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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: TushChen
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She finished her cleansing ritual with a devout heart.
And she even applied smooth, fragrant oil to her warm skin.
She donned the red ceremonial robes meticulously laundered by the maids.
And she completed her thorough preparations by spraying her entire body with perfume made from the sweet nectar of jasmine.
This should be enough.
The “strange smell” that had been detected by the fairy’s sensitive nose must have vanished without a trace.
“His Majesty urgently requests your presence. It seems to be a banquet for the Holy Kingdom’s envoy.”
“Ugh…!”
Ludmilla, who had been eagerly anticipating meeting Edanant with a heart as fragile as a reed, was caught up in the banquet for the Holy Kingdom’s envoy.
It was a banquet attended by Pope Boern and the prospective saintesses.
Therefore, it was only natural for the Empire’s Red Dragon to attend and assist the Emperor.
All her preparations for Edanant had been in vain.
Ludmilla sighed in disappointment and told the maid that she would attend the banquet.
“It’s been a while, Princess Ludmilla.”
“I’m honored that you remember me.”
Ludmilla, attending the banquet, shook hands with the Pope, who had entered alongside the prospective saintesses.
His dark complexion, typical of southerners.
And a benevolent smile, as if to prove his position as the representative of the one true god.
Ludmilla bowed politely, maintaining a flawless demeanor as she faced the Pope.
The ruler of the Holy Kingdom was of equal standing to the Emperor of the Empire, so she had to be even more cautious and mindful of her words and actions.
“A banquet with both the Red Dragon and the White Dragon present… Haha, it reminds me of the old days.”
“We saw each other at the summit between the Empire and the Holy Kingdom last year.”
Boern chuckled heartily and said.
Zebeline, who had been observing from the side, stepped forward and spoke.
“……”
“……”
The Red Dragon, guarding the Emperor.
The White Dragon, assisting the Pope.
Ludmilla and Zebeline encountered each other at the banquet hosted by the Empire and the Holy Kingdom.
The atmosphere of the banquet seemed to radiate a dazzling brilliance due to the beautiful presence of the princess and the saintess.
However, the tense confrontation between Ludmilla and Zebeline, glaring at each other with open hostility, weighed heavily on the air.
“It seems Sir Edanant… is absent.”
“He’ll be a little late.”
Zebeline said, glancing around.
Ludmilla grimaced, her displeasure evident.
“Pfft.”
“……?”
In the midst of their intense standoff,
Surprisingly, Ludmilla was the first to back down.
It was rare for Ludmilla, known for her strong will and pride, to yield first.
Zebeline’s eyes widened at Ludmilla’s retreat, accompanied by a leisurely chuckle.
“L-Lady Ludmilla…! It’s an honor to meet you.”
“May the Earth Mother’s blessings be with the Valtarian Empire!”
After dealing with the Pope and Zebeline, Ludmilla greeted the Holy Kingdom’s prospective saintesses who had followed her like chicks.
Eyes sparkling with admiration.
Uncomfortable smiles filled with reverence and respect.
Unlike Zebeline, who had been openly rude, the younger saintesses from the Holy Kingdom showed a friendly attitude towards Ludmilla.
Like ardent fans attending a famous celebrity’s fan meeting, the prospective saintesses squealed and vied for a chance to talk to Ludmilla.
“The Red Dragon who protects the Valtarian Empire…! You’re truly as beautiful as the rumors! Strong and valiant, befitting a member of the Seven Strongest, and even possessing such beauty…!”
“Ahem! You flatter me.”
Ludmilla, who had been wary of the prospective saintesses dressed in pure white robes, just like her lifelong rival Zebeline, felt her heart flutter at the compliment “You’re beautiful!”
Hmm.
They had good taste.
Unlike that arrogant First Saintess, they seemed to know proper etiquette.
To only say the right things, despite having such a troublesome senior.
Ludmilla, showered with genuine compliments from the prospective saintesses, shrugged her shoulders and responded with a delighted expression.
Zebeline, observing the scene from afar, scoffed.
“U-Um, may I request… a handshake?”
“Of course.”
A prospective saintess with adorable freckles asked timidly.
Ludmilla smiled faintly and granted the handshake, seeing the nervous prospective saintess shrink back.
“M-Me too!”
