Chapter 100
“Fortunately, I caught you this time before you got hurt.”
Alice tilted her head, wondering what he meant, then remembered what had happened at the Temple.
The day she had twisted her ankle after bumping into a child.
In fact, she had completely forgotten about it until Prion mentioned it.
That day, other events had left a stronger impression in her mind than what had happened with Prion.
From Kylus’s princess carry… to the news of Madam Quillian and Edellm’s deaths.
It had been a dynamic day.
“Haha, that’s true. I didn’t get hurt this time.”
Alice was laughing lightly as she looked at Prion when she flinched at a loud voice from behind.
“I’m truly sorry, Duchess!”
When she turned her head, she saw a maid bowing deeply, apparently the one who had bumped into her.
Next to her was a noblewoman who seemed to be the maid’s mistress, looking at her with an apologetic expression.
“My maid made a mistake. Are you hurt anywhere? I’m truly sorry. I’ll apologize on her behalf, Duchess.”
Alice smiled at the noblewoman’s polite apology.
“I’m fine, so don’t worry about it.”
“Thank you for your generosity, Duchess. Then we’ll be on our way.”
The noblewoman, seeming eager to leave as soon as Alice said it was okay, grabbed her maid’s wrist and quickly left the bakery.
Alice’s eyes followed their quick movements unconsciously, then widened as she saw someone standing at the bakery entrance.
“…Your Grace?”
Kylus’s presence was so unexpected that Alice wondered for a moment if she was seeing things.
After all, this was a shop selling sweet desserts.
It would easily rank in the top 3 places that didn’t suit Kylus.
Moreover, Alice was seeing Kylus for the first time in three days, so it felt somewhat unfamiliar.
Since she had unintentionally seen him off as he went to the Imperial Palace three days ago, Alice hadn’t properly seen Kylus at the ducal residence until now.
She had only seen him a few times from afar, passing through the corridor with Tessiri or Davit, talking with serious expressions.
Because he was so busy.
When she wanted to avoid him so badly, they would bump into each other as if to mock her efforts.
But for three days, there hadn’t been a single chance encounter.
Ah, of course, it’s not like she had missed him during that time, or had been waiting for a chance encounter or anything like that.
Rather, she had thought it was fortunate that she hadn’t run into him during that time.
Thanks to that, her uncontrollable feelings towards him had calmed down considerably.
Anyway, Alice was seeing Kylus after quite a while.
In an unexpected place.
Wondering if it might be an illusion, Alice closed her eyes and opened them again, only to be even more surprised.
Kylus, who had been standing at the entrance until just now, had suddenly drawn closer to her.
Is he using some kind of teleportation technique?
Her surprise at his quick steps was short-lived as Alice looked up at him, now completely close.
“My lady.”
A low voice accompanied by a smile on his lips.
He clearly had the face of an affectionate husband, but why did she feel a chill?
Alice soon found the cause of the chill.
It was because Kylus’s gaze looking at her was cold, unlike the smile on his lips.
But why is he in a bad mood?
Kylus’s gaze moved smoothly from Alice to the side.
Alice followed his gaze and realized.
The fact that she was still holding hands with Prion.
“Ah!”
Alice let go of Prion’s hand with a start.
Then she hurriedly said to Kylus.
“This is, well, because I almost fell and the High Priest caught me, there was absolutely no other meaning so please don’t misunder…stand…”
But why am I explaining this so elaborately?
She could have simply said that High Priest Prion had helped her, but in her flustered state, she had given a long-winded explanation.
Hoping that Kylus wouldn’t misunderstand.
She thought she had gotten better after not seeing him for a few days. Was that not the case?
To be so flustered as soon as she saw Kylus.
Alice had rapidly lowered her voice at the word “misunderstand,” but Kylus smoothly curled up the corners of his mouth.
“I know. I saw you almost fall too, my lady. Don’t worry, I’m not mis.un.der.stan.ding.”
He answered, emphasizing the word “misunderstand” as if he had heard everything.
Kylus gently smiled and held out his hand to her.
As if telling her to take it.
Moreover, unlike when he had just arrived in front of her, his cold gaze had changed to a gentle one.
Somehow, her explanation just now seemed to have been quite satisfactory to him.
Although she wasn’t sure which part had given him such satisfaction.
Given that he emphasized the word “misunderstand,” maybe he liked that part.
But even so… there’s no reason why he would like her explanation not to misunderstand her relationship with Prion… is there?
A thought flashed through Alice’s mind.
The hostility Kylus had shown towards Prion at the Temple.
