Chapter 93: Reunion (Part 2)

As the evening grew darker, the banquet reached its end, and many nobles were slipping into their luxurious carriages, departing from the castle one by one.

Merlin and Avril approached Count Selin to bid farewell. Although Merlin hadn't drunk much, he still felt a bit dizzy and was eager to return and rest.

However, as they stepped out of the castle gates, they ran into Baron Warren and Princess Shirris. Shirris looked uneasy, her face pale and her eyes avoiding Merlin's, unable to meet his gaze.

Baron Warren, on the other hand, greeted Merlin with a beaming smile and exchanged pleasantries before quickly boarding his carriage and departing.

Once back in their own carriage, Avril spoke softly, "Merlin, it seemed like Princess Shirris didn't really want to be with Baron Warren. If she's in some kind of trouble, could you help her?"

Merlin wasn't surprised by Avril's compassion. Even after the turmoil in Blackwater City and the arduous journey to Pugas, she remained as kind-hearted as ever. Seeing Princess Shirris so downcast must have stirred her sympathy, especially since they both hailed from the Kingdom of Light.

Merlin gently took Avril's hand. Through the evening's events, Avril had grown comfortable with his affectionate gestures, even relishing the soft warmth between them.

"She chose this path herself; no one can help her now," Merlin replied calmly. He wasn't one to intervene unnecessarily, especially since the Wilson family needed time to stabilize and grow stronger in a foreign land.

Avril sighed, realizing the truth in Merlin's words. She let go of her brief sense of pity, understanding that her sentiment had been naive.

※※※

"Shirris, when shall we hold our wedding? I think we should do it sooner rather than later. Many people have their eyes on your family's wealth, and when I can no longer shield you, no one else will be able to save you," Baron Warren said, dropping his courteous facade in the carriage. His face turned dark as he stared at Shirris with a sharp, calculating gaze.

Shirris clenched her jaw, lowering her voice, "This is a serious matter. I need to discuss it with Benin."

Baron Warren's eyes glinted with satisfaction. He took her hand gently, giving her a reassuring smile. "I only want the best for you. Once you're my wife, your family becomes my family. No other nobles would dare to touch your family's fortune."

Shirris remained silent. When the carriage reached the large estate where she was staying, she spoke, "I'll get back to you after I talk to Benin."

"Very well. I'll visit again in a few days," Warren replied, watching her step out of the carriage before he rode away alone.

"Your Highness, you've finally returned!"

The moment Shirris stepped inside, a tall, armored man hurried over.

"What's wrong, Commander Mans?" Shirris asked, her brow furrowing. She knew that Mans was loyal, though his impulsive nature often caused trouble, particularly since arriving in Pugas.

Mans wore a grave expression, looking around anxiously. "Your Highness, let's speak inside. Prince Benin is here as well."

Mans led Shirris to a private room where her younger brother, Prince Benin, was waiting. His face was pale, and a sense of hopelessness filled his eyes.

Shirris's heart sank. She asked in a low, urgent tone, "Commander Mans, Benin, what happened?"

The two men exchanged a grim glance before Mans stepped forward, his voice trembling. "Your Highness, news just arrived. Three days ago, the Light Church announced the formation of the Holy Light Empire, uniting the Kingdom of Light, the Forest Kingdom, the Cher Kingdom, and many other smaller duchies. Ferlande has crowned himself as the first Holy Light Emperor."

The words struck Shirris like a thunderbolt, leaving her stunned and speechless.

Benin fell to his knees, clutching her in despair. "Sister…our kingdom is gone!"

Their kingdom—the Kingdom of Light—no longer existed. Though rumors of its fall had circulated, the official news had only reached them through merchants who braved the journey from afar.

"We've lost our home…"

Shirris muttered to herself, numb with shock. Although she had sensed that the Kingdom of Light was in peril, part of her had always held onto a sliver of hope—hope that perhaps a loyal faction would rise, that the royal family's loyalists would thwart the Church's conspiracy and restore the kingdom.

But now, that hope had been shattered by the harsh truth.

"Your Highness, what should we do next? Baron Warren is deceitful. You can't simply settle for marrying him," Mans said, frustration lacing his voice. His disdain for Warren was evident.

Benin lifted his head, adding softly, "Sister, Mans is right. Warren pretends to support us, but he only wants our family's wealth. If you marry him, life will only become harder for us."

After a long silence, Shirris finally looked up, forcing a bitter smile as she replied, "The Kingdom of Light is no more, so I am no longer a princess."

Mans wanted to object but fell silent, realizing the painful truth. The title "princess" was now meaningless.

"We are exiles," Shirris continued. "Royal remnants with wealth in a foreign land. That makes us targets wherever we go. Our only option is to find someone powerful enough to protect us. Warren's intentions are obvious—even Benin can see that."

The room grew silent as Mans and Benin absorbed her words. Mans, visibly struggling with the reality, asked, "Your Highness…Shirris, isn't there another way?"

"Another way?"

Shirris's thoughts drifted to someone she had seen at the banquet earlier. A faint glimmer of hope sparked within her as she gently touched a dark ring on her finger, murmuring, "Perhaps… there is one other way."