Emilone’s Temptation Labyrinth – Chapter 122

As soon as I stepped inside, everyone was shocked by my appearance

As expected of the people guarding Alois’s castle, they responded very quickly. They wiped me down with a wet towel, wrapped my wounds, and changed my clothes.

Thanks to that, my body felt much lighter.

But they continued to make a fuss until I lay down in bed.

I understood their concern, but I couldn’t help the pounding in my head.

Lying flat on the bed so that the wound on my back wouldn’t worsen, I slowly closed and opened my eyes.

“Does it hurt?”

“…A lot.”

Cold sweat streamed down my face. When I bit my lip from the pain, Alois pressed his thumb gently against it.

Because of that, I had to open my mouth again.

“I want to call a doctor, but I know it won’t help.”

“Medicine won’t work on me. But I’ll get better after a night’s sleep.”

Alois bent on one knee.

The wound is going to heal on its own, so you don’t have to worry too much.

—Is what I was about to say when Alois muttered in a small voice.

“You are already very wounded so please don’t pretend to be okay.”

“…But—”

Even if it hurt, I couldn’t say that I was in pain. I acted the same even to Reneben.

He was the High Priest, so I, as the Saintess, had to stand tall and lead him.

“I’m not pretending to be okay. I’m whining to you right now.”

“…”

“You’re the only one I can say this to.”

You’re the only one I can tell I’m in pain, the only one I can admit that this was tough to.

I straightened my distorted expression and spoke.

“And that’s why I need you to stay by my side.”

“Alright, I understand.”

Seeing his smile, I smiled too and lifted Alois’s chin.

I lowered my head and whispered softly into his ear, just as he had done to me yesterday.

Earlier, I couldn’t put my feelings for him into a single word, so I spat out words that were incredibly difficult to say.

But right now, I just wanted to say this.

I was happy that Alois wanted me to rely on him.

His eyes widened at my sudden words, then he gave a faint smile.

He didn’t stop smiling as he kissed the back of my hand and I had to wonder what was so funny as I ran my fingers through his hair.

It was okay even if Alois didn’t become king.

It didn’t matter even if he wasn’t the fourth prince of Eseah.

Right now, just the fact that he was the one holding my hand was enough.

“Alois, I can’t wait any longer.”

“…What do you mean?”

“King Eseah continues to sit on that throne.”

The King of Eseah wasn’t wise, but he was a capable man.

Even if Alois had helped, he still managed to lead the country skillfully.

He was a man who would literally sacrifice the few for the many. A king for the nobles.

But he wasn’t the kind of king I wanted.

“Bring him down. Even your people won’t oppose it.”

My back stung.

If Alois became king, I’d have to make him replant all the trees in the place.

If we planted trees imbued with my divine power, the demons would obviously never attack the palace again.

“Plus I’m sure they’ll also be happy to receive the blessing of the Saintess.”

I was backing Alois. No one could say anything against it.

Since I arrived in the Eseah Kingdom, the land had grown fertile, and the rivers never ran dry.

Rain fell regularly, and the wicked cowered in fear of the temple.

Because of that, the people praised Alois for bringing me to the kingdom.

“So…”

“Lady Emilone.”

Alois called me.

His voice was the same as always.

He said my name.

That low, calm voice that seemed to reach into my very core snapped me back to myself.

The fury that had boiled up to the top of my head suddenly softened.

Breathing heavily, my shoulders trembling, I bit my lip.

I lowered my head and buried my face in my hair.

“Why are you avoiding my eyes?”

I hid my face, knowing how pathetic it must’ve looked.

I had gotten too worked up.

Pressing a hand to my head, I gently pushed Alois away.

“That wasn’t like you just now, Lady Emilone.”

“I know.”

I’d let my emotions get the better of me.

The pain simmering off my back certainly didn’t help…

But more than anything, I couldn’t forget the faces of those people I had seen earlier.

The ones who almost died, labeled as ‘sacrifices’.

I knew I could ever accept the King of Eseah.

I didn’t need a king who would make his people wear such expressions.

“I was just so angry, I couldn’t help it.”

Alois said nothing. He remained kneeling on one knee in front of me.

He looked up at me, as if telling me to say everything.

His temptation was sweet.

So sweet it felt like I had to taste it.

“I hate the King of Eseah.”

“Agreed, I truly hate my father too.”

My breathing grew ragged as soon as I thought of King Eseah.

I shut my mouth tightly and turned my head away from Alois.

I felt like if our eyes met right now, I would spill out everything I was thinking.

“I am always on your side, Lady Saintess.”

Alois always called me by name.

It was rare for him to refer to me as “Saintess.”

“So, if you wish it, I will drag the king from the throne and make him kneel this very moment.”

He spoke boldly.

However, hearing his words, the pounding in my chest slowly began to calm.

The emotions that were exceeding my reason slowly began to setting, I pressed my hand against my forehead a little more firmly. Veins popped on the back of my hand.

“Despite how he seems, the King of Eseah is still a king. I doubt it would be that easy to drag him off the throne.”

That’s why even after months of my arrival in Eseah, he was still sitting on the throne.

For some reason, the tension in my body relaxed.

The wound I thought didn’t hurt began to hit me with bursts of pain.

I leaned back, resting against the bed’s headboard.

