“This is delicious, big brother.”

Shasha, eagerly munching on sandwiches with warm tea and apricot jam, looked somewhat listless. Rictusa started to ask what was wrong but decided against it. Instead, he simply gazed at her as she kept her lips tightly closed, chewing her food like a rabbit.

“Is there something on my face?”

“…No, I’m glad you enjoyed it. It’s late, and I wasn’t sure what you’d like. Come to think of it, I don’t know much about you.”

“You’ll learn everything soon enough. I have plenty of lessons to receive from you, don’t I? We’ll be spending many days together. But aren’t you busy? I worry you’re wasting time supervising my lessons.”

“Not at all. I’m actually looking forward to it. I… want to know more about you.”

He muttered the last part so quietly that she couldn’t hear.

* * *

The Helcamber delegation would stay in Eodiphia for about three weeks. Apparently, they would hold banquets every single day during that period. I wondered if this might bankrupt the imperial treasury.

I left the mansion wearing neat servant attire. Brother Rictusa, who normally woke at dawn, seemed to be indulging in a rare whim by sleeping late today. Since yesterday, his face had been flushed and he seemed restless—perhaps he was coming down with something? 

Workaholics often continue pushing themselves while complaining of minor ailments, not realizing they’re actually sick.

“Momo, come in.”

As I entered the inner chamber with these thoughts, the Princess welcomed me.

“Good morning, Princess Kesera. Did you sleep well?”

“Well enough. But your feet will be swollen for three weeks straight. I can’t understand why Father commanded banquets every single day for three weeks. And to make matters worse, he ordered that servants assisting high officials must wear new outfits daily. I understand his desire not to appear inferior to Helcamber, but you poor things will suffer for it.”

“Please don’t say that. I should fulfill my duties as a servant.”

Three weeks of struggling with different clothes every day—how troublesome.

“I’ll arrange frequent rotations, so don’t worry. Especially you, as my personally selected night attendant—I determine your assignments. You won’t have to serve food in the banquet hall until your feet swell.”

I bowed deeply to express my gratitude to the Princess.

“Please don’t concern yourself with me. It would be a lie to say it’s not difficult, but I truly enjoy the bright, festive atmosphere of the banquet hall.”

The latter part was also a lie. While enduring Prince Kenneth’s harassment during the remaining time was burdensome enough, my real reason for declining the Princess’s offer was because of the boy who had confronted me last night.

[What exactly are you doing beside the Princess that lets you live so comfortably without hardship? Damn it, some of us work our bones off for meager wages.]

Rubbing my arm muscles that still ached from the hard labor, I gave the Princess an awkward smile. What he said wasn’t entirely wrong.

“If you want to enjoy that chaos, I won’t force you to stay away. However, stop serving food. Don’t even go near Table A that you were assigned yesterday. Better to work in the kitchen or greet guests outside the hall. That’s an order.”

“Yes, Princess.”

I obediently bowed my head.

“Princess, I haven’t seen Narcissus lately.”

“He’ll be working as a slave at the High Temple for a while. The festival honoring the Twelve Gods is approaching, and they’re short-handed.”

So that’s why he’s been scarce lately… Narcissus has been busy with his own routine.

“More importantly, I need you to run an errand, Momo.”

“Just tell me what you need.”

“There’s quite an uproar among the priests due to the beastkin aphrodisiac incident at the coming-of-age ceremony. They’re fighting over finding and severely punishing the culprit. Here, deliver this document with my seal to High Priest Shahan.”

My body stiffened upon hearing the recipient’s name. Nevertheless, I calmly accepted the envelope and headed toward the High Temple.

The largest and most magnificent of the five temples was the High Temple where Shahan resided. Entering the temple decorated with white clay, gold dust, and flowers, an apprentice priest who had received instructions beforehand guided me to Shahan.

“This way.”

A girl who appeared to be about my age looked at me curtly before leading the way.

“You’re Princess Kesera’s attendant?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm.”

The girl with wavy golden hair that looked like melted gold and sapphire-colored eyes was strikingly beautiful. Her beauty was so exceptional that I forgot my manners and stared at her face, completely entranced.

Wow, beautiful girls really are the best. Though she seemed about my age, what did that matter?

The pretty girl with the haughty expression pursed her lips and turned her back abruptly.

“Lord Shahan, you have a visitor. It’s Princess Kesera’s attendant.”

After knocking on the door, his distinctively gentle voice flowed from the other side.

“Elpida, I hope you’re not visiting me with another frivolous excuse. I told you I’m busy.”

“This time it’s real. The Princess sent advance notice.”

“Show them in.”

I entered the room awkwardly, pushed in. Elpida, who lingered instead of leaving, reluctantly withdrew under Shahan’s cold gaze.

Click. When the door closed, a shallow silence settled in the room.

“Lord Shahan, the Princess asked me to deliver—”

“It’s been a while, JeJe.”

