【Chapter 35】
“I greet His Highness.”
“It’s been a while.”
My upper body relaxed, and the corners of my mouth twitched. For once, Lafesch wasn’t by Esadien’s side.
‘Ha.’
I chuckled. Unconsciously, I found myself weaving thoughts of the two together like a needle and thread.
“I saw you just the day before yesterday. Where is your friend? Did you come alone?”
My voice was as sharp as an arrowhead. I had absolutely no intention of living a life where I endure and tolerate like a saint. Such a life was more than enough for a past life. Besides, I have a family now who would tell me to break up if I don’t like it.
“Friend?”
“Lady Celeste. She’s not your fiancé, but she sticks to you more like someone who’s even more engaged.”
“……”
The blue eyes, whose thoughts I couldn’t decipher, calmly observed me. Irritated by that gaze, I became more annoyed, and the more so, I wanted to unsettle Esadien. So, I added casually as if throwing a remark.
“I came with Ramande.”
– Minuelle threw ‘Provocation’!
Soon, Esadien’s eyelashes trembled. Following that, a sharp jawline extending from below his ear emerged.
-The effect was excellent!
“…..”
As desired, Esadien showed a peculiar reaction, but feeling uneasy about it, I defensively clenched my fist.
‘Why does it feel like he’s getting angry?’
Moreover, even the words that Esadien brought up, seemingly calming his emotions for a moment, were all unexpected.
“I’m sorry for last time.”
Uh, wait.
“I said harsh words to your precious person.”
What?
“I did not ignore you. I just thought there would be a time to explain.”
The continuous apology felt unfamiliar. However, it didn’t mean that all the events, especially the uncertainty about his own emotions, disappeared. Therefore, despite that, I remained cautious, and yet, Esadien silently extended his hand toward me. In contrast to me, his expression was completely relaxed.
“Then, may I escort you?”
“We have to part ways here.”
“Even so, I am your fiancé.”
Upon hearing those words, a whirlwind of thoughts swept through my mind. I couldn’t determine whether it was a sudden arrangement concerning Lafesch or a decision not to let either of them go, or perhaps I was meant to be a public fiancé. I couldn’t figure out if this was what Esadien wanted, or if it was out of a sense of obligation. It was truly unclear.
“Minuelle.”
Perhaps due to the confusion in my mind, I instinctively reached out my hand to Esadien when he called, his voice cutting through the complexity.
‘Oh, my!’
Belatedly realizing, I tried to withdraw my hand, but it was already firmly caught.
‘Darn it.’
“Come on… Let’s go. It’s getting late.”
I couldn’t help it. Actually, there was still plenty of time, but I turned my face, trying to hide the contorted expression, and said that. As I swallowed a sigh, Esadien spoke to me again.
“Minuelle.”
“Yes?”
For some reason, he was talkative today.
“You’re wearing those gloves again today.”
“Oh, yes.”
I hadn’t even realized it. Perhaps because I frequently used them, at some point, the maids began offering the gloves that Esadien had given me. I was briefly startled, thinking they might be asking me to take them off, but fortunately, it turned out to be a simple inquiry.
“I’m glad you like them.”
“I always wear them.”
“Even at home?”
Even though it was a trivial question, my heart sank. I tried to step back reflexively, but Esadien still firmly held onto my hand. His gaze felt strangely persistent.
“You were wearing gloves even at your home.”
“Let go, please….”
Is it because of this?
I didn’t realize my voice was trembling, but there was no hesitation in Esadien’s eyes.
Suddenly, I wondered if he might tear the gloves apart like this.
And, as if to support that guess, Esadien’s fingers tightened.
“Underneath this, what on earth is there?”
How can it be like this? Rather than the question, the expression on Esadien’s face, looking down at my hand with disdain, came to mind first. In that moment, all reason evaporated, and the only thought dominating me was the realization that I couldn’t show my hand.
“This, let me go!”
If adrenaline is excessively secreted, it unleashes tremendous power.
Without even realizing the danger, I shouted and pushed Esadien away. And he didn’t chase after me as I ran away.
💧
The official coming-of-age ceremony had begun. In the grand temple of Flendena that oversees beauty, those who came of age received a baptism, wishing for a beautiful life.
Of course, the order was determined by social status, and among the women, I was the first to go. That meant Esadien was the first among the men. Although his presence made me feel uneasy, I steadfastly looked ahead, and the priest warmly greeted me.
“It’s been a while, youngest lady.”
“High Priest, have you been well?”
In each major city of the Preseria Empire, high-ranking clergy members reside. It’s like the concept of dioceses, and the capital, Roquette, is overseen by the High Priest.
In response to my question, the High Priest answered with a smile. Despite hearing that he was over a hundred years old, his appearance made him look no older than me, and it was dazzling.
“However, our lady seems unable to control her young heart, like a dandelion in the wind.”
“Isn’t it more like a lantern or reed?”
“I found dandelions cute.”
Indeed, he seems as lively as ever.
“Can you see through me?”
“No, not to that extent.”
“At least that’s a relief…”
“It seems quite transparent, though.”
