I turned my head in surprise and my gaze met with dark purple eyes.
He was the Crown Prince.
‘...When did you get here?’
Just a moment ago, it was only me and the Emperor on the stage.
Are you using any movement magic?
I was lost in thought, looking down at his long legs stretched out under his long coat that fell gracefully when I came to my senses belatedly and opened my mouth.
“It’s been a long time, Your Highness. I heard that you were imprisoned. Is there anything that is causing you discomfort?”
“It’s confinement.”
He gave a short laugh.
“It’s embarrassing to say that I was just killing time by sitting in a luxurious room and eating the finest food prepared by the imperial chef, while the imperial people were dying in droves because of the ridiculous system created by the imperial family.”
Wow, what is this conscience?
I was struck by the surprisingly cool self-objectification.
'How could such a son come from such an Emperor?'
I couldn't believe that he was the son of the Emperor who created the system of closed guns to avoid the situation right in front of him, even though he knew it was a dog's death, and sacrificed his own people to it.
'Look at him. He's still walking around with his mouth split open, grumbling.'
It was even more striking to see the Emperor waving his hand toward the imperial subjects who, without any remorse, were shouting, "Long live His Majesty the Emperor!" while placing all the blame on the scum and its appendages.
'Could that be the hidden family history?'
I was lost in my thoughts, which were absurd but not completely absurd when I quickly smiled and opened my mouth.
“Since Your Highness cares so deeply for the people of the empire, it seems that Catalonia’s future is bright.”
“No matter how sincere my heart is, how can it be of any help to the future of Catalonia? I am nothing but a helpless human being in the face of this terrible disaster.”
The expression on his face as he said that looked very bitter.
After all, even though they ran around like that for 13 years, they couldn't prevent the disaster, let alone figure out the cause.
'It's a bit sad.'
It was even more heartbreaking because I felt that the reason he worked so hard was not for his own safety, but for the people of the empire he was responsible for.
That's when I let out a short sigh.
“So, do you have an answer to my offer yet? I hope you don’t refuse unless you don’t have time for a cup of tea.”
“Umm, what should I do? Even though it is Your Highness’s invitation, my priority is to pray to the goddess.”
Sorry, but I have to go quickly and finish my revenge.
“I’m sorry, but next time...”
It was at that moment that I, with my eyebrows furrowed as if in trouble, was about to drive in a wedge.
“Then I guess there’s nothing I can do. I had prepared a gift for the Saintess and wanted to hand it over to her in person, but then the main shrine...”
“Is it a gift?”
I hastily cut him off.
'Why a gift all of a sudden?'
Naturally, my taste buds were drawn to it.
If it's a gift prepared personally by the Crown Prince, it wouldn't be ordinary.
'What, maybe he'll give me some kind of saintly encouragement money?'
Until recently, I was a Princess of the Veloce family, the wealthiest family in the empire, and I couldn't control my excitement at the prospect of receiving just a few pennies.
'Well, I'm a beggar now, with only my body.'
Although I was lucky enough to become a Saintess and find a place to live, I couldn't continue to act as a fake Saintess forever with a body that had no saintly powers.
I should have stayed for a while and left the temple when the time was right, but I had lost all my property and even my house, so I felt gloomy when I thought about the future.
'So, if there's anything I can receive, I should take it.'
I looked at the Crown Prince with eyes sparkling with anticipation.
'So what! What are you going to give me!'
But the Crown Prince just stared blankly at me with an expression as if asking why.
Normally, if you make a fuss like this, you would probably subtly mention what the gift is, but it seemed like he had no clue.
I was beating my chest in frustration, and eventually, I ended up crumpling up my face with my own hands.
“Hmm, Your Highness is asking me so earnestly, so it would be rude to continue to refuse. I think I could spare some time, if only for a little while.”
“...Earnestly?”
When he asked me with a puzzled look on his face, I responded with a 'What?' expression.
So you're not going to drink tea?
He looked at me with slightly bewildered eyes, his face covered with a solid iron plate, and soon shook his head.
“No. You seem busy, and it’s still a long way to the palace, so how about going to a nearby teahouse?”
“That’s a good idea.”
“Then let’s go together in my carriage.”
From escorting me to his carriage to lending a hand when I had difficulty getting into the carriage due to my high heels, the Crown Prince's manners were impeccable.
The place we arrived with the Crown Prince was a small salon near the square.
Thanks to the knights who arrived early at the Crown Prince's order and tidied up the place, there wasn't a single ant in the salon.
“It is an honor to offer tea to Your Highness and the Lady. I have dismissed all the servants, so please do not worry about the attention and converse comfortably.”
