Chapter 139
Early in the morning, after finishing her meal a bit too quickly, Irene looked outside with puffy eyes from oversleeping. The commotion outside was too loud to ignore.
“What’s all the noise?”
“I’ll go find out!”
Lani returned shortly, brimming with excitement.
“The king has returned from his hunt! It seems he caught a lot of game. Everyone’s in an uproar.”
Irene absentmindedly thought to herself that most of the beasts attacking villages were predators, which weren’t exactly edible. But Lani was bubbling with enthusiasm.
“They say he caught a silver fox this time!”
“A silver fox?”
“Yes, it’s a rare creature. Its fur is beautiful, and it’s popular because it’s both warm and pleasant to look at. He’s probably thinking about who to give it to now.”
“Sounds like Burt’s more popular than I thought.”
“Who, Sir Burt? Of course, he’s popular! He’s a king, he’s handsome, he’s incredibly skilled, tall, and has a great body.”
Lani started listing Burt’s qualities one after another, and even as Noah began to furrow his brows in annoyance, she showed no signs of stopping.
“He’s the perfect husband material.”
She ended with that declaration.
‘Perfect husband material, huh.’
Irene tried to imagine Burt getting married, standing next to another woman.
‘It feels strange.’
The idea of him speaking of love or caring for someone just felt awkward to her.
“But if you ask me, Burt’s eyes are only on you, Lady Saintess. Just watch, the silver fox’s fur will be sent here soon.”
“No, that’s not possible.”
Irene waved her hand dismissively, her thoughts already turning to her next plan.
‘Maybe I should take a walk.’
She felt like if she didn’t move, she’d become as sluggish as a worm.
“I’ll be back shortly for a walk.”
“A walk?”
“Yes.”
“Then you should bundle up properly before you go. You’ll catch a cold if you’re not careful.”
“I already know”
Irene bundled up in a warm coat over her outerwear, with a hat and scarf, and this time even added gloves.
Her shoes were no longer the usual ones but felt boots that reached up to her ankles, lined with animal fur inside, giving them a soft, comfortable feel.
“Shall we go then?”
“Yes.”
Just as Noah and Lani finished preparing to go out with her, Sizu arrived to meet them.
“Sir Sizu.”
“I greet the noble Saintess.”
“What brings you here?”
“His Majesty has sent a gift. Please don’t be surprised.”
Sizu gave a small warning as he opened the large box he had brought.
“We were supposed to have it prepared for you first, but he wished to show it to you and ask your preference before anything.”
When the lid of the box was opened, the silver fox Lani had mentioned earlier was revealed. The fox, with a wound on its head, lay as if asleep, its silver fur shimmering in the light.
“The fox is quite large, so it could be made into either a coat or a cloak. Which would you prefer?”
“A coat would be practical, but it would be hard to pass up a cloak,”
Lani said excitedly, her eyes sparkling.
“What do you think, Lady Saintess?”
“I’m fine with either.”
“You can’t say that, you have to choose!”
As Irene looked at the silver fox, it reminded her of Burt’s cloak, which shimmered with a mix of black and silver.
“I think I’d prefer a cloak.”
“A cloak is a good choice as well. Then after your walk, we’ll send someone to take your measurements.”
“How did you know I was going for a walk?”
“When people go out for a walk, they dress just like you have. But today there’s no wind, so it should be a good day for a stroll in the garden.”
Sizu shrugged with a smile, and with the help of a servant, took the box back out. The next time they saw the silver fox, it would be made into a cloak.
The garden that Irene had only seen through the window looked even more beautiful in person.
“There are flowers blooming even in this season.”
“They probably chose ones that bloom in the cold to decorate. It wouldn’t do to have nothing but bare branches, would it?”
“That’s true.”
Irene nodded and continued her walk, only to spot Burt approaching from the opposite direction. Fortunately, it seemed he hadn’t been injured during the hunt.
As soon as Burt saw her, he changed his course and came over.
“Are you out for a walk?”
“Yes, I really like the unique atmosphere of the garden.”
“The gardener put a lot of effort into creating it. I am certain that person will be pleased to hear that from you.”
Before long, Burt naturally joined Irene on her walk.
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