I still remember Alois’s answer from that time.
Since I was the saintess, I had no doubt that I would never be able to escape questions like that.
Someone precious versus the greater many. If anyone ever asked me who I would save, it would always be a troubling question.
“Go ahead and answer. Like you did back then.”
He wiped the naivety from his face and gave a fleeting smirk.
Seeing that sly smile at the corner of his lips, I paused without meaning to.
“I was hesitating for a moment. Wondering what kind of answer I should give.”
“The answer’s obvious, isn’t it?”
Just as Alois closed his mouth and was about to sigh, someone suddenly appeared.
The sight of that pure white figure forced my furrowed brow to relax without even realizing it.
“Reneben.”
“Y-Your Holiness…”
Reneben arrived before me, looking like he was on the verge of tears.
“Lord High Priest! Wait just a moment!!”
From somewhere nearby, not one but several female voices rang out. The clear sound echoing through the quiet space was perfect for shattering the mood.
“What in the world…”
Reneben, hiding his nearly tearful expression, tried to straighten his disheveled hair and loosely worn clothes.
“Why are the noble ladies here so forward?”
At that, I couldn’t stop the laugh that came out. I pressed the back of my hand to my lips to stifle it, and Reneben pouted in frustration.
“I was trying to find Your Holiness, but some noblewomen kept—”
“…”
“No, I mean—.”
In the end, I couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter.
Only then did Reneben look around, then pull his cloak over his shoulders to cover himself. I wanted to tell him it wouldn’t help.
“Oh my, the daughter of Duke Derea must be interested in the High Priest.”
“It’s Lady Derea’s followers.”
A small group, probably the ones chasing Reneben, scanned the area, then faltered when they saw him standing so close to me.
“Reneben. It looks like the young misses are looking for you. Won’t you go greet them?”
“…Your Holiness.”
Seeing his pitiful gaze, I gently patted his head.
His silvery-white hair felt softer than silk. Reneben stood close to me, making it clear he had no intention of approaching those women.
He straightened his clothes, fixed his messy hair, and cleared his throat once or twice.
“These parties really don’t suit me.”
“Well, you don’t exactly attend parties often, do you?”
“I follow Your Holiness. Since you rarely attend parties, I don’t either.”
As I turned my gaze to Reneben, Alois was left in the cold.
When I finally looked back at Alois, I saw him staring at me with a smiling face as if encouraging me to continue. Of course, that smile wasn’t a smile at all.
“Lady Saintess. May I speak with you for a moment?”
A noble who had noticed that the tension had eased, thanks to Reneben, approached and spoke to me.
If this were the usual Alois, he would’ve acted annoyed and brushed the noble away… but the current Alois couldn’t bring himself to do that.
“I’m sorry, but I’m currently speaking with Alois.”
Reneben stuck close behind me, warily watching those who approached. Just thinking about his earlier disheveled appearance made it easy to imagine what must’ve happened.
Letting out a quiet sigh, I left Reneben behind and turned my gaze back to Alois.
“Isn’t that right, Alois?”
“Ah, yes…”
Alois nodded, looking slightly flustered. No matter how many times I saw it, that look never got old, though I likely wouldn’t see it much longer.
Alois himself had said, with his own mouth, that he would become king. That meant he was shedding that gentle mask.
Once the truth spread, that the seemingly meek Fourth Prince had been toying with everyone all along, no one would dare treat Alois lightly anymore.
“Lady Emilone, you really have no intention of speaking with the other nobles, do you?”
The noble, watching how I dismissed him without hesitation, slinked away as if nothing had happened. Seeing that, Alois smirked.
“Correct. I don’t particularly enjoy talking with other nobles.”
“Don’t worry. You don’t need to go out of your way to be friendly with them, Lady Emilone.”
Now that I had eaten enough to feel full, I stepped away from the table where the food was arranged.
Though it was labeled a banquet, it felt more like a casual party. Some people were dancing, others busy socializing.
“By the way, Lady Emilone…”
Maybe I should dance once and then leave. Leaving early might be seen as snubbing the host.
I didn’t think that was such a bad idea.
“About that answer from earlier…”
Alois kissed the back of the hand he had been escorting me with. It made me wonder if kissing things was some kind of hobby for him. Well, he’d kissed my lips enough, so what harm was a hand…
Just then, I noticed Reneben visibly flinch.
Alois, seeing him, blinked innocently.
“Don’t you want to hear it?”
He was clearly speaking to me, but his eyes were fixed on Reneben.
Turning my head, I saw Reneben wearing a strangely determined expression.
“What are you talking about?”
