Do Heroes Need Welfare Too? - Chapter 157

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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 24

 

“…Together with me?”

 

Iberis asked, unable to hide his bewilderment.

 

He had clearly seen the countless letters from noblewomen flying to the mansion until yesterday.

 

The maids had tirelessly delivered letters piled high on silver trays to him without rest.

 

The letters that had gathered would surely have been enough to fill Adam’s desk completely.

 

However, Adam said with drooping eyebrows.

 

“There’s no one who wants to be my dance partner at the ball.”

 

Adam smiled slightly while lowering his head.

 

No matter how you looked at it, it wasn’t the face of someone heartbroken over having no partner.

 

Iberis was confused. Even more so because he knew the identity of the countless letters he had secretly seen last night.

 

“And since this is my first time standing before so many people alone, I’m nervous. If Eve were by my side, it would be a great support.”

 

Adam said as he carefully took Iberis’s hand and kissed it.

 

It was a gentle and courteous gesture.

 

Iberis briefly pondered whether to take his hand or not.

 

“And Eve, you know too. Through this ball, I might end up making enemies of the temple… But if even Eve isn’t there, I’ll truly be isolated without any allies.”

 

As if knowing her concerns, Adam added.

 

When he said this much, what person could cruelly refuse?

 

Adam was currently at the center of attention more than anyone else in the Empire.

 

And as long as she attended as his partner, Iberis knew she would also have to endure people’s piercing stares.

 

“…I understand.”

 

Even so, she couldn’t refuse Adam. It would be more accurate to say she didn’t want to refuse.

 

Until then, she had been thinking complacently that it was just a small ball.

 

She should have noticed when Adam was smiling mysteriously!

 

As time passed, she realized that Adam had deceived her.

 

A small ball, my foot.

 

How could a ball attended by the Elderly High Priest and even the new Emperor be just for show?

 

But when she realized his truth, it was already far too late. Once again, she had fallen perfectly into Adam’s plan.

 

As she was being dressed up in a daze, she gradually recalled the time when she was being prepared to go to the Imperial Palace.

 

‘The atmosphere was completely opposite back then.’

 

It seemed like they were reluctantly dressing up someone who didn’t suit the occasion, showing no enthusiasm.

 

Rather than focusing on dressing her up, they might have been more focused on tormenting her.

 

It was the complete opposite of their attitude back then, when they were leading her to exhaust herself.

 

Now the maids weren’t making sullen faces at all; instead, they were more excited themselves, bringing items with sparkling eyes and asking.

 

“Lady Iberis, how about this jewel?”

 

“There’s also this necklace. The Hero personally obtained it.”

 

“It has a large golden diamond embedded in it, so it’s truly beautiful.”

 

The maids explained in bright voices.

 

Rather, they seemed even more excited as they lifted boxes to show her, speaking as if boasting. Iberis smiled awkwardly even at the maids’ explanations.

 

So this was what Adam had been doing when he kept disappearing – buying these jewels.

 

She hadn’t even known of the jewels’ existence until today. The jewel boxes that Adam had secretly collected continued to fill the room.

 

The maids said that Adam cherished her greatly, but Iberis smiled wryly.

 

‘Adam is just kind to everyone though…’

 

Iberis lightly grasped the hem of her dress and spun around lightly as the maids instructed.

 

The pearl powder scattered on the bottom of the dress sparkled as it caught the light.

 

“So beautiful!”

 

“When the Hero sees you, you’ll be so beautiful he won’t be able to take his eyes off you.”

 

The maids did their best.

 

Wearing a dress more splendid than she could have ever imagined before, Iberis stood in front of the full-length mirror the maids had brought.

 

Her appearance in the mirror was familiar now. It no longer felt foreign, as if it had truly become her body.

 

Rather, if she returned to her original world, it seemed like she would have even more trouble adapting.

 

Finally, the maid who tied up her hair with a black ribbon showed a satisfied expression.

 

Just then, a knock was heard.

 

Adam had arrived.

 

“Eve.”

