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Is a housewarming party… like this? (6) – unedited
“Was I too greedy?”
Since the person in charge of the carrying was always Merson, it was hard to tell whether the amount of dye was too much for me to carry or not. However, it was more troublesome to go back and return it, so I carefully pushed each step out with great concentration so that the dye wouldn’t fall off. With super-concentration!
Twirllll–
“Ah…….”
Are the circular magic tools rolling on the floor right now the ones that were in my arms just a few seconds ago?
The voice of a young man with a bewildered look came from over my head.
“I apologize. Because I couldn’t check ..….”
Judging by the tingling on the tip of my nose, I must have bumped into the man in front of me. Even though it was still a hot summer day, the very suspicious man was wearing a white cloth.
It’s hot, there are a lot of people, and moreover my magic tools are pouring out, so it’s hard not to get annoyed. Besides, if that man wants to apologize, he should do it properly, but at some point he cuts off his words and just looks down at me.
“Stop staring, pick it up or help me.”
I bent down to pick up what had fallen to the ground, but a few had already been hit by people’s feet and rolled away, out of reach of my hands and eyes. The person who picks it up today is a total failure.
Miss, you almost stepped on me! Avoiding the soles of people’s shoes, I moved my hands and swept the dye like sweeping out a spider’s web.
As the paper bag regains its weight, a strange hand placed the dye into it.
“… Did you just pick up one?”
I’m really dumbfounded. I looked at the man in front of me.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“You looked at me first. No more than that.”
His tone of voice has changed. The man slips his fingers through the white cloth wrapped around his eyes. It was very mysterious and even wonderful, like the process of blooming flowers shown on a slow screen.
… The deep blue eyes that I’ve seen and will never forget.
“… Your Majesty?”
“Yes, I think it’s a first love that can easily be cheated on.”
I haven’t had a comfortable day since I came to the capital. Same with today. Who would have thought that I would end up walking side by side with His Majesty just by going to the market for groceries?
The Emperor took the hair dye from my chest, and recklessly led the way without asking. I chased after him with quick steps, and eventually, out of breath, I tugged at his clothes.
“… I have to go home.”
“I get it.”
Then let go! Even though he only said ‘I get it’, he still seemed unwilling to stop.
The Emperor looked around the market with his eyes, perhaps checking if there was a clear destination, and if there was a commotion, he stopped and watched the situation, and when he judged that it was not enough to intervene, he moved on again.
“Are you inspecting?”
“No, I came to play.”
“… It doesn’t look fun at all.”
“Yeah, I guess I should have looked around like this. Covering my face is frustrating.”
“Then you should go back now. Please put the dye, or magic tools, over there.”
Give it to me, Merson’s waiting for me.
I stretched out my hand toward the Emperor, but the dye didn’t end up easily in my arms. My arm is starting to go numb.
At that time, the Emperor exclaimed loudly, ‘Oh, that’s right!’ For some reason, I felt the annoyance and hassle directly on my skin.
“At the last banquet, I was guided in Count Abitz’s mansion, so I’ll take you on a tour of the imperial palace this time.”
Crazy, what kind of logic is this? I vigorously waved my hand and strongly said that I did not want to go. His expression hardened and I straightened my face.
“No, that’s fine! I want to go home.”
“You have nothing to say. Now, it’s not far, so follow me.”
“I’m not going, I’m not going!”
“Yes, I understand your enthusiasm.”
Who? Who’s enthusiastic about it! I’m not going! I have to go home soon!
However, the Emperor, who should have listened to my sincere cry, did not hear it. It’s clear that he deliberately pretended not to hear it.
I ended up coming here. The shabby black leather shoes with the toes all torn off standing on the bright marble floor were clearly mine. The lobby was so wide that even if Kim Yuna was skating, it wouldn’t feel cramped at all. So, I, an outsider, kept feeling intimidated.
“Oh my. Don’t be too thrilled.”
“Please put your hand away from my shoulder.”
The Emperor smirked. Oh, do you want me to hit you?
I felt uncomfortable like a guilty person. It was because the thought of Merson waiting for me was not easily shaken away.
A line of well-educated attendants greeted the Emperor. The Emperor handed over the dye to an attendant. Then, before dismissing them with a hand gesture, he strangely introduced me as a ‘benefactor’.
Hearing that word, the attendants’ eyes twinkled, as if they couldn’t even bear to see my shabby appearance. Like facing a distinguished figure.
“The imperial palace is not a picnic spot, but I will guide you around here and there specially for you.”
“Aahh, I’m honored.”
Besides, the guide is the Emperor himself. Really… I don’t know if I’m full of luck or none at all.
The Emperor roamed the palace without hesitation. I was busy chasing after the fast-walking man, fearing that I might get lost in this spacious imperial palace.
“It will take three full days to cover all of these places, so I will select and guide you to the places I want to show you in particular.”
“That is the most pleasant thing I have ever heard. It seems like I have already had enough experience just by entering the imperial palace.”
The Emperor laughed heartily and pushed my back forward with a thud. I stare at him in heavy pain, but the Emperor still seems happy.
“Surely you don’t mean it!”
“I mean it, 100 percent.”
“Let’s go!”
The garden, beautifully tended by the skill of a skilled gardener, stretched out endlessly, but I had no time to look at it. It was because the Emperor’s steps were damn fast.