God-Tier Extraction Talent: Reincarnated in a Game-like World! Chapter 495 495: A Princess

Sophie remained seated in silence for an instant. The chamber hung in quietness, with just the subtle rustle of papers across the desk and the guard's faint breaths as he awaited her answer. Lamps cast a gentle glow, yet her fingertips chilled lightly upon the table's surface.

Gradually, she rose from her seat and moved to the window. Her office overlooked sections of the camp and the massive gate far off.

The royal crest.

Such a crest emerged only for direct involvement from the royal family. Not from nobles. Not from officials. From the royal family itself.

Behind her back, Sophie's fingers clenched tighter as she gazed outward.

The presence of the royal crest signaled one clear fact. Her true identity could have been uncovered. Or at minimum, the royal family had pinpointed her whereabouts.

And should that hold true, this issue transcended her alone. It risked entangling Gabriel and New Dawn as well.

With a slow breath out, she spoke without facing him.

"Did they say what they want?" she inquired evenly.

"They said they want to meet the person in charge," the guard answered cautiously. "They did not give more details."

Sophie gave a faint nod and gestured with her hand. "I understand. Tell them I will be there shortly."

"Yes, Lady Sophie." The guard inclined his head and departed, shutting the door softly.

As the door clicked shut, the composure on Sophie's face faded gradually. Her fingers touched the window frame lightly while eyeing the vehicles beyond the gate. Her breaths quickened a bit, though she reined them in swiftly.

Should the royal family have truly located her, matters would complicate rapidly. They would never overlook her. And excessive pressure from them could pull Gabriel and New Dawn into royal entanglements, which Gabriel evidently sought to evade.

Her gaze dropped, and she whispered softly, "I might have caused trouble for him."

Just then, the door burst open once more as Cassie hurried in. Pale-faced, she sealed the door fast and approached Sophie.

"Sophie," Cassie uttered, her tone laced with strain. "I just confirmed it. The vehicles outside… they belong to the royal family."

Sophie shut her eyes for a moment, then reopened them. Any doubt in her gaze vanished, yielding to a steady yet grave expression.

"What should we do?" Cassie furrowed her brow. "If they are here for you and people find out who you really are, it could cause a lot of problems here. For Gabriel too."

Sophie held her response. Returning to the desk, she scanned the scattered papers. Supply reports, patrol routes, camp development plans. She oversaw all these in Gabriel's absence.

Cassie observed her in silence, hands gripped before her apron.

Moments later, Sophie drew herself up tall and slid the chair beneath the desk.

"We cannot avoid them," Sophie stated evenly. "If they came with the royal crest, then avoiding them will only make things worse."

Cassie nibbled her lower lip. "So… you are going to meet them?"

Sophie nodded firmly. "Yes."

Toward the door she strode, back rigid and pace assured. Earlier uncertainty had fled, her features reclaiming their usual poised elegance.

"Prepare a few guards," Sophie instructed at the threshold. "But tell them to stay back unless I call for them."

"Yes, Lady Sophie," Cassie responded promptly, trailing behind.

...

Aloft on New Dawn's lofty walls, Seraphina in Sarah guise leaned silently, one palm upon the chill stone. The sun blazed in the afternoon sky, with breezes sweeping the battlements now and then, stirring wisps of her cropped crimson locks.

Her vantage offered a clear view of the gate's outer vehicles and their accompanying figures. Keen eyes locked on the man ahead of the convoy. Clad in a crisp suit adorned with gold, his stance radiated poise even from afar.

"Royal crest…" Sarah whispered to herself.

Guard reports had already reached her ears. Intrigued, she ascended to witness personally.

Her crimson eyes narrowed as she scrutinized the figure below.

"That guy… he is not weak," she murmured softly.

In that instant, the gate creaked open gradually.

Sarah's attention turned, spotting Sophie emerge with Cassie and guards in tow. Sophie led, spine erect, strides composed as though greeting mere guests, not royals.

Sarah cocked her head faintly, intrigue gleaming in her eyes.

She observed Sophie and Cassie halt paces from the gate before the vehicles. The suited man advanced measuredly. Nearing, Sophie's trailing guards tensed, yet she stood unmoved.

Sarah's eyes tightened once more upon the approaching man.

Below, the tall man paused meters from Sophie. For a heartbeat, their gazes locked. Tension thickened the air; even Sophie's guards held their tongues.

Suddenly, astonishing all, the man pressed a hand to his chest and inclined toward Sophie.

"It has been a long time, Your Highness," he declared with respect. "I hope the Princess has been well."

Sophie's escorts behind her blinked wide at his form of address, yet silence reigned.

Little altered in Sophie's countenance, though her hidden fingers gripped firmer.

"I did not expect the royal family to send an envoy all the way here," Sophie responded steadily. "You must have come for an important reason."

The man rose straight, offering a courteous smile. "Her Majesty has been worried. The Princess left without a word, and it caused quite a bit of concern in the palace. When we finally discovered your location, we were ordered to come and confirm your safety and… invite you back."

Atop the wall, Sarah's gaze flashed at the term.

"Princess."

Slowly she stood taller, fixing on Sophie anew. Insight dawned, narrowing her eyes.

"So that is what this is about…"