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Chapter : 39
This time, I’ll change the male lead.
“Alright, I hope I’ll be able to recognize you too.”
The light spreading through the air shimmered along with the woman’s voice.
Through it, her smiling face, fluttering eyelashes, and the way her hair swayed whenever she turned her head appeared both blurred and vivid at the same time.
“I’ll contact you if anything happens.”
It seemed as if the woman was about to say more, but Messis cut the connection decisively.
“Phew.”
Once again, everything became quiet.
He let out a low sigh and swept his hair back.
There was something strange about the way his eyes stared at the empty air, as if the afterimage of the woman still lingered.
“…Sir, you need to go now, so please prepare yourself.”
At that moment, there was a knock at the door, and someone entered.
“Understood.”
The man placed the key into the jewelry box, pushed it deep into the drawer, and stood up. Then, for a moment, he looked at his reflection in the mirror.
Eyes as black as time, hair still the same fiery red…
—If we ever meet, would I be able to recognize you?
For a moment, the woman’s voice brushed past him again. At the same time, the strange sensation of his eardrums thumping made his eyebrows furrow.
“Ron, this coffee is way too strong.”
“Huh?”
“Don’t ever bring something like this again. The headache is unbearable.”
He set down the coffee he had been drinking just moments ago with irritation.
“Yes, understood.”
Ron bowed his head toward the man as he left the room.
“…It’s decaf, though.”
Only after he was left alone did Ron mutter in confusion.
The festival ceremony and opening ceremony were being held at an outdoor banquet hall in the temple square.
They really separated the entrances meticulously.
Emma and Amy had already entered through the second entrance, while I headed alone to the fourth.
Even though the festival was open to everyone regardless of status, the VIP seats were strictly segregated.
The fourth and final entrance was divided into two paths: the left was for higher nobles, and the right for the top-tier nobles who held entrance cards.
Hmm…
As I pondered which way to go, I turned right.
“Which family do you belong to?”
A man, seemingly a paladin, immediately blocked my path.
“I’m sorry, my lady.”
When our eyes met, his sharp gaze softened slightly.
“This entrance is for guests invited by the royal family or the temple, so you must have an entry card to enter.”
Even if he couldn’t recognize exactly who I was, it was clear I belonged to a formidable family.
“My lady should go through the left door over there—”
“This will do.”
I didn’t want to bother explaining and simply took out the golden amulet.
“No… that is—”
The paladins’ eyes widened as if they were about to pop out.
“I-I didn’t recognize the guest. My apologies.”
“No need for a baggage check. Please come in. Belton, what are you waiting for—escort her at once!”
The paladins who had blocked me stepped aside in a fluster.
Oh, so it’s really that effective?
As I entered, I realized the amulet was far more useful than I had expected. Even nobles with entry cards had to go through a simple check, yet I passed in one go!
With their escort, I walked forward, and a magnificent outdoor square unfolded before me.
“My lady, we’ll seat you in the central seats with a clear view of the stage.”
“No, it’s fine. I’ll manage from here.”
“Ah, understood.”
I waved them off and scanned the few VIP seats.
Blue fountains gushed, and colorful flowers decorated each spot.
For now, the goal is just to gauge the situation…
I was about to sit in a corner to observe when the entrance stirred again.
“Have a pleasant time, my lady.”
Several ladies rose as someone arrived.
“Oh my, Lady May Lutas!”
“As expected of the one praised as the Rose of Ignis, she’s breathtakingly beautiful.”
“Quite the fitting compliment, indeed.”
“Ah… haha, yes.”
Pink hair, green eyes—it was Lady May Lutas.
She was the niece of the Imperial Chancellor and, apart from the saint, considered the strongest candidate for crown princess.
The temple and the Lutas family really do wield strong influence.
As I observed the crowd buzzing around her like a swarm of bees, May Lutas’s eyes met mine.
“…Oh my.”
“My lady, why are you here? Where are you going?”
“Step aside for a moment.”
