【Chapter 34】
I chuckled, finding it amusing that a side of Theodore from the original work was now becoming apparent. With a smile, I continued,
“Exactly. And?”
“To be honest, I hope that the story has become a bit of assistance to you.”
“Is it not at the Emperor’s command?”
“If it were, it would not only be bothersome for the Chancellor but also for His Majesty. It would seem as if we were using the military forces of the North as part of our advertisement.”
Reaching here, Theodore and I sighed at the same time.
“It’s difficult.”
“It is, isn’t it?”
Yeah. It’s difficult. I was content with life in the temple, avoiding the hassle of thinking too much and reconsidering various things. But after I came to Roquette, it seems I can’t avoid getting involved in anything like before.
“Shall I be honest, Theo?”
Leaning against the backrest, I tilted my head to the side.
“You must have felt it too, but I am solely responsible for being adorable at our home.”
“Miss Minuelle, why are you saying such things…”
Theodore, who blinked for a few seconds in surprise, opened his mouth, but I raised my hand to stop him.
“Listen.”
That’s right. I’m really satisfied with my current position.
“Anyway, so I don’t really know. How, what to help with, or how much to help.”
A look of disappointment slowly appeared on Theodore’s face. However, as I looked at him, refraining from uttering any unpleasant words, I couldn’t help but smile a little.
“So, would you like to meet them once?”
“Who, may I ask?”
“My mom and sister.”
If Theodore had treated me like a pawn on the chessboard, I would certainly not have endured it. However, Theodore was genuinely concerned about the future, not just his own, but earnestly contemplating the future of the southern region and, furthermore, the entire Preseria Empire.
‘Indeed, he is truly a loyal and noble protagonist.’
However, why did he betray in the first place? Remaining loyal to the country while unable to remain faithful to his wife?
“Th-thank you!”
Theodore, who had no idea what I was thinking, reacted strongly. I calmed him down, so excited that he seemed ready to jump up from his seat.
“I can arrange a meeting, but I can’t guarantee a positive response.”
“If I can receive help, it would be more than welcome. However, just the possibility of meeting them is already a tremendous thing.”
It was a concise response.
It would have been good if it had ended there, but Theodore, who rolled his eyes for a moment, asked.
“Um, what gift should I bring? They’re giving me their precious time.”
Gifts? What gifts? I’m sure he isn’t aware it might be seen as a bribe, it was clear that he was so happy that he couldn’t even think of that.
‘In a past-life perspective, it feels like having a meal with Warren Buffett or something.’
I come from the same lineage as those great people.
I spoke, conscious of the titanium spoon I’ve been using.
“Just come.”
“Yes? Still… Well, I don’t really have much to offer…”
Theodore, who was mumbling vaguely, suddenly widened his eyes in surprise.
“Uh… By the way, earlier, were you suggesting marriage?”
“Is that what it sounded like? You’re not my type.”
How many times do I have to say it?
“Wow.”
Theodore’s mouth hung wide open in surprise.
“Was it a joke? Would I dare to entertain such thoughts about His Highness the Prince?”
‘Lately, I’ve been deliberately trying not to think about Esadien.’
Indeed, meeting Theodore meant I couldn’t avoid hearing Esadien’s name. The lingering taste of tea in my mouth now felt more bitter than before, but I smiled subtly without showing any sign.
“Let’s see what happens if you make such a joke again?”
Even if my heart felt a bit prickly… if the once gloomy expression of a friend had brightened even a little, it’s a good deal, isn’t it? Moreover, if there ever arose a need for information about the South, Theodore would undoubtedly be a faster and more accurate source than anyone else.
💧
Comforting Theodore, a great success!
In addition, as I had arranged opportunities to be helpful to Theodore, it was like earning an extra star for achieving a 3-star rating in the game.
Therefore, the friendly atmosphere continued afterward. The problem arose just before leaving the Count’s residence.
As Theodore escorted me out, in the front hall, we saw young ladies gathered outside, each waiting for their carriage.
“Oh no, it seems the tea party just ended. You might have to wait a bit.”
“Is it the Countess? Well, I should at least greet her while waiting.”
“No, it’s not my mother. It’s my second cousin, who is staying at our house for a while after her coming-of-age ceremony this year.”
“I see…”
My face, playing along, was awkwardly frozen. The reason was the unmistakable vibrant red hair that could be recognized even from a hundred meters away.
Theodore, who noticed where my gaze was directed, also sounded uneasy.
“Oh, Lady Celeste is here too. Shall we… greet her?”
“Never mind. Let’s just leave it be.”
Why bother with awkwardness? It was a bit of a tactless move, but pretending not to notice was good for all three.
… or so I thought for a moment.
As soon as the carriage door Lafesch had been waiting for opened, I quickly headed in that direction, almost dragging Theodore along.
“E…”
Though double consonants rolled around in my mouth, I managed to let it pass and instead, I spat out the name, chewed to pieces.
“Esadien.”
He was opening the carriage door, extending his hand towards Lafesch.
“No, um, no! Wh-why is Your Highness coming out from there…?”
Even Theodore, too, stumbled in his words, looking flustered.
