Since the morning, Atha had been releasing one sigh after another.
She was overcome with turmoil and confusion.
She had a strong desire to run to Alisto now to explain to him her ability and how to use it.
She wanted to ask him eagerly: ‘Please, keep me safe.’
'A week until the revelation is announced...no, but five days left now?'
How she wished she could stop the clock from running.
Perhaps this distress appeared on her face; Ruby's features watching her gradually began to fill with worry.
It is natural that when the person you are serving is in a bad mood, those around him will feel confused and monitor his reactions.
Ruby hovered around Atha and asked her gently, “You seem to be in an unusually bad mood today.”
The reply was terse: “It seems so.”
Then she sighed again, a deep sigh as if it would swallow the ground beneath her.
Ruby couldn't bear to see her like this, so she suggested, "How about resting under the shade of the elm tree in the garden while I tidy up the living room?
Breathing in the fresh air and hearing the gurgling water of the nearby fountain might improve your mood."
Atha thought for a moment.
Would this really improve her mood?
What's the point of improving your mood when you don't have a solution to the problem?
She already knew the answer.
There is no point at all.
I must prevent the revelation from being announced.
But how?
What can I do?
Other possessors have hidden abilities, summoning spirits or using magic.
So why wasn't I given even one thing?
Is it stinginess on the part of the ruler or cruelty on his part?
All I have is…
Hmm?
My relationship with the governor?
She remembered the phrase written in the ruler's letter she had received earlier: [‘If you are interested in knowing the details, come and visit High Priest Isis at the temple.’]
In other words, going to High Priest Isis in the temple means that I will be able to meet the ruler, right?
I will go and ask him not to announce the revelation.
I don't know if he will fulfill my request, but trying is better than sitting idly by.
The one who welcomed Atha the most from her place was Ruby.
“I will tidy up the place under the tree.
I will make the blanket you like, and bring lots of pillows.”
But Atha stopped Ruby, who was about to work: "No.
We will go to the elm tree another time.
I must go and meet His Highness."
Since her range of movement was limited to the Imperial Palace, she needed Alisto's permission to go to the temple.
Atha immediately ran to Akalia's suite, but Alisto was not there.
In his place, I met Mr.
Custer, who is known as a messenger, assistant, and secretary at Acalia.
Mr.
Custer was a very nice man.
“His Highness is in his office now.
Shall I accompany you there?”
Of course Atha did not reject his offer: “Yes, please.”
Thus, she first went to the Crown Prince's office located on the fourth floor of the Blossom Palace.
“I didn't know there was a fourth floor.”
“Because it is not connected to the central staircase you are using, Miss Atha.
Ah, Miss Ruby, you will have to wait here.”
They were at the stairs at the end of the third floor corridor.
Atha left Ruby, who looked a little worried, and followed Mr.
Caster to the fourth floor.
There were no corridors on the fourth floor.
Once up the stairs, Mr.
Custer opened a huge door without even knocking.
It was a huge open space the size of a ballroom.
There were several large offices, and people were sitting crowded behind them.
When their gazes all turned to her at once, Atha felt confused.
Caster went inside as usual and continued to direct her: “Come in.
Although their faces look like this, they are all good people.”
The first one to speak to her was Gerold Prince: “Oh?
Sister-in-law, have a good day.”
'Yes?'
'Your brother's wife?'
'Since now?'
Atha sniffed the air silently, then answered calmly: “Yes, have a good day...you too.”
Since Atha was not accustomed to being the center of attention, she felt the pressure of this atmosphere, which made her greeting subdued and hesitant.
She felt confused and moved her eyes, looking for Alisto.
Then her gaze met a man who bowed his head lightly, greeting her: “Good day.”
Although she had never met him before, she couldn't ignore the greeting.
“Ah, welcome.”
While she was greeting him in confusion, she heard another greeting voice from someone she had not even seen: “Good day!”
