Do Heroes Need Welfare Too? - Chapter 156

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Part 2, Chapter 23

 

I recalled Aphene’s appearance and drew it to show him, but Adam remained silent.

 

After just a brief silence, he said thank you and that was it.

 

‘I don’t think I’m that bad at drawing…’

 

Probably?

 

I looked at Adam with a slightly sulky expression.

 

“Then I should ask you something too. What are you scheming with the Prince, no, His Majesty the Emperor? I heard you’ve been going back and forth to the Imperial Palace for the past few days. This is fresh hot news I just heard, so don’t think about lying.”

 

“Ah, you mean that.”

 

“And honestly, when the mage made me that proposal, I was tempted. It’s true. Adam keeps secrets, while the Mage Tower knows all the information.”

 

Adam quietly listened to my words, then looked surprised as if he hadn’t expected me to bring it up first.

 

But soon he regained his relaxed smile.

 

“If you wanted to go out that badly, you should have just said so, Eve.”

 

Adam nodded as if he understood completely.

 

Suddenly his eyes changed.

 

Adam, who had transformed back into a good person, took my hands in his.

 

Was he finally going to let me go out freely?

 

Everything Adam provided was luxurious, but it was true that I was starting to want to go out.

 

I had refrained from sneaking out several times, worried it might greatly affect Adam’s stress levels, but if he gave permission, that would solve everything.

 

“It’s fine to go out as long as you’re by my side.”

 

Huh? Why does it work that way?

 

That sounded like he was saying he wouldn’t let me out unless I was by his side.

 

“Actually, I remembered you once said you wanted to attend a glamorous ball. I’ve been preparing a ball for you, Eve.”

 

“…What?”

 

“I got caught red-handed.”

 

I felt a strange sense of déjà vu at Adam’s words.

 

But isn’t this progressing quite fast for something decided just a few days ago?

 

As if he had been waiting for this very moment.

 

It seemed like Adam had thrown bait, and I had eagerly taken it.

 

But Adam smiled brightly, oblivious to my burning anxiety.

 

“His Majesty has also graciously given permission.”

 

Of course, Judith thinks giving you everything still wouldn’t be enough…!

 

I frantically waved my hands as I spoke.

 

I had seen signs of this at the temple, but I never thought it would come to this!

 

I felt dazed as if I’d been hit on the back of the head.

 

From the beginning, Adam had planned to go to the ball with me!

 

Even if I hadn’t said anything, he surely would have made countless plans to take me along.

 

I frantically waved my hands.

 

To hold a ball just because of an offhand comment I made about wanting to see one, with no other reason?

 

I had even forgotten making that comment until Adam just mentioned it.

 

I didn’t know Adam remembered every single thing like that.

 

“No, there’s no need to go that far-”

 

“I’ve been waiting just to be with Eve. Please accept.”

 

“…”

 

It seemed like he was trying to dissuade me, but I needed to end the conversation to dismiss the mages who looked ready to turn to stone from embarrassment.

 

I slowly nodded my head.

 

Adam, who smiled brightly at my positive response, seemed like a different person from the one who had shown that cold reaction earlier.

 

He was definitely the Adam I liked.

 

Yet the strange sense of unease I felt was probably due to the three-year gap.

 

I didn’t raise Adam to be like this.

 

I had definitely planted a faithful and loyal Hero, but what grew seemed to be a different species entirely.

 

He smiled seductively with his eyes.

 

I deliberately avoided looking at his face.

 

Did he always smile so prettily? Or am I really wearing rose-colored glasses? I felt like I could never truly hate Adam, even if it killed me. A beautiful face was too dangerous.

 

Especially a smiling face.

 

Did Adam always smile so much?

 

Long ago, very long ago, I don’t think he smiled like that.

 

I felt like I couldn’t meet his eyes for fear of being enchanted.

 

But Adam smiled consistently as if he knew the reason.

 

* * *

 

Time flew by quickly and before I knew it, the day of the ball had arrived.

 

The ball that started with Adam’s small suggestion kept growing in scale. I could tell just by watching Adam disappear to the Imperial Palace every time.

 

Judith also seemed to be putting a lot of effort into it since it was the first major event he was organizing as Emperor.

 

It was even more so because he had ascended to the throne through rebellion rather than a normal succession.

 

Judith had to firmly impress upon the nobles that he was different from the previous Emperor who had committed tyranny.

 

The mistakes were made above, but innocent Judith had to clean up the mess. Life really seemed unfair.

 

But this was a time when Judith had to be even more careful, since there were people ready to replace him at the slightest mistake.

 

Two different imperial successors.

 

Judith, who would have normally inherited the throne peacefully, and Adam, the Former Emperor’s missing son and the Hero who had admirably saved the world.

 

More people supported the Hero who saved the world than the Prince who had been overshadowed by the Emperor’s tyranny, unable to shine even though the Emperor was wary of his own son.

 

Especially since it was Adam who had succeeded in the rebellion.

 

Many people were dissatisfied that Judith was the one wearing the new crown.

 

People who liked poetic justice naturally expected Adam to inherit the throne.

 

Without considering the parties’ positions, people constantly gossiped about them.

 

Meanwhile, an official Imperial ball was being held.

 

It couldn’t help but draw people’s attention.

 

Every noble in the capital who was well-informed about rumors would be paying attention.

 

This ball would be a very important occasion.

 

It was the venue where the Hero, no, the Son of the Former Emperor, who had been shrouded in mystery, would officially reveal himself.

 

While there had been those who met Adam secretly, it was for laying the groundwork for rebellion, so it wasn’t content they could speak about openly and proudly. In the end, it meant few people knew about Adam.

 

Also, Adam had suddenly disappeared after overthrowing the Emperor.

 

So the nobles must have been anxious.

 

They needed to assess their opponent, judge them to their liking, and choose sides, but Adam had cut off all contact first, as if uninterested in such things.

 

I could easily picture the faces of nobles who were flustered by receiving such treatment for the first time in their lives.

 

So as soon as Judith sent out invitations, all the nobles must have replied that they would attend the ball.

 

However, few truly considered Judith the Emperor, and most were attending to understand the Empire’s political situation. The nobles’ movements would change depending on Adam’s future actions.

 

In their minds, they probably thought Judith was just a puppet that Adam had set up.

 

So Adam’s role at the ball was important.

 

“Miss, let me help you get ready.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

And Iberis was also participating in this ball.

 

At first, she really didn’t plan to go.

 

Having stayed in a small village far from the capital, she couldn’t possibly know much about politics.

 

In that situation, being with Adam would only be a burden rather than help.

 

But Adam came on strong.

 

Iberis recalled last night’s events.

 

“Eve, would you be my dance partner for the ball?”

 

Adam said with a bright smile.

 

Late in the evening, Adam asked her as she was preparing for bed.

 

He had suddenly asked her to be his partner while she was worrying about the upcoming ball.

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