Chapter 194: Dragon's Eye, Human Heart (58)
Chapter 194: Dragon's Eye, Human Heart (58)
Cien’s visits to Ian’s infirmary grew more frequent with each passing day.
Of course, it wasn't a crime.
Cien was, after all, a central party to the incident. It couldn't be said that her desire to care for him out of a wish to apologize was wrong.
However, every time the Princess came to see Ian, she found herself instinctively suppressing her presence, like a sinner avoiding the light.
Even Reto and Celine, Ian’s self-proclaimed closest friends, were unable to visit. Even Delphine and Elsie, who were considered influential figures among the high nobility, were barred from the room. In the midst of that, the fact that she was using her authority to see Ian felt profoundly embarrassing and awkward.
They all waited for Ian outside the temple, staring blankly at its entrance.
Whenever Celine sat slumped against the wall, staring at the ground, Reto would let out a sigh and smack the back of her head. Celine would invariably get angry, but regardless of their bickering, Seria would just sit beside them, biting her nails with eyes that had lost their light.
Emma had tried several times to bring food or potions into the temple. However, after hearing that one of the causes of Ian’s injuries was a potion overdose, she had reportedly staggered back in shock.
Delphine stopped by occasionally without a word, received a general report on the situation from the priests, and then left. Her reaction was the most composed, but that only made the priests treating Ian even more nervous.
As for Elsie, she stood guard in front of the temple like a loyal hound, regardless of rain or wind.
Her only moments of rest were when her younger brother, Lupin, would occasionally tap her on the shoulder and bring her a meal. Except for those brief intervals, Elsie was always there, in front of the temple.
And they weren't the only ones waiting for Ian.
Countless others whose lives had been saved by him stopped by the temple to ask after his well-being.
Leaving all those people behind, the fact that only the Princess could see Ian was a clear privilege.
That was why Cien always lowered her head and hurried her pace as soon as she reached the temple. She was afraid she might accidentally lock eyes with them.
She didn't yet have the courage to face their emotions.
No, in truth, she could guess what they were feeling. It was just that if she were to face them, she wouldn't have the gall left to visit Ian as she did now.
Cien wanted to have some time alone with Ian, even if it was just a little.
Even if that time consisted of nothing but her staring blankly at his sleeping face while he remained in a coma.
Still, today, the Princess arrived at the infirmary with a heart that was, for the first time in a while, slightly fluttery.
Today was the day she finally obtained permission from the Imperial Household to take out a Divine Artifact.
When she had first brought up the 'Dragon Blood Runes,' the Imperial Household had abruptly cut off contact. But as the Princess’s pleas continued, they eventually handed over a Divine Artifact that could be used as a sacrifice.
Even as she barely managed to secure the artifact, Cien couldn't hide her displeasure. As the possessor of the Dragon Blood Runes, her status was essentially equivalent to someone who had free access to the Imperial Treasury.
She couldn't help but think they were playing hard to get over something as simple as releasing a single artifact.
Nevertheless, Cien’s mood soared the moment she held the Divine Artifact in her hands.
Although it was one of the lower-ranked treasures held by the Imperial Household, it was a gem that couldn't be obtained for any amount of money.
Divine Artifacts were holy items that had absorbed divine power when a god personally descended to the earth. Naturally, their value was immense, and that value multiplied several times over when used as a sacrifice by priests.
No matter how severe Ian’s injuries were, this Divine Artifact would be enough to save his life twice over.
Of course, that was assuming a high-ranking priest was involved in the treatment, but since the Saintess was at the Academy, that wasn't an issue.
In fact, even the Saintess had brightened up with joy the moment she received the Divine Artifact.
According to rumors, the Saintess hadn't smiled in quite some time, so seeing her beam so brightly was proof enough of the artifact's worth.
However, it didn't take long for that smile to vanish from the Saintess's face.
In her excitement, Cien had allowed herself to express her feelings for Ian a bit too much for the first time in a while.
"Is the temperature in this treatment room alright?"
"Yes, we are maintaining the optimal temperature at all times. There might be slight fluctuations, but..."
"Then what about the humidity? Is it well-ventilated?"
The Saintess, who had initially been responding to the Princess with a smile, saw her expression gradually harden.
