EIITAB - Chapter 28 < The Reason For Marriage >
Even If It Is Trampled And Broken
The High Priest straightened his shoulders as if he wanted to show off. His expression showed that he was very excited to receive her tearful thanks. But
Hestia was busy suppressing the urge to grab her head right away.
'Why is Anette trying so hard to get me married?'
She knows Anette wants to kill her, but... Is there any connection between her death and her marriage?
Why is Anette trying to kill her like this in the first place?
She couldn't understand at all. No matter how hard she searched through her memories, she never personally held a grudge against her.
'I first met Anette the day she came to her temple in person. There was no contact whatsoever before that. But why does she keep trying to push herself into my death?'
As her doubts continued to deepen, vertical wrinkles formed between Hestia's eyebrows.
"Hestia? Are you feeling unwell?"
Hestia quickly woke up from her thoughts at the sound of the High Priest's voice.
"It's okay. I'm just taking a moment to gather my thoughts about her."
Then, with an expression on his face that seemed to show that he understood everything, he nodded his head and resumed speaking after a brief pause.
"Isn't that really fortunate?"
Hestia took a small breath and opened her mouth. Her voice was much colder than she thought, so she couldn't help but be a little surprised herself.
"But no matter what method I use, I cannot prevent my divine power from disappearing. Just saving my life won't do the temple any good."
"How dare you say such a thing! Hestia has been of great help to us just by her presence."
Surprisingly, he spoke cheerfully, as if he didn't mind.
"Hestia is a symbolic figure who connects the royal family and the temple."
She suppressed a bitter smile at the word 'symbol' that the High Priest used to describe her. It was because she thought there was no word that revealed her situation better than that.
While she was just smiling and not responding, the High Priest quenched his throat by drinking half of the tea that had already cooled down. After clearing his throat briefly, he looked across her with a more coy look than before.
The eerie voice was a bonus.
"But Hestia, why aren't you curious about how to extend your lifespan?"
"...Ah."
Hestia's eyes narrow slightly and then her gaze falls. She naturally raised the comers of her mouth and answered calmly.
"Yes, I know how to do that too."
At those quiet words, the high priest looked as if he had just been punched. The man, whose lips were as soft as a fish, soon forgot who the other person was and raised his voice and asked a question.
"...! No! Then why haven't you told me before?"
Even though the sound was quite loud, Hestia only frowned slightly and did not flinch.
"Because I didn't think it was the right way to do it,"
She said.
"Is there a need to risk man's life as collateral to God just to save me?"
That makes sense. Once she was unable to refute, she tried to reason with the high priest.
"But think about it."
Okay, let her think about it. Hestia looked at the High Priest with a gentle expression, asking him to say something. Her gaze was cold and emotionless, but he didn't notice the high priest and opened her mouth.
"There would be a problem if we forced a man to be paired with Hestia. But wouldn't it be possible for someone to come forward voluntarily?"
'What about my doctor there? What if I don't like the man who volunteered? What if that man was bribed by you or Anette?'
Numerous rebuttals filled her throat, but Hestia wisely did not open her lips. In the end, it was obvious that no matter what kind of sophistry she added, she would try to change Hestia's mind here.
'I'm tired.'
She just wanted to end this quickly. She just smiled.
"Let's end today's conversation here. I was well aware of the temple's position. However, I also have a firm opinion, so I ask you to reconsider."
Since it was as if there was no result, the high priest had a look of disappointment on his face.
"Whew, yes. Well then, I'll go back after knowing that for now. I will convey Hestia's opinion to the temple, so Hestia, please seriously consider our opinion."
"I will."
Hestia nodded her head in a completely weightless manner.
"And... Hestia's sad story will soon be revealed to the public. Believers should also know this. So don't be too surprised or disappointed."
"It's disappointing. It's God's will. If I didn't want it to be known, I would have hidden what was entrusted to me in the first place."
As soon as she finished speaking, she stood up from her seat. The high Priest had no choice but to stand up and follow the unspoken command to congratulate the guests.
"See you again soon. Please go back carefully."
