~Chapter 20~
Left alone, Antonio rose from his desk and walked to the window. One of his magic knights was approaching the residence.
A few moments later, there was a presence outside the door.
“It’s me.”
“Come in.”
In the knight’s hands was a birdcage.
Inside, perched on a rod, a pure white owl was fast asleep.
This was the reason Antonio had been just barely late to the banquet earlier. He had personally taken part in the operation to smuggle the owl out of the heavily guarded Grand Temple.
Coincidentally, today was the only day such a security gap had appeared in the temple—because even the high priests were attending the banquet.
A faint, satisfied smile tugged at the corners of Antonio’s mouth. Everything was proceeding exactly as planned.
“Josephine of Iote, you’ll be able to escape the Ruby Palace. All on your own merit.”
Sunlight seeped in through my closed eyelids. I rubbed my eyes and slowly sat up.
‘Where am I?’
I looked around. The ceiling stretched high above—intimidatingly tall—and the massive bed adorned with gold trim was unfamiliar. Far more luxurious than the hotel I’d been staying in.
The white nightgown I wore was also unfamiliar. Mine didn’t have nearly this many frills.
Suddenly, Antonio’s face flashed through my mind—dark, brooding. Then came the vivid memory of his lips pressing against mine.
“…Hah.”
The memories of last night came rushing back.
I had kissed Antonio. No—more accurately, I had stolen a kiss from him.
After drinking the wine that Tilla had secretly drugged.
Now that I was fully aware of it, my heart churned and my cheeks flushed.
“I’m insane…”
Surely I hadn’t pounced on him or anything. I slipped my head under the covers to check my body. Fortunately, there were no marks or anything on my chest.
Breathing a sigh of relief, I glanced around the room again.
“So this is… Anton’s room?”
“Yes, that’s correct, Princess.”
A voice answered my mumbling. I flinched and ducked back under the blanket.
Who was that? A calm woman’s voice…
“I am Countess Margarita Moreno, your new lady-in-waiting. May I ask how you’re feeling?”
The woman spoke with a respectful tone.
I cautiously peeked out from under the blanket. The woman looked to be in her fifties, wearing a dark blue satin dress with a high neckline. Her perfectly upright posture and composed demeanor radiated noble elegance.
“…I’m fine.”
Physically, I was fine. But there was a strange sensation of fullness below my chest. A lingering trace of that floating feeling from when Anton had cradled my neck last night. My mind, however, was clearer than ever—nothing like the haziness of yesterday’s drunken stupor.
“Then I shall prepare your bath now.”
The countess pulled the bell rope beside the bed. Within seconds, the door opened, and four maids entered in a line.
They helped me up and gently led me to the bath.
A tub large enough for swimming was already filled with steaming hot water. White rose petals floated atop the misty surface.
Just as I was about to dip a toe into the water, I paused. Why was a countess acting as head maid here, and why were there so many attendants? I only had Kallen assigned to me in my room…
Would they even answer if I asked?
With no other option, I allowed them to undress me and assist with the bath.
I let my body relax into the soft hands that washed me, the warm scent of aromatic oils filling the room. My muscles melted into comfort.
After the bath, the maids brought a soft pink dress from who-knows-where and helped me into it. Though it lacked ornate decorations, the subtle shimmer of the fabric and its gentle touch were lovely.
And somehow, it fit me perfectly—as if it had been tailored just for me.
The maids applied light makeup and braided my hair neatly, tying it at the back with a ribbon. I stared into the mirror. Compared to how gaudily I’d dressed yesterday, I looked like a completely different person.
Then they escorted me back to Anton’s room.
“…Why bring me back here? I should return to my own quarters.”
“There was a message asking you to wait here for a moment.”
“Ah, I see.”
Nervousness prickled through me. My response came out awkward and stiff.
Cold sweat dripped down my spine. After what I did last night, now I had to face him again?
Whatever happens, one thing was clear.
There was no going back to being just friends with Anton.
Clunk.
The door suddenly opened, and I flinched, turning around.
Anton stood in the doorway, leaning casually against the frame.
I swallowed hard and looked at him. Today’s outfit was… unusual. Jet-black like a raven, golden epaulets on his shoulders, and a cloak draped over one side.
He looked completely different, even unnervingly formal. He usually wore casual shirts or tunics, and even at yesterday’s banquet, his outfit had been simple and unadorned.
“Why did you just come in like that…?”
“This is my bedroom. Why would I knock?”
He strode toward me confidently as he spoke.
I glanced at the medals glinting on his chest. Strange. Hostage princes didn’t normally wear such extravagant regalia.
Something felt… off.
This outfit—only imperial princes would dress like that. Could it be…?
No, that’s impossible. Unless I were a guest of honor invited by a royal prince, not a hostage…
“More importantly, listen carefully. I’m about to tell you something important.”
Now that I looked closer, Anton was holding a large cylindrical object covered in velvet in one hand. A handle protruded from the top—like a basket or a case.
“There’s a way for you to escape being a hostage. Something other than fleeing to the monastery.”
“What is it…?”
His solemn expression made my voice tremble slightly.
Anton was saying he could get me out of here? It sounded crazy, but his aura made it clear—I needed to hear him out.
“You’ll have to pass a test.”
“What kind of test?”
As I asked, Anton gently removed the velvet cloth wrapped around the object in his hand.
At last, its true identity was revealed:
A birdcage.
Inside, a snow-white owl was dozing off, head bobbing. It had a heart-shaped face and a silvery-gray beak—an exquisitely beautiful bird.
“It took a while to outmaneuver dozens of Holy Knights and abduct it.”
Anton dropped the bomb casually. He’d smuggled this owl out from the Grand Temple, guarded by elite knights. My jaw dropped in disbelief.
While I sat there stunned, he gave me a task.
“Interrogate it. Find out what divine message was delivered three months ago.”
I froze.
He wanted me to interrogate a bird. That meant… Anton had already figured out that I had a supernatural ability.
“How did you…?”
I’d denied it so many times. How did he know? I clutched at my dress, nervous.
Just then, he swung open the birdcage.
Click.
Startled by the sound, the owl twitched a few times, then slowly opened its eyes.
Its irises were a vibrant pink—like cherry blossom petals floating inside.
It was breathtaking. Soft, mist-like ribbons of light shimmered around its body, adding to its divine presence.
Something about the gentle glow made me feel… safe. I just knew this creature meant no harm.
Wow… it’s so beautiful…
Entranced, I reached a hand toward the open cage.
[How dare you lay a hand on the emissary of the goddess Merva!]
A sudden booming voice startled me, and I jerked my hand back.
The owl straightened its posture regally and glared at me.
“Oh, I’m sorry. You were just so beautiful, I couldn’t help it.”
[Ho! I’ve lived a long time, but this… Are you a sorceress? A mere human, yet you understand my words?]
The owl stared deep into my face with its large eyes.
Anton gave me a subtle signal—Ask.
“I’m Josephine. I want to know… what was the prophecy delivered three months ago?”
The owl slowly closed its eyes, as if trying to recall the past.
[Hmm… three months ago… Ah yes, a very important figure visited the temple that day. But you expect me to reveal such things for free?]
The owl wanted to make a deal.
I swallowed hard. This was no ordinary bird.
