#161 Love and Steps Don’t Get Tangled (1)
We arrived at the Blanquer estate two days before the ball, giving us ample time to rest.
Thanks to that, I was able to steadily work through everything I had planned.
Of course, with Benjamin and Ganael’s help.
First, I tried on the ‘Black Knight’ outfit that Eva had ordered for me, and
‘I was honestly skeptical, but it really suits you.’
‘If you went out on horseback right now, everyone would follow you, Your Highness. You look so cool!’
…I received such tremendous compliments.
As for me, I was completely relieved that it wasn’t an angel concept.
The silver-gray armor, whatever it was made of, wasn’t heavy at all and fit perfectly.
As expected of a master of disguise, my movements felt smooth.
The jet-black cloak that reached behind my knees was pretty cool.
The jet-black snakeskin mask, lavishly decorated with crow feathers, black pearls, opals, and tourmalines, only covered the upper part of my nose.
The veil in front of my eyes 확실히 확실히 가려주었다 [definitely, definitely covered me]. This is a good item.
‘Would it be possible to send a portal mail to His Highness Aurelio?’
‘Of course. The higher-ups will be very pleased.’
Benjamin answered my question kindly.
I also sent a secret letter with Elizabeth and the Imperial Guard’s cooperation.
It was to convey the warning that ‘Bireom’s Ark’ had given me, along with my regards.
It stated that no one knows what will happen if the four Divine Objects are gathered together.
I couldn’t keep such an important thing to myself.
‘Hmm…’
Still, I didn’t write about the crisis coming for me. That’s a bit… isn’t it?
‘I’m in danger, there’s something the Main God has prepared for me,’ and so on.
If I said something like that without a concrete explanation, anyone who read it would think I was self-absorbed and ridiculous.
-The world is already relying on you.
…It’s not like I’m the only one filming an apocalypse in a romance fantasy world.
It’s a meaningful remark to me, the person involved, but from a third party’s point of view, it’s just a cheesy line.
Nicky’s last words were enough for me to remember and keep in mind.
I had a trump card in case of emergency, three paladins by my side, and four divine beasts and one divine object with me.
As long as I didn’t step out unnecessarily, no accident would happen to me.
That’s how one night passed.
‘It’s puzzling.’
I muttered as I cut the cinnamon roll that was served for breakfast.
Even so, I don’t know what it means that the world relies on me.
Is it because I absorbed the ‘Wishing Holy Grail’ in the Temple of the Boundary?
Judging from the atmosphere, it seems to be the most important divine object on the continent, but it was difficult to ask Dduk-ssim more about it.
I had no way to try to talk to him unless he spoke to me first, and above all, the little guy was sleeping in.
Even if he became stronger, interfering with the human soul seemed to take a lot of effort.
Then I only had one option left.
Calm down and do what you can do now.
-Clang!
I raised my head in a flash.
Christel, who was transferring the croissant pudding, froze.
Her plate had neatly broken in two. Her 청회색 [bluish-gray] eyes widened in surprise.
‘I’m sorry. I couldn’t control my strength… I’ve become too strong as you said, Your Highness.’
She scratched the bridge of her nose.
Elizabeth encouraged her, saying it was okay, and the Crown Prince glanced at her indifferently before concentrating on his meal.
We were gathered in the dining room of the 성탑 [holy tower], having breakfast.
Sir Johann smiled as he picked up a vanilla muffin.
‘Don’t worry, you’ll adapt soon. Because there is the power of blessing.’
The ‘Blessing of the 창해 [blue sea]’ was, literally, a blessing.
As soon as the divine object was embedded in her body, Christel gained tremendous physical abilities, and small wounds healed quickly.
It seemed that her strength had greatly increased as the 수목의 신궁 [sacred bow of trees] got closer, but since there was also the grace of adaptability, she would soon find stability.
She nodded and put a piece of baguette on a new plate.
Then, with very careful hands, she spread cream cheese, topped it with 무채 [shredded radish] and avocado, and sprinkled dill.
That looks definitely delicious.
‘By the way, I didn’t know that the 굴뚝새 [wren, referring to Dduk-ssim] had such abilities. Thank you for telling me openly, Your Highness.’
While I was eating and thinking about what to eat, the 소백작 [Countess] changed the subject. I smiled.
