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“I sent a dress, so I was looking forward to seeing you in it. As expected, you do not disappoint Miss Estiya.”
His eyes were annoying, and it was more annoying for him to talk.
How can you say that you’re upset because I didn’t accept a gift?
It was the first time I’ve ever felt bad after hearing someone say that I’m pretty. I smiled and slightly bent my knees. He would like to hold my hand again, so I quickly said hello. Detheus was holding a glass of wine. The faint smell of alcohol made it seem like he had already had several drinks. Was Detheus the only one who enjoyed banquets being immature?
“I will take it as a compliment.”
“It’s a compliment. It is a tribute to you, beautiful enough to turn my eyes around.”
Detheus spoke quietly. Now I feel really bad.
“Your Majesty the Crown Prince, it is said that alcohol is poisonous these days.”
Don’t get drunk and be mindful.
I couldn’t bring myself to push him away.
I have to use Detheus to go to the emperor’s place.
So calm down. If you keep acting like a back alley gangster, I’m going to want to kill you
 (tl/n: she’s talking to herself here)
“Oh sorry. The more I look at it, the more comfortable it becomes. Music is better with it, would you like to dance to a song?”
“I’ve already danced four times. It’ll be hard on my body.”
With a sad expression on my face, I politely declined.
“Haha, I saw you dancing with Miss Eyla and Ether earlier. The sisters are good friends.”
“Yes, I think it is a blessing. My sister and brother love me so much that they will evaporate someone from the continent just by giving me a glance.”
Calm down.
The content was more brutal.
Detheus grinned.
“Sounds like a hedgehog. If we can’t dance, why don’t we have a chat somewhere quiet?”
Detheus pointed to the balcony with a glass of drink.
Don’t know what balcony means? It seems that all the alcohol he drank went up to his brain. His brain must be very drunk.
I took a step back. It was a rejection in a roundabout way.
“More than that, I want to see His Holiness the Pope. Can you introduce me to him?”
Detheus elongated his mouth from side to side. He might’ve been offended since I refused him more than once.
He was the Crown Prince, he was handsome, he had money, and he had the power, so it would be incomprehensible for me to reject him. If you want more jewelry, dresses, a mansion, a title, and things like that, he would take care of it, right?
To think like that is to say that Detheus’ personality has been ruined.
“His Holiness is not a very kind person. You might just go and be ignored, Estiya.”
“I’ll only say hello once, what is there to ignore?”
I smiled. Detheus’ expression shook. He let out a deep sigh. He said as he emptied the glass in his hand.
“Okay, let me introduce you.”
Detheus held out his hand. In a gesture of escorting, I immediately lifted the hem of the dress.
“The dress is too long and it is uncomfortable. Why are dresses so long these days?”
I don’t have a hand to hold your hand. Detheus narrowed his brow as if displeased, then smiled.
“I like it.”
After making a hateful face.
Detheus went across me. I quietly followed him. Those who approached Detheus in the middle saw his expression and moved away.
(3rd person pov)
“Wasn’t the Veloki Peninsula a friendly country with the Empire from generation to generation?”
Veloki Peninsula.
Located in the northwestern part of the empire, it was a long, bar-shaped peninsula protruding from the round empire. Surrounded by the sea on three sides with abundant seafood and a developed navy, it was a good place to live.
It was not an exaggeration to say that the trade industry has grown centered on the Veloki Peninsula, maximizing the advantages. There were so many wealthy people there that even beggars cut steaks. Since it was surrounded by the sea and the navy was the strongest on the continent, it was relatively free from foreign aggression. The neighboring country was the Empire, and the Veloki Peninsula did not show its claws towards the Empire.
It’s wise.
The Veloki Peninsula never delayed paying taxes to the Empire. When the empire raised taxes, they followed suit. Unlike other countries, they did not send envoys to negotiate. When a very high-quality item came in, it was presented to the emperor first.
In a word, the place acted like a dog lying flat on the Empire. So there was no chance that the two places would clash. Why all of a sudden?
“The young king seemed to be warlike.”
Rodrigo recalled the young man who had recently become king.
One time, Rodrigo met with a logistics company operating in the Veloki Peninsula over licensing issues.
He was a prince back then, and he is now a king.
He wasn’t serious from the first time I saw him. He had a calm appearance, but on the contrary, his eyes were full of ambition.
“Did the empire suffer directly?”
“No, no. Rodrigo, you are very young. Just because they didn’t put their sword directly into the Empire doesn’t mean that there were no problems.”
It shouldn’t grow unnecessarily. Leaving him like that could one day become a threat to shake up the empire, he was like a sting from a stab under his claws.
Tereo said.
“Because he dared to provoke me  first
”
“Sorry for the interruption. It has been a long time since I have seen His Holiness the Pope, and I wanted to say hello.”
Rodrigo was trying hard to convince Tereo, but Detheus appeared. Tereo was pleased with Detheus. Rodrigo’s persistent biting and arguing bothered him, but that allowed him to change the subject. His name had already fallen, so he had no choice but to go to war.
“May the power of God be with you. His Majesty the Crown Prince, it is good to see a bright face.”
“Can I sit with you? This is
”
“My lover.”
“My daughter.”
