Chapter 3: An Evolving Bond
I was visiting the general library of Aniyim University, one of Kophe’s three largest academic institutions. The university itself was located in the heart of Aniyim. Darius, my escort-cum-companion, accompanied me. After borrowing a private room and spending some time gathering information, he and I sat on the terrace sipping on medicinal tea made with fish wort.
“Ahhh…this pungent aroma, this sharp taste. Reminds me that I’m alive,” I sighed.
“Well, I can understand how you might be feeling stifled lately, considering you’ve been doing your work while confined, which meant you didn’t have to hide your heat-induced reactions,” Darius remarked.
“Exactly. But…it really is fun being out and about like this. Thank you for coming with me, even though you’re so busy.”
“Of course. I myself start feeling suffocated if I spend too much time in aggressive, men-only spaces. I’d go stir crazy were it not for our chats, Madam Monica.” Darius smiled as he spoke. I was pretty sure he was telling me the truth.
Ever since I’d been stabbed by the assassin, I’d basically been placed under house arrest in my room in the castle. There, I tried on different outfits and immersed myself in work while Richard set about compiling opinions from his supporters, allies, and vassals in Kophe to determine the ongoing humanitarian aid policy. Since Darius was Richard’s personal bodyguard, I could imagine how much strain he’d been under accompanying him to all those meetings.
“By the way, I read the newspapers,” I said to Darius while munching on Kophe’s traditional confections. “Is it true that part of the Church swore fealty to Richard?”
“Yes. Are you aware that the assassination attempt on you has been reported on an extensive scale within the country and abroad as well?”
I nodded affirmatively. Apparently, Richard had made sure the news spread not just inside Kophe but also in the Empire and every major country in the world.
“Despite being branded with a disgraceful moniker and exiled from her homeland, the great priestess Monica Regulus, spurred on by her altruistic conviction, returned to save her country. With the backing of the Belktrius Empire, she’s continued her generous efforts, but in a shocking turn of events, she nearly forfeits her life to an assassin’s dagger. Who brainwashed the poor orphan into committing the heinous deed? Was it the Church? The royal family? One of the noble houses? Every country raises its voice in censure and outrage at the incident.”
The words and style changed depending on the nation, but for the most part, that was how the news coverage unfolded. Harsh criticism was being levied against the Kingdom of Kophe from around the world, while in the Empire, there was a surge of national sentiment toward Saint Monica and the glory of His Highness, Prince Richard Il Belktrius.
“I also read that a lot of governments imposed trade embargoes on Kophe,” I said.
“They did indeed,” Darius confirmed. “Conversely, trade with the Empire is booming. Not too long ago, the Monarchy of Ezeleya even proposed opening trade between our countries.”
“Ezeleya?!” I bent forward in shock and repeated what he said to make sure I heard correctly. “You must be joking, Darius. Considering how long they’ve been ridiculing the Empire as a band of savage tribes in the east.”
“Evidently, their current monarch is very proactive when it comes to international trade,” he replied.
“I know me getting stabbed was the catalyst for all this, but the scale of the situation has grown so enormous, I feel like my head’s going to explode.”
“Hahaha! His Highness will take care of all the difficult things, so I think you should just relax and do what you can, Madam Monica.”
“Is Richard well?” I asked. “I worry about his health since Kophe’s climate is so hot and humid…”
I hadn’t seen him since the day he came bearing my village’s traditional costume. Almost a week now. The weather would get even hotter soon and I worried about him.
Both hands wrapped around his teacup, Darius grinned meaningfully. “So, you’re concerned about His Highness?”
“I… I mean, of course I am. Why wouldn’t I be?”
My cheeks burned because I had a feeling he meant the question in another way. The more I thought about it, the more embarrassed I became. My heart was racing a mile a minute now.
“Heh. You’re flushed, Madam Monica. I wonder how delighted His Highness would be if he could see you right now.”
“Stop teasing me, darn it,” I huffed. “These heats have been ridiculously strange lately, and as you can see…it doesn’t take much anymore for me to react like this. Sometimes, my warding camouflage doesn’t work either. Like now, for example.” I tried to change the subject while vigorously fanning my flaming cheeks. “N-Now then. What about you, Darius?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well…you and Solarus are from the same province, aren’t you? I remember you telling me before that only citizens of the same country would understand. So perhaps you have feel—”
“No, I don’t. Not for her.” Before I could finish what I was saying, Darius calmly denied it. “We come from different lineages in our homeland, the Principality of Arjentia, when it still existed. I came from a line of knights while she was one of the nobility. Just because we’re from the same country doesn’t automatically make her a romantic interest for me. So I suppose you could say my feelings for her are akin to devotion, perhaps even faith?”
“Darius…”
“If anything, I’d say my feelings for His Highness are much more wicked. Hahaha!” he chuckled.
“Well, it certainly didn’t take long for the conversation to take a vulgar turn, hm?”
“In any case, I definitely can’t see her in that light. The relationship I have with her is different from the one you have with His Highness, Madam Monica.”
“What?”
My heart stopped then sped up. Darius cackled gleefully, flashing his canines at me.
“How do you really feel about His Highness? Be honest now. I promise it won’t leave this room. It’ll stay between us.”
“U-Urk…”
Shoot, the conversation circled back to me. I was so hoping it wouldn’t. While sipping on my tea, I looked everywhere but at him as I tried to think of a way to wiggle my way out of this.
“Richard is an impressive man whom I respect. That…that is all.”
“Is it really? Are you sure?” he pressed.
“Have you forgotten that I’m the Arousing Priestess? I can’t trust my senses at all. I don’t know if I feel strange because of the, um, arousal or…or if there’s a dee-deeper meaning to it. Besides…he’s the emperor’s brother, an imperial prince. The gulf between our backgrounds is too large,” I said.
“Then do you think you can kiss me?” Darius challenged.
“Huh?”
From behind his fringe of black hair, his blue eyes bore sharply into mine. His lips were curved invitingly, and his canines peeked out from the corners of his mouth. Just as a shadow fell on my face—
“Wind!”
Whoosh.
Darius flew away spectacularly. When I realized what I’d done, I paled and came to my senses.
“Da-Darius!” I cried.
He spun, placing both legs against the wall to brace himself, then returned calmly.
“Hahaha! I was only joking,” he said.
“I-I’m sorry…”
“I am as well. I shouldn’t have tested you like that.” He righted the fallen chair and sat down again before continuing. “Things other than sexual arousal can unsettle the heart, you know.”
“Such as?”
“It’s only a matter of time before you answer that question yourself, Madam Monica.”
“I don’t understand…”
“Here’s a hint. If His Highness tried to kiss you just now like I did, would you blow him away or not?” he asked.
“I…”
I said nothing else. Only took another sip of the fish wort medicinal tea even as I blushed furiously. I used the bitter taste of the liquid to forcefully slam the lid on thoughts I shouldn’t think.