Reneben spoke up before I could.
Apparently, he hadn’t been around earlier when Alois and I had played out our little scene.
He’d find out everything later, of course, but it looked like I’d need to explain it to him properly.
I thought to myself that I’d explain everything after the party, but then Alois spread his arms.
By the time I came to my senses, I was already in his embrace.
“Lady Emilone gave me a choice.”
I couldn’t get out of his arms.
When I looked up, Alois had a satisfied expression on his face.
“A choice…?”
Reneben glanced between me and Alois, looking utterly confused. And yet, I was the most confused person here.
Were we really close enough to be hugging like this? I’d definitely have words with him later when it was just the two of us.
“A choice. One that would be painful no matter which I chose.”
He wasn’t wrong.
It was a choice between the many, and the one closer to you.
“Lady Emilone, I’ll give the same answer I gave back then.”
“The one where you’d save the greater number?”
I remembered it vividly. He had said he’d choose to save more people.
And I already knew what he would say next.
“That’s right. Because the one I love would understand.”
There were a lot of contradictions in that statement.
Alois loosened his arms, and as I stepped away from him, I looked up at Reneben.
He still wore a face of confusion.
“I’ll explain everything later.”
Reneben gave a small nod.
It wasn’t just Reneben. Thinking of Jessie, who was still in the Empire, and the other priests, there was a lot I would need to explain.
***
I ended up being led by Alois into the dance hall.
“I’m not very good at dancing.”
“That’s fine. I’m very good at it.”
Alois confidently took the lead.
He boasted that he wouldn’t let my feet even touch the ground and when the music started, I understood what he meant.
“Who do you usually dance with at parties?”
“With noble ladies. My older brothers have fiancées, but I don’t.”
“Why not?”
He had his arm around my waist. I was hovering slightly above the floor, letting him guide me.
I was a grown adult woman, not a child, and yet he was dancing like this while swaying me around.
“Well, if I was going to marry, I’d rather it was a political one. There are better options than someone my father picks for me.”
That was such an Alois-like answer. Marriage was one of the most secure ways to ensure someone was on your side.
“Does that political purpose… include me?”
“What do you think?”
Now that I thought about it, maybe I was just the most beneficial person in his eyes too.
That’s probably why he chose me. Just as I chose him.
“I think it sounds about right. As long as I stand by your side, even an emperor would be nothing to fear.”
He gave a wordless, sharp smile. When he smiled like that, it was impossible to tell what he was really thinking.
“I suppose that sound right for me but… Lady Emilone, are you really all right with this?”
I liked the music playing. It was a long piece, and with my body entrusted to him in midair, the time felt just as long.
“Is there a reason I shouldn’t be?”
“You’re keeping someone like me by your side, someone you don’t even love. Are you really okay with that?”
I had only asked if he wanted to be my companion. I hadn’t said a single word about making him my companion.
But Alois had already drawn his own conclusion. And he was right. I was planning to keep him at my side because just as he needed me, I needed him too.
“I don’t have anyone I love. So my judgement is that it would be fine to keep you beside me.”
If I actually declared that I wanted to make Alois my companion… I wonder what Reneben would say.
“But Alois.”
Could Alois really be fine with it, even if he didn’t love me?
Of course, it was hard to imagine someone like Alois ever having romantic feelings for anyone.
“Let’s talk about you… you won’t regret it?”
“…?”
“Having me as your companion will be quite a nuisance, you know.”
“If it’s you, Your Holiness, there’s no nuisance.”
Just then, the song was reaching its end. I tightened my grip on his shoulder and met his red eyes.
Alois simply smiled in silence.
“So, is it only because I’m the ‘saintess’ that it’s okay?”
He remained silent. If only I could make that tightly shut mouth open.
“Are you saying that only the Saintess Emilone has value?”
I asked again. If I weren’t the saintess, I wouldn’t have a reason to be standing here like this at all.
“No. That’s not it.”
Alois’s red lips moved slightly.
With the chandelier behind him, I couldn’t see his face clearly.
“If someone else had been the saintess, I don’t think I would’ve been this involved.”
“Really?”
“Yes. It’s because it’s you that I’ve held on this long. I’ve wanted, no matter what, to stay by your side.”
“Like right now?”
He let out a soft laugh. It was a bit different from the usual smile that only tugged at his lips.
“No, closer than right now.”
TL’s Corner:
*Jessie has gotten her name back! Woohooo!
*.*.*
- Honey, I’m Going on Strike – Chapters 47 – 49 - November 22, 2025
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- Honey, I’m Going on Strike – Chapters 42-43 - November 8, 2025