Chapter 138
“Luna!”
“Ellen.”
“What did you think of the Saintess? You said you wanted to see her as a devoted believer.”
“She was impressive. I’d say she inspires a genuine desire to pray.”
“Really? I’d like to see her too.”
“You’ll have plenty of chances in the future. You’re assigned to her, after all.”
Under normal circumstances, Luna wouldn’t have been able to approach the Saintess. Bella had made sure to keep her at a distance.
But that didn’t mean there weren’t ways around it.
Luna used a close friend among her peers to gain access to the Saintess’s room. In exchange for her cherished ring, they agreed to swap roles just this once.
If Bella found out, she’d be furious, but that would be the extent of it.
Luna had entered the palace as a maid because she wanted to see Burt, but her true status was quite high. She was the only daughter of a ducal family.
Because of this, life had always been easy for Luna. If there was one thing that wasn’t easy, it was Burt.
“But it’s strange.”
“What is?”
“You usually can’t stand anything with an ominous symbol. But it seems you felt differently about the Saintess, so there must be something special about her.”
“Well, I suppose that’s true. I should get back to my usual duties now. If Bella finds out, she’ll be mad.”
“Right. Then let’s part ways here.”
“Yeah, thanks a lot for today.”
When Luna expressed her gratitude again, Ellen’s face lit up. Ellen, the daughter of a provincial noble, was one of those who always wanted to stay close to Luna.
“Oh, don’t mention it. If you need anything else next time, just let me know.”
Ellen was also the easiest person for Luna to manipulate.
“Will do.”
Smiling, Luna watched Ellen leave before crossing the corridor to return to her original duties.
‘I’m much prettier and in a more favorable position. The rumors floating around are lies.’
After seeing the Saintess in person, Luna felt much more at ease. She walked lightly, but then a familiar face appeared from the opposite direction—the king.
Luna naturally bowed her head and greeted him.
“Greetings, Your Majesty.”
Burt looked down at Luna for a moment before speaking.
“So, you’re the chancellor’s daughter. Have you started working as a maid?”
“Yes, I decided to work for a while to learn before getting married.”
“Marriage, I see.”
He should have been curious, maybe even asked whom she was going to marry, but he didn’t. That stung, but Luna didn’t show it.
Leaving those words behind, Burt continued on his way.
‘Even though he’s such an indifferent man…’
She still couldn’t give up. Luna let out a small sigh.
* * *
The place where Burt stopped was the Saintess’s room. He knocked lightly and, after going through the formalities, entered to see Irene sprawled out like a cat.
It seemed Bella had taken his request for special care quite seriously, as Irene looked completely relaxed. Her slightly disheveled appearance, as if she had just woken up, wasn’t bad either.
“Burt, is that you?”
“Yes, are you comfortable here?”
“It’s almost too comfortable; that’s the problem.”
She seemed more at ease here than in any other royal palace. It was proof that she regarded Burt as an ally.
‘That’s not a bad thing, either.’
“Still, you should start preparing for the welcome party soon.”
“What’s the welcome party like here?”
“It’s a bit different from other places.”
“A bit?”
“Yes, just a bit.”
He could sense her suspicious gaze, but he chose to ignore it.
“Besides, I might go on a light hunt tomorrow. Would you like to join me?”
“A hunt?”
“Around this time, starving beasts sometimes attack the villages. So, I’ll probably head out for a bit.”
“No, that’s alright.”
Irene shook her head, declining his offer.
“I’ll wait here.”
She would wait here. A simple statement, yet it stirred something strangely within him.
“If there’s anything you don’t like about the room, please let me know.”
“I’m more than happy with the room.”
“I can move you to a better room.”
“No, it’s fine. I’m hardly moving around as it is.”
There was a hint of regret in her refusal.
Burt didn’t show his disappointment. If he showed even a little, Irene might feel awkward.
“Alright. If you change your mind later, please let me know.”
Irene nodded. After a short conversation, Burt left her room and headed outside.
“Your Majesty.”
As soon as Burt appeared, a group of people greeted him as if they had been waiting. It was the group of knights joining him on the hunt.
“The welcome party isn’t far off, so let’s make this quick.”
“Of course. This shouldn’t take long at all.”
“As the king will have breakfast in the palace tomorrow morning.”
In response to the people’s suggestion, Burt shook his head.
“Let’s go.”
As he mounted his horse, it pawed the ground with its front hoof. Then it started to gallop swiftly, followed closely by the horses of the knights.
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