Chapter 20: A Royal Reunion and a Cold Reception

Just as Youka began crafting clothes with keen interest,

Xiamiya, who had received the news and swiftly departed her own chambers, arrived at the heart of the Holy Royal Palace: the Sun Crown Palace. This was the resting place of the current Holy King, Superion, where he recuperated from his injuries.

The Holy King, Superion-Seraphiel, stood at the pinnacle of power within Theocracy Ophelia.

A formidable expert with the strength of the Heavenly Realm, he was also Xiamiya’s father—the man she most admired and adored.

Had Superion not rescued her from the slums of Sabuyel all those years ago, she would likely have perished in the natural disaster that struck then.

Thus, to Xiamiya, Superion held another crucial identity: her benefactor.

Throughout her more than a year of cultivation in the Holy Realm, Xiamiya had yearned for her father every waking moment. If Superion hadn’t been temporarily in a healing-induced slumber due to the priestly order’s ministrations, she would have visited him immediately upon her return to the Holy Royal Palace yesterday.

Therefore, upon learning that her father’s healing regimen had temporarily concluded, Xiamiya rushed to the Sun Crown Palace with fervent urgency.

She longed to visit the father she hadn’t seen in a year, the elder who had bestowed upon her such profound paternal love.

****

“We’re here…”

Beholding the magnificent hall before her, the cherry-haired maiden uttered a soft sigh of awe before hurrying towards the grand entrance of the Sun Crown Palace. Her rainbow-colored eyes shimmered with anticipation.

However, just as she reached the doors, poised to step inside, a massive battle-axe, intricately etched with magical runes, abruptly blocked her path.

“Hm?”

“Who goes there?!”

Accompanied by a furious roar, a potent surge of Holy Power coalesced into a formidable wall, slamming into Xiamiya and forcing her to retreat several steps.

Had it not been for the significant improvement in her physical constitution after a year of Youka’s rigorous training, this very impact would have sent her flying meters away, potentially inflicting severe injuries.

Realizing this, Xiamiya unconsciously bit her lip.

Suppressing the dissatisfaction brewing within her, Xiamiya slowly raised her head after regaining her composure, looking towards the tall man who stood before her.

The man’s golden hair cascaded over his shoulders, and in the sunlight, his features appeared both handsome and stern.

Clad in silver-white battle armor and wielding a silver battle-axe, his aura was as formidable as a rainbow.

His gaze, however, was filled with unmistakable disdain and contempt for Xiamiya.

Nevertheless, seeing that Xiamiya hadn’t been knocked directly to the ground as he expected, a faint flicker of disappointment and shock crossed the man’s eyes.

But this emotion was swiftly masked.

With a slight upturn of his lips, the probationary Holy Knight, Ge You, allowed himself a cold smirk.

Looking at the now-upright Xiamiya, Ge You spoke with feigned apology: “Oh? Is it Her Highness the Third Holy Princess? Dressed so shabbily and rushing so frantically, I mistook you for some new, clumsy maid. My sincerest apologies, Your Highness?”

Though his words were apologetic, the golden-haired man’s eyes held no genuine remorse, nor did he make any gesture befitting an apology.

The other guards stationed at the Holy Royal Palace gates merely watched with cold indifference, as if nothing out of the ordinary was occurring. After all, such scenes had been commonplace a year ago.

“Ge You…”

Fixing her gaze on the man before her, Xiamiya took a deep breath, managing to force a faint smile.

Though displeased internally, Xiamiya chose not to provoke him, instead speaking with polite deference: “Long time no see, Ge You. Would you kindly step aside? I wish to see Father King; I have matters to report to him.”

“Hm?”

Ge You raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised that the usually timid Third Holy Princess now dared to meet his gaze.

However, despite Xiamiya’s courtesy, the probationary Holy Knight had no intention of reciprocating.

He merely waved his hand dismissively: “Heh heh, see, see His Majesty? Ah, my apologies, Princess Xiamiya, but no one is permitted to see His Majesty right now.”

“W-why?”

“His Majesty is still recuperating and requires rest. If you were to rush in so impetuously, you would disturb his recovery. Furthermore…”

As he spoke, Ge You’s eyes narrowed slightly, fixing a meaningful stare upon the cherry-haired maiden before him, “Furthermore, the attack from last night has yet to be thoroughly investigated… To ensure His Majesty’s safety, it would be best for outsiders not to enter.”

“You?!! What do you mean by that?”

Xiamiya’s brows furrowed, and she involuntarily clenched her fists.

To this, Ge You replied without a hint of fear: “The Holy Royal Palace’s defensive barrier was easily breached, which clearly suggests an inside accomplice within the Holy Royal Palace.”

“You’re not implying that I am the accomplice, are you?”

“No, no, Princess Xiamiya, I didn’t say that. It’s just… I fear some people might think so. You see, after last night’s incident, all of your guards were killed in action, and the Head Maid of Snow Lotus Palace, Rose, has vanished without a trace. In the entire Snow Lotus Palace, only you remained completely unharmed? Isn’t that rather… strange?”

As he spoke, Ge You aggressively leaned closer to Xiamiya: “Besides, there are rumors circulating within the palace, such as you harboring resentment for being neglected by His Majesty the Holy King, and planning revenge or similar acts~”

“Nonsense!!”

