Chapter 09
As the large banquet hall doors split open, the lavishly decorated interior came into view.
Even as I walked toward the king, I anxiously searched for someone. Amid the countless people, that person was nowhere to be seen.
I hadn’t even realized that all eyes were on me as I walked.
Gathering the trace of disappointment from my expression, I stopped before the king of the Kingdom of Helen and bowed slightly in greeting.
“Greetings to Your Majesty, the sun of the Kingdom of Helen. May God’s grace be upon you.”
“Saint Melissa, welcome to the Kingdom of Helen.”
“It is an honor to be invited to the crown prince’s investiture ceremony. Truly.”
When I smiled softly, the king seemed quite pleased and laughed heartily.
“Hahaha. And congratulations to you as well on becoming Saint Melissa this time.”
“Oh my, thank you very much for your congratulations.”
Perhaps he was simply glad that I had come, because the king continued speaking.
“Your Majesty, I shall step aside for now. I cannot occupy the place of the main figure for too long.”
“Haha. I didn’t realize it and kept holding you back.”
Smiling gently, I moved aside.
The crown prince would soon ascend. My role was simply to bestow a blessing upon him. That was all.
Just as I had expected—just as I remembered—the crown prince walked steadily up the stairs.
The king spoke to him as he knelt on one knee before him.
“I hereby appoint Pedro Lord Helen as the crown prince of this kingdom.”
The moment the king finished speaking, thunderous applause erupted.
“Saint Melissa.”
At the king’s call, I slowly walked toward the crown prince as I had done before and offered him a brief greeting.
“I am Shallen Melissa, Saint of the Temple of Melissa. May you become the radiant sun of the future Kingdom of Helen, and may God’s grace reach Your Highness.”
As I placed my hand on his shoulder and bestowed the blessing, music began to play.
And thus, the banquet began.
The crown prince immediately stepped down from the platform. Only after he danced the first dance would the banquet truly begin.
As I, too, was about to step down and turn my head toward the king, a familiar scent drifted over and stole my gaze.
It was Cardin.
As he passed by me, my head followed him unconsciously.
“Greetings to Your Majesty.”
“Haha. What brings you to accept the invitation this time?”
“Didn’t you threaten to marry me off to just anyone if I didn’t attend?”
Watching the two exchange such lighthearted words, a faint smile formed on my lips.
The king and the Duke of the North.
An older brother who inherited the throne, and a younger brother who received the title of duke.
Though there was a considerable age difference between them, I knew they were close.
That must be why, despite the Melissa Temple’s request for wartime support in the past, he had been reluctant to send him.
In my previous life, the royal letter arrived at the ducal territory long after the letter from the temple had reached it.
And that letter had even said he didn’t have to participate in the war—filled with concern for Cardin.
Even after being given a choice, that foolish man had gone to that absurd war anyway.
Distracted by the sight of the two of them, I missed the timing to greet them and ended up listening to their conversation.
“Ah, my. Saint Melissa, my apologies. I’ve kept you standing.”
“It’s quite all right.”
When I replied with a faint smile, the king took hold of the duke’s arm and turned him toward me.
“Ah, let me introduce you. Cardin Ferdian—Duke of Ferdian of this kingdom, and my younger brother.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Duke Ferdian. May God’s grace be upon you.”
I greeted him again, as though meeting him for the first time.
“The pleasure is mine, Saint Melissa.”
“Haha. Seeing the two of you standing together, you look like a perfect match.”
“Your Majesty…”
“Saint, what do you think of our duke?”
Just like in the past, the king looked as though he dearly wished for him to get married.
That familiar sight softened the corners of my lips.
“He is truly handsome.”
“Oh ho. Is that how the saint sees him? Hahaha. Duke, you—”
“Your Majesty. Please stop. I did attend, did I not?”
So you were loved like this in your youth. What a relief. I’m truly grateful in this life to be able to see such a sight.
Their easy, bickering manner was genuinely pleasant to watch.
I spoke to the king, intending to excuse myself.
“Your Majesty, thank you once again for inviting me. I shall take my leave now. May God’s grace be upon the Kingdom of Helen.”
“Hahaha. Saint, thank you for making the time. Please enjoy the banquet as well.”
“Yes. Thank you for your consideration.”
This time, I finally stepped down from the platform, my footsteps echoing softly.
It seemed the crown prince’s first dance had already ended, as the nobles were one by one taking their partners’ hands and moving toward the center.
With the weighty investiture ceremony over, laughter began to fill the hall.
How nice. When I first came here, I was too nervous to take in the scene, but only now does it truly come into view.
How ironic. I grew up in the Temple of Melissa, yet I laugh more here.
Lost in thought, I misstepped. Just as I was about to fall forward—
“Ah.”
Someone wrapped an arm around my waist from behind.
“What has you so lost in thought?”
When I turned my head, you filled my vision completely.
The flowing music seemed to stop, and everyone else appeared to fade into black and white.
It felt as though time itself had stopped. No—rather, I wished it would stop, so I could look at you a little longer.
“Are you going to remain like this?”
At his voice, I straightened myself, and the arm around my waist slowly withdrew.
“Ah, I’m sorry. And thank you as well.”
“What were you thinking about so deeply?”
“Well… I was thinking how peaceful this place is.”
“Hearing that from someone of the temple is rather amusing. Isn’t that place more peaceful than anywhere else in the world?”
At his question, I turned my gaze to the nobles dancing and continued.
“I wonder.”
Perhaps because the time that felt frozen—the time where only we had color—had ended, I felt a faint bitterness.
I turned back and called to you.
“Um, Duke.”
Cardin looked at me quietly and replied,
“Yes, Saint.”
“Are you very busy right now?”
“Why do you ask?”
“…I like the music that’s playing.”
He looked at the nobles holding hands and dancing to the music.
If this meeting were to be our last, then today I would pour out my feelings for him and bring them to an end.
I held out my hand to him.
“If you’re not too busy, would you grant me the honor of sharing a dance with you?”
Cardin looked down at my small, pale hand, then turned it over so the back of my hand faced up.
“It would make for a better picture if I were the one to ask.”
I took the hand beneath my palm and smiled.
“So you have this side to you as well.”
“I truly don’t know how you see me, Saint.”
A small laugh escaped me.
“Well, that’s a secret.”
Cardin raised one eyebrow at my answer, frowning slightly, but I only shrugged.
And then we walked together toward the center.
Perhaps to match my steps, his pace was slower than usual. So he had this side too.
No—thinking back, he was always like this. I just never noticed. Your consideration.
I’m sorry—for only realizing your consideration now.
As we stood together at the center, I felt gazes flying toward us from all directions.
“Are you uncomfortable?”
“Not at all.”