“……”
Esadien’s face, looking at us, was frozen stiff. I couldn’t figure out the reason at all.
‘Could it be that he’s upset because he ran into me?’
Even in the midst of this, a part of my heart secretly hoped that he had come out unwillingly, forced to escort Lafesch.
‘Pathetic.’
Even as the sight of Lafesch not letting go of his hand in front of me unfolded plainly, I felt pathetic for harboring such hope. I confidently removed Theodore’s arm, saying,
“I have no idea who the fiancée is, for heaven’s sake.”
No, even a fiancé wouldn’t go to such extremes. Waiting until the tea party is over and then popping out of the carriage as a surprise? It’s just so sweet that it could make one’s tongue melt.
“Your Highness, did you completely brush aside everything I said?”
My hand trembled with a sense of humiliation.
Humiliation, indeed. Now, the wounds to my pride were felt more acutely than the sense of betrayal towards the person I love. I wondered if this was the emotion Minuelle in the original work felt when she realized and sensed Theodore’s infidelity.
“I, um, this is something I…”
Lafesch tried to say something, but her inability to intervene seemed staged, so I ignored her. And Esadien, as if deeming it a waste for even my gaze to touch her, pushed her into the carriage with a sulky expression.
“After the priest, now it’s Theodore. You’re quite something.”
“Your Highness!”
Though a shocked Theodore called out loudly to Essadien, he didn’t show the slightest sign of wavering. As if his calmness was contagious, I, too, gradually became more composed.
“Esadien.”
The remaining resentment welled up in my eyes, and as Essadien turned to me, they dropped down in unison. In a completely exposed place, observed by people whose names I didn’t even know, my first tears shed in this world were so humiliating.
Since I had already stepped in mud, there was no need to get more upset about getting wet in the rain. I decided to take this opportunity to confirm something I hadn’t asked about last time.
“No, right?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Between Lady Celeste and you… it’s not like that, right?”
“….”
Without affirmation or denial, Esadien’s gaze on me remained silent. No, deep down, it seemed like there was a cold anger. Looking into those eyes, my trembling voice felt foolish.
“You liked me. Well, at least you had some favorable feelings, didn’t you?”
This time, the blue eyes stared at me for a while.
“I don’t know.”
After the brief response, Esadien didn’t even leave a farewell and disappeared into the carriage.
Bang.
The sound of the carriage door closing echoed loudly, as if the world were collapsing.
💧
The festival of Flendena, the goddess, has dawned. In other words, today is my coming-of-age day.
‘Bothersome….’
There was no particular excitement. After all, legally becoming an adult was inevitable once the new year arrived.
However, the sentiment in this world was different, so only after this day would I receive adult treatment. The Crown Princess even went so far as to declare to Esadien, “If you put a finger before the adult ceremony, I will not let you go.”
“Oh gosh.”
Thinking of Esadien made one side of my chest ache again. He still hadn’t contacted me. Even after that day, Theodore had sent letters and flowers expressing concern.
‘Is it truly over?’
At first, there was a feeling of disbelief. However, the more I pondered over the events that had occurred, the more apparent Esadien’s intentions became.
“Tsk.”
Unintentionally clicking my tongue, the maid assisting me with dressing burst into tears beside me.
“Did I pull your hair, My Lady?”
“Oh, no. I was thinking about something else.”
Sure, let’s think about something else.
I closed my eyes and made an effort to recall memories.
‘Until last year, I was busy with birthday preparations, coming-of-age ceremony arrangements, and evening party preparations.’
It was awkward to let go of this year as an adult. The only thing that eased the awkwardness was a white dress with a design similar to the attire of the priest trainees. Wearing it somehow made my heart feel at ease…
‘I wish I could have just become a priest like Ramande.’
There has never been a time when I was so sad that I didn’t have divine power.
Never before had the absence of divine power felt as regrettable as it did today. I missed even the High Priest in Surmander, but the place where I would undergo the coming-of-age ceremony was the Flenda Temple located in the capital, Roquette.
As the ceremony was conducted separately for men and women, upon our arrival at the temple, Ramande and I had to part ways.
“See you later.”
“Sure. Don’t cause any trouble. It’s a special day, so behave. Got it?”
Ugh, nagging.
Even on a day like this, when Ramande, who tends to nag, scolded me, I rolled my eyes and shot back.
“Do I still seem like a twelve-year-old to you?”
“Of course not.”
Ramande chuckled.
“Do I look around ten to you?”
After that, it seemed like I would run out of patience and burst.
“Hey, Ramande Flendena!”
While I continued to stare at the retreating figure without looking back, there seemed to be a bit of commotion near the entrance we had just come through.
“Is that the Third Prince?”
“He usually doesn’t attend events like this. However, he did attend the wedding at the Karainen Ducal House last time…”
The murmurs clearly announced Esadien’s arrival.
‘I was hesitant for no reason.’
There’s nothing to say, and a meeting would only make things awkward. I thought about leaving discreetly, but Esadien’s steps were at least twice as fast as mine.
“Minuelle.”
Why are you pretending to know?
Since he called my name, there’s no helping it. I turned around, sighing, and offered a greeting.
💧
Thank you for reading!
