Chapter 32

#032 Think of it as a picnic (1)

"Then this is your first time participating with me."

Kristel spoke. I was listening absent-mindedly and suddenly stopped eating my bread.

So, right now...

"That's right. Cedric isn't just going to watch. His goal is probably to win."

Cardinal Boutier explained gently.

I glanced at her and then at Kristel, who was sitting next to me.

"Is Princess Sarnez also participating in the monster extermination?"

At my question, Kristel smiled brightly with her light gray eyes.

"Yes. I've decided to announce my intention to become a holy knight at the monster hunting tournament. It's also a good opportunity to showcase my abilities."

It's a sound strategy.

Announcing her intention to become a holy knight with just a single line or a simple statement would have less impact than demonstrating her power in front of many nobles gathered for the monster extermination.

With the support of the royal family and starting with a public service activity like monster hunting, it would be easier to present herself.

'She could be the first blessing bestowed by the gods in the barren land of holy knights.'

"That's great."

I said.

It seemed that the real story between Kristel and Prince Cedric was finally beginning.

Of course, I thought they must have had a good time at the spring ball, but that was their first meeting. The real story of love and adventure would likely unfold during the monster extermination.

Whenever Eunseo mentioned them, she would get furious and insist they should break up immediately, but to me, they seemed quite well-suited.

Kristel nodded and continued.

"That's why I've met many priests these past few days. I was hoping to find someone who could be my partner until the end of the monster extermination."

She paused and looked at me.

"But it's been difficult to find someone who meets the criteria. The archbishops are usually too busy, and the bishops find it hard to accompany me to the extermination. The more proactive ones... are mostly more interested in their own advancement."

It wasn't surprising.

Archbishops and bishops are busy managing their dioceses or involved in political maneuvering, so they would be hesitant to spend time on a princess who might not even become a holy knight.

The priests who want to invest in Kristel are more interested in forming connections with the Sarnez family than in her growth.

"While they say it's a good thing for the empire to have a holy knight, many people are calculating the feasibility and it's exhausting."

Kristel muttered softly, "I'm tired of all that."

I quickly checked the cardinal's reaction, but she seemed to be drinking coffee and hadn't heard.

Only I know the true nature of this protagonist...

"So, if the prince is willing, and if His Majesty and Your Eminence allow it..."

At this ominous opening, I quickly buried my face in my teacup.

The sweet anise tea felt like a death sentence.

"I would like to request that you be my partner until next month. After I receive my official appointment, I can find another partner."

"......I'm quite expensive. I have a large amount of high-quality ether and, as you can see, I'm a royal priest."

Fortunately, my voice didn't tremble.

I maintained a brazen expression and didn't look at her.

Stay calm, I can refuse, and I can be refused.

"I'll pay. How much would you need?"

No, you know that line? Excuse me, but the age of the person you're possessed by...

"I need a lot of money."

"Name your price."

"......Two million per month?"

Two million francs was the amount I received monthly from the Liester royal family.

It was the largest sum I could think of on the spot.

According to Bézamain and Ganelon, it was enough to buy a magnificent mansion in the outskirts of the capital or even build one with a lake view.

Even as the daughter of the Duke of Sarnez, she couldn't decide to spend that much money on her own.

"Four million per month. And you'll come to the palace to receive ether when I need it."

"......Yes?"

"Ha ha ha ha."

As I was reacting like an idiot, overwhelmed by Kristel's boldness, the cardinal burst into laughter.

I was taken aback by her hearty laughter, which I had never seen before.

She was so amused that she adjusted her monocle and dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief.

"Ha ha ha, Prince, you don't know the Sarnez family at all, do you?"

"I know they're very wealthy, but..."

"My monthly allowance is five million francs."

Kristel said casually, and my jaw dropped.

Only then did I realize how different the conditions of my possession were from hers.

She is a precious daughter of one of the empire's most prominent noble families, while I am a bastard who has been held hostage in the palace all my life.

The standards for setting allowances are bound to be different.

