Chapter 105

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 105

Chapter Title: The Star of Statilia

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Arpad pointed at the amethyst set, acting as if it were no big deal.

"That must be the gift the Young Duke of Mugen offered you, right?"

"Ah, you heard? The duchess and the young duke came together."

It was just as Yulken had reported to him right after his return.

Yulken had clearly said that both the duchess and the young duke had presented it, but in Arpad's mind, it had morphed into 'a gift from the young duke'.

Arpad subtly downplayed the gift from another man.

"The young duke's taste doesn't seem all that great. Something better would suit you."

But Hilia didn't catch on to his intentions.

"They gave it to me as a thank-you. I'd helped the duchess out a bit."

"Helped her?"

"Yeah. I saved her life."

Hilia puffed out her chest proudly as she spoke.

"I even accepted the position of head maid. While you were away, I finished winning over House Mugen."

She was so adorable that he had to hold back the urge to kiss her, and instead, Arpad said in an admiring tone,

"Impressive. That's so you."

Hilia's expression turned strange again at his praise.

"Are you sure you didn't eat something bad?"

"No. My eyes are fine."

There might be a bit of a love filter over them, but his vision itself was perfect, so it wasn't a lie.

Still, Hilia's suspicious look didn't change.

Arpad decided it would be best to change the subject.

"Anyway, do you like it? My gift."

Only then did Hilia remember the ring again, and her eyes widened.

"Right! How did you get this? This is it, isn't it? The 'Star of Statilia'!"

"I'm glad you recognized it."

The smile on Arpad's face deepened.

No matter how many there were, the Star of Statilia was objectively several times better than that amethyst set.

It absolutely wasn't because he was trying to one-up some young duke from House Mugen whose face he didn't even know.

What Arpad had slipped onto my finger was a silver ring with a vivid pale purple gem.

I knew exactly what it was.

The Star of Statilia!

One of the five gems blessed by the goddess.

Similar to the Agrippina's Tear I'd given to Arpad.

And it was one of the treasures Evangeline had acquired later and cherished the most.

They said the continent's greatest knight, Aaron Mugen, had risked his life to obtain it for her.

This wasn't the time for it to surface, and it wasn't supposed to come to me, either.

Arpad shouldn't have had it, either.

But the ring he'd placed on my finger was unmistakably the Star of Statilia.

The pale purple gem, about the size of my thumbnail, glittered dazzlingly.

True to its name, it seemed to hold a shining star within.

This wasn't my first time receiving a wedding ring.

The ring that had likely caused my regression had always been mine, after all.

Wait, come to think of it, didn't Arpad just take that ring from me a little while ago?

The question slipped my mind for the moment in the face of the goddess's star sparkling on my finger.

Arpad spoke with a face that somehow managed to look irritatingly smug.

"I got it myself."

"This? I never heard any rumors about it being found."

"The Black Mercenary Corps got the intel a week ago. As you know, I've been searching for the goddess's divine relics."

"Ah."

The Agrippina's Tear on his wrist right now was proof of that.

The pearl necklace I'd given him as an advance payment for his commission was wrapped twice around his wrist.

When I touched his wrist with the hand wearing the ring, Agrippina's Tear sparkled.

Hummm. The two divine relics resonated, each emitting their own holy power.

Undeniable proof that the Star of Statilia was genuine.

"You went out for a week just to find this?"

"Yeah."

I tilted my head.

"Hmm? But you know divine relics are useless for your light phobia now, so why bother?"

I could guess how dangerous it must have been to obtain it.

But I couldn't understand why Arpad had suddenly decided to brave that perilous journey just to give it to me.

Ah, of course, Arpad was several times stronger than the future Aaron Mugen, so maybe it hadn't been that risky for him.

Arpad, who had been staring blankly with his mouth open at my question, hesitated a moment before answering.

"Because... I wanted to give it to you."

As if he were a little shy about it.

Ridiculous. I dismissed the thought inwardly and asked brightly, casually,

"Hmm, why?"

