71
After deciding to be with Rohan, Arpel didn’t try to follow the original story’s flow. Even now, they were searching for Salvation Church branches with Lexia and Evelyn’s help, which was quite different from the original plot.
Nevertheless, some major threads remained unchanged. Rohan growing up in the temple, deciding to confront the Salvation Church for family revenge, and this banquet they were attending now were all part of that.
Maybe that’s why Arpel didn’t show much reaction when they received the banquet invitation, thinking it would follow a similar course.
“…Leriana said she’s not coming.”
“Why? Do you miss her?”
“No.”
Lost in thought, Arpel didn’t notice his voice becoming increasingly grumpy, but he still firmly denied it. Rohan’s mood seemed to lift at the unhesitating response, his lips quivering slightly.
As their hands intertwined, Arpel quietly contemplated. Originally, an important event would have occurred at this banquet with Leriana’s attendance. The crown prince would have fallen in love with her at first sight.
In the original story, it was merely a device to provoke Rohan’s jealousy since the emperor’s involvement wasn’t revealed. But now, Arpel wondered if the prince’s actions of approaching her claiming love at first sight might have been an act to investigate Rohan and Leriana’s relationship.
After all, if he truly liked her, he wouldn’t have stood by while his father carried out his plans.
While Arpel was lost in personal thoughts, time passed, and the heated atmosphere of the banquet carried many conversations. Riding this flow, some people began to cautiously approach them.
“Hello, I’m from the Feroden count family…”
“We’ve heard so much about you!”
“If it’s alright, in the future…”
Although Rohan was a commoner, his dazzling appearance and verified status as one blessed by the gods attracted many nobles’ attention.
Reluctantly letting go of Arpel’s hand, Rohan skillfully dealt with the crowd. His experience of handling nobles while conducting several services at the temple came in handy.
Of course, just because he let go of Arpel’s hand didn’t mean he had any intention of leaving him alone. While conversing, Rohan kept an eye on Arpel to ensure he wasn’t swept away by the crowd.
Naturally accepting his consideration, Arpel resumed his momentarily interrupted thoughts.
‘The original plot is already off track.’
It was natural since Leriana wasn’t here.
But it wasn’t a big problem. In the original story, the crown prince’s role was merely a catalyst for Rohan to realize his feelings for Leriana.
Despite knowing the original plot, Arpel didn’t try to follow it obsessively. He knew that his existence had already changed many things.
‘It doesn’t matter.’
The crown prince originally shared the same ideology as the emperor. Perhaps not getting involved with him was the ideal development. Arpel cleanly disregarded the crown prince.
“But who is this person…?”
After brief exchanges and repeated dismissals, someone among the many nobles crowding around Rohan finally asked about Arpel. Although no one else had spoken up, it seemed everyone was curious as gazes quickly focused on him.
“He’s also a priest, but he assists Rohan.”
The one who answered instead was Owen, approaching while slightly adjusting his disheveled clothes.
Although his noble status had disappeared upon entering the temple, the massive background of being from the Chancellor’s family remained. Thus, it was inevitable that nobles formed groups trying to exchange words with him. His face, clearly showing annoyance, was tinged with deep fatigue.
The man who first asked the question closed his mouth at Owen’s curt voice. Unfortunately, questions about Arpel didn’t stop there.
“Then are you two promised lovers for the future?”
It was one of the girls who had been sending passionate gazes towards Rohan. Judging by her eyes burning with enthusiasm, it seemed she intended to create some connection with Rohan if the answer was no.
Of course, Arpel could read her intentions. His face reflexively contorted without restraint. The face that had looked like a beautiful doll now openly expressed displeasure. It was enough to make everyone looking at him feel a chill.
Although most of the banquet hall was still bustling with noise, the space where they stood was as quiet as death. The girl who had asked the question turned pale.
“His Majesty the Emperor, His Highness the Crown Prince, and Her Highness the Princess are entering!”
A thunderous voice shattered the heavy atmosphere that seemed to make it impossible to breathe properly. The nobles who had been chatting and laughing all bowed their heads in one direction. It was an absolute show of loyalty towards those entering the banquet hall.
Arpel glanced at Rohan beside him while half-bowing like everyone else. He could see Rohan showing respect with his eyes lowered. Although he appeared calm, Arpel’s heart ached strangely, and he gently held Rohan’s hand.
