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Chapter 27
“Is it okay working with the head of the research institute?”
At His Majesty’s question, I blinked.
I could vividly picture Chobi’s efforts over the past few weeks to make cleaning more efficient.
She’d once attached four brooms together like a windmill and spun them around, crushing a chalice.
Another time, claiming she’d invented a machine that automatically did wet cleaning, she flooded the chapel with water.
But I couldn’t exactly tattle on someone who was already under disciplinary reflection.
“She works well. Chobi.”
“The head of the research institute? Or is your evaluation generous because she has the kind of face the Saintess likes?”
“Do you think I only like faces…!”
Yes.
I only like faces.
Beauty is supreme.
Well, various things had happened, but to be honest, Chobi was beautiful too.
She had that sharp, catlike charm.
Why are there so many beauties in Zendal? This place is heaven.
“You don’t only like faces?”
“Of course not.”
“Hm.”
His Majesty let out a small, knowing chuckle.
Ugh. My heart.
That smile feels new every time I see it.
If someone released a tint in the exact color of His Majesty’s lips, wouldn’t it sell out instantly?
It would probably make more money than winning first place in the recipe competition…
“The gift I gave you last time—I’m using it well.”
His Majesty flicked his wrist.
A sapphire sparkled on the cuff of his white shirt.
To think something of mine is sitting in such a noble place… it makes it feel even more humble.
Kuh. Just wait a little longer, Your Majesty. I’ll definitely win first place and let you live in luxury.
That afternoon, I also had a scheduled recipe research session with Helly.
Lately, Helly had been more proactive, which was incredibly reassuring.
“So,”
“Yes?”
“Your hand.”
“Yes.”
“….”
Suddenly His Majesty’s palm entered my field of vision, and since he seemed to be asking for my hand, I placed mine on it.
Without thinking.
“…Your Majesty, you were trying to smile just now, weren’t you?”
“I just didn’t expect you to hand it over immediately when I asked.”
I mean, really.
Why does my body move on its own like a well-trained puppy?!
‘This stupid hand!’
Honestly…
It’s so… commendable…!
The distance between His Majesty’s palm and mine was about 0.5 centimeters.
That precarious, almost-touching gap was somehow perfect.
“If you’re going to smile anyway, I wish you’d give me a refreshing smile!”
“…You still haven’t given up on that?”
“Of course not!”
Before I leave this world, I will see that smile.
“Like I said before.”
His Majesty spread his other hand above the back of my hand.
My heart plummeted at the sudden move, but our hands didn’t actually touch.
If they had, I’d have met the god Seikan by now.
His Majesty’s two hands and my right hand were layered like a sandwich, with small gaps between them.
“If you want to see it that badly, try making me laugh.”
“That’s not as easy as you make it so— huh?”
At the same time as the provocation, His Majesty withdrew both hands.
I stared blankly at my right hand left hanging in the air.
“…….”
On the index finger of my right hand—where His Majesty hadn’t even touched—there was a ring.
At the center was a colorless gemstone, oval-shaped and about the size of a fingernail, reminiscent of a diamond.
Small gems of the same light encircled it.
The band itself was crafted in an X-shaped pattern, with more gems set in the spaces between.
And the cutting was done with such care that every tiny movement of my finger made it sparkle like crazy.
In short, it looked insanely expensive.
Expensive enough to easily cover the cost of sculpting a statue worth nine years and four months of my salary.
“Is this what you meant when you did that back then, Saintess?”
“W-What did I do back then…?”
What on earth did my past self do for something this terrifying to end up on my finger?
When I looked at His Majesty with trembling eyes, he casually rotated both hands and mimed dropping something.
“You mean, making paper flowers appear?”
“Yes.”
“Th-That…”
Those two things are on completely different levels…!
I hadn’t even felt the ring go on.
Truly a creation favored by Seikan.
It’s impressive to apply something seen once to this extent, but please don’t use something this scary as a casual trick!
“You’re even better than me. So you should take this back now—huh?”
I tried to slip the ring off to return it, but it wasn’t easy.
“W-Why won’t it come off? Just a second, Your Majesty—this… ugh… why won’t it—”
It didn’t even feel that tight, but the ring showed absolutely no sign of coming off.
At first I’d been afraid to use force, but now I was straining with all my might.
“If it won’t come off, there’s nothing we can do. I suppose the Saintess will just have to wear it.”
“N-No!”
I shook my head frantically at His Majesty’s words.
That couldn’t happen.
Because—
“I don’t have the money to buy something like this…!”
