Chapter 09
As the massive banquet hall doors split open, the lavish interior came into view.
Even as I walked toward the king, I desperately searched for someone.
Among the countless people, he wasn’t there.
I hadn’t even realized that all eyes were on me as I walked.
Gathering the disappointment on my face, I stopped before the King of the Helen Kingdom and bowed slightly.
“Greetings to the sun of the Helen Kingdom, Your Majesty. May God’s grace reach you.”
“Saintess of Melissa, welcome to the Helen Kingdom.”
“It is an honor to be invited to the Crown Prince’s appointment ceremony. Truly.”
As I smiled gently, the king—clearly pleased—laughed heartily.
“Hahaha. And congratulations to you as well on becoming the new Saintess of Melissa.”
“Oh my, thank you very much for your kind words.”
The king seemed so glad to see me that he kept speaking.
“Your Majesty, I will step aside for now. I shouldn’t take the spotlight from the main guest for too long.”
“Haha. I didn’t even realize I was keeping you here.”
Smiling softly, I stepped aside.
Soon, the Crown Prince would ascend.
My role was simply to give him my blessing.
And that would be the end.
Just as I remembered, exactly as I expected, the Crown Prince walked up the stairs.
The king spoke to the man kneeling 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 followed.
“Saintess of Melissa.”
At the king’s call, I slowly walked toward the Crown Prince, just as I had done before, and greeted him briefly.
“I am Saintess Shallen Melissa of the Melissa Temple. May you become the shining sun of the future Helen Kingdom, and may God’s grace reach you.”
As I placed my hand on his shoulder and bestowed the blessing, music began to play.
And so, the banquet began.
The Crown Prince immediately stepped down from the platform.
Only after his first dance would the banquet truly begin.
As I turned my head toward the king to step down as well—
A familiar scent stole my attention.
It was Kardin.
My head followed him instinctively as he passed by.
“Greetings to His Majesty.”
“Haha. What brings you here? You don’t usually accept invitations.”
“If I didn’t attend, you threatened to marry me off to just anyone.”
Watching the two exchange lighthearted words, a faint smile formed on my lips.
The king and the Grand Duke of the North.
An older brother who inherited the throne, and a younger brother who inherited the title of Grand Duke.
Despite their age difference, I knew they were close.
That must be why, despite the Melissa Temple’s request for military support in the past, the king tried not to send him.
In my previous life, the royal letter arrived at the Grand Duchy long after the temple’s request.
And even that letter was filled with concern for Kardin, saying that he didn’t necessarily need to participate in the war.
Yet despite being given a choice, this foolish man still went to that senseless war.
Distracted by the sight of the two of them, I missed the timing to greet them and continued listening.
“Oh—Saintess of Melissa. My apologies. I’ve kept you standing for too long.”
“No, it’s quite alright.”
As I answered with a faint smile, the king grabbed the Grand Duke’s arm and turned him toward me.
“Ah, let me introduce you. Kardin Ferdian—Grand Duke of Ferdian and my younger brother.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Grand Duke Ferdian. May God’s grace reach you.”
I greeted him again, as if meeting him for the first time.
“The pleasure is mine, Saintess of Melissa.”
“Hahaha. Standing together like this, you look like the perfect pair.”
“Your Majesty…”
“Saintess, what do you think of our Grand Duke?”
Just like in the past, the king looked as though he truly wanted him to marry.
That familiar expression softened my lips.
“He is very handsome.”
“Oh? That so? Haha. Duke, you—”
“Your Majesty. Please stop. I attended, didn’t I?”
So you were loved like this when you were young.
How fortunate.
I’m grateful that in this life, I can see this scene.
Their easy, playful bickering was a pleasant sight.
I spoke to the king, intending to step away.
“Your Majesty, thank you once again for the invitation. I will take my leave now. May God’s grace reach the Helen Kingdom.”
“Hahaha. Thank you for your time, Saintess. Please enjoy the banquet.”
“Yes. Thank you for your consideration.”
This time, I finally stepped down from the platform.
It seemed the Crown Prince’s first dance had already ended, as nobles began taking their partners’ hands and moving toward the center.
With the solemn ceremony over, laughter filled the hall.
How nice.
The first time I came here, I was too nervous to notice any of this—but now I could see it clearly.
How ironic.
I grew up in the Melissa Temple, yet I smile more in this place.
Lost in thought, I misstepped.
Just as I was about to fall forward—
“Ah.”
Someone wrapped an arm around my waist from behind.
“What are you thinking so deeply about?”
When I turned my head, you filled my vision completely.
The music faded, and everything else seemed to turn black and white.
It felt as though time had stopped.
No—
I wished it had stopped, so I could look at you longer.
“Are you planning to stay like this?”
At his voice, I straightened up, and the arm around my waist slowly withdrew.
“Ah, I’m sorry. And thank you.”
“What were you thinking about?”
“I was just thinking… how peaceful this place feels.”
“Hearing that from someone of the temple is amusing. Isn’t the temple the most peaceful place in the world?”
At his question, I turned my gaze toward the nobles dancing and replied,
“Who knows.”
Perhaps because the moment where only we were colored had ended, a hint of bitterness crept in.
I turned to him and spoke.
“Grand Duke.”
Kardin looked at me calmly.
“Yes, Saintess?”
“Are you very busy right now?”
“Why do you ask?”
“…Because I like the music that’s playing.”
He watched the nobles dancing hand in hand to the music.
If this were to be our last meeting, then tonight I would pour out my feelings and put them to rest.
I held out my hand to him.
“If you’re not too busy, would you grant me the honor of spending this time with you?”
Kardin looked down at my small, pale hand, then turned it over so my palm faced upward.
“It would look better if I were the one asking.”
Smiling, I grasped his hand beneath mine.
“So you have this side to you as well.”
“I truly don’t know what you think of me, Saintess.”
I chuckled softly.
“Well… I think I’ll keep that a secret.”
At my answer, Kardin raised one eyebrow and frowned slightly, but I only shrugged.
And then we walked together toward the center.
His pace was slower than usual, as if matching mine.
So you had this side too.
No—
Thinking back, you were always like this. I just never noticed.
Your consideration.
I’m sorry that I’m only realizing it now.
Standing together in the center, I could feel countless eyes on us.
“Are you uncomfortable?”
“Not at all.”