The salon owner, who had placed two steaming cups of herbal tea on the table, thoughtfully moved away.
An awkward silence fell as the two of us were left alone in the empty salon.
The Crown Prince, who had been quietly staring out the window as if enjoying the silence, opened his mouth.
“Thanks to the Saintess, Catalon is back to life. I can’t remember how long it’s been since I’ve seen the people of the empire laughing and talking without a care in the world.”
“It’s all thanks to the goddess looking down on us.”
“That is also your merit. After all, it was you who appeased the goddess’s wrath.”
He smiled faintly.
'Oh, why are you doing this? It's hurting people.'
I used to smile shamelessly in front of the Emperor, the Pope, and even countless citizens of the empire.
However, it was especially difficult to maintain a calm demeanor in front of the Crown Prince.
Perhaps it was because of the sense of justice deeply rooted in his eyes.
I felt like if I continued like this, he would open the door of my heart that I had worked so hard to close and shout, 'Conscience, come back!' So I hastily avoided his eyes and muttered.
“...I am grateful that you said that.”
Then, he, who had been laughing softly, suddenly blurted out something unexpected.
“I’m glad you came back alive.”
"Yes?"
“I am glad that you returned safely, without losing your life to that absurd system. I am even more grateful that you have broken the chain of sins that the imperial family created to avoid crisis, and that my precious people will no longer lose their lives in vain.”
“Ah, yes...”
As the Crown Prince continued to speak, my head, which had been tilting downwards little by little, was now completely buried in the floor.
'Oh, really, why is it like this? It's uncomfortable.'
Because of the Crown Prince who kept making me feel guilty, I got to the point where I didn't even want to receive gifts.
'What's the big deal about that money?'
Even while trash and accessories were squandering the property like water, I was the one who had been increasing the family fortune.
Since you have a song to sing, you can make as much money as you want if you just want to earn it. Why did I follow him here all this time?
'Yes, let's go...'
It was at that moment that I took a deep breath and started racking my brain to come up with an excuse to leave.
"Ah."
He let out a short exclamation as if something suddenly occurred to him, and then knocked on the glass window with his straight knuckles.
Then, the knight who had been waiting outside quickly ran over and handed the Crown Prince a box.
It was a very small wooden box with gold-trimmed corners.
The Crown Prince handed the box back to me as is.
“I have prepared a small gift as a token of my gratitude. I hope you will appreciate my sincerity.”
Even though I received the gift I had been looking forward to so much, my expression wasn't very bright.
'How much did this box of boogers cost?'
It wouldn't have much value unless it was filled with diamonds.
‘I just want this one thing...’
I pulled up my lips tightly to hide the emptiness that was rapidly creeping in.
“I don’t know if I should accept a gift like this when I haven’t done anything yet.”
“There is no need to be humble.”
He smiled faintly and nodded his chin as if telling me to open it quickly.
So I had no choice but to open the box...
“...It’s a key?”
I didn't expect it to contain anything great, but it was truly an unexpected gift.
As I looked at him with puzzled eyes, the crown Prince smiled and nodded.
“Yes, it’s the key to the Duke of Veloce’s residence.”
“Huh? Where are the keys?”
I was startled and asked back.
'Why is the key to our house in the Crown Prince's hand?'
I'm sure a charity was going to auction it off...
The Crown Prince opened his mouth again as he saw me tilting my head.
“I won the bid.”
“Your Highness? Why?”
“I heard that before the Saintess was taken away as a sacrifice, you sold all your property and donated it to the needy. I respect your heart for thinking of the needy people of the empire until the end, even as you lost your life to an unreasonable system.”
“...You deserve respect.”
I just wanted to punch those scumbags in the face.
“But the Duke of Catalonia could not bear to see the great history of this empire fall into the hands of a man he did not even know.”
“...”
“So I won the bid and wanted to take good care of it, and now the owner has come back alive.”
He took a sip of tea elegantly and then quietly met my gaze.
“I can’t do anything about the property you've already disposed of and donated, but I wanted to return at least this house.”
It was a look in his eyes that seemed to suggest that it was the right thing to do.
'Is this man really of the Emperor's blood?'
I stared at him blankly.
Although I couldn't check directly because there was no mirror, I could be sure that the way I looked at the Crown Prince had changed completely from before.
Because the loyalty that even the Emperor did not feel surged up like crazy.
I looked up at the Crown Prince with tearful eyes, and soon I grabbed his hand that was on the table.
“As the Saintess of Catalonia, I will dedicate my life to the revival of this empire, Your Highness!”
