Chapter 199. I don’t even meet my eyes 2021.12.28.
I covered both cheeks with both hands. The burning sensation did not go away.
‘Oh, a young bastard!’
I never thought you would hit me like this and come in when I was careless. Enrique, who would normally escort me to the outside of the library, had already gone outside. Left alone, I did my best to calm my excitement.
‘How can you say such a thing with such a calm face?’
Even in such a normal tone. He said it with a very casual face, which made me even more embarrassed. I managed to sort out what had happened a little while ago in a state where I had barely regained my senses. It was written in the book that my heart beats wildly when I touch someone of the opposite sex I like, and I said it was nonsense. So Enrique took my hand and told me the beat of his heart and said that the book wasn’t wrong. Me = Favorite member of the opposite sex…?!
‘Ahh. Isn’t it my mistake?’
Nonsense. I felt strange. Enrique was five years old when they first met. From then on, Enrique was imprinted on me as a younger brother, so even now, after the coming-of-age ceremony, he still looked young. But Enrique was no longer a child. I always thought I was the only one growing up, but in fact, Enrique was also growing up.
“…Since when?”
If this isn’t just my misunderstanding, Enrique likes me, but I couldn’t even guess when.
‘Because Enrique has always been nice and friendly.’
Enrique was consistent. From the first time I met him as a five-year-old kid until the coming-of-age ceremony, he has always been upright. Even when being abused by a father who is not like blood. So I wanted to protect that goodness.
‘What do we do.’
Enrique was not just a close friend of my older brother to me. Enrique’s heart was rather embarrassed because he was such a precious person to me. But I was not mistaken. Now that I realized that I liked Aidan, I could clearly discern that feeling. Enrique was important to my life and I only wanted him to laugh, but he was far from the love between a man and a woman that Renesmee had asked me about.
“Enrique….”
He chanted Enrique’s name in a carefree mind and lay down on the desk for a long time. When my cheek touched the cold wooden desk, I woke up a little.
“It’s a big deal.”
In my previous life, every day was a battle against livelihood. Of course, I didn’t even dream of dating until I was 20 years old. The fresh love during my student days, which everyone else did, and the small and cute dates were other things to me. That’s why I’ve never rejected someone’s heart, so I didn’t know what to do in this situation. I don’t want to hurt Enrique, but is that possible? After leaving the private library, I moved my feet like a machine with a blank face.
‘I want to consult with my worries, but there is nowhere to do it. Emily is Enrique’s younger sister, so it’s difficult… My human relationship is so narrow…’
“Your Majesty.”
Without knowing who was next to me, I let out a deep sigh.
“…Ehh.”
At the same time, a low voice was heard.
“Mabel.”
“…!”
When I raised my head, I saw Aidan’s figure when he had been there. I was a little surprised that Aidan was rarely called by my name in the imperial castle.
“Sorry, Aidan. I was thinking about it.”
“no.”
His reply was as blunt as usual, but his lips seemed to be somewhat firm.
“Aidan. What’s going on?”
I was about to put my hand on Aidan’s face like a habit, but I hesitated and stepped back.
‘If my dad saw it…’
I wouldn’t have done anything in the past, but after realizing my heart, I started to pay attention to the smallest things. Aidan glanced vaguely at my crouched hand for a moment, then took a step closer.
“Isn’t something going on, Your Majesty?”
“uh?”
As they suddenly approached, I hesitated and took a backward step. But Aidan wouldn’t allow us to grow apart. Aidan opened his mouth as he grabbed my staggering shoulder. in a very low voice.
“You keep sending me back to the dorm…” As
soon as our eyes met, I lowered my head in shock.
“…without eye contact.”
Aidan’s shoulder felt like it was on fire. In the meantime, it was as if the skin was touching even though the cloth was obviously blocking it.
No wait…!
“What’s going on, what’s going on? Let’s go get something to eat!”
