CHAPTER 70……………
“The Emperor is considering the Saintess as Kyle’s bride.”
“…Who is marrying whom?”
Thinking his son was finally showing interest, the High Priest’s voice grew louder.
“Kyle and the Saintess! Do you think that makes any sense? That’s why, Yan, you can’t just lock yourself up in this temple.”
“Are you certain?”
“Of course. I heard it from a reliable source. So you must go quickly and—”
The High Priest already pictured Yankeller entering the banquet hall with the Saintess.
That was why he had spent a fortune to acquire an invitation and sent it early to his son.
“Yan, don’t let all I’ve done for this family go to waste.”
Yankeller rose with a brightened expression.
“Then I’d better go.”
“Yes. And it’s fortunate the banquet is tonight. Even if you start preparing now, you won’t be late.”
Without replying, Yankeller picked up the invitation lying on his desk.
The High Priest stood as well and patted his son on the shoulder.
“It makes me proud as a father, seeing you take action for the sake of the family. Yan, you must enter the banquet hall with the Saintess. Understood?”
Yankeller didn’t answer. Striding to the door, he opened it, then bowed politely—as if asking his father to leave.
“…Cold-hearted boy.”
The High Priest clicked his tongue.
From outside the quickly shut door, his grumbling voice could still be heard.
But Yankeller’s lips curved into a sharp smile.
“Kyle and the Saintess… so the announcement will be made at the banquet?”
His grin widened into full laughter.
“Then Kyle won’t be able to stand by Everett’s side any longer.”
“Your Excellency, are you awake?”
A careful voice called to him several times.
Kyle had collapsed into sleep the moment he returned from the library.
“Ugh…!”
Perhaps because of the visions, his headache was worse than usual.
“Your Excellency…”
His attendant’s voice dwindled with weariness.
“What is it? The banquet hasn’t started yet, has it?”
Through the half-open curtains, the fierce midday sun poured in.
“Your Excellency, you need to try on your banquet attire to see if it fits… and His Majesty has asked for you to stop by before the banquet.”
“The Emperor?”
“Yes. He said there’s something he must tell you personally.”
Hearing that the Emperor was summoning him the moment he awoke brought a burning thirst. Kyle drained a cup of water in one gulp.
“Hah… so the banquet day has finally come.”
He gave permission for those waiting outside to enter.
The attendant led in a line of maids who would help him dress.
“This one seems to suit you the best… what do you think, Your Excellency?”
The ornate uniform, embroidered with gold thread, made his red hair gleam even more strikingly.
Now that his long hair from the North had been cut short, his sharp features were fully revealed.
The maids adjusting his clothes blushed faintly.
“Doesn’t he look magnificent? How can anyone be so handsome?”
From the maids standing farther back with the other outfits came whispered gossip.
“Right? His hair used to have a brownish tint, but now it’s fully red.”
“If he stands beside the Saintess, they’ll dazzle everyone.”
“Have you seen the Saintess yourself?”
“Of course.”
“Where? You’ve never been to the temple.”
“I saw her entering the Emperor’s palace. Just as the rumors say—she’s truly beautiful.”
The Saintess?
When Kyle turned his head toward them, the attendant hushed them with a warning.
“You saw the Saintess at the palace?”
He asked, and one nervous maid quickly bowed.
“Yes, Your Excellency. I saw her enter the imperial palace.”
Kyle had never heard that the Saintess would attend the banquet, so he asked again.
“You’re certain it was her?”
“Yes, Your Excellency. I even heard people calling her ‘Saintess.’”
“Where is she now?”
Perhaps flustered at being spoken to by Kyle, the maid began volunteering information he hadn’t asked for.
“A girl working at the palace told me she’s resting in the guest chamber. She said the Saintess would be meeting His Majesty.”
Kyle’s face twisted slightly. His attendant, watching his expression, cautiously spoke up.
“Perhaps His Majesty intends for you to meet the Saintess together.”
“…Hmph.”
Kyle exhaled through his nose and loosened his stern expression.
“I’ll wear this one.”
“Yes, Your Excellency. Then if you’ll remove it for now, we’ll—”
“No. I’ll keep it on. You all may leave.”
Once the room was cleared, Kyle sat tapping the table, lost in thought.
