“It's not money, it's a wish.”
“A wish?”
“Yes, after we finish all this, you have to fulfill my wish whatever it is.”
“I refuse.”
“...refuse?”
He seemed like he was going to give her everything, but suddenly he refused to grant a single wish.
“Won’t Dyaren ask that I leave her, forget her, free her? Such wishes, right?”
“N-Not necessarily...”
But she couldn't look into his eyes.
Sirius opened his narrowed eyes as if he had it all figured out.
“Wishes are completely rejected.”
“…This is ridiculous.”
“Even if it's silly, no wishes. I'll give you anything else.”
There was no reward that immediately came to mind, and she couldn't claim it.
I felt really wronged.
As Dearyn stuck out her lower lip in displeasure, Sirius added an additional condition:
“Since I will do everything, there is a condition on my part as well.”
"…condition?"
The word “condition” from Sirius’ mouth shocked her more than she expected.
As if a cute little puppy was always following you, suddenly taking out a necklace and saying “my beauty is not free”, this is exactly how Deyarin felt.
"A condition? I can drop everything and run away now, you know?"
“But then your life would be in danger.”
“I-I can hide in the temple and say that I have nothing to do with Sirius anymore...”
“But you are in a relationship with me now.”
“If I deny the existence of any other relationship...”
“If Endean doesn't believe it, it's no use.”
“…”
Sirius had become so clever that he could no longer be easily fooled.
She can no longer be happy about her child's growth—because now she alone bears the consequences.
“…What is the condition then?”
“Until Endine’s threats are gone, you must stay by my side.”
“That goes without saying...is that all?”
“That's all. But don't say anymore that you'll back down or come back.”
“Hmm... well...”
In this situation, she had no choice but to stay by his side to survive. But even so, I felt a little strange.
Not only did she leave because the outside was full of fire, but putting a collar around her neck was a different matter.
“Have I just been tricked…?”
But she has already accepted the condition, and her situation will not change.
“You promised.”
“…I will claim the reward later.”
"We agreed."
Deyarin could not suppress her attachment to the reward, so she added this last condition.
Now that they had completed their special contract, it was time to seriously think about how to bring down the Second Prince, that is, strengthen the First Prince's influence.
“Even if we support the Third Prince, Sirius must do something to gather influence around him, right?”
"correct."
“Where do we start...?”
Although she is ignorant of palace politics, the struggle for influence between people is also a kind of politics.
Deyarin reviewed in her mind the career of the senior priests who succeeded in moving up in the temple by gaining popularity.
Belonging to a prominent family alone was not enough. There are many noble priests, but not all of them were promoted.
Only those who have the trust of others or are truly competent succeed.
What they had in common was that they had a wide network of relationships.
Whoever has more knowledge will be criticized more, but will also receive more support.
“The first step is to expand the network of relationships...”
As soon as she finished speaking, the party came to her mind.
Aren't parties a place for people to meet? The goal of the ceremony is “social relations.”
“The party… it must still be going on, right?”
Even if the Emperor and Sirius withdraw in the middle of it, the party continues into the night.
Indeed, since the Emperor left, the real conversations, food and drinks had already begun.
“Wait a minute. Is the Second Prince the only one left at the party?”
I suddenly noticed.
With the Emperor, Sirius, and the Third Prince leaving, who was left in the hall?
If the Second Prince was alone, what would he do now?
As soon as she thought about that, she felt a shiver run down her back.
Even if the Emperor withdrew with vague words, the interpretation of what he said was up to the people. And if the second prince is the one who interprets those words?
Even if the Third Prince openly supported and helped the Emperor, it would be difficult for people's preconceived hearts to change.
“We don't have time now. We have to get back to the party right away.”
Dearyn jumped up and pulled Sirius by the arm.
Before she opened the door, she quickly glanced at Sirius' appearance. He was dressed as best as possible, befitting a true prince.
"Good, perfect. Whoever sees it will know it's the prince."
Before she opened the door, she suddenly stopped.
“Wait a minute. If we go back to the party, it might draw attention to me too.”
Even the Emperor showed some interest in her.
Although she was presented as a “close friend” in the Third Prince’s suite, many may see the relationship between them as more than that, and this is something Deyarin realized.
