ㅤChapter 60
ㅤ”――Huh?”
ㅤ
ㅤAquamarine’s jaw dropped. She rubbed her eyes, thinking her vision was playing tricks on her, but no matter how many times she blinked, the magnificent rose in her sister’s hand remained, so brilliant it was almost blinding.
ㅤThe accompanying priests and escort knights were in an uproar. “To think we could witness its original radiance in our lifetime!” “Just being in its presence purifies the soul,” they exclaimed, praising the rose. Some even prostrated themselves before Ruby, declaring, “Princess Ruby must be the reincarnation of Kyanite-sama!”
ㅤ
ㅤ”A magnificent radiance, Princess Ruby. You have done well. The Grand Saintess would be proud of you.”
ㅤ”It was tainted by strong miasma. If this is the Demon King’s magic, then Saintess Kyanite-sama truly was a great individual.”
ㅤ
ㅤSweat beaded on Ruby’s forehead. Theodore took a handkerchief from his pocket and gently wiped it away before turning to Aquamarine.
ㅤ
ㅤ”The outcome of the contest seems clear…… Do you have anything to say, Princess Aquamarine?”
ㅤ”Oh my, what happened, Aquamarine?! You haven’t purified it at all!”
ㅤ
ㅤRuby’s face paled. She handed the rose to Theodore and rushed to her sister, grasping her arm.
ㅤ
ㅤ”Unlike me, a Poison User, you are a Saintess. Are you feeling unwell?”
ㅤ”……”
ㅤ”I tried my best, but I couldn’t completely cleanse it in an hour. I thought you would be able to purify it perfectly, even down to the leaves.”
ㅤ”……”
ㅤ”Are you feeling so unwell that you can’t even speak? Oh, look, you have dark circles under your eyes. You poor thing――”
ㅤ”Oh, shut up!”
ㅤ
ㅤAquamarine abruptly lifted her face and shook off her sister’s arm.
ㅤ
ㅤ”What trickery did you use?! This is ridiculous! I was perfect!”
ㅤ”Now, now, calm down, Aquamarine. Why would she need to resort to trickery? We properly measured the miasma levels before you began.”
ㅤ”She switched them! She must have switched the roses with a rainbow-colored one while I was purifying! I’m sure of it!”
ㅤ”We were all waiting in the hallway. If Princess Ruby had gone to switch the roses, you, who was standing in front of the room, would have noticed.”
ㅤ
ㅤTheodore dismissed Aquamarine with a cold voice. His words only fueled her anger, and she snatched the rainbow-colored rose from his hand.
ㅤ
ㅤ”You monster! This must be a fake!”
ㅤ
ㅤShe raised the rose, intending to smash it on the ground, but Theodore caught her arm mid-swing. He twisted her arm, his anger barely contained.
ㅤ
ㅤ”This is a precious treasure of our nation. If you destroy it, even the destruction of Belheim wouldn’t be enough to atone for your crime.”
ㅤ”It hurts! Let go of me! How dare the Emperor of Langley be so disrespectful to a Saintess!”
ㅤ
ㅤAquamarine finally revealed her true colors. As she hurled insults at Theodore, a burning sensation spread across her cheek.
ㅤ
ㅤ”――Huh?”
ㅤ
ㅤIt was Ruby who had slapped her.
ㅤ
ㅤ”Enough, Aquamarine.”
ㅤ
ㅤAquamarine held her cheek, staring at her sister in stunned silence.
ㅤ
ㅤ”I am now the Empress of this country. You can attack me personally as my sister, but I will not tolerate you speaking ill of His Majesty or Saintess Kyanite-sama.”
ㅤ
ㅤThis was not the gentle sister she knew from their homeland. She was direct, dignified, and even exuded a certain nobility.
ㅤIt was as if her sister, who had always been beneath her, had climbed to an unreachable height.
ㅤ
ㅤ”No one cheated. If you were at your best, you would have created a far more magnificent rose than I did. Everyone knows that, so let it go. Stop making a scene.”
ㅤ”〜〜〜〜! How dare you speak to me like that!”
ㅤ”Of course, to my dear sister. We are the only two sisters we have, so we must support each other through good times and bad. If you find it difficult to return to Belheim after you have atoned for your sins, you are welcome to stay in this country.”
ㅤ
ㅤYesterday, Ruby had pleaded with Theodore to be lenient with her sister’s punishment, but she could no longer protect her. Aquamarine had humiliated the Emperor and the Grand Saintess in front of numerous knights and priests, making a spectacle of herself.
ㅤRuby had hoped that Aquamarine would atone for her sins and make a fresh start.
ㅤ
ㅤ”This can’t be…… This can’t be…… Something is wrong……”
ㅤ
ㅤAquamarine lowered her head and began muttering in a low voice. Her uncharacteristic behavior, unbefitting of a Saintess, caused a stir among the knights and priests.
ㅤPitying her pathetic sister, Ruby whispered to Theodore.
ㅤ
ㅤ”It seems she needs time to accept reality. If she is to be taken into custody, could you allow her to rest for a bit beforehand?”
ㅤ”The temple’s administrative office is nearby. It’s small, but she can rest there.”
ㅤ
ㅤHe pointed to a building about the size of the log house where Ruby had been living. It likely had several rooms, so Aquamarine could be alone and collect her thoughts.
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ㅤ”Thank you. Aquamarine, let’s rest there for a while. Let’s have a warm drink and calm down.”
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ㅤAt Ruby’s words, Aquamarine’s slumped shoulders twitched.
ㅤ
ㅤ”……Alright. I’ll do that……”
ㅤ
ㅤHer voice was low. She forced a smile and lifted her face.
ㅤ
ㅤ”Your Majesty. May I stop by the carriage first? I would like to retrieve my revitalizing fragrance.”
ㅤ”Very well.”
ㅤ
ㅤAquamarine returned to the carriage and climbed inside alone. She rummaged through her bag with rough hands and pulled out an extravagant glass bottle. Holding it up, the viscous purple liquid inside swirled ominously.
ㅤ
ㅤ（――The witch’s love potion I brought from Belheim. I have no choice but to use this. I’ll make you watch as His Majesty embraces me. If His Majesty chooses me, our positions will be reversed in an instant!）
ㅤ
ㅤHiding the vial in her sleeve, she returned to where everyone was waiting. She put on a brave face for Ruby, who was worried about her, and the group headed towards the administrative office.