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Chapter 29
Jiwoo, inebriated as she was, quickly wondered why their moods plummeted.
So, if this is the meaning of service according to them, they must have come with a lot of preparation. It’s not normal to have to go to someone like a ‘reward’.
But now that she thought it was a joke, they only thought that she was playing with them.
So, it was obvious that Jiwoo had committed disrespect. Her complexion turned pale in an instant, however Jiwoo’s troubled expression was misunderstood by Tevon.
“You don’t like us? You said you liked my face.”
No, no, that’s not it?
“Well, if you don’t like it that much… I’ll call other people.”
“No! It’s not that…”
It was the first time this kind of situation had happened, so Jiwoo’s eyes turned round.
The alcohol had already fizzed out, and her head was working overtime as if this was an emergency. She thought it was a real joke, she didn’t mean it that way, but saying that right now would only backfire.
“I didn’t know it was today… so I thought I would get the reward later.”
Jiwoo said that and looked into his eyes.
Tevon narrowed his eyes, but the others who followed him looked noticeably better. One of them took a deep breath.
“Really? Then say so. When shall it be?”
However, it seems that Tevon wasn’t the type of person to let go of this kind of thing.
Jiwoo thought about what to say quickly. The face that came to mind in this situation was that person.
“When Helka returns…”
“Ah.”
Tevon placed a hand on his chin.
“Right. You’ll decide after seeing his face. Is that it? He’s handsome, but he’s picky. Our Seo Jiwoo…”
The word ‘he’ seemed to refer to the alchemist that Helka brought. Jiwoo didn’t mean it at all, but Tevon, who had been suspicious from the moment she said ‘joke’, seemed to understand.
“I see. But you’ll accept my good night greeting, right?”
Jiwoo nodded her head countless times, and Tevon grabbed Jiwoo’s chin and kissed her on the cheek. It was obviously a light act on the cheek, but it was sticky enough to make a sound.
After Tevon, it was the other men’s turn.
“Sleep well.”
“I thought we weren’t enough, but that’s a relief.”
“Then will you call me back then?”
As they retreated, they shyly kissed her on her forehead, cheek, and the back of her hands.
Jiwoo blankly looked at their backs. Tevon went ahead and turned around once, even waving his hand to her.
Looking at it, it felt like her soul was drained out.
“Ah…”
Callan, who had been quiet all the time while holding Jiwoo, sighed in apology.
“Their pride must have been hurt, but I hope they’re okay…”
“R-Really?”
She understands that it’s bad, but she doesn’t think it’ll be offensive for any other reason.
Is it something that will hurt their pride?
Anyway, Jiwoo just avoided the situation and managed to get away with it. And when Helka returns, she’ll be faced with the situation right away. In the end, she only bought a little time, but it didn’t solve anything fundamentally.
As Jiwoo was fidgeting with the spilled water, Callan said quietly.
“I have a question for you, would it be alright if we talk?”
* * *
Callandein sat Jiwoo on the bed and looked at the braces on her feet. Carefully moving his hand, he spoke lightly, as if he had no intention of burdening this topic.
“Actually, I asked Lanceil a little bit about your story. I heard you had someone to marry. Had.”
“Ah…”
Jiwoo realized that the crown prince had completely slipped her mind.
“May I ask what’s going on?”
Just thinking about that person seemed to break her heart, but when Callan asked carefully, Jiwoo was able to organize her thoughts little by little.
“He said he was going to marry someone else. Actually, I ran away and came to this place…”
To be honest, Jiwoo also wanted to tell someone about this, but there was no one suitable to. In the temple, there were only priests who used Akarna, or servants who just wanted to serve her without any conversation.
Even if she had someone to talk to, she couldn’t tell the story about the Crown Prince to the imperial people. It wasn’t a good story, and no one would want to get involved in this.
In fact, even if she confessed to someone, she would be the one getting upset. As the Crown Prince of the Empire would never do anything wrong.
