SIDE STORY 2.

A Man Who Becomes Tiresome

It was the day of Princess Hestina’s birthday banquet. Having received invitations personally sent by the Princess, Seiden and Bellota finished their preparations early in the evening and headed to the Imperial Palace together.

Due to their travels during their first year of marriage, and the time afterward being consumed by the eradication of source points, it had been a truly long time since the couple had seen Princess Hestina.

“Do you think Her Highness will like the gift we prepared?”

As they entered the banquet hall arm in arm, Bellota asked once again what she had already asked several times. Seiden nodded kindly, showing no signs of irritation.

“She will like it. Don’t worry.”

However, despite his kind response, a certain worry in Bellota’s heart wouldn’t easily subside.

In truth, it was somewhat strange that Bellota had also received an invitation to Hestina’s birthday banquet. Although Hestina had attended their wedding, that was due to her friendship with Seiden, and Hestina and Bellota had only exchanged words a few times.

Bellota thought that Hestina had probably sent her an invitation because she was Seiden’s wife. Thinking about it that way, the relationship between the three of them was truly ambiguous.

Bellota still felt apologetic toward Hestina. Though unintentional, there was a time when Bellota had thought it would be right for Princess Hestina and Seiden to marry. Moreover, Hestina had also harbored feelings for Seiden and had asked Bellota about him.

“Have you ever seen Sir going out with other women?”

Even though Bellota had gone out with Seiden herself, she answered that she didn’t know. Though it was unavoidable, Bellota had to carry a faint sense of guilt for seemingly encouraging her with that lie.

Furthermore, when Seiden and Bellota married, rumors quietly circulated in the capital for a while that Princess Hestina had been rejected by Seiden. These strange rumors didn’t subside even after Hestina attended their wedding.

Instead, false rumors spread that there must have truly been something between Hestina and Seiden, and that Hestina had attended their wedding as an act of revenge.

Bellota couldn’t help but admire Hestina’s magnanimity in not only enduring all this and attending their wedding but also sending them invitations to her birthday banquet. Though they hadn’t conversed many times, Bellota could now be certain that Hestina was an admirable and wonderful person.

As if to prove this fact, Hestina made her grand appearance at the highest steps of the banquet hall.

“Good evening, what a lovely night! Thank you all for attending my birthday celebration.”

Applause erupted from everywhere at her lively entrance. Bellota, too, couldn’t take her eyes off Hestina’s splendid figure, noting how much more mature and beautiful she had become. Hestina seemed to have grown significantly in that time. While still vivacious and confident, her once merely lovely face had gained depth, and her cheerful smile now carried an air of dignity.

She slowly descended the stairs, gracefully waving to those showering her with applause. Bellota’s lips also curved into a pleased smile at this lovely sight. Hestina possessed something that made people happy and excited just by looking at her. It was surely something that could only be described as divine blessing.

That’s when it happened. As Hestina descended the stairs, looking around, she suddenly spotted someone and flashed an even more delighted smile. Bellota immediately recognized that the smile was directed at her husband.

When Bellota unconsciously turned to look at Seiden, she saw him quietly meeting Hestina’s gaze. Though his face remained impassive, he responded with a small bow, and in that moment, Bellota’s heart sank. Startled by this sudden emotion, Bellota held her breath and turned back to look at Hestina. But Hestina had already withdrawn her gaze from Seiden and disappeared into the crowd.

Momentarily dazed by strange feelings she couldn’t even understand herself, Bellota quickly came to her senses when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

“Bellota.”

Her shoulders trembled slightly at Seiden’s low voice near her ear.

“Are you alright?”

When Seiden, who had uncannily noticed something was wrong with her, asked seriously, Bellota quickly forced a smile.

“Of course.”

“You don’t look well. Should we head back?”

At his serious question, Bellota hastily shook her head.

“No, we haven’t even greeted Her Highness yet. I’m fine. Really.”

As she smiled to prove her point, Seiden still examined her condition with a worried expression.

At that moment, someone approached the affectionate couple and greeted them.

“Saintess.”

Both turned their attention to the owner of the familiar voice. As expected, upon seeing the unpleasant face, Seiden’s brow hardened.

“Your Highness Derent.”

As Bellota calmly offered her greeting while pulling on Seiden’s arm, he finally gave a reluctant nod.

“So Sir Seiden is here as well.”

When Derent said this with a slight smile, Seiden’s mood worsened further. ‘As well’? It was only natural for him to be wherever Bellota was. Seeing that face speaking as if his presence was unexpected was thoroughly unpleasant.

“It’s only natural as my wife is here.”

Despite his rigid response, Derent’s smile didn’t crack. It only made Bellota’s face flush unnecessarily.

“Indeed. Even so, I didn’t expect you to attend Hestina’s birthday banquet, but you truly are an impressive man.”

Even Bellota was taken aback by Derent’s subtle comment.