After a long while—
“Ventus.”
At the quiet call, Ventus appeared swiftly before him.
“Was what the maid said true?”
While Kyle had spoken with the maid, Ventus had already investigated the imperial palace.
“It was true. The Saintess is in the guest chamber.”
“So the Emperor summoned her… is that it?”
A strange light glinted in Kyle’s eyes.
“What is he plotting, bringing the Saintess before the banquet even begins?”
Then his gaze fell on a vase atop the cabinet.
He plucked out the flowers, shaking the water from their stems so droplets scattered across the floor.
“Your Excellency, why the flowers all of a sudden…?”
“A gift.”
“…A gift?”
When most of the moisture had dried, Kyle jerked his chin for Ventus to follow.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m far too curious to sit still.”
Kyle strode straight toward the imperial palace.
“Oh my, Your Excellency!”
Angelus’s voice was bright with surprise at his unexpected visit.
“Saintess.”
His deep, heavy voice instantly seized her heart.
Caught by his gleaming green eyes, she smiled back at him without thinking.
The face she had longed to behold.
“I heard you had come to the palace, and I rushed here at once.”
From behind his back, he revealed the bouquet and extended it toward her.
“No matter how I searched, I couldn’t find a flower more beautiful than you.”
“Oh, Your Excellency, you can even make such jokes?”
Angelus laughed behind the flowers like a bashful girl.
This Kyle, so different from the temple, puzzled her—but she didn’t dislike it.
Even his embarrassingly sweet words sounded like poetry from his lips.
Peeking between the blossoms, she quickly studied his face.
That pleasing baritone voice, the massive bouquet that barely fit in one hand, and the look in his eyes as if already in love—
He was every inch the fiancé awaiting their marriage announcement.
“I hope the flowers please you. I had to prepare them in a hurry…”
“I adore them. They’re all my favorite kinds.”
Her lips, painted in a brilliant red, curved seductively.
The title of Saintess seemed almost meaningless, so lavishly adorned was she.
“I’m glad they please you.”
His charming smile nearly made her squeal aloud.
“His Majesty told me I’d only see you once the banquet began….”
Trailing his words, Kyle probed why she had been brought here before the feast.
“Ah, His Majesty said it was meant as a surprise gift. Perhaps he couldn’t resist telling you early.”
Kyle bowed his head slightly, as if bashful, instead of answering.
Thrilled by his demeanor, Angelus kept chattering on.
“Maybe he thought you’d be too shocked hearing it at the banquet. Honestly, I agree—it’s better you know in advance. After all, marriage isn’t the kind of thing you spring on someone as a surprise, is it?”
Beneath his lowered brow, Kyle’s expression twisted unseen.
Though astonished, he forced composure, smiling brightly as he looked at her.
Placing his right hand over his chest, he stepped closer.
“Marriage… truly something I never expected.”
Angelus tossed her long platinum hair back with a dramatic gesture and leaned nearer.
Lowering her head, she touched her forehead to the back of his hand.
“I still can’t believe I’ll be your wife.”
Her soft words carried as she lifted her gaze to him.
Now, kiss me.
Her desire was written plainly on her face.
Closing her eyes, she puckered her lips.
The veins in Kyle’s forehead throbbed.
Marriage? Ridiculous.
He twisted his lips and stepped back sharply.
She nearly toppled forward, having leaned toward him.
“Your Excellency, why…?”
Eyes wide, she stared, stunned, at the kiss that never came.
“You should rest before the banquet. I’ve taken too much of your time.”
“Taken? Being with you is more restful to me than rest itself.”
Kyle shook his head firmly.
“This banquet is of great importance to you, Saintess. You must be tense. Please, rest well.”
Having achieved his purpose, Kyle bowed politely and withdrew swiftly from the guest chamber.
Her voice calling after him lingered as he left the palace.
The moment he stepped outside, he summoned Ventus.
“Where’s the carriage bound for Everett?”
“Waiting outside the library gates, Your Excellency.”
Kyle’s stride turned toward the library.
“Your Excellency, where are you going now?”
“I’ll fetch Everett myself.”
“But His Majesty summoned you…”
Kyle snorted.
“Let him enjoy a cozy meeting with the Saintess, then.”
