Chapter 84
“Two debts.”
“…….”
“The children saved their lives at the factory. So the Princess owes me two debts.”
Hah. At Allend’s words, Charles let out a hollow laugh.
To glare as if he would kill someone, and then bring up debts.
“So? You want me to repay them?”
“I’m not telling you to repay them twice. One time is enough.”
“……What do you want?”
“Access to the records of the First Saint that the Kingdom of Bonia is keeping.”
He had expected him to ask for information about Derachi, who was planning a rebellion.
But instead, he asked for the records of the First Saint.
Caught completely off guard by the unexpected request, Charles thought for a moment before nodding.
“……Fine. They’re in the royal treasury, so it’ll take some time to bring them out—”
“I’m not talking about that historical novel.”
Flinch.
Charles’s pupils trembled slightly as he looked at Allend.
Could it be that this man knew about the history book hidden in the underground labyrinth?
‘He might just be probing with something he heard somewhere.’
But making Charles’s thoughts meaningless, Allend stated firmly,
“The underground labyrinth that protects Kandriyan. The history book kept there. That’s the book I want to read.”
“……Kandriyan? You believe such absurd nonsense? That’s just the legendary tree that appears in the creation myth of the god Seikan. I’ve never heard of it.”
“Then I’ll find it myself. You just help from the side. That will repay the debt.”
Such a confident voice. Anyone listening would think he knew the exact location of the labyrinth.
“Where exactly are you planning to look?”
“The Royal Palace of Bonia. Beneath the fountain in the Rosebel garden.”
You know.
Charles bit down hard on his lower lip.
“……What if I say I can’t help you?”
“As expected. The Princess did know.”
“…….”
Charles fell silent.
Even while openly calling her a princess now, the man showed no intention of giving the respect fitting for it.
Allend’s cold hand hovered near Charles’s slender neck.
“Then weigh it. The Princess’s life and the records of the First Saint. Which is more valuable?”
An emperor confident that he could end her life at any moment.
Charles found him extremely displeasing.
I hope he doesn’t mistake himself for being in the superior position. After all, I have more information about the ‘Saint’ sent by the god Seikan.
“Shall I tell you one thing?”
Charles gave Allend a faint, mocking smile.
Two debts created unilaterally.
Why did he insist on making her repay them and demand to see the history book?
‘Because…’
Because the information this man desperately wanted was written in that history book.
“Why do you think Bonia built a temple for the First Saint and kept her there?”
In the past, the Kingdom of Bonia built a magnificent temple and made the First Saint spend her entire life there.
Now, after so much time has passed, it is often criticized as no different from imprisoning the Saint.
But at that time, the Kingdom of Bonia had no choice.
Because the bloodline of the Bonia royal family desired the Saint?
That might have been one reason, but it was not solely out of possessiveness.
Staring straight into the emperor’s cold eyes, Charles spoke.
“The Saint’s divine power….”
It was precious information known only to herself and Delkan, but she had to tell this man.
Only then would they be able to bring the Saint back safely later.
Although, regardless of that reason, watching the emperor’s face slowly twist after hearing her words was a small amusement of its own.
His Majesty might like me.
You might think that’s suddenly some kind of self-absorbed delusion, but it wasn’t.
My hearing—which I had neglected compared to my eyesight—finally did its job.
“……What if Your Majesty and I became each other’s family for the rest of our lives….”
When I said that, His Majesty’s heart started beating faster than usual.
Before, whenever I said something clingy like that, his heartbeat sometimes sped up as if he was angry, so I thought it was the same this time too.
But if those times were about 100 bpm, then yesterday it was around 130 bpm…!
Still, I wasn’t completely sure.
He might have just gotten really angry at the word family.
‘Should I check…?’
I couldn’t ignore the strong feeling I had.
A feeling that I would regret it if I didn’t check right now!
So before His Majesty left, I blurted it out.
“Your Majesty, I really like you.”
Thump.
His face looked completely unmoved.
“In a romantic way.”
Thump-thump (thump), thump-thump (thump), thump-thump (thump).
Matching my own heart, which was beating as if it might burst, this doubled sound was—!
Of course, my heart was beating even more wildly, but His Majesty’s heart wasn’t calm either.
If that’s the heartbeat of someone who’s angry, then I’ll quit being a fan of His Majesty.
“Ugh. What is this gap….”
How many people could imagine that beneath that unbelievably indifferent handsome face, his heart was beating like that?
If it were me, I would’ve already confessed and made a huge fuss.
I have to admit His Majesty’s acting skills.
How can he hide it like that?
How can he hide that…
“Hoo… hehe….”
I buried my face in a cushion but couldn’t stop the laughter leaking out.
His Majesty…
Me…
Me!
“I think he likes me! What should I do, seriously!”
“Pyu, pyu!”
Startled, Pyu rolled off the sofa.
I sprang up from the couch and wandered all around the room.
