Irene Decided to Die - Chapter 165
The recent days had been warm and clear. After seeing nothing but cloudy skies for so long, people were finally rejoicing, feeling that everything was falling into place. Crops and livestock were growing rapidly, and with people’s spirits lifting, much began to change.
“Offerings to the temple have increased.”
“There are more people visiting the temple for blessings after pregnancy.”
Even the temple, which had faced tough times, was starting to flourish. It was a welcoming change.
“But this feels a bit embarrassing.”
Irene, gazing up at the unusually blue sky, buried her face in her hands.
“What’s so embarrassing?”
“Isn’t it like revealing your state to the world for everyone to see?”
“I see. That’s an interesting perspective.”
It was a viewpoint different from any Saintess before her.
“By the way, what have you been looking at for a while now?”
“It’s nothing.”
Burt flipped his hand, and whatever he had been holding vanished.
“Magic, perhaps?”
Her eyes sparkled as she asked, and he replied.
“It’s nothing grand. Just a simple trick. Shall I teach you?”
“Yes!”
Irene answered eagerly. Ever since she had begun to change, she had become more curious than expected, with an incredible will to learn anything. It seemed that unless she tried things herself, she couldn’t be satisfied.
Burt stood by her side, teaching her the magic trick he had just shown—how to discreetly hide an object inside the long sleeve of her clothing.
“But wasn’t what you were holding earlier something different?”
Irene asked again, but Burt simply smiled in response. It was as if his smile said not to ask further, so Irene remained silent.
‘Well, I suppose there are things one might want to keep hidden.’
She was curious, but she could endure, believing that one day he would tell her. That curiosity was resolved not long after.
“H-Hello, Lady Saint.”
It was King Guy of the East who had come directly to see Irene. His voice trembled more than usual, and his cheeks were flushed as he spoke.
“Did you receive the gift I sent?”
At his words, Irene tilted her head without realizing it. Had he sent something? She racked her brain, but nothing came to mind.
“What did you send?”
In response to Irene’s question, Guy smiled while glancing at Burt, who stood off to the side. Was it just her imagination, or did it seem that even though Guy was smiling, there was something unsettling about it?
“It seems to have disappeared along the way.”
Can something sent by a king just disappear along the way? Wouldn’t that be a serious issue? Irene was worried, but Guy shook his head as if it wasn’t a big deal.
“I can simply give it to you again, so it’s fine.”
Then, he pulled out an envelope from his coat and handed it to Irene. The edges of the envelope were lined with gold, and the seal was secured with wax.
“Please open it.”
“Is it alright to open it here?”
“Yes.”
Guy flashed a shy smile. Despite enduring long years in terrible circumstances, he occasionally showed an innocent side, a trait others found charming. Slowly, the world was shedding its biases.
Irene carefully opened the envelope Guy had handed her. Inside was a folded card, and when she opened it, the content was unexpected.
*As we face new beginnings, I humbly ask before one so noble and great. If it is possible, I wish to spend the rest of my life by your side. Would you do me the honor of marrying me?*
Irene’s eyes wavered. Thinking she might have misread it, she closed and reopened her eyes, but the words hadn’t changed. Guy had just handed her a proposal.
“Um.”
Still in a daze, Irene asked Guy,
“Can a saintess even get married?”
“It’s uncommon, but there have been rare cases where saintesses have had spouses.”
Of all the saintesses who had existed, only three had married. A saintess was believed to be a vital force supporting the world, someone who must remain neutral, unaligned to any side. As a result, people generally preferred that saintesses remain without a spouse.
The saintesses who had married in the past had spouses who were not in positions of power. They were either commoners or individuals without a voice in political matters. It was rare for a king to propose.
‘I should decline, right?’
Irene thought. She had fondness for Guy, but it wasn’t love. She couldn’t marry him. If she were to marry, it would have to be someone else.
‘Though I’m not sure if that’s even possible.’
Burt was silently watching Irene as she hesitated, his gaze intense and heated. Feeling the warmth of his eyes on her, Irene brushed her cheek and spoke gently.
“I’m sorry. I think I have to decline.”
Guy, looking downcast, asked,
“I’m not asking you to marry me right now. For now, I would be satisfied just being by your side. Would that still not be possible?”
A large dog whimpering came to her mind. It made her feel weak, but still, she couldn’t accept.
“I’m sorry.”
Irene apologized again.
