EIITAB - Chapter 66 - <Guest >
Even if it is Trampled and Broken
Aslan, who read that energy, began to press the front of his eyes with his fingertips as if he were in more trouble.
After a while, he let out a sigh and opened his mouth at the same time. He was not aiming at Wharton, who had asked him a question, but towards Hestia. No matter how much the people of Kalathi neglected etiquette, there were exceptions.
It was Aslan Kalathi. He was the heir of the Kalathi duchy from birth and was a quick learner. As good as he was at swords and horseback riding, he was also excellent at social etiquette and dancing. That is why, ironically, when he was asked to choose the most sociable man in the Duchy of Kalathi, they all had no choice but to choose Aslan Kalathi. No matter how harsh the atmosphere surrounding him was, the reason everyone held their breath and could not make eye contact with the man alone was not because of his harshness, but because of his innate dignity and self-control that was ingrained in him.
According to the etiquette of Ellsworth Kingdom, when introducing someone, the person of lower status is introduced to the person of higher status first. Aslan followed the etiquette and introduced Wharton to Hestia first.
"Let's start with the introduction. This is Wharton. He's one of the three generals under me. This time, he is in charge of Kalathi's security while I was away."
Aslan introduced Wharton to Hestia in a rather half-hearted manner.
"I see. I already heard that there is a general under you, so I assumed it would be someone other than Sir Dean and Sir Martin."
Hestia, who was nodding her head and listening to his words, looked at Wharton and smiled brightly. A sweet and thoughtful voice flowed from her delicate lips.
"Nice to meet you. I am..."
"Dismissal."
Hestia was cut off mid-sentence. This was because Wharton spoke to Aslan again without even hearing her introduction.
"Ah..."
Hestia closed her mouth with an embarrassed expression on her face. The smile also became awkward. But Wharton paid no heed and kept his eyes fixed on Aslan. It was a bonus that he had an expression that clearly reflected his stubborn personality.
"You haven't answered yet."
"Hey, Wharton."
"Please tell me directly. Who on earth is this guest whom His Excellency has personally brought?"
Her hand, which had been stretched forward to greet him, lost its way and was closed at the end.
Her slightly excited mind calmed down. Those words, which were formal but completely dismissed the other person as a stranger, were like magic spells. However, Hestia did not show such feelings outwardly. She stared at Wharton without erasing her calm smile. In her head, she fully understood this situation.
The more people live in isolated areas in extreme situations like the Duchy of Kalathi, the more wary they become. And the friendship and solidarity between survivors is quite strong. That also meant that outsiders were rejected more than you can imagine.
'It's natural for this person to be wary of me!'
How many times did Hestia tell herself, that this is something that needs to be understood, she told herself what she was saying. But she was of no use being honest.
She kept feeling intimidated. The reason Hestia couldn't help but feel that way was probably largely due to the problem with Wharton's tone of voice.
'It's not friendly.'
It was as if she had first met Aslan's lieutenants in the chapel on her wedding day.
'I'm glad he didn't show my wedding, but...'
Once he hears her identity properly, she never knows what will happen after that. And there was no way Aslan could not have felt what Hestia felt.
"Whoa..."
After reading Wharton's hostility, Aslan let out a heavy breath without any filtering, as if he was deeply saddened. He looked around as he roughly ran his irritated hand through his hair.
Dean or Martin.
It would be nice if there was someone nearby who could help him at least a little bit. But the surroundings were empty.
Aslan clicked his tongue inadvertently. Not knowing his speed, Wharton urged him again in a firm voice.
"Your Excellency, please introduce her properly."
Hestia felt as if she was sitting on her thorn cushion. She was not even a six or seven-year-old girl, so not being able to introduce herself brought with it a certain sense of shame.
Several times, Hestia's lips tried to open, but she held herself back from uttering her voice.
'Nothing good will come of interfering.'
In its own way, it was an important moment. In the future, she wonders what position she will have in Kalathi and how she will be treated and treated by the people here.
This was because everything would be decided by Aslan's words. However, there was something she didn't understand.
'Hasn't the decision already been made?'
She glanced at Aslan.
'Why on earth is Aslan hesitating so much?'
Hestia clearly remembered what Aslan had said to her the first day they slept together.
