I Will Buy Divine Power With Money! - Chapter 210
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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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There’s no reason to keep facing those unpleasant eyes.
I quickly turned my head away.
The door closed after the three people entered.
It meant that Bizra would not be attending the imperial party today.
“Welcome, everyone, to attending the final party of the Harvest Festival.”
The Emperor raised his champagne glass.
“There were truly many events during this Harvest Festival.”
Oh, how directly he brings it up.
Well, there were too many big incidents to hide.
“However, we ultimately achieved victory, and we could once again confirm that the gods are watching over this empire.”
The Emperor’s gaze swept over the children of the Three Patron Deities, including me.
I suppose he wants to take some credit for our achievements.
Does he think I’ll just let that slide? I need to collect payment for this too.
“From now on, this empire will spread its wings even wider under the gods’ will.”
The Emperor raised his champagne glass high.
People applauded and cheered enthusiastically.
“Glory to the Karnuss Empire!”
“May blessings fill the Imperial Palace!”
People finally smiled at the Emperor’s confident declaration.
The party began in earnest.
But somehow, things went differently than I expected.
“When I witnessed Lady Ordel’s prowess with my own eyes at the Temple of the Sun God two days ago, I was deeply moved. Thank you so much for saving us.”
People flocked to me instead of Idella, Airic, or Seth.
“Where will you go after the Harvest Festival ends, Lady Ordel? I understand you’re currently staying at Duke Sieri’s Mansion, but will you return to the Grand Temple?”
“Do you have any plans to stay at the Monastery Temple?”
Some people asked about my whereabouts.
“Your dress is absolutely stunning! Could I possibly know the name of your tailor?”
Others asked about my dress.
I can understand all of this so far…
“How does one go about serving Lady Ordel?”
“Do you need divine power to become Lady Ordel’s maid?”
But why are there young ladies wanting to become my maids…?
“Me, me too! I want to ask as well!”
“Do you absolutely need divine power to enter the Grand Temple?!”
There weren’t just one or two of them either.
Why me, when I’m not even a Holy Maiden and am known to have stepped down from that position?
“You don’t need divine power. Just faith toward the Sun God is enough. The Sun God’s Grand Temple is always open to all of you.”
However, my mouth, accustomed to business, moved automatically.
Why would I discourage people who want to become followers?
I smiled brightly and spread my arms wide.
“I’m still considering my plans after the Harvest Festival. It’s difficult to give you an answer here and now.”
I felt Rute staring intently at my face at my words.
I wasn’t trying to evade – I really hadn’t decided yet.
“Co-could I possibly have the opportunity to dance with you, Novice Priestess?”
That’s when it happened.
A young man shouted with a red face.
Everyone who had been chatting near me fell silent at once.
In the quiet silence, everyone looked back and forth between me and the young man.
It was really burdensome.
“Dance?”
“Yes! I-I was saved by Lady Ordel at the Temple of the Sun God. Ever since then, I haven’t been able to forget you…”
“…”
“I don’t ask for much! Just once, just once, couldn’t you give me the opportunity to dance?”
The young man pleaded with me, his face growing even redder.
I was stunned by his self-interested plea.
Can’t he see the man standing right next to me?
Can’t he feel that people are watching Rute’s reaction?
I haven’t done anything wrong, so why does this feel like sitting on a bed of thorns?
“Answer.”
At the voice that flowed out then, not only I but everyone around us flinched.
“You should answer. When someone is pleading so earnestly.”
Rute looked at me and gently closed his eyes.
However, unlike his brilliant smile, his silver-gray eyes were blazing fiercely.
That gaze was stronger than any words and terrifying.
“…I’m grateful for your words, but I’m afraid it would be difficult. I hope you’ll find another good connection.”
I politely declined his feelings.
Right now, Rute and I aren’t anything to each other, but even if this relationship continued, I have no intention of accepting another man.
There would be no man as special to me as Rute.
“I apologize for the intrusion…”
Fortunately, the young man didn’t persist and trudged away with a dejected face.
I could hear subtle sighs of relief from around us.
