Chapter 310 - 307: The Self-Doubting Her Highness Princess

As a princess of the Royal Family, Blanche was naturally of noble birth.

Unfortunately, after both of Duke Valgis’s grandsons, who were to marry her, died of illness, a rumor began to spread: "Whoever marries Blanche will die." This put her in a very awkward position.

This was especially true after His Majesty Bruno’s attempt to arrange a marriage between her and Duke Valgis’s third grandson was politely refused by the Duke. Afterward, Blanche became something of a running joke among the high nobility.

As a result, when she turned eighteen last year, forget about getting married—there wasn’t a single family interested in a marriage alliance with her. This caused the Royal Family to lose face.

’Under these circumstances, are there still many people coming to celebrate Blanche’s birthday?’

"Nobles, you know, they all love a lively event. They especially love attending banquets held by the Royal Family."

Joli explained, "However, many of them are going just to see His Majesty the King in an awkward situation. After all, Her Highness Princess will be nineteen after this birthday, yet she still doesn’t even have a marriage partner. This isn’t a good thing for the Royal Family."

Ronin asked in surprise, "Even you know that Her Highness Princess can’t find a husband?"

"Hahaha..."

Joli couldn’t help but laugh. "My Lord Count, you may not be aware, but for people like us, discussing the Royal Family and the great nobles is something we do all the time."

No matter where you go, there will always be a crowd eager for gossip. And juicy stories about important people are especially likely to become the talk of the town.

Among the common people, Blanche’s situation was probably seen as being a bit like Wiggin’s back when he still had his legs—a complete joke.

But it was a little unfair to her.

Joli couldn’t help but sigh. "I’ve seen Her Highness Princess from a distance before; she has an exceptionally striking appearance. It’s just a pity she brings calamity to her fiancés. Both of Duke Valgis’s grandsons died because of her. Even their father, who arranged the marriages, couldn’t escape the bad luck. I’m afraid no one would dare marry someone like that."

Reis couldn’t help but glance at Ronin.

Ronin’s official reason for coming to Golden Feather City this time was to return the favor for Her Highness Princess attending Lurans’s birthday celebration last year. But as the heir to the Dennis Clan, Reis knew the real story.

Faced with Reis’s "Are you scared now?" expression, Ronin just shrugged, indicating that he wasn’t afraid in the slightest.

He spoke up for Blanche, explaining, "Actually, there are a lot of misunderstandings about this. Duke Valgis’s two grandsons were likely frail and sickly to begin with."

"Johnson Marquis wasn’t sick. And they say that when the Duke’s third grandson, Gano, learned he was to be married to Her Highness Princess, he immediately fell gravely ill. He only started to recover after the Duke declined the proposal."

’That... he was probably just scared sick, right?’

Joli was clearly unaware of the true purpose of Ronin’s visit, so he continued to speak freely, as if the floodgates had opened.

"If marrying Princess Blanche only cost some money, that would be one thing; the Duke isn’t short on cash. But when the marriage costs lives, who can stand for that? People are even saying now that if His Majesty the King has a problem with a certain family, he should just marry Princess Blanche off to them."

Ronin couldn’t help but reflect on it. ’It seems accepting this marriage really does require immense courage.’

Still, when Lurans had arranged the marriage, it was to secure a future for Ronin. If it were now, the old man might have had reservations about it and refused the arrangement.

But regardless, since both sides had already agreed, the marriage had to proceed. Besides, in Ronin’s view, marrying into the Royal Family would be beneficial for his future.

As for the rumors of misfortune and Curses, Ronin didn’t believe them.

Hmm...

Although he had indeed encountered several dangerous situations after meeting Blanche, he had managed to come out unscathed each time.

’In the end, it all comes down to personal strength.’

...

The Golden Feather Palace, the main stronghold of the Oduin Clan.

It was not a single palace, but a complex of dozens of palaces and thousands of courtyards and buildings.

A complex of this scale was not only the most prosperous and prestigious area in Golden Feather City, but no noble’s castle in the entire Kingdom could compare to it.

