Chapter 39

“Welcome back, Miss Maria. “

“Welcome back. “

As usual, the maids welcomed me as soon as I reached the palace.

“Did you have a good date with his highness,  the Crown Prince?”

My steps towards the bedroom stopped abruptly. Linda’s face was full of excitement.

I’m going to be in trouble.

“It’s not like that. “

But Linda didn’t give in and went on.

“No way. He went out with you, and that’s a date.”

“No, we just looked around the square.”

“Hohoo. “

What’s with that sly smile?

“I mean, that’s a date. When you got off the carriage just now, the atmosphere was so nice.”

When I got to the front of the bedroom, Linda quickly opened the door. It seems she had not forgotten her duty even though we’re chatting.

[Sister!]

I reached out my hand when I saw Ruri flying towards me. When she asked if I had a good trip, I replied with a smile and we went to the chair together and sat down.

I opened my bag and took out the envelope. After seeing me remove the sealed part with one hand, Ruri quickly descended on the table.

[What’s that?]

[It’s a letter.]

When I opened the finely folded white letter paper, I could see familiar handwriting.

[My dear Maria,]

The contents of Uncle Jacqueline’s letters were always similar. It always contains the family’s regards, small daily life stories, and always telling them to eat well.

But today, new content was written in addition.

[As you know, it’s your mom’s birthday on the 4th of next month. I hope you come visit and congratulate her if you have time. Your mom and Rose miss you a lot, too.]

A bitter smile caught my mouth.

…Does Rose really want to see me? I don’t think so.

I folded the letter back and put it in the drawer. Come to think of it, it’s already been quite a long time since I left my hometown.

I wish I could go back there. I want to see Boraengi.

“Miss Maria, you have a visitor.”

“A visitor?”

Turning my head and asking again, Chloe nodded.

“He’s been here once before, and he told me to tell you he’s Gerard.”

I greeted the familiar name with a smile.

“Really? Where is he?”

“He’s waiting in the drawing-room downstairs.”

[Can Ruri come with you?]

[Of course.]

As I hurried downstairs, the bell opened the door. I saw Gerard standing in the middle of a large room.

“Hello, Maria. “

“What brings you here? “

“I came to see you. Shall we take a walk?”

“Okay. “

Leaving the maids, Gerard and I walked out of the palace with Ruri on my shoulder.

After returning to the palace, Ains went straight to his office. Tyr, who was working alone, suddenly got up when he saw him.

“Welcome back, your highness. “

The crown prince, who said that he would go out for a while, did not return even after an hour. He found the attendant who accompanied him and asked him, and he bowed deeply, saying Ains went out of the palace.

However, one unexpected thing was the fact that the crown prince went out with someone and he’s dressed in plain clothes.

“The job I’ve entrusted.”

“It’s done. “

Boxes of various scrolls and papers were placed on Ains’ desk. They were classified according to priority principles.

Ains reached out to one box without hesitation. The secret red-labeled letter was a report sent by attendants who secretly inspected parts of the empire.

While reviewing the letter at a rapid pace, Ains’ face hardened for a while.

The letter said that the newly changed lord would impose huge taxes and labor on the people of the land under the pretext of rebuilding the temple.

“10 golds per head.”

The collection was so harsh that it was tantamount to starving oneself to death. It was something that should never be overlooked.

Since becoming an adult, Ains has toured various parts of the country at least two or three times a year, and at most once a month.

Basically, the sovereignty of the lord was recognized, but if it was found to be illegal to train troops or engage in harsh exploitation, their land and property could be confiscated.

“I think I’ll have to go to Dasca soon.”

“What happened?”

“The new lord seems to be exploiting.”

Tyr clicked his tongue.

Anyway, there are always greedy people everywhere.

In the meantime, Ains looked at the letter repeatedly. The moment he saw the word temple, he remembered visiting a fortune-teller this afternoon.

“I can’t see anything.”

Although he didn’t show it in his face, Ains was inwardly uncomfortable by the fortune-teller’s words.

The people of the Empire who serve God, Atra visit the temple once a year to offer tribute. Then the priests and the faithful would bless them and pray to God to deliver the word of prophecy to them.

Ains was no exception. On New Year’s Day, when it was snowing, he visited the temple in the Imperial Palace and received a message of prophecy from the Minister.

But he never heard of ‘I can’t see anything.’

‘Perhaps the fortune-teller I met today is a false believer, and her divine power is poor.’

But for some reason, he thought that that wasn’t the case. It would be more believable if she made something up, instead of saying that she can’t see anything since it would make her customer nervous.

When he heard the fortune-teller’s words and remembered how Maria’s face crumbled, he became worried.

Ains called Tyr quietly.

“Tyr.”

“Yes, Your Highness?”

“When you went to the temple… Have you ever been told that they can’t see anything about your future?”

“No, never.”

Tyr, who saw Ain’s expression hardened, spoke quickly.

“I haven’t experienced it, but I’ve heard why. The temple won’t be able to see any vision if you either angered God, or you’re too precious to them*. It’s one of the two.”

(t/n: the God.)

“Are you sure?”

“Of course. I heard it from Hades, the third priest. And….”

As he listened in one ear to extract the knowledge thoroughly, Ains was lost in thought.

