LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 43
Chapter 43
“Hmm. They said she was a fairy hybrid, but can’t even heal properly.”
“It seems Count Freya’s family has lost their touch to take in such a daughter.”
“Tsk. With such stupidity… it’s a shame to waste your healing powers.”
Ellior was described as having a beauty akin to a side of the holy and beautiful sun, but the moment he opened his mouth, he transformed into a dog from hell.
Always smiling, yet somehow appearing as a scheming shadow. He was a brutal, threatening fellow with the vibes of a demon from the depths of hell.
“Still, he was extremely popular.”
People are often drawn to the unusual, and Ellior, alongside his sword, was a major leading man. Yet, every time he appeared, he couldn’t keep his mouth shut and ended up being cursed at. But a prickly beauty was always a classic. Although he spoke harshly, his subtly affectionate actions made him quite popular.
“The original story has been twisted… yet will Ellior still fall in love with Aria?”
A sudden question arose as I scanned the hall. In the original, Reiner and Diego must have attended this ball and seen Aria, yet they showed no particular reaction. Moreover, even though Cal was a male lead, he seemed to have a grudge against Aria. It seemed that the narrative pressure from the original did not exist in this world.
“There shouldn’t be a problem…
I had resolved to not cling to the original material, but the anxiety was still palpable.
Lost in thought, I stared blankly at the crowd when I locked eyes with a pair of shining golden irises.
“Oh.
If I wasn’t mistaken, those eyes had clearly been looking at me even before I turned around. Surprised, I widened my eyes, and his gaze became even more intense.
A golden swamp. So deep and rich that I couldn’t define the emotions swirling within it. It held my attention, causing me to shiver while I couldn’t tear my gaze away from him.
Reiner Einhart.
In his world, where the glory of the Empire was defined as justice, Reiner’s encounter with Aria changed his concept of justice itself. Reiner, dubbed Aria’s loyal hound, had a love that was pure and brilliant; I remembered being envious of Aria back when I was just reading the novel.
“They said his golden eyes flicker like flames when he looks at Aria.”
Someone once stated that those who fall in love are no longer themselves. To add credibility to that claim, the usually indifferent and aloof Reiner transformed passionately in Aria’s presence.
“But why…
It was said he had those eyes only when looking at Aria, yet now Reiner was gazing at me with the same eyes described in the novel.
Leaning against a rarely frequented corner and with arms crossed, Reiner didn’t take his eyes off me. That golden swamp ensnared me. The distance between us was far enough to make greeting awkward, but the thick atmosphere he emanated tickled my senses regardless of that distance.
“……It’s strange.”
Why was everything so bizarre? Just looking at him sent my heart racing in the most peculiar way. While I was caught up for quite some time exchanging glances with Reiner, a voice calling me broke into my thoughts.
“Lady Kashmir Dorem of the Caesar Crisis, and Lady Aria Postel of the Caesar Crisis, please come forward.”
“……Time to get a grip.”
I shook my head to dispel distracting thoughts and reluctantly tore my gaze from Reiner. Ignoring the lingering gaze at my back, I stepped forward with Aria into the center of the hall.
“Please kneel and show your respect.”
A man dressed in pure white priestly robes stood before Aria and me.
Sparkling short silver hair. Eyes with slanted corners like a cat’s. Gentle lavender irises reminiscent of lilacs. He was a young man with a holy aura in both color and demeanor.
Bowing one knee, he raised a hand above our heads. As he was about to activate his divine power and recite the blessing in accordance with the pre-announced order, the priest looked at me instead of invoking his divine power, his eyes sparkling.
“Wow. Is Lady Kashmir truly here?”
“……Yes?”
I blinked in surprise at the unexpected remark. This was out of order. As if he had met a longtime friend regardless of my confusion, the man wore a divine smile typical of a priest. He spoke calmly.
“I’ve wanted to meet you because I heard you’re the one who turns that tyrant with a bad case of the shits into a macaroon dipped in sugar. I was really curious about who you were, and now that I see you, I understand why that guy was so crazy.”
“2”
“They say he has his head in the clouds due to being so picky about everything, but in reality, he was above even the palace. You are truly too good for him, my lady.”
“Eh…?”
“Well, when he looks only at you, he becomes a madman…”
All his words were utterly incomprehensible. Aria, who was listening beside me, also looked up at the man with a face that clearly spoke of confusion regarding his nonsense.
Regardless of that, the man blabbed cheerfully until he suddenly paused. As he turned his gaze beyond Aria and me, he clicked his tongue in disdain.
“Ugh, this brat has a terrible temper… If he keeps this up, that guy will tear me limb from limb while I’m alive. It’s a bit scary, but it feels refreshing. You’re getting what you deserve for delegating work to your weak subordinates just to chase after your love.”
I remained utterly baffled. I glanced back slightly to see what was happening.
As blessings were delayed, I met El’s gaze amidst the murmurs among the crowd. His formerly frosty expression softened, warming up as usual when our eyes met.
“Tsk. That two-faced guy.”
Strange sparks lit the man’s eyes as he looked at El. His expression resembled one who had just spotted a cockroach crawling over the ceiling.
“Priest, are you not going to bestow the blessing?”
