~ Chapter : 29 ~
‘This is so embarrassing.’
“It’s not your fault, Your Highness. I’m not angry at all. I’m truly feeling fine now.”
Although she knew they were close, Ritia had expected him to maintain some formal distance. That, however, was her misjudgment.
His kindness went beyond friendship; if one wasn’t careful, it could easily be mistaken for romantic affection. She had been silently rehearsing proper etiquette in her mind on the way here, yet she still felt flustered.
The Crown Prince finally pulled back slightly and let out a small chuckle.
“You’re still all about etiquette, huh? Are you really feeling all right? I heard you’ve been attending to public service. I was so worried.”
“…I’m much better now. Thanks to your concern, I recovered quickly. How have you been?”
She knew at least one thing for certain: from the moment he became Crown Prince, Ritia had drawn a strict line in how she interacted with him. Even if he didn’t know her true feelings, it seemed like the proper thing to do toward the future emperor.
“Couldn’t have been well. I told you to speak casually when we were alone, remember?”
“You still have so many eyes watching.”
The Crown Prince looked a little regretful, but also as if he couldn’t help it.
Isian Biaertimo Agos.
According to the original records, he was said to be the only royal born with both the symbolic blonde hair and golden eyes of the royal family. On top of that, he was considered one of the most handsome among them—and the description was spot-on. His prominent nose stood out against the lighter tones of his face, and there was a tiny beauty mark beneath his left eye.
He gave off an overall warm impression, free of coldness, and coupled with his kind demeanor that rarely lost its temper, it was no wonder he was popular.
Ritia couldn’t know how he expressed anger, but seeing his face, she could begin to understand why young noblewomen, including Loa Cavendish, felt compelled to be wary of him.
Looking at him, he seemed to have a completely different aura than Caliph.
‘Why does he remind me of that man…’
Ritia quickly tried to push Caliph’s face from her mind.
“Your stubbornness… it’s good to hear you’re doing well. I went to the duke’s house several times but couldn’t see you. Come on, I’ve prepared the things you like.”
“Thank you. I should have come to see you first.”
“You keep saying that.”
Smiling, Isian led her along, and as Ritia clutched her dress to walk, she suddenly felt a finger slip through the fabric.
Huh? Ritia paused.
She had changed into a different dress after the cat had torn her previous one.
When the cat jumped up and interfered with her dressing, she had taken it into the bedroom, but apparently, it had made a hole in the dress in the meantime.
When exactly did this happen? Then she realized—it was that brief moment. In that short span, the cat had managed to make a hole.
“Sigh…”
That damn cat. Cute face, but a complete troublemaker. She had told the maid it was fine to use another dress, but to avoid further delay, she had just worn it.
“Why? Are you not feeling well?”
Isian stopped walking and asked her with a worried look.
Ritia shook her head hastily. There was no turning back now.
“No, it’s nothing.”
Why did all black things around her seem intent on tormenting her? The black fur immediately reminded her of Caliph, and the behavior felt similar too. Fortunately, the hole was small enough for just a finger or two, so Ritia pinched the torn part and continued walking briskly.
“These days, you’ve really been busy.”
“Me? I haven’t done much…”
“That can’t be. The rumors said you were practically Tenia itself.”
The faint aroma of bitter black tea drifted through the air. Ritia smiled wryly, thinking Isian’s words sounded exaggerated.
“No way. I actually thought you might be too busy to meet.”
“Things have been a little unsettled lately, right? But I can always make time to meet you. You’d probably complain that it’s too much if I said that, huh?”
“What can I do?”
“No, it’s fine. I’d rather have a little nagging.”
Isian stopped speaking, and Ritia let out a small, bitter laugh.
Part of her felt a little sour. She wondered if it was the tea, but then, with Isian being so warm and close, she felt almost out of place, like she shouldn’t be there.
“Here’s something you like.”
Isian offered Ritia a gateau chocolat topped with a single cherry.
“Thank you.”
The atmosphere was awkward. To break the silence, Ritia deliberately picked up her fork and took a bite, but she couldn’t fully enjoy it.
