Chapter – 70
Dee wanted to flip the table and tell him to forget everything, but the subtle fragrance was just too good. She accepted the lidded wooden cup Julian handed her. Julian said,
“Most of the alcohol evaporated anyway, so there’s barely any left. It’s basically just a drink.”
Dee opened the lid, took a deep breath of the scent, and drank a sip. The warmth melted her frozen body, and she felt like it was Christmas.
“It tastes like something that makes you feel better…”
When she murmured this, both men looked at her with expressions as if their moods were lifted as well. Then Kyle frowned.
“Ah, there it is again.”
Julian immediately picked up on it.
“Déjà vu again?”
“Yeah. Weirdly, ever since we arrived at your place, it keeps happening.”
“Something from your past life, maybe?”
“…Maybe.”
Kyle nodded, half joking. Julian poured something strong—something that definitely looked alcoholic—into Kyle’s cup.
“You’re probably just exhausted, so drink and sleep well on the way. This one’s for adults.”
“Oh, thanks.”
As the two kept teasing her, Dee trembled in indignation.
“Just wait until my birthday passes next year. I’m gonna get absolutely wasted and mess up the entire West Temple.”
“No.”
Kyle said firmly, and Dee glared.
“The West Temple is my area, Your Highness.”
“And that ‘your area’ is still inside my palace, Shrine Maiden Diana.”
“Fine, then you don’t drink either.”
“That’s unreasonable.”
As the two started bickering childishly, Julian crossed his arms and said with concern,
“Can I really entrust Peyton to people like you? I’m incredibly worried.”
“…”
“It seems like I’m the only one worrying about this country, so I’ll just accept that I’m the only adult here.”
At Julian’s words, both fell silent. Satisfied, Julian started the carriage.
Even after they set off, Dee stared out the window for a while. Julian waved for a long time.
Dee closed the curtains and turned to Kyle.
“By the way, you’re really soft around Julian. And strangely, he doesn’t seem scared of you at all.”
“Well… I don’t know, I’ve always found him… kind of scary.”
“Huh?”
“I just get this feeling that I shouldn’t treat him carelessly. His whole family is a bit uncomfortable.”
“I think they’re nice people.”
Thanks to a bit of alcohol, the two nodded off in the carriage and soon arrived at the capital where the royal palace was.
Back at the Capital
After getting off the carriage, Kyle headed straight to his office, claiming he was behind on work.
Hugging her pumpkin pie box, Dee headed to the West Temple.
Strangely, Kyle’s words from earlier kept circling in her mind. Déjà vu… that he kept getting déjà vu.
She furrowed her brows, deep in thought.
She was so distracted that she didn’t notice how unusually quiet the West Temple was as she entered.
Her eyes widened the moment she stepped inside.
Jason was sitting in front of the reception table. He waved casually.
“You’re here?”
“Jason.”
“Your kids are with my men.”
“What? You kidnapped my kids?”
“They’ll be released soon. To be precise, you’re the one being kidnapped.”
“You jerk.”
Dee grumbled, then flinched and hugged her box tightly.
“Not the pie! I’m sharing it with Amila!”
“…You can have that.”
“Really? You’re unexpectedly decent.”
Relieved he wouldn’t steal the pie, she placed the box down carelessly and sat in a chair—completely unguarded.
Jason let out a disbelieving laugh and leaned toward her.
“Try being a little tense, Shrine Maiden.”
“You came here because you wanted to ask something, right? Someone aiming to be the next emperor wouldn’t kill me.”
“Wow. You’re really fearless.”
Jason sounded genuinely amazed.
A moment later, two of Jason’s subordinates came out from Dee’s bedroom with Wies carrying Stephanie and Ritader.
Seeing the frightened faces of the two, Dee finally felt a flicker of tension—but she didn’t show it. Jason noticing she was easily scared would only encourage him to escalate.
Dee said boldly,
“Kyle will come soon anyway. He’s quick to notice.”
“I know. Speaking of, I thought he was basically a non-believer, but why are the guards around the West Temple so tight?”
“What do you want to know?”
“You’re the medium who started the rumor that Cyan Clayce is alive, right?”
Jason asked bluntly, and Dee jumped.
“No?”
“Don’t lie so calmly.”
“I’m not lying! Wait—Cyan is alive? Really?!”
“…Are you really going to keep this up?”
“I’m not ‘keeping it up’! Where did that rumor start? I’ve never heard it.”
Jason hadn’t expected her to bluff this well—especially in a threatening situation like this. He had momentarily forgotten she wasn’t as naïve as normal Peyton citizens.
