Chapter 67
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: Wanna Marry Me Since Your Limbs Got Torn Off? (7)
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Imperial Palace interior, dining hall.
In truth, the act of eating isn't anything special on its own, but sharing it with someone can turn it into a special time. Like right now, for instance.
"It's nice seeing you here. Last time it was in the carriage, right?"
Solana beamed at me across the table.
Sitting opposite me, gracefully handling her fork and knife, was none other than the 3rd Princess Solana. Our current spot was a lavish private dining space reserved for honored guests.
"Being able to sit face-to-face with you like this and share a meal... It's an immense happiness for me. I hope it's a peaceful time for you too, Teacher."
"Solana, it's 'peaceful,' not ''."
"Peaceful, peaceful, peaceful... Ah, right!"
Solana flushed red and averted her gaze. I wondered if a sunflower felt this shy when embarrassed.
"Anyway, this is incredibly delicious. Almost too good for me."
"Hearing you say that fills me with joy beyond measure."
Though overshadowed by her status as a saintess, Solana was actually an exceptional cook as well.
From the soup to the salad, freshly baked bread, and juicy meats—the table was laden so extravagantly I worried it might collapse.
"By the way, Solana."
At some point during the meal.
I brought up the topic that had been nagging at me most.
The one that worried me the most, too.
"...I heard the other princesses came today too."
"Ah, that was a lie."
Solana elegantly dabbed her mouth with a napkin.
"If it weren't that kind of white lie, the other messengers wouldn't have backed off. It wouldn't do to crowd around a patient who needs rest, right?"
"I see. That makes sense."
Only then did I breathe a sigh of relief.
If I'd thought all the princesses had swarmed in... No, I stopped the thought midway. Just imagining it made me dizzy.
"Yeah, I much prefer it this way."
Solana paused her movements for a moment, then smiled radiantly, genuinely delighted.
"Hehe, is that so? As expected, you must be happiest spending time alone with me."
There was a slight misunderstanding, but it wasn't entirely wrong, so I didn't bother correcting her.
The meal continued for a while after that.
Just chewing was a pleasure. Since Solana had meticulously planned everything from appetizers to dessert, there was delight in savoring each bite.
Solana was the first to break the silence.
"So, Teacher, how has life been lately?"
"It's manageable. Still, it feels much better than those days lounging around like a bum."
"I'm glad to hear that."
Solana looked somewhat relieved by my answer.
"Truth be told, I put you in the Inspector position on my own whim, so I was worried. It frustrated me that you hadn't gained wealth or fame because of it, so I..."
"It all started with the letter I sent, remember? You have nothing to blame yourself for. If anything, I'm grateful."
"I-Is that so..."
Solana sneaked a glance away from me, but she seemed quite pleased. The meal resumed, and conversation picked up again around dessert time.
"Come to think of it, Solana. The temple priest made several proposals to me."
Solana paused mid-chew, then slowly nodded.
It was a gesture laced with apology.
"Yes. I sent him. With the accident during the match and all, I was worried about you..."
She gave a wry smile.
"I'm such a presumptuous woman. I put you in the Inspector role for your sake on my own accord, but when I got anxious, I tried pulling you into the temple..."
"That's understandable. Don't overthink it."
That was the best I could offer right then.
Truthfully, I'd already suspected as much. Solana had always been tender-hearted—even as a child, she'd stay up all night if I returned injured from a mission.
But now that soft heart was clashing with the urge to reveal me to the world. She must be struggling with all sorts of dilemmas.
So, telling her not to worry was the most I could do.
Suddenly, Solana asked me.
"What do you think, then, Teacher?"
Her question made even me set down my utensils and meet her eyes. Her expression was utterly serious.
"Going forward tangled in all these incidents like now, or resting easy like before... Which do you prefer? I can't keep acting on my own forever."
"Definitely now."
I answered without hesitation.
"No regrets. Even if I could turn back time, I'd still send that letter."
After all, I'd started receiving elixirs and Sunweed from the Emperor himself, and the freedom to gain fame openly felt deeply rewarding compared to before.
Getting healthier, having more people around, focusing freely on advancing my realm... Everything was unfamiliar but far from bad.
"As expected, you know no such thing as regret, Teacher."
"...Yeah, pretty much."
Though I might tweak the marriage proposal part a bit.
And I sure wouldn't send it to all five of them...
"Now I have a clear goal ahead."
"A goal...!"
That was when Solana's face turned bright red.
"Th-the goal must be about that from your letter, right? It makes me all shy for no reason."
She seemed to think my goal was solely marriage.
I cleared my throat awkwardly.
"Well, yeah, that might be part of it..."
"You must really like that woman who got the letter."
"..."
Cold sweat beaded on my skin out of nowhere.
It was a simple question, but to me—who'd sent letters to five women—it didn't feel simple at all. Like walking barefoot on a blade's edge.
"Even facing life-or-death crises without a moment's hesitation... It really seems like you're head over heels. Your feelings for her run so deep."
"..."
Did she want to hear that I liked her?
Or did she know I'd sent them to five people?
...No, the answer was already set. I couldn't very well say I didn't like her.
"Y-Yeah. It was a letter full of sincerity."
Solana nodded slowly.
Her face had grown incomparably serious, her true feelings unreadable now.
"I still learn so much from you, Teacher. From brief words, small gestures, all sorts of things."
"There's not much left I can teach you."
"Not true. I have one question right now."
Her sun-like eyes fixed on me.
"Sincerity deserves sincerity in return, right?"
"...Probably."
I grew quite wary of what her "sincerity" meant, but Solana slowly closed and opened her eyes as if pondering. Soon, her lips curved into a smile.
"Thank you, Teacher. Prayers usually go unanswered, leaving me troubled, but today I got a reply right away."
"A reply? What reply?"
I still couldn't grasp her intentions.
"Sincerity for sincerity. Yes, Teacher, I think I know what I need to say now."
Was there some profound answer in our conversation just now? Yet Solana clasped her hands piously, like a saint who had found enlightenment.
"I'll keep supporting only you from here on. And I have the confidence to lend you any power you need."
Solana slowly rose.
She placed both hands on the table and leaned in.
"However. From now on..."
Our breaths nearly mingled.
Our gazes locked in the air. Then Solana smiled—a bit different from before.
"...Please keep all women except me at a distance."
She said.
Did three days used to feel this long?
The 2nd Princess Hedera had been wondering that endlessly lately.
In the past, work had a way of making time slip by unnoticed, but these three days she was waiting through felt unprecedentedly endless.
...I want to hear Zekiel's choice soon.
Hedera, who always pursued efficient use of time, couldn't manage it today. Unbeknownst to herself, she was pacing in front of the temple ward.
At some point.
"We saw the 3rd Princess's face! What luck!"
The priests' excited murmurs pierced her ears, halting her steps.
"Seeing the 3rd Princess is practically like a charm, right? What a lucky morning!"
"Come to think of it, we've been seeing the princesses more often lately. These are women we barely glimpsed once a year—why are they visiting the palace so frequently all of a sudden?"
Hedera unconsciously furrowed her brow.
The part about Solana appearing here this morning grated on her especially. At the same time, her instincts flared.
"Wait."
Her gut feeling that Solana had secretly whisked Zekiel away.
"...You lot, come here."
Hedera muttered in a chilling tone.