Chapter 19
Facing him made her feel nauseous.
“Are you so overwhelmed that you can’t speak? That’s all right. I’ll wait.”
He seemed completely absorbed in himself, but to be fair, his looks were almost worth the arrogance.
Still, everything about his tone and manner made her uncomfortable.
“When I heard you were rejecting all your suitors, I was overjoyed.”
…That had nothing to do with you, did it?
She barely managed to swallow the blunt retort.
This was odd. Why was she getting so irritated?
Menelaon was undoubtedly breathtaking.
And yet, every time she looked at that glossy face of his, she felt a strong aversion she couldn’t explain.
‘Could this be another part of Vishtar’s curse? Like an allergic reaction to handsome men?’
“…Um. I think there’s been some misunderstanding.”
Shaking off that chilling thought, she forced a stiff smile.
“I was told I didn’t have a fiancé.”
“Well, of course, you and I aren’t officially engaged yet. I was away for quite some time, after all. However—”
“Oh. So we’re not engaged yet?”
She let out a visible sigh of relief without meaning to.
“That’s a relief.”
“…A relief? What’s so relieving about that?”
The look on her face seemed to bother Menelaon quite a bit.
“Don’t worry. You’ll soon become my official fiancée. But…”
Suddenly frowning, he raised his chin slightly, eyes narrowing.
“Your tone has changed… strangely, Linne.”
The shift in his voice turned sharp, commanding and patronizing.
“When did you start speaking so casually with me?”
“…You started it. I thought it was okay if I did too.”
“Maybe it’s been too long since we last met. Still, even soon-to-be partners should maintain proper decorum.”
His words sounded almost gentle.
But beneath the softness, there was a smug, oppressive arrogance that I couldn’t quite place.
“I might’ve let it slide before, but you and I have a considerable difference in status, Linne.”
He said it with the patience of someone training an untrained dog to sit.
“Linne, you know what people like you mean in Elysion, don’t you? As a mere mortal—”
“And what’s your status then?”
His condescending tone finally made Elinne lose her patience.
“…What?”
Menelaon raised his chin and spoke proudly, but maintained an expression of disbelief.
“I am the adopted daughter of Nerva, Goddess of War and Wisdom, and the Tactician of Metis. And you? You must outrank me to speak down to me like that, right?”
Meneleaon’s face twisted at the bold declaration, like he’d just been stabbed.
For a moment, he was speechless, and watching his mouth open and close without a word was oddly satisfying.
“I think, if we’re to be partners like you say, then we should be equals.”
She smiled, swallowing the urge to throw another sharp jab to follow what she had said earlier.
She made sure to return his condescension with equal poise.
“So if you’re uncomfortable with the way I speak to you, then I don’t think we’re going to have a good relationship.”
Honestly, Menelaon looked older than she did.
So by strict mortal etiquette, she should be the one using honorifics in a Confucian-eque country to show respect.
But this was a perfect excuse to ruin the conversation.
“I didn’t expect you to be the kind of woman to be so blunt?”
He was clearly displeased now, with a sour look on his face.
“I had no idea. You usually barely expressed yourself.”
…Who exactly is the one who should feel offended right now?
Elinne didn’t back down, giving him a tart glare.
If Menelaon snapped, she was ready to feign heartbreak and flee, shouting, “I could never marry someone so domineering!”
“…Hmph. But since you’re now Nerva’s adopted daughter and your status has changed… fine. Do as you please.”
Instead of blowing up, Menelaon backed off obediently, with his tail tucked behind his legs.
“I’ve heard you changed after the Golden Apple incident and being summoned by the gods.”
He looked her over with a strange gaze of hurt pride, and barely contained interest.
“You really have changed. To think you’d meet my gaze like this.”
His eyes gleamed like he’d just discovered a hidden feature on a once-dull toy he’d overused.
“You almost seem like a different person.”
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