Chapter 21

#021 Why are you here? (3)

On the day of the Spring Ball.

Now that I think about it, I was too complacent.

The royal tailors, who arrived at Juliette Palace at 9 a.m., began a rigorous fitting by pinning dozens of pins into the perfectly fine fabric.

It felt like I was watching "Project Runway" right in front of me.

Even though I was supposed to be a "non-attendee" of the ball.

"Looks like the saying 'a face that can fly' is used in situations like this."

In response to the butler's ambiguous words, which I couldn't tell if they were a typo or a compliment, I gave an awkward smile.

The other butlers who helped me dress covered their mouths and seemed delighted.

Well, as long as someone was happy...

"Prince Yeseo, could you please stretch your arms out to the sides?"

At the request of the head of the costume department, or rather, the royal tailor, I obediently spread my arms.

This was the first time I wore the bishop's uniform.

While the Prince Yeseo before my possession might have worn it, for me, it was the first time.

"There are no missing details, and despite the somewhat rushed production, it fits you well. And as this friend said, you really bring out the best in the clothes. Magnificent!"

The head, who wore thin-rimmed glasses perched on his nose, showed me the thick book of the Church's ceremonial attire.

The bishop's uniform had minimal embroidery but was predominantly gold, making it quite splendid.

The only thing white was the undergarment.

"Look at the next and the following pages; purple is a color only the Pope can wear."

"Indeed."

I knew that fact.

"But since the prince already possesses a sapphire, there could be no more symbolic choice. It's splendid!"

It took me about three seconds to understand what he meant.

The purple of my eyes, which had received the 'Blessing of the Lord,' matched the outfit well.

The head then complained about how difficult it was to secure the highest-quality gold brocade for this season.

It was our first meeting, yet he had an incredible affinity.

-Knock knock

"Come in."

So I responded to the knock faster than anyone else.

If I kept listening to this person, I would be drained before even going to confession.

"Prince, it's time to leave."

The one who came to rescue me was Béngem.

The head insisted it was really the last thing and placed a large bishop's hat on my head.

Contrary to the outfit, it had a white base with gold decorations.

"As you know, the bishop's uniform is enchanted with special magic. You won't feel heat, cold, or heaviness. It also absorbs the impact of a moving carriage. This hat won't fall off until you take it off yourself."

Wow, I didn't know that. I was worried about how I would handle this thickness in mid-April, but it was a relief.

"But the inherent discomfort of the clothes is unavoidable. For today, just close your eyes and think of yourself as the best clothes hanger."

He said firmly.

I was still human until breakfast, but now I had to become an inanimate object, which made me a bit sad.

*

I declared that I would not attend the Spring Ball and would instead fulfill my role as a confessor.

The Emperor and the Cardinal accepted my opinion, so I thought everything was fine.

I believed I could enjoy peace while the royal family and nobles had their fun.

But.

"I guess I thought it was too easy."

"Prince..."

Kanael looked at me with pity.

After washing myself thoroughly in the morning, the scent of my shampoo vibrated in the swaying carriage.

Béngem blamed himself for not explaining in more detail, but in retrospect, it was natural for things to turn out this way.

Many nobles would arrive in the evening to coincide with the ball's start time, but there were also many who wouldn't give up the spring outing course of visiting the palace gardens early and confessing to the prince of the Holy Kingdom.

The Emperor had anticipated all of this and sent the costume department people to transform me into a presentable state from the morning.

Indeed, the scope of thinking for a politician was different.

I was only worrying about what to have for lunch today...

"Prince, we are about to arrive at the palace chapel."

"But I don't see the chapel."

I replied, flustered.

At this distance, the chapel's main gate should have been clearly visible, but due to the lined-up carriages, only the top of the building was barely in sight.

The parking situation was dire.

"Someone even parked diagonally across the street..."

I heard Kanael trying to suppress a laugh at my muttering.

As I was escorted by the coachman and stepped out of the carriage, the knights guarding the chapel bowed to me one by one.

The heavy main doors then opened. I took a small breath.

The dozens of pairs of eyes that had been lingering indoors suddenly focused on me.

*

...Maybe I should have just gone to the ball?

No, that's not it. I need to pull myself together. I slowly raised my hand and lightly slapped my cheek.

Even if I was exhausted, it was better than being in the same space as Kristel and the prince.

If I endured for just one day, I could avoid both of them, so I shouldn't have weak thoughts just because it was a bit difficult.

"Prince, are you okay? We'll prepare a bath for you as soon as we return to the palace."

"You've worked hard, Prince. Go and rest well."

"You both have worked hard too..."

Kanael and Béngem led me out of the chapel.

In truth, I was more mentally exhausted than physically.

Even though the sacrament of confession involved more listening than speaking, and I had eaten two solid meals, my head was throbbing.

It must have been purely due to stress, not because I used too much ether.

"Kanael, what time is it?"

"It's 8:35."

"Thanks."

The appointment time with the Duchess of Sarnes, who was to meet me at the Juliette Palace, was 9:00.

I thought if I returned to my room around 8:30, I wouldn't run into her by chance, but it was fortunate that the plan worked out.

"Really, next time I should just pretend to be sick and skip it."

"Yes, that would be better."

Béngem supported me. I chuckled and moved toward the carriage.

