CH 36

Chapter - 36 || The Words That Spilled Out

When dinner was over, we moved to the main hall for the ball.

As I watched the newly married King and Queen perform their first dance, I and Rudolf-sama held on tightly to each other.

I talked with Sofia-san for a while, but she seemed to be tired and left early. It seemed that Esaias-sama was sending her home.

I was staring at the movement of people, not doing anything, when Rudolf-sama smiled at me.

He smiled so brightly that I couldn't help but ask him,

"Is there something amusing?"

"No, it's nothing... I'm just delighted to be beside you, proudly, in this Palace"

"I see."

"I wish everyone could see us together, like Erma said."

I couldn't help but laugh,

"You can show off as much as you want when we get back."

Rudolf-sama shook his head,

"No, I'm here now, showing off Elvira, and I want everyone to see us."

"That's ridiculous."

"Wherever you are, I can't help it, you're my proud wife."

"........"

I fell silent at those words.

I could feel that Rudolf-sama hid no lie in his words.

Although I am protected by the shield of the Crown Princess here, but to them, I am here as a fake Saint and a Duchess who had their engagement broken.

The aristocrats surrounding me glanced curiously occasionally, but they had not outright spoke to me.

Rudolf-sama was very clear, I was his proud wife.

"Elvira?"

I was so glad and pleased by Rudolf-sama's feelings that I smiled brightly.

"Me too."

"Huh?"

Perhaps this reply was unexpected, but I added a few more words to his surprised self.

"Rudolf-sama is my proud husband as well, wherever you are."

"........"

Now it was his turn to fall silent.

Rudolf-sama squeezed my hand.

"Rudolf-sama?"

"We can't just sit here. Let's dance!"

"Oh, uh, yeah."

I was puzzled by his sudden offer, but I accepted it nonetheless.

With years of practice, I stepped effortlessly, drawing the attention of everyone around me.

"As long as we dance only for a bit, your father might tolerate it."

Rudolf-sama said while dancing.

"Of course..."

I couldn't help but say.

"But Rudolf-sama, you do hold my hand quite often..."

"Huh?"

"Perhaps when you were unaware?"

"Excuse me...?"

I was amused and started laughing.

Rudolf-sama stood there before me, and rephrased his words,

"Isn't it okay for me to touch you as long as the dance goes? And beyond that, if eventually consented."

These words made me nervous and a bit bashful.

"Yes, I suppose so."

It took all that I had, to answer that while appearing seemingly graceful.

——

"...Wow. It's Agnieszka-san."

"She's amazing..."

As I was resting after our dance, I heard such whispers among the crowd. I saw that Alexander-sama was dancing with Countess Agnieszka Padeni.

But I knew it was none of my business.

I glanced at Natalia-san, who was surrounded by male nobles, be as it may.

I wasn't sure on what went through the minds of the surrounding nobles attending. Perhaps they knew they couldn't criticize the Queen.

Right then,

"It's been a while, Elvira-sama."

I curtsied towards Esais-sama, who seemed to have returned from dropping Sofia-sama at her Palace.

"I apologize for the urgency for this request."

"No, please go on."

Esais-sama paused for me to continue.

"I heard you were close to my brother, and I'm sure he's been saying unreasonable things quite often."

"Oh, your brother?"

Suddenly, Rudolf-sama appeared out of thin air.

"I'd love to hear your story."

"Of course."

"—Oh my God, Rudolf-sama!"

I had to keep my mouth shut from uttering words that were unnecessary for my brother.

"By the way, I heard about 'The Holy Grail.'"

Rudolf-sama said as he held a drink.

"I heard the people on the mountains considered it sacred, but what was it like?"

Esais-sama replied,

"It has a magnificent view. But essentially, it was created for the purpose of a tombstone."

"Tombstone?"

"Generations of Saints are buried there, when they meet their end."

Rudolf-sama seemed surprised.

"I had no idea it was a tomb."

I couldn't help but intercept,

"Not all of the Saints are buried there. Exceptions are made if they are buried in their family's tombstones as well."

"But the former Saint was buried there."

"What was she like?"

I could answer that.

"I never met her in person, but I heard she was an honourable woman who prayed earnestly for her people. I also heard she died there, so she was buried."

"So she wasn't buried there intentionally, but happened to die there? At which age?"

"She was 23. About 5 years since I became the Saint."

"She was young, so why was it so?"

"We don't know the details. But I heard that her constitution was constantly weak."

I said to Rudolf-sama, who quickly grew worried.

"But the Saint before her, was a Baroness. As matter of course, she was buried in the Baroness's tomb."

"Was she married?"

"She was. After her husband died, she went to recuperate at a monastery."

"I see."

Rudolf-sama was pondering over something.

And as soon as Esais-sama was about to speak to me,

I was approached by an expected visitor.

"Are you enjoying yourself?"

"Your Majesty?!"

Rudolf-sama turned to me, while Alexander-sama said,

"If you wouldn't mind, could we dance for one son—"

"If you'll excuse me, I have not been feeling well."

The words spilled out on their own.