‘Dduk-ssim is friendly with everyone. I thought it would be better for me to let you know in advance than for you to be surprised later.’
That’s right.
I told my friends about Dduk-ssim, which I had already told the Emperor and the Cardinal.
I also thought that the two main characters should know, and since the mention of the divine object came up, I wanted to reveal everything at this opportunity.
Eunseo’s famous saying also played a big role here.
‘Shibal! [Damn it!] If that seregi [trash] bastard had just talked to Christel the week before last, this wouldn’t have happened. Does he only use his mouth when he kisses?’
‘Jeong Eunseo, put money in the 욕 돼지 [swear piggy bank].’
…There was a rule in our house that if you swear, you have to put 1,000 won [Korean currency] in the piggy bank.
Anyway, the point was that there should be proper communication between the main character and her colleagues.
It was better to say what was okay to say.
‘There is a guide inside the Ark, and he gives revelations in human language. The Main God is working in a more practical way than I thought.’
Elizabeth admired purely.
Then she narrowed her eyes as she looked at Crown Prince Cedric.
‘If you’re hiding something, tell me. Isn’t 혜검 [the blessed sword] getting up and walking alone at night?’
Christel chuckled and handed half a baguette to the 소백작 [Countess].
I thought this was the time to ask.
‘I still don’t know who your dance partners are.’
‘…’
‘…’
Then Christel and the Crown Prince stopped eating.
They even stopped chewing the food in their mouths and froze.
The 소백작 [Countess] chimed in, ‘That’s right, I heard there is one, but he didn’t tell me either.’
Sir Johann looked at his disciples with a smile. Wait, wait a minute…
I have a really good hunch.
‘No way. Really?’
Clatter. My strength left my hand and the fork clattered onto the plate.
I turned to look at the main characters with my eyes wide open.
The man and woman were silent, staring at the bread.
No, Christel was muttering something like, ‘Why did I do that?’
Elizabeth’s gray eyes widened as if they were about to spill.
‘Is that true? How did that happen? Was that possible? Cedric?’
‘Are you two partners?’
My voice trembled. Christel made an ugly face.
‘Well, it is, but…’
Wow, crazy! I jumped up from my seat and approached the window.
Then I immediately slammed my forehead against the window.
The corners of my mouth were rising and my cheekbones were twitching.
I raised my fist, but I couldn’t hit the glass with it, so I blocked my mouth first.
The troublemakers were in the room, so there was no one to rub or hug and share the joy with.
I couldn’t help but look up at the sky and pray.
Thank you, God-given best-selling writer. You were also our people…
‘Your Highness? Listen. You’re not misunderstanding, are you? Why, that day when His Highness the Crown Prince was sick in bed…’
‘I’m not misunderstanding.’
I looked back at the table with a serious face.
I wasn’t filtering my words due to excessive endorphin secretion.
Christel continued calmly.
‘Your Highness fainted… Even if you didn’t, you fell asleep right away, and that’s why we talked about this and that. I’ve worked with His Highness at the Spring Ball before. I thought it would be better than participating in a hurry with someone I don’t know,’
‘You two had in-depth conversations on various topics?’
Is this real?
‘Euh-huh…’
‘Come to think of it, that was there.’
Through Elizabeth’s sobs, who had already collapsed on the table, the Crown Prince spoke in a sharp voice.
I perked up my ears. I’m going to write a diary in my notebook today.
‘When you came to Romero, I wouldn’t have looked like this.’
‘…’
‘How long are you going to pretend you don’t know?’
Why, suddenly. I, who had been splashed with cold water, was embarrassed and opened my mouth.
His orange eyes were burning like charcoal.
Christel was already biting her lips and trying to hold back her laughter.
I looked at Sir Johann in a hurry, but he had ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about, but it’s very interesting’ written on his forehead. Damn it!
‘…I’m full, so I’ll go first.’
‘That can’t be?’
‘It’s true.’
Christel expressed a valid question, but I bowed as I felt a sense of crisis that I had to leave and left the dining room.
Benjamin and Ganael, who had finished their early meal and were waiting, were shocked.
The two were worried, asking why I came out so early and if the food was spoiled, but I had no choice but to gloss over it.
