Chapter 17
[Unexpected Adventure]
Good news arrived: we got permission to enter the ‘Forest of the Mage.’
The condition that we had to be accompanied by a mage was also lifted. Just as Leto had assured.
How did he manage to persuade the Guild Master? I don't know, but it's impressive.
In the afternoon, Lady Marais ca into the office.
“Your Majesty, are you busy?”
“Aren’t I always? What’s going on?”
“I was thinking of going to the chapel for a prayer.”
Lady Marais was an ordinary follower of the Goddess, praying when necessary.
“Yes, feel free to go.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
She smiled and turned to leave, then asked,
“Would you like to join ?”
“To the chapel?”
“Yes. It’s not good to be sitting and working all the ti. If you’re not too busy, co with .”
She had a point. Sitting for long periods isn't good for the body.
I had mixed feelings about the chapel but was also curious. What draws people to such faith?
I put down my pen and stood up.
“Alright, let’s go.”
The chapel was inside the Emperor's palace corridor.
A large round do-shaped room that looked like a giant cave. Angels stood along the sides.
And at the far end was a huge statue of the Goddess. She had her arms open, looking down at the people.
Her smile was kind yet cold, and her eyes were calm. It was indeed overwhelming.
So of the royal family were praying. I found a spot with Lady Marais.
“What are you going to pray for, Lady Marais?”
She smiled shyly.
“My daughter is making her debutante soon. I’m going to pray for her success.”
Lady Marais was so motherly—warm and kind.
She clasped her hands and closed her eyes. I quietly looked up at the statue.
I’ve never believed in religion. In this world, the only thing I could believe in was myself. Or rather, that's how I had to live.
‘But… a simple prayer couldn’t hurt.’
I clasped my hands and closed my eyes. It felt awkward, but I sincerely prayed to the Goddess.
‘…Please, let
leave the imperial palace safely.’
And then I heard it.
Save …
‘Huh? Who's there?’
A woman’s voice echoed as if from within the cave.
I looked around. Everyone else was deep in their prayers.
Rivia.
She knew my na.
Rivia.
I focused all my attention on where the voice ca from. It was…
The statue of the Goddess.
Save …
“Your Majesty?”
“…Ah.”
I snapped out of it. Lady Marais was looking at
with concern.
“Are you alright? You seed to zone out.”
“Oh, it’s nothing. Are we done praying?”
“Yes. Shall we go?”
We quietly got up and left the chapel. I glanced back several tis. But the statue remained silent.
‘…Was it just a hallucination?’
“Your Majesty.”
Soone familiar approached us in the corridor.
“Chief Priest Dante.”
“I greet Your Majesty, the Empress.”
Dante bowed. I nodded and was about to pass him. I didn’t want to get involved with him.
He spoke, almost as if to stop .
“You heard it, didn’t you?”
“Pardon?”
“The voice.”
I had to stop.
I signaled Lady Marais to leave us. She retreated quietly. Now there was no one around.
“You heard the voice too?”
“I always hear it.”
Dante was known for his high divine power. If he heard the voice, then…
Was it really the Goddess?
I was surprised but didn’t show it. It wouldn’t be fitting for the resurrected Empress to be rattled by such things.
“How did you know I heard the voice?”
“On my way to the Grand Temple, I heard the voice and rushed here, and there you were.”
That was quite a leap. There were plenty of people here.
“That alone wouldn't have confird it.”
Dante seed slightly taken aback but then smiled quietly.
“You are perceptive.”
“…”
“I can sense the Goddess. I hear her voice and sll her unique scent. It’s a natural talent.”
He hears the voice and senses the power.
If true, his divine power surpassed even the High Priest. There was a reason he beca Chief Priest at such a young age.
“Did you sense sothing in ?”
“The sa scent as the Goddess emanates from you, Your Majesty.”
“A scent?”
“Yes. It’s hard to explain.”
I stared at him. There was no way to prove this scent to . Was he trying to deceive ?
I couldn’t blindly trust Dante. He was, after all, the High Priest’s man.
“Whatever the ans, it’s clear you have a connection with the Goddess, Your Majesty.”
“I see. Thank you for the information, Chief Priest Dante.”
He understood and stepped aside. As I passed by him, he spoke again.
“But why did the Goddess ask you to save her?”
I was more curious than he was. With all my struggles to ensure my own survival, what was happening?
“How should I know?”
I left the corridor and climbed the stairs. I glanced back unintentionally. Dante was still standing there.
He nodded once, a small smile on his face.
My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. An unexpected complication had arisen. Both the Goddess and Dante.
A few days passed.
Today was the day we were to go to the ‘Forest of the Mage.’
I was enduring a rough morning. Lady Marais and the maids had brought out various dresses. Hats, gloves, shoes, and accessories too.