In truth, the Saintess had been holding back a lot.
No matter what anyone said, the primary reason Ian had suffered such severe injuries was the Princess.
Even if Ian had invited the danger himself, the Saintess couldn't bring herself to blame the man she loved. Her enemy, from beginning to end, was the Princess.
Despite this, the Saintess had endured.
It wasn't the Princess's fault. The true villains were the Dark Cult; she had simply been saved by Ian.
She felt resentful in her heart, but she couldn't bring herself to voice any further criticism.
After all, Cien was a member of the great Imperial Household. No matter how high her own position in the Holy Kingdom was, Cien wasn't someone she could treat lightly.
But lately, the Saintess's patience was being tested to its limit.
She could forgive someone who had committed a sin or a mistake.
But she had no desire to forgive someone who shamelessly pushed their way in.
Furthermore, Cien came to visit every single day, looking down at Ian with a yearning expression.
She told herself she could just ignore it. But the Saintess wasn't generous enough to leave the man she loved alone with an attractive woman.
To make matters worse, whenever the Saintess looked away, Cien would shed tears by Ian’s side with a pitiful gaze.
Every time that happened, the Saintess had to barely swallow the roar of anger rising in her throat.
It’s because of you.
The person I love got hurt trying to save you. Not out of selfishness, but because of that kind heart that only wanted to save you!
At least in those moments, the benevolent and philanthropic Saintess did not exist. There was only a spiteful woman who had nearly lost the man she loved.
And today, after she had played along for a bit, this was the result.
Snap. The sound of a blood vessel nearly bursting echoed in the Saintess's mind.
Yet, Cien, already distracted, continued to mindlessly pour out her worries for Ian.
"And, I’ve been thinking since last time, but the scent in the treatment room isn't very good. A more luxurious fragrance oil... No, I’ll personally get some high-quality oils from the Imperial Household, so..."
"...Stop being so pathetic."
At those words, spat out through gritted teeth, Cien’s body froze.
Soon, her wide eyes slowly turned toward the Saintess.
Her gaze was filled with bewilderment, as if such a thing couldn't possibly be happening.
The Saintess of the Holy Kingdom, to the Princess of the Empire?
Of course, their statuses were roughly equal. But because they were equal, there were certain boundaries one didn't cross.
This was especially true when dealing with a foreign dignitary.
Just because their protocol rankings were similar didn't mean anyone treated the other poorly. There were only two cases when that happened.
Either the other person was a mortal enemy, or one was so angry they had lost their reason.
The Saintess appeared to be the latter.
Yet, the voice leaking through those enchanting lips was perfectly calm, leaving Cien looking utterly stunned.
"With what face do you say such things? Do you not know who Ian is hospitalized because of? He ended up like this while saving incompetent you and your incompetent subordinates... And yet, what? Sir Ian this, Sir Ian that?"
"Ah, ugh, that... S-Saintess? I mean..."
Cien, who was naturally timid and prone to tears, couldn't properly respond to the Saintess's fury.
Until now, she had managed to suppress others through her imperial authority and bravado, but being scolded by someone of equal status in such an unexpected situation was a first for her.
But the Saintess, regardless of Cien’s fumbling, simply poured out the emotions she had been suppressing.
She even let out a long sigh and swept her bangs back with her left hand. Her pale pink eyes held a sharp glint.
"Your Highness, let’s not make fools of ourselves... Let’s not act like the tragic heroine in front of Ian. Do you understand? You aren't the heroine; you're the villain who tormented Ian and even threatened his family."
Cien, now speechless, couldn't even breathe. Instead, a faint moisture began to well up in her eyes.
Her hidden crybaby nature was beginning to show.
Yet, a sliver of doubt and disbelief remained in her eyes. It was a suspicion based on shallow common sense and the belief that the Saintess couldn't possibly be doing this to her.
Meeting that gaze, the Saintess swept her bangs back again and flashed a truly captivating smile.
"...What? Is this your first time seeing a Saintess who only speaks the truth?"
It was a single sentence that erased even the last grain of doubt the Princess held.
Cien let out a small hiccup.
Faced with the poignant hatred and hostility in those pale pink eyes, she felt like running away right then and there.
The Princess was afraid of the Saintess.
Very much so.
However, this was only the beginning.