16 - Another Grueling Day for the Aristocratic Kindergarten Teacher
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Precious? Indispensable?
Ephna was genuinely shocked.
The parent of a student was saying that she was indispensable to him. How terrifying!
Unaware of Ephna's pale face, he continued speaking.
“It's fortunate that you're returning to the temple. Let’s promise to meet again. Today, I urgently requested to meet you.”
“...Your Majesty is asking for my sister?”
Lilien's voice trembled softly. The fingertips that had been gripping tightly quivered.
“Yes. I begged on my knees just to meet her once. Ah, of course, it was my assistant who did the begging.”
He chuckled, selling out his assistant. It was even a lie.
Using subordinates like that. Regardless of any gratitude, Ephna's gaze narrowed slightly. As a fellow employee, she couldn't tolerate it.
“...”
Interpreting her gaze, North squinted at Ephna with crescent-shaped eyes.
“I can’t kneel, you know.”
“...Of course.”
“Being born well can be tiring sometimes. I can’t even kneel freely, sigh.”
His shrug was insincere.
‘You don’t look tired at all.’
That thought slipped out but she swallowed it down.
At that moment, North seemed to remember something and lowered his head. His gaze landed on Hardness's wrist, which he was still holding.
“Oh dear.”
His voice was soaked in displeasure.
“This isn’t precious.”
He casually released Hardness's wrist, as if dropping something trivial.
With the sudden force, Hardness stumbled awkwardly. Yet, he lifted his chin defiantly and glared at the Emperor. Fiercely, too.
“No matter how much of Your Majesty you are, you cannot treat me like this...! And I had business with Ephna first. I will take Ephna with me!”
“Hmm?”
That was a bold rebellion considering he had been cowering until now.
A cool breeze swept by briefly. North looked at Hardness and smiled broadly.
“Say that again. Marquess Bilchen.”
“W-What...!”
“Say it again, that you will interfere between us.”
What relationship? Us?
Did he mishear? No, judging by the blank stares of the three, excluding the Emperor, he must have heard correctly.
“Say it.”
His charming smile was menacing, contrary to the romantic statement.
However, Hardness, who had no sense of the atmosphere and only pride, was oblivious to the chilling tension.
“I have something to say to Ephna first—”
“Repeating yourself, are we?”
“...”
Thank goodness. That man, who openly displayed the traits of a wicked boss, was on her side for now.
“But Your Majesty just—”
“I? What did I say?”
Oblivious Hardness. Please don’t make this any longer. I don’t want to be with you for even a moment.
“Ha...”
Ephna let out a small sigh and stepped forward with a smile meant for dealing with parents.
“Ha ha. Your Majesty, ‘we’? Someone might misunderstand if they hear that.”
“Misunderstand? Didn’t we agree on ‘us’? Have you already forgotten?”
If that’s the case...
“Don’t tell me...”
A home visit?
“Yeah, that.”
As if he could hear her inner thoughts, North grinned widely.
‘No way. I was just about to go home!’
Her gaze toward North was pitiful. The small shake of her head was even more heartbreaking.
He tilted his head slightly and spoke.
“Not okay?”
How could she say no when the Emperor asked?
“Do you dislike it?”
Could you say it outright if it were you!
“Seeing your silence, I guess it’s fine, huh?”
His interpretations were top-notch.
The man’s flower-like smile deepened. That smile seemed to say to Ephna:
‘If you’re thinking of running away, you’d better stop now.’
How can someone threaten with a smiling face? If he thinks such threats will work on her—
“Is it just fine? It’s so wonderful. I’m truly honored, what should I do...”
That’s the right answer.
As always, Ephna quickly gave up on resisting.
“Is it too wonderful? I’m embarrassed by how proactive you are. If I had known, I would have called you sooner and more often. My assistant’s knees are always ready, you know.”
The Emperor rambled on, but it was clearly not worth listening to. Ephna ignored him and approached Hardness.
“Ephna. We have something to talk about. If you keep this up, I’ll have no choice but to tell Count Windister!”
Threatening and shouting like that was truly pathetic.
Her glossy lips parted, and a cold voice flowed from her that was different from when she spoke to North.
“Speak.”
“What?”
