Irene Decided to Die - Chapter 171
This was truly the final battle. The temple had prepared for this expedition with that mindset. So, Irene had expected the journey to be solemn and serious, more than ever before.
That is, until Guy and Burt started clashing.
“Saintess,”
Guy said, making no attempt to hide his feelings. In fact, he was more determined than usual to stay close to Irene.
“I thought you might get hungry on the way, so I’ve prepared a light snack for you.”
But the snack he offered didn’t look simple at all. What should she do? Irene, in a calm voice, replied,
“I don’t think it’s right for me to eat while everyone else is struggling with the march.”
“Is that so?”
Guy’s face fell, looking so pitiful that Irene couldn’t resist him in the end.
“Alright, just one.”
“Yes! Please, have a taste right away.”
She took one of the cute, animal-shaped cookies and put it in her mouth, enjoying the savory flavor. It was the kind of snack she’d often tasted while staying in Guy’s country.
‘One should be fine,’ she thought.
But then Burt approached, offering her dried fruit he had prepared as a snack.
“Please, have some.”
“Pardon?”
“You ate what the king from another country gave you, didn’t you?”
Though Burt smiled as he spoke, it didn’t feel like a genuine smile.
Irene thought once again that she should only eat one, reaching for the dried fruit.
“You can have more.”
“No, everyone else is working hard.”
She tried to refuse in the same way, but Burt stopped her.
“No one would say anything if you ate to fill your stomach, no matter how hard things are.”
“…But this is just a snack.”
“Even so, you’re too thin, Irene.”
Guy chimed in again at Burt’s words.
“He’s right. You should eat more.”
He brought more cookies to her. Burt turned to Guy and said,
“The Saintess prefers dried fruit.”
“Not at all. She prefers cookies.”
Both Burt and Guy started bickering, each holding out the snacks from their respective countries. If Irene hadn’t stepped in to mediate, their standoff might have lasted much longer.
‘Why are they doing this?’
Irene looked at the two of them with a troubled expression. For someone just beginning to understand the complexities of people’s emotions, this was a difficult situation. But the quarrel between Guy and Burt was only just beginning.
Whenever there was a situation that required an escort—whether stepping out of the carriage, getting back in, or sitting down for a meal—both of them would appear without fail.
“Saintess, would you allow me to escort you?”
“Irene wants me to escort her.”
“And how are you so sure of that?”
Whenever they encountered each other, a palpable chill filled the air. It seemed as though one day, they might actually come to blows.
“They’re practically fighting already,” Lani commented in response to Irene’s observation.
“But doesn’t your heart race a bit, knowing they’re jealous? Just watching them makes my face feel hot.”
“Jealous?”
“Yes, jealous.”
At the mention of the word, Irene recalled its meaning and felt her heart flutter, just as Lani said.
“But a king should know how difficult it is to be with a Saintess. Why are they acting this way?”
Apparently, Noah hadn’t shared what he had overheard with Lani. Irene hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“They both said they’d step down from their thrones.”
“Who did?”
Lani’s eyes widened with surprise.
“Both of them.”
“H-Heavens! Are you saying Lord Burt would give up that solid power he holds? And Guy, too—he’s only just securing his position. Love truly is extraordinary.”
“Is it love?”
“It is.”
Lani’s answer was firm.
“So, which one are you going to choose?”
Her eyes gleamed with curiosity.
“Choose?”
“I think your heart leans toward Lord Burt, doesn’t it?”
“Did it seem that way?”
“Yes.”
Lani looked more excited about the confession than Irene herself, going on and on about various things—her past romantic experiences, and how men behave. Though Irene wasn’t fully engaged, listening wasn’t unpleasant.
“Men, you see, even if they have nothing, will do anything for the one they love. I once had a man like that…”
Lost in memories, Lani rambled on while Irene turned her gaze outside the carriage window. Guy and Burt were still arguing, both vying to ride their horses closest to the window Irene was looking through.
“Irene.”
The quarrel didn’t last long. Guy was a newly crowned king, while Burt had sat on his throne for much longer. That meant his skills were more refined.
“Please, just don’t fight.”
