hotmtlnovel Chapter 13
Chapter 13
“Ah.”
Right, she was there too. I pondered for a moment and then gave a vague answer.
“I stopped by a while ago for some healing.”
“What?!”
Selena was startled immediately.
Looking restless, she asked,
“If you needed healing with divine power, wasn’t it something serious?”
“It’s okay. Just keep it between us.”
Normally, needing divine power for healing implied a severe condition. It seemed like I had caused a misunderstanding, but I let it be since it could lead to an interesting turn of events.
Shailo, perhaps wanting to keep his promise of secrecy, just smiled and added nothing more.
“Have you talked to the saintess?”
“The saintess?”
“Yes. She was just out front here a while ago.”
Was the brown-haired girl I saw earlier the saintess? Why was she lingering around and not coming in?
“She must be shy.”
“Shy... Well, she’s quite active when with us, but I guess she could be. Would you like to meet her?”
Shailo offered to introduce us.
Meeting someone not from the original story seemed more of a hassle than anything.
“I’m okay with it.”
On the other hand, Selena seemed excited. She must like meeting new people.
“I’ll bring her here. Just wait a moment.”
Shailo left to fetch her.
In the meantime, I asked Selena,
“What exactly does a saintess do?”
The original story didn’t mention anything about a saintess, so it was a natural question.
Selena thought for a moment before answering.
“Well, I believe it’s a role that involves direct communication with the deity.”
Not much of a big deal, right? Compared to what I’m doing now, it seemed quite trivial. I understood why Shailo was so surprised by me.
Soon, Shailo returned with a girl.@@@@
She was quite short, with brown hair reaching her waist, so curly that it seemed tangled. Her expression was somewhat indifferent.
“You should greet them, saintess.”
“...Davi.”
The girl uttered just that one word, seemingly sullen.
Was that her name? I greeted her casually.
“Hi, Davi.”
“.......”
Davi pouted and turned her head away. I could sense Shailo’s embarrassment beside her.
“saintess, they are the ladies. You should show some manners.”
“It’s okay. Just be yourself. Right, Selena?”
“Yes!”
Selena was as cheerful as ever.
“Are we done? I was reading.”
Davi spoke in an annoyed tone.
I gave Shailo a reassuring smile, signaling it was okay. Reluctantly, Shailo let Davi go.
“.......”
Before leaving the reception room, Davi turned and looked at me intently.
Then she glared at me fiercely.
“......?”
I didn’t know what had happened, but it seemed like she had taken an instant dislike to me.
Davi huffed and left the room.
“Did I do something wrong?”
“Who knows.......”
Shailo laughed awkwardly. He seemed embarrassed that his well-intentioned introduction had only made the atmosphere more awkward.
[PleaseShakeACarrot: Why does she hate you? That’s ridiculous.]
[asdf: Don’t curse.]
[OnlyFinley: Oh, these overprotective parents.]
[Isaac: But really, why?]
[LLoading: That’s odd, Davi is usually so niceᅲᅲ]
“...That’s typical of you, Lady.”
Eric accepted it simply.
“If the Grand Duke personally brought him, he must be a very capable knight. I’d like to get to know him.”
Unlike me, Eric seemed somewhat excited.
“He doesn’t seem easy to get along with.”
“That’s true.”
Since his room was right next door, there might be a chance to become friends.
Anyway, it was none of my business.
...or so I thought at that time.
* * *
“The Grand Duke said it might be better to temporarily change your escort.”
“.......”
The news Selena relayed was quite surprising.
“He said he’s more worried about you than me.......”
I should be more careful with my actions. It seems the Grand Duke thought it safer to have a more capable knight by my side than the inexperienced Eric.
“What about you, Eric?”
“Huh?”
Eric’s expression was all smiles.
“You happy?”
“No?”
“Your mouth corners are up.”
“I always have a smiling face.”
“Don’t joke.”
“I’m just glad to have a bit less work.”
He’s clearly happy, this guy.
Selena was more well-behaved compared to me. For an escort knight, she must be much more comfortable to be with.
Watching us bicker as usual, Selena chuckled softly.
“I ask for your help for a short time, Sir Eric.”
“Of course, I’m at your service.”
Regardless of my reaction, the atmosphere between them was warm.
“Well, I’m going to show Lady Selena around the garden.”
“You never want to walk with me like that.”
“We’ll see you later, Lady.”
Eric, with a refreshed smile, left with Selena.
“.......”
I flipped him off as he walked away, wishing my status wasn’t so ambiguous. It would have been better to have the power to crush him underfoot.
[PleaseShakeACarrot has donated 500 points!]
– Nuna, hang in thereᄏᄏᄏᄏᄏᄏ
[FlowerFlute has donated 200 points!]
– Jiha, you’re the best no matter what!
Sympathetic donations popped up. I decided to forgive Eric magnanimously.
‘Now, where’s my escort knight?’
Just as I thought that, I sensed someone behind me.
Turning around, I saw Bates, who had silently appeared.
“You startled me. You’re like a ghost with no presence.”
“Hello?”
“Good day.”
“.......”
“.......”
I missed Eric.
* * *
I tried my limited social skills with Bates, but all I got were short answers.
Eventually, I gave up. After a brief greeting, I went back to my room.
“I thought I was going to suffocate...”
[asdf: Us too]
[OnlyFinley: Too bad, I wish you talked moreᅲ]
[Poppopo: He did his best]
[PleaseShakeACarrot: ᄏᄏᄏᄏᄏᄏ]
Poppopo was right; I had tried my best. I sighed deeply.