Chapter 25
This is not enough.
Ian’s gaze remained as cold and sharp as winter frost.
I leaned in and whispered again.
“And please think of me… as, um… a cake, or a macaron, or something like that.”
“…What are you talking about?”
Haaah. I blinked rapidly in frustration.
When Rashid was around, he could act possessively so naturally, so why had Ian suddenly become so stiff? Come to think of it, he was surprisingly inconsistent.
“Seriously, just look at me like I’m a delicate rose blooming gently in your hands!”
“….”
Ian’s eyes filled with utter disbelief.
Ugh, this is hopeless.
I quickly gave up on Ian, who was especially out of sync today.
At this rate, I’d have to make sure the noble ladies couldn’t see Ian’s expression instead.
I reached out and lightly pulled his arm, trying to adjust our angle—
“Ah?”
From earlier in the day, after exercising for the first time in a while, my body had been aching all day. And then, suddenly, a cramp struck.
Before I could react, my body tilted forward.
“Ahhh!”
I’m falling!
Instinctively, I reached out to save myself.
The next moment, instead of my forehead smashing into the dirt—
I hit something solid with a thud.
“…What are you doing?”
Ian’s dumbfounded voice came from above me.
There was a nice scent.
When I came to my senses, I realized my face was buried in Ian’s chest.
“Eek! S-sorry!”
I hurriedly tried to pull away, but my unbalanced body only slipped further.
No, it almost slipped.
A strong arm locked around me, holding me firmly in place.
Now I was practically hanging onto Ian with my whole body, frozen stiff.
“Are you drunk?”
His voice sounded like a sigh, and my cheeks burned red.
“I mean… I got a cramp in my leg muscles… just for a moment—ah!”
The more I tried to regain my balance in panic, the more I stumbled.
Worse, the cursed cramp wouldn’t go away, and my calf throbbed painfully.
Please, just cooperate, you stubborn body!
“Oh my.”
“It’s hot. So hot!”
Excited whispers came from behind us.
My face turned even redder. The noble ladies were watching this disgrace.
“Oh my, his arm is wrapping around her waist!”
“Ahhh, it’s like a painting.”
“Such a passionate embrace… oh my, it’s warm. Very warm.”
If I left them alone, they’d start eating boiled eggs off that scene.
Though I was mortified by their chatter, the objective seemed to be achieved.
The goal was for Ian and me to appear like a passionate couple.
“This makes questioning difficult.”
Ian’s low murmur reached my ears.
“…Is he only going easy on me because I’m injured?”
If I hadn’t fallen, he might have interrogated me for staring at the “angelic feet” earlier.
I quickly changed my mindset and went limp in his arms.
Like a patient who had seriously twisted an ankle.
After arriving at the healing clinic, the priest examined me with a puzzled expression but treated my muscle cramp without complaint.
I silently offered condolences for the waste of divine power.
A few days later.
Finally, the day of the decisive event arrived.
I woke up in my bedroom and steeled my resolve.
‘I will pass the inspection. No matter what. And survive!’
After going through so much just to survive, it would be ridiculous to die now.
I reviewed my plan once more.
No flaws. At least in theory.
In practice, it would be a one-shot attempt. If I failed, everything would be over.
With the mindset of a general heading into war, I stood up.
The weather today was unbelievably perfect.
“Th-this… what is all this?”
I stared in shock at the clothes filling an entire wall of the dressing room.
“These are traditional garments of the Elune Church, Lady Irene.”
Lucian kindly explained.
I was shocked again.
I had to wear all of this?
“Why are there so many strings… and so many layers to wrap around?”
The white and gold garments were beautifully designed.
But this is too much!
If I put all this on, I wouldn’t even be able to walk.
“It’s not something you wear all the time. Today is a special occasion.”
Leaning against the wall, Ian spoke slowly.
Even in the morning, his face was flawless without a trace of swelling.
I stole a glance at his ceremonial outfit.
Dressed in pure white robes, he looked unrealistically handsome.
‘He really does look holy when it comes to appearance…’
Even though his expression was languid and indifferent, like a carefree noble.
Ian shrugged.
“If possible, it’s better to look dignified and saint-like for the first impression. Well… in terms of dignity, both you and I are questionable anyway.”
‘This guy…’
So that’s why he came along this morning—just to irritate me.
I clenched my fist secretly and turned back to the clothes.
“Don’t worry, Lady Irene. I will help you dress.”
Joan spoke up.
I looked at her like I had found a savior.
“Really?! You know how to put all of this on?”
“Yes. Learning traditional dress is mandatory training when joining the Holy Knight Order.”
“I see! Then please help me!”
Joan nodded calmly and looked at the men.
At her silent dismissal, Lucian and even Ian left the room without complaint.
I was slightly impressed by Joan’s commanding presence.
I undressed and began putting on the layers with Joan and Anette’s help.
It took a long time. Longer than expected.
Forty minutes had already passed when I checked the clock.
I looked down at Joan struggling with the strings around my waist.
‘She seems… to be having trouble?’
Even if she had learned it, she probably rarely wore such elaborate clothing as a knight.
Even with Anette helping, things didn’t improve much.
“I’m sorry, Lady Irene… I’m not good with my hands…”
Anette apologized with a tearful expression.
I shook my head. Even after reading Lucian’s instructions, it was still hard to understand.
Especially the knots! I had never seen anything so complicated in my life.
But eventually, we finished dressing.
“Wow.”
I gasped at my reflection.
Soft gold light flowing over pure white fabric.
The elegant dress wrapped in multiple layers looked like butterfly wings.
Instead of being heavy, the headpiece was a simple band decorated with gems, sparkling beautifully.
“Wow… it’s really pretty.”
“It suits you well.”
“You look absolutely beautiful, Lady Irene!”
I turned once in front of the mirror, admiring myself.
All my earlier complaints about the outfit disappeared.
‘It really does look like a saint.’
Right now, I had an air of dignity like Ian.
After gaining confidence, I smiled triumphantly.
When I opened the dressing room door, Ian widened his eyes slightly.
I straightened my chest proudly. His reaction confirmed that I was wearing it well.
Ian slowly approached me.
He stopped right in front of me and silently looked down.
…It suddenly became awkward.
‘What is this?’
Was he suddenly feeling religious devotion toward my saintly appearance?
Regretting how he had threatened me before?
Thinking he should treat me more respectfully now…?
“Here.”
Ian reached out.
I held my breath.
“W-what is it?”
“The shoulder strap is not tied properly.”
Ah.
I lowered my head slightly, then stiffened.
Ian wordlessly adjusted the strap.
“The knot is a mess.”
His low voice tickled my ear.
A faint scent came from him.
Something like herbs… or wind.
The close presence of his body made me blink unconsciously.
‘Now that I think about it, even in the rose garden I thought he smelled nice.’
Just remembering that made things even more awkward.
Unable to endure it, I spoke.
“Do you use perfume?”
“…Pardon?”
