Beguiling the Enemy’s Patriarch - Chapter 36

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 36
I flashed a bright smile and extended my hand without hesitation.
“Then let’s shake on it, business partner.”
“…?”
Diego Schmart accepted my handshake despite his bewildered expression. And in that very moment, my mental image of him transformed—he became Eros himself, firing arrows of love from a heart-adorned bow.
A messenger of love! A cupid of romance!
I settled back into the sofa with satisfaction. Yes, this was how I’d recruit them one by one!
Diego Schmart gave a small, resigned shrug.
“Though I suspect you wouldn’t need my help regardless.”
“Pardon?”
“His Majesty holds you in quite special regard, after all.”
“…?”
I’d started to whistle internally before catching myself. It was the same thing he’d said before.
But this time, he wasn’t referring to rumors circulating through high society—it sounded more like he was stating an obvious fact. I paused to think, then offered a plausible explanation.
“Well… I may be a hostage, but I’m still foreign royalty, after all.”
Diego Schmart shook his head.
“No, it’s not merely for that reason.”
“Is that so?”
I racked my brain again. Was there something in Auredhian Belgot’s usual conduct that would justify calling me special?
Flashes of that man’s typical behavior crossed my mind. Well, he was certainly kind enough on the surface. Though I often sensed there was more beneath what met the eye.
I furrowed my brow slightly. What good was kindness when it came to the important matters? He was always an impenetrable wall.
“I don’t think there’s any particular reason beyond that.”
At my words, Diego Schmart laughed meaningfully.
“I see. As I mentioned before, he’s someone with very high walls.”
“I think I’m beginning to understand that quite well.”
I laughed awkwardly. I’d bounced off that wall more than once or twice.
Diego Schmart continued slowly.
“As a sovereign, he’s perfectly suited to his role. But when it comes to personal relationships, his circle is quite narrow. Even I, who have served him for nearly a decade, and his direct knights—he keeps distance from all of us.”
“Really?”
Remarkable. To maintain distance even from someone he’d known for ten years—in a way, it was almost impressive. No wonder I’d felt his walls were an impenetrable fortress.
“He’s the sole imperial heir of this generation. He’s been bound by many constraints since long ago. Having grown accustomed to them, he merely appears loose and magnanimous on the surface.”
“I see….”
It was beginning to make sense. Auredhian Belgot always wore an expression of ennui, yet he observed boundaries with the precision of a blade.
Diego Schmart concluded with a smile.
“Perhaps His Majesty needs someone like you, Princess. Someone with whom he needn’t raise his guard.”
“Ah….”
“Someone who can offer him even a moment of respite and freedom.”
I blinked blankly. Those gentle, golden eyes held no deception. Someone he needn’t guard against. Someone who could offer him respite and freedom… I didn’t think I could possibly mean something so significant to him.
Diego Schmart seemed to recognize my confusion. He smiled kindly.
“So I see no reason for concern. What you’re doing now should be more than enough.”
“Hmm….”
“In any case, I’m glad you had such an enjoyable day.”
The conversation shifted to an entirely different topic. I stared blankly at him for a moment before snapping back to reality and responding.
“Oh… yes. It was fun. Since today was my first time leaving the Imperial Palace….”
“I see. Have you visited Ugel Square?”
“Yes. It was so vast and magnificent…. Such a wonderful place.”
And so the conversation continued in its mundane rhythm. I spoke mechanically, words flowing without thought.
Stepping outside the Imperial Palace for the first time today felt like entering another world entirely. Everything was so immense and beautiful and vibrant—it captivated me completely. This place was like this, that place was like that.
My mind churned with entirely different thoughts, yet outwardly the ordinary conversation persisted. The memory of sweeping through the marketplace felt like a distant dream now. Even Auredhian’s promise to return soon seemed like ancient history.
Several hours passed in this manner.
By the time the steaming teacup had cooled and the sun had visibly tilted toward the western horizon, Diego spoke with gentle warmth.
“I must now attend to my afternoon prayers. I considered inviting you to join me, but you appear quite fatigued.”
“Ah, haha.”
I laughed awkwardly. My mind had been working so intensely that I felt as though steam might rise from my head. Moreover, my body had grown as limp and heavy as warmed rice cake.
A small yawn escaped me. I barely managed to close my gaping mouth and mumbled.
“I think… I’ll stay here a bit longer.”
“Of course. Please rest well. I should return within a couple of hours.”