But Kalandlein was different. He was neither a citizen nor a priest. He was also one of the few people who did not meet her as Akarna of the Temple or the Crown Prince’s lover.
“Oh, that’s why you said you didn’t want to leave. I’m not sure about some parts… but I think I understand.”
Callandlein really listened to the story with a calm attitude.
In some parts, he even brought her water if he felt like she was choked while talking, and held her hand and comforted him, saying that it must have been difficult.
Even after she’s told it all, her neck is a little stiff. Still, she was a little relieved.
“You mean you don’t have anyone to marry now?”
“Yes.”
When Jiwoo answered, Callan asked the next question as naturally as flowing water.
“Then… how about us?”
“What?”
“What if you choose us as your marriage partner and settle down here.”
“Are you joking with me now?”
But Callandein had a rather serious expression unbefitting for a casual talk or a joke.
“And when you mentioned marriage partner, why do you say us?”
Hopefully she’s not mistaken. Jiwoo asked again, wanting to make sure.
“Literally with us… Ah…”
Callan spoke naturally, but realized he had overlooked the fact that she was a stranger who knew nothing about El Ragnile.
“In El Ragnile, it’s commonplace for one woman to be in command of a group. And, the average number in one group is about thirty people.”
“What? No, even so, it’s not something that just one person decides.”
“What?”
Now it was Callan’s turn to tilt his head to the side, not understanding why Jiwoo was surprised.
“Males in Elandos are usually not chosen for the rest of their lives anyway. I think everyone will like them.”
“I can’t. There may be people who want to be paired up separately.”
“Paired… It’s strange to say that. We are not the ones who will choose.”
Rather than that, she couldn’t understand why Callan was suddenly bringing this up. It was not long ago that the entire place was filled such atmosphere of rejection against an outsider.
“That… I’m an outsider.”
“You are no ordinary outsider. You are the Akarna, and you have blessed us with your favor. And since you say you don’t want to go back either, I’m not going to miss this opportunity.”
“……”
It was a terribly baffling statement. Jiwoo’s eyes widened even more.
“By any chance, am I not good enough?”
Before Jiwoo could say anything, Callan rolled his eyes down like a wilted flower. The tips of his drooping ears trembled pathetically.
“Actually, we don’t even have a proper Elandos, so it wouldn’t be very attractive. My first impressions were not very good either. Is it because you didn’t like the reward before?”
“No, that’s not it…”
“Then?”
“I can’t do it with someone I don’t even know.”
“You knew Tevon’s name.”
“That’s right, but… we haven’t talked much yet.”
“Aha, so you mean that you like someone who you know by name and has talked to you a lot?”
“Yes? I think that’s right.”
He was fiddling with Jiwoo’s hand, and suddenly he brought it to his chest.
She was worried from the moment she was hugged by Callan on that solid chest.
Jiwoo, who had become conscious again, suddenly tried to pull out her hand, but Callan wouldn’t budge with just a little force to his hand.
“Then I guess I’ll meet the conditions?”
“What?”
“You know my name, we’ve talked a lot, so I want you to choose me.”
“What do you mean…”
Callan laughed.
“You still don’t know? I’m seducing you right now.”
“Wh, why?”
Callan frowned slightly at that.
“Rather, I don’t understand. Why was the Akarna of Carnazion treated like that? So I’m going to take you away.”
“……”
Callandlein didn’t intend to give Jiwoo any more time to ponder.
“I heard you made Lanceil your first choice, am I wrong?”
“Um, that’s true.”
Jiwoo has been continuously digging a lot of graves for herself these days. So there was no logical way out.
“Then can’t I be the third one?”
“Why the third?”
He even naturally skipped the second.
“Helka would be the second. Helka must have been thinking the same thing as me.”
“……”
She couldn’t tell if the conversation corresponded or not.
Jiwoo’s face didn’t turn bright red, so he was ready to show off. Callan had no intention of making a corner for Jiwoo to retreat.
“Then try it once and decide.”
Callandlein began to take off his clothes without hesitation.