How can I say that I came out because it was hard to show my face because of my dark history, I’m twenty-nine years old…
Damn it, I should have said I was an illegitimate younger brother instead of a son.
I’m too ashamed to complain to anyone.
*
After that, until the evening, I never brought up the ball story to the main characters first.
I felt like the two of them had taken sides except for me.
I wanted to ask what kind of disguise they were doing, but I stopped.
Instead, I overheard the news that Eva had prepared a ‘Black Rose’ costume for me as a pair, and that Ganael and Elizabeth would be dressed as a lion and a clown, respectively.
The key to a masquerade is to prevent anyone from guessing the appearance under the mask, and it seemed plausible.
Ganael had more of a puppy feel than a lion, and the elite 검사 [swordsman], 소백작 [Countess], was also far from a clown.
I smiled as I took a step.
‘It looks like it will be fun.’
‘Yes, I’m sure something fun will happen.’
Sir Johann replied coolly.
I was out for a night walk with him to see the aquarium he had prepared for Tete.
The glass box that arrived in the 성탑 [holy tower] lobby a little while ago was luxuriously decorated with expensive corals everywhere.
He said that he plans to pour cool seawater directly from the North Sea tomorrow afternoon.
I heard that the Blanquer couple were not friendly, but they seemed to be thorough in the local common sense that they should treat 신수 [divine beast] and 신관 [divine official] with respect.
‘Tete will like it.’
-Clatter, clatter…
‘Whoa, whoa.’
While I was admiring, several carriages passed through the open door.
Guests attending the ball were constantly entering the castle from the morning.
Eva’s words that it was the largest social event in the East were not an exaggeration.
The lord’s ability to accommodate and entertain so many guests also seemed great.
‘Marquis Dwiem and Duke Sarnez are silent. I wonder if they will come on the day.’
‘Maybe. They are both great noble lords, so they will be busy.’
Sir Johann said. I nodded.
‘I wonder if Herrit has received your letter by now?’
‘Yes, because His Highness sent it together.’
The paladin answered with a soft smile.
Herrit sent his dad on a business trip for the first time since coming to the Empire.
Fortunately, he was being cared for by Sant in the Imperial Palace accommodation, and the Imperial Guard was also escorting him.
I smiled back and suddenly remembered something.
When I took out the 성석 [holy stone] marble from my arms and handed it to him, Sir Johann tilted his head.
‘Wasn’t the experiment in the dark over?’
‘I’m going to try it with physical contact. Sir Johann is the first.’
Distress immediately flashed across his mint-colored eyes.
‘Your Highness, I don’t want to incur the wrath of your disciples.’
‘It’s okay. I’ll keep it a secret even if you break a lot of marbles.’
‘…There are still many things you don’t know about paladins.’
He said with a sigh. It was then.
‘Whoa! Whoa!’
A carriage stopped abruptly in front of us with a loud noise. I stretched my neck out to see what was going on.
Is the traffic already jammed?
-Squeak, click, click…
The door opened on the other side, and I heard someone coming down the stairs.
Only then did I carefully read the 문장 [crest] engraved on the carriage. Baron family… ‘Baron Bacari’.
‘It’s nice to see you again, Your Highness.’
A young voice rang through the autumn air. Unlike last time, the prophet immediately paid his respects.
I tilted my head as I looked at the teenager who had returned from the carriage. The teacher’s voice rang in my ears.
‘Be careful of Modest Bacari. He sees Your Highness as a dangerous person.’
‘Hello, Baron Bacari.’
I answered using the teacher’s title. Then, the 청은색 [bluish-silver] eyes under his glasses froze coldly.
He seemed unhappy to be treated like a child at the age of twenty.
His 진남색 [navy blue] hair looked blue under the magic lighting.
I wondered what he was going to say this time that he got out of the carriage and came all the way here.
‘Will you be attending the ball tomorrow with Christel de Sarnez?’
‘No. Why do you ask?’
I asked back.
Whether it’s because he’s young or because he’s originally like this, the kid made even the same words sound particularly hateful.
Am I a 꼰대 [Kkondae, a Korean slang term for a condescending older person]?
‘That’s good. You should keep your distance.’
It was a clearly condescending tone. A knife-like wind shook the prophet’s robe.
‘Sarnez is the one who shows the fate of the Crown Princess. If only Your Highness wasn’t there.’