Chapter 34

It felt like I was finally seeing the side of Theodore that had existed in the original story, and I couldn’t help but smile as I asked, “Right. And?”

“To be honest, I was hoping your family might hear of this and offer their help.”

“You mean, not by order of His Majesty?”

“If it were a Command from the Emperor, it’d reflect poorly not only on the Marquess but on His Majesty as well. It would basically be like announcing that we had to call in even the northern warlords.”

At this point, Theodore and I sighed in unison.

“This is complicated.”

“It is.”

Yes. Complicated.

This kind of tangled politics was exactly what I had wanted to avoid when I stayed in the temple. But ever since coming to Roquate, it seemed it was no longer possible to remain uninvolved.

“Shall I be honest, Theo?”

I leaned back and tilted my head.

“You’ve probably figured it out, but in my family, I’m basically just the one everyone dotes on.”

“Miss Minuelle, why would you say something like that…”

Theodore blinked in surprise and looked as if he wanted to protest, but I raised a hand to stop him.

“Just hear me out.”

I’m actually pretty satisfied with this role, thank you very much.

“Anyway, that’s why I don’t really know. I don’t know how to help, or how much help is enough.”

A faint look of disappointment began to surface on Theodore’s face.  

But even then, he didn’t say anything hurtful—and I smiled a little because of that.

“So how about this—why don’t you meet them?”

“Who…?”

“My mother. And my sisters.”

If Theodore had been treating me like a ladder for political lobbying, I wouldn’t have let it slide.  

But he was genuinely concerned—for the South, and for the future of the Preseria Empire—not for his own gain.

‘Truly a loyal male lead, through and through.’

Which only made me wonder…why cheat, then?  

You’re loyal to your country, but not to your wife?

“Th-thank you so much!”

He clearly had no idea what I was thinking, because his reaction was over the top.  

As he jumped up in excitement, I quickly calmed him down.

“I can arrange a meeting, but I can’t guarantee a favorable response.”

“Of course. Even just the opportunity to speak with them is more than enough.”

His response was immediate.

It would’ve been a nice end to the conversation, but then Theodore tilted his head and asked,

“Um… should I bring a gift? It feels wrong to take up their time without offering something…”

A gift?

I mean, I get the sentiment, but surely he knew it might come off as a bribe. He must’ve been too overwhelmed to think that far ahead.

‘If I think about this in terms of my past life, it must feel like getting a dinner with Warren Buffett* or something.’

[*T/N: an American investor and philanthropist]

And I… I’m part of that lineage.

Feeling the weight of my titanium spoon heritage all over again, I said, “Just bring yourself.”

“Pardon? But still… well, it’s not like I have much to offer anyway…”

He muttered awkwardly, but then suddenly his eyes widened.

“Wait… when you said that just now, were you suggesting… marriage?”

“What? Of course not. You’re not even my type.”

How many times do I have to say this?

“Wow…”

Theodore’s mouth dropped open.

“I was joking, obviously. Do you think I’d dare try to take His Highness’s place?”

‘And here I’ve been trying so hard not to think about Esadien lately…’

But of course, it was impossible to talk to Theodore and not hear that name.

The lingering flavor of the tea suddenly tastes more bitter than before, but I just smiled without showing it.

“Pull another joke like that and see what happens, hmm?”

Even if I was feeling a little raw inside…  

If it helped brighten my friend’s expression, it was worth it.

Besides, if I ever needed intel on the South, Theodore would be the fastest, most reliable source I could ask for.

* * *

Comforting Theodore: Great Success! 

Since I even went as far as arranging a meeting that could help him, it was the kind of interaction that deserved an extra star on top of a 3-star achievement if this were a game.

So, the cheerful atmosphere continued afterward.  

That is, until right before I left the Count’s manor.

As Theodore escorted me into the entrance hall, we saw a small group of young ladies gathered outside, each waiting for their carriages.

“Oh dear, looks like the tea party just ended. You may have to wait a bit.”

“Was it hosted by the Countess? I can at least say hello while we wait.”

“Not my mother, actually. It was my cousin. She’s staying with us for a while after her coming-of-age ceremony.”

“I see…”

I nodded along, but my expression was stiffening.  

Because I spotted that unmistakable bright red hair from a hundred meters away.

Theodore noticed where I was looking and his voice took on a reluctant tone.

“Ah, Lady Celeste is here too. Should we… say hello?”

“No need. Let’s just leave her be.”

No reason to force anything with someone you’re not on great terms with.  

Sure, it was a bit petty, but pretending not to notice was probably better for all three of us.

…Or so I thought.

As soon as the carriage door that Lapheche had been waiting by opened, I practically dragged Theodore in that direction.

“What the—damn it…”

I clenched my jaw to keep from cursing out loud, and barely managed to grind out a name that had become tattered and frayed in my mouth.

“Esadien.”

He had just stepped out of the carriage and was offering a hand to Lapheche.

“Wait, wha—Your, Your Highness?! What are you doing here…?”

Even Theodore was stammering in disbelief.

“……”

Esadien’s face, as he looked over at us, was rigid and expressionless.  

I couldn’t for the life of me figure out why.

