EIITAB - Chapter 10 < Then Are You A Man >
Even If It Is Trampled And Broken
I kept thinking that the beast would find its prey and attack it at any moment. Hestia's shoulders shrank. But her gaze never left him. Honestly, objectively, Aslan's appearance was very beautiful. He was masculine at the same time. He was more like a savage than a secular gentleman, but at the same time, he was imbued with an innate dignity, and he stamped people with only a sense of intimidation.
The closer he got, the more difficult Hestia was to breathe......
Eww. When she couldn't hold it in anymore and let out a low pain, Angela, who was accompanying her right behind her, supported her and asked anxiously.
"Princess, are you okay?"
Aslan hesitated for a moment as if he had heard that small voice. And her momentum dissipated in an instant. Feeling comfortable breathing for the first time, Hestia Instinctively exhaled a long breath and relaxed her body for a moment.
"Now..... I am okay."
Aslan's gaze landed on her and then fell. Then, he clenched his chin firmly.
"It's a big deal."
At that moment, Hestia lifted her head, which had been lowered as if she had heard something wrong. But he had already passed her. It's only natural! This seat was the place where the Duke of Kalati had an audience with the King. So, in front of him, there was no need for him to stop.
'But why is this...... Doesn't it make me feel like he's been in front of me for a long time?'
As if time had stopped just for that moment. Hestia turned her head to follow Aslan's back. But she couldn't watch it any longer and lowered her gaze. In other words, it was difficult to breathe. While she was looking at her toes, Aslan and his men arrived in front of Yorgos who was sitting on the throne. As he prostrated himself toward Yorgos and fell on his knees, a cold, creaking sound rang in her ears. But what gave her goosebumps more than that was his voice, as if she hadn't heard it in a very long time.
"Ellsworth's Sun, greet His Majesty King Yorgos."
Contrary to his fiery spirit, his voice was calm and very foreign.
"Welcome, Duke Kalati. It took a lot of effort to get to the capital. How is the war situation?"
A formal greeting and report followed.
"I appreciate your hard work."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Okay. How long are you going to stay this time?"
"I'm thinking about a month."
"Hmm, you're staying for quite a while this time." "
There are quite a lot of things to be done in the capital, so I took the day."
Yorgos, who had been tapping the handle of the throne with his fingertips, said while touching his chin.
"Then, I'll pack up the bounty and send it to you on the day you go down."
"Thank you."
"I tell you to bring some clothes this time. Make some clothes out of it and wear it."
Aslan gritted his teeth, but quickly recovered his emotions.
"It's okay. I am comfortable with this."
"I am uncomfortable with this."
Despite Yorgos' grumbling, Aslan didn't blink an eye.
"As always, I'll ask for grain."
Yorgos clicked his tongue with a displeased face at the straightforward answer.
"The young man insisted. Tsk. Do as you please."
At that moment, Hestia heard the sound of teeth grinding from Aslan's side. Surprised, Hestia slightly lowered her gaze, and her fists were filled with strength as if holding back something.
'His Majesty said it carelessly!'
Hestia secretly sided with Aslan, she didn't know much about politics, but Hestia knew too. Aslan, who is busy crossing the line, comes directly to the capital like this every year because of that bounty. He was receiving gifts from the royal family every year on the condition that he prevented the northern winter. The northern winter that lasted for decades took away everyday life.
It was impossible to get supplies or even food properly, so Aslan only requested grain and dried meat for gifts. It's been a long time since the clothes that were worn in moderation for politeness in the capital became a luxury item in the north. It was because quality cloth was nothing but kindling for those who endured every day to preserve their lives.
"Now go back and rest. Meet me face at the welcome party and make sure to attend."
"...... I will."
The audience soon ended. Yorgos took the Crown Prince and left the audience room. Hestia stared at the hand that stretched out toward her with an arrogant gaze. Hestia curled her lips and asked. He's not doing her any harm, so she doesn't know why he's so agitated.
'As expected, he's a difficult person.'
She looked at Aslan's outstretched arm. The tremors were getting stronger. Hestia swallowed her sigh and at the same time slowly closed her hands from the tips. She didn't want to look bad in front of him man anymore. Then Aslan, who had been silently looking down at her hand, finally broke the long silence and slowly raised his gaze.
What else did he not like so much? His golden eyes, like a snare, caught Hestia at once and tied her tightly so that she could not escape. Hestia involuntarily swallowed dry saliva. It was because her cold mouth, which didn't seem to bend at all in front of him, was twisting on one side.
"What is it?"
Hearing his voice, Hestia hesitated for a moment. He even felt as if the ice-filled water was being poured from the top of her head. But she couldn't afford to remain flustered. If she doesn't answer right away, for sure Aslan will turn away from her without hesitation. Hestia didn't want to lose sight of this man. So she tried to calm her trembling heart, and asked him back, pretending that nothing was wrong and tightening her chin.
"Are you talking to yourself, or are you talking to me?"
"I must have told you to listen if it reached your ears."
At Aslan's sarcasm, Hestia tightly gripped her hands. Her body temperature remained cold as if all her blood had drained out. She knows very well that he is not kind. However, it is also true that she only treats her harshly, so Hestia felt something hot welling up from deep within her.
'Why me....... '
Hestia was upset, but soon she managed herself.
'Let's not be nervous.'
Recovering her composure, she replied calmly.
"The Duke is disrespectful, as always."
Then Aslan shrugged his shoulders and let out an airy laugh.
"Even if I act like that, no one will accuse me of sin."
"That is arrogant."
"I still can't, isn't it? Is it me, who is going to deal with the demonic beasts that come endlessly from the vast north?"
"...... I am deeply grateful for that."
Perhaps instinctively realizing that his words would be getting longer, Aslan tilted his head with his arms crossed.
"I really don't know why. It's my first time."
The golden eyes looking at Hestia were blazing as if a furnace were boiling.
"What kind of whim is that? Didn't you always busy avoiding me?"
Hestia's mouth was closed again. It was because she did not know that Aslan would hit her head like this. She wasn't bold enough to deny it right away. She did as he said because she was the first to avoid him, the scariest person she'd ever met. The one who took her place was her maid, Angela, who stood behind Hestia with a dissatisfied expression the whole time.
"Duke Kalati! Watch your words and actions! To Hestia, a Saintess and the princess of Ellsworth! What a man are you?"
She raised her voice with a look of resentment as if she had been insulted. But she was not the slightest threat to Aslan. His icy gaze moved from Hestia to Angela.
"Then are you a man?"
Aslan snorted as if it was not the same, and sneered in a cold voice.
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