[AUTHOR NOTE: Hey guys, if you are not on my discord server and has been not updated with the news about my patreon. My patreon is dead. They rejected my appeal. I searched for other platforms that are friendly towards my country creators and created account on them. One got rejected(my bad luck) and other has the AI bot screwing with me. It kept asking for my documents again and again. I reached our to their support and they resolved my issue in under an hour. AN HOUR( YOU SEE THIS PATREON WHEN WILL YOU GIVE ME MY CHAPTERS DATA) I have to re edit them again. Some fics are still not done but I will be posting the ones that are done for now and we will be back to normal updates for all in few days. Just this platform that I will be working on Gumroad has high fees for me(I will earn less) but I have kept the tiers price same as patreon one. If you like these fics and want to support me. You can give me a tip on Gumroad(I will only use Gumroad for receiving payments and will post advance chapters on discord). Have a nice day!]
The enthusiastic old coachman insisted on driving Regulus as far as the road would allow before finally turning back to take his granddaughter-in-law home.
To be honest, after interacting with him along the way, Regulus's impression of the old man had improved greatly. He was a sensible commoner.
But never mind the old man for now.
Regulus turned his gaze toward Theresia's location. The 'Little King' authority signaled that she was nearby—coincidentally, very close to the spot by the river where he had previously washed away the bloodstains from the Cultists.
'What are they doing in a place like that?'
Slightly curious, Regulus continued forward. It didn't take long to find the people he was looking for.
Theresia van Astrea, and her loyal guard, Carol.
The two of them were squatting by the riverbank, their sleeves rolled up, scrubbing clothes in the running water.
This scene immediately made Regulus understand the situation.
Their clothes had gotten dirty yesterday because of him. The crowded carriage, the sweat, and... other fluids.
However, compared to Carol—whose uniform was thoroughly soiled—Theresia was much better off. Only the back of her blue dress seemed to have suffered, likely from sitting on a bench that wasn't quite clean.
Regulus walked quietly toward the two of them. When he reached a certain distance, their voices drifted over the sound of the water.
"I am truly sorry, My Lady."
"Really, Carol, I've already told you, haven't I? You don't need to apologize for this. It wasn't intentional."
"But these are clothes given by your grandmother. And because of my carelessness..."
"Alright, alright! The clothes aren't torn, and they're still perfectly wearable. They'll be just like new after washing and drying," Theresia said with a gentle laugh, splashing a little water. "So, you really don't need to apologize again. If you do, I'll actually get angry."
Theresia puffed out her cheeks, pretending to be annoyed, but she didn't look angry at all. Instead, she looked incredibly cute.
Carol couldn't help but show a gentle, helpless smile.
"The Young Lady is still the same... Very well. I won't apologize for this matter anymore."
"Mm-hmm~ That's right! Let's wash quickly. If we finish while the sun is still high, they shouldn't take long to dry."
"That is true."
Having settled the matter, the two continued scrubbing their clothes in the river.
Regulus, observing from the tree line, felt a smirk tugging at his lips.
Just as he was about to step out and greet them, Theresia spoke again.
"By the way... Carol? How did you and Regulus end up together?"
"Regulus and... me?"
Carol's hands froze in the water.
In the shadows, Regulus's interest piqued instantly. He paused, curious to hear how the blonde knight would answer such a dangerous question.
Theresia continued, her voice filled with innocent curiosity. "Yes. Your progress is simply too fast! Before yesterday, you seemed to have nothing to talk about with him. You were even wary of him. But now... you suddenly have this kind of relationship? I'm very, very curious."
"About that..." Carol stammered, sweat forming on her brow.
"Um? Um, what? Tell me!" Theresia leaned in closer, her eyes sparkling with gossip.
"Ah!"
A soft cry of surprise interrupted the interrogation.
Because she was so distracted by the question, Carol lost her grip on the wet tunic she was washing. The current caught it, pulling it downstream.
Theresia instinctively reached out to grab it.
"Got it!"
She caught the fabric—but in her haste, she lost her own balance on the slippery river stones and teetered toward the deeper water.
"My Lady!"
