Irene Decided to Die - Chapter 197
Almost all preparations were now complete. Only a single step remained. First, Lani requested an audience with Burt. It was a high hurdle for an ordinary maid to seek an audience, but it was possible because she was the saintess’s maid.
The permission came quickly, even before a day had passed since she made the request. Lani adjusted her attire and took a deep breath.
‘I can do this.’
She was nervous, as she had never spoken with Burt alone before, but this was a mountain she needed to overcome. She had thought about asking High Priest Grein to do it for her, but Lani refused. She wanted to say it herself.
Knock, knock.
After politely knocking on the door, a voice came from inside.
“Come in.”
Lani opened the door and stepped forward. She naturally assumed that Burt would be alone in the room, but there was another person present. Dressed neatly, he was laying out several small boxes in front of Burt.
At a glance, the contents of the boxes seemed like accessories.
‘It looks like he’s choosing a gift for the Saintess.’
Thinking this, Lani moved closer and soon realized what the accessories were. The boxes were filled with rings. Lani, with a surprised expression, glanced at the rings before turning her gaze to Burt.
“No matter how much the temple tries to hide it, information always reaches me.”
“Could it be that the Saintess also knows?”
“No, Irene likely doesn’t know yet.”
Only then did Lani let out a sigh of relief.
“You are quite mischievous. Pretending not to know, even when you do.”
“I wanted to give a chance to the maid Irene cherishes. So, what is it that you wish to say?”
This person truly was unbeatable. Lani smiled softly and began to speak.
“I just want Lady Irene to be happy. My humble skills may not be enough to explain it properly, but I hope she can look forward to a brighter future.”
“Is that why you prepared this?”
“Yes. I thought this would be the best option. High Priest Grein agreed and helped as well.”
“It would have been difficult to prepare it alone.”
“That’s right. After all, it’s an engagement ceremony.”
“…Not a wedding?”
Lani blinked slowly. Was he thinking of going straight to a wedding without even having an engagement ceremony?
“I prepared for the engagement ceremony.”
That’s why she had come to Burt with a request before proceeding. For an engagement to take place, both parties had to be in agreement. To do that, Burt needed to secure Irene’s approval.
“I thought it was a wedding and was preparing a proposal.”
“A wedding requires a bit more effort.”
While an engagement ceremony could be conducted simply, a wedding required far more planning. Lani had no intention of having the cherished Saintess’s wedding be a small affair.
“Well, that’s true. But I’m still going forward with the proposal. I intended to do it from the beginning.”
“That’s a wonderful idea.”
“So, if there’s going to be an engagement ceremony, who are the guests?”
“The priests and holy knights have already agreed to fill the seats.”
“Let’s add the guests from the north to that as well.”
“Would that be alright?”
Lani asked with a worried expression, fully aware of their intentions.
“Of course, it’s fine.”
Burt’s face held a faint trace of a dangerous glint, signaling that he wouldn’t tolerate any of their antics. Only then did Lani feel at ease.
“Then where do you plan to propose?”
“In the garden.”
“That’s a lovely idea. The flowers we recently replanted are in full bloom.”
“And the date?”
“Two days from now.”
For those two days, Lani would have to keep all of this a secret. Thinking about the upcoming events made her heart race with excitement.
After that, Burt and Lani discussed the matter further and parted ways. And two days passed.
Lani was acting strangely. She seemed to be trying her best to behave as usual, but her restlessness was evident.
“Is something going on?”
Curious, Irene asked Noah, and he glanced up at the ceiling for a moment before answering.
“I’m not sure if I should say this, but it seems that Lady Lani has developed feelings for someone.”
“Really? Who?”
Irene stopped herself before she could ask further, realizing that it wouldn’t be polite to pry.
“No, never mind, don’t tell me.”
“Understood.”
Noah replied calmly, as if he had expected that reaction, and resumed tidying up the room.
‘So that’s what it is.’
Lani’s recent nervousness made sense now—she must have developed feelings for someone. Was that why her hands had been a little scratched up recently, perhaps from making something for that special person? Irene had planned to heal the small wounds today, but knowing this, she thought it might be better to give it a little more time.
She was sincerely cheering on Lani’s love when a knock sounded from outside.
“Come in.”
There was only one person expected to visit today: Burt.
“Irene, good afternoon. Have you had your meal?”
“Yes, I ate well. How about you, Burt?”
“I skipped mine.”
“Why?”
“There’s something on my mind.”
Could it be that the guests from the northern country were troubling Burt? Irene studied his expression with concern.
“I was wondering if we could take a walk in the garden and talk about it?”
“Of course.”