"......"

Arpad's red eyes filled with clear bewilderment.

Arpad doubted his own ears, wondering what he'd just heard.

That was why he'd stupidly asked her to repeat it. He was that flustered.

"Did you just... ask why I'm giving this to you?"

"Yes."

Hilia acted as if it were the most natural question in the world.

Arpad, momentarily at a loss for words and staring blankly at her, finally pulled himself together.

"It's a wedding ring. I couldn't give you a proper engagement gift before, so......"

Hilia looked even more puzzled.

"Hmm? We already have wedding rings, don't we? The ones from the detached palace."

"Those weren't proper ones. They were just whatever gems were handy in the detached palace."

"The Crown Prince's Palace is already overflowing with jewels and accessories, though?"

"......"

Arpad suddenly felt a pang of conscience and was at a loss for words.

In truth, from the bride abduction marriage to his entry into the palace and up to now, he'd thought of it as the wedding ring himself.

It might have been better if Hilia had pointed it out mockingly or with resentment.

But no.

She was purely, genuinely confused about why he was giving her this.

It was as if she were saying, We're not the kind of relationship where we exchange things like this, are we?

Arpad gave a dazed, foolish response.

"Because you're my wife......?"

While he stood there frozen in shock.

Hilia came to her own conclusion about why he was giving her such a precious gem.

It was a slightly off-target judgment.

Ah, I've been doing my job too well!

From Arpad's perspective, who had just realized his feelings, giving her the wedding ring was tantamount to a confession.

But Hilia twisted it a little in her interpretation.

In other words,

'I acknowledge you as Crown Princess.'

She'd demonstrated sufficient ability as a partner, as Crown Princess.

So this was his reward or compensation for that, she concluded.

It was the kind of thought that would leave Arpad utterly deflated, maybe even collapsing on the spot if he knew.

The two gems had resonated, but their owners were far from in sync.

Hilia spoke as if she understood.

"Thank you."

"...No. I should have paid more attention sooner."

Arpad felt a little relieved. A faint blush began to tint his porcelain-white cheeks.

The mood finally seemed to turn a touch romantic.

But it shattered in an instant. Once again, by Hilia.

She gazed at the ring on her finger with a proud smile, then clenched both hands into fists.

As if cheering Arpad on.

"I'll do even better!"

"...Huh?"

Was that the response you gave after receiving a wedding ring?

While Arpad was lost in confusion.

Hilia resolved his doubt.

"It's to encourage me to work harder as your client and partner, right?"

It wasn't exactly a positive direction. Arpad's expression grew even more dazed.

Hilia was utterly serious and brimming with enthusiasm.

"I mean, I have been doing pretty well, haven't I?"

"Y-Yeah, you have. You've done too well."

The only thing left in Arpad's mind, still not fully recovered, was one thought.

Watch your words! Nice words bring nice returns!

He had to stick to his resolution not to rack up more karma with his mouth.

He gave the gentlest, most positive response he could muster.

Which meant he ended up affirming her question of 'This is a bonus for doing a good job, right?' with 'Yes'—though he realized it far too late.

Regardless of Arpad's mental state, Hilia was thrilled.

Because the divine relic that had once been Evangeline's was now sparkling on her own finger, and she loved it.

Hilia smiled confidently.

"I'll make it worth more than this ring from now on, too."

"......"

You don't have to, he thought... but the words wouldn't come out.

If he confessed properly now, Hilia would feel immensely burdened.

She might even run away. Better to keep quiet for now.

That night, Arpad lay in bed holding the sleeping Hilia, mulling it over.

I got rejected.

Before he could even confess.

And the one who had tangled things up like this was his past foolish self.

He had no intention of giving up like this.

After all, Hilia was his wife right now, and she wore the Star of Statilia on her finger.

Now that he realized it, there was only one thing left to do.

I'll seduce her with everything I've got.

It was the epitome of ships passing in the night.