Chapter 17: 17
Zion felt a strange sense of discomfort as he walked.
Normally, he would have brushed it off as just one of those things that happen occasionally.
But this time, he couldn’t help but smile naturally and look at Hanette.
‘It’s inevitable to grow attached. Our rooms are right next to each other, and we spend a lot of time together.’
Zion set the fallen chair upright and looked around.
Hanette was still glaring at him while holding a box.
Zion let out a helpless laugh.
“What are you doing?”
“I thought you might take something while I was opening the box.”
“I’m not going to take anything. Come here.”
“How can I trust you? Just stay there and watch.”
“… Do as you please.”
Zion shook his head and sat down in front of the table.
Hanette, keeping an eye on Zion, carefully started to unwrap the packaging.
“Don’t get your hopes up. It might not be something you like.”
“I doubt they would give something obvious as a gift.”
“Knowing how picky my sister is, it couldn’t be something obvious.”
“Do you know what I don’t like?”
“It seems like you just dislike this world.”
“Haha! What a weird thing to say.”
Hanette laughed, but there was no smile on her face.
Maybe Zion was right.
Despite enjoying many privileges as a noblewoman of the Duke’s family, she wasn’t satisfied with her life.
What could be making her so miserable?
‘Excited before opening it?’
Hanette looked down at the box, recalling Zion’s words.
It was small enough to fit in one hand.
A fragrant and profound scent was emanating from the box.
Surely, it wasn’t some useless item like cosmetics or jewelry.
‘… I don’t like those things.’
Hanette, slightly disappointed, opened the box.
Beyond the neatly stacked silk, something shiny began to appear.
Though her remaining bit of anticipation waned, curiosity arose simultaneously.
“What is this?”
“They called it a relic.”
“A relic? Something sold by the Holy Order?”
“Yes. They say it wards off bad luck and brings good fortune.”
Zion repeated what he had heard from a holy knight.
Though it had some magical power, it wasn’t astonishing, yet many people were buying these relics.
Because of the widespread superstition about relics, no one dared to question it.
“Are you out of your mind? Why did you buy this?”
“There wasn’t anything suitable to buy.”
“If that was the case, you shouldn’t have bought anything. You’ve been fooled. This thing can’t ward off bad luck.”
Hanette sighed as she looked inside the box.
A golden necklace lay neatly inside.
Though there was a faint magical aura, she instinctively knew it was meaningless.
“Do you have so much money? Why would you buy something like this…”
“I know. Owning it doesn’t guarantee happiness. It’s just a sales tactic.”
“You bought it even though you knew? What’s wrong with you?”
“It’s a way to express my feelings. Would buying an expensive necklace or ring convey my feelings?”
“…?”
Hanette was momentarily speechless, staring blankly at Zion.
Noticing her gaze, Zion continued slowly.
“I want you to be happy, whether you marry me or not. Our first meeting wasn’t great, but the ending should be nice, right?”
“Why are you saying this? Are you crazy?”
Hanette couldn’t hide her confusion and felt a surge of fear.
The usual Zion would mock or pick on her, but now he was being serious, which scared her.
“It’s for your sake, so why call me crazy? That’s a bit disappointing.”
“Just do what you usually do. Boast about your money or say that even this is too much for me…”
“I have no intention of boasting. And it’s not too much. Can’t I give this much to my fiancée?”
“When could we break off the engagement, and you’re saying that?”
“I’ll think about it when it happens. I don’t want to worry about things that haven’t happened yet.”
Zion answered calmly and stood up.
Hanette unconsciously took a step back and swallowed dryly.
The unexpected situation seemed to cloud her judgment.
“What else are you going to say?”
“I just wanted you to know. Do you understand now?”
“Understand what? Get a grip. Do you think your feelings will be understood this way?”
“If not, it can’t be helped. I’ve made an effort, but if you don’t recognize it, it’s on you.”
“Are you blaming me now?”
“You didn’t understand even when I explained, so it’s your fault.”
“Your explanations are weird!”
“What’s weird about it?”
“That… that is…”
Hanette stammered and then fell silent.
Honestly, she didn’t fail to understand Zion’s words.
She just didn’t want to accept his seemingly lame excuse.
“It doesn’t matter how you give a gift. I showed sincerity, and that’s enough.”
“Isn’t that too irresponsible? What if I sell it?”
“There’s nothing I can do about that. It’s yours now; I can’t do anything.”
“You’re really strange. Do you know that?”
“You’re the strange one. How can you think of selling it?”
“It was just hypothetical.”
“Are you going to wear it around your neck?”
“How can I wear something like this?”
“Then at least decorate your room with it.”
Zion looked at Hanette and then left the room.
Hanette wanted to say something, but she couldn’t bring herself to speak.
