Chapter 81
Could it be… does she know that I snuck into the temple?
But the words that came out of Prillien’s mouth were something completely unexpected.
“I heard the reason you couldn’t attend the banquet was because you were fighting against demonic beasts…! Good heavens, by the grace of Prinis. To think such a thing had happened.”
‘…She’s already become one of them.’
That “by the grace of Prinis” exclamation—Elisia thought it was just a cultural expression used by people here. Yet Prillien, who hadn’t been here long, used it so naturally. Was it something she picked up instinctively as a saintess, or just something she learned from constantly being surrounded by the clergy?
While Elisia was thinking about this, Prillien continued.
“While demonic beasts were invading the kingdom, I was busy enjoying a banquet without even knowing… I can hardly lift my head from shame. Why am I always so useless?”
Prillien lowered her head, her voice sorrowful. She either didn’t care about the eyes watching her, or perhaps she’d bottled up so much that now it was spilling out in a rush.
“Lady Elisia, do you know how foolish I was? I even thought maybe you were angry at me—that’s why you didn’t come! Even though I sent you a letter, and you didn’t show up, I worried myself sick over it…”
“Excuse me.”
Elisia cut in, interrupting Prillien’s rambling. Something had been bothering her for a while now.
“Why would I be angry with you, Saintess?”
“Eh? Well…”
Prillien’s eyes darted between Leonar and Elisia, gauging their reactions. Leonar had been watching silently with a neutral face, showing no signs of stepping in. Instead, Prillien spoke again.
“I heard His Highness and Lady Semperion usually attended as partners. I wondered if I was intruding between you two…”
“If that’s what you mean, you don’t need to worry at all.”
Elisia answered lightly. She hadn’t expected Prillien to still be clinging to that misunderstanding, especially after sending her a letter of reassurance last time. Elisia turned to Leonar with a smile.
“Isn’t that right, Your Highness? We aren’t anything like that. I was the one who turned down the partner arrangement last time. Isn’t that so?”
With the person himself here, clearing up the misunderstanding would be easy. Thank goodness.
Elisia looked into Leonar’s eyes, waiting for him to back her up. After a pause, he answered.
“Not… entirely.”
“…What?”
“…?”
Elisia’s brows shot up in surprise. Even Howell and the Duke, who had been quietly observing, grew grim. Leonar spoke gently.
“Still, it’s true that you and I partnered together before. If you dismiss it that bluntly, it feels a little cold, doesn’t it?”
“…Ah, haha… If that hurt your feelings, I apologize.”
Elisia forced a polite, hollow smile. Indeed, bringing up the fact that she was the one who rejected him could have been a blow to the Crown Prince’s pride. Perhaps it wasn’t the most delicate topic.
While Elisia was carefully gauging his mood, Leonar spoke again.
“But Elly, aren’t you curious why I came here?”
“…Pardon?”
“You’ve been talking with the Saintess this whole time. I know we’re surrounded by watchful eyes, but did you have to ignore me so much?”
“…Excuse me?”
‘What on earth is he saying now?’
Elisia forced her lips into a strained smile to keep her expression from crumbling. To anyone listening, his words would sound terribly misleading—like she and the Crown Prince had a close, private relationship.
Sure enough, Howell was glaring daggers at her, eager to seize on any slip-up. Even Prillien was staring back and forth between them in shock. Leonar, however, went on with a warm smile as if everything made perfect sense.
“But I understand, Elly. I was the one at fault first. I was so busy that I couldn’t even visit you while you were ill. Think of today’s visit as my apology.”
At his signal, palace servants appeared and set down several boxes.
“That hair ornament from last time was far too modest, wasn’t it? I’d wanted to give you these, but they took time to prepare.”
“…These are…”
Elisia reluctantly peeked inside the first box.
It contained protective gear—armor for knights to wear in battle. But unlike ordinary armor, it was lavishly adorned with gold leaf and jewels.
‘Isn’t this… excessive?’
Not only did she have no need for such equipment, but armor decorated with jewels was hardly practical. Did he mean it as decoration, or did he actually expect her to wear it?
“I know you don’t like wearing armor. But when I heard you’d fought demonic beasts again, my heart nearly stopped from worry.”
‘Did it really, though?’
With that smiling face, it was impossible to tell if his concern was genuine. Leonar chuckled softly, amused by her twitching brow.
“You really don’t like armor, I see. Well, the next gift I chose much more carefully—I hope you’ll accept it.”
When the next box opened, Elisia’s eyes widened.
‘He’s giving me that?’
Item: Burning Surge
Attack Power: +50
Durability: 700
A legendary sword passed down as one of the Imperial treasures.
Well maintained.
It was a dazzling sword studded with red gemstones—the very blade she’d once sparred with during training with the Crown Prince.