As Atha turned towards the source of the sound and raised the corners of her mouth with a confused smile—
A small door opened inside and Alisto stepped out.
He was talking to a thin man wearing glasses, then he suddenly noticed her and approached her.
His face was full of astonishment.
“How did you get here?”
Atha shrugged her shoulders lightly and pointed to Caster standing next to her: “I went to Acalia and you weren’t there.
This nice person here is the one who guided me.”
Alisto looked at Caster for a moment.
'Really, what was he thinking by bringing Saintess here?'
“I'm the one who asked him to come.
If you're busy with work, maybe later...could you stop by the Almond Pavilion for a bit?
After you're completely done.”
Alisto swallowed a sigh.
Since he was seeking to win the Saint's heart, he could not show any discomfort.
...In fact, he wasn't even bothered at all.
“Since you came here, it seems that you have an order, what is it?”
Then—
“Because I wanted to see you”
In front of the saint's frank and sudden confession, Alisto's face, which was completely calm, reddened.
He had never felt such confusion in his entire life.
'What...'
What?
both.
Hmm—
He couldn't find the right words to respond.
Yes.
She wanted to see me then.
“……”
He turned his gaze away from the saint's eyes; Maybe because he was no longer able to look directly at her face for some reason.
'I knew she was beautiful from the beginning'
'But I don't know why you look more beautiful today than usual.'
“…tea—”
“Shall we go for a walk?”
Alisto nodded immediately: “Okay.
Let’s go now.”
***
After His Highness the Crown Prince and the Saint left the office.
The “owls” (helpers) did not dare to gossip about their master’s romantic relationship.
-Nonsense, of course.
"amazing!"
“Guys, did you see that?”
“Wow, the saint has a strong charm.”
“‘Because I wanted to see you.’ Wow, that’s the phrase of the year.”
“She has charm and courage.
She is the most suitable talent for the position of wife of the Crown Prince.”
Sure, sure.
Right, right.
This is the right thing.
Amidst this noise, one of the “owls” with a melodious voice said: “The problem is His Highness, isn’t it?”
“……”
The noisy atmosphere suddenly calmed down.
Deep sighs were heard from everywhere.
Ah—
“Is it so hard to say ‘I wanted to see you too’?”
“What tea is this, why is he looking for the tea he drinks every day at a moment like this?”
“What do we do?
It’s his first love that came at a late age.”
When the owls' laughter began to gradually die down, Gerold knocked on the desk twice.
“Are you done chatting?”
The sound of "Boom" came together in one tone.
"… Yes!"
With one word from Gerold, the office immediately returned to the serious business atmosphere.
As it was before Atha's visit.
***
Alisto and Atha walked side by side into Blossom Garden.
The atmosphere was very confusing.
In situations like this, it seems that the saint does not care about the looks of others at all.
She fed him meat in the middle of the party.
Did you just feed him?
Rather, she was laughing very happily.
Also at the Empress's tea party, she kept bragging about her lover like a fool, and now a little while ago...
Because matters of maritime trade had developed into maritime exploration, the office was crowded with those “owls.”
And in that place full of eyes, she said she wanted to see him with all his might...
Really—
'...you have a daring side'
He peeked at the head of the woman walking next to him.
Her light brown hair looked so soft.
She looked beautiful, and sometimes she looked at him shyly, and her face was red with embarrassment.
Thinking about it, the saint had a talent for mesmerizing hearts.
Even now, if it were another man, he would think for sure that she loved him without a doubt.
But?
The saint, who now pretends to be in love with him, has a history of trying to escape twice.
'I will not be fooled a third time'
While walking, Alisto gradually regained consciousness and pulled himself together.
He didn't know what the reason was, but there had to be a motive behind her coming into the office and saying those tempting words.
And as expected—
The saint who was walking in the garden opened her mouth cautiously, as if there was something she wanted to ask: “Excuse me, listen to me.”