Leaning slightly towards me, he spoke so that only I could hear.

“I was nervous at first too.”

His Holiness often stands in front of countless people.

Thinking of him, who was a bit nervous like me, eased my mind and made me smile.

I got help from him.

I always get rid of anxiety and become calm by his arrangement.

along with sorry For having received such great grace.

"thanks. Thanks to you, I have strength.”

Cassius grabbed my hand.

“Come see me whenever you need me.”

Our relationship requires each other.

I need a safe place. Cassius can protect me.

And he needs my omega pheromone to get rid of the supernatural curse.

'It's not just because of that.'

Just being with Cassius makes me feel at ease. I feel better.

Having completely shaken off the tension, I held his hand tightly and smiled.

“His Holiness, do you know how to dance?”

“I am thriving. Even in the Holy Land, balls are held.”

Ugh, I didn't even know that Cassius could play better than me.

When she was young, she was educated in social circles, but it's been so long that her memory is fuzzy.

I felt like I didn't want to lose.

“Then will you do well? I'm going to choose a difficult dance, can you come along?”

“You underestimate my skills.”

His eyes became serious.

I see you are really confident.

I went with him to the center of the ballroom and danced.

My first dance was with Cassius.

Cassius's hand was wrapped around my waist. My hand wrapped around his back.

We moved to the music in a stable position.

He was as unobstructed as free-flowing water. Rather, I am lagging behind.

“You dance well, too, right?”

“I practiced separately. I hope Sonia likes it.”

I laughed lightly.

“What is it? You practiced for the event, right?”

"no."

His voice became very serious. It was a movement that touched each other's hearts.

My heart started pounding when I saw him standing there in a uniform the color of my dress.

The more she danced with him, the more she shivered.

This intense pounding might have been transmitted to him through the touching hearts.

I didn't want to get caught up in the atmosphere of the prom, so I slightly moved away from him, but instead, he put more strength into his arms around her waist. I was completely attached to him.

“I practiced because I wanted to look good to Sonia.”

I was glad to hear he cared for me.

I laughed with a red face.

Cassius whispered.

“If you liked it, I would like to ask you for one more song.”

“Do you know the culture of the Empire?”

“I know perfectly.”

To dance with the same partner twice in a row meant that there was a feeling beyond liking.

A relationship that is neither a friend nor a lover.

However, they might develop into lovers.

I was guided by his hand and turned round and round in place. My silver hair blended into the blue fabric and then found its place.

the music is over

Our first dance was also over.

I raised my hand to straighten the slightly disheveled hair. But Cassius reached out first and calmly straightened his hair.

'He has big hands.'

I also felt it when I held his hand, but he had long, straight hands.

I wanted to hold his hand one more time.

Is it because he is not wearing a priestly uniform?

For some reason, as Sonia Theodore, who is not a priest today, I wonder if it would be okay to be a little more honest.

My relationship with him will return the moment I return to the Holy Land and put on my priestly clothes.

I reached out.

“One more song, please.”

He entangled his fingers in my hand.

He came close to me, holding on tight like a knot that was tied so tightly that it could not be untied.

His eyes creased happily.

"Gladly."

Even the emperor only recommends it once, doesn't he force it over and over again?

***

'Besides, it's an event related to the Holy Land.'

Certina really hated Magnus.

Her childhood memories had faded a bit. It happened when the imperial family went on a picnic.

In a shady place, a white table was set up with lots of delicious food.

I even remember eating, but I can't remember what happened after that.

According to the testimony, during the conversation between the emperor and the empress, she disappeared with Shane, and the prince was drowning in a nearby lake and struggling.

And after a while, Certina was found with the tendons in both legs severed.

The shock of the great pain caused her to lose her memories of the time.

One could only speculate that young Sertina, who had lost her way, had been stabbed by something like a sharp tree root and had severed her tendons.

A doctor who said she was brave was called in and treated her, but she became unable to stand up properly without the help of others.

After that, all Sertina could count on was the mercy of God Magnus.