Of course, loyalty and conscience were not proportional at all.
He was the Crown Prince.
‘...When did you get here?’
Just a moment ago, it was only me and the Emperor on the stage.
Are you using any movement magic?
I was lost in thought, looking down at his long legs stretched out under his long coat that fell gracefully when I came to my senses belatedly and opened my mouth.
“It’s been a long time, Your Highness. I heard that you were imprisoned. Is there anything that is causing you discomfort?”
“It’s confinement.”
He gave a short laugh.
“It’s embarrassing to say that I was just killing time by sitting in a luxurious room and eating the finest food prepared by the imperial chef, while the imperial people were dying in droves because of the ridiculous system created by the imperial family.”
Wow, what is this conscience?
I was struck by the surprisingly cool self-objectification.
'How could such a son come from such an Emperor?'
I couldn't believe that he was the son of the Emperor who created the system of closed guns to avoid the situation right in front of him, even though he knew it was a dog's death, and sacrificed his own people to it.
'Look at him. He's still walking around with his mouth split open, grumbling.'
It was even more striking to see the Emperor waving his hand toward the imperial subjects who, without any remorse, were shouting, "Long live His Majesty the Emperor!" while placing all the blame on the scum and its appendages.
'Could that be the hidden family history?'
I was lost in my thoughts, which were absurd but not completely absurd when I quickly smiled and opened my mouth.
“Since Your Highness cares so deeply for the people of the empire, it seems that Catalonia’s future is bright.”
“No matter how sincere my heart is, how can it be of any help to the future of Catalonia? I am nothing but a helpless human being in the face of this terrible disaster.”
The expression on his face as he said that looked very bitter.
After all, even though they ran around like that for 13 years, they couldn't prevent the disaster, let alone figure out the cause.
'It's a bit sad.'
It was even more heartbreaking because I felt that the reason he worked so hard was not for his own safety, but for the people of the empire he was responsible for.
That's when I let out a short sigh.
“So, do you have an answer to my offer yet? I hope you don’t refuse unless you don’t have time for a cup of tea.”
“Umm, what should I do? Even though it is Your Highness’s invitation, my priority is to pray to the goddess.”
Sorry, but I have to go quickly and finish my revenge.
“I’m sorry, but next time...”
It was at that moment that I, with my eyebrows furrowed as if in trouble, was about to drive in a wedge.
“Then I guess there’s nothing I can do. I had prepared a gift for the Saintess and wanted to hand it over to her in person, but then the main shrine...”
“Is it a gift?”
I hastily cut him off.
'Why a gift all of a sudden?'
Naturally, my taste buds were drawn to it.
If it's a gift prepared personally by the Crown Prince, it wouldn't be ordinary.
'What, maybe he'll give me some kind of saintly encouragement money?'
Until recently, I was a Princess of the Veloce family, the wealthiest family in the empire, and I couldn't control my excitement at the prospect of receiving just a few pennies.
'Well, I'm a beggar now, with only my body.'
Although I was lucky enough to become a Saintess and find a place to live, I couldn't continue to act as a fake Saintess forever with a body that had no saintly powers.
I should have stayed for a while and left the temple when the time was right, but I had lost all my property and even my house, so I felt gloomy when I thought about the future.
'So, if there's anything I can receive, I should take it.'
I looked at the Crown Prince with eyes sparkling with anticipation.
'So what! What are you going to give me!'
But the Crown Prince just stared blankly at me with an expression as if asking why.
Normally, if you make a fuss like this, you would probably subtly mention what the gift is, but it seemed like he had no clue.
I was beating my chest in frustration, and eventually, I ended up crumpling up my face with my own hands.
“Hmm, Your Highness is asking me so earnestly, so it would be rude to continue to refuse. I think I could spare some time, if only for a little while.”
“...Earnestly?”
When he asked me with a puzzled look on his face, I responded with a 'What?' expression.
So you're not going to drink tea?
He looked at me with slightly bewildered eyes, his face covered with a solid iron plate, and soon shook his head.
“No. You seem busy, and it’s still a long way to the palace, so how about going to a nearby teahouse?”
“That’s a good idea.”
“Then let’s go together in my carriage.”
From escorting me to his carriage to lending a hand when I had difficulty getting into the carriage due to my high heels, the Crown Prince's manners were impeccable.
The place we arrived with the Crown Prince was a small salon near the square.
Thanks to the knights who arrived early at the Crown Prince's order and tidied up the place, there wasn't a single ant in the salon.
“It is an honor to offer tea to Your Highness and the Lady. I have dismissed all the servants, so please do not worry about the attention and converse comfortably.”
