Emilone’s Temptation Labyrinth – Chapter 59

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As I took a step closer, wondering why he had such a lively look in his eyes, Alois gave me a meaningful smile.

“Welcome back?”

“I was worried I might be away too long.”

“Of course not. The sun is just setting, so the party has only begun.”

I laughed, knowing he was saying that the true party begins at night.

Hearing such a remark from Alois of all people made me laugh but apparently, that was a problem.

Can you imagine how many times the music stopped, and the nobles went completely silent today?

As far as I knew, this was the third time.

The silence was so sudden that it felt like something broke, and I looked at Alois, feeling taken aback.

“…?”

“…”

But he just smiled and shook his head like he found the situation amusing.

I subtly erased my smile, composed myself and took a step closer to Alois.

It felt like people were looking at me while acting like they weren’t. I gave Alois a questioning look, but he just kept smiling at me like he had no idea.

With no other choice, I switched targets and turned to the Crown Prince who looked just as taken aback.

Just as I was about to speak, Alois spoke up like he was waiting for that moment.

“It must be because Your Holiness has a beautiful smile.”

“…”

So, my smile was the problem?

Once I figured out why, I adjusted my expression, but Alois leaned in and whispered just loud enough for me to hear.

“Of course, you’re beautiful even when you don’t smile.”

Did he have to whisper now when all eyes were focused on me?

When I raised my hand to cover my ear where his breath had brushed past, I heard someone go, ‘Oh my’.

Then, a countess, whom I was not familiar with, approached, fluttering her fan and gave me a curious look.

“I heard you’re quite close with the Prince of Eseah…! Lady Saintess, if it’s not too much…may I ask what relationship you have with His Highness?”

“Hm?”

With that inquiry, the barrage of questions began.

While I wanted to spread rumors that I was in some kind of relationship with Alois, I never planned on confirming it while surrounded by these loose-lipped noblewomen.

I sighed, unsure of how to respond, but surprisingly, Alois stepped in.

“Madam Countess, if you have any questions, you can direct them to me.”

“Oh my? To Your Highness?”

“It would be better for me to answer than to burden the Saintess with such questions.”

He was such a smooth talker that I had to silently applauded him from behind.

Somehow, I didn’t think he’d be the type to take to step forward and shield me from such annoyances, especially on such an occasion.

While I was happily watching Alois handle the situation, the Crown Prince decided to stir the pot.

“It appears the Prince of Eseah requires the Saintess’ protection.”

“…”

“…?”

If he was trying to get both mine and Alois’ attention, then he had succeeded.

He was smiling but who knew what lay beneath that smile. Since he kept spewing such spite, it’s no wonder Alois wanted to put Prince Yuina on the throne instead.

“Your Highness, I don’t quite understand your words,” came Alois’ response.

I had planned to congratulate Alois on a job well done after he was done handling the inquisitive noblewomen, but hearing that comment, I figured I needed to handle the Crown Prince.

Of course, to my surprise, Alois beat me to the punch and stepped in again.

“There’s nothing wrong with the Prince of a Kingdom assisting the Saintess.”

“What do you—!”

“I hope to be seen as a man who can stand firm and be of service to Her Holiness at any time without causing her trouble.”

I think we’re already on the wrong foot for that.

I could see the Crown Prince clenching his jaw.

I stepped forward, positioning myself beside Alois then I extended my hand like a man preparing to escort.

Alois raised a brow, then he took my hand and gently pressed his lips to the back of it. The warmth of his touch was different from when I held Duke Kashan’s hand earlier.

“To hear such words from Your Highness the Prince, I am all the more grateful.”

Ah, I feel bad for saying this, but… seeing the Crown Prince’s distorted expression was quite satisfying.

* * *

The party atmosphere had reached its peak.

As I mingled with the nobles, exchanging pleasantries with a wineglass in hand, it didn’t take long for me to get a feel for how to handle them.

It was exciting, and it felt nice being surrounded by the naive young misses…Honestly, there were more crafty young misses than naive ones, and I stayed because it was fun poking at them while they feigned ignorance.

“Oh my, that brooch is beautiful.”

“I am honored to hear Your Holiness likes it. It was made by the merchant group under our family—”

“Unfortunately, I don’t think a brooch like that would suit me.”

However, the conversations were nearly pointless. I started moving slowly, preparing to leave.

“Are you leaving?”

“Hmm…there’s some others I’d like to talk to as well.”

At first, Reneben was restless with worry, seeing me just sitting and sipping wine at the high table. Now, he was busy having fun with his priest friends.