“Yes. See you soon.”
“Should you grow bored or need anything, you can visit that private prayer chamber from earlier. Observing prayers offered to Raulus can be quite fascinating.”
I nodded eagerly. The young, handsome priest had been remarkably kind throughout. With his virtuous, serene face, he offered a gentle smile before departing the room.
Click. The door closed. I remained alone in the priest’s modest chamber.
Reddish sunlight poured through the gap in the curtains. The sunset was in full bloom. Warm, comforting amber light suffused the entire room, and I felt myself slowly being bathed in that gentle radiance.
“….”
Evening had already arrived. Only a few hours had passed since that person who promised to return today had left. Yet despite being surrounded by all these warm things, something felt hollow inside me.
Perhaps it was the lingering warmth of that hand I hadn’t released all day long.
Diego’s words echoed through my mind. A person I need not guard against….
Could it truly be that this man harbors no ill intent toward me? In truth, I couldn’t even be certain of that.
Auredhian Belgot had always been kind and generous, yet it was always I who ended up pulling away in the end.
But regardless, whatever the case may be….
“…. I wish he would return soon.”
Even if the Temple suited me better, I still preferred the Imperial Palace more. After all, it was where that man existed—the one whose mere presence allowed me to breathe.
My heart beat with a steady, unhurried rhythm. It was a pleasant pace, neither too fast nor too slow.
I curled up on the sofa and settled in. My eyes kept drifting shut. Every sensation in my body had grown languid and diffuse.
Blink. Blink.
Gradually, all sensation faded into distant obscurity. And so, I surrendered myself to deep slumber.
* * *
At that very moment, near Udeta at the distant boundary between earth and sky, the absolute being stirred and tilted its head in curiosity.
[…?]
An unusual aura had brushed against the senses it had opened to listen to prayers for the first time in ages.
[What is this? Something feels strange…?]
Something strange and fragmented drifted across the ground—right within the Temple that served him.
Minuscule, fragile, and utterly foreign in essence.
[Oh.]
A glimmer. Crimson violet flashed in an instant. Interest kindled.
* * *
I couldn’t gauge how many hours I’d slept. It felt as though I’d merely closed my eyes for a moment and opened them again….
As I stirred awake, the rosy twilight that had filled the room vanished, replaced by dense darkness settling over everything.
“Huh…?”
Darkness enveloped my surroundings entirely. Had the sun already set? I rose in confusion, my neck and shoulders stiff from sleeping curled up in that cramped position.
How much time had passed? Diego said he’d return in a couple of hours, and since he still hadn’t come back, it didn’t seem like too much time had elapsed.
I carefully felt my way along the table toward the desk. I remembered seeing a candlestick somewhere around here. Ah, there it is.
The moment I lit the candle, my vision flooded with brightness.
“Ugh, so bright.”
I squeezed my eyes shut, then opened them again. My head felt strangely foggy from just waking up.
I scanned the room with my eyes, sweeping across the desk and walls. There had to be a clock somewhere. It didn’t take long to find one. Exactly an hour and a half had passed since Diego left to pray.
An hour and a half meant his prayers likely weren’t finished yet.
Should I wait another thirty minutes? Or should I go out and visit the prayer chamber Diego had mentioned earlier?
I stood there deliberating for a moment. My mind was still somewhat foggy, but sleep had completely abandoned me.
—Alright. Let’s go to the prayer chamber! The decision came swiftly.
I peered into a small mirror hanging on the wall and tidied my hair. Strands stuck out haphazardly in all directions.
I eventually undid the braid I’d been wearing and arranged my hair loosely before moving forward.
There were no issues leaving the room and walking down the corridor. Nor in descending the spiraling staircase and passing through Believers’ Square, which I’d visited earlier in the day.
Candles illuminated the corridors and staircase, so it wasn’t particularly dark. I soon arrived at Believers’ Square, which I’d passed through before.
The square, which had been packed with Temple visitors during the day, now stood empty. Candlelight wavered with warm radiance, filling the entire plaza.
A gentle spring breeze drifted softly between the pillars. I hummed a quiet tune to myself as I hurried across the square.
Tap, tap. My footsteps echoed unusually loud amid the silence, broken only by the whisper of leaves rustling in the wind.
It was the moment I was about to leave Believers’ Square.
[-.]
A sudden ringing pierced my ears.
“…?”
My steps halted abruptly. What was that sound?

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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