Inside the Imperial Palace, Dining Hall.
Eating isn’t really anything special, but if you’re with someone, it can become a special time. Just like this moment right now.
“It’s nice to see you here. Last time it was in the carriage, right?”
Solana smiled brightly at me.
Sitting across from me, elegantly maneuvering a fork and knife, was none other than the 3rd Princess, Solana. We were in an opulent dining space where guests had private meetings.
“Being able to share a meal with you, Teacher, brings me so much joy. I hope it’s a relaxing time for you too.”
“Solana, it’s ‘안온,’ not ‘암온.'”
“안온, 안온, 안온… Ah, right!”
Solana blushed and avoided my gaze. Was that what a sunflower looks like when it’s embarrassed?
“Anyway, it’s really delicious. Beyond expectations.”
“I’m so glad to hear you say that.”
Though often overshadowed by her title as Saintess, Solana’s cooking skill was truly remarkable.
From soup to salad, freshly baked bread to juicy meat, the table was so lavish I worried it might break!
“By the way, Solana.”
In the midst of our meal, I brought up the topic that had been on my mind the most.
And it was also what I was most concerned about.
“…I heard the other princesses came today.”
“Oh, that’s a lie.”
Solana elegantly wiped her mouth with a napkin.
“If it wasn’t a lie, the other messengers wouldn’t have stepped back. It’s not appropriate for them to be swarming around a patient who needs stability, right?”
“Got it.”
Only then did I let out a sigh of relief.
Thinking that all the princesses had gathered…it gave me chills just to imagine.
“Yeah, I prefer it this way too.”
At that, Solana paused her hands momentarily, then smiled brightly, genuinely happy.
“Hehe, really? So, you’re saying spending time alone with me makes you happiest?”
It seemed there was a slight misunderstanding, but it wasn’t entirely untrue, so I didn’t bother to correct her.
After that, our meal continued for a while.
It was enjoyable just to chew. From appetizers to desserts, Solana had meticulously planned everything, making each taste a delightful experience.
The first to break the silence was Solana.
“Um, Teacher, how’s life treating you these days?”
“It’s been manageable. Still, it’s much better than living idly day by day.”
“Really? I’m glad to hear that.”
Solana looked somewhat relieved by my answer.
“Actually, I took the liberty of seating you in the inspector role. It worried me. I was so frustrated that you hadn’t gained wealth and fame…”
“Hey, it was my own idea in the first place. You’ve got nothing to blame yourself for. If anything, I’m thankful.”
“Is that so…?”
Solana, who was slightly avoiding my gaze, looked genuinely pleased. As we resumed eating, our conversation began anew around dessert.
“Speaking of which, Solana, the priest at the temple was suggesting various things to me.”
Solana paused chewing for a moment, then slowly nodded.
“Yes. I sent him. Considering the accident that happened during the duel and worrying about you…”
She swallowed her forced smile.
“I’m just such a reckless woman. I made you an inspector for your own good but ended up trying to pull you into the temple when I started to feel anxious…”
“That’s understandable. Don’t overthink it.”
That was the best response I could manage right then.
To be honest, I had already suspected it. Ever since she was a child, Solana would stay up all night worrying when I came back injured from my missions.
But now, her tender heart was clashing with the thought that she needed to announce me to the world. She was probably struggling with various worries.
So, telling her not to worry was my best bet.
Then, Solana suddenly asked me.
“So, Teacher, what do you think?”
That question made me pause my utensils and face her. Her expression was so serious it demanded my full attention.
“Between tackling various incidents now and resting comfortably like in the past…what do you prefer? I can’t keep making solo decisions.”
“Honestly, I prefer now.”
I answered without hesitation.
“I don’t feel regret. Even if I could turn back time, I would still write those letters.”
Having started receiving elixirs and sun elixirs from the Emperor, the fact that I could now gain fame freely felt pretty rewarding.
Getting healthier, having more people around, and focusing on raising my power without worry… everything felt unfamiliar but not bad at all.
“Indeed, you have no regrets.”
“…Well, that’s not entirely wrong.”
Of course, some aspects of my marriage proposals could be adjusted.
And definitely, I wouldn’t send them to all five of them…
“Now that my goal is clear.”
“Goal…!”
That was when Solana’s face turned bright red.
“Mo, when you say goal, it must be related to what you wrote in the letter, right? How embarrassing!”
It seemed she only thought of my goals in terms of marriage.
I coughed awkwardly.
“Y-yeah, that might be part of it…”
“The woman you wrote to in that letter. You must like her quite a bit.”
“…”
I felt a cold sweat break out suddenly.
It was a simple question, but to me, who had sent letters to five women, it didn’t seem simple at all. Was this what it felt like to walk barefoot on a blade?
“Even when you’re teetering on the edge of death, you don’t hesitate at all. It really seems like you’re deeply in love with her.”
“…”
Did she simply want to hear that I liked her?
Or had she figured out that I sent letters to five women?
…Well, no, it seemed the answer was already set. I couldn’t say I didn’t like anyone after all.
“Y-yeah… it was a letter filled with sincerity.”
Solana nodded slowly.
Her expression turned serious, unlike before, and I couldn’t read what was going through her mind now.
“I still learn so much from you, Teacher. From brief words to minor gestures, in many ways.”
“I don’t really have much to teach anymore.”
“That’s not true. I have something I want to ask you now.”
Her sun-like eyes locked onto me.
“It must be the right thing to respond with sincerity.”
“…I guess so?”
Though I grew somewhat fearful of what Solana meant by sincerity, she slowly closed and opened her eyes as if contemplating something. Then, her lips curled into a smile.
“Thank you, Teacher. Prayers often bring no answers, but today, I received an answer immediately.”
“Answer? What answer?”
I still couldn’t grasp Solana’s intent.
“Sincerity must be met with sincerity. Yes. Teacher, I now understand what I need to say.”
Did something come from our conversation that could become a wonderful answer? But Solana bowed her hands in prayer.
“I will continue to support only you, Teacher. At the same time, I am sure I can lend you any strength you need.”
Solana slowly rose from her seat.
Leaning onto the table, her face almost touching mine.
“But from now on…”
We were at a distance where our breaths almost touched.
Our eyes met in the air, and then Solana smiled in a way that felt slightly different than before.
“…Please keep all other women away from me.”
So she said.
Were three days really this long?
Lately, I had been thinking about the 2nd Princess, Hedera, countless times.
In the past, time flew by as I drowned in work without even realizing it, but now, the three days she was waiting felt unprecedentedly long.
…I really wanted to hear Zechiel’s decision.
Hedera, who sought efficient use of time, couldn’t apply that today. Before she knew it, she found herself lingering in front of the temple infirmary.
Then, at that moment.
“I saw the 3rd Princess! What luck!”
The excited whispers of the priests tugged at Hedera’s attention.
“Seeing the 3rd Princess is almost like a good omen, isn’t it? What a lucky morning!”
“Come to think of it, people say we’ve been running into the princesses more often than before, but why are those who used to visit only once a year suddenly coming to the palace so often?”
Hedera couldn’t help but narrow her eyes.
The fact that Solana had appeared here in the morning was quite unsettling.
At the same time, her intuition kicked in.
“Wait.”
That feeling that Solana had secretly taken Zechiel away.
“You all, come here.”
Hedera murmured in a chilling voice.
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