Chapter 37
Don’t like it? Don’t like what? The sight of Rubiana getting along so familiarly with Chad Preston? What does that have to do with me anyway?
Ha, seriously…
Lately, his mood had been swinging unpredictably.
Especially when it had anything to do with Rubiana.
Is this some side effect of sharing mana? Instead of low fever and headaches, did I end up with a fickle temperament?
He decided he should visit Omar next time and get examined.
Ignoring the faint ache tingling in his chest, he turned—only to find Florencia standing right in front of him, looking up.
“Florencia!”
“Won’t you save me for a moment, Elion?”
“Huh?”
“Let’s go get some air.”
“…Alright. Let’s.”
Elion stepped out onto the balcony with Florencia.
Not even a single star was visible in the pitch-black sky.
“Oh dear, no stars. Must be cloudy.”
“Feels like it’s going to rain soon.”
“I thought seeing stars might make me feel better… what a shame.”
Florencia looked up at the sky with disappointment.
Trying to lighten her mood even a little, Elion asked lightly:
“How do you feel, Saintess, about attending a social party for the first time in a while?”
At his sudden teasing, she retorted in kind:
“Not as impressed as Your Grace, who attended a social party for the first time ever.”
Their eyes met and filled with laughter.
They held it back until both eventually burst into giggles at the same time.
After laughing heartily, their moods seemed to lift a little.
“At least I got to see you, Elion. I’m grateful for that.”
“It’s an honor to hear that I was of help, Saintess.”
“There you go again. Since you’ve been helpful, how about bringing me one more glass of champagne?”
Florencia waved her empty glass and smiled sweetly.
“No matter how enjoyable a long-awaited party may be, overdrinking is forbidden, Saintess.”
“Yes, yes, I know that very well. Still, just one more glass, please, you old-man-in-a-young-body duke.”
“Just wait a moment.”
Elion set down his own champagne glass on the table and walked away.
As soon as he disappeared completely, Florencia’s smile vanished.
She quickly pulled a small vial from her palm-sized handbag.
Inside were yellow pills.
She dropped one pill into Elion’s champagne glass.
It dissolved instantly.
Watching it disappear, she recalled Omar’s words.
“Yes, it is a pill that destabilizes mana. We have observed no other side effects besides that function.”
Florencia trusted his words—he possessed unmatched skill among healers, whether operating in the light or the shadow.
If he said there were no other side effects, then she could feel reassured.
Once Elion’s mana became unstable again, he would surely come to her first—just like last time.
And then I’ll treat him properly again. So it’s fine. It’ll be fine.
She forced down the creeping guilt.
Soon Elion returned with a fresh glass of champagne.
“Thank you, my friend.”
“It’s nothing.”
Florencia accepted the glass and held out hers toward him for a toast.
He picked up the glass he had left on the table.
Clink! The clear sound of two glasses meeting rang pleasantly.
As Elion took a long drink of champagne, Florencia’s golden eyes glinted coldly.
Seeing her not drinking, Elion raised an eyebrow.
“What are you doing? Not drinking?”
“I’ll drink now. I promise—this really is my last glass.”
“Do as you like.”
Florencia downed her glass in one gulp.
Watching her empty it so cleanly, Elion shook his head.
“Is this really alright for the Saintess?”
“Shh, it’s a secret.”
“Honestly…”
Their light banter flowed as naturally as water.
Meanwhile, Rubiana—searching for her partner—spotted Elion and Florencia.
Seeing them facing each other, smiling warmly and chatting, she stopped in her tracks.
She felt she shouldn’t interrupt them.
There was no place for her between them anyway.
She knew from the original story that the two were almost each other’s only childhood friends of the same age.
From afar, they looked like they suited each other quite well.
Tch, what the heck.
She didn’t know why, but she was suddenly irritated.
No—that wasn’t true. She knew very well why.
Is it really okay for him to leave his partner’s side for this long?
Wasn’t this different from the plan they discussed in the carriage?