“Go run to Count Windister and tell him that you saw me as much as you want.”
Her green eyes, reflecting the sunlight, shone transparently and clearly.
“However, that doesn’t mean I’ll help you with your failed business.”
“Ephna, why have you changed so much? Since the time you suggested breaking off the engagement—!”
“It was nice to see you after a long time. I hope I won’t have to see you again. Unfortunately, I’m not free enough to spend time with you.”
Because she had to go for a home visit.
At Ephna's words, Hardness bit his lip in frustration. But that was all.
“Is that so?”
With the arrogant Emperor right beside her.
However, the man was as strong as he was arrogant. The faltering Marquess was no match for him.
“Lilien, you too.”
“Y-Yes?”
Lilien flinched. Her shoulders trembled slightly.
“Congratulations on becoming a Saintess. I mean it. Give my share of blessings to Hardness. She seems to need it a lot, tsk.”
“...”
She looked uneasy for someone who had everything she wanted.
‘I don’t particularly care, though.’
She turned her back and smiled at North. It was the same smile she had just used for the parent meeting.
“Your Majesty. It seems the two of them have finished their business with me. Shall we go?”
“Hmm.”
Please don’t make that face as if you want to torment me further.
“Alright.”
Fortunately, the Emperor readily accepted. He crossed his arms and continued speaking.
Ephna briefly left Hardness and Lilien behind and followed North.
“Let’s go to the greenhouse. I’m cold.”
“Oh my, how delicate you are.”
The two people left behind in her mind were quickly erased. She was only concerned about how to get through this home visit crisis right before leaving work.
“...Ephna. You shouldn’t be like this. How can you do this to me? You...!”
No one heard that voice. A chilling glint appeared in Lilien's eyes.
Her sharp gaze pierced the back of her sister, who was moving further away.
At that moment, the holy power ring that was on Lilien's finger glowed faintly before it extinguished like darkness.
* * *
“Is this place alright?”
“Wow, yes. It’s truly beautiful.”
Ephna nodded as she sat in the chair that North had offered.
The moderately warm air in the greenhouse, especially the sunlight streaming in through the glass dome, was a sight to behold.
“They say that if lovers come here, their love lasts a lifetime.”
“Oh, is that so? Thank you for helping me earlier, Your Majesty.”
Ephna quickly changed the subject, responding without enthusiasm.
“Ha ha. Yeah, well.”
Fortunately, he passed over Ephna’s obvious and somewhat arrogant remarks with a short laugh.
“Was the field trip location satisfactory?”
“Ah, yes! I was very pleased in many ways.”
“Anything lacking?”
“Not at all. There were many rare plants that can only be seen on the eastern continent, making it very educational, and the terrain was flat, so it seemed less likely for the children to get hurt.”
“It would be a national loss if the future of the empire fell and broke their noses.”
That was certainly a national loss.
“It must have been difficult since I unilaterally notified you to change the location, but was it really not a problem?”
“Well, of course, I had to overturn the schedule, so it was a bit difficult—”
“I’m just grateful that you accepted it willingly.”
If that was the case, why did he ask?
However, Ephna was a wise person who knew how to cherish her one life. She smiled humbly.
“Yes, it was really agreeable. Although I couldn’t sleep well and didn’t eat properly, what does that matter? The field trip location is this wonderful. It was an honor for my weak and miserable body to be worn out.”
It was hard to tell whether it was a criticism or a compliment. But at least it was all sincere.
The Imperial Palace was very educational, and she was happy to endure hardship as long as it was good for the children’s education.
North narrowed his eyes at her humility.
“You’re either fearless or foolish.”
“...”
“Take good care of that swollen belly.”
What would he do if she didn’t take care of it?
Ephna pretended not to hear and quickly put on the face of a kindergarten teacher to change the subject.
“Is there another reason for giving up the Imperial Palace?”
I’m not asking because I have to cancel the original location, go for a re-inspection, and write a new plan. Not at all.
“There is. A very important reason.”
His long, sturdy hand rested on his chin.
“Are you curious? Hmm?”
The way he smiled slyly was anything but ordinary. What was he going to say now?
Ephna nodded, her smile almost looking defiant.
“Yes, well...”
