Chapter 22
"You Saved "
Elisana arrived in front of the Temple of the High Priest. A burly guard blocked her path.
"Who are you?"
"I am here to see the High Priest."
The guards scrutinized her from head to toe. Her tattered, sleeping-bag-like robe and slight build didn't suggest she had an appointnt with the High Priest.
"Do you have an appointnt?"
"……."
"If not, you cannot enter."
"I have sothing for the High Priest."
"What could you possibly have for the High Priest? Get lost."
Elisana lifted her hood slightly, looking the guard in the eye.
"What do you think you're looking at?" The guards approached nacingly. Elisana muttered sothing under her breath.
"Urgh."
"Ugh."
The guards collapsed, their eyes rolling back.
'Couldn't even withstand this level of magic. They're just big scarecrows.'
'That man wouldn't have even blinked,' Elisana thought, recalling the man she saw in the "Wizard's Forest."
An unforgettable man. No, a man who could not be forgotten.
It wasn't just his incredible skills...
'The way he looked at that woman.'
That image was deeply etched into Elisana's mind.
Elisana entered the Temple and walked down the grand, dimly lit corridor. She eventually stopped in front of the High Priest's office.
Priests guarded the office.
"Is the High Priest inside?"
"He is not. Who are you?"
They were no different from the guards. So, she dealt with them in the sa way.
She cautiously opened the door. The room was empty.
'Well, that's unfortunate.'
She pulled out the ten gold coins from her sleeve. Since she failed her mission, she planned to return them.
She neatly stacked the coins on the desk. Then, she picked up a quill and wrote on a blank piece of paper:
[The two people took a bunch of unknown plants.]
This should suffice for the five-gold coin part of the mission. She put down the quill and turned around.
Soone grabbed her wrist with a sharp sound.
"What rat has snuck in?"
It was a young priest in white robes. Elisana was startled for a mont by the silent approach. But it was only a mont. She could deal with this.
Just as she was about to move her lips, a voice interrupted.
"Dante, what's going on?"
The High Priest entered the room.
"A thief, Your Grace."
"A thief? ...Ah, she is not a thief. Let her go."
Dante released her wrist. Elisana rubbed her wrist and stepped back.
The High Priest glanced at the ten gold coins on the desk.
It was obvious the assassination had failed. If it had succeeded, the entire empire would be in turmoil by now.
'Well, I didn't place much hope on a re woman. It was a gamble, after all.'
"You returned the gold coins, so you can go."
"Wait."
The High Priest stopped her. He took a small wooden box from his desk drawer. Dante's eyebrow twitched.
"Still, it wouldn't be right to let you leave empty-handed after working with us. Take this as a small token of appreciation for your efforts."
The High Priest handed the box to Elisana. She took it.
"Open it. I hope you like it."
Dante thought to himself.
'How tireso.'
It was always like this. Hire a wandering rcenary, then kill them off once the job was done.
Of course, Dante agreed with this approach. There was no cleaner thod.
Elisana placed the box on the desk.
"I must decline. I do not accept unearned rewards."
She turned to leave. The High Priest's voice was cold.
"Dante."
It was an order to deal with her.
Dante moved to grab her, but Elisana twisted her body to evade his hand.
But Dante was not to be underestimated. He tore off her hood.
A cascade of lush red hair fell softly. Her surprised violet eyes were exposed to the world.
"......!"
Both the High Priest and Dante were taken aback. They hadn't expected such a precious appearance to be hidden under that robe.
"You, wait."
The High Priest began to speak. Elisana pulled her hood back on and bolted.
Dante asked, "Shall I go after her?"
"No. Let her be for now."
"But—"
"That woman. She will be useful soon. Find out where she is staying."
The High Priest smiled. Elisana Lucy. She was an unexpected fortune for him.
* * *
Lately, there have been many discussions with Pharaon, particularly about refining the dicine.
Refining is not a simple task. The first step is finding the right solvent for the plant. The second step is causing a chemical reaction to separate the essence. The result of these two steps becos the raw material for the dicine.
I could share the knowledge I have. But I decided to wait and see. It's better for the people of this world to develop their understanding.
After the eting, Pharaon accompanied
back to my room.
"Then, Your Highness, I will inform you of the results soon."
"Please do. I will be waiting."
As Pharaon left, Lady Mare approached.
"Welco back, Your Highness. Was the eting productive?"
"Yes. I was just about to go inside."
"Your Majesty, the Emperor has sent a ssage inviting you to dine with him."
Lady Mare glanced at
cautiously.
"Tell him I have already eaten."
"Again, Your Majesty?"
"Yes. I have my reasons."
