No Such Thing as a Chaste Man! Just Give It Ten Tries! - Chapter 19
“What… what is the meaning of this…!”
“Lord Livo Arsene, my apologies, but…”
Ephelinus, his face devoid of any true apology, tightened his grip on Arsene Livo’s hand and looked down at him. Although Livo was tall, he was no match for Ephelinus, who appeared, from Seo-ah’s perspective, like the most perfect being across both Genève and Earth.
Ephelinus’s blue eyes, looking down on Livo, glinted coldly, almost as if they were something other than human.
“It is forbidden for the Saintess of Sol to engage in activities akin to courtship, such as social dancing.”
“…Excuse me?”
Was that even a real doctrine? Livo, who was unfamiliar with the internal rules of the Holy Kingdom, looked perplexed.
“And besides, Saintess…”
Ephelinus lowered his gaze slightly, turning it toward Seo-ah. She, too, was taken aback, wondering about this rule she’d never heard of.
“There is someone who is quite eager to meet you. I will escort you.”
“What? But…”
Was it alright to just walk away? Not only was Livo the grandson of the Senate Speaker, but he was also an influential figure in the capital’s social scene…
And sure enough, everyone around them was watching intently. Miriam, who had finally realized what was happening, wore a slightly shocked expression from a short distance away.
As Seo-ah hesitated, still holding the wine glass Livo had given her, unable to decide what to do…
“Oh, Moneren fortified wine, is it? Its reputation has even reached the Holy Kingdom. However, the Saintess is quite sensitive to alcohol…”
With a slightly impatient tone, Ephelinus trailed off, then gently took the glass from Seo-ah’s hand. He lifted it to his lips and, without a moment’s hesitation, tipped the glass back.
He drank the golden liquid with ease, as if quenching a deep thirst.
Gulp, gulp…
The fluid traveled down his broad neck, past the tightly buttoned collar, as his prominent Adam’s apple moved up and down.
Seo-ah’s eyes widened as she watched, and Livo looked just as stunned. For Seo-ah, it was the first time seeing Ephelinus voluntarily drink alcohol, while for Livo, it was likely because he had intended the wine for her.
“It certainly lives up to its reputation as one of Genève’s finest wines.”
Ephelinus remarked, handing the empty glass back to Livo with a cool expression that belied any enjoyment.
“Shall we go, Saintess?”
“Y…Yes.”
Ephelinus then bent his arm, offering her his elbow—a proper stance for escorting a lady.
Flustered, Seo-ah quickly bid Livo a hasty farewell and followed Ephelinus.
***
Ephelinus led Seo-ah to one of the balconies along the walls of the Grand Hall’s second floor. These balconies were popular for clandestine meetings, whether for secret discussions or private moments.
“Oh?”
Unexpectedly, the place he led her to was completely empty. Had someone already been there, the curtains and glass doors would have been closed, but the doors were wide open.
“There’s no one here…?”
“…I apologize. It seemed that persuading Lord Livo with words alone would be difficult.”
“Oh.”
Realizing that he had intervened to ease her discomfort, Seo-ah relaxed.
So he had been watching her all this time?
“Then… is that rule even real? About the Saintess being forbidden from courtship activities…”
“Well, as I understand it, Lord Livo is hardly a devout man, so he wouldn’t have any way of knowing its authenticity.”
“Oh, I see.”
Seo-ah’s lips trembled slightly, barely containing her amusement.
While Ephelinus hadn’t confirmed if the rule was true or false, he had told a lie on her behalf nonetheless.
Ephelinus, the son of the Holy King, known as a paragon of morality and virtue, the embodiment of purity and integrity, had bent the truth for her.
The frustration and sorrow that had weighed down her heart all evening melted away.
Perhaps it was also the slight buzz from the wine she’d been sipping throughout the night.
Feeling her spirits lift, Seo-ah’s eyes softened with a playful glint.
“So, you stepped in to save me from Livo Arsene? I was actually debating whether to just give him a kick between the legs.”
