Chapter 60

“For high-ranking class Guides, just releasing their energy is enough. I don’t understand why you’re saying this when you know that.”

“If people are harmed because of someone’s selfishness, isn’t it time to rethink things? My exclusive Guide position is no longer available, so please tell her to stop being so stubborn over nothing.”

It seemed that rifts had occurred from time to time. Since only high-ranking members affiliated with the imperial family would participate, Asilian, who was C-class, would never have been summoned. That was why Bianca never imagined that rifts would still exist.

After all, she’d believed everything had ended and been buried with her the day she died.

Of course, since she’d always lived as a regular person, she might never have had a chance to hear about this sort of thing. Still, it was strange since even the newspapers had never mentioned it.

‘Don’t they usually warn people and tell them to evacuate when a rift happens?’

The secrecy made her uneasy. Perhaps a lot had changed since then.

“Lady Bianca, your powers hadn’t awakened until recently, so it makes sense you wouldn’t know about the rifts. Your family’s low status meant you were rarely exposed to any real danger, so your ignorance is understandable.”

“…I’ve heard about them before.”

“You have?”

The Empress raised an eyebrow in surprise.

“Yes, my older brother works as a Guide, so I’ve always paid attention to that kind of thing.”

“The Crown Prince is always on the front lines, protecting everyone. That’s why he needs a lot of support, but it’s been quite difficult without a Guide. I hear your compatibility with him is high, so should I be hopeful?”

She was treating her strictly as a Guide. It was also an instruction to look after the Crown Prince and ensure he wasn’t harmed during rift expeditions.

“…I may be inadequate, but I’ll do my best.”

“It seems you’re not afraid of entering the rift. Most people are terrified at first… You must be braver than you look.”

“I’m only doing what needs to be done.”

“I see. I heard there was a small commotion recently. Odd, isn’t it, how things started happening as soon as you arrived, Lady Bianca?”

“Mother, you’re asking the wrong person. The guest who visited me had the audacity to covet what was mine, so I punished him. Did the Duke of Kavert complain to you separately?”

“There’s no benefit in making enemies with the Kavert family. I settled things within reasonable limits. Cutting off one of the young lord’s ears was going too far.”

“If someone goes after something that belongs to the imperial family, shouldn’t they be blinded and lose their hands? I wonder how calm you’d be if another Guide started hanging around Father.”

“Dexter!”

The Empress’s sharp, angry voice rang out through the room. As expected, her anger was directed at Bianca.

“Lady Bianca, you should learn to be more careful while you’re staying in the Crown Prince’s palace. The Crown Prince shouldn’t have to constantly watch over you just because you can’t protect yourself.”

“…I’ll be more careful.”

“Because of you, we had to move the banquet up. You certainly have a talent for causing trouble. Don’t let these rumors spread any further. It’s fortunate it was the Kavert family. If it had been anyone else, things could’ve gone much worse for you, Lady Bianca.”

Bianca clenched her fists tightly.

She couldn’t understand why the Empress acted like everything was her fault. If the young lord of Kavert had been a man of upstanding conduct, people might have even said she was the one who seduced him.

That was how little power the Astri family really had.

“I’ll just have to teach you as best I can, even if it’s not enough. Still, it’s a relief that you have no intention of marrying. Oh, Dexter, I’ve invited Lady Eliaden, so why don’t you take her to dinner this evening?”

The Empress made her intentions perfectly clear, but Bianca didn’t care. If the Empress disliked her, it could actually work in her favor if she ever needed help escaping.

“Then, I shall take my leave.”

The Empress nodded. Dexter moved to get up and follow her, but the Empress held him back.

“Your mother invited a guest, didn’t she? His Majesty the Emperor will be joining us as well, so stay seated.”

“Mother, if you keep this up, you’re only making things harder for Lady Eliaden.”

“She said she doesn’t mind. How could you possibly marry just anyone? Even if your compatibility is high, the circumstances between the two of you don’t change… Lady Bianca, you don’t really think your life is going to change because of this, do you?”

“Yes, my feelings haven’t changed since then, so there’s nothing for you to worry about.”

The Empress nodded with a satisfied expression. Bianca bowed her head and hurried out of the room that had felt like a bed of nails.