This had been going on for days. Invitations to lunch, dinner, walks. He kept suggesting these things despite my constant refusals.
"But you might change your mind if you see the room."
"The room?"
"Yes, please co inside."
Lady Mare opened the door, and I was taken aback.
"What... what is all this?"
"These are gifts from the Emperor."
The room was filled with all sorts of gifts. Flowers, dresses, jewelry. Even freshly printed books, indicating soone knew about my love for reading.
The maids were excited, each one showing off the gifts.
"Your Majesty, look at this dress. I've never seen such fine fabric."
"And this jewelry. It's marked by Santona, the Imperial jeweler! Must have been a custom order."
I examined the pile of gifts. Why did he send all this?
I was at a loss for words. Everything was perfectly to my taste.
Gifts co in almost daily from noble families, rchants, and even the Matreon family.
But I rarely use them. They often seem more about showing off their wealth than genuine affection.
Even gifts from the Matreon family, though given with love, were often too extravagant for
to use.
But these gifts were elegant and refined. The dresses were simple, and the jewelry was understated.
Did Leto choose these himself? If so, he has impeccable taste. I'd have bought these if they were on sale.
But I couldn't accept them.
"Send them all back."
"What? Why, Your Majesty?"
"Surely not! They are so beautiful and suit you perfectly."
The maids were shocked and tried to dissuade . I understood their feelings, but I had to be firm. I couldn't give false hope.
Lady Mare also looked like she wanted to dissuade
but understood my reasons.
"Then it would be best to send a note explaining your decision, Your Highness."
"Alright. Please bring
a pen and paper."
The maids, looking disappointed, brought the writing materials.
A simple excuse would be that it was too burdenso. The late Livia often used that excuse to refuse gifts.
After so thought, I wrote:
[Thank you, Your Majesty. While I could accept these gifts, I think it would be more aningful if they were sold and the proceeds used for charity in our nas.]
This should prevent any unnecessary talk.
"Your Majesty, please look at this once."
Lady Mare brought a rectangular velvet box.
"What is it?"
"A necklace. I think you should accept this one."
Curious, I opened the box and gasped.
A delicate gold chain set with small diamonds, and in the center, an oval green erald.
I carefully took out the necklace. The chain felt soft in my hand. I stood in front of the mirror, holding the erald to my neck.
It was the exact color of my eyes.
'I want this. It's perfect.'
"Would you like to wear it?"
"......"
"Shall I put it on for you?"
"...No."
I clutched the erald tightly.
"Just send it back with the others."
* * *
Leto looked at the letter, puzzled.
"Charity?"
Yuton remained silent, gauging Leto's mood.
All the gifts sent to the Empress were returned, without exception, accompanied by a short letter.
And it wasn't just the gifts. Five invitations for als and walks had also been refused. From what Yuton knew of Leto, he should have been furious by now.
‘Should I prepare so wine? What if he takes out his anger on soone? Will I be able to leave work on ti?’
But his expectations were off.
"Hah."
Leto suddenly chuckled.
"Haha..."
He laughed softly, then carefully placed the letter in a drawer.
"She leaves one speechless."
Simply saying the gifts were burdenso would undermine the Empress's dignity and the Emperor's pride.
But charity work looked good. After all, it was for the people.
Leto looked at the pile of gifts, feeling conflicted.
"...Alright. Send them for charity. In her na."
"The gifts are not suitable for charity. She might have refused out of modesty. Shall I send them back to the Empress?"
"Forcing them on her is pointless. Sell the items to the noble families. Donate the money in the Empress's na."
Yuton was surprised.
'He's taking it better than I thought.'
"Shall I find out why the Empress refused the gifts?"
"No. It's fine. You may go."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Yuton recognized Leto's expression. It wasn't calmness but disappointnt.
After Yuton left, Leto looked at the gifts again.
In the "Wizard's Forest," they had grown closer. Her fear of him seed almost gone.
So why was she drawing this line?
The answer was clear.
‘She realized... that I like her.’
There was no other reason for such clear refusals.
Leto stood and walked to the pile of gifts. Each item was chosen for her.
Especially the velvet box on top. He opened it to see the erald necklace.
He had scoured the jewelers in the capital to find an erald that matched her eyes. Then had it crafted by the Imperial jeweler.
‘She might refuse everything else, but she should accept this. It's not the necklace's fault.’
Leto closed the box. He couldn't send this one away. He placed it gently in the drawer.
Noise ca from outside. Sensing sothing was wrong, Leto moved to the door.
Knock knock.
Yuton returned urgently.
"Your Majesty."
"What is it?"
"Master Quinas is in critical condition."
Master Quinas. The forr head of the Imperial Academy and a political scholar.
And... Leto's only ntor.
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