Chapter : 42
I swallowed hard.
“The person I choose to accompany me is…”
The moment I opened my mouth, everyone in the room turned to look at me.
“Uh…”
Their gazes were so piercing that I almost forgot what I was going to say. Suddenly being the center of attention, I felt my mind go blank.
What if this were some kind of competition show and they said, “We’ll tell you in one minute…”?
Careful not to meet the emperor’s eyes, which were fixed on me, I asked my question.
“But exactly… what will we have to do once we get there? Like… the order of things?”
At my question, the emperor glanced at Noel. Noel flipped through the papers in front of him and spoke.
“I’ll give you a summary of the details. To put it simply, we need to obtain certain items necessary for the seal.”
What exactly were they…? Things like a lightning-struck peach tree… I had already forgotten most of it, and apparently my blank expression gave it away.
Noel looked at me, lifted the corner of his mouth slightly, and said,
“I’ll send a document listing all the necessary items to your manor.”
“Thank you.”
I smiled and bowed slightly. I could guess why they didn’t give the detailed list right away. A competition might begin to collect these items, or someone might accidentally acquire one and sell it at a high price.
In any case, you’d need both someone to provide the information on these hard-to-get items and the funds to purchase them.
“After acquiring the items, you’ll depart for the location where the Demon King is sealed on the scheduled date.”
I didn’t know where that was, but it certainly wasn’t next door… The thought of going there felt overwhelming.
If it’s where the Demon King is sealed, there will probably be lots of monsters, too.
We’ll need people capable of handling monsters.
After hearing everything, I nodded and said,
“Then I’ll decide who will accompany me once I return to the manor.”
“……”
It seemed like some disappointment showed on their faces. Would I really choose someone I didn’t even know? I chose my words carefully, keeping a soft smile.
“There are people here I’m meeting for the first time… I don’t think I can decide on the spot.”
“We’ll send you documents from each family to help with your decision, as promised,” Noel said.
He glanced at the emperor while speaking. The emperor, slightly tilted, seemed to lean toward Noel and whisper something.
Noel raised his hand slightly, and a servant by the door walked toward me carrying a small velvet cushion. On the cushion lay a small ring.
As I took the ring, the emperor spoke in a more majestic tone than before.
“I will grant Lady Weden full authority to decide who will accompany her on the path to seal the Demon King.”
Even in a low voice, there was authority behind it. So this is what an emperor feels like… I bowed my head and looked down at the ring. Its design was simpler than I expected, with a large blue gem set in it.
“Those chosen by Lady Weden must follow without question. Even if someone is not chosen, they should not harbor resentment. Lady Weden’s choice carries the same weight as the emperor’s command.”
“I will obey.”
All the heads of the families present stood and bowed. The emperor turned to Noel beside him.
“The crown prince must prioritize assisting Lady Weden in her duties above all else. The royal family will spare no support in this sealing.”
“We will obey.”
After finishing, the emperor rose and left the room.
‘Is it all over…?’
I placed the ring in the velvet pouch that came with it and sighed, still bowing slightly.
‘I’m tangled up in this after all…’
My mouth tasted bitter.
But what could I do? I could select many people to accompany me and maybe find a way to ride along without much effort… For now, I thought I should go home and organize my tasks.
“Shall we go?”
Arcas, who hadn’t spoken until now, extended his hand toward me.
“Yes.”
I took Arcas’s hand and turned around. Then, someone seated nearby greeted me.
“Hello, Lady Weden.”
“Hello, Baron Malvern.”
“And greetings to you, Lady Weden,” he added before I even had a chance to touch my skirt and respond.
“I’ve wanted to visit and greet you for some time. You’re difficult to meet… My wife sent letters several times, and she said she received replies. Do you remember?”
“Ah…”
Malvern? I think I did reply… I couldn’t remember. Smiling awkwardly would be the best approach. Just as I tried to smile and respond vaguely, Baron Malvern continued.
“We planted new flowers in the garden. They’re rare, you see. Please visit once they bloom. Oh! And this is my son. I’m embarrassed to say it, but he’s smart and quick-witted…”
Before he could finish, others lined up behind him to greet me.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Malvern Youngsik. See you next time.”
Arcas smiled, cutting off Baron Malvern’s words, and adjusted his hold on my hand. Smiling at those staring at us, hoping for conversation, we finally stepped out the door.
“What a pleasure!”
Baron Calat, who had been sitting across the table, ran so quickly toward us it was as if wheels were on his feet.
Before he could even greet, he started speaking nonstop. Are all barons in this town fast talkers?
“It’s wonderful to see you again! Truly a pleasure! You look beautiful as ever today.”
His interruption drew some displeased glances from the surrounding people.
‘Baron Calat probably has a poor reputation…’
As I glanced around, Marquis Erileon approached behind Baron Calat and gave a subtle greeting to Arcas.
Since a marquis is higher in rank than a baron, Arcas slightly bowed to Erileon while still speaking to Calat.
“Marquis Erileon, it’s been a while.”
“Lord Weden, good to see you.”
After a light handshake, Erileon glanced at me briefly and fell silent.
What’s going on?
Trying to hide my confusion with a small smile, Arcas looked slightly embarrassed and introduced me to Marquis Erileon.
“This is my sister.”
As Arcas pointed to me, I lifted my skirt slightly and bowed. Practice makes perfect.
“Selene Weden.”
Perfect etiquette, right?
Marquis Erileon smiled lightly and nodded toward me.
“I’ve heard a lot about you from Viviana. Please take care of her going forward.”
Even “please take care” had a hint of weight behind it.
Among the people at the door, Erileon seemed to have the highest rank; the others waited patiently until our greeting finished.
Then, suddenly, the crowd parted in two, creating a path. Sirinyu walked slowly through it.
Striding toward me, Sirinyu extended his hand.
“Lady, let’s go.”
Go where? To heaven?
How am I supposed to respond when someone just cuts straight to the point? I could only stare blankly.
Following Sirinyu with my gaze from arm to face, Arcas spoke for me.
“Grand Duke Rifrix, greetings. But… where do you mean?”
Sirinyu gave a look as if to say I ask strange questions.
“Lady has a prior engagement, so I thought I could accompany her.”
After he spoke, Arcas looked at me. His head turned so fast I could almost hear it whirling.
“A prior engagement? When?”
His expression said, “You’ve been home all this time, and you had a prior engagement?”
Exactly. I was hearing this for the first time too…
I tilted my head for a moment, then a small realization made me murmur.
‘Could the meal he mentioned earlier be for right now?’
When I made a knowing sound, Sirinyu laughed and waved the hand he extended toward me.
“Looks like you remember now. It’s an honor to have the chance to treat you to a meal.”
His words caused murmurs among the people around. Standing at the door, we were unintentionally blocking the way.
Feeling embarrassed and overwhelmed by the crowd surrounding us, I said to Sirinyu,
“Let’s at least talk a little first.”
