A Villainess Should Be Strong

"..The place where the Goddess' magic is most concentrated at.. you must mean the Sanctuary, right?" Niki hummed as she thought carefully. There was indeed such a place, located in the deepest part of Alfheim's castle.

"I don't know what you guys call it, but I know that it contains the densest energy," Estelle replied. That was the instructions she received, the first step to proving her worth.

"Then, what you are looking for is called the Sanctuary. About allowing you to go in... Hmm, I can't say that I fully agree, but there are nothing that prevents you from going in if you are truly a Royal. Because.. that place, for non-royals, will be akin to people burning themselves to death. It's just torturing yourself," Shirley confirmed Niki's words, placing her chin on top of her hand lazily and speaking.

"What.. do you mean by that?" It was Estelle's first time hearing this fact.

Death to non Royals?

"We don't know why, too, but when outsiders come in contact with the Sanctuary's core, they suddenly experience a feeling like they're being engulfed in flames, and it won't go away until they flee the area completely. At first, there were also people who wanted to step inside the place, you know? But they all failed after they slipped by and entered. They thought that there would be countless treasures piled up inside, but I think they are stupid. Why would we hide our treasures in a Sanctuary, a place to be filled with holy energy and is to be respected?" Shirley complained.

"Anyway, they practically all became severely traumatized by the event and never thought about going back in anymore. Ever since the rumor spread, it created a buzz and made those who were previously brave enough to attempt a theft become unwilling to do so," Shirley continued. "It's a good thing if you look at it from another perspective. We don't actually need guards stationed there, since no one would even dare to try checking it out. It's just for formality and respect,"

"Which means.. this effect only happens within the secluded Sanctuary but not the entire area surrounding it?" Estelle concluded. Since there were guards positioned around it, then it should be so. Or else, the guards would also be affected.

"Yes. The effect only if you come in contact with the core. Except for that, you are safe. Hence.. the only thing that holds you back from rushing there right now would be... this guy beside me, I suppose?" Shirley turned her head to the side and looked at Neil, who had a troubled expression as he was mentioned.

It was because Neil hadn't acknowledged Estelle yet. In fact, Shirley did not care much about Neil's acknowledgement, but because they had formed a promise, then she wanted to respect it. It didn't concern her or put her at a disadvantage and it also brought some forms of amusement and entertainment.

"I have made the ultimate decision to accept her identity, Your Highness," Neil nodded as he shut his eyes tight, refusing to look at Estelle. His brows were knitted as he said that.

Estelle made a dumbfounded expression as she didn't expect Neil's challenges to only consist of two compartments. She thought that there would be much more, since the man clearly showed his spite towards her. Unexpectedly, he ended it off in two trials.

"..Might I ask why? Did I do something terribly right that you can't help but accept me, or else it would be wrong?" Although she knew that asking could possibly get herself in more trouble as the man could supply more challenges, she couldn't resist her curiosity.

"Nothing much. I just thought that it's a good time to stop, since you have clearly proved that you are a Royal ever since you successfully knocked down the Moonlight Bow challenge and demonstrated powers similar to what the ancestors have wielded," Neil answered.

Estelle nodded lightly and hummed, still not believing that the man would leave her be just like this. Even so, she decided to take his explanation and carry on further with her request. "So does that mean that I can enter the Sanctuary freely now?" Estelle asked.

"Technically, yes. You can enter it as long as you tell me beforehand. However.. you do know that by wanting to access the Sanctuary, you would be revealing your identity as the Royal to the public eye? There is no way that your visit will be left unnoticed. The Sanctuary is that relevant of a place," Shirley reminded.

Previously, Estelle had insinuated that she did not want unnecessary exposure about her true identity and just wanted to fulfill her purpose, nor did she want any actual ties with her bloodline and Alfheim.

"Well.. At this point, I don't mind. Once I finish my business in Alfheim, I plan to flee over to Vaitral to connect my next journey," Estelle said, shrugging and scratching her head. "I have duties to do over there, so after I check the Sanctuary out, I will just stay for a short while before departing. Is this not allowed still?"

"I must say, I'm pretty curious in what business you have inside the Sanctuary. Surely you are not just desiring to sightsee, right? The Sanctuary.. It is a mystical place. Hard to understand, hard to decipher. It can't be expressed through words, you just have to feel the atmosphere it brings when you step in there.. as a Royal," Shirley emphasized.

It meant that if she was not a Royal, then there would only be adverse effects and uncomfortable feelings, but otherwise, you would feel this special aura.

"..I will choose to not answer. It's a private matter, something I just want to face by myself. I don't think that you could be of any help either way, and I can only assure you that I will not do any harm to Alfheim in any sort of way," Estelle narrowed her eyes as she spoke, watching Shirley's reaction carefully. "Is that enough warranty? I can even make an oath following your country's procedure if you need me to. I am sure that I won't cause harm,"

If she was to cause any harm, then she would've been warned about it.

"..Then, so be it. I won't be that vile to force you to open up. Since you have said that it is a personal business, then it should be so. You have mentioned your desire to go there, and I as the rightful Queen of Alfheim shall permit your appeal," Shirley carelessly replied, waving her hands as if telling Estelle to go forth to her destination.

"To make it easier for you, take Neil over there," Shirley said, stamping something onto a piece of paper and handing it her attendant, who looked at the object and widened his eyes ever so slightly.

Upon closer inspection, Estelle realized that it was the Queen's seal, something that would not be given lightly over just a simple occasion like this. She wondered if this was Shirley's way of forcefully instating her grandniece's position to clear off any lingering doubts that might surround her once the sighting got out. Having Neil attend to her matters was one thing, but showing this imperial seal would have a much larger impact.

Estelle Clareste's name and mysterious identity would surely become a hot topic. She came out of nowhere and directly became recognized as a member of the Royal family. Knowing that the current Queen had no King and child, thus leaving no chances for an offspring to be made, the origins of Estelle would surely be questioned.

The royal family of Alfheim was exclusive to people who bore the eccentric powers of the Moon Goddess' gift. Even if Estelle was adopted, no one would claim her as a Royal if she did not possess these powers. Her legality will be put into question. However, this matter would also be successfully revolted once she stepped into the Sanctuary, as it had already been well known that only those who possessed the 'gift' could bypass the Sanctuary's effect and come out safely.

Estelle nodded, connecting all the path lines inside her head and accepting Shirley's presents with a grateful smile. She then faced Neil, who gave her a formal smile and helped her stand up from the chair. She then proceeded to give one last look to the rest of the people in the room before leaving with Neil and heading towards the Sanctuary.

Once they were outside, Estelle and Neil did not engage in any conversation at all.

"I have been curious about this, but do you perhaps hate an outsider like me?" Estelle suddenly launched the question, making Neil jolt in surprise slightly, but quickly regaining his composure right after.

He stopped his walk and turned to look at Estelle. "Do you think I hate you?"

"Well.. by the sounds of your attitude towards me.. I would think so, is that wrong?" Estelle asked back. Her eyes flickered with curiosity as she waited for his answer.