Chapter 7 Part 5

“…When did I speak coldly? We’ve chatted enough, so let’s head back now. It’s getting late.”

I wanted to ask what he meant by “such an expression,” but decided against it.

I didn’t want to hear from his lips how he saw me. It would surely be unbearably dull.

“…Rosiel, you’ve returned.”

The moment I returned to the Imperial Palace, I encountered Abel. It was good that Hyle and I had moved separately. If we had returned together, I might have been swept up in Abel’s anger.

Although it was unfortunate to face Abel as if he’d been waiting… I didn’t need to go looking for him, so I decided to view it positively.

Calmly meeting Abel’s somewhat rigid face, I slowly walked to his side.

“Your Highness, please don’t look at me with such desperate eyes. Others might misunderstand.”

Only after I tossed out these words with a playful nuance did Abel’s frozen expression soften.

Looking around, the party was nearly over, as it was already the early dawn.

Although it was the tail end, I had returned nonetheless, so I supposed I’d fulfilled my duty for today.

“What misunderstanding? Such a word doesn’t suit what’s between you and me.”

Abel’s breath, felt from close proximity, settled ticklishly around my neck.

Suddenly, I wondered if Abel might also know the contents of the third prophecy.

But even though Abel had supposedly won over the Cardinal, it was hard to believe that those who are exceedingly sensitive about prophecy leaks would straightforwardly hand over the prophecy to Abel, who had pressured them with his power.

Since only the Pope or Cardinal could handle prophecies, even if Abel used his power, he probably hadn’t seen the full text.

Even if the Cardinal had spoken, it was impossible to hastily predict how much or what exactly he’d revealed.

“Your Highness, I’m quite tired today, so I’ll take my leave first.”

No nobleman in this place could freely leave the party venue first. That was natural.

Who would dare to leave while the Crown Prince and the Emperor were still present?

No matter how tired, as long as the royal family was present, everyone had to decorate the end of the banquet till the very last.

“…I’ll have a carriage prepared.”

Meanwhile, I was quite proud to be the first noble to fall under that ‘who would dare.’

At my incredibly bold declaration of departure, Abel nodded silently with a face that seemed to have much to say.

The nobles enjoying the party continued to glance at Abel and me, but no one approached to speak to us first.

That was understandable—Abel had been stuck to my side like a lost child ever since I returned.

With a fierce gaze that suggested he might kill anyone who approached.

To others, he might appear as an affectionate fiancé, but to me, it was merely amusing how clearly his anxiety about me disappearing again was conveyed.

“What about High Priest Garend?”

Thanks to Abel, who insisted on escorting me to the carriage, we left the party hall side by side.

Thinking we might be going for a garden stroll, the Emperor sent us off without much comment.

“He said alcohol belongs to those who deceive God, yet he drank until his head rang.”

I had hoped to subtly continue our previous conversation if I encountered Garend again before going home… but unfortunately, he had drunk heavily and passed out.

I might as well take some time, since I wouldn’t be returning to Latan right after the banquet ended anyway.

Given that we had two days until the meeting with the Cardinal, there was no need to be hasty.

Upon reaching the carriage, I paused briefly and turned to Abel.

In my previous life, Abel always looked at me with the eyes of someone superior in our relationship, but now I was the one with such a gaze.

Sadly, I didn’t particularly feel superior, but at least Abel might be feeling the same emotions I once felt.

After all, the misery felt when only one side’s affection is blind can easily bring a person down.

“…I wonder if His Majesty will lecture you if we don’t return together.”

“Are you worried about me, Rosiel?”

If the Emperor learned that Abel had sent me home first, he would surely berate Abel for not being able to properly watch over one woman.

The Emperor’s stuffy personality remained unchanged—if asked to name the only person who hadn’t changed in this third life where most of the original story had altered, I could answer without hesitation that it was the Emperor.

Abel seemed pleased that I was thinking of him and gently curved the corner of his mouth.

“…Well, I know His Majesty’s temperament well enough.”

“When you say it like that, I don’t want to let you go.”

With a faint laugh, Abel briefly caught the end of my sleeve before releasing it.

Even after I boarded the carriage, Abel continued to stand his ground.

If Abel truly didn’t know about the third prophecy, then all his behavior toward me would be sincere.

But if he knew about the prophecy…

Then there was nothing to say except that he was an excellent actor.

As the Holy Maiden, I would be an irresistibly sweet prey for Abel, who sought the backing of the Grand Temple and the trust of the Empire’s people.

Something he absolutely couldn’t and shouldn’t let go of.