As usual, I passed Aidan as if nothing had happened. As the distance increased, Aidan’s hand on his shoulder fell helplessly. I couldn’t even reach it anymore, but the heat seemed to remain. I pressed my left breast with my clenched right fist.
‘The book. Undo what I said was nonsense.’
My heart was beating like crazy. To the extent that if I didn’t run away, my heart would be exposed.
***
When Mabel is in the library. Arriving at the entrance of the library dedicated to the emperor, where Mabel is said to be for his shift, Aidan saw Enrique leaving the library.
‘…what.’
Enrique, who covered his face with the back of his hand, met his eyes for a moment. But Enrique’s face was red. Aidan instinctively felt that something had happened inside the library. The opponent is probably Mabel. Only Mabel and those with permission can enter that library. Aidan’s cold face grew even colder as if frosted. He ignored the sentry guarding the library and suppressed the urge to go inside, waiting for Mabel to come out. But Mabel didn’t come out after a few minutes.
‘What the hell is going on?’
Mabel showed up just as Aidan, who had finally run out of patience, broke the restraining order and tried to push into the library. Mabel walked towards him with a peachy face. Then… I passed him. without even looking at it. It’s just that I didn’t see it because I was lost in thought, but I knew it in my head, but Aidan’s judgment was twisted. So he lost his usual patience and pushed Mabel on. But Mabel just smiled and turned around.
“What’s going on, what’s going on? Let’s go get something to eat!”
Mabel pretends not to, but Aidan was sure now.
‘Mabel is avoiding me.’
Of course, the sight of Enrique leaving with a blush on his face flashed through my mind. Likewise, Mabel, who had burning cheeks.
‘…I don’t like it.’
Aidan’s eyes darkened as he watched Mabel walk away as if running away.
***
Because Renesmee came to Ermano together in the name of subsidizing the seed of God, she was able to qualify as a formal priest. Originally, the apprenticeship period had to pass the test over several years, but with the permission of the God King, it was approved as an exception. However, since Mabel didn’t accompany her hoping for an escort, Renesmee didn’t have much to do in the Ermano Imperial Castle. Although she was a priest of Abelardo, she was treated like an honored guest because she was a princess from a foreign country and a cousin of the emperor. An exclusive lady-in-waiting was assigned, and an Ermano knight was attached as an escort. For the first few days, Renesmee went out to Mabel’s office all the time, but that soon faded. It was because Mabel’s work time was early in the morning, so it was difficult for Renesmee to wake up. Renesmee, who woke up late today, moved on after finishing her makeup. However, it was not the direction to the emperor’s office.
“Weren’t you going to His Majesty’s office?”
“A day or so is fine.”
Seeing Renesmee’s mild smile, the escort withdrew without a word. I don’t have to go to the office anyway, so I’m just sitting there, so it wouldn’t matter if I missed it. Renesmee hummed as she walked through the imperial garden. A handmaid and a knight followed quietly behind them from a few steps away. The garden where Renesmee was located was a place one had to pass by to head to the castle. Just then, Hwang Sangje Esteban walked from the other side.
“Renesmee. Were you taking a walk?”
“Your maternal uncle.”
Renesmee’s cheeks turned red as if she was ashamed to say that she was her maternal uncle. Esteban smiled kindly and gestured to Renesmee.
“It’s been a long time, so let’s go for a walk together.”
“…yes!”
A bright smile bloomed on Renesmee’s face as she sprinted and stood next to Esteban. The two walked slowly around the garden, having a casual conversation. Suddenly, Renesmee opened her mouth.
“Weird.”
“what?”
“Why do people say that I am afraid of such a kind uncle?”
“You’re such a kind little brother, so why don’t people notice?”
In an instant, my sister’s voice overlapped. When Esteban stopped, Renesmee looked back in surprise.
“Uncle?”
“No, no.”