“Whether it’s nonsense, I wouldn’t know. But at least many people believe it… So, until this invasion incident is thoroughly investigated, please remain quietly in Snow Lotus Palace for a period.”

Undoubtedly, Ge You had no desire to allow Xiamiya, the cursed one, to step into the core area of the Holy Royal Palace.

To drive Xiamiya away, his powerful Holy Power aura, befitting a Level 6 expert, erupted fiercely, surging towards her with a roar, intending to make her retreat in the face of difficulty.

A year ago, Xiamiya would likely have been knocked unconscious by such a powerful surge of energy.

But now?

Having been accustomed to the terrifying auras of the monsters in the Starfall Palace every day, how could Xiamiya fear Ge You’s comparatively meager strength?

Therefore, facing Ge You’s oppressive aura, Xiamiya met his gaze fearlessly.

“Apologies, I must see Father King.”

“You?!!!”

Seeing that Xiamiya had no intention of backing down and was so impudently meeting his gaze, Ge You, who stood blocking her, gradually lost his patience.

‘Heh, heh heh, it seems those priests in the Holy Realm haven’t taught you well, have they?’

…

Staring into Xiamiya’s rainbow-colored eyes, Ge You’s irritation intensified within him.

‘Hmph, cursed eyes… An inauspicious person, does she even deserve to enter the Sun Crown Palace?!”

“Princess Xiamiya, if you continue to be so ignorant of your place, do not blame me for being impolite.”

Shedding his feigned respect, Ge You slowly raised his hand, preparing to blast this inauspicious Holy Princess directly away.

As a member of the House of Leipzig, Ge You cared not in the slightest for Xiamiya’s nominal and all but defunct status as a Holy Princess.

“Princess Xiamiya, I advise you one more time: please leave immediately.”

“Apologies.”

“In that case…”

A cold glint flashed in his eyes; the impatient Ge You clearly had no desire to exchange further words with the cursed princess before him.

‘Regarding this timid and fearful princess, while I cannot directly kill her, a little scare would certainly not be a problem. Yes, I must scare her, make this girl realize her true status!’

The next moment, raising his battle-axe high, Ge You’s internal Holy Power began to surge rapidly.

However, just as Ge You lifted his arm, preparing to unleash more Holy Power and blast the cursed princess away, an authoritative voice instantly cut through the tense atmosphere.

“Ge You, stop!”

?!!!

“Lady Helibea??”

Upon hearing these words, Ge You’s brows suddenly furrowed. He hastily lowered his battle-axe, looking behind him with a hint of panic.

On the other side, Xiamiya, hearing that domineering yet profoundly reassuring voice, immediately displayed an expression of delight, completely opposite to Ge You’s reaction.

“Sister King!!!”

…

The owner of the voice, Helibea-Seraphiel, was none other than the First Holy Princess of Theocracy Ophelia.

She was the commander of the Forgiven Army, the Holy Theocracy’s strongest military force, and Xiamiya’s elder sister.

As the voice resonated, Helibea emerged from within the Sun Crown Palace with resolute steps, observed by the astonished gazes of the Holy Theocracy guards.

Helibea possessed a powerful aura.

Her posture was noble and graceful, her hair shone like brilliant flames, and her crimson eyes sparkled with undeniable authority. Dressed in a crimson-gold royal gown, every step she took exuded confidence and strength.

When her gaze fell upon Ge You, the undeniable deterrent force instantly stiffened his movements.

“Your Highness Helibea…”

Swallowing a gulp, the probationary Holy Knight, who just seconds ago had been arrogant and defiant, slowly knelt to the ground, respectfully bowing to Helibea.

After all, he dared not show disrespect to the powerful First Princess, who wielded such immense authority.

Seeing this, the other guards also knelt.

“Xiamiya is the Third Holy Princess, Ge You, where are your manners?”

“My apologies, Your Highness, I was rude.”

Ge You humbly lowered his head, not daring to speak further.

“It seems you’ve grown quite arrogant during my absence, daring to treat my sister with such an attitude?”

“…”

“Hmph.”

After a cold appraisal and a warning glance at the probationary Holy Knight, Helibea turned to Xiamiya.

In the instant she saw the cherry-haired maiden’s face, Helibea’s expression visibly softened from sternness to tenderness.

In a flash, the tense situation rapidly cooled, and the oppressive atmosphere that had pervaded the air completely vanished.

“Xiamiya.”

The red-haired woman offered a gentle smile and beckoned to Xiamiya.

“Sister Helibea!!”

At this sight, the negative emotions in Xiamiya’s eyes abruptly dissipated, replaced by profound joy.

The next moment, Xiamiya rushed towards Helibea without a word.

Though Ge You and the others present were displeased, constrained by the First Holy Princess’s authority, they could only watch Xiamiya—the one he considered cursed—rush into the Sun Crown Palace.

Subsequently, under the complex gazes of Ge You and the assembled Holy Theocracy guards, Xiamiya excitedly embraced Helibea.

“Sister!!”

Unlike the indifference of others in the Holy Royal Palace, Helibea showed no disdain towards the cherry-haired girl’s embrace. Instead, she offered a sweet smile. While smiling, Helibea affectionately ruffled Xiamiya’s hair.

“Long time no see, little one.”