Chapter 30
The salon was still in the middle of a heated discussion about “lucky colors.”
Everyone looked at me with desperate eyes, asking what their color was.
Seeing people this worked up over a trend that had gone out of style long ago in modern Korea felt a little amusing.
But I wasn’t a personal color consultant. There was no way I could individually find a matching color for all of them.
“Everyone, calm down.”
Cordelia said sharply, placing her glass down with a click and a composed expression.
“Lady Irene will feel pressured. Divine power is not something that conveniently manifests whenever you wish. I don’t go around infusing my power into tea for everyone either.”
“Oh, right… I’m sorry, Lady Irene.”
“We were being thoughtless.”
At Cordelia’s dignified rebuke, everyone quickly quieted down.
Cordelia cleared her throat lightly and spoke to me.
“Since we’re on the topic of tea, how is it? Lady Irene.”
“The tea?”
I looked down at the cup I had been casually sipping.
I didn’t know much about tea, but now that I thought about it, it did feel more fragrant and smoother than usual.
I honestly shared my impression.
“It smells very floral. What kind of flowers were used?”
“Oh? Are you curious?”
A brief flash of delight crossed Cordelia’s eyes.
She quickly returned to her dignified expression and covered her mouth with a fan.
“Well, it’s nothing special. I simply added a single petal from a flower I grew myself. Not a large amount.”
What?
I stared wide-eyed at the teacup.
Only now did it feel different. This was tea infused with the Saint’s power!
“Incredible. It’s an honor, Lady Cordelia.”
“Honor, really. Hm. It’s nothing that special.”
She looked away proudly while fanning herself.
“I did put quite a lot of effort into growing that flower. Not that it matters.”
“You even served me something you worked so hard to grow. I’m truly moved, Lady Cordelia.”
“It’s… not that big of a deal.”
She kept fanning herself more quickly now.
I took another sip.
Maybe it was placebo, but I genuinely felt energy rising from deep inside my body.
“I feel full of energy already.”
“W-what? There’s no way you could feel effects that quickly.”
Cordelia waved her fan faster, as if dismissing it.
“Aden, I also feel energized from your tea.”
Aden casually joined in.
Cordelia blinked in surprise.
“Huh? I didn’t have enough petals infused with divine power for Aden’s tea…”
Aden’s face stiffened noticeably.
“I’m sorry. I used them all for Lady Irene. But yours is also brewed with good leaves, so it should still be effective.”
“Of course… I understand. It smells excellent.”
Aden replied through clenched teeth.
Then he looked at me, his gaze not exactly warm.
Honestly, he needed better expression control if he wanted to keep his “handsome” reputation intact.
Otherwise, next year’s “Flower of Rehat” title was going to slip away.
“Oh, by the way, did you hear?”
One of the noble ladies suddenly brightened.
“The Magic Tower invented another toy.”
I nearly choked at the mention of the Magic Tower.
“Oh, you mean the portable fireworks kit? It’s fascinating! You draw on paper and it launches fireworks in that exact shape!”
“My younger sibling kept begging for it. I even sent a servant to the Magic Tower, but there was such a long line.”
“The current Grand Magus is probably rolling in money by now.”
“Such a shame, though. Even that much money can’t fix a face full of… well, rumors.”
Huh?
I blinked.
“What? A face full of…?”
“I heard it’s covered in scales.”
“No, I heard it’s severe age spots.”
“You’re all wrong. I heard it’s a huge hooked nose, and he always wears a mask because of insecurity.”
Hmm.
I listened as rumors bounced around like ping-pong balls and slowly turned toward Rey.
Rey Monahan—Rizello—smiled innocently as he listened.
“Is that so? A hooked nose. Interesting.”
He even chimed in like that.
I looked at his sharp, perfectly straight nose and suppressed a laugh.
What a thick face.
Only he in the world could enjoy listening to people badmouth him right in front of him.