He cut me off sharply while still facing away. His delicate fingers, like carved pearls, slowly traced the ancient books on the bookshelf.

Rustle.

Each time Shahan moved slowly, his white robes made a soft sound as they slid across the floor.

I remained silent for a while, waiting for him to finish his work. The sound of silk shoes dragging slightly, a quill crossing paper, and steady breathing in between continued for several minutes.

The space filled with white noise felt somehow suspended in time, making it difficult for me to speak.

“Place Kesera’s documents on the table there and leave.”

“Yes. I’ll be going then.”

Even as I placed the documents in front of Shahan, he said nothing more. Though I was on high alert, fearing a situation similar to when I was forcibly violated might occur, his response was not just emotionless but downright cold. Of course, from my perspective, neither scenario would be welcome.

“JeJe, wait a moment. I’ll write a reply right away for you to take back.”

I stood quietly by the door waiting. Another long silence. Shahan, who had been scribbling something on paper, slightly lifted his head. He seemed to be checking what I was doing since I had been so quiet. When our eyes directly met his metallic silver pupils, hard as lead, an even more uncomfortable silence followed.

“Um, thank you for before.”

The unpleasant silence stretched on too long. He silently pushed the envelope toward me. 

Though it was just a simple action, cold sweat beaded on my forehead. I forced myself to speak to Shahan, who was staring at me with ghost-like wide eyes.

“Thank you for helping me. If it weren’t for you, I would have been helplessly dragged away by Prince Kenneth that night.”

“…”

He remained silent for a long time. He had long since looked away from the neatly arranged pile of documents, but he didn’t seem to be focusing on me either.

“But I wish you would feel guilty about what happened then too. Although you saved me, what you did to me was no different from what Prince Kenneth would have—”

“You’re still here?”

“Pardon?”

“Take it and leave.”

It was clearly a dismissal. Feeling like I’d been doused with cold water, I gathered the reply and hesitantly moved toward the door.

Right, what was I expecting? I should be grateful he didn’t shower me with insults about daring to refuse the sacred High Priest’s essence or some such nonsense.

Shahan was Shahan. I hadn’t expected an apology, but I had hoped for at least some minimal sense of guilt. However, there was no reason for someone born and raised with nobility to feel any compassion or guilt toward an insignificant half-beast.

He was, after all, a proud celestial being with radiance flowing through his veins instead of blood.

The noble celestials who supposedly never eat or sleep, and maintain clear fragrance, soft skin, and non-greasy hair without even bathing.

So what? Does being celestial magically erase your wrongdoings? Can you live without blinking an eye after committing sins? Shahan probably didn’t even consider what he did a sin. With women ready to offer themselves to him daily at the mere mention of his name, he clearly felt no guilt about his actions that night, aside from having to use force to subdue me.

“Apologize.”

I don’t know where the courage came from, but my lips moved before I could think. Despite my hard-gathered courage, he answered immediately without hesitation.

“Fine, I was wrong.”

His voice was flat and emotionless, simply directing me like he was pointing to an exit. His white face, devoid of any emotion, mechanically moved his lips once more.

“I’m sorry about that incident. Is that enough?”

It wasn’t a genuine apology directed at me, but merely an attempt to erase his shameful behavior from that night.

Shahan had now completely turned his body and was staring at me with cold eyes.

“And helping you at the banquet wasn’t out of sympathy or interest or anything else. I found it disgusting and revolting to see a woman who had fought me until her voice was hoarse now silently surrendering herself to the prince. Additionally, I was nauseated by the prince displaying his lustful behavior in front of foreign envoys. So don’t misunderstand. Now that you understand, leave.”

“I never misunderstood in the first place.”

I replied firmly, enunciating each word clearly to that beautiful and arrogant face that looked like it had been meticulously crafted by the gods.

I didn’t avoid the fierce white pupils that seemed ready to devour me.

In truth, my hands clasped behind my back were trembling. Though his outer shell was human, Shahan was clearly a predatory snake, and I was prey not even worth a single bite—naturally, I was terrified. Still, I bit the inside of my cheek and met Shahan’s piercing gaze head-on.

My body shivered as though I were standing alone in a snowy field during a blizzard.

“Uncute JeJe.”

With just that remark, Shahan turned his attention back to his documents. Though I clearly sensed murderous intent, nothing happened… Was that unfortunate or fortunate?

Only after safely escaping the room, which felt like the calm before a storm, did I quietly sigh in relief.

The letter clutched tightly in both hands was damp with sweat. Should I dry it in the sunlight on my way back?

Exhaling a weary sigh, I quickly left the High Temple. My heart was still pounding violently. I wonder when I’ll ever overcome this timid rabbit nature of mine.

“Phew…”

I wish I could transform into my other beastkin form that coexists within me. Cats wouldn’t be vaguely afraid of snakes, would they?

“Momo?”

Just then, a familiar voice from right behind me stopped me in my tracks.

“Narcissus?”

“What are you doing here?”