Right, everyone was relieved there wouldn’t be bloodshed at this party?
“Ahem, we’ve taken up too much of your time. We’ll be going now.”
“Have a pleasant party.”
Perhaps sensing instinctively that staying longer wouldn’t end well, people quickly dispersed.
Everyone’s quite fast at running away.
“Rute, I clearly rejected him.”
As soon as everyone left, I first tried to calm Rute down.
“I never had any intention of accepting from the start.”
“I know. There’s no man other than me who could satisfy you.”
Rute smiled at me.
It was different from the expression he wore when the young man asked for a dance – like a fox holding a rose in its mouth.
I was speechless at his blatantly seductive smile.
“Do you think I’m petty enough to get angry over a mere dance request?”
You are though. Why are you pretending otherwise?
“That’s natural. You’re beautiful and very strong. It would be stranger if men weren’t interested.”
Rute gripped my hand tightly.
“I was just a bit annoyed that your first dance request was stolen.”
“Huh?”
“Since you’re my partner, naturally I should be the first to ask you to dance.”
He sighed and stood before me.
“Miss Ordel. Please give me the honor of sharing the first dance with you.”
Then he bowed and kissed the back of my hand.
I felt the gazes of people who had left earlier rushing back to us.
“You know I can’t dance.”
When I whispered urgently, Rute answered with his lips still against my hand.
“It’s fine. No one will criticize you for being a poor dancer.”
What kind of nonsensical talk is that?
“And think about it carefully.”
Rute slightly raised his head and gestured somewhere with his eyes.
Following that gaze, I flinched and trembled.
My eyes met with the Crown Prince sitting in his seat.
“If we dance casually in front of the man who’s being wary of us, wouldn’t that turn his stomach upside down?”
…That’s actually a good idea?
This is Feliks, who attacked the Sun God’s Cathedral in the Capital only to fall victim to his own scheme.
And now we’re going to dance in front of him, and terribly at that?
This is going to be absolutely delightful!
“I gladly accept the Duke’s request.”
When I answered with a bright smile, Rute grinned back at me.
We clasped hands and hummed as we stood in the center of the hall.
Countless people’s gazes turned toward us, but right now I could only feel Feliks’s stare.
We slowly began our terrible dance steps.
People kept whispering about our improvised dance.
“What kind of dance is that? No matter how I look at it, that’s not a dance suitable for the court.”
“Could it be that Lady Ordel can’t dance?”
“Even so, at an Imperial party, what is that…”
“But think about it carefully. Her partner is Duke Siery.”
At someone’s single comment, everyone fell silent in unison.
It was Rute, who lived as he pleased regardless of the Imperial Palace or anything else.
That so many people would instantly quiet down at just his name – I finally burst into laughter.
“Both you and Lady Trisha, I understand why you live as you please. No matter what you do, everyone just accepts it as expected.”
“Of course. It’s incredibly convenient. So you should live that way too. Worrying about others’ opinions doesn’t suit you.”
That’s right.
He really knows me very well.
The surprising shout came just as we finished one song.
“Her Imperial Highness the Princess is arriving!”
People murmured at the attendant’s cry.
Rute and I also stopped moving.
“The Princess…”
Even the Emperor and Empress, who had been watching us with displeased eyes, suddenly rose from their seats.
At that moment, the door opened.
The Imperial Family’s door?
No, the central door of the banquet hall where nobles enter and exit.
People hesitantly stepped back.
Through the cleanly opened path, Bizra entered step by step.
Her jet-black hair was pinned up high, clearly revealing her face.
“I apologize for being late, Your Majesty.”
“Princess, how…”
“On this final party of the Harvest Festival, I wish to share joyful news with Your Majesty and everyone.”
I saw it.
Her two eyes looking directly at Feliks.
Her bright red lips curved into a radiant smile like a poisonous flower.
“I am the possessor of the Blessed Eyes.”
It was truly a declaration like a bolt from the blue.
“Ha!”
I couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh.
Amazing! To reveal it like this!
Feeling Bizra’s strong will to end things here, I almost doubled over with laughter.
Finally, Bizra had drawn her sword.
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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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