She prayed earnestly for her miracle to come upon herself, but her legs still did not move.

'I put so much effort into it!'

God didn't even pretend to hear her prayers.

Sertina hated Magnus. She hated priests as well.

When she heard that a sanctuary of healing had been discovered this time, she regained some hope, but was greatly disappointed when she was told that the Priestess could not decipher the prayers necessary for her final awakening.

'The only thing I believe in is the recovery medicine that the Mage Tower is developing.'

The magic tower said it would develop a medicine to fix her legs for Certina. He didn't ask for donations like priests did, and he didn't ask for money until the results came out.

Then, I recently heard a report that the animal experiment was successful. I couldn't believe the story alone, so I even confirmed it myself through the communication tool I received after signing the contract.

Seeing that the rat's broken leg was fixed, Sertina sent a down payment to her mage's tower. Although it was a fairly large amount, she was helping the upper class run by the empress' mother's family.

Her private business was on the right track for success, so she couldn't afford to pay a huge down payment.

'I should have contacted the Magic Tower sooner.'

The time and money spent hanging on to Magnus was too precious.

“Your Highness the Princess.”

The maid who was looking over the ball returned.

The event is still in full swing, but to come back in the middle. Something seemed to be going on.

“Confess.”

“Archduke Lundmere attended the ball at the imperial palace.”

The second older brother?

After attending a gathering or party held by aristocrats recently, I would have thought he would show up at official events.

'This is an opportunity.'

I wanted to have a conversation with Schwarz at least once. to get him on my side.

But she couldn't send a letter because he cut off contact with everyone.

She couldn't even keep up with Schwarz's events.

Now he had attended without any affirmative reply, like a disaster.

“I have to go to the prom. Prepare now.”

It was really rare for Certina to go out of the princess's palace.

She said that she was finally able to start the dress that had just been put together, and her maids started preparing excitedly.

***

The second dance with Cassius is over.

As if waiting, the emperor spoke to Cassius.

They had had quite a long conversation before the ball, and it seemed like the emperor still had a lot to say to him.

I took a light look around the ballroom alone, unable to disturb the two of them.

I wondered if Lancelot hadn't arrived late.

Like Cassius, people clung to me.

“Excuse me, but what is your name?”

“Are you a priest of the Holy Kingdom? Would you like to dance a song with me?”

All of them were taller than me, blocking my view.

I need to find Lancelot, get out of the way!

“I have a group.”

There were a few men who I refused outright, but were persistent.

Ignoring them, I walked around the ballroom at a brisk pace, but I couldn't find Lancelot.

'Isn't there Schwartz too?'

Prince Shane is here.

'Lancelot must have returned to the mansion.'

It seemed that Lancelot, Schwarz, and Shane would never get together.

I need to get some rest now.

I came out on the terrace.

It's because it's hot because I am moving my body.

Fortunately, there was no man chasing me to the terrace.

“It’s cool.”

It felt like a cool breeze calming my heart.

As the heat subsided, I began to worry about my aching feet.

'I'll never wear shoes again!'

The shoes worn by the priest were made of a material that was easy to move, so she could run all day without any problems.

It's the first time I've tried these pointy shoes that go well with a dress, and although they're pretty, my feet hurt.

I took a little look around.

The side terrace was empty.

Relieved that no one was there, I took off my shoes and threw them off.

My bare feet touched the cold marble floor.

“I can live now.”

Now I wish I had a place to sit, but there were no chairs on the terrace.

Sadly, I perched on the railing.

It was dizzyingly high, but for me, who had been cleaning the bell tower for 7 years, this height was nothing.

It was a time to relax and swing your legs to your heart's content.

Suddenly, the balcony door opened wide.

‘Didn’t you check the indication that it is in use?’

He came in with a clear sign.

Was he the man who kept clinging to her?

I stiffened with embarrassment, then was relieved to see the face of my opponent.

"His Holiness."

Cassius was holding a thin glass of yellow liquid.

It was two cups.

As he came inside, she stood tall.