“Money?”
His Majesty asked, looking incredulous.
“Do I look like someone who’d force you to buy it?”
I almost answered “Yes” on reflex.
But still, I couldn’t just swallow something this expensive because it wouldn’t come off.
“Your Majesty, how much is this?”
“It’s fake.”
“…That’s a lie, isn’t it?”
His Majesty shrugged.
“Fine. Before the Saintess starts imagining something even more absurd, I’ll be honest.”
“About what?”
“That ring. It’s a gift. In return for the cufflinks.”
My brain stopped for a moment at that utterly unreasonable calculation.
So my small, precious salary spent on cufflinks turned into a ring that could probably buy a whole castle?
Does that make any sense?
Even the mountain spirit with the golden axe would be shocked.
And His Majesty isn’t the kind of person who repays a gift just because he received one…!
“…Gasp.”
Wait.
Don’t tell me.
I covered my mouth with both hands.
[Hey, I’m in a great mood today, so it’s on me! Order everything, everything!]
People get generous when they’re in a good mood.
I even knew a senior who’d blown an entire month’s living expenses at a drinking party like that.
His Majesty must be in that state right now.
‘This is bad.’
Cold sweat ran down my back.
If His Majesty comes to his senses.
And if the ring never comes off my hand…!
[Pay it back.]
[What?]
[I said pay it back.]
I might end up as a genie who grants His Majesty’s wishes for life.
The image of myself doing pointless training in the past overlapped with my future as a debtor.
‘No!’
I clenched my fist.
And all the while, the tactless ring was sparkling brilliantly.
It really resembles its giver—impossible to ignore.
“Your Majesty, even if you change your mind later, don’t worry.”
“…….”
“I’ll definitely return it.”
“Yeah, this isn’t going to work.”
After struggling with the ring for a while, Chobi finally declared defeat and stepped back.
“It’d be faster to just cut off your finger and reattach it.”
“That’s possible?”
At Chobi’s words, I wiggled the ringed index finger.
“Of course. If you use healing-type divine power… ah, Saintess, you could probably do it yourself! They say previous Saintesses could use all types of divine power, so if you—”
“Both of you, please stop saying such horrifying things.”
Siana, who’d followed us to the chapel, cut in with perfect timing.
So the previous Saintesses were like that…
They really had everything.
Except my corneas, which happen to live in the same era as His Majesty.
What use is divine power if it doesn’t let me see His Majesty’s face better?
“Anyway, do you really need to take it off?”
At Chobi’s sudden question, I tilted my head.
“I told you, I need to take it off to return it to His Majesty.”
“Can’t you just ask him to give it to you? If the Saintess asks, he won’t be stingy, right? He’s rich.”
“Chobi, do you realize what you’re saying right now…?”
“Hufferson, aren’t you getting transferred to another institution? It’s annoying working with you—you’re like a nagging teacher.”
“You—!”
Hufferson grabbed the back of his neck.
Soon, as usual, Hufferson started lecturing about etiquette while Chobi snapped back at him.
Peaceful, as always.
‘Looks like I won’t be getting this ring off today…’
I picked up a broom, then made eye contact with Siana sitting beside me.
She was smiling gently, looking incredibly reliable.
“Siana, do you perhaps know how to remove a ring—”
“His Majesty will give it to you.”
“Huh?”
“But if you’re trying to remove it because you don’t like it, our family could provide you with something more to your taste.”
For the first time in a while, Siana’s eyes sparkled as she smiled seductively.
“I’ll get you even better jewels. What color would you like? Red? Green?”
“N-No… I don’t like rings…”
In the end, I went home without making any progress.
I ate dinner, saw His Majesty’s face once, and since I still had time before meeting Helly, I used hair dye and then went to the pond beside the research institute.
“Seriously, how do I get this off?”
The ring reflected the crimson sunset and glittered.
It really is unbelievably pretty.
I turned my head.
There was, as it happened, a handsome Bonian man sitting beside me.
“Nothing works?”
“Nope.”
How did we even get close enough to speak casually like this?
Delcan looked at the stubborn ring with concern, as if it were on his own finger.
“What happens if you can’t take it off?”
“I become a debtor…?”
Delcan’s gray eyes widened in shock.
He’s seriously handsome, too.
Kuh. I wanted us to just be a passing encounter with this beauty…
But it was impossible.
Because Bonia’s handsome man, Delcan Mondria, was—
“Lily, want me to go with you and talk to your boss?”
—a naturally kind guy with terrifying social skills.