Her gaze brightened strangely as she looked at me.
No wonder I stand out even in a corner…
Approaching quickly, May Lutas greeted me.
“Finally, it’s an honor to meet you, Lady Veritas.”
“Lady Veritas…?”
“My goodness, it’s the famous Lady Veritas herself!”
At the same time, her followers surrounded me.
I knew this would happen.
Since I had anticipated this, I smiled calmly.
“Nice to meet you, Lady May Lutas.”
“So it was true.”
May finally spoke after staring at me for a long moment.
“You know… the crown prince supposedly fell in love with Lady Veritas at first sight.”
I was momentarily speechless.
“Wow… you’re truly… beautiful.”
Her gaze felt so sincere. This friendly ‘sister’ manner… was she always like this?
“Haha, indeed. If we’d known you were this beautiful, we would have sent an invitation to our gathering long ago.”
A half-tied woman, sensing the situation with May, spoke up.
“I heard rumors in society too. Lady Veritas gained the favor of the notoriously strict Madam Reyta?”
“In fact, the princess rarely appears even at basic social gatherings, so we’ve always been curious.”
As the half-tied woman spoke, the followers around them nodded in agreement.
“How did you win Madam Reyta’s favor? Don’t keep it to yourself, share it with us!”
“Did the duke’s family train you separately? Oh ho ho!”
She asked with a crooked smile, literally asking how I had charmed the strict Madam and secured the crown princess position.
“Well…”
I lightly frowned.
“I suppose it’s because we could communicate well. She said she enjoyed discussing the introduction to imperial history with me.”
“…Ah.”
“Recently, I’ve been hoping to debate current political issues. Shall we?”
“….”
“Shall we start now?”
The followers’ mouths instantly shut tight.
“Hrm, I’m interested in that, but the ceremony is about to start.”
The half-tied woman stood with a reluctant expression. I smiled and gave a light nod.
“Lady Lutas, the stage isn’t very visible from here, so let’s move to the center. You’ll be receiving the blessing this time—”
“Excuse me, Lady Leri.”
May, surprisingly quiet until now, raised an eyebrow.
“Could you make some space?”
“…Yes?”
“We have something to discuss amongst ourselves, and your interference was becoming annoying.”
May looked at Leri with pity. Leri was indeed a unique character.
“Ah, haha, yes… alright.”
Leri and her followers left, and quiet returned.
She shut all those talkative women up at once…
Her eyes sparkled again.
“You really live up to expectations.”
“I’m glad I did. Of course, Lady May Lutas, you exceeded expectations too.”
“Hmm, really?”
The pink hair swayed as she smiled, genuinely this time. In the original, she seemed rather aloof, but here she felt playful.
“The ceremony seems about to start.”
May turned her attention to the stage, shifting the topic.
“The temple chest is filled with letters again this year.”
Observing the priest on stage pointing to the chest, it seemed the Blessing of the Bluebird was about to begin.
“Most would envy this ceremony, but you don’t seem particularly interested, sister.”
“Likewise.”
May’s indifferent gaze confirmed my suspicion.
“Anyway, the temple ceremonies are all orchestrated.”
As the priest sprinkled powder over the temple chest, the papers inside soared into the air.
“Oh, that must be the Swip called the Bluebird.”
A blue bird flew from the temple pillars.
“It’s my first time seeing one. Truly a temple spirit.”
The blue bird spread its wings, skimming through the papers as if reading them, before flying again.
“Once again, it’s the saint!”
The bird directed itself toward the saint.
Music, the fountain’s ripple, the summer breeze…
So she really is the heroine.
In that moment, Phoebe holding the Swip looked exceptionally beautiful.
“Congratulations, Saint!”
“Swip recognizes the saint’s kind heart as well.”
Applause and cheers filled the large banquet hall. Phoebe smiled, both shy and delighted.
“If you’re going to put on a play, at least do it subtly. Surely there’s some device on that bird.”
Watching, May muttered into her handkerchief.
A play…?
