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***
A faint blush spread across Seria’s cheeks.
“I'm glad you like it."
It was at times like this that Lesche began to have illusions. The illusion that Seria was already in love with him, and that he could do as he pleased. It was a marriage made for a purpose, but now he was hoping that it was different. Although it was a word that could not be hastily said or thought positively.
Seria had an obvious first love, and she was betrayed. He could see that the intensity of emotions was not a good memory for Seria. Like a boy with his first love, he never wanted to confess this feeling too enthusiastically, and then be afraid that she would reject it.
Looking back on all of this one by one, it was only natural that he should feel not irritation but murderous intent toward Kalis Haneton.
‘I should have met you first.’
Indeed, when he thought about it, he sometimes wondered if he should still be grateful to be this woman's legal husband.
“Let's go with this boutonniere for this sowing festival banquet. I have one just like it…of course I'll have about ten of them. You can have one.”
“Okay.”
"Then we'll have this for the first day's ball…You're only coming to the afternoon banquet the next day, right?"
"You may stay longer, if you like."
Seria placed the jewels on Lesche’s arm one by one. She seemed to be playing with her dolls, but it was honestly nice to see she was having fun. Lesche was caught by her.
How long has it been since then? Lesche held the soft hand that kept passing by his wrist.
He really wanted to ask her something.
“Seria.”
Seria lifted her head.
"Why are you so nice to me?"
"What?"
Seria, who opened her eyes wide, smiled like a rascal.
"You noticed that I spent a lot of my personal fortune to get you this gift, right? I am grateful for everything you do, Lesche."
“I want the real answer, Seria.”
“Are you serious?"
"Yes. Seriously."
“Hmmm.”
Seria frowned. She also put down the many red jewels she had in her hands. She sat close to Lesche and covered his face with her hands.
“I like your face.”
“…My face?"
Seria nodded. Lesche asked back, a little stuttered.
“You only like my face?”
“I like your body very much, too.”
Lesche laughed in exasperation.
If she liked his face and body, she certainly looked at him, at least for the time being. Though, he didn’t say it out loud for fear of reminding Seria of her ex-fiancé and the Saintess. Lesche held Seria’s hands, which wrapped his face. Then he pulled her by the waist and sat her on his thighs.
"I hope you always say that.”
"You want to hear that you’re handsome that often?”
A smile was drawn across Lesche’s lips at the terse reply.
***
Ugh….
It was really strange.
‘I gave Lesche such an expensive gift, why do I still have a hard time at night?’
Seria half passed out, and every time she woke up, Lesche was awake. Then he would kiss her again and wake her up with his hot body…..
‘Was he waiting for me?’
Seria let out a low breath.
“You have no conscience, you know that, don't you?" (Seria)
“You said I was promiscuous, now I have no conscience?” (Lesche)
“Yes.” (Seria)
"Since you say I don't have one, let's pretend I don't." (Lesche)
“You’re so shameless….” (Seria)
Seria fell asleep lazily. She couldn’t remember how many times they did it since she woke up. Whenever she woke up even for a brief moment, Lesche would embrace her. It was only in the morning that she was able to sleep.
“It certainly seems to be the Metis Flower's effect."
In the meantime, she woke up very early. Is this what it would feel like to eat mountain ginseng? Indeed, it was expensive for a reason. Lesche, who didn’t take Metis flowers, but had more stamina than hers. She couldn’t explain it with common sense…..
It was afternoon when Seria had almost finished her work, Alliott came in.
“I just got back from watching Abigail Orrien make contact with Duke Howard.”
“I guess he really wants Bibi…”
In that short time, three letters arrived from Duke Howard. He was really desperate. He was a nobleman, but he had no capacity. Seria tapped the letters with her fingertips.
He begged to let him meet Bibi even just once… Done. As a condition to meet Bibi, Seria asked for a meeting with the wizards.
She had accomplished her goal. Even if she could bring in one wizard, it was a success. However, she was curious about something.
“How does Duke Howard recommend we welcome them?"
Alliot said with a troubled look on his face.
“Well… he's suddenly offering money.”
***
“These are the terms I presented to the Commander of the Berg Knights earlier."
Abigail glanced at the table full of gold. At the unpredictable gaze, Duke Howard became nervous and asked.
“How much do you want? How much?”
“I'm a knight of Stern.”
“I know, I know! The knights of Stern are willing to give their lives for the cause of Stern. Grand Duchess Berg is difficult because of her high position, but there is another Stern. Yes, I'll really try my best so that you can often meet Myote Stern. I promise you that."
"……?"
Abigail tilted her head. What did Myote Stern have to do with her… Seria was meaningful to Abigail because it was Seria, and Stern was a side issue.
Duke Howard was anxious.
"When you join, you can work as the deputy knight commander of Howard’s knights right away.”
“I'm not interested.”
However, Abigail knew that it would be better for Seria if she continued the conversation in order to recruit the wizards as Seria wanted.
In addition, what Alliot said before coming here scratched her nerves.