‘You either incur the wrath of the Lord, or they cherish you very much.’

If you look at the history of the empire, there are records everywhere that the people whom God especially cares about came from another world.

Then it occurred to Ains.

‘Maybe Maria is, too.’

The strange feeling that she feels out of place when he first met her, and the way she treated animals, made her feel different.

It is said that those who have been chosen by God have unusual abilities.

(t/n: hmmm…what happened to those people tho?)

‘If so…. ‘

Reaching from his conception, Ains reached for another letter.

But after a while, his gaze repeatedly turned to Tyr. A soft voice rang quietly.

“What do women like?”

Tyr’s busy hands stopped.

“I don’t know. Don’t they like flowers or jewelry? But why do you ask that all of a sudden?”

At that moment, an idea crossed his mind, and Tyr asked in a subdued voice.

“Are you giving it to Miss Maria?”

“Ahem, hm.”

Ains coughed for nothing and avoided a direct answer.

“Send a bouquet of flowers and a set of accessories to the Detached Palace later.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Ains went back to work with a smile on his lips. Maria, who will receive the gift, will surely be pleased.

[The weather seems hot!]

[Really?]

Birds get hot, too. Well, it could be because they’re a warm-blooded animal.

[It’s getting hotter, isn’t it?]

Maybe it’s because I’m almost away for two days? Ruri, who perched up on my right shoulder, never stopped talking.

[But it’s good to see so many pretty flowers bloom. Do you like flowers?]

[Yes. I like them.]

Now I’m walking along the trail with Ruri and Gerard.

The path was beautifully decorated since it’s located in the Imperial Palace. Ornamental trees with small fruits are lined up, and the backside is full of unfamiliar but pretty flowers.

However, there were no tall trees, so the sun would surely be hot when you walk here in the middle of the day.

“Where have you been?”

I looked at Gerard for a moment and then moved my eyes forward again.

“I went out to the square.”

“The Square? Did you go there to unwind?”

“Yeah.”

Well, something like that.

“Then you should’ve asked me to come with you. I’ve been bored all day.”

Gerard’s voice was full of regret. I guess he came to see me because he was bored.

I suddenly became curious. What is Gerard doing*? Even though he’s an aristocrat, he’s an adult, so he won’t just play around and eat, right?

(t/n: she’s referring  to work/role, etc.)

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Of course. What is it?”

“I was wondering what you’re doing,”

Gerard smiled mischievously, slightly blocking my way.

“Are you interested in me?”

“What interest are you talking about?”

Anyway, he’s always like this whenever he had a chance.

When I turned a little and passed him by, Gerard quickly followed me.

“I’m helping my father out. He’s a big trader.”

“Trade industry?”

It was an unexpected answer, but I soon thought it made sense.

The Larson Empire is more business-oriented, and it’s much better to have money than nothing.

“By the way, Maria, you were so popular yesterday.”

“Huh?”

“Everyone was staring at you at the ballroom.”

“I suppose so.”

A woman everyone had never seen before suddenly danced first with the crown prince. Of course, it would be natural that all attention will be on me.

“How was it today? Lady Winston’s glare was amazing.”

Wow Gerard, you can spread the mat.*

(t/n: Korean idiom meaning good at making predictions or guessing things that they have no idea of.) 

“I’ve already been called in.”

“Woah, really? She called you?”

“No, Her Majesty the Empress did.”

I could see Gerard’s expression slightly distorted. It seemed that he became uncomfortable as soon as he heard the term [Empress].

“You must have had a hard time since morning. So why did Ains picked you as his first partner….? “

That’s what I wanted to ask too!

But come to think of it, it wasn’t that bad. I get to dress up beautifully and dance with the Crown Prince. It’s a very special experience.

“Maria, how long did you say that you have to take care of Glick again?”

“It’s a one-year contract… so it’s until June next year. Why do you ask that all of a sudden?”

“No, I’d like to show you around nice places if you don’t mind. I know a lot of great places.”

“Really?”

Just imagining it made me happy already. The lake that Gerard took me to before was very exceptional, but I’m sure you know a lot of better places than that, right?

“I wish I had a few days off.”

“Yeah.”

“Shall I talk to Ains?”

I was attracted to the tempting suggestion, but I shook my head slightly. Actually, I had the same idea in mind.

It’s been two months since I left my hometown. Uncle Jacqueline’s letter was full of desire to see her daughter.

It’s been a long time since I saw her, and it’s Aunt Mary’s birthday soon, so I thought I’d have to go to my hometown once. I want to see cute Boraengi.

If Ains allowed a few days off, it would have been better to go home than to travel.

“That’s okay. Let’s go together next time.”

“Well, by the way, have you ever heard of it?”

“What is it?”

“Did you know….”

Since then, Gerard has been telling jokes I’ve never heard before.

I felt much better thanks to you. With a hearty laugh, I pounded Gerard’s back and enjoyed the walk until the sun went down.

The 2nd lead syndrome is strong in this one aaarghaagdjahdk. Ains’ lil crush is cute BUT GERARD IS DOING ALL THE WORK HERE! That chemistry! Those cute interactions AND HE KNOWS WHAT MARIA LIKES! COME ON AINS!! WEEEERRRRK!!!