Chapter 72
The Empress seemed to have a positive misunderstanding, albeit slightly skewed.
“I used my personal funds for the charity party because I felt there was no reason for you to use your own resources for a national matter.”
“I’m deeply grateful, Your Majesty.”
I bowed deeply to the Empress’s praise. Hestia took my hand and squeezed it.
“You seemed quite intoxicated. Are you feeling better now?”
“…I apologize for causing concern, Your Highness. I am fine.”
“I’m glad you’re alright, but I was startled.”
“Yes, I was surprised as well.”
“I apologize, Your Majesty.”
“While I won’t interfere with the preferences of young people, please refrain from such… passionate displays in the future, especially on the neck. It’s rather unseemly.”
“…!”
“While the marks on the Crown Prince’s neck were a bit embarrassing at breakfast, I was relieved to see that you don’t seem to entirely dislike him.”
Oh my god…
Amidst the Empress’s grave misunderstanding, I gleaned a new piece of information. I bit Clovis’s neck, too?
If I caused that much of a commotion with Clovis, I doubt I simply scratched Seikan and Helion…
What kind of cannibal am I? My drinking habits are atrocious. I’m grateful I haven’t touched alcohol in a while.
After a few more polite exchanges, the Empress excused herself, telling me to take care. As soon as she left, Hestia took my hand.
“An elf mage has been waiting since last night to treat you. The alcohol hasn’t worsened any of the poison’s effects, has it?”
“No, nothing like that.”
“Did… Did my brother… use his powers to force you to…”
“No. No! That’s not it.”
Rather, I was the one who used force this time. I quickly waved my hand at the worried Hestia.
“I’m relieved to hear that… but Seikan Ferdian and Helion Zig looked rather disheveled, so I was worried something had happened to agitate you.”
Oh dear. Just how wild did I get last night?
“Seeing you like that made me regret not following you. Everyone insisted it was inappropriate for me to wander the streets at night, so I waited, anxious and worried.”
“I see. I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”
If I ever touch alcohol again for the rest of my life, however short it may be, I’m a dog.
As I made this vow, Hestia smiled in relief and stroked the back of my hand. Then…
“Adelina,”
“Yes?”
Hestia looked at me with an expression that said she had something serious to discuss.
“I’m going with you to see the High Priest.”
“The High Priest?”
Suddenly? Why would I need to see the High Priest now?
“He requested your presence. He was quite upset that you weren’t properly protected, despite being guarded by the Royal Knights.”
Hestia’s explanation made sense. Come to think of it, I was kidnapped, imprisoned, and… well, you know, while on a short outing from the temple.
From the High Priest’s perspective, he had every right to be angry, considering the safety of a priest under his care.
But him angry? I’ve known him since I was a child, and I’ve never seen him angry. He’d just chuckle, even when a baby with soiled pants grabbed his robes and smeared them with… well, you get the picture.
He probably just wrote something formal like, “I am filled with righteous indignation and demand her return” in some official document.
“Alright, let’s go together. We might as well go now.”
It’s still before sunset, and even with my slightly extended lifespan, my remaining time is limited. I need to finish what I need to do: say my final goodbyes to the High Priest and deliver the donation I jokingly promised.
***
I was in a relatively lighthearted mood as we headed to the temple.
Even when Clovis suddenly appeared as Hestia and I were about to board the carriage, declaring he would join us, I remained unfazed. Although the red marks on his jaw and neck made me wince, I brazenly rationalized that it was nothing compared to what he’d done to me. In fact, I even lifted my chin defiantly.
Clovis chuckled at my reaction—the kind of irritating laugh that suggested he was the only one amused.
I glared at him, only to be confronted again by the undeniable bite marks on his neck. A deep sense of despair washed over me.
What have you done, past self? What did you do to make Clovis look at me with that smug, victorious smirk?!
While I mentally dug myself into a hole, the carriage cheerfully continued its journey to the temple.
As soon as we arrived at the main temple, accompanied by two such distinguished… hickeys, and prepared to meet the High Priest…
“Uninvited guests should take their leave.”
I was met with a genuinely angry High Priest.
He wasn’t shouting or red-faced, but the fact that this perpetually jovial man was now sternly dismissing us was enough to gauge the extent of his fury.
“High Priest…”
Wouldn’t it be a bit problematic to dismiss direct members of the royal family so abruptly?
As I glanced nervously at the stunned Clovis, the High Priest called my name.
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