“It would be a lifelong honor!”
Ludmilla’s beautiful and valiant appearance was enough to captivate the young maidens.
Ludmilla felt a sense of awkwardness at the onslaught of prospective saintesses approaching her with admiration, almost bordering on reverence.
Hmm.
Was this alright?
To have such a commotion at the banquet hosted by the Empire and the Holy Kingdom.
“I apologize for being late. Something came up.”
“E-Edanant…!”
She had to dismiss the prospective saintesses before they disrupted the banquet.
Just as Ludmilla was about to subtly retreat,
The gray-haired man arrived at the ballroom where the banquet was being held, his voice laced with urgency.
Following him, the girl with flowing light green hair also rushed over, panting.
Edanant and Rue.
The duo from the Hohenberc family had appeared.
The prospective saintesses’ gazes immediately focused on the protagonist of the Earth Mother’s prophecy and the adorable mascot of the Saintess Party, who had suddenly appeared.
“T-The holy sword user!”
“He’s really the protagonist of the oracle! H-He’s so handsome…!”
Ludmilla was finally freed from the overwhelming attention of the prospective saintesses.
Instead,
All eyes were now on Edanant.
“Oh my! Her cheeks are so soft! It’s a real Luinong, just like I’ve heard!”
“If you want to hug me, you need to give me candy… Eek!”
The prospective saintesses reached out and hugged and petted Rue as if she were a cute doll.
Rue, startled by the aggressive physical contact, screamed and pleaded for help.
But Edanant was also in a difficult situation.
He was bombarded with questions from the prospective saintesses, who asked about his ideal type right from the start.
“W-What’s your ideal type?”
“How did you get chosen by the holy sword? Tell us!”
This was tough.
To think that innocent questions could be so agonizing.
The Holy Kingdom’s prospective saintesses approached, almost close enough to embrace him.
Ludmilla’s gaze turned increasingly fierce as the distance between Edanant and the prospective saintesses narrowed.
Ideal type.
What should I answer?
Edanant glanced at Ludmilla, who was staring at him intently, and finally spoke.
“My ideal type is a woman who is jealous. Someone who occasionally troubles me with her stubbornness, but later admits her mistakes and apologizes sincerely.”
“…Yes?”
“I haven’t been interested in romantic relationships until now… but I am now, after last night.”
“I-Is that so?”
The prospective saintesses tilted their heads in confusion at Edanant’s straightforward answer, delivered in rapid succession.
His response seemed too random to be an answer to the question about his ideal type.
What did he mean?
All handsome men are eccentric…?
The Holy Kingdom’s new hero had a very unique taste.
“Yes, I’m quite unique.”
Edanant smiled meaningfully and gazed at Ludmilla.
Ludmilla, meeting his gaze, tried to hide her flushed face and chuckled.
It seemed he had successfully avoided her jealousy with his honest answer.
???????
A woman’s intuition was always sharp.
Especially when it came to suspicions regarding a man’s infidelity, a woman’s intuition became even sharper.
There was no doubt.
Something had happened between them last night.
Zebeline, who had pierced through the awkward atmosphere between Edanant and Ludmilla with her sharp intuition, took long strides, transforming into the embodiment of jealousy.
“What happened last night?”
“Nothing happened.”
Edanant, who was feeding Rue cake after finally being freed from the prospective saintesses, shrugged at Zebeline’s question, her jealousy evident.
And then, he offered her a fork with cake.
It was an irresistible temptation.
Zebeline hesitated, staring at the fork Edanant had extended.
But eventually, she leaned forward and accepted the cake.
“W-Well, it’s delicious.”
“As expected, the Imperial chefs are quite skilled.”
Edanant smiled faintly.
Zebeline, chewing the cake, turned her head slightly.
“But with so many people watching… Isn’t this a bit too bold?”
“Didn’t I become the Holy Kingdom’s hero thanks to the Earth Mother’s benevolent oracle? Even if I were to start a relationship with the beautiful saintess, everyone would surely forgive us.”
Perhaps it was because he had taken a significant step in his love life, starting with their first kiss.
He had become more skilled.
And he captivated the First Saintess with his even more eloquent words.
Zebeline, forgetting to even question him about his relationship with Ludmilla, blushed and stammered as Edanant whispered with a charming smile.
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