My body was stiff from the uncomfortable clothes I had to wear all day.

The confessions of the nobles proceeded similarly to those of the palace workers, except that the confessors were dressed better and used more refined words.

And except for the fact that someone was staring at me intently and the frequency of troublemakers was a bit higher...

The flow itself was similar.

"At the end, someone even asked me to name their child."

The two of them widened their eyes at my words.

"They wanted a middle name for their daughter. They didn't have anything to confess, but they wanted to give the name I came up with to their child."

Kanael shook his head. Béngem sighed.

Since the tip of the four-year-old 'Sophie's' plump tail had a white stripe, I remembered her and gave her the middle name 'Zinedine,' hoping she would grow up to be a great person.

It seemed like an excellent choice since the imperial people used French names.

"Then we'll take you to Juliette Palace, Prince."

The palace coachman approached and opened the carriage door. I nodded and stepped onto the platform.

Or rather, I tried to step onto it.

"Béngem, that..."

I pointed. I was so tired that I thought I was seeing things.

But the situation on the other side of the street was undeniable.

Béngem's eyes widened as he followed my finger.

Kanael was equally surprised.

"Lord Divine?"

A dazed question slipped out of the boy's mouth.

From the ground, thick vines were growing toward the left end balcony of Strada Palace.

They looked about the size of an adult man's waist.

The sound of the vines pushing through the nearby grass and shrubs reached us.

"..."

Yes, it was real, not an illusion.

I climbed into the carriage without hesitation.

The area around the chapel was dark, so I might as well have not seen it.

Whether this lesser panda had not left the palace or a new divine creature had appeared, it had nothing to do with me.

"Shall we go?"

"Yes, yes."

Everyone moved quickly at my somewhat cold voice.

As Kanael and Béngem took their seats, the coachman approached to close the carriage door.

That's when it happened.

-Rumble

"..."

The pitiful cry of the lesser panda pierced everyone's ears. I closed my eyes tightly.

I had suffered through the confessions of the nobles all day, and now, after struggling to avoid going to that palace, I was about to leave.

If the author had a conscience, they wouldn't torment me like this.

-Squeak

Whether the creature was hungry or sick, it wasn't my problem.

There were many royals and nobles inside, so they would handle it.

Since it was a divine creature, they wouldn't kill it. At worst, they would confine it and show it around before sending it to a better place.

"Just leave," I said.

-Squeak, squeak, squeak

I suddenly stood up from my seat.

If this were a web novel with me as the protagonist, I might have left a comment saying, "The plot is as sweet potato-like as ever. I'm out."

But in reality, I was getting out of the carriage. Damn it.

*

-Squeak

"Hey, bro. Long time no see."

The vines, which had grown rapidly, were now entwined around the balcony railing.

I used the thick stems as a foothold and easily reached the scene.

I came here because this was the left end balcony of Strada Palace. If it had been the 'right end' balcony where the Duchess wanted to meet me, I would have clenched my teeth and left.

"Prince, are you okay?"

"Divine creatures are not ordinary animals; only those who possess ether can tame them. You two, quietly inform His Eminence the Cardinal. Hurry."

Below, the palace guards and Béngem were having a serious conversation.

The soldiers, who had no manual for what to do when a divine creature appeared in the garden, seemed greatly flustered.

If it weren't for the fact that the bishop's uniform absorbed the impact of a moving carriage, they would never have sent me up here.

"Bro, you don't have anything to eat, right? Do you want to come with me?"

I extended my hand through the railing.

Fortunately, it was the same lesser panda I had taken care of before.

I remembered it because one of its plump tail stripes was white.

The lesser panda tilted its head at the sight of me.

Beyond the half-open balcony door, the beautiful music and the murmur of people could be heard.

-Squeak

"Alright. Come this way. Let's spend the night together."

I planned to take this creature to Cardinal Boutier first thing in the morning.

Then, whether it turned out well or badly, she would handle it.

I stretched out my arm and activated the sanctuary.

The lesser panda, sensing the flow of golden ether, rubbed its round nose against my palm, twitching its whiskers.

A sigh of relief escaped me. It was almost over.

-Tap

At that moment, a black shoe tip entered my field of vision, which was filled with the lesser panda.

I slowly raised my head.

The person I met was a stranger, yet I couldn't help but recognize him.

"What are you doing here?"

At the familiar baritone, a conversation I had with Eunseo strangely came to mind.

It was as vivid as if it were playing through headphones.

"Eunseo, you say you hate the male lead, but why do you always talk about him? Do you actually like him?"

"No, I don't... It's because of his face! Face, face, face!"

At that time, my sister's expression was like that of Nam Moon-hee shouting, "Sweet potato!"

Eunseo always maintained a cynical attitude toward the male lead, 'Tae Gyeong,' while praising his appearance.

The phrase "a face like the Louvre but a personality like a chaotic blues" was a typical example.

But now, I could directly contradict her words.

"..."

The man, who alternated his gaze between me and the lesser panda, furrowed his brow slightly.

"..."

"It seems the divine creature has awakened."

His face, which harmoniously blended classical and modern beauty, was closer to the Musée d'Orsay than the Louvre.

His deep, black hair and garnet-like eyes dominated the space.

The second person I had to avoid at all costs.

The main male lead of "I Quit My Job and Became a Noble of Another World." Cédric Liester.