‘I’ve made my point, so there’s no loss.’
Zion had already shown the gift to Yenid and asked if it was okay.
So Robbenz would know, and Freed would hear about it naturally.
By taking care of Hanette as Freed wanted, he had a plausible excuse.
‘I’ll buy gloves with the remaining money and then get Exceed Rain.’
Holy water had to be consumed through a special process to gain immunity to magical erosion.
After that, he had to prepare equipment to draw Exceed Rain.
With enough money, winning the auction wouldn’t be difficult.
‘Finally, I can become strong too.’
* *
Duke Adelaira’s mansion, Zion’s room.
Zion calmed his breathing and looked at the water in the bowl.
The holy water, which had only a golden hue, had turned completely golden.
This meant it was ready, and now he only had to drink it and endure to achieve the desired result.
‘This process is quite tricky.’
This holy water contained the power of El Tesoykve, the White Apostle.
Though drinking it would have some effect, it wouldn’t completely block the magical erosion of Exceed Rain.
Thus, he had spent time waiting for the holy water’s color to change.
‘It took about three days?’
To change the nature of the holy water, it needed the power of the sun and the moon.
In other words, it had to be exposed to sunlight and moonlight, and Zion had moved it around day and night.
Because of this, Hanette had called him crazy, but he managed to finish it safely.
‘I’ve already told them, so they won’t interrupt.’
Zion planned to stay in his room until this time tomorrow.
After drinking the holy water, he couldn’t eat or drink anything for a day.
If he consumed something before a day passed, the holy water wouldn’t seep into his body and would disappear.
‘I can endure for a day…’
Zion slowly lifted the bowl of holy water.
He had informed Hanette about it, but she only replied not to do anything strange.
If she didn’t believe it, he would have to show her through his actions.
‘That’s just like her. She doesn’t easily believe what people say.’
Zion braced himself and drank the holy water in one go.
The unique scent spread, and a bland yet clean taste lingered in his mouth.
As he fully swallowed the holy water, a cool sensation began to rise from within his body.
‘Now… I’m no longer an extra?’
*
Duke Adelaira’s mansion, Hanette’s room.
Hanette intended to visit Zion before receiving her allowance.
However, Zion hadn’t shown himself since he locked himself in his room.
She asked the maids why, but they kept giving the same answer.
‘He did tell me that.’
Hanette, lying on her bed, recalled Zion’s words.
Until the next day, he wouldn’t leave his room.
He had prepared food and water, so there was no need to worry.
Why was he doing this?
‘Has something bad happened recently?’
To her knowledge, Zion hadn’t shown any displeasure since coming to the mansion.
He always engaged in childish arguments or played petty pranks.
Zion was always the same, and she just played along.
‘Wait… Could it be…’
Hanette pondered, then glanced at the desk.
On the desk was the box Zion had given her.
After checking the gift, she hadn’t tried to touch it, let alone take it out.
It was just an expensive superstition.
‘Is he upset because I didn’t use it?’
Hanette let out a sigh and sat up.
It was just a piece of jewelry with a simple, ordinary meaning.
But he hadn’t left his room because she didn’t wear the relic around her neck.
‘He’s such a kid… always doing weird things.’
Hanette frowned and lay back on the bed.
No matter what the intention behind the gift was, she could appreciate it, but she couldn’t show more than that.
She didn’t like jewelry, and she hardly wore it.
If he had asked her before buying the gift, it might have been better.
‘Keep trying. Do you think I’ll wear that thing around my neck?’
* *
Hanette woke up and looked out the window.
She had spent the previous day at home and fallen asleep naturally.
She had thought about Zion a few times but quickly dismissed it, not wanting to back down.
“Hanette, it’s time to wake up… Oh my.”
The maid, entering the room, gasped in surprise.
It was rare for Hanette to be up before she arrived.
Maybe she had stayed up all night or had urgent business.
“Oh, you’re up?”
Hanette got out of bed and approached the vanity.
The maid, stunned, finally moved her feet.
Hanette dipped her hands in the bowl the maid brought and quietly washed.
‘… Is he still in his room?’
After a quick wash, Hanette changed into formal attire.
While applying makeup, she reluctantly spoke.
“Is my fiancé up?”
“Well… no.”
“Why?”
“He hasn’t left his room since yesterday.”
“…?”
Hanette paused and looked at the desk.
It wasn’t the time for pride.
If she had known he was this stubborn, she might have pretended to wear the necklace.
“Oh, really… What kind of person is he?”
Hanette quickly grabbed the box from the desk.
She opened it and put on the necklace.
Then she went to the neighboring room and knocked hard on the door.
“Hey! Come out now! I’ll wear this, so just come out! Do you want to make me a widow?”