Since affectionate gazes couldn’t be faked easily, they had agreed to at least stay beside each other to keep up the act—had he already forgotten?
Yes. Rubiana’s irritation had a very clear reason.
She pouted and turned sharply away.
Her body moved farther from the two, but her mind was still filled with thoughts about them.
The Saintess getting close to Elion is never a good sign…
A lump of worry poked its ugly head up.
Even though the original storyline had already deviated, the way Chad looked at her with growing affection suggested the future might still follow the original after all.
Which meant the Saintess likely would extend her claws toward Elion eventually.
If so… will Elion end up addicted to mana stabilizers? Actively help the Saintess in her misdeeds so he can obtain more? Then eventually lose control and kill the crown prince?
Horrifying questions spiraled endlessly.
Her head felt like it might explode.
The scariest, cruelest question was this:
Could I… simply stand by and watch Elion fall from war hero to traitor? Could I treat him like… some stranger?
Images of him kneeling to help her up flashed through her mind.
The awkward way he’d thanked her when his fever and headaches vanished after receiving her mana.
The way he held her and sprinted through the marketplace.
And the way he had leaned in close as if to kiss her.
Thump, thump—heat rose in her chest.
At that moment—
A flash of lightning split across the night sky.
The pitch-black heavens brightened in an instant, then fell dark again.
Three seconds later—BOOOOM! BOOM! Thunder shook the air violently.
The party ended after midnight, and heavy rain was pouring from the sky.
Rubiana got into the duke’s carriage with Elion.
Like when they came, they sat side by side, not facing each other.
Their shoulders and arms touched to allow the exchange of mana.
The carriage was silent.
Both kept their mouths closed, listening quietly to the pounding rain.
Is he tired? Well, it’s his first social party, so that makes sense. Still—he sure had plenty of energy to laugh and chat with the Saintess… tch.
Rubiana glanced at Elion’s face from the corner of her eye, grumbling inwardly.
Elion, too, checked her complexion and grumbled inwardly.
She doesn’t look in a good mood. Is she sad she parted from Chad? After all that dancing and chatting…
Finally, the carriage came to a stop.
The coachman called out, announcing their arrival at Count Payson’s estate.
Already?
We got here this fast?
Both seemed slightly startled.
Now that it was time to part, a reluctant feeling rose strongly within them.
Elion finally spoke, voice subdued.
“Thank you for being my partner today.”
“I should be thanking you. It was the first time I’ve ever received so much attention at a party. It felt overwhelming, but thanks to you, I managed.”
“Good. Next time, I’ll persuade His Majesty so I won’t have to trouble you like this again.”
“No, it’s fine. If we refuse too much, he might realize we’re lying. Considering I have to fool my parents too, attending parties like this isn’t such a bad idea.”
“…Is that so? Well, if that’s what you think.”
Elion nodded.
He hoped there wouldn’t be another party, but Rubiana’s words made sense.
They didn’t need to go looking for parties—but they didn’t need to avoid them either.
“Since we exchanged mana so late tonight, maybe we should rest tomorrow. Ah—well it’s already past midnight, so technically today.”
“I was thinking the same. Then rest well.”
“You too. Goodnight.”
Right then, the door opened, and the butler appeared with an umbrella.
“Welcome home, my lady.”
Holding the butler’s hand, Rubiana stepped down quickly and hurried inside.
Even in those few seconds, half her dress became soaked.
Inside the mansion, she wiped the water off with a dry towel and looked out the window.
She watched the silhouette of the carriage tearing through the rain—and narrowed her eyes sharply.
Your Grace, aren’t you being far too sloppy for a fake lover? Even if it’s pouring, shouldn’t you at least show the minimal courtesy of escorting your ‘beloved’ inside?
Irritation bubbled up again.
The long silence in the carriage, the way he seemed reluctant about attending the party—all of it bothered her.
Especially that smile he gave the Saintess—that’s what bothers me the most!
Ahh, why am I like this again?