With Isian staring intently at her, she couldn’t tell if the cake went in through her mouth or nose.
Finally, Ritia reluctantly put down the fork and raised her head.
“Do you have something you want to say?”
Isian flinched.
“Huh? No… I mean… it feels like it’s been so long since we last met.”
“Ah… yes, that’s true.”
Ritia lowered her gaze again, but Isian’s eyes remained fixed on her. Clearly, he had something to say. She lifted her head once more.
“If you have something to say, you can say it freely.”
“Just… I don’t know if it’s right for me to say this…”
“…”
“You really changed your mind because you wanted to, right?”
“You mean about becoming Tenia?”
“…Yes. I always felt you carried a burden. You didn’t say it, but that’s how I felt.”
Ritia hesitated for a moment.
He had seen it clearly—the burden. And because of that burden, and the harassment she endured, this whole mess happened.
“I did change my mind because I wanted to. Hiding wouldn’t solve anything. Once I firmly made up my mind, it wasn’t so difficult after all. So…”
“…”
“I’m doing this because I want to, Your Highness. So you don’t need to worry anymore.”
Ritia drew a faint line in the air with her words. Isian was silent for a moment, then smoothly lifted the corner of his mouth.
“Alright. If it’s what you want, then I can be at ease.”
“But everything has been paused, so I don’t know what will happen from now on. You’re busy because of that too, aren’t you, Your Highness?”
“Oh, that. It should be resolved soon. The cracks have mostly been sealed, so things will resume shortly.”
“That’s a relief.”
“Since the oracle decreed that Tenia must be chosen, we can’t delay any longer. We’re finding the safest way, so don’t worry. You’ll receive a notice soon as well. Honestly, I thought you’d be happy the ceremony was postponed.”
“Me?”
“The feast… you don’t really like it, right?”
Isian smirked.
“Well… yes, but still…”
Ritia couldn’t deny it. She had never understood the idea of holding feasts for a month straight. Isian gently hinted that the matter would be discussed in the Main Temple within a week. Words from the Crown Prince himself were certainly trustworthy.
A week. It sounded like a week, but it felt like it would be here in no time.
Three days had passed since Ritia met the Crown Prince and heard from him.
There were no restrictions or inconveniences in going out, but because her important schedule had been halted, Ritia had no choice but to wait for the decision from the royal court and the temple.
But she couldn’t waste time. Ritia went to the temple and practiced using her holy power, granting purification and blessings to those who came.
The engraved markings that had caused pain and heat at odd times now seemed fully settled, causing no further discomfort.
However, on days she used a lot of holy power, the marks would faintly heat up and glow. Fortunately, the markings never revealed themselves uncontrollably, so she always guarded her shoulders when using a lot of power.
A few more days passed. In that time, two more cracks appeared, but fortunately, the emerging monsters were quickly dealt with, so travel was still possible.
However, cracks began appearing more frequently in other areas as well, so maintenance was underway for safety.
According to Emilia, such incidents had occurred before. It happened regularly every five to six years due to the accumulation of magical power in the land, requiring large-scale purification.
At such times, she found that Ob had been involved in resolving things alongside them. Opinions differed, though—some said it was necessary cooperation, while others claimed Ob’s dark power caused it, and they were held accountable.
Then, exactly one week after Isian’s words, a summons arrived from the Main Temple.
Ritia headed to the Main Temple first thing in the morning at the royal summons.
“Even two days ago, the Master didn’t say anything to the lady. The Crown Prince was right after all.”
“Seems like something must have been decided in the meantime.”
She had said it couldn’t be delayed any longer. Isian had been right.
In the Main Temple’s conference hall, all five Tenia candidates had gathered before the chief temple officials arrived.
Loa Cavendish, Jamil Robert, Judith Savoia, Mizella Plant, and Ritia Eulunie Bellus Mont.
Ritia was separated, as if completely isolated from the others.
Soon, the chief temple official arrived, followed by the priests, filling the hall.
