“What do you mean? Did you hear information about me and come to confirm it?”

“No, you gave off a similar scent, so I found it suspicious and followed you.”

Oh no. The moment I heard his words, I realized I hadn’t noticed this loophole. What good was perfect disguise technique when I couldn’t change my scent?

But unless someone had a dog’s nose, wouldn’t it be difficult to distinguish people by their body odor?

When I made a bewildered expression, he read my thoughts and chuckled.

“I don’t have a dog’s nose, so there’s no way I could distinguish people by scent alone. Since your face was different, I didn’t think you were the same person. A former Saintess working at a brothel? I thought that was absolutely impossible.”

“Then why?”

“…”

Theodore couldn’t answer and hung his head. His face reddened and he wore an expression that seemed difficult to speak about. Why couldn’t he just say it straight?

“Did you do something shameful?”

“It’s not that. To be honest… my lower half reacted to you.”

“What?”

I couldn’t close my mouth at his unexpected words.

Come to think of it…

Hadn’t I thought he had feelings for me because his pants were all puffed up? It seems my thoughts were correct.

I didn’t know how to accept this situation. Though I was confused, I tried to steady my mind and listened carefully to Theodore’s next words.

“So I was curious. Why my lower half only reacted to you.”

“Doesn’t it react to other women?”

“Of course not. If it did, I’d really be a pervert.”

Well, that’s true.

Though this was an absurd situation, I nodded at his words. Then I quickly shook my head. Why should I be listening to what he was saying?

But the moment I heard his next words, I was shocked.

“Actually, I might really be a pervert. It felt good. I couldn’t forget the ecstasy I felt for the first time in my life. So when we slept together the second time, I knew your identity. The way you tightened around me was exquisite.”

What are you saying in this situation?

Flustered, I hurriedly looked around. When I checked the expressions of the knights lined up behind Theodore, they were red-faced and pretending not to hear.

Why is he speaking so shamelessly when they’re here? Since Theodore spoke embarrassing words without hesitation, the embarrassment fell to me instead…

“I’m sorry I couldn’t speak honestly after learning your identity. I was afraid you’d disappear if I revealed my identity. So I planned to tell you after capturing your heart a little more. But my plan went awry when you said you were pregnant.”

“Why weren’t you happy when I was pregnant?”

“I was afraid you’d misunderstand. I didn’t embrace you to get an heir, but I was worried my true feelings wouldn’t get through. I thought the order was wrong.”

Just like he said, I had been angry thinking Theodore was using me.

“Of course I approached you because of my body’s reaction, but the time I spent with you wasn’t false. So please stay by my side.”

Though his earnest words seemed to melt my heart, I still didn’t believe Theodore’s words. Who knows if he was trying to seduce me with sweet words to take me away after learning from the conversation with Diane just now that I was the real Saintess?

“I have no Holy power, so I’m useless now. Who would welcome someone like me? If you happened to overhear the conversation with the Saintess earlier, please pretend you didn’t hear it. It was a lie.”

“Really? Then let me speak my honest heart. What I said about helping to subdue the monsters wasn’t sincere.”

“But you said you need the Saintess’s presence now.”

You asked for help but it wasn’t sincere? Suddenly changing his words made him even less trustworthy. How could I know if his words were toying with me now?

“If I asked you to stay by my side, you’d refuse, so I used the monsters as an excuse. You’d move for the sake of the empire’s people.”

It wasn’t wrong, so I couldn’t argue.

“And saying you’re useless? Don’t say such things. Just your existence is a blessing to me.”

I couldn’t look at Theodore. I lowered my head to avoid his gaze.

“I know I don’t deserve to ask for forgiveness. But I can’t live without you.”

Theodore suddenly strode up to me and knelt down. No way… An ominous thought crossed my mind.

“I don’t want to give up on you. I hope you’ll stay by my side.”

He politely extended his hand to me.

“Will you become my wife?”

This was the second time I’d received a proposal from Theodore. I didn’t know what to do.

To be honest, my heart had already weakened at his confession. He had paid me appropriate money all this time and apologized for his past wrongs, hadn’t he?

Now I could see that the conversations we shared while staying together at the brothel seemed sincere. Though the trigger for his heart turning to me was because of my body, I could feel that his heart was now also directed toward me.

So I wanted to honestly reveal my feelings too, but if there was one thing that bothered me, it was his status. How could I become a Crown Princess?

When I remembered the disapproving gazes directed at me, I didn’t want to accept Theodore’s heart.

“Ah, I… don’t have the qualifications to become Crown Princess.”

My status was low, and hadn’t I worked at a brothel? Rumors about me must have already spread throughout the imperial palace. So I wanted nothing to do with such terrible rumors.

“It doesn’t matter.”

“No, I’m not okay with it. Everyone won’t accept me. I’m not even a Saintess and I worked at a brothel – how could I be Crown Princess?”

“You don’t need to worry about that.”

Theodore came close enough that I could feel his breath and whispered to me in a voice so small that only I could hear.

“Only you and I know the fact that the curse has been lifted.”

“You didn’t tell His Majesty the Emperor either?”

“That’s right.”

“Why? Everyone would be happy.”

“Because then I couldn’t marry you.”

“Why on earth? Are you crazy?”

“I said I don’t need another woman. I said I only need you.”

“…”

I couldn’t say anything. Why would he go so far to deceive others just to keep me by his side? What am I to him?

“I love you.”

The moment I heard his confession, I wanted to believe Theodore’s heart, but I still couldn’t.

“I’m sorry. I can’t accept your feelings. However, I’ll help the Alpha Empire and watch your future actions before deciding.”

Though it was close to rejection, Theodore rejoiced like he’d received my confession. Overwhelmed with emotion, he pulled me into his arms.

“Thank you. I’ll do better from now on. I’ll work hard to win your heart, so please don’t push me away.”

“I haven’t accepted your feelings yet.”

“I know.”

Then why are you hugging me?

Originally I was going to push him away asking what he was doing, but he seemed to cling to me like I was the only person in this world, so I couldn’t push him away anymore. My lost hands just floated awkwardly in the air.

As I hesitated about what to do, what entered my sight was the clear sky.

Today’s sky was exceptionally blue and clear. It seemed to hint that peaceful things would happen in the future.

Bathed in the brilliantly shining sunlight, a smile slowly bloomed on my lips.