Rodrigo and Hela intercepted what Detheus was about to introduce. They hated seeing Detheus, who was far from both of them, pretending to be something from Estiya. Hela and Rodrigo looked at each other and at the same time turned their heads. The opportunity for introduction fell to Estiya.
“Hello, as you have just heard, I am Estiya, the youngest daughter of the Cartina family and the lover of His Excellency Rodrigo Erhardt.”
Nathaniel’s gaze was firmly attached to Estiya, who gently placed her hand on her chest, gently lifted the hem of her dress and bowed her waist.
“On my way in, I heard the praises of being more beautiful than a goddess. I thought it was very rude at first
”
Nathaniel got up and went down where Estiya was standing. At the end of Estiya’s gaze, she saw a white shoe that had not been stained with even a single particle.
How could a human god be so pure? Advertisement for bleach would be perfect.
Estiya thought so and raised her head. She met Nathaniel’s golden eyes. It seemed to be in slow motion as he lengthened the corners of his lips.
“I feel like their praise is lacking.”
Nathaniel held out his hand to Estiya.
“Would you like to say no to me?”
The silent pressure came as Estiya’s eyes fluttered.
(Estiya’s pov)
It was difficult to understand Nathaniel’s intentions. I’ve heard that priests are extremely reluctant to have physical contact with outsiders.
He was smiling, but it wasn’t a warm smile. It was a cold, piercing look in his eyes.
I don’t want to fall into a trap.
Naturally, I put my hand on his palm. Nathaniel laughed and Rodrigo hardened his face.
“May God’s blessing be with you.”
Instead of his lips, Nathaniel rubbed the thumb of his hand, which was holding the back of my hand, and fell down.
“Nice to meet you. Sit down.”
Read only at pm tl.
Said Emperor Tereo. I sat down next to Rodrigo. Rodrigo took my hand under the table.
What are you doing?
I looked at him, but he didn’t see me. He stared at Nathaniel with a hardened face.
“Anyways. Back to the Veloki Peninsula.”
Veloki Peninsula? What do you mean?
As I tightened my grip on Rodrigo, Rodrigo’s gaze stayed on me for a moment. He pursed his lips.
Later.
Do you mean to explain later?
But I was very curious. Because Emperor Tereo was looking straight at Rodrigo and speaking.
“Does the Holy Father think so too? Wasn’t the peninsula a place for peace? Do you think this war is necessary?”
Rodrigo was frustrated
What does this mean now? If you look at the flow of the story, it looks like there’s going to be a war, the Veloki Peninsula? Have we ever had a war with the Veloci Peninsula?
I quickly rummaged through my memories. But I couldn’t find an answer. A place called the Veloki Peninsula was also bleak.
Damn it. I should have written down what I knew as soon as I was possessed.
I trusted myself too much.
“I can only wish for the happiness of many, Your Excellency.”
“Do you think it is okay to sacrifice a few for the sake of the many?”
Nathaniel drew a sigh. He closed his eyes for a moment and smiled. It was a snake-evil smile.
“All I can do is pray for their souls to rest.”
Rodrigo clenched his fist. He was the most angry I’ve ever seen him.
“It has been decided. Then I’ll be busy getting ready, so let’s go.”
It was a blessing. Rodrigo stood up. He roughly nodded and turned his back. I got up from my seat, watching Rodrigo moving away.
“I’m not feeling well, so I’ll go first.”
I waved my hand as if Hela was expected to grab hold of me. I leapt towards Rodrigo.
“Rodrigo, Rodrigo!”
He walked very fast. He had already left the banquet hall and was crossing the garden. He looked back at my call. His eyes widened a little, not knowing I was going to follow him.
“Estiya?”
“Why are you walking so fast?”
“I didn’t know you were going to follow me.”
“Then you thought I would chat there with the emperor, prince, and the Pope you hate?”
He closed his mouth as if he was touched.
“What is it?”
“You followed me instead of hanging out with people I hate.”
“You seem to really hate all three of them.”
Well, I would be like that too. But what did Nathaniel do? I thought I would remember him when I saw his face, but nothing came to mind.
“Are you going home?”
“Yes, I am going home. And tomorrow I will go to the Veloki Peninsula.”
“I need an explanation.”
“Would you like to walk a little?”
Rodrigo asked. Instead of answering, I took the lead. The night wind was cool. It was perfect to cool the body temperature that had risen from walking hard to catch up with Rodrigo. Rodrigo’s laughter erupted from behind me. I liked the sound of his sudden burst of laughter. I slowed down and stood next to him. We walked side by side.
After passing through a winding maze-like path, we came to an open garden. There was a fountain in the center with benches around it. Our destination was there. The feeling of walking among the thick trees was just as good. I liked that it was quiet unlike the banquet hall.
“Ugh.”
Except it was a little dark so I couldn’t see under my feet.
As I was about to fall, Rodrigo reached out and wrapped his hand around my waist. A large forearm grabbed me tightly and lifted me up. His eyes twinkled in the moonlight. The dark sky was not black compared to his eyes. Those blood-red eyes could not be imitated by any painter. It was the color that only Rodrigo had. If you look into those eyes, it seems that you will fall into them.
“I am going to war.”