They said a brief goodbye. A few days later, as predicted by the High Priest, Hestia began hearing rumors about her in her ears.
From Hestia to Anette. Since the person representing the temple would have to change, it was right to see it as a natural progression.
"How can this possibly be possible?"
Her maid Angela, who heard the news late, sat down in front of Hestia and shed tears,
"Ah... I heard it."
Hestia smiled awkwardly with an embarrassed expression on her face.
"Marriage!"
"Huh?"
Hestia looked at her maid with a surprised expression on her face. The gazes facing each other were filled with puzzlement. Hestia quickly came to her senses and asked secretly.
"Is that just a rumor going around?"
Angela asked back, sniffling her nose and tilting her head.
"Yes? So should there be other rumors going around too?"
"Oh, no."
Hestia gave an ambiguous answer. Fortunately, Angela didn't ask any further questions, and she continued to vent her anger.
"I took the Princess to the temple when you were so young! Now you're trying to get married just to get you out of death! Anette something! She has another saint!"
She packaged it like that. It seemed that Yorgos was desperately trying to prevent the rumor that she would die soon.
'Or maybe some kind of transaction took place between the royal family and the temple in my absence.'
Two saints. Even if the situation is tilted in favor of Anette, there are many people who support Hestia, so there is no need to cause confusion in advance due to the fact that she will soon die. So Hestia agreed with that judgment.
'There is no need to reveal all the cards you have!'
Even if it wasn't Aslan who was sitting at her negotiating table, it was better for her to hide the fact that she was terminally ill. This is because there is a high possibility that her opponent will grab Hestia's dawn as if it were her leash and try to strike her down for what she is worth.
'Let's hide the fact that I am terminally ill.'
As much as the temple is silent. It was never a bad situation for her either. While Hestia was alone to gather her thoughts, Angela was still angry.
"I didn't see it that way, but they were really bad people, right?"
Angela huffed, as if thinking about it again made her feel hot.
[Should I apply too?]
[Arthur, Arthur.]
[Do you know? When you get married, will His Majesty give you a higher title and a larger estate as a dowry?]
It seemed like many men were saying extremely vulgar things about Hestia. Angela seemed quite indignant, slamming her clenched fists repeatedly on the floor.
"So I came to them, pointing my finger at their faces."
She might have felt a little sick if she had heard it directly in front of her.
'But that's not what she heard directly...'
Her blow wasn't as big as she thought. But Angela, who had just heard the story, didn't seem to think that was what was inside.
"How dare that bastards think that this is the time!"
"Stop. Calming down. It's just words."
"That's what makes me angry! People who would normally not even dare to look at someone because they feel guilty, dare!"
Angela was furious as if she had been insulted, and her anger did not subside but rather grew, and Hestia had a hard time calming down her maid.
"But Angela, that rumor. Has it spread much?"
Angela nodded her head.
"After all, it is about finding a marriage partner for the Princess. The rumor is spreading quickly as if it had wings."
After catching her breath, her maid continued her words again.
"But it looks like His Majesty the King is blocking it. He gave a warning that he would not let anyone who spread that rumor into his mouth. "
"I see."
Hestia answered while holding her breath. It was a fortunate thing. At least she didn't think her appearance would get any more ridiculous
[Please keep your mouth shut for the time being. There is no need to give strength to the temple right now.]
[Yes, Your Majesty. I will follow what she says.]
From Yorgos's perspective, it would be better in many ways to prevent her from losing her sacred power as much as possible, so he seemed to be focusing his efforts on stopping rumors about her.
'Then Aslan will not hear that I am losing my holy power and that I will die next year.'
No matter how many people he sent to find out about her, there was a limit to the information he could find out from someone who was not based in the capital. Even if information was used, it was impossible.
Hestia is a Saintess and Princess. She lives in the most inaccessible places for ordinary people, and she meets and lives with the very minimum number of people. He may be able to hear all of her speculations surrounding her, but he will not be able to access the secrets that she is really hiding.
'If I don't open my mouth, he won't know!'
So let her move diligently. For him.
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