The Water Magician

The Plum Blossom Garden is a famous plum blossom spot located near the Imperial Palace.

Originally, it was a park that anyone from the imperial capital would use for leisure, but today, there were restrictions in place.

However, since there were no fences to begin with and the area is quite large, it wasn't possible to completely restrict people from coming and going.

This was understood even by those around Princess Shio Fen.

"This place is too open."

"That's true. According to the plans set by Earl Matan, the cherry blossom viewing was supposed to take place within the palace."

Captain of the princess's guard, Bijis, pointed out the difficulties in protection, and the maid Mifa also expressed her concerns about the change in plans.

"It can't be helped. It’s decided by the hospitality role for the princess. After the wedding ceremony tomorrow, everything will proceed as per the traditional rituals, so there shouldn't be any last-minute changes like this."

The only one who seemed to be at peace was Princess Shio Fen herself.

Her level of composure was hard to believe for someone who was only seventeen, but this was a result of many experiences from her childhood.

Of course, those experiences were not all pleasant… In fact, they were often painful and sad.

Her life had been under threat more than ten or twenty times.

In her homeland, that was the case.

In a great country like Darwei, where the struggle for succession to the throne swirled, she was prepared for even more challenges.

"Well then, both of you, the banquet is about to begin."

Even though they called it "cherry blossom viewing," it didn't mean they would actually enter the plum grove to enjoy the blossoms.

They would sit at the arranged seats and drink tea and eat sweets alongside the ladies of the Shtaiif Layer who were permitted to enter the venue.

The ladies would come up in groups of four to sit in front of the princess and converse for about ten minutes.

This would happen six times.

That was what cherry blossom viewing entailed.

Earl Mezo, who had recently taken on the role of the princess's hospitality, stood by the side with other high-ranking officials.

The cherry blossom viewing was centered around the women.

However, Earl Mezo's actions were not limited to merely standing aside.

He moved to the back and spoke quietly with his subordinate.

"What about those individuals?"

"The arrangements have been completed."

"Good. Once the signal is given, create confusion and swiftly poison the princess."

"Understood."

But at that moment, something unexpected was happening outside.

The sound of a harp reverberated.

Just a single strum.

With that alone, the gazes of the participants at the cherry blossom viewing were fixed on one man.

One of the participants raised her voice.

"Wana Shee-sama!"

Bard Wana Shee was well-known even among the ladies of the Shtaiif Layer.

This had been the result of his activities in Darwei, especially in the Imperial Capital Hanlin, over the past year.

He smiled brightly at the woman who called out to him.

Even without singing, his charming smile was enough to capture the hearts of the women.

Such charisma was essential for a bard.

"It must be some kind of fate that we meet here. I would love for you to hear my song…"

As Wana Shee said this, he elegantly bowed toward Princess Shio Fen.

In response, Princess Shio Fen nodded gracefully.

"Thank you. This time, I’ve incorporated a sword dance into the song. Please enjoy it."

As Wana Shee finished speaking, two men stepped forward.

One was a swordsman draped in a black cloak, carrying a sword on his back.

The other appeared to be a mage, dressed in a white robe.

"Ah, Mr. Abel?"

"Lord Ryo?"

Mifa, the maid standing behind Princess Shio Fen, and Captain Bijis involuntarily exclaimed.

"To appear alongside the most popular bard, Wana Shee… Those two always surprise us."

Princess Shio Fen's whispered remark while smiling was too quiet for the surrounding women to hear.

"The royal capital has fallen. It has succumbed to the younger brother of the crown prince and the Empire. The lamentations of the people cover the skies of the kingdom. The anger of the people runs through the land of the kingdom. The hopes of the people… will give birth to a new king for the kingdom. His name is King Abel. He will rise in the frontier town. The king of adventurers will blow away the dark clouds of the kingdom and confront the invaders with the tears of the people."