Chapter 205

Chapter 205

He looked at it in surprise and stared at the doll. I pretended to be nonchalant about it as I felt a little embarrassed.

“Do you like it?”

He looked so touched as he nodded slightly. Even his eyes were shaking. I could see he was holding it loosely in case it rips if he touched it wrong.

“I didn’t think I’d get anything.”

“I also didn’t think I’d be able to finish it.”

Thankfully the wound in my finger was gone with Ravis’s help. It was good that I didn’t have to show it to him while wrapping bondage around my finger.

“It’s the first time I got a gift from someone.”

“Really? But you got so many gift every year.”

Lina told me that the royal storage was so full that it took a few months just to make a list and unwrao it. I looked at him while wondering.

“I don’t call that a gift. I call that rights.”

It really seemed like it was the first time he got a personal gift. I felt a little bad but also a little happy about it.

He touched the face of miniature me.

“Who is it?”

“…. Me.”

“I, it’s does look like…”

“It’s ok. Here’s your doll too.”

I smiled at Ridrian, who wasn’t used to complimenting. He didn’t say a word as he saw the small doll.

‘Why isn’t he reacting?’

Even with my talent, I thought it was pretty good. Black hair, golden eyes, Loturobu and strong chest! It looked exactly like him so what is going on?

He looked a little sad and asked.

“What about the top?”

Ah! I was trying to make the most impressionable part of him that I forgot to give him top clothes. As I smiled, he smiled like nothing to be done.

He put the dolls in his pocket. Before he did, he kissed the doll’s cheek and my cheek.

“Thank you. I’ll be careful with it.”

“Be safe.”

I didn’t think Ridrian would get hurt, but I couldn’t help but worry.

“Of course.”

I smiled at his confident answer.”

“Catalaif. I’ll be looking forward to it.”

***

The time of the march came faster than expected.

I waited for Ridrian on the stage and kept trying to calm down.

“Whew.”

“Are you nervous?”

“A little.”

As I looked at Ravis’s teasing face, I felt a little relaxed.

“You look quite good in that. To think that Iona will be wearing same thing as me. It feels weird.”

I just came back from encouraging the priests that arrived so I was wearing the high priest’s robe that I wore last speech.

“I feel the same. To think I’d wear something that the group sent.”

This morning, Lina gave me the saintess’s clothes that the group has sent. It looked elegant, devoted, hard to wear, and heavy. I felt sick of it before I even wore it.

“You look great, saintess.”

Dylan, who was silent since the morning greeting, turned and looked at me. He looked quite satisfied. The moment I saw his face, I could tell that it was Dylan who brought it.”

“T, thank you.”

Yesterday morning, Dylan and the priests arrived at Vanmon a day earlier than expected with holy water. He gave me a crystal with Pope’s message, and he said that the group will help the saintess as much as they can.

“Send my gratitude to His Holiness as well.”

“For sure.”

I was a little suspicious about their change in stance, but it was great that the priests and holy water arrived. We were planning on distributing holy water to those who are going on the campaign.

And Dylan was sent as my guard (and watcher). Thankfully, I was uncomfortable about this sub main character that kept following me around without a word.

‘He feels like a shadow.”

He wouldn’t leave me alone even for a moment like he was a zealot. Even yesterday, he had a war of nerve with Ridrian so he was scolded by me.

‘I remember when Eris came to the mansion… Thinking about it, what is Eris doing?’

Since the ambush, Eris disappeared the moment her wound was healed. We couldn’t find her or even have a clue, but I couldn’t help but worry about her.

‘I hope she’s ok.’

I wanted to see her walking towards me in confidence again.

“Iona.”

That moment, I heard Ridrian coming towards me. As I turned my head, Ridrian was coming, with his hair tidied back and in his Emperor’s armor. I saw it on the day of my speech, but I was so out of my mind that I didn’t have time to take it in.

He donned a black armor.

I heard that the Emperor’s armor was fancy as it was for the look, but Ridrian was someone who goes to the field himself so he was too lazy to wipe the blood off his armor so he told the smith to paint it all black from gold.

‘I wouldn’t expect anything less.’

“You look gr…. That symbol, it’s Theres group’s.”

He was smiling until he saw my clothes and frowned. The clothes itself looked good on me, but it didn’t seem like he was pleased that I was wearing the group’s clothes.

I pulled the side of my robe and showed him.

“The group sent it to me, but today is the day I had to show something so I wore it.”

“Change it right after. I’ll send you something else.”

“Ok.”

He seemed to be satisfied with my answer and he pecked me on the forehead.

The speech started after. Ridrian’s voice that was ringing through the field was husky and strong. They said because only the best of the best was going on this campaign the speech was shorter than usual.

He explained shortly but strongly that the reason why they have to invade Lucretia is to save them. It seemed like everyone was paying attention to him as only Ridrian’s voice could be heard.

“Whoaaaaaaa!”

That moment, there was great cheer from the other side. As I was surprised, Raven explained.

“It seems like His Majesty’s speech is over.”

“… What a crazy reaction.”

“That’s because this is the fourth nation they will be taking over. It will be a momentous campaign.”

“Ah, there will be no more war after this during His Majesty’s time after.”

The reason why Ridrian was starting unnecessary wars was because of his wish. Once he fulfill all of his wish and becomes free of Lilianna, he will no longer need to start a war.

“Are you certain?”

“Pardon?”

Dylan suddenly asked behind me.

“That His Majesty will no longer seek blood.”

“Yes, I’m certain.”

I answered with confidence. It was Dylan that was flustered by reaction. He stared at me for a moment with his shivering eyes.

A soldier called me that moment.

“Secretary Lesprey, it’s your turn to go on the stage.”

“Ok.”

I stared at him without looking away until the last moment and went on the stage without looking back.

‘This is Ridrian’s last war. Then it’s his turn to become happy.”

I looked up after calming down. There was a sudden roar of cheering.