I flung the window open, and a cool breeze rushed in.
“You’ll catch a cold like that.”
“…You’re not saying that to me, are you?”
As I sat on the window ledge, welcoming the cold breeze, a worried voice rang out from behind me.
It was Alois, who had brought me the cold water that I requested. He placed a basin down by my feet and winked.
“Just kidding. But a cold wind really isn’t good for patients.”
“You’re the only one who would call a Saintess a patient.”
“It’s been a week since you woke up, and you still say you’re feeling weak. I’d say that classifies you as a patient.”
I narrowed my eyes and gave him a disapproving look from above.
He knelt down on one knee and pulled my foot down from the windowsill. I leaned my head against the window and watched as he washed my feet.
“The great Alois Eseah is serving me. People would be shocked if they saw this.”
“There’s no reason why I wouldn’t do such a little thing for a companion.”
As always, he always knew what to say.
Whether it was because I’d been sleeping for a month or due to the aftereffects of being captured by black magic, my body still hadn’t fully recovered.
I clenched my weak fists and looked down at Alois.
“Alois. I’m curious about something.”
“Ask away.”
His voice rang sweet.
I looked down at the top of his head, something I didn’t often see, and stretched out my head.
His brown hair tangled around my fingers. I smiled softly and gently lifted his face.
“Are you the King of Eseah now?”
“Well…not ‘yet’.”
“Hm?”
I thought the month that I was asleep would be enough time for Alois to become King so why not?
I was about to ask why but as if Alois could perceive my question, he spoke first.
“Because once I become king, I won’t be able to leave the country for a while.”
“Well, of course, you can’t le…oh.”
“Yes, I won’t be able to leave while I’m consolidating power on the throne. Which means the companionship ceremony would have to be delayed.”
It was just like him to think that way. But to think he didn’t take the throne even though that was the perfect opportunity.
It wasn’t like Alois to make a decision like that.
“Don’t worry. I’ve kept my father as a puppet king. When I return from the Empire, I plan to spread word of my father’s attempts to harm you, Lady Emilone.”
The again, both the political circle and the common people were on Alois’s side. It wouldn’t be that hard to take over.
The gusting wind felt pleasant on my skin. But Alois wasn’t a fan of it so he wiped his hands with a clean white towel before reaching out to close the window.
He kept his eyes on me even as he did so. I watched him quietly until the window was shut.
“Alois.”
“I’m listening.”
He replied while taking out another unused white towel. The feeling of soft clothing wrapped around my foot.
“After we get to the Empire and complete the companionship ceremony, I plan to stay there for a while.”
“Hm, is that so?”
“…You’re not surprised?”
Alois shrugged at my words. He looked calm, as if he had expected it.
“There are many people that are important to you in the Imperial Temple.”
“…”
“Besides, from the very beginning, Your Holiness is never meant to be bound to anywhere and I cannot hold you back.”
I sat up. His gaze naturally lifted to my face and when I tilted my head, Alois grinned.
He kept his gaze trained on me as he trapped me between his arms. Then he placed his hands on the window frame, locked me in place so I couldn’t escape.
Would you say his actions weren’t matching his words?
“Besides, I know you’ve spent the most time over there since you came to this world.”
“…”
I gently pushed against his shoulder to get down from the windowsill.
He let me go without resistance, and I stepped down onto the soft carpet.
“Don’t worry. You are my companion and as much as you cherish the Eseah Kingdom, I’ll cherish it too.”
I brushed his cheek with the back of my hand and gave an innocent smile.
The Kingdom of Eseah was in Alois’ hands, and Alois was in mine. With a buzz of excitement, I continued.
“Just as I like the Empire, I like the Eseah Kingdom too.”
“Will you stay in the Empire long?”
He tried to sound calm, but I could feel his longing. Seeing this new response from his, my eyes curved.
“Good question…”
Alois waited for an answer. I licked my dry lips and placed a hand under his chin.
“Just know that I won’t neglect either the Empire or Kingdom of Eseah.”
I pressed a light kiss next to his lips. When he let out a soft, incredulous laugh, I took a step back and spun around.
“Was that enough of an answer?”
“Plenty.”
I looked down at my limbs which were still a little weak but worked fine. Then I tilted my head back and spoke to Alois.
“Alright then, help me send a message to Reneben.”
“What shall I send?”
I thought of the temple in the Eseah Kingdom. Everyone must be worried.
And I’m sure Reneben was the same.
During the month I was asleep and this whole week that I was awake, I knew they must be very worried.
I couldn’t help but stay here because my body was so weak that I couldn’t even walk this past week. If I told them about this, they would be even more worried.
“That I’ll be heading to the temple.”
I stretched out my body while thinking of Reneben who was at the temple.
I couldn’t afford to forget my duty just because I was caught up in romance.
At my decisive statement, Alois closed his eyes as if he already knew what I was going to say.
***
If there is one thing I liked about the royal palace, it’s that it was close to the temple.
Even though we hadn’t been on the carriage for too long, the sight of the immaculate white building brought a smile to my face.
“You look happy.”
“Mm. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone.”