Carol reacted instantly, grabbing Theresia's hand and pulling her back to safety.
"Hehe~ I got it..." Theresia laughed nervously, turning her head to thank her friend, but the words caught in her throat.
Carol wasn't looking at her. The knight was staring past her, eyes wide with shock.
Theresia followed her gaze.
Regulus stepped out from the shade of the trees, a relaxed smile on his face. He knew he had been discovered, so there was no point in hiding.
"Good afternoon, two beautiful ladies."
"Good afternoon..."
Theresia responded automatically, her face flushing slightly red. However, her tone carried a trace of alienation.
It seemed that yesterday's events—and the awkwardness of the carriage ride—still had an impact. That was to be expected. It would be more concerning if she acted as if nothing had happened.
'Impulsiveness is a demon,' Regulus thought. 'The difficulty of this conquest has definitely increased.'
However, unlike the shy Theresia, Carol was grappling with much more complex emotions. Confusion, fear, and shame warred in her green eyes.
"Why are you here?" Carol asked sharply.
"Can I not be here?"
"No, that's not what I meant," she said, standing up and placing herself slightly in front of Theresia. "What I mean is... how did you know we were here?"
It was a valid question. She and Theresia had sneaked out of the mansion specifically to avoid attention while washing these clothes. No one should have known their whereabouts.
"Maybe it's fate," Regulus said, spreading his hands. "For some reason, I suddenly felt a pull... I just wanted to come back here and take a look."
Carol and Theresia exchanged a puzzled glance.
Could it be that there really was such a thing as fate?
If Regulus hadn't deliberately arranged it, this would be the third time their paths had crossed so perfectly. To be able to sense Theresia's existence without seeing her... it was almost too fantastic to be a coincidence.
"You don't believe me?" Regulus chuckled, seeing their doubt. "If you don't believe me, why don't we test it?"
"Test it?" Theresia asked, her curiosity getting the better of her wariness.
"That's right. Just a simple test. You two can hide anywhere in the city. No matter where you hide, I bet I can find you."
Regulus's voice was filled with absolute certainty. His arrogant confidence made Theresia hesitate.
She turned to look at Carol.
"Do you want to try it?"
"Young Lady, I don't think we should," Carol whispered urgently. "Our clothes aren't finished yet, and if it gets too late, they won't dry today."
"That's right..." Theresia looked disappointed.
She actually wanted to find out if 'fate' really existed. It was the kind of romantic notion a girl her age dreamed about.
Carol breathed a sigh of relief. She didn't want to test it.
What if it was true?
If it was really fate that brought the Sword Saint and the Archbishop together... could this man with hundreds of wives really bring happiness to her Lady? Or just ruin?
"That's simple," Regulus interjected smoothly. "The test can be done after you finish washing the clothes. I can wait."
"I..." Carol tried to find another excuse.
Regulus wouldn't let her escape. Theresia had already distanced herself slightly; now that her interest was piqued again, he had to strike.
"Let's decide like this," Regulus said, his gaze locking onto the blonde knight. "And Carol... I can find you too. Since our relationship has changed, fate has bound us as well."
"Eh! Me too!!?"
Carol turned bright red, stunned by his boldness in front of Theresia.
Regulus secretly chuckled in his heart. 'Hook, line, and sinker.'
"If I can't find you within the time limit," Regulus raised his hand in a solemn vow, "I swear, I will never pester you or Theresia again."
Silence fell over the riverbank.
Theresia and Carol both showed tangled expressions.
Should they take the bet? If they won, they could be free of this confusing, overwhelming man.
"Carol, what do you think?" Theresia asked softly. "Do you want to try?"
"I..."
Faced with the question, Carol hesitated. She looked at Regulus's confident smirk, then at Theresia's hopeful face.
If she could hide Theresia well enough... they could win. She was a trained Knight; she knew how to evade pursuit.
"Trying it is acceptable," Carol finally said, her voice firming up. "But whether it's me or the Young Lady... if you fail to find even one of us, you must abide by the promise you just made and leave the Young Lady alone forever."
"Deal," Regulus smiled. "I accept your terms."
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