Although it was a little disappointing that I couldn’t get drunk as a Saintess, but I figured I might as well take another glass of white wine, and I headed towards an unoccupied pillar.

I gently sat on the sofa and held the clear wine glass up to the moonlight.

“If my hair was a lighter shade instead of pink, it would have looked pretty.”

The kind of color that shimmers softly in the moonlight.

Right now, the pink of my hair was so bright that it took on a slightly red hue under the moonlight.

“Ah…it’s quiet.”

The sofa was only slightly hidden by a curtain, but it made me feel like I was instantly detached from the bustling world on the other side. I stretched out my limbs comfortably.

“Hm…it’s been a while since I’ve talked so much.”

Many nobles were empty-headed, and they were easy to manipulate and toy with. I considered closing the curtains and taking off my shoes but decided against it.

If I closed the curtains, Reneben might come rushing in, chock full of worry.

Just as I was relaxing, swirling my wine in silence…

“Ex…excuse me.”

I thought it was common courtesy not to disturb someone who’s resting like this?

A male voice cut through the melodic songs of the musicians, and I didn’t bother changing my posture, just moved my eyes to see who it was.

“Your Holiness.”

“Mm…?”

“I greet God’s blessing.”

It was a man I had never seen before.

I racked my brain for his face, but I had no record of him in my memories. That meant we had certainly never met before.

I had memorized the guest list, but to think I couldn’t remember this person.

“Do you… not remember me?”

Have we even met before…??

Did he really know me, and I just didn’t recognize him? I sat up and assumed a more conversational posture.

If we had spoken even once, I couldn’t possibly forget his face, but the sad look on his face made me doubt my memory.

“I am Ezra Kiruen of the Marquis House of Kiruen…”

“Huh?”

“Have I…changed so much that you don’t recognize me?”

“Who did you say you are?”

“Ezra Kiruen of the Marquis House of Kir—”

“What?!”

My jaw went slack before I even realized it, I stood up, wore my shoes properly and quickly drew the curtain shut.

So that sound wouldn’t leak out.

“I’m not fond of ridiculous jokes. Who are you really…?”

He took two steps back hesitantly, his face dyed with near disbelief. Then he scratched the back of his neck and awkwardly bowed his head.

“I’m Ezra Kiruen, Your Holiness.”

Not long after I became a Saintess, there had been a young man who was shorter than me and looked like typical scholar, and he confessed his feelings to me.

I still remember him because his innocent face was cute.

Of course, I had rejected him.

And the name of the man who confessed to me back then was…

“Lord Ezra Kiruen from back then…how.”

He had been shorter than me and I believe he was 27 years old at the time.

But now he was taller than Alois, and his appearance was something else.

His once charming simple features were nowhere to be found, and before me, stood a man with extremely stunning features that would make one’s jaw drop. How could he be the man from back then?

“…But you don’t even have the same face shape?”

This was practically a different person.

“Actually… there’s someone in the Eastern Continent who can change your appearance with magic.”

“For God’s sake. Why do such a thing?”

His chubby cheeks and roundness had been so adorable.

“You didn’t like my appearance either…right, Saintess?”

“Hah??”

“Since you didn’t like it…since you rejected me because of my looks…now that I’ve become beautiful…”

What in god’s name is he talking about?

I can confidently say I’d never been so baffled before. In fact, I was beyond baffled. I felt like the screws in my brain had come loose and I couldn’t understand a thing.

“Can you consider dating me?”

“Oh, for God’s sake. Young Lord Ezra!”

I had never considered his appearance in my decision.

Grabbing my head, I raised my voice to stop the man who was now kneeling like a knight.

“I know it was because of my looks! I’m different now…”

“What are you talking about? It wasn’t because of that…”

“I know there are many handsome men around you, Saintess. I can always become like them if you desire it.”

Seeing him clinging to me with desperation on his face made me more uncomfortable than anything else.

“…Please stand up.”

“I will not stand until you accept me.”

“Stay like that then.”

He flinched.

Clearly, he had not expected me to respond like that.

The curtains had been closed for a while, so it was about time for Reneben to show up…

Just as I was thinking that—

Thump—!

I heard a jolting sound, then my back was pressed against the soft sofa.

One of my shoes slipped off, and my priest robe rolled up to my thighs.

“I’ve become so beautiful, why won’t you accept me?!”

“…”

My wrist was held tightly, and it didn’t look like he was going to loosen up any time soon.

I clenched my teeth and tried to force myself up, but it seemed to do nothing.

I looked up at the man who had forcibly pinned me to the sofa and opened my mouth.

“Ugh… the worst.”

“…!!”

 

 

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