Chapter : 31
“Have you already finished interpreting the old book?”
Noel smiled faintly, lifting his eyes from the paper to look at me.
Gulp.
The paper he was holding contained the notes I had jotted down before neatly preparing the document to give to Sirinew. I had stuffed it away, thinking no one would see it—but now it had suddenly appeared.
I quickly glanced at Sirinew. He was slowly blinking, watching Noel.
Seeing my anxious hesitation, Noel smiled cheerfully and said,
“Then there’s no need to discuss this further. Shall we have dessert on the way?”
“Eh?”
I blurted out something foolish, unable to hide my surprise. Noel curled his hand into a circle in front of his mouth and let out a soft laugh.
“Let’s pick something you can have while we go.”
Noel stood and came over to my side, and Sirinew, who had been lounging comfortably, lifted his body from the chair backrest and said,
“What are you doing right now?”
Noel turned his body toward Sirinew and shrugged his shoulders.
“Oh? You don’t know? Of course, now that the old book has been interpreted, we’re taking Miss Selene to the Imperial Palace.”
Sirinew let out a cold laugh, incredulous.
“I asked because it seemed absurd. I half-wondered if you were really going to take her.”
“Really? I apologize if I overstepped, Your Highness. You seem to know little outside of hunting monsters.”
The two of them stared intently at each other.
This time, as if not wanting to end in a battle of wills, Noel spoke again.
“Miss Selene is a citizen of the Empire. Moreover, she’s on a mission assigned by His Majesty the Emperor. Surely it’s only right to bring her to the Imperial Palace?”
Sirinew immediately countered without yielding.
“When it comes to monsters, His Majesty has already entrusted the Lepricks family. Furthermore, this old book belongs to the Lepricks family; anyone who enters the Lepricks estate is their responsibility.”
While I was caught in the tension of their heated debate, Arkas, who had been quiet until now, suddenly spoke up.
“Excuse me, but Sel is a member of the Weden family. If there’s more to discuss, I’ll hear it first.”
Noel’s eyes widened at Arkas’s sudden interjection.
“Miss Selene is not a child. Whatever needs to be done, we should hear it directly from her.”
Noel pointed at a section of the paper with a straight finger.
The Prophet family.
Noel tapped the paper lightly as he looked around at everyone.
“I see the words ‘Prophet family’ here. So we’re looking for them, right?”
“……”
“No matter how great Your Highness is, I heard there’s almost no contact with other families connected to the Prophet family… How do you intend to find them?”
It didn’t seem entirely wrong. My eyes flitted from one person to another. After all, I might have had to wait indefinitely until the Prophet family could be located.
When Sirinew stayed silent, Noel continued speaking.
“The Imperial Palace should be able to find out quickly. They’ll provide any funds needed for prophecy as well.”
As Noel reached out his hand toward me, I heard Sirinew’s voice.
“Then you’ll handle the monster hunting at the palace as well. The Lepricks family will step back.”
Noel’s expression instantly stiffened. He raised the corners of his mouth slightly, looking at Sirinew.
I felt as if the tart I had just eaten was pressing down on me—a suffocating silence.
What… should I do?
I had thought that once the old book was decoded, everything would be over. I cautiously rolled my eyes around the room.
‘I thought everything would be finished once I interpreted the old book…’
I cursed the paper that flew over, cursed Arkas for picking up the book, and cursed myself for just slipping the paper into it.
Seeing Noel and Sirinew staring coldly at each other, and Arkas standing there, I felt I had to say something.
I hated being involved in such affairs, but there was no choice.
‘Let’s resolve this quickly and return quickly…’
I slowly raised my hand. The three men, who had been glaring at each other, turned their attention toward me.
Having three handsome men staring at me at once made my face flush. I swallowed hard and spoke.
“How about we do it this way?”
Noel, who had been standing, sat down next to me and spoke softly.
“Do you have a good suggestion, Miss Selene? I’d love to hear it. Please, tell us anything.”
“First, can you find the Prophet family at the Imperial Palace? And provide the necessary funds as well?”
I had to ask about the money before anything else. My eyes sparkled as I looked at Noel, and he returned a smile as bright as sunlight.
“Of course. It’ll take a little effort, but it won’t be too late.”
I nodded and looked at Sirinew, who looked displeased.
“Your Highness, you need to be there to hunt the monsters, right?”
Sirinew raised an eyebrow slightly at my question.
“You already saw it, didn’t you?”
Having finished my mental task assignment, I lightly clapped my hands to grab everyone’s attention.
“First, Your Highness, please look into the Prophet family.”
“Very well.”
“And Your Grace, I ask that you hunt the monsters within reason.”
“Hmph. I always do that anyway.”
It was my turn to say what I was least willing to. I let out a small sigh and began.
“Please tell me the location, and once the monsters are taken care of, I’ll go alone.”
After I spoke, the table fell into a momentary silence, decorated with the three men’s bewildered expressions. I carefully explained my reasoning.
“I could interpret the old book myself, so I might need to speak in words only I understand. If the others take on the important tasks, then I…”
I really didn’t want to go, but since it had to be done, I thought meeting the Prophet could help me understand why the old book had Korean letters and superstitions only I knew.
Everyone else would handle their tasks, but I couldn’t do nothing. After causing trouble for Sirinew last time, I didn’t want to be a burden anymore. I figured it would be easier to just do it alone.
“If they’re a prophet, they should know what will happen in the future, right?”
Then I could ask whether I’d return home safely. This time, I’d make sure everything was done before stepping out.
I looked around at the three men with determination.
Of course, I couldn’t help my voice trailing off at the end…
Seeing that, Noel smiled gently at me.
“Miss Selene, it’s wonderful that you want to help, but going alone is dangerous.”
“It’s okay! I can take a carriage to the location, and I’ll be well prepared this time.”
As I straightened my shoulders and spoke, Sirinew rose from his chair.
“No. We agreed to go together.”
I really wanted to, but…
“Your Highness has duties. I’m truly fine on my own.”
“You said we’d go together?”
While Noel looked surprised, Arkas, sitting beside me, seemed full of things he wanted to say but couldn’t.
“According to the old book, time isn’t on our side.”
“But…”
I stood up, lifting my skirt slightly.
“Then, with that settled, I’ll go pack my things.”
The three men hurriedly stood as I headed toward my room. They followed behind me like dried fish tied in a string. I grabbed the doorknob and looked back at them.
“I… still need to change clothes and pack. How far do you plan to follow me?”
Noel shrugged as if he had no choice, then spoke.
“Very well. Then we’ll escort you to the mansion.”
I closed the door after safely entering my room and let out a sigh. Maybe I had taken on something unnecessary, but I didn’t want to watch them bicker endlessly.
‘I can do this, right?’
I opened and closed my eyes deliberately, shaking my head firmly. I wouldn’t be careless this time; I’d be fully prepared.
I can do this on my own!
Certainly,
I thought I could handle it on my own.
How did it come to this?
I dragged my trembling legs along the dirt path, which could barely be called a road.
Thankfully, I wore something like a light riding outfit. If I had been in my usual dress, it would have been ruined.
As I gasped for breath, a hand suddenly shot out beside me.
“You’re not used to exerting yourself. That’s why your stamina is so low.”
He spoke coldly, but his hand waved up and down. A sign to grab it? I glanced at him, and then a large gloved hand appeared on the other side.
The owner of the hand smiled brightly and said,
“You’re a noble lady, so you might not be used to the mountains. I’m here for that. Now, take my hand.”
The forested mountain path let sunlight in only through the leaves, but both of them seemed to shine from their faces, making it dazzling to look at them directly.
‘Which hand should I hold…?’