‘Does he even understand how valuable this is?’
Back then, she’d pretended she picked it only for its durability, but in truth she’d considered many other factors. As the description said, this was not just any weapon—it was a royal treasure, known only to a few.
‘Did he give it knowingly? Or is this the kind of thing the Crown Prince considers nothing?’
As Elisia hesitated too long, Leonar spoke.
“What, don’t like it? It took quite some time to arrange its release from the treasury.”
“No, thank you. I’m just not sure if it’s really appropriate for me to receive this…”
“It’s nothing. And someone of your caliber shouldn’t be without a proper sword.”
“…!”
At those words, Howell visibly stiffened. The Duke’s face was shadowed, unreadable. Elisia glanced between the sword and the Prince.
‘…I suppose it’s fine to accept?’
Armor she could do without, but refusing the sword might seem rude. Since even her family didn’t object, she inclined her head.
“Thank you, Your Highness. I appreciate your consideration.”
“It’s nothing. If anything, I should apologize more for not visiting you while you were recovering. And as the hero who’s fought back the beasts multiple times, you deserve far more than this.”
Leonar smiled in satisfaction, then rose smoothly to his feet.
“Then I’ll take my leave for now. But let’s meet again soon, Elly. Come to the palace anytime—I’ll be waiting.”
And just like that, he left, as though that had been his sole purpose: to deliver gifts and check in on her.
As he departed, the suffocating pressure from Howell and the Duke eased slightly. Elisia let out a quiet sigh of relief, when Prillien whispered timidly.
“As I thought… His Highness truly cherishes you.”
Her face was once again small and anxious. Elisia shook her head firmly at the mounting misunderstanding.
‘I specifically said we weren’t like that, so why did the Crown Prince butt in at that exact moment…’
It was troublesome, but clearing the air came first. In a calm tone, she explained,
“No, it’s not the kind of relationship you’re imagining, Saintess. In fact, His Highness wasn’t even supposed to be my partner for the banquet.”
So she needn’t worry about having “stolen” anyone’s partner. Prillien blinked in surprise.
“Really? Then who was it supposed to be?”
“Sir Finn Ende.”
“Ah! The one who came to heal me that time?”
For just a moment, something flickered in Prillien’s eyes. She soon relaxed, speaking with relief.
“I see. I didn’t know… I truly know so little. Just like with this whole matter.”
With a heavy sigh, she suddenly raised her head and asked,
“Come to think of it, how did you know the exact place where the beasts would appear? Even I wasn’t aware.”
Elisia froze. That was… a sharp question. If even the Saintess hadn’t known, how had Elisia?
Keeping her voice steady, she replied,
“Well, I was secretly following my father. I had no idea beasts would appear there. Perhaps the higher-ups had intelligence beforehand?”
“….”
She glanced at the Duke, expecting him to cut in. But he stayed silent, listening intently, his expression unreadable. Almost as if… waiting for something.
‘Is he testing the waters?’
The silence stretched, until at last the Duke spoke.
“Yes. There was intelligence.”
“…!”
He looked straight at Prillien.
“It came from the temple.”
“What?”
Prillien gasped, turning to him. The Duke added,
“Strange that you’re surprised. As the Saintess, I assumed you’d be aware of temple affairs.”
Though he smiled, his words carried sharp edges, veiled steel beneath the velvet tone.
“Please refrain from such insolence.”
A sharp voice cut in—it was one of the female clerics who had been quietly shadowing Prillien. Her role was clearly to serve as her escort. For her to openly rebuke the Duke of Semperion was… remarkable, to say the least.
Unfazed, the Duke simply turned his head away. Prillien, meanwhile, had gone pale. She glanced at Elisia, lips pressed tight, thinking hard.
Then, with a look of resolve, she finally spoke.
“Lady Semperion. The truth is, I came here today for another reason.”
‘So it wasn’t just to apologize?’
She’d begun by saying she feared Elisia’s anger and wanted to clear up misunderstandings, so Elisia had thought it was just a casual visit. But no—there was more. Of course there was. Who would come all this way the very next day after a banquet, just for that?
‘She’s going to ask about the intruder in the temple, isn’t she?’
Elisia waited tensely. And then Prillien said—
“This is still a secret, but… since everyone here is trustworthy, I’ll confide in you. Last night, there was an intruder in the temple. And so, I…”
“…!”
Gasps went around the room. Howell’s eyes went wide in shock, the Duke’s expression unreadable, and the escorting cleric silently studied Elisia’s face.
In the midst of it, Elisia waited quietly for Prillien’s next words. Slowly, the Saintess turned her head toward her, eyes burning with determination.
“Lady Elisia… this is my sincere plea. Please—teach me the sword!”
“…What?”
Did I just hear that right?