Surprised round eyes turned towards Arpel. Their gazes met quickly. The gentle curve of Rohan’s eyes seemed half reflexive, but the affection flowing from him was real.
“Everyone, raise your heads.”
A gentle voice dropped into the large hall filled with silence. As Arpel raised his head, he clearly saw the face of the man visible in the distance. His eyesight, superior to humans, showed every detail of the man’s features.
The man with a warm and gentle impression also gave a somewhat weak feeling. However, the fact that he commanded this vast space with just one word meant he had the charisma befitting an emperor.
Short silver hair, eyes that appeared close to green at a glance. Beside the emperor was a man who looked exactly like him.
‘The crown prince.’
And Evelyn, who maintained a gentle smile throughout, was also there. Her bright red hair color seemed especially intense today.
The emperor then gave a brief greeting. He wished for everyone to enjoy the banquet and for the upcoming festival to be a great success. Although there was nothing special about the content, everyone listened intently to his words and only began to converse carefully after he had completely finished speaking.
By then, the people who had been lined up in front of Rohan had disappeared.
“…Why did you say we were lovers?”
The previous unpleasantness still lingered, so even without knowing the exact reason for this discomfort, Arpel tightly held Rohan’s hand. Just that was enough to calm his agitated mood.
“It’s because of the clothes you’re wearing.”
“Clothes?”
“From ancient times, it was believed that those who wore matching clothes were either lovers or had promised to share their future together. It seems Rohan already knew this…”
Arpel, who had been listening without showing any particular reaction, suddenly stopped. His head turned quickly, examining his own clothes and Rohan’s. …They were clearly matching outfits to anyone who looked.
Did this mean they had been announcing to everyone that they were lovers, a couple who had promised their future? The memory of Rohan’s past fondness for matching outfits kept floating around in his mind. At the same time, he couldn’t think of anything else. It felt like his mind had become a blank white sheet.
While discreetly observing Arpel’s reaction, Rohan noticed the heat gradually rising to Arpel’s face and displayed a shy smile. Obvious love flowed abundantly. It was an expression clear even to Owen, who didn’t possess any ability to read emotions.
Before the half-broken Arpel could come to his senses, the surroundings suddenly became quiet.
“…Your Majesty.”
Owen uttered a single line.
The emperor was approaching them.
Finally coming to his senses, Arpel’s eyes met with Evelyn’s, who was standing far away. She looked clearly apologetic. Rohan opened his mouth mechanically.
“We are honored to be in the presence of the Empire’s sun.”
“Are you enjoying the banquet?”
“…Thanks to you, we are having a pleasant time. Thank you.”
It was a gentle face without a trace of wariness. Whether the emperor found Rohan’s calm reaction interesting or irritating, the smile on his face deepened as he faced him.
“I apologize for the late greeting. Though inadequate, I serve as a priest to the gods. I am Rohan.”
“I have heard much about you. Inadequate, you say? Don’t speak like that. From the stories circulating in the empire recently, I hear you’ve achieved great merits.”
“It’s thanks to the excessive blessings I’ve received.”
Light conversation passed between the two, both wearing inscrutable smiles. Most of it was praise for successfully thwarting the heretics’ plans to harm the empire’s people, and expressions of gratitude in response.
The emperor, who had been fixing his gaze only on Rohan, suddenly turned the topic to Arpel without any warning.
“I hear you also contributed to these achievements. If you don’t mind, I’d like a brief introduction.”
“…I am Arpel, working as a priest assisting Rohan.”
“Oh?”
The gap between one blessed by the gods and an ordinary priest was enormous. That’s why Arpel deliberately used honorifics for Rohan. Whatever piqued his interest, the emperor’s sparkling eyes wouldn’t leave Arpel.
“My, I’ve taken up too much of your time. If it’s alright, would you come to the audience chamber later? I’d like to have a deeper conversation with you both.”
“We will follow your wishes.”
“I look forward to it.”
Only after receiving a firm answer did the emperor move away from them. Even his leisurely gait exuded dignity.
Belatedly, Rohan dropped his smiling expression. Turning his body slightly to face Arpel, with his back to the other nobles subtly observing them, he contorted his face.
“…I feel awful.”
“Are you okay? Should we get some air?”
“Hah…”
His face, biting his lip, looked quite anxious. Well, the emperor was the one who had caused the death of his entire family. It was even admirable that Rohan had managed to act so calm in front of him.
