[Vol. 7] Chapter 22: Sudden Change in the royal palace
By the time Violet stepped out of the Invisible Spatial Portal set up in Nitila’s bedroom, the outside world was already bathed in daylight.
"Looks like I actually stayed overnight…"
She glanced around at the now-empty Princess' chamber, a hint of helplessness on her face.
After leaving Sethlin’s place, she used the Invisible Spatial Portals she had left behind during past travels to visit Angel City, and Minchen’s former residence in the Ten Thousand Demons Mountains. Since her visits were unplanned and hurried, she didn’t manage to meet many people, but at least she was able to let them know she was safe.
By the time she left the Tree of Life, which was guarded by Little Blue, it was already past one in the morning. For her final stop, she had planned to visit Courage City, the capital of the Human United Kingdom, where Lilya lived. She assumed that at such a late hour, the young queen would already be asleep, so she had only intended to leave a letter explaining her situation rather than disturb her rest.
But when she stepped out of the portal, she was met with an unexpected sight. Lilya was still awake, burning the midnight oil, diligently handling government affairs. That led to an unexpected face-to-face encounter.
The situation at the time was… well… cough. In short, Violet ended up staying longer than planned, keeping the overworked young queen company. Lilya had noticeably lost weight from stress and sleepless nights, and Violet couldn’t bear to leave her alone. So she stayed by her side until just before dawn, only leaving after the first light of morning to return to the Eastern Sea Pearl.
As she recalled the lingering scent on her clothes and the soft warmth of the girl she had held the night before, the black-haired girl shook her head helplessly.
It wasn’t the first time she had slept in the same bed as Lilya. It had always been just harmless rest, nothing more than hugging through their nightclothes, like normal close friends.
But ever since the events inside the Gate of Humanity in the [Great Secret Realm of Chaos], where she had experienced that kind of moment with the illusion of Lilya… Violet found it harder and harder to see these moments as just simple friendship. She doesn't have any feelings for her, maybe she should slowly distance herself.
Still, an illusion was just an illusion. She couldn’t project those experiences onto the real Lilya. Even in the overwhelming emotions of their reunion, Lilya had never crossed any boundaries, which was proof enough of her true feelings.
And yet… Violet couldn’t shake the feeling that, ever since she inherited Dawn’s memories and powers, gaining the Divinity of Reincarnation, the indifference she had carried since her first arrival in this world had begun to fade, just a little.
Otherwise, logically speaking, she shouldn’t be so bothered by something as simple as sleeping while hugging another girl, especially when there wasn’t even much skin contact.
After all, her dragon had done far bolder and more outrageous things in the past. The little dragon girl had a beauty and figure more than Lilya, combined with the deep bond they shared as close companions. And yet, Violet had always brushed those moments off as childish antics, never taking them seriously.
But, when Xiao Guang wasn't there beside her when she woke up, it felt very strange. She was used to Xiao Guang being glued to her side while sleeping, her absence was unsettling, so unlike their usual mornings. But what about Xiao Guang? Does she feel the same way when she's not around?
Never mind. Even if it feels a little strange, it’s not something worth overanalyzing. Best to drop the thought.
Violet shook her head once more, clearing away any lingering distractions and refocusing on the present.
Now that she had made a full round trip to check on everyone and ensure their safety, there were no more pressing concerns. Since she was already overseas, she might as well thoroughly investigate the situation here. Afterward, she could find a way to cross the [Ghost Sea], sail to the Austre Empire’s coast, and continue searching for Xiao Guang.
Based on the ancient myths Sethlin had shared, she had already begun to piece together the puzzle, though she still needed more proof.
“Hmm?”
Just as she was about to leave Nitila’s bedroom, Violet suddenly paused, her brows furrowing slightly.
Something about this room felt… off.
Switching to her [Yin-Yang Eyes], the priestess immediately noticed traces of a faint, murky energy lingering in the air.
It was similar to the aura she had seen around the treatment room on Palut Island, but… slightly different.
This was likely a remnant of some kind of power that had been activated here. Yet, when she left earlier, the room had been completely normal.
And on top of that…
The footsteps outside sounded unusually loud and chaotic.
What’s going on?
The teleportation gate inside this bedroom and the royal palace was something she had secretly set up with Princess Nitila. Though Violet still didn’t fully understand why Nitila trusted and relied on her so much, to the point of hiding this from her mother, the Queen. She was absolutely unwilling to let anything bad happen to the young princess because of it.
After a moment of thought, she pulled on her [Chameleon Cloak], quietly slipped out through the window, and headed straight back to Palut Island, where the Merchant Guild was temporarily staying.
Originally, Violet planned to reunite with Le Qiaoqiao and the others and wait for Nitila to come find them according to their plan before proceeding with their investigation.
But the moment she stepped into the first-floor hall, she was met with shocking news from Ming Lan, who had been waiting for her specifically.
“What did you say…? Nitila is missing?”
Emerging from the shadows and stowing away her [Chameleon Cloak], Violet frowned. She glanced at the merfolk guards running frantically through the hallways and staircases, an unsettling feeling creeping into her heart.
“She was still in her room last night. How could she suddenly vanish this morning? When did this happen?”
Ming Lan’s expression was serious, though his years of experience kept him from panicking. He calmly explained in a low voice.
“This morning, when the palace maids went to wake up the princess, they knocked on the door for a long time but got no response. They waited for a while, but she still didn’t come out. With no other choice, they used the spare key to unlock the door. Only to find the room completely empty. The bed hadn’t even been touched.”
“So the merfolk believe that Her Highness must have disappeared before she even went to sleep last night.”
That particular wording made the uneasy feeling in Violet’s heart grow stronger.
“Disappeared…”
Because of the teleportation gate they had secretly set up, Nitila had deliberately dismissed her maids early last night.
That meant from the moment she returned to her room until this morning, the only people who knew what happened were herself and Violet, who had later entered through the window.
It was the perfect window of time for a disappearance to occur.
Even though Violet hadn’t openly entered Princess Nitila’s room alone, she and Le Qiaoqiao had spent almost the entire evening with her, investigating King Willipol’s disappearance. They had been almost alone with her for much of that time.
That practically made them the prime suspects in Nitila’s disappearance.
And that wasn’t the only suspicious part.
Why did Princess Nitila disappear now, of all times?
She had lived in the palace for years without issue. So why did she vanish right after this group of outsiders arrived on the archipelago and got close to her?
Suddenly, a thought flashed through Violet’s mind.
Framed.
Could that be it?
But who would go that far? And why?
"Miss, this situation…?"
Ming Lan knew Violet and her group were investigating something for Princess Nitila, but since they had only just started, she wasn’t clear on the details. Her hesitation was understandable.
The black-haired girl shook her head.
"It wasn’t us. And there’s no way she left on her own. She had no reason to, and she didn’t have the means. We did uncover some information yesterday, but none of it explains why Nitila would suddenly go missing."
Ming Lan trusted her completely. Taking her words as fact, he immediately started piecing things together.
"So you’re saying… Her Highness didn’t leave voluntarily, but was actually taken by someone? And the culprit had already planned this. They just waited for our arrival to finally act?"
"But why would they wait for this specific moment? It’s not like we’re particularly important. And the real culprit couldn’t have predicted the Merchant Guild would come here in advance… It doesn’t add up."
"Exactly. This whole thing is far too strange, even I didn’t see it coming."
Violet narrowed her eyes, resting her chin in one hand.
"And the most important question is… why?
What’s the goal here?
Did they want to take something from her?
Or did they want to stop her from doing something?
Or…
Could it be both?"