The current Grand Magus, Rizello Romulus, was famous for never removing his mask.
Because of that, all sorts of rumors had spread.
One of the ladies concluded dramatically.
“Anyway, with that much power and wealth, why is he still unmarried? There must be something huge hidden under that mask! Lady Irene, don’t you think so?”
“Me?”
Everyone turned to look at me.
Even Rizello.
The lady pressed again.
“Isn’t it obvious? There must be some fatal flaw in his appearance. That’s the only reason he’s unmarried.”
“I’m not really sure…”
Why are you asking me?
I could feel Rizello’s gaze and broke into a cold sweat.
If I agreed with something like “He must be extremely ugly,” I felt like I might not make it home safely tonight.
“Well… I don’t really know if the Grand Magus’s reasons for not marrying are related to appearance. I don’t particularly judge people by looks.”
Silence.
The atmosphere froze.
A few seconds later, the lady who had asked me spoke with a slightly twisted expression.
“Haha… I see, Lady Irene. So you don’t judge by appearance… even though you’re engaged to Lord Ian.”
“Th-that’s reassuring… ha… haha…”
Something felt very wrong.
I tried to recover quickly.
“Actually, my ideal type is someone kind and gentle-looking. Like a puppy type, if I had to say.”
Silence again.
“…So you’re engaged to a handsome man who doesn’t match your type… that must be difficult.”
“That’s so… reassuring… ha ha ha…”
The reaction was still cold.
I dug my own grave again.
Realizing my mistake, I quickly changed tactics.
“But, when it comes to fate, ideal types don’t really matter.”
“Oh my!”
“The first meeting, you mean the one where Lady Irene was kidnapped and Lord Ian rescued you?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
As I spoke shyly, everyone’s eyes lit up with interest.
I began recounting our “first meeting story” as we had agreed beforehand.
Ian dramatically saving me from a falling carriage, asking, “Are you alright, my lady?”—by that point, everyone was ready to applaud.
“Lord Ian is truly the perfect knight!”
“A role model for all knights!”
What role model, really.
Remembering how he had casually mocked my posture yesterday made me scoff inwardly.
What kind of knight treats a lady like that?
“Such a romantic story, Lady Irene.”
“You two really are the hottest couple in the empire.”
“Half the capital will attend your wedding!”
“…Half?”
I blinked.
I knew it would be grand, but half the capital?
Wouldn’t the venue collapse?
“Oh right, the wedding is only a week away. You must be excited.”
“We’re all excited too.”
“Nervous, too, right?”
“Nervous… yes, very.”
I nodded stiffly.
I was already nervous, and now I was twice as nervous.
Everyone nodded knowingly.
“Of course. Rehat Empire’s wedding culture is… as you know, a bit mischievous.”
“It’s an outdated tradition.”
Yet their eyes were sparkling with anticipation.
“…Right?”
I glanced at Cordelia for help.
But surprisingly, she avoided my gaze.
“Such an improper tradition still exists… Hm. It’s unfortunate, Lady Irene.”
Her cheeks were slightly red.
What is this wedding culture?
What do they do at weddings in this country?
I was suddenly filled with dread.
The gathering slowly began to break up.
As people started leaving one by one, I glanced at Rizello.
He was calmly preparing to leave.
“Then I will take my leave. Thank you for the invitation, Lady Cordelia.”
He bowed with perfect manners.
Several noble ladies blushed secretly at his graceful demeanor.
Cordelia received his farewell and saw him off.
Is he really leaving like this?
I stood beside Cordelia and also saw him off.
“It was an honor speaking with you today, Lady Irene.”
He bowed politely to me as well.
Nothing in his tone suggested any hidden message.
Guess it’s impossible to pass secret notes in a crowd like this.
Just as he passed me, a subtle touch brushed my hand.
I instinctively clenched my fist.
As Rizello walked by, a secretly passed note crumpled inside my palm.