Her plan was to support him from behind until his position was consolidated, then withdraw quietly, but it seemed that plan had ended. Now she has to choose a suitable location for herself as well.
“Before we go out, we must first agree on the nature of our relationship.”
“Didn't you say we're best friends?”
“There are those who do not believe that friendship exists between a man and a woman.”
“What if we say we're engaged?”
“…”
“Love affair?”
“Shut up, leave the thinking to me.”
Dearyn put her hand on Sirius's mouth irritably, as if her head had become a steaming kettle from the intense heat.
Sirius looked contentedly at Dearyn's palm covering his mouth, as if he enjoyed it. Dearyn felt embarrassed and quickly withdrew her hand, and Sirius sighed regretfully, licking his lips as if he had lost something precious.
“Anyway, I haven't used my power publicly, have I? So it's best not to announce that I'm a priestess.”
“Can't you announce it?”
“If an order comes from the temple, I will be forced to carry it out, and it might get annoying.”
Even Mirian, the deputy high priest, was openly supporting the Second Prince, but her situation was completely different. She is in charge of the temple inside the imperial palace, and no one is above her there, and her presence in the palace gives her justification to interfere in imperial affairs.
Hema: Mirian, I don’t remember whether she was a boy or a girl. The important thing is that from her name, I expect a girl
As for Diyarin, its location is different. If an order is given for her to return from the temple, she must obey. If she refuses, she may be stripped of her priestess status on charges of disobeying temple orders.
“Let's say I'm just a loyal follower.”
“I don't like this.”
“Anything but we're in a marriage, you wouldn't like it, would you?”
“…”
The best way to deal with irrational complaints like these is to simply ignore them.
Dearyn ignored Sirius' pursed lips and simply explained her plan:
“Since we were together on the battlefield, we will say that we met there by chance, and that you saved my life and I felt grateful and became your follower. Sounds like a convincing story, doesn't it?”
It's a rather touching story. If he saved her in a dangerous situation in war, she would naturally be loyal to him.
“Since we were together on the battlefield, everyone would understand my nervousness or sharp actions. If I acted impulsively, it would be seen as a sign of my sincerity and loyalty.”
But this means that Deyarin will have to act boldly. A female follower cannot hide behind Sirius in shame, but must be at the forefront.
Will she be able to behave properly in front of these prominent people?
“I can do it!”
She encouraged herself sternly and opened her eyes with determination.
She has reached this point of being involved with a “mad dog,” and she begins to feel that the same madness is seeping into her as well.
Since she has already gone mad, let her be the fiercest madwoman in this place!
She is not crazy alone, they are crazy together, which makes their strength double.
“Good, I'm mentally prepared. Let's go!”
Diarine opened the door bravely and impulsively.
"Oh! You two are out!"
“…?”
But she was surprised by the crowd in front of the door.
Dayarin's enthusiasm suddenly stopped, and her steps hesitated.
The looks directed at her and Sirius were similar to the curious looks she had encountered previously in the Third Prince's Pavilion.
“Who are you? What is your purpose for visiting?”
Dearyn said cautiously, standing in front of Sirius to protect him.
But people were smiling very friendly and bowing submissively.
“I, Marquis Mario, have come for nothing more than to check on the prince’s health after the last fight... Was he injured in any place?”
“Since he returned to the palace after a long absence, I wondered if he needed help or guidance...”
They each started listing different excuses.
But they were just excuses.
Their motives may be different, but their goal is the same: to join the ranks of the First Prince early.
Based on the short event in the concert hall, they made their decision, and they were already moving. The speed of their understanding and movement was amazing.
'They are really amazing.'
To stay in the Imperial Palace, one must have this degree of caution and quick wit.
Deyarin felt admiration, but also responsibility.
If she wanted to protect Sirius well, she would have to become just as strong and fast.
“We were about to return to the concert hall.”
“Oh, excellent! Then let us accompany you.”
“We will guide you.”
Sirius was surrounded by people like a victorious general commanding his personal guard.
“May I accompany the prince personally?”
“No, I am from…”
“In terms of lineage, I am the most suitable to be by his side.”
Not only was no one accompanying them, they were clearly competing for a place near Ceres.
Dearyn narrowed her eyes.
“Where do you think you're going?!”
It's time for loyal follower #1 to emerge!