Chapter 154
Translator: Yonnee
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Lost in thought, he inadvertently looked at her hand. The sight of her hand, excluding her fingers, wrapped in gloves covering her palms, back of the hand, and up to the wrists, filled him with sadness.
"Should I look into a way to erase the burn marks?"
He asked a question he normally wouldn't. At his words, Irene's eyes widened in surprise.
"Is that possible?"
"There might be a way. Magic has long since disappeared now, but there are still magic tools left. There are various types and numbers of them. Maybe something among them might work?"
"Hmm, but I have no intention of erasing them."
"Why? You have to wear gloves every day... Isn't it suffocating?"
Looking up at him when he asked, Irene then turned her head straight and answered.
"Even if I have these erased, nobody will know anyway, right?"
Her voice sounded slightly disheartened. Ciel stopped in his tracks. Just having left the garden and standing in an ambiguous corridor, Irene looked at him questioningly, and he asked.
"What?"
His voice had dropped a bit, sounding somewhat displeased, but Irene didn't particularly want to elaborate.
"Must I explain myself to you?"
It was a promise Irene made to herself, but she also considered these scars as a reminder to the promise she once made.
To the real Irene, who was no longer here.
"That's right. I mean nothing to you."
Having said that abruptly, Ciel started walking again. His slightly quickened pace indicated his annoyance, but that didn't make her want to explain.
Before entering the banquet hall, Ciel bit his lip, swallowing his irritation before asking again.
"I... I know I don't mean anything to you. I'm nothing but deplorable scum who can't even be forgiven. But..."
His voice contained more sadness than anger, causing Irene to widen her eyes in surprise.
"...Even so, we share a past of our own. Can't that bond be a reason for you to accept help from me?"
Irene gazed up at his deep blue eyes, pondering. But how could she say it? It was no different from admitting that she had decided to live by taking over someone else's body.
"...Ciel."
Then, was the bond he spoke of causing this feeling of regret and sadness between them?
Irene reached out her hand towards him.
However, at that moment.
The doors of the banquet hall opened.
And there appeared one person: Seo-yoon.
Spotting Irene, she raised her eyes sharply in annoyance, but soon twisted her lips as if pleased by the situation she found herself in.
"Ah, perfect. I was just in need of someone to attend to me."
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.
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10. Exploration and Vigilance
Even surrounded by people, Seo-yoon felt worse than usual. The fact that Irene and Ciel had left the banquet hall together only added to her dissatisfaction.
After their departure, all attention turned to Seo-yoon. People eagerly approached her.
But instead of feeling pleased, she felt annoyed and had to force a smile.
On the other hand, Jace enjoyed the champagne and the company. He noticed only belatedly what mood the saintess was in.
"Saintess, are you feeling tired?"
"...Yes, I'm a bit tired."
"The nobles must have been thrilled to see you up close."
"Hoho... I am glad as well."
"Would you like to rest in the lounge for a bit?"
Seo-yoon found no reason to decline the crown prince's suggestion. It was also a perfect opportunity to check on her phone.
"Then, I'll excuse myself for a moment."
"Let me escort you."
"No, I'll go by myself."
Seo-yoon rejected Jace's offer to follow her. She preferred to be alone whenever she checked her phone.
And given how oblivious the crown prince had been, he was honestly annoying her.
Espers usually become more eager when pushed away by their Guides.
True enough, as Seo-yoon stood to leave alone, she felt an intense gaze from behind.
With a relaxed smile, she deliberately walked through the crowd of nobles. They parted, calling her 'Holy Saintess' or whispering prayers as she passed.
These were trivial, but she much enjoyed these small privileges. Experiencing such a thing improved her mood slightly.
Then, a young lady approached Seo-yoon.
"Your Eminence, do you need a companion?"
That was the annoying part about nobles-always putting on airs and saving face yet masking it all by 'concern' for her well-being.
"Thank you, but I am fine."
"Ahh... I hope I haven't troubled you, Your Eminence. I apologize."
"Nothing like that, don't worry. I just wanted to pray briefly."
Seo-yoon left, deliberately speaking in that manner. The crowd behind her grew noisy.
"How disrespectful, what are you doing?"
"Mom..."
"Really, Viscountess. It seems you need to teach your daughter some manners regarding the Saintess."
"...Apologies, Countess."
Seo-yoon never looked back despite hearing the conversation. What did she care? Why did they block her path in the first place? Even lashing out didn't fully dispel her anger.
As she approached, the doorkeeper hurriedly opened the door for her. Stepping into the hallway and letting go of her maintained mask, she encountered the very people who were the source of her anger.
So, as if she had been waiting for this moment-and fortunately, no one else was around-Seo-yoon said,
"Ah, perfect. I was just in need of someone to attend to me."