The salon owner, who had placed two steaming cups of herbal tea on the table, thoughtfully moved away.
An awkward silence fell as the two of us were left alone in the empty salon.
The Crown Prince, who had been quietly staring out the window as if enjoying the silence, opened his mouth.
“Thanks to the Saintess, Catalon is back to life. I can’t remember how long it’s been since I’ve seen the people of the empire laughing and talking without a care in the world.”
“It’s all thanks to the goddess looking down on us.”
“That is also your merit. After all, it was you who appeased the goddess’s wrath.”
He smiled faintly.
'Oh, why are you doing this? It's hurting people.'
I used to smile shamelessly in front of the Emperor, the Pope, and even countless citizens of the empire.
However, it was especially difficult to maintain a calm demeanor in front of the Crown Prince.
Perhaps it was because of the sense of justice deeply rooted in his eyes.
I felt like if I continued like this, he would open the door of my heart that I had worked so hard to close and shout, 'Conscience, come back!' So I hastily avoided his eyes and muttered.
“...I am grateful that you said that.”
Then, he, who had been laughing softly, suddenly blurted out something unexpected.
“I’m glad you came back alive.”
"Yes?"
“I am glad that you returned safely, without losing your life to that absurd system. I am even more grateful that you have broken the chain of sins that the imperial family created to avoid crisis, and that my precious people will no longer lose their lives in vain.”
“Ah, yes...”
As the Crown Prince continued to speak, my head, which had been tilting downwards little by little, was now completely buried in the floor.
'Oh, really, why is it like this? It's uncomfortable.'
Because of the Crown Prince who kept making me feel guilty, I got to the point where I didn't even want to receive gifts.
'What's the big deal about that money?'
Even while trash and accessories were squandering the property like water, I was the one who had been increasing the family fortune.
Since you have a song to sing, you can make as much money as you want if you just want to earn it. Why did I follow him here all this time?
'Yes, let's go...'
It was at that moment that I took a deep breath and started racking my brain to come up with an excuse to leave.
"Ah."
He let out a short exclamation as if something suddenly occurred to him, and then knocked on the glass window with his straight knuckles.
Then, the knight who had been waiting outside quickly ran over and handed the Crown Prince a box.
It was a very small wooden box with gold-trimmed corners.
The Crown Prince handed the box back to me as is.
“I have prepared a small gift as a token of my gratitude. I hope you will appreciate my sincerity.”
Even though I received the gift I had been looking forward to so much, my expression wasn't very bright.
'How much did this box of boogers cost?'
It wouldn't have much value unless it was filled with diamonds.
‘I just want this one thing...’
I pulled up my lips tightly to hide the emptiness that was rapidly creeping in.
“I don’t know if I should accept a gift like this when I haven’t done anything yet.”
“There is no need to be humble.”
He smiled faintly and nodded his chin as if telling me to open it quickly.
So I had no choice but to open the box...
“...It’s a key?”
I didn't expect it to contain anything great, but it was truly an unexpected gift.
As I looked at him with puzzled eyes, the crown Prince smiled and nodded.
“Yes, it’s the key to the Duke of Veloce’s residence.”
“Huh? Where are the keys?”
I was startled and asked back.
'Why is the key to our house in the Crown Prince's hand?'
I'm sure a charity was going to auction it off...
The Crown Prince opened his mouth again as he saw me tilting my head.
“I won the bid.”
“Your Highness? Why?”
“I heard that before the Saintess was taken away as a sacrifice, you sold all your property and donated it to the needy. I respect your heart for thinking of the needy people of the empire until the end, even as you lost your life to an unreasonable system.”
“...You deserve respect.”
I just wanted to punch those scumbags in the face.
“But the Duke of Catalonia could not bear to see the great history of this empire fall into the hands of a man he did not even know.”
“...”
“So I won the bid and wanted to take good care of it, and now the owner has come back alive.”
He took a sip of tea elegantly and then quietly met my gaze.
“I can’t do anything about the property you've already disposed of and donated, but I wanted to return at least this house.”
It was a look in his eyes that seemed to suggest that it was the right thing to do.
'Is this man really of the Emperor's blood?'
I stared at him blankly.
Although I couldn't check directly because there was no mirror, I could be sure that the way I looked at the Crown Prince had changed completely from before.
Because the loyalty that even the Emperor did not feel surged up like crazy.
I looked up at the Crown Prince with tearful eyes, and soon I grabbed his hand that was on the table.
“As the Saintess of Catalonia, I will dedicate my life to the revival of this empire, Your Highness!”
Of course, loyalty and conscience were not proportional at all.
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