That day, Kylus had clearly looked at Prion as if he wanted to cut him to pieces.
At that time, Alice had clearly understood that, for whatever reason, Kylus didn’t particularly like Prion.
So that’s why he liked my explanation not to misunderstand.
Because I’m the Duke’s person.
…The Duke’s person?
It wasn’t wrong, but that phrase made Alice feel strange.
It was as if her chest was tingling.
Oh my, what’s this, Alice shook her head vigorously, feeling like her cheekbones might rise.
Kylus was just displeased that I was involved with someone he disliked.
The world isn’t that sweet.
Get a grip, Alice.
Alice firmly held onto her softening mind.
“My lady?”
Kylus flinched and gave her a puzzled look at Alice’s sudden overreaction.
“Did you perhaps… hurt your head?”
“No, I’m fine. My hair suddenly felt bothersome… it’s nothing.”
Alice smiled brightly and gently took Kylus’s hand.
Even if her heart was unsettled, there were many eyes watching here, so she had to show a good relationship with Kylus.
Kylus took Alice’s hand and raised his head.
“High Priest Prion. We meet here of all places.”
“Duke Dearrut, it’s been a long time.”
The two men exchanged polite greetings.
The sight of the two handsome men standing facing each other was a picturesque scene, but unfortunately, Alice couldn’t simply appreciate the two of them thinking it was nice.
She didn’t know about Prion, but Kylus disliked Prion.
For now, Prion was closer to being an ally to them, if you think about it.
So Alice wanted to maintain a good relationship with him if possible.
And she hoped Kylus would… do the same.
Why on earth did he dislike Prion, who was a perfect clergyman?
Alice tried to intervene between the two, seeing Kylus still looking at Prion with a slightly cold gaze.
But Kylus was faster.
“Thank you for helping my wife, High Priest.”
“Not at all. I only did what was natural. More importantly, you seem to have been very busy lately, Your Grace. Has your health completely recovered now?”
“Yes, I’m completely fine. It must all be thanks to the main god’s grace. So I’m planning to send a donation soon to express my gratitude to the main god.”
“You already donated a large sum recently. And yet you’re donating again…”
“It’s fine. It’s not such a large amount for me.”
At Kylus’s quiet answer, Prion’s expression soured slightly.
It was understandable.
Even Alice, who had been listening quietly, thought for a moment, ‘Oh, how obnoxious.’
But it didn’t seem like Kylus was deliberately trying to show off his wealth to Prion.
Kylus’s expression was calmness itself, without a hint of smugness.
Come to think of it, it’s not exactly… wrong.
Just from what she had experienced at this bakery today, the power and wealth of the Dearrut ducal family seemed to be beyond her imagination.
His confident attitude of simply stating the facts as they were.
Therefore, his confidence couldn’t be refuted.
Still… it’s a bit obnoxious.
Prion, like Alice, seemed to be feeling an indescribable discomfort, and was silent for a moment.
Eventually, Prion awkwardly raised the corners of his mouth towards Kylus.
“…Of course you would. Then we’ll gratefully accept the donation.”
“Yes. Whenever the Temple needs help, the Dearrut ducal family will assist.”
“It’s a great comfort to hear you say that, Your Grace, but as you know, the Temple cannot get close to external powers, so we’ll just accept your goodwill.”
Prion smoothly rejected him, telling him not to cross the line. For a moment, Alice saw the tip of Kylus’s eyebrow twitch.
And Alice swallowed dryly.
Afraid that there might be friction between the two here.
If the two of them clashed… somehow it felt like one of them would end up dead.
And it probably wouldn’t be Kylus.
Should she intervene to protect Prion?
As Alice was tensing up, unexpectedly, Kylus let out an indecipherable chuckle and took a step back.
“You’re truly a consistent person, High Priest. That’s why I like you. Don’t worry. I absolutely won’t cross the line with the Temple.”
“Thank you. Then I’ll be on my way now. It’s almost time for evening prayers.”
“Very well. Then we’ll see each other again at the hunting competition the day after tomorrow.”
“Yes. Your Grace, Duchess.”
“Take care on your way back, High Priest.”
Prion gave Alice a nod of farewell.
After Prion left, Alice looked at Kylus with a somewhat puzzled expression.
After all, just before Prion left, Kylus had said he liked Prion.
She thought he really disliked Prion… was that not the case?
Then why does he get angry every time he sees Prion?
Is this some kind of power struggle between strong men?
Alice couldn’t understand Kylus’s emotional line, where his words and actions were different. But Alice’s puzzlement didn’t last long.
Because the chocolate tart she had been waiting for had arrived.