Somehow, my fatigue surged, falling over me like a rising tide.

As I sighed and blinked slowly, Alois smiled, seemingly pleased.

“That is true. But right now, my father has lost his hands and feet.”

“…?”

“After all, I have won over almost all the nobles. Those who once followed my father have abandoned him and chosen me and you, Lady Saintess.”

“They chose us, you say…Unless they’re blind, they can see their side had no chance of winning.”

The ones who came when Alois lured them were like boats that rocked wherever the wind went.

They made a good decision.

After all, if the regime changed, the ones who took our side would benefit…and those who stuck with the king to the end would end up without even scraps.

“That’s true.”

Alois smiled brightly.

I blinked, not understanding what that smile meant, and Alois stretched his hand toward me.

“What?”

I frowned and leaned my head back slightly before he touched me.

Alois looked a little dejected and took back his hand before saying.

“You’re frowning again. Allow me to do all the hard work. Your Holiness only needs to sit there.”

“…”

“I’ll be your hands and feet. Whatever you desire, I will make it happen.”

“Are you trying to seduce me right now with that line?”

His eyes curved into crescents.

I couldn’t look away.

Suddenly, I felt thirsty again.

I turned toward the side table by the bed. It was the kind of thirst I often felt when I was with Alois.

Seeing my gaze, Alois picked up a cool glass of water and brought it to my lips.

I didn’t resist and accepted the water as it flowed into my mouth.

Of course, a thirst like this wasn’t going to be quenched with just that.

“Seduction, huh. That’s not a bad idea.”

He brushed my wet lips with his thumb. His soft touch grazed my lips and then left.

“Seeing you injured like this, Lady Emilone…I don’t want to hunt demons anymore.”

“But that’s my job…It’s not something I can avoid just because I don’t like it.”

In the past, he didn’t show anything when I got hurt but now he was being obvious.

For some reason, my answer was curt and I curled my toes on the bed.

Before, I used to think getting hurt was just something I had to endure but seeing Alois react like this, I felt like I should probably take more care for my body…

“Well, it’s rare for me to get hurt like this so don’t worry. When the knights and paladins are around, I don’t even get a scratch.”

“Alright, I really hope so. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

Alois glanced at my back which was hidden by the headboard..

I felt a prickling pain, but it didn’t seem to matter anymore.

Why was he so worried when a wound like this would heal completely by tomorrow morning?

“You too. Don’t forget that once you become my companion, even divine power won’t work on you.”

“If you don’t want it, Lady Emilone, then I won’t allow even a single scratch on my body.”

What a smooth talker.

It annoyed me for some reason, so I pinched his cheek hard.

Seeing him look confused only made me more annoyed.

***

The day had dawned.

I ran my hand through my messy hair and was about to yawn when something caught my eye.

A figure bathing in sunlight pouring through a slightly open curtain, almost as if he was in the sun’s embrace.

I almost exclaimed in surprise and clamped my mouth shut.

“Is he sleeping?”

In that position?

I remembered Alois staying by my side until I fell asleep.

But why was he sleeping here, in a position like that?

I looked down at Alois, who was kneeling on the floor with his face resting on the bed.

“Alois?”

As expected, he didn’t respond. I swallowed hard and called again.

“Are you asleep?”

I couldn’t tell if he was really sleeping so I slowly leaned down.

When I felt Alois’ breathing, I stopped and listened. I could feel the roughness in his breathing, like he was exhausted from taking care of me last night.

“…You.”

His breathing felt regular so I relaxed.

I slid out of bed, careful not to wake him up.

I closed the window to keep the sunlight out and put my hands on my waist.

I’d forgotten about it but my wound seemed to be completely healed. I doubt there’d even be a scar.

I undid the buttons on my nightgown. Then I unwound the bandage wrapped around my waist and noticed the blood that had stained the once-white cloth.

“I guess I have to wash up by myself?”

If I called a maid, Alois would definitely wake up.

I pulled up my night gown, carelessly tossed the bandage aside and glanced at the time.

It was about time for Alois to wake up as well.

“Sleeping like that is going to make your legs go numb.”

Why did he sleep here instead of going back to his own room…

“Wait, this is Alois’s room…”

I realized mid-thought and shut my mouth.

Right, this was Alois’ room. I was the one who took over his bed.

I turned to look toward the bed.

Perhaps reacting to my movements, Alois’s body twitched a few times. Seemingly just waking up, Alois started looking around, then he met my eyes.

He leaned his face against his arm and opened his mouth. His voice was hoarse as it was still heavy with sleep, and his defenseless face were plainly visible.

“Did you sleep well?”

My expressionless face softened into a smile.

Sometimes…moments like this weren’t too bad.

***

After breakfast, the king asked for me. It didn’t seem like good news.

Stretching out, I accepted the accessories that the maids handed me.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror. White dress, white earrings, white necklace, white hair ornaments. Everything looked white, except for the color of my hair and eyes.

“I think this is a bit much.”

I muttered and Alois, who had been feeding me the fruit brought by the servants, paused.

I chewed on the strawberry he popped in my mouth while waiting for his response.

“It suits you. Nothing fits you better than white garments, Lady Saintess.”

Alois said it confidently.

Regardless of everything, I was a Saintess, and white accessories did suit me well.

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