Chapter 22
“Don’t treat Lina so carelessly.”
“What?”
“Your Highness may see her as a momentary amusement, but to me, she is someone I wish to cherish for a lifetime.”
‘A momentary amusement.’
If only that were true.
Clovis responded to Helion’s vigilance with a cold sneer.
“Amusement or not, it’s none of your concern. While I might be lenient in public matters, I’m not so generous when it comes to my private life. So, I suggest you refrain from meddling in my affairs with my woman.”
‘My woman.’
Saying the words aloud filled him with a deep sense of satisfaction.
Yes, my woman. He’d expected his mother, the Empress, to object, at least a little, but she’d surprised him with her ready agreement. The biggest hurdle was cleared, so all that remained was…
“Whose woman?”
Clovis looked at Adelina, her eyes wide as saucers at his declaration. Ignoring Helion’s indignant retort, Clovis extended a hand toward Adelina.
This was a crucial time. With the Demon King dead and the empire’s patriotism at its peak, as the Empress had pointed out, there was no need to create friction with the heroes.
Therefore, the best course of action was to keep Adelina safely tucked away in the palace until public opinion cooled down. The thought of Adelina waiting for him in his chambers already made him stir.
Adelina, noticing the predatory gleam in Clovis’s eyes, cried out, “I… I cannot bear children! So, please, retract your words!”
At her desperate outburst, Clovis let out a hollow laugh.
She was a priestess in training, yet she lied so brazenly. He distinctly remembered the court physician marveling at Adelina’s robust constitution during the regular checkups instigated by Hestia.
Her frantic attempts to wriggle out of his grasp were endearing. Clovis, trying to suppress the smirk rising on his lips, suddenly wiped the amusement from his face at Adelina’s next words.
“I can no longer serve the temple. Therefore, I intend to leave the capital and never set foot on this land again. If I have offended Your Highness, please consider this my apology.”
It was as if a bucket of ice water had been dumped over his head.
‘Leave? Don’t be absurd. Who gave her permission?’
* * *
“Leave? Leave where?”
My words had been directed at Clovis, but Helion, his eyes wide with surprise, whirled around to face me.
“Well, well, Sir Helion Ziek. The woman you claim to want to cherish for a lifetime is about to abandon you without a second thought. What do you say to that?”
“It’s none of Your Highness’s concern! If Adelina leaves, I’ll simply leave with her.”
“Leave? And go where, exactly? Surely you’re aware that absconding with a member of the imperial family is considered treason.”
“Threatening someone’s freedom of movement based on mere speculation? I’m concerned for Your Majesty’s renowned wisdom.”
“Shall I show you what a real threat looks like? You clearly have much to learn about the machinations of the political arena.”
“Your Highness excels in such matters, so there’s no need for someone like me to learn. I’ll simply live peacefully with Adelina, far from the political stage.”
‘They’re certainly enjoying themselves.’
They were completely ignoring me, lost in their heated exchange. Who said anything about the palace? Who agreed to leave with him?
Tired of clinging to life, why would I willingly add to my troubles?
As their endless bickering continued, I rubbed my slightly concave stomach, still empty from the lack of proper food during my three-day unconsciousness.
Although the timing made it unlikely, I needed to take the contraceptive potion as soon as possible. They were so engrossed, they might not even notice if I slipped away.
I began to back away as slowly as a snail, when Hestia, who had gone to see the Empress off, returned.
The two men, their argument escalating to the point of near personal attacks, fell silent at her appearance.
“What are you two doing here? Adelina? What are you doing?”
Caught mid-escape, I stood frozen, the target of three pairs of eyes.
“…Um… ha, ha. I was just… just thinking of returning to my room, Your Highness.”
Hestia shook her head sternly. “No. You need to rest. Lie down. And you two, get out. Why are you barging in here uninvited?”
As always, Hestia was the most reliable shield.
“Hestia. You’ve heard Mother’s words, haven’t you?”
But Clovis, having already breached Hestia’s defenses, continued to press.
“That’s…”
“If there’s nothing else to prepare, it would be best if she came with me today.”
Hestia looked at me, her expression troubled.
“Adelina needs more rest. And we should hear what she wants.”
“I asked for her opinion, and she declared her intention to abandon everything and everyone, including you and the temple, to run away.”
‘Huh? When did I…? I said I would leave, but when did I say all that?’
As I stammered, flustered by Clovis’s distortion of the truth, Hestia looked at me, her face ashen.
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