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I flung myself onto the bed after I went back to my room. Then I started muttering to myself while staring up at the ceiling. Good thing I was alone.
“If only my engagement hadn’t been annulled…then those women wouldn’t have suffered.”
Even the people of Kophe, who had welcomed me back so warmly, would realize as much once peace returned to the country. That if I hadn’t been banished for being the so-called Arousing Priestess in the first place, the Kingdom’s peace would have never been disrupted. Speaking of! That darn moniker! How in the netherworld! Did no one find it unusual? To use it! As a bloody honorific! Everyone, please, use your heads and think about it logically!
“Urgh!” Before my thoughts took a truly dark turn, I sprung off the bed and lightly slapped my cheeks. “No, Monica! You mustn’t obsess over the past!”
Right. I didn’t have the time to brood leisurely about it.
“Because I’m the blasted Arousing Priestess. And…everyone wants my help!”
Just as I squeezed my hands into determined fists, a knock sounded on the door. It was Solarus.
“Madam Monica, Lord Xenu wishes to speak with you. I tried to turn him away, but he remains persistent. I’d be most grateful if you permit me to use force against him.”
“Stop, stop. Before you do, let me at least ask him what he wants.”
I hurried to the parlor next door. A few moments later, Xenu entered holding his cat, Saaya.
“Meooow.”
“Hello, Saaya.”
When I opened my arms wide, Saaya leapt nimbly into them like a snow-white ball of fluff. Then, just like cats everywhere, she rubbed against me, silently saying she was graciously allowing me to pet her. How cute.
“Heh heh. Looks like Saaya missed you too, Madam Monica,” Xenu remarked.
Solarus poured tea for me and Xenu.
I broke the ice as we sat on sofas across from each other. “So what is it you want with me? It must be something terribly important for you to come all the way out here.”
“I’ve actually come to see you quite often. They just refuse to let me in.”
“O-Oh, well…”
I couldn’t help smiling ruefully at Richard’s overprotectiveness. He didn’t have to be quite so vehement in rejecting Xenu’s overtures. After all, it wasn’t particularly odd for me to talk to merchants like him. Though I couldn’t deny that the man had moxie.
“I absolutely needed your opinion on something today, Madam Monica,” he said. “No one else will do. I’m in the process of preparing supplies for all the holy women now working under the Flame Corps, and I thought it wouldn’t hurt to consult with you too.”
“That makes sense.”
A very proper discussion then. I was glad he hadn’t been run off. With that thought in mind, I went with him and Solarus to the priestesses’ temporary lodgings. Each of the bedrooms in Marquess Podzern’s estate was furnished with an immaculate bed and daily necessities, which made life so much more pleasant.
“I’ve more or less prepared everything a woman would need on a long journey, but I wondered if there were other essentials holy women in particular would like,” Xenu said.
As I surveyed the items, I didn’t notice too much or too little of anything. They had endured much strife since Kophe essentially excommunicated saints, so I wanted them to get a fresh start on life in this brand new, unsullied environment.
“Thank you, Xenu. I’m sure they’ll all be delighted by your consideration. I’ll try to find the right opportunity to ask them what they want as well.”
“I’d be much obliged.” He smiled at me. Then he narrowed his eyes and rummaged in his sleeves. “Ah, before I forget. One last thing… This is a present for you, Madam Monica.”
“A present?”
He handed me a glass bottle with some sort of liquid inside. I could see fresh herb flowers pickled in the clear, viscous liquid.
“It’s a massage oil. I hear it’s all the rage abroad and luckily, I managed to get my hands on some, so here you go. Open the stopper and take a whiff.”
Solarus snatched it out of his hand before I could touch it. She took off the stopper and sniffed it, then poured a little of the liquid onto the back of her hand and licked.
“It’s fine, just perfumed oil,” she declared.
“Th-Thank you.”
Xenu didn’t look the least bit displeased by her distrust of him. “I heard this silver-haired maid massages you regularly, Madam Monica,” he said. “In which case, I figured you might like to use a new massage oil, so I acquired it for you.”
“How did you learn that about me?” I asked.
“Heh. It’s a secret.”
I couldn’t help thinking he really was a shady man. Nevertheless, I was grateful for the perfumed oil. Curious about the scent, I took the bottle from Solarus. When I removed the stopper resembling a gemstone, an invigorating mixture of orange and bergamot wafted out, tickling my nostrils. I normally liked soft, floral oils, so this was a pleasantly refreshing change of pace.
“Thank you. I’ll make sure not to waste it.”
“Of course. I’m glad you like it.”
Xenu stepped forward, bringing his face close to mine. At this distance, he could speak secretly to me without others hearing. He took advantage of it by whispering into my ear, his lips almost brushing against it.
“Even if I’m not by your side…I’m honored to think that you’ll wear my scent on your body, Madam Monica.”
“Nh…!”
“Right, then. Thank you for your time.”
After politely kissing the back of my hand, Xenu strode away, his easygoing gait belying the heated sultriness he had just displayed. Saaya leaped from my arms and silently cat-walked her way behind him.
“…What a strange man,” I mumbled to myself.
“He’s after you, Madam Monica.”
“After me? Me? Because I’m a holy woman?”
Solarus stared intently at me. “For an arousing priestess so sensitive to sexual desire, you’re surprisingly oblivious when it comes to blatant courtship behavior, hm?”
“Courtship behavior?! B-But that’s impossible! I mean, Xenu and I only recently met. Not to mention I’m the so-called wanton saint. The very idea of it is preposterous.”
“Then let me ask you this… The oil he gave you is thick with his carnal passion. Knowing this, can you still say you’ll be able to rub it all over your body?”
“Ummm… I-It’s not like the oil itself has done anything wrong… Besides, it would be a waste not to use it…”
“So you’ll be able to meet His Highness while wearing Xenu’s oil?”
I went rigid, like she had struck a vital point.
“I-I—”
“If you’re going to feel guilty toward His Highness, then the safest choice is to not use it. That said, you do not mind if I dispose of it, yes?”
“Right, thank you…”
Solarus’s words finally made me realize what an outrageous present I’d received. A present to rub into my skin, one that would have enveloped me in a new aroma… In hindsight, it was quite a l-lewd gift.
Oh my goodness. She’s right. How in the world could I ever face Richard after using such a thing? The very idea goes against socially acceptable behavior. Did I temporarily lose my mind back there?
I couldn’t bear the thought of seeing Richard clad in Xenu’s scent. But I still didn’t know why I felt like this.