Chapter 40
‘She’s not as pretty as Sylaria, but well. This is good enough, I suppose.’
The problem was the match rate.
Arendtert was having difficulty finding a Purifier with a high match rate.
That was why he’d decided to get engaged to Sylaria, even though their match rate was only in the 30 percent range. She was the first person he’d met whose match rate even surpassed ten percent.
“I have something to talk to you about. Could you come here for a moment?”
Arendtert coaxed Elenia gently. But she, wary as a timid herbivore, wouldn’t budge from behind Grizelle.
“L-Let’s go, Grizelle…”
“What are you talking about, Ellie? Your Highness, please tell me. I’ll pass it on for you.”
“No.”
Arendtert answered coolly to Grizelle, who kept butting in without reading the mood. Her persistent presence between him and Elenia was getting on his nerves.
“Lady Willoughby, could you step aside for a moment?”
“…Pardon?”
At Arendtert’s cold words, Grizelle wore a blank expression. While she was momentarily stunned, he grabbed Elenia’s wrist.
To know the precise match rate, you needed the temple’s certificate.
But even without that, just touching skin could give you a rough sense of compatibility.
Just like the faint violet light that had spread when he first touched Sylaria.
“Let go of me… Ugh!”
Dragged by Arendtert, Elenia retched. As soon as he hurriedly released her in shock, she collapsed to the ground and vomited.
“Ugh, urk, haa, haa…”
“……!”
“Ellie!”
Startled, Arendtert hesitated. At that moment, Sylaria’s voice rang out. As he checked for an escape, he realized the rose garden was directly connected to the Second Prince’s Palace—there was no point in trying to run now.
Rather than show a pathetic retreat, it was better to offer an explanation.
“Ellie, what’s wrong? Are you hurt?”
Out of breath, Sylaria hurried over and supported Elenia. It seemed she’d been out on a stroll, as a maid carrying a picnic basket was with her.
“Haa, Sister…”
Elenia, pale in an instant, leaned weakly against Sylaria.
Sylaria entrusted her sister to the maid and glared at Arendtert.
“What did you do to my sister?”
“I didn’t do anything. Really, ask Lady Willoughby! We only exchanged greetings!”
“Grizelle, don’t just stand there. Please explain.”
Sylaria prompted Grizelle coldly. As Elenia began to retch, Grizelle, pale as a ghost, opened her mouth.
“T-The Second Prince, he… he grabbed Elenia’s…”
“He grabbed Elenia? How, exactly?”
“Um, well…”
As Grizelle stammered, Arendtert, cornered, scowled fiercely.
“Damn it! Speak properly!”
“Hicc!”
Startled by his harsh shout, Grizelle hiccuped. Sylaria shot Arendtert a look of pure contempt for treating not only her sister, but even her friend, so roughly.
“From now on, please don’t approach my people, Your Highness the Second Prince. I don’t want to be involved with you in any way.”
“That’s not it, Syllie! I didn’t do anything!”
“I’m sure you didn’t.”
Sylaria sneered, her smile icy.
“I suppose you always think it’s someone else’s fault, never your own. People say human nature doesn’t change. I guess that’s true.”
“…Are you mocking a prince right now?”
“As if I’d dare, Your Highness.”
Sylaria replied calmly, even as Arendtert’s brow bulged with veins.
“I’m just stating my opinion. Are you feeling guilty about something?”
“You— You, I’ve spoiled you too much!”
Smack!
Arendtert’s hand cut through the air, and Sylaria’s head snapped to the side.
Elenia, Grizelle, and even the maid Marin who had been watching, all gasped.
A prince striking a lady.
A prince, who was also a Holy Knight. A man who was supposed to be imbued with chivalry, raising his hand against a woman.
And to strike the woman who was to become his sister-in-law.
“…My goodness.”
Marin’s shocked words slipped out, and Arendtert, who had been seething, flinched.
It was only then that he realized what he’d done, and his neck flushed red with embarrassment.
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