Oh, really. Regardless of what I say or do, the High Priest just offers a respectful smile. The High Priest, who quietly drew a symbol similar to the Flandena emblem on my forehead with holy water, spoke gently.
“Looking back, there will surely be times you can feel it was beautiful.”
“…Do you think so?”
When it comes to Esadien, emotions tumble like the wind on the dandelion or a lantern, like reeds.
Unconsciously, I looked up as if hanging, but the High Priest spoke only two gentle syllables.
“Next person.”
Sheesh.
Unable to argue with the fact that the next person was indeed waiting, I returned to my seat with pursed lips, and whispers flowed into my ears.
“Ah, do you smell something a bit nauseating?”
“You felt it too, Young Lady? Me too.”
You too? Hey, me too!
The girls sitting behind me were in solidarity, getting along well.
“I didn’t know we would have the event with commoners. I’ve been at the Flendena Temple for a long time, but… hmm.”
“My younger sibling will become an adult next year, maybe I should suggest going to a different temple.”
Yeah, please go. Don’t come. Flendena probably dislikes you too.
I chuckled and clenched my fist.
‘What do you mean smell…..’
In this place where even the gods of wealth and credit exist, capitalism has been actively embraced even in the religious community.
Originally, it’s a temple in the capital, Roquette. Those who can enter here are people from households that have made substantial donations.
In other words, those celebrating their coming-of-age ceremony here are not ordinary commoners but rather individuals from the legal profession, business circles, or the families of doctors.
‘Even if you’re sued, without a lawyer, and deals are cut off from above, you won’t come to your senses until you experience pain without anyone to sympathize with.’
Knowing such facts clearly, the discomfort with the commoners and their comments on the smell seemed to stem from the delicate feelings of the noble women.
Even during the worship, there was a distinction between the seats of the nobility and the commoners, but during this event, only a few rows were set apart for them to sit.
‘Even if they are sensitive about such things at this age… they shouldn’t behave like that. Don’t they realize they could incur the temple’s resentment right away?’
The grumbling reached a point where I couldn’t tolerate it anymore.
“Tsk.”
Shut your mouth. You, young ladies with the presence of a single dot on a pointillism painting, get uncomfortable all you want.
When I clicked my tongue, the murmuring discomfort from behind gradually subsided.
‘Now it’s a bit better.’
I leaned back against the backrest, satisfied. It would be quiet for a while. Due to my status, unless I initiate the greeting first, they won’t utter a word.
…Except for one person.
“Miss Minuelle, you seem to be in a bad mood. Is something bothering you?”
I chuckled dryly.
‘Ah… It was Lafesch Celeste.’
Lafesch moved to the seat next to me within five minutes, disguising her concern.
“Well…”
“Last time, Prince Esadien and I…”
“Lady Celeste.”
Not “Third Prince” but “Prince Esadien.”
Advertise it as a peculiar relationship, please.
‘I can feel someone eavesdropping from behind without even looking.’
Do you think closing your mouths after I cleared my throat makes it less obvious? Everyone is pretending not to notice and focusing on this side!
If there’s one thing I want right now, it’s to throw Lafesch Celeste out of this temple.
But being a rational human, I attempted to settle things with words.
“I want to be alone because I’m tired.”
Of course, the lack of strength to lift Lafesch was a bigger reason. However, Lafesch was the owner of a titanium mental that bounced off direct rejection.
“Miss Minuelle, I have something I really want to tell you about recent events.”
No, it’s okay?
“I don’t mind not hearing it.”
“Please consider it my last request and come to my waiting room for a moment before the banquet begins.”
The banquet for the coming-of-age ceremony is also held in the temple, so the attendees are provided with a waiting room where they can prepare.
“…….”
I looked at Lafesch without saying anything for a moment.
‘If you have something to say, isn’t it more appropriate to say it here?’
I wonder what is going on inside the protagonist’s head. However, with eyebrows that slope downward, golden eyes, slightly protruding and wavy lips, the irritation that seemed like a volcano appeared to subside a little when attention was drawn to those features.
‘Even though you’re beautiful, you’re too beautiful.’
I firmly spoke, tearing my gaze away from that captivating face.
“Please don’t wait. It would be a waste of time.”
“Please.”
“Lady Celeste, this is not a seat for a lady-in-waiting. Please leave.”
I spoke coldly, but Lafesch repeated her request once again and returned to her original seat.
‘I’m going crazy.’
My mind became complicated. I tried to ignore it, but I couldn’t help but feel concerned. Why? Because Lafesch is the female lead? The endless worries eventually blurred into vague concerns.
‘Is there something going on?’
However, what could it be?
‘Do you want to ask me to break up with Esadien…..’
It suddenly occurred to me, but if that’s the case, there’s no need to urgently invite her separately like before.
In the original work, Lafesch never had one-on-one contact with ‘Minuelle,’ avoiding the eyes of others.
She considered ‘Minuelle,’ or Theodore, to be someone who harassed her by being obsessed, so it was natural for her to find it irritating.
💧
Thank you for reading!
