[CHAPTER 73]
Meyna briefly thought of Caliph while Banze focused on the work discussion.
“Itās an important schedule, so the attention of not only the royal family but also the citizens of the empire will be entirely on the North Continent Tan. Weāll take advantage of that.”
Biterion nodded, immediately understanding the intention behind Banzeās words.
“So if we canāt hide, we choose to reveal ourselves.”
He added, “To protect ourselves from danger, we should be visible to the citizens and photographed by the journalists.”
“Exactly.”
Banze clapped her fingers together with a satisfied smile.
“Anyway, on the 1st of next month, the prince will have to appear in front of the people. Trying to hide his identity until then will only increase the enemiesā interest. Powerful organizations, especially the royal family and the association, will relentlessly dig for information related to the prince.”
Banze shifted her gaze from Biterion to Meyna, raising her eyebrows and staring intently as if noticing Meyna had drifted into her own thoughts.
Meyna hurriedly corrected her posture, and Banze spoke with a firm expression as if telling her to focus.
“From today until the Day of the Crusade, both of you should be as exposed to the public as possible.”
Banze added with a sly smile, “And if a love rumor comes out, all the better.”
“Teacherā¦!” Meyna squirmed, unable to hide her embarrassment.
“Why?”
Her earnest gaze met his, but Banze smiled calmly and continued.
“Meyna Winslet, assistant to top star Caliph Lennox, spotted on the Idium coast with an unidentified man in a black robe.”
Pretending to be a journalist desperate for a scoop, she listed the headline with a mischievous expression.
Banze, alternating her gaze between the silently laughing Biterion and the flushed Meyna, quickly wiped the smile from her face.
“As I said, I will make your debut as flashy and magnificent as never before, when public attention and the vigilance of those involved reach their peak.”
Her eyes gleamed with anticipation, seemingly thinking of the upcoming Day of the Crusade.
Placing an empty glass on the table, she rubbed her hands together and said, “Today, letās start by shopping for clothes for a glamorous debut, especially for our single-dress lady.”
Banze glanced over Meyna, who was wearing a plain cotton dress from head to toe, and clicked her tongue.
“Colorful dresses, shoes, earrings, necklaces, tiaras. Weāll buy everything pretty and sparkling.”
“Thank you, Teacher, but Iām fine.” Meyna hurriedly declined her offer.
She had experienced similar situations before, carrying home armfuls of clothes and accessories bought by Banze. But after that day, she had always been too busy with work to even open the gifts.
Besides, it had long felt awkward to dress up in fancy clothes.
“No, Princess.” Unexpectedly, Biterion spoke up.
“If our goal is to ensure safety by using the publicās attention, nothing is easier and more certain than dressing up.”
He added softly but firmly, “Expensive dresses that fit a woman perfectly, shining jewels, a beautiful woman appearing in the spotlight under the supervision of the royal family and the church.”
“ā¦ā¦.”
“People get excited over these things.”
“ā¦ā¦.”
“I want to work safely with you, Princess. Andā”
He paused for a moment, turning to look at the sea. The platinum hair fluttered in the sea breeze, giving off a clean, fresh scent.
Slowly, his gaze returned to Meyna.
Her pale cheeks moved gently, and her slightly pink lips parted.
“Now that Iāve decided to start my paladin activities, you and I must become the most outstanding partners in the empire.”
“ā¦ā¦.”
“We must receive the most attention and love from the citizens.”
“ā¦ā¦.”
“And we must become a goal so enticing that the royal family, the association, and related organizations across the empire want to claim us as theirs.”
Biterionās eyes shone deep red, reflecting the midday sunlight.
A sudden chill of discomfort crept in.
He felt like a completely different person.
The secret prince, who had obtained a tragic power that could burn peopleās skin and melt their bones, had lived hidden even from his own family. It was Meyna Winslet who approached him.
The moment he revealed his clear desire, declaring he would become the greatest existence.
The only face that came to Meynaās mind wasā¦
‘Caliph.’
Yes. That undeniable name, Caliph Lennox.
Did she need to dwell on it any longer?
Caliph, once the top star and the empireās strongest ability user before Biterion appeared, was merely a connection from the past.
Now, standing before the new top-tier paladin, there was no need to feel undefined unease just because she witnessed this man, who still didnāt know the limits of his own power, displaying desire.
“Now, letās get ready and meet in the garden.”
Banze signaled Magia with her eyes. While she tidied the terrace, Biterion and Banze headed to the reception room, and Meyna prepared to go out with Axelt.
* * *
The capital of Tan, Baltazion.
It took a full two hours just to pass the strict security check in the city where the royal palace was located.
Meyna, Biterion, and Banze went shopping with a total of ten attendants, all wearing serious expressions.
“Then, in two days, weāll come back under the name Banze Motenson to pick out the clothes.”
First, Biterion got a custom-made three-piece suit.
“Teacher, this dressā¦ the neckline is so deep that even a small movementā¦”
“Shh.”
“ā¦It feels strange because itās different from what youāve worn before. Stop grumbling and try the next one.”
“Teacheeeerā¦”
“Whatever, itāll be pretty anyway. Hey, shopkeeper!”
“Teacher!”
“From here to here, everything. And that diamond necklace in the display case too.”
“Teacherāno, Prince! Please stop her. Iāll never wear all these clothes in my lifetime.”
“Princess, this red velvet dress looks good too. Try it on.”
“Princeā¦!”
Meyna ended up purchasing exactly thirty-nine dresses and a wide variety of accessories, enough to believe they had raided the largest luxury store in the empire.
Time passed quickly while only one person felt dizzy, and by sunset, the four carriage trunks were filled with clothes and accessories.
Meanwhile, the number of passersby covertly glancing at the three people grew constantly.
It makes sense.
Banze Motenson, the famous duchess, and her ten attendants. A man in an unidentifiable black robeā¦ and a woman walking with them.
It was a combination that would draw public attention.
“You all, head to Kairib now.” Banze instructed some attendants to move the luggage to Meynaās mansion, then gave a scheduled farewell to Biterion and Meyna.
“As I said, I have an association schedule, so Iāll go ahead.”
“Thank you, Teacher. Take care.” Meyna bowed repeatedly, expressing her gratitude, and left with Biterion.
Finally, only the two of them remained amid the subtly staring passersby.
Meyna smiled awkwardly, and Biterion rolled up his robe sleeve slightly and said, “Itās been a long time since we were at Bellight Square. Shall we walk for a bit?”
“Yes, thatās fine.”
Bellight Square, the commercial center known for its bright night view and entertainment. Despite the hot weather, the streets were unusually crowded.
The reason became clear from two passersby holding bottled beer.
“The scouting team just finished todayās schedule and arrived at the square.”
“Where in the square? Are they having a party at a bar?”
“I donāt know. Wonāt they show up if we go where the journalists are gathered?”
“Shall we check?”
Meynaās steps slowed for a moment.
“Since we had a light dinner, shall we have some wine together, Princess?” Biterion asked, matching her pace.
Meyna hesitated, then replied, “Thatās fine. But shall we spend time somewhere other than Bellight Square?”
“Is there a reason?” Biterion waited for her answer with a gentle expression.
Meyna fiddled with her skirt hem. The crinkling texture of the pale yellow chiffon dress she had bought today tickled her palms.
If someone saw them, they might think they were a young couple who had just started dating. And someone was watching them.
The observer was Narcistan Shobatem, an S-class knight of the Imperial Guild and a member of the scouting team.
