The act of dining itself isn't particularly special, but it can become a special
moment when shared with someone. Just like this very moment.
"It's nice to see you here. Last time, it was in the carriage, right?"
Solana smiled brightly at me.
Sitting across from me, moving her fork and knife, was none other than the
3rd Princess, Solana. Our current location was a luxurious dining area
where VIPs have private meetings.
"Being able to dine face-to-face with you is such a great happiness for me. I
hope this is a warm time for you, too."
"Solana, it's 'comfortable,' not 'warm.'"
"Comfortable, comfortable, comfortable… Oh, right!"
Solana blushed and avoided my gaze. It was like seeing a sunflower feeling
shy.
"Anyway, it's really delicious. Almost too much."
"Your words make me extremely happy."
Although Solana was known as a saint, she was also an excellent cook.
From soup to salad, freshly baked bread, and juicy meat. The table was so
lavishly set that it seemed like it might break under the weight.
"But Solana."
At some point during the meal.
I brought up the topic I was most curious about.
It was also what I was most worried about.
"I heard the other princesses came today too…"
"Ah, that's not true."
Solana elegantly dabbed her lips with a napkin.
"If we hadn't told that kind of lie, the other messengers wouldn't have
stepped back. It's not appropriate to crowd around a patient who needs to
rest, is it?"
"I see, that's how it was."
I finally felt relieved.
Thinking that all the princesses came… No, I stopped thinking halfway.
The thought alone was dizzying.
"Yes, I also prefer it this way."
Then Solana paused her movements and soon smiled brightly, genuinely
pleased.
"Hehe, is that so? It seems you're happiest when spending time alone with
me."
It seemed like a slight misunderstanding, but since it wasn't entirely wrong,
I didn't bother to correct her.
The meal continued for a while.
It was enjoyable just to eat. From appetizers to dessert, each dish was
meticulously planned by Solana, making each bite a delight.
It was Solana who broke the silence first.
"Um, Teacher, how have you been lately?"
"I'm managing. It's much better than living day by day like a loafer."
"Is that so? I'm glad to hear that."
Solana seemed somewhat relieved by my answer.
"Actually, I appointed you as an auditor on my own. I was worried. It
bothered me so much that you didn't gain wealth and fame…"
"It all started with the letter I sent, didn't it? You have nothing to blame
yourself for. If anything, I'm grateful."
"I-Is that so…?"
Solana averted her gaze shyly, looking quite happy. The meal continued,
and the conversation resumed around the time we started eating dessert.
"Come to think of it, Solana. A priest from the church made several
proposals to me."
Solana stopped chewing for a moment and then slowly nodded.
It was a gesture filled with guilt.
"Yes, I sent him. The accident that happened during the match and my
worries about you…"
She swallowed a bitter smile.
"I'm such a selfish woman. I put you in the auditor's position for your sake,
but then I got worried and tried to bring you to the church…"
"That can happen. Don't worry too much."
This was the best answer I could give for now.
I had already guessed it. Solana had always been tender-hearted since
childhood, staying up all night whenever I returned injured from a mission.
But her tender heart now conflicted with the desire to make me known to
the world. She was probably struggling with various concerns.
So, telling her not to worry was the best I could do.
Suddenly, Solana asked me.
"Then, what do you think, Teacher?"
The question made me pause my eating and look at Solana. Her expression
was so serious.
"Continuing like now, getting involved in various incidents, or resting
comfortably as before… Which do you prefer? I can't keep making
decisions on my own."
"I still prefer now."
I answered without hesitation.
"I have no regrets. Even if I could turn back time, I would still write the
letter."
I managed to obtain elixirs and the Sun Water from the Emperor, and unlike
before, I could now freely become famous, which was quite rewarding.
Becoming healthier, having more people around, being able to focus on
improving my skills… All of this was new, but not bad.
"As expected, you don't know what regret is, Teacher."
"Well, yes."
Of course, I might change some details of the proposal.
And I wouldn't send it to all five of them…
"Now, I have a clear goal to pursue."
"A goal…!"
Solana's face turned bright red at that moment.
"I-If it's a goal, it's probably about what you wrote in the letter, right? I feel
embarrassed for no reason."
It seemed she thought my goal was only about marriage.
I cleared my throat unnecessarily.
"Well, that's part of it…"
"The woman you wrote the letter to. You must like her a lot."
"…"
I suddenly felt a cold sweat forming.
It was a simple question, but to me, who had sent letters to five people, it
wasn't simple. It felt like walking barefoot on a blade.
"Even though you faced life-threatening situations, you didn't hesitate at
all. It really seems like you're deeply in love with that woman."
"…"
Was she hoping to hear that I like her?
Or did she find out that I sent it to five people?
No, the answer was already clear. I couldn't say that I didn't like her.
"Th-That's right. It was a heartfelt letter."
Solana slowly nodded.
Her face became so serious that it was incomparable to before, making it
impossible to read her thoughts.
"I still learn a lot from you. From your brief words, small actions, and many
things."
"I don't have much to teach anymore."
"That's not true. I still want to ask you something."
Her sun-like eyes stared straight at me.
"Sincerity should be answered with sincerity, right?"
"…I guess so?"
I was somewhat afraid of what Solana meant by sincerity, but she closed
her eyes and opened them slowly, as if contemplating something. Then she
smiled gently.
"Thank you, Teacher. Prayers don't get answered right away, but today, I
got my answer immediately."
"Answer? What answer?"
I still couldn't understand Solana's intentions.
"Sincerity should be met with sincerity. Yes. I think I know what to say
now."
Was there something in our conversation just now that could be a great
answer? But Solana, with the look of a saint who had found her answer,
clasped her hands politely.
"I will continue to support you. And I am confident that I can lend you any
strength."
Solana slowly stood up.
She placed her hands on the table and leaned her face close.
"But from now on…"
We were so close that our breaths could almost touch.
Our gazes met in the air. Then Solana smiled, slightly different from before.
"…Please distance yourself from all other women except me."
That's what she said.
Have three days always been this long?
The 2nd Princess, Hedera, had been thinking this countless times lately.
In the past, she was so buried in work that time would fly by without her
noticing. But now, the three days she was waiting for felt unprecedentedly
long.
…I want to hear Jaekiel's choice soon.
Hedera, who always pursued efficient use of time, couldn't do so today. She
found herself unknowingly pacing in front of the church's infirmary.
Then, at some point…
"I saw the 3rd Princess's face! What a fortune!"
The content of the priests' excited whispers reached Hedera's ears and
stopped her in her tracks.
"Seeing the 3rd Princess's face is almost like a charm, right? What a fortune
to experience this in the morning!"
"Come to think of it, I've been seeing the princesses more often than
expected lately. Why are people who were hard to see even once a year
suddenly visiting the palace frequently?"
Hedera furrowed her brows unconsciously.
The fact that Solana appeared here in the morning was very annoying. At
the same time, her intuition kicked in.
"Wait."
The intuition that Solana had secretly taken Jaekiel.
"…You guys, come closer."
Hedera muttered in a cold voice.