The Magenta Palace was bathed in orange light when Cecilia finally returned from her diplomatic trip. Her long robes fluttered as Cecilia dismounted from her horse. Sir Robert followed behind, carrying a leather tube containing official documents that had been sealed with the Landis royal crest.
"Your Highness, the King has been waiting for you."
Cecilia nodded. Ever since she entered the capital's walls, someone must have informed Arkadion of her return.
The main room where King Arkadion received his guests looked calm yet tense. The King, in his grand red robe, stood tall in front of the large window.
He may have been trying to look calm. But his occasional furrowed brows could not fool anyone. His daughter was too reckless now. She seemed like someone who knew no fear, and it worried Arkadion to death.
As soon as he saw Cecilia enter the room, Arkadion immediately turned to look at her. "You're back," he said with a hint of surprise. "And I thought… you were unharmed."
Cecilia placed the rolled up document on the meeting table. A smile hung on her lips that were covered by a mask.
"Not only unharmed, Father. I also returned with the desired agreement."
King Arkadion approached, took the document, and opened it slowly. His eyes combed through the contents of the pages, from the agreement to help open a path through the Erebos Forest to the distribution of Nerva's Blossom and Mira Root plants.
When Arkadion finished reading, his face began to change. There was a sense of pride as he looked at Cecilia. Cecilia's gaze softened. Although repeating the world continuously almost drove her crazy, a proud look was something she could only get after transmigrating.
"You really made it happen...."
"This is just the beginning," Cecilia said. "The opening of the path will begin in two weeks. The initial team will enter the borders of the Erebos Forest two weeks from now."
Arkadion took a deep breath. He knew something was up when Cecilia looked at him with a determined gaze.
"And you want to lead the team yourself?"
Cecilia nodded. "If we rely on others, we never know if they will only give us reports that match the situation on the spot. I must know firsthand the potential, threats, and conditions in Erebos Forest. We only have one chance. There won't be a second chance for a project of this scale."
King Arkadion did not answer, but from the way he looked at Cecilia, it was clear that he was hesitant. Arkadion was fighting between pride and worry for Cecilia.
"I will be fine. Just like when I managed to return with this agreement from the Landis Kingdom."
Arkadion let out another long sigh. There was no one there now. Arkadion took Cecilia into his arms. The little girl he was supposed to protect was now fighting for their kingdom.
"Alright. I trust you."
Cecilia returned the hug. Her gaze was deep. Cecilia felt regret for never really trying to save the Magenta Kingdom and caring for Arkadion all this time.
***
Two weeks later, the opening of the path began.
A small force and a group of researchers moved into the western side of the forest. They were escorted by knights, mercenaries, and scholars from the Kingdom of Landis Academy.
Cecilia, with her iconic mask, led from the front.
The atmosphere of Erebos Forest was silent and dense. There were no birds, only the sound of the wind that felt like the whispers of invisible creatures.
But the tranquility was soon shattered by the sound of a horse galloping behind their group.
When Cecilia turned around, she was silent with furrowed brows.
Damian slowly dismounted from his horse, complete with a faint smile on his face. His white robe fluttered as he moved. His green hair shone faintly while his gray eyes stared at Cecilia with a strange glint.
"Sorry to surprise you," he said calmly as if Damian appearing in the Magenta Kingdom's territory without formal request was a common occurrence. "After considering it, I have decided to join this expedition."
Alarm bells rang in Cecilia's mind since Damian had come uninvited. Damian was a cunning snake. No one could tell what was on his mind when he did something.
Cecilia stepped closer with an unfriendly expression. She leaned her head forward. Cecilia could only whisper so the people around them could not hear what they were talking about.
"This is not part of the agreement. You didn't mention that you would directly help with this project."
Damian raised an eyebrow. Oddly enough, he was not angry when someone suddenly approached him.
"Don't worry. I won't do anything as long as you keep my secret."
Cecilia frowned even deeper. "You don't trust me," she accused.
"Of course. We're not in a good relationship until we can trust each other."
Damian and his honesty. He took a step closer, close enough for Cecilia to catch the scent of the plants that clung to Damian's body.
"Prince Cecilion, you need to know that I only believe one thing about people. Betrayal is a matter of time. I don't want to be the one who is late to understand the situation. That's why I'm here now."
Cecilia's gaze sharpened, but she didn't get angry anymore. Cecilia understood Damian's nature. The angrier she was, the easier it was for Damian to control the situation.
That was Damian's specialty. A lesson Cecilia learned at the cost of dozens of her own lives.
Cecilia sighed softly, turned around, and returned to her team who were expanding the map of Erebos Forest.
"Very well," she said as she spread the map of the route on a large rock. "But if you get hurt or lost, it's not my responsibility."
"If I die," Damian replied casually, "-you will lose the only sane alliance on this continent. If you are smart, you will take good care of me, Prince Cecilion."
Sir Robert at Cecilia's side cleared his throat softly, but Cecilia did not look at him.
Damian was right. There was a reason why Cecilia had chosen to come to the Landis Kingdom first compared to the other kingdoms. The other kingdoms were too afraid of Blaine and Landis. Meanwhile, Blaine was not an option because they were a kingdom that valued strength above all else.
Only the Landis Kingdom could provide the most benefits for Cecilia. Damian seemed to have realized that, so he began to act as if he was back in control of their game.
His presence was a distraction, a threat, and a cunning tactic to gain more control. Cecilia knew that, but she let it go because Damian's actions were within her calculations.
Damian was someone who had difficulty trusting anyone. It would be strange if he believed that Cecilia would keep his family's secret so easily. Cecilia only pretended to be surprised. It was the only way to deceive Damian's gaze that never left her.
"Then, I will be in your care until this project is completed, Prince Cecilion."
Damian extended his hand in front of Cecilia. Cecilia took the outstretched hand. The wrinkles on her brows did not disappear because it was one of Cecilia's ways to hide her smile.