Chapter 75: Chapter 77

Ale, who was sitting in the carriage and waiting leisurely for Berg, yawned loudly and spoke.

“Hmm. When is this man coming out?”

Ale was inwardly worried. Because he didn’t know what kind of trouble that man would get into after going inside that mansion.

Should I go inside and find out?

He brought some paladin just in case something happened. Ale jumped up from the anxiety that suddenly raised in his head.

“Yes! I have to pick him up. This could be a real disaster.”

Ale opened the carriage door, recalling the duties of an aide priest.

Breathe in!

“Ahh”

As soon as he opened the door, Ale was surprised to see Berg suddenly appear.

“What? Sit still.”

“S, sorry!”

“Tsk. Get inside. We’re going back.”

Berg blocked the door and pushed Ale, who was standing in the carriage. Ale sighed with relief at the sight of Berg, who was too fine.

“Huh…? What’s that in your hand?”

Ale, who followed Berg back to the carriage, belatedly noticed a pattern on the back of Berg’s hand.

“As expected, you must be a true priest.”

For a moment, Ale’s expression was distorted but quickly unfolded. Ale smiled awkwardly as he shouted to himself, ‘I’m awesome!’

“Haha… It seems very precious.”

“Of course. It’s a sign of my contract with a precious person.”

“A contract? A precious person…?”

“Well, you don’t have to know. Don’t say anything about this, by the way. Otherwise…”

Berg’s voice cracked grimly.

Ale answered eagerly, blinking hard.

Berg smiled satisfactorily and took white cotton gloves out of his arms and put them on.

“Ale, order a lot of gloves. I think I’ll have to keep wearing gloves.”

“…Yes.”

Ale could hardly see how things were going.

I’ll just do what I’m told.

That was the way to live long.

***

It was a long, long dream.

Adelia strolled endlessly on the vast lake.

An endless lake

As if possessed by something, Adelia walked aimlessly on the endless lake. Adelia’s feet finally stopped. It was because a large stone tablet blocked her.

Adelia looked up and stared at the stone tablet. Soon after, blue letters passed quickly over the stone plate.

The ever-changing letters

Adelia soon identified the letters.

Oracle…

Those were the prophecies that Vishna gave to humans.

Tak~

Cracks formed in the holy stone that predicted the tenth disaster. Adelia touched the stone here and there to stop the crack, but it eventually broke into pieces and dispersed in vain.

Adelia slumped in despair. It was the end of a long dream.

***

“Viscount!”

“Ah…”

Adelia rose, clutching her throbbing forehead and was surprised to see the people gathered around her bed

What is going on here?

“…Darren? Why is everyone here?”

Darren explained and sighed at Adelia’s question.

“You slept for two days.”

“…for two days?”

Darren nodded slowly and affirmed.

Come to think of it, my body seemed a little lighter than other times.

Is it because I slept well?

“Let me inform the Grand Duke for now.”

“Oh, yeah. He must have been very worried. Please tell him that I’m fine.”

“I want to hear that in person.”

Adelia turned her head at the familiar voice coming from the door. There stood a disheveled duke.

“Ivan.”

Adelia called his name and the duke slowly walked to the bed. His hand turned over Adelia’s forehead.

“You don’t have a fever.”

“I feel refreshed.”

“But I think you’d better not overdo it for a while. Having been asleep for two days means that you were very tired.”

For a moment, she remembered the dream she had when she was asleep for two days.

…does it have anything to do with me sleeping long?

She’s not sure, but Adelia was speculating that it was likely. But he didn’t tell Ivan. It’s obvious that he’ll be more worried if she brings out that ominous dream.

Adelia just nodded silently.

“You should see a doctor first.”

“Well, I think I’m going to be okay….”

Ivan’s eyes were stinging. Adelia immediately changed her words.

“It’s not bad to see a doctor.”

It was only then that a smile formed on Ivan’s lips. Adelia asked cautiously, sighing with relief.

“And after receiving the medical examination, would you like to walk the streets of the capital with me for a while?”

“Street? Oh….”

Ivan easily caught on to Adelia’s intentions. Adelia intended to inform the nobles of her return. Ivan’s face was filled with disapproval.

“Didn’t I tell you not to overdo it for a while?”

Adelia smiled awkwardly and made excuses.

“Well, it’s just a date request. Dating isn’t overdoing….”