 

Upon seeing him, Iberis felt all her various thoughts fly away.

 

‘Handsome men are the best!’

 

Adam with his hair neatly styled looked different from usual.

 

He too had been carefully dressed by the maids since today was an important day. His already radiant appearance, having gone through the hands of artisans, was so beautiful she couldn’t take her eyes off him.

 

Wasn’t Adam exactly the kind of man who suited the modifier “beautiful” best?

 

Iberis found herself unconsciously captivated by Adam, quietly watching him.

 

Adam approached and took her hand, briefly kissing the back of it.

 

“Today will truly be a wonderful day.”

 

Iberis nodded.

 

As she got into the carriage with him, the carriage slowly ran through the night streets.

 

Iberis quietly observed the streets outside.

 

Adam spoke just before they arrived at the Imperial Palace.

 

“Today, don’t think about the Demon King, the Hero, or anything else – just enjoy yourself.”

 

Soon the carriage arrived at the Imperial Palace. Adam, who got out of the carriage first, extended his hand.

 

Though Adam said that, he was actually anxious inside.

 

‘Will it really be okay?’

 

She had spent three years in a small village unrelated to the capital.

 

Though she had lived away from the capital, the humiliation she suffered from the Emperor still remained deep within her.

 

The mocking nobles, the nobles whispering while watching them…

 

And even the contemptuous gazes.

 

‘No, this has nothing to do with Adam.’

 

Anyway, these were people she’d never see again, so she shouldn’t be depressed still.

 

Fearing that fragments of past memories she had barely forgotten might resurface, Iberis nervously fidgeted only with her white gloves.

 

When she secretly looked down from the stairs overlooking the ballroom, the hall seemed almost full of nobles.

 

Only then did the privileges of royalty, which hadn’t properly hit her until now, suddenly sink in.

 

These were things Adam had never been able to enjoy until now.

 

Iberis looked up at Adam.

 

As if he wouldn’t let go no matter what happened, Adam held her hand tightly. Even though no warmth could be transmitted through the gloves, Iberis slowly felt her tension ease from that sensation.

 

And then familiar faces appeared.

 

‘The priests are coming too.’

 

Whether it was Adam’s consideration, or contrary to her expectations, they were high-ranking figures in the temple.

 

Those who appeared before Iberis were familiar faces.

 

Among the priests, the first to break away from them and run over was none other than Meriel.

 

As soon as she saw Iberis, she smiled brightly and grabbed her hands.

 

It was behavior that completely ignored Adam beside her.

 

She was even secretly pushing Adam away with her elbow.

 

“Lady Iberis, you were always beautiful, but today you’re exceptionally splendid. Won’t all the young men cause a commotion?”

 

When Meriel spoke with exaggerated excitement, the priest beside her shook his head.

 

“Would our Hero just stand by? He might threaten to pluck out all their eyes.”

 

“Our Lady Iberis should know the truth too, but she’s too blinded by love, so…”

 

The priest duo said while dabbing at non-existent tears with handkerchiefs.

 

Even at 1 decibel, it was clearly aimed at her.

 

Excuse me, I don’t fawn over Adam that much, do I?

 

But thanks to that, her tension seemed to ease a little.

 

Iberis chuckled softly.

 

However, her face was still pale, so Adam knelt on one knee to meet her gaze.

 

“Eve-”

 

“I’m fine.”

 

But Iberis spoke up faster than Adam could.

 

Iberis, who had raised her head, had a composed expression unlike before.

 

She had finished preparing herself mentally.

 

After all, it was Judith who had prepared the ball, and no matter how the nobles inside gossiped, as long as Adam was okay, that was all that mattered.

 

If she became his firm ally, nothing would happen. In the first place, she had agreed to attend as his partner for Adam’s sake.

 

Yet here she was, frightened by memories of the past all by herself. She felt a bit embarrassed.

 

Iberis stood up energetically from her spot and extended her arm toward Adam, who was standing there blankly.

 

“Adam, let’s go.”

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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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