"Then, a deal? Will the prince temporarily be my partner?"

"That's not up to our prince."

It wasn't me but the cardinal who answered Kristel's question.

She had already composed herself and returned to her usual benevolent and mysterious gaze.

"The prince is here as the palace confessor and is currently fulfilling his duties, so it's difficult for him to engage in transactions with external individuals or form a companion-like relationship."

She added, "We've talked about this before, haven't we?"

I realized that I could sense a chill from her beige eyes.

The reaction the cardinal showed when Kristel tested me before, and her current stance, clearly indicated that she was wary of me and Kristel getting closer.

After all, in the original story, the 'Mr. Oh' who played a significant role in bringing Prince Cedric and Kristel together.

It wouldn't be good for the prince, who she sees as a son, to be involved with me, a hostage.

If the cardinal were to block Kristel, it would be to my advantage.

"It's not easy."

Kristel leaned back and muttered.

Despite her words, her expression didn't change.

Perhaps because she was on the path to becoming a protagonist, her resolve seemed even stronger.

"Then, could you share a little ether with me now?"

"Here?"

At Kristel's sudden suggestion, my voice grew louder. She smiled brightly.

"Even if we can't make a deal, I can still get a sample, right?"

Was she in sales before...? In my confusion, I had a baseless thought.

Since I had no reason to refuse, I glanced at the cardinal, who only tilted her head slightly without any particular objection.

If I were the prince, I would have ignored her or laughed it off, but my personality made that difficult.

Damn.

"......Just a moment."

I finally said curtly.

Kristel tapped her long boots in anticipation.

I closed my eyes and opened the sanctuary.

A small amount of watercolor seemed to flow from my fingertips and toes, creating a sensation like drawing a picture.

The floor of the cardinal's office lit up brightly, and a golden circle enveloped Kristel and me.

"Wow......"

Kristel blinked her large eyes in amazement.

"I've seen many circles from other priests, but this is the first time I've felt such clarity and purity."

Even if you say that, it's not for sale. I quietly picked up the thread of ether in my mind.

I thought one loop would be enough.

-Knock knock

"Come in."

At the sound of knocking on the mahogany door, the cardinal quickly responded, and the door opened.

I stopped releasing ether and turned my head. When I did,......

"Your Highness."

"Hello, my son."

Prince Cedric, with his shockingly handsome appearance, was entering the office.

*

Why? Even if you're not the crown prince yet, aren't you busy?

The question briefly crossed my mind but quickly faded.

This is a light novel, and it's natural for the protagonist and the main male lead to be involved.

I assumed Cardinal Boutier had called him under the pretense of a lesson.

The problem was that I, an impurity, was present.

"What are you doing?"

"I was about to share ether with Princess Sarnez."

As expected, the prince, without any formalities, got straight to the point, and I calmly responded.

Kristel stood up and bowed to the prince, who only gave a small nod.

His blond hair was as surprising to look at as ever.

"Princess, your ether seems sufficient."

"That's my decision, not yours to judge, Your Highness."

Kristel countered with a smile.

The atmosphere in the office instantly turned cold.

Natalie, the attendant who had led the prince in, caught my eye, smiled slightly, and quickly closed the door and disappeared.

I shivered with envy and stood up from the sofa.

"I'll give you ether another day. It's not just today."

Then I dissolved the sanctuary. It was a way of saying, "Don't fight, let's get along."

Since the prince had a son who often suffered from ether depletion, it might look suspicious for the perfectly fine Kristel to receive ether.

Kristel looked a bit disappointed but accepted my decision.

"Aren't you using the indoor training ground today?"

The prince then turned the topic to the cardinal.

Now that I noticed, he was dressed casually, as he had been when he practiced with Kristel in the outdoor training ground.

The only constant was the black gloves on his hands.

The leather only covered his fingers, leaving the back of his hand and half of his palm exposed, which seemed inefficient no matter how I thought about it.

"Oh, that's right. I asked Frederic to clear it by 11:30."

The