The Nymph Wants to be Plundered - Chapter 105

He absolutely could not grant her request to intrude upon the Hall of Glory. It was already disloyal enough to scheme to block the king’s path using the Goddess Theia as bait. After much deliberation, Iel found one somewhat acceptable solution and, with only his eyebrows remaining sternly furrowed, admonished her.

“…Know that this is truly the last time.”

“What is it? Please tell me quickly.”

Polyxene, losing her dignity in a way that made her brilliant chiton seem wasted, grabbed his cuff and hung on desperately. Iel, firmly resolving to reprimand Polyxene for such undignified behavior next time, moved his lips quickly.

“Later, His Majesty… Hmm, around eight in the afternoon, I will direct him to a location I will tell you about, so don’t act frivolously. As the host of the festival, as a guardian, plead for permission to at least kiss his hand. And if there is still no response afterward, withdraw gracefully. Do you under…”

“I understand! Thank you!”

Her face brightened immediately with joy, as if she had never been upset. Iel shook his head and went to see him at the Temple of Theia. This time, he was determined not to tell Polyxene where he was going.

“……”

Standing in his white ceremonial robe, Cassis bore a striking resemblance to a priest from ancient times, when they valued the gods more than the World Tree while their power was still weak. Since they began praising the World Tree, the Pantheon was often left empty, but the King of Jupiter still carried the duty to occasionally perform ceremonies for the goddess.

This moment was incomparably more solemn and sacred than any royal ceremony Iel could remember. As he unconsciously bowed his head deeply, Cassis spoke to him first, without even turning around.

“Lord Iel.”

“Yes.”

“I believe principles are more important than disrespect directed at me.”

…Ugh, he knows everything.

Hearing those words, Iel felt sweat trickling down his spine and bowed his head even deeper. There was no room for excuses. Especially now, when he had already set up yet another scheme.

“I am terribly sorry…”

“Caring for one’s kin is not a bad thing. Elven hands are precious, so what can I say? If your kin is so important to you, Iel, you may put down your sword and live as a guardian protecting your sister. Couldn’t you return as a knight after I lay down my crown? It won’t take that long.”

‘Ah…!’

Cassis was pointing out his misconduct in a tone colder and more frigid than the pure white ceremonial robe he wore. Feeling sweat running down his entire body, Iel squeezed his eyes shut and exclaimed:

“It is my fault. I deserve to be reprimanded, so please do not speak of such things.”

However, Iel’s plea lacked genuine remorse, and Cassis, knowing this, intimidated him once more.

“Even if I step down as king, until the next guardian of the World Tree emerges…”

“I am sorry, I am deeply sorry, Your Majesty. From the moment the sun rises tomorrow, I will never make such a mistake… no, such a wrong doing again.”

Iel knelt on both knees behind him and prostrated himself, begging forgiveness—from Cassis, from the Goddess Theia who would be watching this scene intently, and from the World Tree silently protecting them.

Without even a bitter smile, Cassis reluctantly decided to spare him. Iel had not lied, after all, and Cassis himself had actions committed by his sylph to account for, so he chose to adopt a generous attitude. Just this once, today.

From that moment, an eternity seemed to pass for someone, until it became around eight in the evening.

‘It should be about time now…’

Polyxene , who had been waiting anxiously, was growing impatient.

Having changed into a banquet-gray slip with a transparent robe over it, she had entered the bedroom of the house Iel had mentioned. The chiton he had rejected was discarded in anger the moment she took it off. She thought she heard the sound of it tearing, but she did not check. It did not matter anyway, as she would not wear it again.

Perhaps due to her increasing anxiety, her hand, with visible veins, attempted to claw at the back of the plush, cotton-filled chair. Only by awakening her senses this way could she manage her overwhelming feelings even slightly.

“…Did I perhaps misunderstand the location?”

Having been tense and excited all day, even shedding tears while trying to draw him in, her mind might have become confused. She was also slightly physically exhausted, in truth. Polyxene , scantily clad, left the bedroom and peered into the corridor.

No one was there. As Iel had asserted, Cassis rarely changed his schedule, and even if difficulties arose, he was a man who overcame them with his own exceptional abilities. So she must have been momentarily confused.

“Hmm… Good, let’s go quickly!”

Barefoot, she ran across the carpet in the corridor and slipped into the bedroom on the opposite side. It seemed all she needed to do now was climb onto the bed visible there and wait. Today, His Majesty the King would surely be tired from overseeing the Aika Festival. That incident from the afternoon… he would forgive it, wouldn’t he?