Chapter 17 Part 2
Perhaps because of this, the area around the reception room was quiet, with only the occasional rough roars of the magical beasts from the breeding grounds faintly drifting in from outside.
“Rosiel, when Xenoph is imprisoned, you’ll be mentioned as the one who uncovered this matter.”
“What? Why me? You did more than I did.”
Rosiel’s soft peach-colored hair, willingly giving credit to others, caught the moonlight streaming through the window and sparkled brilliantly.
She was a woman who matched the exceptionally deep night perfectly.
“That can’t be. Without you, I could never have accomplished this. So it’s truly your merit.”
“Then let’s say we both did well. Since we achieved this together.”
Rosiel happily smiled and lightly patted Hyle’s shoulder.
Though her laughter quickly subsided, it couldn’t have been more vivid.
It was a smile he had seen every day.
So he should have been unmoved… yet for some reason, Hyle’s green pupils widened in great surprise.
His world resonated with a great boom. Of course, the culprit was right in front of him.
“…Rosiel.”
Hyle’s call, rising above the silence, was low and calm.
Rosiel raised her head to face Hyle.
His green eyes, which seemed to have something to say, were as warm as the greenery of midsummer.
“I dislike uncertainties. I prefer clarity in all aspects.”
“That’s right, you’re a bit old-fashioned. I’m glad you know it.”
At Rosiel’s immediate retort, Hyle’s eyes curved narrowly.
Despite her mischievous response, his eyes looked simply delighted.
“But since meeting you, I’ve realized something.”
One step, and the distance between the two narrowed.
“I like your uncertainty. I’m fascinated, drawn in. So much that I can no longer escape.”
Someday, at an undetermined, unclear time, his heart had already tilted toward her.
It didn’t take long to recognize that distinct emotion.
* * *
Xenoph received his final verdict in an unprecedented short time in the history of Pendium Empire’s trials.
Normally, trials start from a minimum of a few months to as long as several years… but I heard there was strong pressure from the Imperial Family.
They too must have realized that if this case were drawn out and became widely known, it would be an enormous disgrace to the empire.
Of course, with the testimonies of the young clergy, Crown Prince Abel, Tia, a former Holy Maiden candidate, and other major witnesses in abundance, it wouldn’t have been prolonged even without pressure.
With his crimes fully revealed, Xenoph was stripped of all positions and thoroughly deprived of all rights, ensuring he could never again set foot in temple or child-related occupations for the rest of his life.
“What about Xenoph, where is he going?”
“Oh, you mean his exile? I think they said he’s being sent to a remote island in the Kendtira region, where not a single ray of sunlight reaches. Come to think of it, these tea leaves are a specialty from there!”
Lynn, who was pouring warm Yuzumeri tea into my empty cup, quickly answered my question.
Her words suddenly reminded me of Lynn’s signature line from every regression:
“Miss, today’s morning tea is Yuzumeri tea from the Kendtira region.”
In this life, it was after hearing those words that I decided to go on strike as a villainess. It feels like such a distant memory now…
At first, I thought exile was an odd concept for a romance fantasy novel.
But the original work did occasionally mention criminals being sent to far-off places.
Perhaps because the author was Korean, these subtle elements of K-culture seemed to have seeped in.
Whenever I encountered such incongruous settings that didn’t match the background, I would intermittently realize I had been reincarnated.
Today marks roughly three days since Xenoph was brought to trial and sentenced.
The nobles no longer look at me with the same fearful eyes as before.
That’s because, somehow, the fact that I’m the Holy Maiden had become widely known, whether people realized it or not.
Of course, since there had been no official announcement yet, most people still didn’t know.
Particularly amusing was that among those unaware were the men of House Laté—my own blood relatives.
It was quite ironic that despite rumors centered around me circulating, the two men living in the same house remained completely oblivious.
Fortunately or unfortunately, since they were fools with no interest in politics and who paid no attention to rumors, I planned to stay comfortably at the Laté mansion until the official announcement was made.
“You haven’t forgotten about attending the party at House Artine today, have you? Once you finish your tea, I’ll help you prepare.”
“Yes, please do.”
Lynn smiled kindly and quickly went to prepare grooming tools while I drank my tea.
Since I had agreed to attend the party at House Artine this evening, it seemed I should start preparing from midday to be ready in time.
Actually, I had no particular desire to go… but Celi had sent no fewer than three letters insisting I attend, saying she must see the hero who captured the villain.
As I was leisurely drinking tea and gathering my thoughts, a familiar bird gently flew in through the slightly open window.
With snow-white, fluffy feathers that made it look like Entrie at first glance, it could be clearly distinguished by its pink eyes like mine.
“Hello, Berry.”
Berry, with eyes the reddish-pink of strawberry flesh, was Hyle’s new messenger bird.
What made it special was that it was a bird he had acquired solely for communication with me.
Tweet, tweet!
At Berry’s conspicuous presence, Entrie, who had been sleeping face-down in the feeding trough, quickly flew over and rubbed his wings against Berry, pretending to be friendly.
Come to think of it, wasn’t Entrie male and Berry female…?
Sadly, while Entrie seemed quite interested in Berry, Berry wasn’t giving Entrie any attention at all.
Tweet…
The mournful cry of the rejected Entrie was incomparably forlorn.
It seemed there was a love and war among birds that humans couldn’t understand.
Well, I suppose they’ll figure it out themselves…?
But if they end up having babies, I’ll have to discuss custody with Hyle… that might be truly headache-inducing.
Of course, I have absolutely no intention of conceding. A baby bird resembling Entrie! I couldn’t possibly let that go.
As I fondly watched the two birds, who seemed far from forming a successful relationship, I untied the light green note attached to Berry’s ankle.
When I unfolded it…
[I’ll come pick you up.]
“What… what is this?”
Is that all? I mean, of course he said what he should as my party partner, but…
This is our first conversation since ‘that day,’ and all I get is this one line…?
A few days ago, Hyle had confessed his feelings to me.
It was a simple and concise confession, perfectly characteristic of him.
But at the time, I didn’t give him any particular answer.
For someone like me who had heard declarations of love to the point of exhaustion throughout my life, such one-dimensional words could no longer move me.
So I conveyed these thoughts to him without holding back.
I hope Hyle understood, but that old-fashioned fool…
I sent Berry back with her thin yellow ankle empty.
I had intended to write a reply myself… but if I’m always too friendly, he might get bored, right? Sometimes the charm of playing hard to get is necessary.
The elegant Marquis needed to learn that things in this world don’t always go as one wishes.
Especially when it comes to affairs of the heart.
“Miss, here’s Yuzumeri tea from the Kendtira region.”
Lynn appeared like a ghost as soon as I emptied my teacup, bringing a new teapot and placing it on the table.
The familiar aroma rising from the steaming pot stimulated all my senses.
…Wait, what! That line is extremely dangerous! I thought I’d regressed again for a moment!!
Why, of all the many teas, does she keep bringing this particular tea from that specific region?!
“Lynn, are you… doing this on purpose? Why have all the teas you’ve been bringing for the past few days been this tea from that region?!”
“Hmm? Oh, there was a large harvest, so we imported a lot. Since you like it, miss.”
“…Just don’t mention the name of that tea anymore.”
Every time Lynn uttered those words, I felt chills run down my spine, as if I’d regressed again.
If I were to regress one more time, I might truly go insane.