As I stood there, unsure how to react, Aria sharply chimed in. Her tone and the gentle smile on her lips were sweet, yet her eyes looked as if they were scrutinizing a madman.
“Oh, right! My mind slipped! I must! I apologize.”
The man, appearing to communicate with El through his gaze, slowly nodded. He turned his gaze back to me, wearing a mischievous grin like a naughty child pleased with a new toy.
“I am Julian, the chief priest of the Sun Temple. Should you ever need assistance from the temple, do not hesitate to seek me out.”
‘We’ve just met…
Strangely enough, Julian’s eyes were filled with goodwill. I briefly pondered if I had a compatible face with the temple’s people, remembering how El had been friendly from our first meeting.
“I shall grant the blessing.”
In an instant, Julian’s expression turned solemn as he released his divine power above his hand. A silvery light burst forth over Aria and me. While I was taken aback by the rapid shift, I closed my eyes comfortably at the warm, fluffy feeling particular to divine power.
“After countless sunrises and sunsets, may there be blessings upon the young lives attempting to sprout amidst the winter where life enters a state of rest. As the sun illuminates their path, they shall possess everlasting glory as long as the sun rises and sets.”
His monotonous voice calmly recited the lines of blessing. With the feeling of sunlight filtering down upon us as Julian pulled his hand away.
“The blessing is complete. May all debutantes wish for peace in their lives.”
Applause erupted. Before exiting, Julian winked at me.
“Don’t forget. Whenever you need assistance, come find me.”
‘What on earth?’
I furrowed my brows. I was beginning to suspect the Sun Temple was filled with crazies.
“Who is that guy? Is he someone you know, sister?”
“No.”
I firmly shook my head. Aria, who had been glaring at Julian, mumbled about him being suspicious just then when the designated dance song for the ball began to resonate through the hall.
“I guess we have to dance.”
Aria whispered softly. Her eyes sparkling, she extended her hand toward me.
“Sister! With me…!”
“Greetings, Lady Crisis!”
The moment the song started, numerous young noblemen flocked from all directions to surround Aria. For a brief moment, she wore a disgusted expression, quickly composing herself to smile gently at them.
“What brings you here?”
“Um, would you dance a piece with me?”
“Please dance with me!”
“Get out of the way! Dance with me!”
“Damn it… clueless morons.”
Aria’s lips twitched as she glared at the young noblemen who began to vie for her attention. A faint whisper I shouldn’t have heard pierced my ears. I tried hard to look oblivious.
‘Aria is deserving of love.’
Though it felt bittersweet seeing Aria surrounded by noblemen, at the same time, I felt a sense of pride in her popularity.
While I was thinking about gathering information on the noblemen who asked Aria for a dance.
“Oh, there you are. Lady Aria, if you don’t mind, would you dance a piece with me?”
Julian, who had briefly vanished among the throng of young nobles, resurfaced. I noticed he now bore a bruise under his right eye that hadn’t been there before, resembling he’d been punched.
‘Could it be… he initially approached me but is truly interested in Aria?’
Having been introduced as a character not present in the original, I hadn’t paid much attention to him. But if he was interested in Aria, that changed everything.
With the chief priest’s arrival stirring up a commotion, I found myself excitedly watching the standoff between Julian and Aria.
“……I didn’t expect the chief priest to request a dance from me.”
Aria wore a soft smile but couldn’t conceal her bewilderment. As if expecting Aria’s lukewarm reaction, Julian smiled and exchanged a few quiet words with her.
‘What are they talking about?’
I was slightly curious. While I could overhear their conversation using mana, I opted to remain respectfully observant.
“……In that case, I won’t decline.”
‘Is that a green light?’
I watched in admiration as Aria gently took Julian’s hand. It seemed they had an understanding. I felt a mix of excitement and disappointment, enveloped in a peculiar mood.
‘In the original, Aria dances with one of the male leads… but with the story already twisted this far, why would I dwell on that?’
Thinking the original could go to hell, I took a sip of my wine.
‘By the way, I need to dance at least once.’
As the dance began, the mocking eyes of those surrounding me made me frown. It was customary to participate in a debutante’s dance, and the first dance was traditionally requested by others.
‘If I receive no requests for a dance, that could become an issue.’
Typically, debutantes arrange their dance partners ahead of time, but Aria and I had no time to do so. Aria had naturally received numerous requests, but no one approached me.
‘Should I be the one to ask for a dance first?’
As I scratched my head irritably with my eyes downcast, two pairs of shoes appeared before me.
“Nice to meet you, Lady Crisis.”
“Greetings, Lady Crisis.”
I lifted my head at the two voices calling out to me. Two striking young men, each with their unique charm, had caught my attention.
Beneath the chandelier, their golden hair sparkled brilliantly. Their deep, ocean-blue eyes were captivating. With charmingly upward-curved eyes and a gentle smile.
Moonlight seemed to have been woven into the shining silver-gray of their hair. They bore lazy, golden eyes that resembled a beast, with fierce brows and a stoic expression.
‘Insane.’
My mouth agape, frozen in astonishment, the two of them simultaneously extended their hands toward me.
“Would you like to dance with me?”
“Would you dance a piece with me?”
The Crown Prince of the Empire, Diego Solaritine, and the Captain of the Royal Second Knights Order, Reiner Einhart, both simultaneously requested a dance with me.