As a Princess of the Kingdom, Blanche’s residence was situated within a lush, verdant garden, surrounded by high walls and sturdy towers that protected her safety and privacy.

Within the Golden Feather Palace, aside from the servants who attended to her, she had few friends. This was perhaps another consequence of the rumors; back when she was at the Royal Magic Academy, many of her classmates avoided contact with her as much as possible.

Eventually, at her request, the King agreed to hire private tutors for her, allowing her to study within her own palace.

It was a lonely environment, but at least it was more comfortable than constantly seeing people deliberately avoid her or overhearing them talk about her.

Cultivation, reading, and strolling through the estate to admire the beautiful flowers and trees were her main daily activities, which were very peaceful.

However, as her nineteenth birthday approached, this tranquil life of hers was about to be shattered.

At the same time, she grew anxious. She had already learned from her father that Ronin would be attending her birthday banquet.

The thought of Ronin’s handsome face and the secret kiss she had stolen when they parted made her blush.

Although she was a Princess, her forwardness then had been quite abrupt. But she truly wanted to escape her fate of being seen as a bad omen, and this was an effort she was making for her own life.

She just didn’t know if this marriage alliance would see its way to the end.

"Your Highness, your friend Missy Knight has arrived," a maid reported as she approached from outside.

"Oh?"

Blanche, who had been painting in the garden, looked delighted. She immediately put down her brush and, without even asking the servant to relay a message, ran out to greet her friend herself.

This wasn’t just because Missy was her good friend, but also because she might be bringing the news she longed to hear.

Today, Missy wasn’t wearing her Armor or Helmet, revealing short, golden hair. Compared to Blanche’s gentle beauty, she looked like a tomboy.

Blanche ran over, took her hand, and asked expectantly, "So, Missy? Is he here?"

"Look at you, so impatient!" Missy laughed. "News just came from Horn Bay Port. He’s arrived."

Blanche’s heart, which had been in her throat, finally settled. "How is Ronin? Was his journey smooth?"

Hearing this, Missy’s brow furrowed slightly, and she shook her head. "I heard they were attacked at sea by the White Whale Pirate Gang."

"Ah?"

Blanche froze, a flicker of panic in her eyes. "How could that happen? Was he injured?"

"He’s fine. But I heard the Dennis Clan’s ship was destroyed, and there were significant casualties among the guards and crew who accompanied him."

Blanche let out a sigh of relief. Although the panicked look on her face subsided somewhat, she remained deeply worried and her spirits were low.

She pulled Missy inside. "Tell me, do you think I really bring misfortune to others?"

The rumors had circulated for years. Forget what others thought; sometimes even she herself began to have doubts.

If the answer was no, then why did everyone set to marry her end up dead?

"Why would you think that?"

Missy offered a sincere smile and comforted her, "I know you’re a kind girl. How could those misfortunes and Curses have anything to do with you?"

"But since he met me, Ronin has already nearly been killed twice."

Blanche shook her head, a lingering fear in her heart. She couldn’t even imagine what kind of life she would face if Ronin died.

"That was just an accident, my princess!"

"Was it really an accident?"

Blanche’s slender fingers traced through the empty air, drawing a set of Magic Patterns.

The moment the Magic Patterns were complete, a surge of dark light erupted, forming a Summoning Array Map.

Immediately after, a skull wearing a simple Helmet slowly rose from within the array map.

"That’s the Third-level Magic, the Skeleton Summoning Skill!"

Missy’s eyes glinted. "You’re a Senior Mage now?"

Blanche nodded and pushed the skull back down, her face showing no joy at her advancement in power.

She was beginning to suspect that her proficiency in Dark Element Magic was the cause of the misfortune she brought upon others.

As a friend of Her Highness Princess, Missy knew what she was thinking.

"You’re not the only Dark Mage out there. The others don’t bring misfortune, and neither do you."

She looked at Blanche sincerely and said with a smile, "Instead of doubting yourself, why not ask His Majesty the King to send troops to wipe out that White Whale Pirate Gang and get some revenge for Ronin!"

Those words managed to pull Blanche temporarily from her self-doubt. She nodded. "You’re right. I’ll go find Father right now!"