A tight corset, a green velvet dress that accentuated my waist, high heels. Once I was fully dressed, the maids fussed over .
“You look stunning!”
“Oh my… His Majesty will be so pleased!”
‘…No, he’ll probably scowl as soon as he sees . This outfit completely misses the purpose of today.’
I took off the hat and said to Lady Marais,
“This outfit is too flashy, Lady Marais. I need sothing more comfortable.”
“Flashy? This is basic for a date with His Majesty. Shall we try a different color?”
I hesitated.
‘Date?’
Did people see us as having such a romantic relationship?
“It’s not that.”
“Oh? It’s not a date? We didn’t know…”
Lady Marais was flustered. The maids looked equally disappointed. How much were they looking forward to today’s outing?
The maids were visibly downcast. Really… I couldn’t help it.
“Haa… Fine. Yes, it’s a date.”
I’m weak against such types. How could I pop their bubble-like excitent? It felt like I’d be hurting them.
“Of course! We knew it!”
“It was worth preparing. You look beautiful.”
The maids regained their smiles. Lady Marais seed relieved too. Fine, they looked happy. But I still needed to change my clothes.
“We’ll be walking a lot, so please bring
sothing comfortable, Lady Marais.”
“Ah, I see. How about this? It’s warm today.”
Lady Marais took out sothing from the wardrobe. It was a light blue chiffon dress. At least it wasn’t cumberso.
“Is this the most comfortable?”
“Yes, among the dresses.”
“Alright, I’ll wear that.”
I changed into the dress and picked new shoes. Low-heeled leather shoes were quite comfortable.
I finished preparing and left the Emperor's palace. The carriage was already waiting.
“Rivia!”
Sean pushed past the attendants and approached. He was showing up at the palace quite frequently now that he was unemployed.
“Are you here to see
off?”
“Yes. I can’t help but worry about you going there without a mage.”
“I’m going with His Majesty.”
“That’s why I’m worried.”
He sounded just like Leto.
“Here, take this.”
Sean handed
sothing. Two small purple stones.
“These are magic stones that repel monsters. If you encounter any, they won’t attack easily with these.”
“Thank you, brother. Is one for His Majesty?”
Sean sighed deeply.
“I can’t stand him, but… yes. I have to protect you.”
“Thank you. I’ll be careful.”
I hugged him lightly. Regardless, a brother is a brother.
“Rivia.”
Leto called my na as he approached. He was wearing a neat black jacket and a shirt.
“You’re here?”
“I’ve been here. It’s ti to go.”
“Alright. Ah, this. Brother Sean gave
this.”
I handed one of the magic stones to Leto. He took it and muttered.
“It doesn’t seem very useful.”
He said it loudly enough for Sean to hear. Sean glared at him, Leto’s lips curled slightly. He seed to enjoy provoking Sean.
“Let’s go, Empress.”
He offered his hand. I took it and climbed into the carriage. Leto ordered the captain of the guards outside the window.
“Let’s move.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Let’s go!”
The coachman lightly snapped the reins. The carriage started moving slowly.
“Have a safe trip, Your Majesty.”
“Enjoy your ti!”
Lady Marais and the maids waved and smiled. I waved back. It felt like a leisure trip, though we were going for work.
He rested his elbow on the window fra, his chin in his hand. And crossed his legs, as usual. He had such an unapproachable deanor.
He looked sowhat thinner. I heard he had been working tirelessly, taking ti out for today.
“You must have a lot of work. You didn’t have to co along.”
“The Empire won’t collapse because the Emperor misses a day’s work, Rivia.”
He grumbled even when I showed concern. I couldn’t figure him out.
Leto stared at
for a while. Or rather, at my outfit.
‘Did I dress too casually? He might have preferred sothing more practical.’
“Who picked your outfit?”
‘He doesn’t like my clothes.’
“It was the best I could do. Knowing it’s not a leisure trip, please overlook it.”
“It suits you well.”
“…”
“I ant to say that.”
So it was a complint. His serious tone made
slightly embarrassed.
“Thank you. You look good too, Your Majesty.”
One of his eyebrows slightly lifted. He leaned closer to , his face playful again.
“Really? How so?”
“Pardon?”
“Specifically. How does it suit ?”
Was he fishing for more complints? I could give him that. It was true.
“You’re handso.”
“…What?”
Leto froze. Did he not know he was handso? That seed unlikely.
“You’re handso, so everything suits you. Always have. Today, you chose a good color. Did Sir Yutten pick it? The blue shirt matches your eyes. And you have a tall, good build—”
“Stop.”
“Anything you wear—”
“Alright! I get it, stop.”
Leto suddenly blushed. He opened the window wide. The wind blew his hair in all directions.
He looked out the window and muttered.
“This is insane.”
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