Ivan shook his head, throwing up a laugh. With Adelia saying this, Ivan couldn’t refuse.

“Hmm. All right. I can let it slide if it’s a date. Instead, I would like you to grant me one request later.”

“Of course. Anything that I can do.”

Ivan’s eyes narrowed at Adelia’s unrelenting acceptance.

For some reason, he was grumpy. Ivan asked, tilting his head slightly.

“What do you think I’ll ask you to do?”

“What?”

Adelia blinked in wonder.

Ivan sighed and turned away.

“No, I shouldn’t have said that. Lie down first. I’ll bring in the doctor.”

Ivan put Adelia back in bed and left the room straight away.

“There’s nothing wrong with your body.”

“Then…”

“Yes, you’re healthy. However, the fact that you slept for two days means that you were tired, so it would be good to be careful.”

Adelia’s face turned bright when she heard the doctor’s definite answer.

“Your Highness, did you hear that?”

“That’s a relief.” said the duke in a heartfelt voice.

The warm voice made Adelia’s mouth hang a gentle smile.

“Then shall we get ready?”

Adelia asked Ivan with her eyes shining. Ivan smiled calmly and nodded.

“Yeah, take your time preparing. We have plenty of time.”

Adelia hurried Ivan out and called in the maids.

“Dress me as fancy as possible.”

The maid’s eyes sparkled at Adelia’s request.

“Just leave it to me!”

The maids moved quickly around and decorated Adelia. Adelia sighed inwardly, looking at herself in the mirror, which changes by the minute.

“Viscount! What about the dress?”

“Well…”

Adelia agonized over the dresses hanging on the long mobile hanger.

When did I have so many dresses?

Oh… That’s right. Liam ordered it all at once.

Adelia chose a dress again, admiring Liam’s brilliant eye.

“Let’s go with that purple dress.”

A purple dress that is especially colorful compared to other dresses. It was completely different from Adelia’s usual favorite, but Adelia chose the fancy dress without hesitation.

Today, even birds flying in the sky over the street would have to focus on them. After all the preparations, Adelia left the room. When she went down to the first floor, she saw Ivan waiting after getting ready first.

Adelia approached him with a smile.

“You came down earlier than I thought.”

Ivan couldn’t take his eyes off Adelia’s particularly gaudy appearance today. Feeling his gaze, Adelia asked with an awkward smile.

“Is it weird?”

“No way. It’s so beautiful that I’m a little worried.”

“What?”

“I don’t think I can stand it when others get distracted by your appearance.”

Adelia burst into laughter at Ivan’s cheesy words.

“I think I’m the one who should say that. Your Highness is…”

He is so perfect.

Adelia instantly sympathized with Ivan’s feelings. She thought she’d be annoyed if other women got distracted by his appearance.

“…Let’s go.”

Adelia hastened to depart. She thought if they stayed like this, she might ask the Grand Duke to change his clothes. But he looks like he would shine even if he wears a rag.

***

The two headed to Curtivans Street in a carriage engraved with the patterns of the grand duchy. Curtivans Street was a place where aristocrats were mainly active.

“We’re here.”

The carriage stopped in front of a building that looked like a garden. It was a tea house that recently became a sensation among the nobles.

Enjoying tea among exotic and beautiful plants was simply a hobby that suited the noble tastes of the nobles.

“Let’s get off.”

Ivan, who got off first, reached out to Adelia.

“Thank you.”

Adelia grabbed Ivan’s firm hand and got out of the carriage.

I can already feel their eyes.

Adelia’s eyes curved gracefully.

The eyes of some nobles who recognized her blatantly glanced at Adelia. Ivan also felt the gaze and frowned. He looked at Adelia.

…I’ll have to pick a deserted place next time.

Ivan’s sigh increased.

“Shall we go in?”

“…that’s right.”

Ivan took Adelia into the tea house. The staff rushed to the appearance of the two, which seemed unusual at a glance.

“I’ll show you to your seat.”

Nobles don’t like it when their conversation spreads outside. Moreover, the higher the nobility, the more serious this tendency. The staff, who were well aware of these characteristics, tried to guide the two to a quiet room on the second floor.

Adelia, however, made a request contrary to the staff’s idea.

“I’d like a wide-open place.”

“What?”

Adelia smiled brightly at the confused staff.

“Wouldn’t it be better to see the beautiful garden?”