"I will trample and crush you. Then dry up and die by my side."
Hestia had no complaints. Because she had already given him the leash of her life with her own hands.
So, in Kalathi, she had the confidence to accept whatever situation she was in without resenting it. However, despite this, there was nothing she could do about being nervous.
She glanced back at Aslan, then at Wharton. Aslan was still choosing his words, and Wharton was stubbornly glaring at his master and repeating silent urgings.
Hestia's heart continued to tighten as if caught in her snare.
'Aslan made me... How should he introduce myself?'
She was curious too. Aslan today, what does he think of her? Does she remain in his heart in any way?
Perhaps Hestia was more desperately curious than Wharton.
"This woman."
After a long, long silence, Aslan's dry lips finally fell. He let out a heavy sigh and at the same time let out a harsh voice.
"He is the one who healed Jerome."
"Jerome...Do you mean that?"
Wharton looked back at Hestia with surprised eyes. Although she couldn't see it with her own eyes, Hestia knew that just moments ago, this space was filled with Wharton's murderous energy. But that anticipation disappeared in an instant like a lie.
Gratitude filled Wharton's eyes as he looked at Hestia. But Hestia wasn't happy about that at all. She gently curled her lower lip. The first words that came out of Aslan's mouth were, frankly, disappointment.
He was the first to reveal her usefulness and use. As if that was the only advantage Hestia had and that it was her shield.
'Stupidly, why am I expecting this?'
She is so arbitrarily disappointed like this. Hestia scolded herself internally. It seemed like there was a different introduction than she was hoping for. She had no desire to be called Madame or Mistress of Kalathi.
'Just... I got married, etc. My wife or something.'
Even if it was a short, blunt, and unkind explanation, Hestia hoped those words would come out of Aslan's mouth. The relationship between him and her is different from before. It became a little more special. She wanted to at least check if Aslan also attached weight and meaning to it. But she guessed it was just a romantic thing in her.
Hestia swallowed her bitter heart. She felt like she had once again become acutely aware that on her own she could never be Aslan's priority.
Hestia took in her shaky breath.
'It's true I was optimistic.'
After Jerome was healed, the knights' attitude became worse. And she also received a thank you from Aslan as he told her, she even heard that she was helpful.
'Let's not lose our original intention. I must not rely on Aslan!'
Then it will become nothing but a burden again. Even though she tried not to get depressed, she couldn't do anything about her sinking heart. Only when Wharton's tone became much softer did he finally convey his words to Hestia.
"I can't believe you treated Jerome. Are you a doctor? Or a pharmacist?"
"Oh, that's..."
Hestia rolled her eyes, her embarrassed expression clouding her words. She did not dare to judge whether revealing that she was a Saintess was good or bad. So, while Hestia was confused, Aslan explained to Wharton on her behalf. Wharton was still avoiding his gaze.
"She is a Saintess. So she healed her wounds with that power."
The moment the word 'Saintess' came out of his mouth, the atmosphere around her suddenly cooled. Even Hestia could feel it.
"... Yes? Your Excellency, what do you mean by that?"
Wharton asked back in a hoarse voice. Aslan frowned at him and responded bluntly.
"After hearing everything, what else are you asking?"
He sighed repeatedly and explained half-heartedly as if he didn't want to say it again.
"This woman is Saintess Hestia. She is the niece of King Yorgos."
And Hestia faced it clearly. When she was introduced as Jerome's benefactor, the moment when Wharton's mildly youthful liking for her immediately turned into disdain. Thick veins popped out on Wharton's forehead. A cold wind blew, instantly changing the air. Wharton's hostility toward Hestia rose like wildfire. It was quite threatening. Hestia just quietly lowered her gaze as if she was enduring everything. Whether it's a loud roar or a life that feels like it's suffocating. Whatever it was, she expected that great anger would consume her. But even though she waited for a long time, Hestia was safe.
Then, suddenly, a loud breathing sound was heard. Wharton took a breath. Wharton spoke to Aslan in a voice that sounded like gritting his teeth.
"Then, Your Excellency."
He was still treating Hestia like she didn't exist. Wharton bluntly asked Aslan a question.
"Have you finally kidnapped her?"
Aslan's lips slowly parted.
"... What? What do I do?"
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