The morning breeze was extremely refreshing as if it was waking up from a long slumber. The birds chirped and the winds slowly hit my skin as I moved in this beautiful environment.
I was currently in the garden of the Wenselm family, and I had to say, I was thoroughly impressed.
'My in-laws sure know how to maintain their gardens.'
I commented inwardly as I moved through the phenomenal garden.
Today was the day I was supposed to meet with Ena, my soon-to-be fiancee.
Looking through the fruits and herbs that decorated the garden of the house of Wenselm, a bit of greed appeared in my eyes. I was sure I wasn't the only one. Whoever would see the bunch of rare fruits, plants and herbs would have a big urge to steal, even if they weren't a kleptomaniac.
'Is there such a place in the real world?'
I couldn't help myself from asking that one question that anyone would want to know.
After a while, I finally reached the location where the meeting was promised.
It was a small construction with four pillars supporting a circular designer roof to provide shade to the people who sat in it.
It looked like the typical place where nobles would have their tea.
A table and two designer white chairs were aligned properly. Which surprisingly didn't feel out of place, it rather blended in quite well.
"You're here!"
I reflexively turned my head around towards the origin of the voice, only to be stunned silly.
The blond-haired princess Ena was wearing a white long gown, with two long white gloves accompanying her graceful hands.
Her hair swayed with the wind and her eyes seemed to sparkle with life. Her mere presence can brighten the day of just about anyone.
"Ah… hii."
"Uh… ah… um… hello, Shura. It's a pleasure to meet you."
I greeted the princess with a simple hello, her nervous reply being just as cute as her bearings.
After the awkward greetings, we moved toward the tables that were set beforehand.
—-Ahem!
"That was weird. Anyways, you already know it, but still. My name is Shura. And…I'm also the person who saved your life."
I introduced myself to Ena and she put a hand on her mouth as she chuckled.
"Thank you once again for saving my life."
'',
"Don't thank me, you should thank your father for not giving up on you and continuing to look for someone who could treat you.".
Ena smiled slightly at that as she tucked back the hair which had fallen on her face.
"Really, thank you. Although it's a pity… I am no longer a saintess."
"Ah, well. That truly is a pity, isn't it? But I am sure you are better off without being one. That fake god was crazy."
I consoled her slowly as we sat down on the chairs opposite each other. There were no servants around, not because the Duke's house lacked them, but most probably because they wanted to give us some privacy.
"Do you drink tea?"
"Yes, I do. Two sugars please."
Ena brewed some tea and we drank the tea while speaking nothing at all. We would take a sip and get caught sneaking at each other from underneath the cup and hide our faces behind it only to repeat the same mistakes all over again.
"Erm… Ena. About the engagement, you really don't have to do it if you don't want to. I got plenty of rewards from Harol— His grace the duke already. I would make sure to let it seem like it wasn't the duke who backed out on his own words. And you can see how I look. Weird skin colour, horns on my head, a big tail. Is it really fine for a human noble to be married to someone out of the human race?"
"...."
Ena finally looked at my face and stared at it for a long while, all without saying a word. Her face seemed to hide complicated emotions which were hard to read.
"What?"
"Do you hate me?"
She asked abruptly, making my mind go blank for a second.
'What's wrong with her?'
"Why would I hate you?"
Ena stomped up from the chair and stood right in front of me, looking down at me.
"Why do you keep talking like you don't care about this marriage or engagement? Am I not pretty enough? Or are you gay?"
"NO! I mean, no. You're really beautiful, and I am absolutely not gay! What the fuck are we even talking about?"
I was flabbergasted and struggling to keep my thought process in line.
What the heck is her problem?
"Why don't you want to marry me then? Is it because you like someone?"
Suddenly, Jeze's silhouette flashed in front of my eyes hearing that.
"I…uh.."
In the end, I was still too unused to situations like the current one, and I couldn't form words in my mouth.
'ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ N ovelBi(n)',
After almost ten or so minutes of complete silence, I opened my mouth.
"Okay. Since we are supposedly going to get engaged, you are at least entitled to know this much about me. I liked a girl a lot. She was an ogre. But I lost her….before I became like this…became the way I am."
"Lost her… as in?"
"She died."
'And I am going to revive her.'
Just not to sound like a complete madman, I decided to keep the latter part to myself for now.
"Oh…I am so, very sorry. I had no idea."
"No, it's fine, really."
After that, Ena kept on apologising for mentioning Jeze,
After that, Ena started telling about herself and how she was treated like a god from a young age.
Even though she was surrounded by people, she always felt lonely and out of place. That's why she was actually happy that she lost her powers. So this whole ordeal of losing her saintess was more a blessing in disguise than a curse.
For some reason, without realising, I was staring at Ena's face, which started looking better and better as she kept on talking about herself.
"What?"
"Nothing… Just that you look absolutely gorgeous for some reason."
"T-that. Thank you. You are pretty handsome too. By the way, are you an adventurer?"
Ena shortly replied to my compliment as she changed the topic to video games.
"I should get going now…"
"Ah, yes. Absolutely. I have a few appointments and various doctors meet up. I am sure my father would keep dragging me to such sort of appointments unless he makes sure I am fine."
I chuckled hearing that. We wanted to take this opportunity to clarify our relationship but we talked about everyone else except ourselves.
"Not the best time that I have spent. But definitely enjoyable. I'll be waiting for us to do this again…. And maybe have a real talk next time."
"Likewise. The pleasure would be all mine."
Leaving the Duke's castle, I immediately logged out of [Mayhem] and started going through my emails. Soon enough, I saw Scarlett's emails, and there were even many missed calls.
I immediately called her back.
"Hey, what's up?"
—-I am fine. When are you planning to get here:
"I am just packing up. You better send the desert scorpion."
—-Yeah, sure.