Esteban straightened his expression and smiled. Renesmee, who was looking up at him, suddenly spoke in a bitter tone.
“Come to think of it, I remember what my mother-in-law said to me.”
“…what do you mean?”
“It’s not the uncle’s fault. This is the choice of the mother herself…”
It was not written in the letters exchanged after leaving as Empress of Langard. Esteban didn’t know what expression to make when he heard the sincerity he was hearing from his sister’s daughter now, well over ten years later.
“So you don’t have to feel so guilty whenever you see me.”
“Did I?”
“yes.”
Esteban touched his forehead and sighed. I felt sorry for myself that I was so immature that I could clearly express my feelings that I hadn’t captured.
“To my sister, I can’t help it because I am an endless sinner.”
“Then you just have to be nice to me and Dylan instead.”
“How can I do well?”
Renesmee smiled brightly as if it would melt her heart at Esteban’s question, which seemed like she would do anything for her.
“Just treat me kindly like you are now, that’s enough.”
Esteban was momentarily at a loss for words.
‘To say that you’re good at just that kind of thing. What on earth was he treated in Langard?’
Esteban, who was convinced that Renesmee was being used by Abelardo’s priest, was only trying to rise, but rather, he got a sense of shame.
***
A few minutes before the regular meeting, the communication magic tool rang for a long time. Casey knew the time of the meeting, so if he contacted her now, it must have been an urgent matter. I got in touch right away.
“what’s the matter?”
[miss. I got a call from the informant planted in the Devlin Imperial Castle.]
Shocked. At the unusual content, I put down the documents I was looking at and focused on my conversation with Casey.
[The information source is so low-level that they don’t know the exact details, but they say they plan to secretly infiltrate a national event in their home country.]
“That’s an event that’s still in a meeting, and Devlin knows about it. They are great guys anyway.”
Aside from the lax security of Ermano, it also meant that there were still infiltrators among the council aristocrats.
‘That’s not important.’
Even if an infiltrator is found, there is no guarantee that another infiltrator will not occur. Therefore, it was better to accept the leakage of information to some extent. If you bother me for no reason, you might sneak in more secretly and engage in behind-the-scenes work.
“What is the purpose? Any information on that?”
[yes. Devlin’s security is so thorough that it’s difficult to put in an informant. I finally figured out that too.]
“It’s not even a job if I go by myself.”
Is there an informant who surpasses me in the ability to gather information? Even the imperial castle, no matter how strict the security, would not be able to avoid the eyes and ears of the animals. However, everyone except me extremely discouraged me from even going near Devlin, so it remained just a plan.
[Emperor Devlin’s intention, isn’t it obvious? It must be aiming for the lady’s core. It’s been attacked before.]
“Uhm. Well, that’s probably the only thing I’m aiming for at this point. Or trying to contact Aidan.”
As soon as he said Aidan’s name, his cool-headed reason was quickly disturbed.
‘no. If I keep doing this, Dad will find out.’
Besides, I didn’t want Aidan to find out about my feelings. With Aidan by my side, the ultimate goal is to destroy the Devlin family. However, if you find out that I, a colleague, like you, it will be burdensome. I hope my heart doesn’t get in the way of Aidan. But that, too, was actually full-bodied. If Aidan had a fiancé, as his father had intended, he might confess it out of the blue.
‘Let’s think about later things later.’
First of all, it was important to deal with Devlin’s spy who was supposed to infiltrate during the festival. I came out to go to the conference room and saw Enrique and Aidan waiting.
“I will be late. let’s hurry.”
The behavior of the two of them was as calm as usual, even if they thought to themselves. Sitting at the top of the table, I slammed the table as soon as the meeting agenda came up and focused my attention.
“Gongs.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Jim has an opinion about this event. Would you like to give it a try?”
My servants questioned my active posture.
“As for your opinion…?”
“Whoops.”
I laughed meaningfully. Let’s call it a grand operation to welcome uninvited guests.
