A Background Character’s Path to Power

Afternoon.

A group of figures arrived at the entrance of the Eclipse Keep.

The one leading them was a veiled woman, dressed in a red light armor with a goldish robe flowing behind her. It was the Derier City Guards' Captain, Rosemary.

She raised her hand, gesturing for the others behind her to stop.

She then glanced back at the expensive winter carriage and reported. "Lady Carmine, we have arrived at our destination."

"Then what are you waiting for? Tell them to open the gates. And warn their master about our arrival. I don't want to stay here that long." A slightly irritated voice came from the carriage.

"...As you wish." The armored woman replied after a pause and headed to talk with the gate guards.

She didn't want to stay here that much either, and if not for her background, she wouldn't even have agreed to come.

She shook her head internally.

She thought this was a good chance to verify her suspicions about that Lumin guy and his supposed 'wife'.

If it turned out they really lied to her, they would have to pay the consequences. Even if they...

"..."

Rosemary took a deep breath, shooing away the unnecessary thoughts.

...First, let's deal with this troublemaker's problem.

A few moments later, Rosemary's group entered the Keep.

About 20 minutes later.

Another lone female figure appeared in front of the gates.

She had pitch black hair and violet eyes that seemed to devour you whole if you looked a moment longer than necessary.

"W-Wait! It's her!"

"Stop stuttering! Open the gates!"

The gate guards instantly recognized the woman.

Because there's no way they could forget such a distinguishable figure. The hidden beauty aside, it was her power that they were aware of the most.

They quickly opened the gates and greeted her with respectful bows.

"We welcome the benefactor!"

The woman nodded subtly before asking.

"Are they here?"

The guards instantly understood she was asking for the baron and baroness.

"Y-Yes, please let me escort you."

The woman merely glanced at him before vanishing from sight.

"No need."

Were the words that softly ghosted back where she had just stood, as if carried on a phantom breeze.

The guards blinked, certain she had been there just a moment before.

"She's too powerful." One of them commented.

The others nodded in awe and affirmation. Although some of them haven't seen her themselves, their colleagues made sure to pass down the tale of the woman.

But suddenly, one of them recalled who had entered before her a while ago and muttered out loud.

"Nothing bad is gonna happen, right?"

_____ __ _

"So, what makes you visit our humble home?" Lady Selva gently smiled at the newcomers.

They were none other than the people I expected to come - Carmine girl, her two maids, and... the captain Rosemary.

Carmine nodded subtly, maintaining her regal but respectful attitude. Thankfully, she wasn't that much of an idiot to put on her usual haughty and 'I'm the most important person here' attitude in front of Lady Selva.

Probably she knew her status was much lower than Lady Selva, given that her being just a daughter of a shield family while the beautiful woman across her was the wife of a shield family's head.

But she still kept her dignified tone and posture, chin slightly raised, shoulders squared, hands clasped elegantly in front of her.

I guess she was probably thinking she had to act like a future queen or a 'woman worthy of the crown prince' or something like that.

Carmine nodded subtly before speaking. "I just wanted to visit a fellow shield family and verify something before returning home."

Lady Selva didn't react strongly. "Of course, you are welcome to visit anytime. But what exactly did you want to verify?"

"..." Carmine's eyes briefly swept the room, her gaze lingering on me and Cassandra, who was sitting elegantly beside Lady Selva.

I caught the subtle twitch of her brows when she saw Cassandra's breathtaking beauty - a moment of surprise(?) she quickly masked. Or she was just irritated to see someone more beautiful than her.

Thankfully, she didn't seem to recognize either of us from our disguised appearances in the city. Well, she probably didn't have any impression of me to begin with.

But... the same couldn't be said for the veiled knight standing behind the sofa she was sitting on.

Stop staring at me.

"It's a personal matter between our families. Do you... want others to hear about it?"

The implications were obvious - she wanted me and Cassandra to get out.

Lady Selva maintained her calm expression and replied. "That depends entirely on the nature of the matter, lady. And they are our precious guests, and I cannot simply dismiss them without proper cause. However, if it's not overly personal, I see no reason why we cannot discuss it openly."

I was slightly surprised at how Lady Selva was maintaining herself; she was a lot different from the recent days I had seen her. Guess she had her own mask to deal with others like Carmine.

And I also caught a brief smirk flashing across Carmine's lips before she quickly composed herself.

I sighed inwardly.

I knew it.

She had only asked about privacy to appear considerate and well-behaved in front of Lady Selva. While in reality, she wanted us to hear whatever she was about to say.

"Very well," Carmine said with a feigning reluctance. "Since you insist, they may stay. But they shouldn't intervene in our conversation."

Hah. She's really arrogant. She's not even putting us in her eyes as equals, despite being just a guest herself.

But I didn't mind it, there's no need to get agitated because of her.

And since I already anticipated such a scenario, I decided it was time to take my leave as planned. I really didn't want to stay alone in a group of women too.

So I stood up and nodded subtly to Lady Selva and Cassandra.

"Then I will leave you ladies alone to discuss such important matters," I said politely. "But please don't tire yourself, and call me if anything happens."

Lady Selva nodded with genuine warmth, her expression softening slightly. "Thank you for your consideration, Sir Lumin. I appreciate your concern."

"Don't worry, dear," Cassandra added in a sweet and soothing tone that sounded like a caring wife. "I will look after her myself."

"Mm..." I nodded at her, playing my part as perfectly as I could. "I'll be nearby if you need me."

As I turned to leave under everyone's gaze, I heard Captain Rosemary's voice from behind me.

"I will stand outside as well."

Alright, everything is going as planned...