It might be a typical trait of priests, but they were all so kind and upright it was almost foolish.
Not growing attached to people like that would’ve been strange.
“That aside, Alois, you really didn’t need to come with me if you had so much work.”
I gave him a sidelong glance while looking up at the towering building that seemed to pierce the sky.
I felt a little sorry seeing him still going through documents even while in the carriage.
At the same time, I envied Alois’ ability to process document without even pausing.
I was always slow at paperwork, which often made things hard on the people under me. This is exactly why capable and intelligent people belonged at the top.
“It’s fine. I’m only doing it now so I can make time in the evening.”
I never thought I’d be jealous of someone who can just skim paperwork with his eyes and stamp them with a loud thud.
I could read quickly but I had zero confidence in being able to understand such complicated content that quickly.
“Oh. It’s Reneben.”
The carriage came to a stop.
I saw the people waiting outside, and just spotting Reneben and the temple folk made me excited for no reason.
Seeing their faces laced with worry and anticipation, I stepped down from the carriage trying to look as normal as possible.
I couldn’t help but smile, and Reneben looked surprised as he watched me descend.
“You’re in a good mood.”
He remarked without any hesitation as he escorted me down. Seeing him speak to me without any hesitation like we were just talking yesterday, I nodded.
And so, we had dinner at the temple.
It was only after they confirmed that I was truly okay that everyone was able to relax and enjoy the meal.
Afterwards, I went for a walk with Alois and Reneben in tow.
“Everyone looks brighter now.”
Reneben gestured at the clergy and shook his head.
“They were all walking around looking like death until now.”
“Thank you for your hard work, Reneben.”
“Not nearly as much as you, Lady Emilone. To get caught up in something like that…Thank you for getting through that.”
His face looked genuinely relieved.
As we walked, people bowed their heads politely in greeting, I returned a slight nod in kind.
“Lady Emilone, at times like this, you should smile and wave instead.”
Alois pointed out the awkwardness of it when he was me do that.
When I tilted my head, he gave me a demonstration and offering the exact same smile he had shown me earlier and greeting the priests warmly.
Seeing this happen several times, I reached up and rubbed the back of my neck.
When I was with him, I felt a constant thirst. Not the kind of thirst that water could quench.
It felt like I’d become a clump of desire, and I tried to calm my pounding heart and spoke as casually as I could.
“You’re quite popular.”
“Still not as much as you, Lady Saintess.”
He smiled kindly and waved affectionately to the priests who were watching. Clearly a better at this than I was.
After all, I couldn’t bring myself to smile that warmly or wave that familiarly.
I figured I should probably learn from my but my throat kept feeling dry.
Hearing Alois’ calm answer, I turned my head.
“Lord Reneben, would you mind giving us a moment alone?”
Alois, who had been watching me closely, seemed to realize something and politely turned to Reneben.
Reneben looked back and forth between Alois and I, then he sighed and stepped away.
“Lady Emilone.”
“…What is it? You even sent Reneben away.”
Alois gave a mischievous smile.
“Well, when you make this expression…I don’t want anyone else seeing it.”
Alois came closer and leaned down slightly to meet my eyes.
“Are you jealous?”
“…Haa.”
I finally let out a deep sigh.
It was just thirsty.
But I wanted to turn his face toward me and monopolize that smile of his.
How should I put this? I was just… dissatisfied, I guess.
I wanted more Alois.
As if he read my mind, Alois burst into laughter. And he kept laughing for a good while.
“Don’t worry. No matter how much the temple people care for you, none of them can compare to me.”
Alois never lied to me. His expression turned playful.
“After all, I am yours.”
With an expectant expression, Alois held out his hand.
“What do you think? Are you satisfied with me?”
I read the emotions embedded in his eyes. As if enchanted by them, I took his hand.
The perfect temperature, the cool breeze, the sweet scent of flowers. And Alois right in front of me.
“How could I not be satisfied?”
There wasn’t a single thing I was dissatisfied with.
The moment I held his hand, that nagging thirst vanished, and I let out a soft laugh.
And I thought to myself: this kind of everyday life, it wasn’t so bad.
Ruby’s Corner:
*Just 1 more chapter until the end of the main story! That said, this chapter is the last time we see Emi and Alois in the main story so for me, this is the true end…until the side stories, of course.
- Emilone’s Temptation Labyrinth – Chapter 139 - October 3, 2025
- Honey, I’m Going on Strike – Chapter 33 - October 3, 2025
- Honey, I’m Going on Strike – Chapter 32 - September 30, 2025
“everyone was able to relax and enjoy the email.” Nice one miss Ruby, has a good laugh here
Thanks for the chapter
Wow. I cannot believe I typed email! Fixed 😂
In addition to an email, there are a couple other laughs I had reading this, but you probably want to fix this rather unfortunate one.
“He kept his eyes on me even as he did so. I watched him quietly until the window was shit.”
That aside, really enjoying this story and looking forward to it each time. Pity it’s nearing the end, but it seems like there’s going to be a few more smiles yet. Thanks, Ruby!
Oh my goodnessssss. Fixed! Thank you!