Chapter 16
“And now, about you...”
While my latest “I can feed myself” protest was being ignored, Julius-san explained as he brought a thin slice of cheese to my mouth.
He said, “I was going to tell you once you’d gotten used to this life, but I can’t have that idiot throwing everything into chaos at an unexpected moment.”
As he’d told me before, the country guaranteed my livelihood, and apparently I was free to live as I pleased.
However, since I had a small amount of the holy attribute, the country would prefer me to marry into a noble family—ideally one with the holy attribute, he explained.
“When someone with the holy attribute marries, a Saint is occasionally born among their descendants.”
However, the holy attribute seemed terribly capricious. Apparently, Duke Ashford, the son of the previous Saint, didn’t have it.
(So even the holy attribute can’t be passed down easily... I can see why they’d want to rely on summoning...)
“People call them ‘Saints,’ but can men have the Purification Skill, too?”
“It seems to be a skill unique to women. It would’ve been nice if men could have it, too.”
Apparently, there was a chronic shortage of Saints worldwide.
Saints—and even people with the holy attribute—were so valuable that neighboring countries were supposedly competing for them behind the scenes.
That explained why the kingdom treated me so well: they didn’t want another country to snatch me away.
But marriage, huh...
“I always thought marriage was still a long way off, so I can’t imagine it at all...”
Still, if I could be of use to Julius-san, maybe I should marry some noble or other.
But wouldn’t a political marriage be too much for someone like me, who’d grown up with modern ideas about marrying for love? Maybe Julius-san could find me a suitable family to marry into... Hmm.
(Just thinking about it makes me a little gloomy...)
“This is just the country’s wish, so you can ignore it all.”
“Personally, I want you to live a happy life without worrying about your holy attribute or marriage.”
A large hand stroked my head. My heart gave a hard thump at the warmth I’d been longing for.
“...If you spoil me like that, I’ll just laze around at the duke’s estate forever.”
“Hehe, that’s just what I want. Then I can spoil you forever.”
Maybe there was happiness in doing nothing and taking it easy like a cat...
Being a pet might really be the best role after all.
(...Though I might be in the way of the wife Julius-san will eventually marry.)
“—But...”
As I gave in to the pleasant feeling of being petted, his hand suddenly stopped.
I looked up to see what was wrong, and his honey-colored eyes, soft and languid with affection, fixed on me...
“Just remember, there’s an unmarried nobleman with the holy attribute right in front of you, too.”
He raised my hand and pressed a quick kiss to it.
(Piiigyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!?!?!?!?!?)
I screamed at the top of my lungs in my head, and for some reason, Julius-san recoiled.
Taking advantage of that opening, I pulled my hand back and tried to cover my embarrassment by saying, “A-ha-ha-ha-ha! So you have the holy attribute too, Julius-san!” in a bizarrely chipper voice.
My heart was still racing, so I grabbed a glass and gulped down the cold juice to calm myself.
“Ah, that’s—!”
“Ghk...!? It’s bitter...”
“That’s my glass. Here, drink some water...”
The alcohol I’d accidentally drunk for the first time sent heat rushing down my throat.
(Oh no, I messed up!!
I can’t... I panicked too much and caused him trouble...!)
I’d better get back to my room soon.
“S-sorry for causing such a commotion...”
As I hurriedly stood up, the alcohol made my head feel floaty and my reason began to melt away. The words of apology died on my lips.
(What was I going to say? That’s right... It’s because Julius-san kissed me...)
“J-Julius-san’s just too handsome, so it’s your fault...”
Instead, those words slipped out smoothly.
“Huh?”
“...Hm?”
(...Wait... What did I just say...? Ah...)
While the person who’d said it froze more than anyone, my body swayed as my strength drained away.
I heard Julius-san’s panicked voice, and felt as if I were being forced to fall into a dream.
Feeling his warm arms firmly support my collapsing body, I lost consciousness.
I don’t remember what happened after that.
――And then, the next morning.
“...”
I woke to the morning sunlight streaming in and stared at the ceiling from atop a fluffy bed.
It wasn’t a dream. What happened yesterday was real...
(............W-what have I doneeeee!!!!!)
First thing in the morning, I writhed in agony, remembering the utterly mortifying scene I’d made the night before.
Alcohol is scary. I’m never drinking it again...!!