“Think about the Grand Duchess and try to stay a little longer.”
Thinking about those words made her irritated.
Abigail knew that she was the unrefined one, but she still had a true heart for Seria. But Alliot only saw her as a knight that only knew when to cause trouble…
He didn't even know how she felt about Seria. He didn’t know the strange feeling she had, like if she leaves Seria with silver-tipped shoes and she'll disappear into the void.
Abigail had seen too many people who only spoke smoothly without knowing anything.
Suddenly, Abigail's fever grew.
"Don't you already have a deputy commander in the Howard’s Order?"
“It doesn’t matter, if it’s for you….”
"No, Duke Howard."
Abigail said as she stood up quickly.
“If I compete in a battle with your knight commander and win.”
***
"You’re back, Marquis."
Kalis turned around. The aide standing behind him did the same.
"I see you've come to see if the trees are growing well. As you can see, they are growing very well."
Kalis had come to the top of a hill where the silver trees were neatly planted. It was a low hill that they were now stepping on, but on all sides were fields as wide and secluded as a farm.
It was a spectacular view that was hard to find. Silver tree seedlings that could only be obtained through the Great Temple. There were very few people who were allowed to cultivate them for private purposes like this. This was because the qualifications for approval were very strict.
It took Kalis several months to fill this garden with silver trees. He hadn't been able to sleep for several days since he delivered the Stern insignia to Seria, and the number of hallucinations of Seria was increasing little by little.
However, when he came here, his gloomy face brightened up a little.
Kalis said in a dry voice.
"This is a birthday present for my fiancée, so grow them nicely."
"……."
"Because no amount of wishes is enough…."
"Marquis….?"
Outside, he would call her Stern, but not here. The aide's face was sad as Kalis' words were filled with regret. It was the same for Eolds.
Eolds was from a clan called the Lumen. The Lumen were a chaste minority tribe whose ancestors were said to be half-spirit and half-human, and so the Great Temple had entrusted the Lumen with the task of growing and maintaining the Silver trees.
The same was true for the Eolds, who were far removed from the world.
Therefore, EOlds was sent here on a temporary basis, but in a state of complete ignorance of foreign affairs. They knew that Kalis was the husband of the Saintess, but it was an unwanted marriage. And the fact that they would soon be divorced.
The unknown fiancée whom Marquis Haneton loved so much was Stern. Like everyone else in the temple, the Lumen clan adored Stern.
If they make a tree that grows with care into a human being, it's literally Stern herself. They couldn't help but like her. Eolds was no different. It was fantastic.
"By the time of Stern's birthday, the branches will stretch out and be really beautiful. Your fiancée will know how you feel, Marquis."
Kalis nodded weakly. Then he looked at the large silver tree garden in the middle of the eastern mountain with great regret.
After wandering around the hills of the silver trees for a while, Kalis returned to the Haneton mansion at sunset.
“Marquis Haneton. A message came for you from the imperial palace."
***
"It's large for a temporary demon subjugation battle."
“It's only natural since Duke Howard left. And Berg has joined us.”
This was the contaminated area of Polvas territory.
The knights, wearing their constellation gold armor tightly, passed by busily. Currently, everyone here was wearing constellation gold armor.
The defeat proceeded smoothly and at a rapid pace.
The conquest of the demons was already over, and all that remained was the ritual of Magi’s purification. The nobles who participated in the event realized the difference between with and without the Berg Knights. So, is Polvas really the only one who will benefit from this defeating battle?
The knights stationed in the central barracks moved quickly.
It was late at night and the place was buzzing. One simple vote had to be taken in a hurry, so the nobles who had participated in the defeat had to bring one in quickly.
The knights stopped dead in their tracks.
“Oh, my god…”
They saw at the same time Grand Duke Lesche Berg and Marquis Haneton, walking from opposite sides of the street, respectively. The knights’ troubles were not long in coming.
"Marquis Haneton. Come to the central barracks for a moment.”
It was psychologically easier to talk to the "still" lower-ranking of the two, Marquis Haneton.
Berg was already in a state of retreat. Because there was no reason to remain since all the threatening demons were defeated.
Theoretically, this was true.….
It was only a day, but they hurried to go first.
Alliot was the only one who knew what was going on.
At best, Lesche had come out wearing one of the dozens of jewels Seria had given him as a gift, and now he wondered if he had come out. Because every time his eyes reached the jewelry, it reminded him of Seria, which made his stay in Polvas territory seem boringly long.
The jewel that the master of the Order wore on his wrist. It was exactly ten minutes after Berg had returned earlier because of that one jewel.
“The moon… isn't the moon a little strange?”
It was bright blue, so the moon, which looked especially pale, was getting closer and closer. It seemed to be crashing to the ground. It wasn't a mistake. The moon, which looked like it could be reached by reaching out, gradually grew huge with its pale blue light.
“Bloody, avoid it!”
The moon rained down on the barracks. The priests and nobles opened their eyes wide in shock.
***
*Lina is back.
