Two-Faced Princess - Chapter 294

“What do you plan to do with those?”

Her pointer indicated several pieces of ornately gold-patterned white paper and envelopes. They were coronation invitations, set to be dispatched to other kingdoms on the empire’s behalf. Although the chancellor had drafted them, only Apollonia had the authority to seal them with the royal emblem.

“Some can be dispatched as they are. At most, they’ll send a handful of ambassadors and perhaps gifts. But the top two…”

Apollonia’s gaze settled on the invitations for the kings of two bordering kingdoms: Asilia and Tarn.

These monarchs shared two similarities. First, each had risen to their throne after prevailing over their siblings. Gaius had supported them on Petra’s recommendation, and as a result, both kingdoms remained staunch allies, even amidst Gaius’s despotic rule.

Secondly, they were both known to reciprocate any favor they received.

“My aunt would have likely advised making a grand personal visit, emphasizing Paris’s magnificence during such times,” Apollonia mused, extracting an invitation. Penned by the chancellor, Morten, it was a straightforward invitation to the coronation.

“Of course, even if we send them a simple invitation, they will respond appropriately. They might not revere my father, but they are men of honor and always settle their debts.”

She briefly examined the document before using the candle to set it alight.

With a whoosh, the two letters with their meticulous writing and courteous phrasing rapidly turned to ash in Apollonia’s grasp.

“So, we ought to keep them slightly preoccupied.”

Dusting off the ash, she laid two blank sheets before her and began writing.

“What are you noting down?”

Intrigued, Adrian leaned over, and Apollonia showed him the succinctly written letter.

“[With the coronation approaching, bandits are causing a ruckus on the border between our lands. Despite the urgency, please ensure safe travel for our envoys by thoroughly dealing with these thieves. Once you’ve dealt with them, I sincerely hope you’ll grace the coronation with your presence.]”

“That seems like a reasonable request. However…”

Adrian inquired with a concerned expression, “Both the kings of Asilia and Tarn are competent and valiant. What if they deal with the bandits too soon?”

“Don’t worry.”

Apollonia replied while sealing the letters, “I’ve dispatched quite skilled thieves. Having trained them for years, they should be able to handle this.”

A smile appeared on her face. Ben, Tan, Rune, and Tanya – a quartet leading hundreds of bandits – would have reached the border, armed with all manner of weapons and spells.

“Unless they willingly retreat, they won’t be caught within a year.”

She blew on the sealed envelope to dry it and set it aside. Pan, having finished the fruit, chirped and offered his claw.

“Not you. This will be formally delivered through Morten.”

Apollonia chuckled, patting the back of Pan’s ear. Though she still struggled to see monsters as endearing as Evangeline did, her aversion to a few she frequently encountered had waned.

‘Perhaps, as Evangeline says, these creatures have their own cute side…’

Chirp… Squeak!

Lost in her thoughts, Apollonia was startled when Pan, resting comfortably beneath her hand, suddenly screeched and looked out the window. Following his gaze, her eyes widened.

Whoosh-

A bat, incomparably larger than Pan and the size of a child, zoomed towards them. Its body resembled a giant rat, its face crumpled menacingly, and something long dangled from its grimy, furry mouth.

Screech- Thud!

After an eerie shriek, it abruptly settled on the windowsill, gulping down what it had in its mouth.

“Eek! It’s a snake, a snake!”

Adrian exclaimed, pulling Apollonia behind him. True to her words, the creature had swallowed a brightly patterned venomous snake, which was still writhing, not yet dead.

Cute? Apollonia sighed deeply, dismissing her prior sentiment.

Thunk-

“Ah, a letter… Thank you, Ali.”

Gently pushing aside Adrian’s restraining hand, Apollonia took a note from the talons of the large white bat.

Screech!

The massive bat, appearing nonchalant, emitted a crisp shriek, spat out a chunk of meat, and quickly disappeared into the sky through the window. Upon closer examination, the ejected piece bore the markings of the snake they had observed earlier.

“It seems not all of them are as well-behaved as this one.”

Adrian, with a look of concern, clung to Apollonia’s shoulder, watching Pan. The bat gave an elegant chirp, seemingly inquiring about the prior event, before following the other bat out of the window.

“Sigh…”

Letting out a deep breath, Apollonia carefully unfolded the note, its content written in haphazard scribbles. It was a message directly from Evangeline.

“Her handwriting is atrocious. It seems to deteriorate every time I see it.”

Adrian grumbled, glancing over Apollonia’s shoulder at the note. But upon understanding its contents, her demeanor shifted to one of solemnity.

“This…”

“Yes,” Apollonia affirmed, her earlier astonishment gone. Her eyes gleamed with anticipation.

“Amoretta is looking for me.”

It was the moment she had been fervently awaiting.

Paris had, in the end, relinquished the gem he held. More accurately, he had broken it to pieces. And the chance to gather those scattered fragments now rested with Apollonia.

“Prepare my robe,” she whispered softly, “We’ll depart as soon as the sun sets.”

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