As he wondered how to corner her, Dee asked casually,
“Jason, want me to read your palm? Free of charge.”
Jason narrowed his eyes.
“Palm reading? How many abilities do you even have?”
“They say people who are skilled at ten things can’t make money. That’s why I’m underpaid.”
Dee only needed to stall for time until Kyle arrived.
And she definitely couldn’t admit to starting the Cyan rumor; he might kill her right there.
Dee slowly pulled Jason’s hand toward her.
“Give me your hand. What do you want to know?”
“…Wealth.”
“Hah. Typical of you.”
Fortunately, Dee really did know a bit of palm reading—thanks to Kim Seonnyeo the con-artist, who had taught her at least that much.
Tracing his palm, Dee said:
“This is your wealth line.”
“Don’t tickle me. It feels weird.”
“Take it seriously, or it’ll bring bad energy.”
Her serious expression made Jason unintentionally match her seriousness.
“So? Am I going to make a lot of money?”
“Seems fine. Ah, but if you act up, you’ll die early.”
“…What.”
“You need to live with a kind heart. You were born a rotten guy.”
“…Do you have anything positive to say?”
“No. Palm readings are basically all negative.”
She made it up on the spot—but she was still angry he had scared Stephanie and Ritader.
‘Scaring my babies… I’ll get revenge for this, you bastard…’
Determined, Dee suddenly looked like she was about to cry.
“Jason… you’re the opposite of Kyle.”
“In what way?”
“I shouldn’t say this. You’ll be hurt.”
She hesitated bashfully. Jason stared at her—this shrine maiden, who was nowhere near innocent, could shockingly look pure when she acted shy.
He coaxed,
“Just tell me.”
“Well… you see… you’re popular, but your stamina is weak.”
“…What?”
Jason’s pupils shook like an earthquake.
Dee spoke firmly, as if stating a tragic truth.
“Very weak.”
“Stop emphasizing it!”
Jason turned frantically to Stephanie, Ritader, and Wies.
“No, no! She’s wrong! You all know she’s a scammer, right?!”
Stephanie, who had been terrified moments ago, suddenly changed expression—like a zealot possessed. She pointed at Jason.
“Our Shrine Maiden would never be wrong! If she says your stamina is weak, then it is weak!”
“What kind of priest talks like—”
“WEAK!”
“No! No—there’s no way to prove this—!”
As Jason suffered in despair, Dee released his hand, placed both of hers on her lap, and asked sympathetically,
“Want a talisman? Put it under your pillow, and your stamina will improve.”
“Don’t try to profit from this. And isn’t this sexual harassment?”
“What? Who on earth sexually harasses a kidnapper? It’s just what your palm says! I even feel bad, offering you a talisman!”
“STOP calling me pitiful! I’m not!”
Sighing deeply, he motioned for his men to release Stephanie and Ritader. Then he covered his face with his hands.
“I can’t believe how annoying this is…”
“You realized just now? Took you long enough.”
Dee patted his shoulder sympathetically. He grumbled,
“I just wanted to talk to you, but Kyle keeps blocking me from coming to the palace. I had no choice but to sneak in.”
“And your solution was kidnapping? You’re always so extreme.”
“And you’re always lying.”
“Don’t dodge the palm reading. Palms don’t lie.”
Dee said with mystical authority, and Jason looked ready to lose his mind.
Dee nervously glanced toward the door. She acted fearless, but sitting alone with the most unpredictable man in this world was exhausting.
Jason grabbed her chin and turned her face toward him.
“He’ll come get you soon anyway. Until then, can’t you focus on me?”
“Are you affection-starved?”
“Overabundant.”
“Fine. What do you want to ask?”
Jason looked into her light-green eyes.
“First, why did you spread that rumor?”
“I said I didn’t.”
“But you did. Why do you think Cyan is alive?”
He wasn’t someone who could be fooled easily. And with his men, Stephanie, and Ritader here, depending on what she said, their lives could be endangered too.
There was delight in his voice—a chilling delight.
Dee steeled herself.
She took a long moment to think.
Jason watched her with that sly, relaxed gaze that only made him more frightening.
Dee said calmly,
“If you don’t send Stephanie and Ritader outside, I’m not saying a word.”
“Won’t you be scared if it’s just us?”
“I can’t risk their lives.”
“You’re seriously fearless.”
Jason waved his hand, and his men escorted the two outside. Stephanie sniffled.
“Shrine Maiden, you must survive…”
Ritader replied boldly,
“Stephanie, what are you talking about? Our Shrine Maiden can handle something like this easily!”
“Well, yes, but…”
‘Yeah right. These brats are totally ready to abandon me…’