There was no way I could sit still in one place.
‘It was mutual!’
It wasn’t just me who liked him!
Ugh. Just thinking about it is too much for my heart.
I clutched my chest and sat down on a chair by the nearby tea table.
…What should I do now?
‘Should I seduce him?’
Wait, what kind of bold thing is that to say…! After already being rejected several times!
Aaaah.
Just like the hair getting tangled in my hands, my thoughts became a complete mess.
‘But honestly, seriously speaking.’
Aren’t His Majesty and I already in a fake relationship right now? Isn’t this the perfect chance, the opportunity of a lifetime or something?
And it’s mutual!
Wouldn’t it be okay to at least try to make it work?
“Life is all about timing, they say.”
Loving His Majesty alone forever wouldn’t be bad.
But isn’t this a chance for both of us to be happy?
It’s not like His Majesty would date me against his will just because I tried to seduce him.
Maybe it’s okay to give it my all.
Maybe it’s okay to try seducing him.
Should I try…!
“Your Majesty.”
Looking at my reflection in the mirror, I winked.
“Shall we date?”
“No.”
Showen drew an X in the air with the fork he was holding.
“Liri, you’re really planning the outing schedule like this? Do you want to get scolded by Seonju-nim?”
Showen and I were sitting at an open-air café in the plaza.
Yesterday, while I was agonizing all day over whether or not to seduce His Majesty, a letter arrived for Liri.
The sender was Showen.
He said he’d treat me and asked when I had time.
Thinking perfect timing, I immediately suggested we meet.
“Why? Isn’t it perfect?”
Well, I wasn’t planning to suddenly demand that His Majesty date me.
Wouldn’t it be better to successfully finish the date we already had planned first…!
So I asked Showen to look over the date schedule I had made.
“What perfect? There’s no time to rest from dawn to midnight. Watching the sunrise while making a wish, packing lunch for a morning picnic, watching a play and going to a café, shopping, lunch at a restaurant, horseback riding, snacks, a lakeside walk, watching the sunset… Hey, Seonju-nim is going to run away.”
I was getting harshly criticized.
Hearing it like this, it really did sound like a one-day package tour.
Alright, I admit it. I got too greedy.
I don’t know when I’ll have to enter the Temple of Nisephorel, and I wanted His Majesty to spend a fulfilling day, so I ended up…
Showen handed my plan back.
“If you pick just a quarter of this and make a schedule, it’ll be fine.”
“Oh, as expected from my one and only friend.”
“Why am I your only friend?”
Even as he said that, Showen looked secretly pleased.
Actually, I used to have another friend…
But once they found out I was the Saint, they left. Sob.
‘Showen doesn’t know I’m the Saint either.’
Would he try to distance himself from me if he found out too?
Pretending it was nothing, I stirred my drink with the straw and casually spoke.
“Showen, actually, I’m the Saint.”
“What are you talking about? Then I’m actually the Emperor.”
…Seriously?
“You’re not.”
“Neither are you.”
Starting with that impulsive remark, we ended up having a small argument while accusing each other of impersonation.
For me, maybe—but why was Showen getting so worked up?
“……You joined what?”
“The Saint Church.”
To think I’d hear the name of that suspicious group we discovered during the love-potion incident from Showen’s mouth.
While I hadn’t seen him, Showen had become a fan. No, being a fan is fine, but isn’t it a bit much when the target is me…!
I looked at Showen with pity.
“How did that happen….”
“Amazing, right? I’m amazed too. It’s really hard to get in there, but I managed to join.”
Why was he so proud of it…?
He looked like a country dog proudly returning with a stick it had picked up.
What could I even do for Showen at this point? I might as well clap.
“Uh… yeah. Congratulations, Showen.”
“So anyway, don’t go around pretending to be the Saint somewhere. You’ll get into big trouble.”
“Why?”
“Why? Because people here are serious about the Saint.”
Showen clicked his tongue and muttered to himself,
“Everyone here is crazy about the Saint.”
Then he glanced at me and leaned forward, like someone whose mouth was itching to talk.
“Do you know about Valentine chocolates?”
After revealing his fan identity, Showen became an unrestrained fan and started telling the story of his Valentine chocolate expedition.
Apparently, the Valentine chocolates that had already been given out had become popular as Saint merchandise.
Some blacksmith shop was even selling storage boxes with sacred stones attached so they could be preserved forever.
Showen had even spent his entire salary from a job arranged by his relatives just to buy one.
“When I die, I’m going to ask them to put it in my grave with me.”
He was hopeless. Now there was nothing in his head but me.
Embarrassed, I soothed my burning throat with orange juice.
“Showen, you might regret it later.”
And I expressed my condolences to Showen for the unfortunate future that might come someday.
Even though Showen just snorted and said, “What are you talking about?”
“……I warned you.”
I told you I’m the Saint. I really did tell you, Showen….