“What do you mean by that?”

Seiden asked calmly, but Derent merely waved his hand with a smile and slipped away like a snake.

“Nothing in particular. But I would like to tell you this one thing. A man who is too possessive loses his charm, Sir. Women grow tired of such men.”

Seiden’s face hardened dangerously at those playful words.

“Just now……”

As Seiden tried to counter in a cold voice, Bellota quickly grabbed his hand and shook her head. Though she also acknowledged that the Prince’s words had crossed a line, this was the Princess’s birthday banquet. They couldn’t raise their voices or cause a disturbance.

Derent clearly knew this as well. He looked at Seiden, who was glaring at him while clenching his jaw, with an amused smile.

“Haha, lighten up. I’m just joking. Hestina will be happy you attended. Well then, enjoy yourselves.”

After Derent left, having delivered one final blow, an awkward silence fell over the two who remained.

Since their marriage, the couple had never once brought up any conversation related to Geril or Hestina. While Geril had disappeared, Hestina was no villain like Geril, and therefore wouldn’t vanish forever from their presence. No, rather……

“Perhaps we really should leave.”

Seiden muttered in a troubled voice. Only then did Bellota notice that many nobles were watching the two of them with interest.

Most people here had likely attended the hunting festival held several years ago. Recalling this fact, Bellota shook her head. This gathering might have been Hestina’s intention. They couldn’t wastefully throw away this opportunity that might have been her effort to dispel those tiresome rumors.

“I’m fine, really. I want to greet Princess Hestina before we go. And give her the gift we prepared.”

When Bellota spoke firmly, Seiden understood her intention. He nodded slightly with a small sigh, as if he had no choice.

Bellota smiled brightly in response, then suddenly realized they had left Hestina’s gift in the carriage and covered her mouth.

“We left Her Highness’s gift in the carriage.”

When the startled Bellota whispered to Seiden, he nodded.

“The carriage should be parked in front. I’ll go get it.”

Bellota nodded with an apologetic expression as Seiden briefly kissed her cheek before leaving the banquet hall. As soon as her intimidating husband, who had stayed by her side like a guardian knight, disappeared, others quickly swarmed around Bellota.

“Saintess, have you been well?”

“My goodness, how have you become even more beautiful!”

“I heard you went to the source point?”

“There were rumors that you traveled the continent after marriage, is that true? How romantic!”

Bellota, who was as popular as the party’s host, hid her bewilderment and skillfully dealt with them with a calm smile.

* * *

The nobles who had been gathering around Bellota asking curious questions disappeared like the tide to watch the performance that began shortly after.

“It’s the Manar performance troupe! My goodness, how did they manage to bring them here?”

Thanks to this, Bellota, who had finally caught her breath, suddenly realized that quite some time had passed and Seiden still hadn’t returned. Could something have happened?

Bellota, who had no interest in Manar’s performances known for their terrifyingly dangerous magic, decided to look for Seiden herself. However, as she was about to head to the front of the palace where the carriage was parked, passing through the garden after leaving the banquet hall, she discovered a familiar figure and stopped abruptly in her tracks.

“……so please think about my request once more.”

The woman whispering in an affectionate voice was Hestina. Bellota held her breath and unconsciously hid behind a nearby tree. When she carefully peeked out from behind the tree while clutching her trembling heart, she saw a tall figure standing close in front of the Princess. Bellota’s pulse quickened anxiously at that familiar figure. The person standing before Princess Hestina with a troubled expression and sealed lips was…….

It was Seiden.

Though startled and holding her breath, Bellota quickly looked around. Fortunately, no one could be seen in this secluded garden. Thanks to everyone being captivated by the rare Manar performance.

“The performance will end soon. We need to return before others become suspicious.”

When Hestina, looking as anxious as Bellota, whispered secretly after glancing around, Seiden nodded.

“Go in first. If we enter together, it will raise suspicions.”

At those words, Bellota’s already constricted heart sank. Why were Seiden and Hestina together? Why were they having a secret meeting here, avoiding everyone?

Hestina, who had nodded and was about to turn away immediately, hesitated and looked back at Seiden. She whispered once more in a desperate voice.

“You know it right? I absolutely need you. Please think about it carefully.”

After these affectionate words, Hestina, realizing it was truly time for the performance to end, quickly walked away.

Seiden’s low sigh reached Bellota behind the tree where she stood frozen. Soon she heard the sound of Seiden’s footsteps. Bellota couldn’t move from that spot until his footsteps had completely faded away.

* * *

When Bellota, having barely collected herself, returned to the banquet hall, Manar’s performance had already ended. Seiden, who had been searching the entire hall for her, immediately ran over and grabbed her hand.

“Where have you been?”

Hearing his voice tinged with deep worry, Bellota awkwardly parted her lips.

“Just…… to wash my hands……”

Seiden frowned at this.

“You don’t look well. We really should leave now.”