‘Was he really that upset just from running into me?’

Even in that moment, some part of me desperately hoped that Esadien had only come out because he didn’t want to escort Lapheche.

‘Pathetic.’

I’d just seen him blatantly refusing to let go of her hand even after seeing me, and yet I still held onto that kind of hope. How pathetic could I be?

I let go of Theodore’s arm, making sure it was obvious, and said, “Hard to tell whose fiancé you even are at this point.”

Honestly, even a fiancée wouldn’t go this far.

Waiting until the tea party ended just to pop out of the carriage like surprise!? That’s not sweet — that’s so saccharine it could melt your tongue.

“Seems Your Highness conveniently forgot every word I said, huh?”

My hand trembled in humiliation.

Humiliation. Yes. At this point, the sting to my pride hurt more than any betrayal from someone I loved.

Was this what the original Minuelle felt when she realized Theodore had been unfaithful?

“I—I was the one who—”

Lapheche tried to interject, but even her flustered look felt staged to me. I ignored her.

Esadien, meanwhile, shoved her back into the carriage, as if even letting my gaze reach her was a waste. Then he sneered.

“From the priest to Theodore now. You truly are something.”

“Your Highness!”

Theodore shouted, shocked, but Esadien didn’t flinch.  

Oddly enough, his composure calmed me down as well.

“…Esadien.”

The outrage I’d tried to swallow welled up in my eyes instead, and the moment he looked at me, a tear slipped down my cheek.

In public, with nameless strangers all around. The first tear I’d shed since arriving in this world — and it had to be this humiliating.

But hey, I’d already been dragged through the mud. No point getting angrier about the rain falling too. So I took it a step further and asked what I hadn’t dared ask before.

“That’s not it, right?”

“What isn’t?”

“You and Lady Celeste… You’re not like that, right?”

“……”

Esadien said nothing. No confirmation, no denial. He just looked at me — silent, still.  

But in the depths of his eyes, there seemed to be something cold, like a restrained fury.

The more I looked into them, the more ridiculous my shaky voice began to sound.

“You liked me. No — you at least had feelings for me. Right? Or am I wrong?”

This time, he stared at me for a long moment.

“I don’t know.”

With that, Esadien disappeared into the carriage without so much as a farewell.

‘Bang.’

The door slammed shut with a sound that echoed like the sky falling down.

* * *

The Feast Day of the goddess Plendena had arrived.

Which meant — today was the day of my coming-of-age ceremony.

‘What a bother…’

I didn’t feel much about it. Legally, one was already considered an adult at the turn of the year, so it didn’t feel all that special to me.

But the sentiment in this world was different — people didn’t consider you truly an adult until this specific day had passed.

To the point where the Crown Princess had once warned Esadien, “If you so much as lay a finger on her before her coming-of-age, I won’t let it slide.”

“Ugh.”

Just thinking about Esadien made a dull ache stir in my chest again.

He still hadn’t reached out. Even Theodore had sent a worried letter and flowers after that day.

‘So it’s really over, huh.’

At first, I didn’t want to believe it. But the more I replayed everything that had happened, the clearer Esadien’s intent became.

‘Tsk.’

I clicked my tongue without thinking, prompting the maid assisting with my dressing to wince.

“Did I tug your hair, Milady?”

“Oh — no. I was just thinking about something else.”

Right. Better to think about something else.

I closed my eyes and forced myself to recall a happier memory.

‘Just last year, I was rushing around getting ready for the feast day, the coming-of-age event, and the banquet at night…’

This year, it felt strange to be left to my own devices just because I was finally an adult. What helped ease the awkwardness a little was the white dress — styled after the trainee priestess robes.

Wearing it made me feel… calm somehow.

‘I wish I’d just become a priestess like Ramande.’

I’d never felt the lack of divine power quite as keenly as I did today.

Even the high priest from Sermender crossed my mind — I missed him, too.

But my coming-of-age ceremony was to be held at the Temple of Plendena in the capital, Roquate.

Since the event was held separately for men and women, Ramande and I had to part ways as soon as we arrived.

“See you later.”

“Yeah. Don’t cause trouble. Be on your best behavior — it’s a special day, okay?”

Ugh, nagging again.

Even on a day like this, the old man had to lecture me. I rolled my eyes and snapped at him.

“You still think I’m twelve, don’t you?”

“As if.”

Ramande snorted.

“Maybe ten, if I’m being generous?”

With that, he took off running like a little rascal.

“Hey! Ramande Plendena!”

I glared after the back of his navy-blue head, watching him until he was completely out of sight. But just then, a small commotion stirred near the entrance we’d come through.

“Isn’t that the Third Prince?”

“He usually doesn’t attend public events like this… though he did show up at the Karnian duchy wedding last time…”

The murmuring was unmistakable — it meant Esadien had arrived.

‘Great. Took too long again.’

I had nothing to say to him. Running into him now would just be awkward. I was about to slip away unnoticed — but his stride was at least twice as fast as mine.

“Minuelle.”

Ugh. Why did he have to acknowledge me?

Now that he’d called my name, I had no choice.

I swallowed a sigh, turned around, and offered a polite bow.