkward at first. But as time went on, the banquet atmosphere revived. Everyone enjoyed the occasion as if nothing had happened an hour earlier.

The Princess, Aurum Chryseus, was playing with her blonde hair as she strolled in the royal garden. Her golden eyes seemed to glimmer under the moonlight. Something reflected in her eyes when she gazed at the night sky.

The moon. It was eerily beautiful tonight.

Closing her eyes, Aurum reminisced the memory that had been engraved into her.

Supposedly, the banquet would transform into a red banquet, and the kingdom would fall in the blink of an eye, ravaged by unknown monsters that took over the bodies of those wearing the ring.

After that, a strange colossal flying object would emerge from the gigantic purplish portal in the sky.

"It's not over."

The night sky was clear, devoid of any decoration like sparkling stars. Only the moon existed.

That emptiness sent a shiver down her spine.

"Can I rely on the memory?"

Because Aurum had taken an early measure to prevent the event from the memory before it occurred, she had no idea if those were even reliable.

Since she gained those memories, Aurum had believed everything from them to be true. A foresight, just like her mother said.

It was foreign memory. However, somehow, Aurum could not help but trust them as if it was hers.

"It was hard to explain..."

The memories were too familiar to be foreign. Yet, at the same time, they were too foreign to be her own.

Aurum reached her hand toward the sky, trying to grab the moon even though she knew it was impossible.

Everything had been a smooth sail to the point Aurum could not verify the information from the memories.

There was another way to confirm it.

"Only one way left."

But if she proceeded that way. The price would be expensive. Worse, the scenario would follow what happened in the memories.

Closing her fist, Aurum brought her hands to her face.

With a distressed sigh, she murmured, "Is it not possible to change a fate?"

Was the memory really a prophecy? But why was it the Princess who received it? How about the Saintess?

Nonetheless, if the only way to confirm the prophetic memory was to sacrifice her kingdom, Aurum wasn't sure if she wanted that.

She was only 15 years old, yet already burdened with such responsibility.

"..."

Suddenly reminded of her age, Aurum blinked as she blankly gazed forward. Then, when something ticked within her, she started throwing a tantrum.

"Ahhh!!! No way!!!"

How could she forget she was only 15 years old? It must have been because of the memory's influence!

She was dropping into the ground and rolling around. She kicked her feet in the air, letting all her frustration out. As if that was not enough, she lay flat on her stomach, buried her face, and slammed the ground over and over.

"Uwaaaahhhh!!! Why should I bear this memory?! I just want to live slowly as an ordinary princess who is doted on by her siblings!"

Slamming so hard for the last time, Aurum sighed and lay there thoughtlessly.

After a few seconds, she jolted awake from her position.

"That's right!"

Aurum recalled the incident that caused the foreign memories to be engraved in her.

"It's because of that white-haired guy!"

Ruffling her hair, she pulled them not too hard.

"Ahh!! If not for him, I would have enjoyed my life!"

Rustle- rustle-

The bushes rustled.

Startled, Aurum got up and turned around. She was looking at the bushes. Her dignity as a Princess had not fully returned but she was ready to find out whatever it was behind the bushes.

"Who is there?"

Silent. No reply or response.

A moment later, footsteps were heard. But, it was coming from the opposite direction of the rattling bushes. That direction was the entrance where the Princess had entered.

"Oh? Princess?"

A male voice sounded in that direction.

Aurum, hearing the familiar voice, suddenly stood frozen. Her heart was beating faster.

It was not a condition that resulted from a romantic scene where the female lead would have a romantic moment with the male lead in the garden after the party.

Instead, it was a situation where the predator had finally caught up with their prey.

At least, that was what she thought.

"What a coincidence to meet you here," the voice said again.

It was getting nearer.

And Aurum trembled even more. Her legs were shaking, she could feel she would collapse anytime soon.

As the footsteps stopped right behind her, a voice followed, "Princess?"

However, Aurum didn't move an inch. Her back was still toward the person who had called her.

Only after a stretched silence did she finally gather her courage and turn around. But as expected, in the instant she saw the person, her eyes were shaking and her pupils dilated.

A boy was standing with a light smile that could be mistaken for a schemer. His snow-white hair hardly fluttered even when the breeze hit them. And two golden orbs that reflected the Princess's face stared quietly.

It was Niveus Albus.