Chapter 36
At that moment, several men approached Dimidius. Their expressions were full of curiosity.
“Um… I’d like to discuss some business matters. Could we talk for a moment?”
“Me too! There’s a project I’d like to pursue with Your Grace!”
“Please give me a chance as well!”
It seemed they all had many questions about business.
Olentia thought it worked out perfectly and handed Dimidius over to them.
“Yes, please have your conversation. I’ll excuse myself.”
Being with Dimidius at that moment felt like it could lead to a quarrel. This was their first official event as a married couple, and fighting in front of everyone was out of the question.
Olentia walked around with a glass of champagne, marveling at how men could so boldly approach Dimidius despite his gloomy aura. The National Foundation Festival Ball was always crowded, and it seemed to bring along all sorts of troublesome situations.
Her own expression wasn’t great either, and quite a few people approached her as well.
“Duchess, pardon my question, but I’m just too curious. How did you meet His Grace, the Duke?”
Olentia wracked her brain. Quite a few noblewomen were waiting for her answer.
“I mistakenly got into the Duke’s carriage, thinking it was mine. That’s when we first met.”
Lying didn’t feel good, but with so many curious people, she had little choice. Olentia thought it was better if this marriage looked like a normal romantic union. She didn’t want inheritance issues to come up unnecessarily, and she doubted anyone would understand that it was a contractual marriage.
Another young noblewoman spoke with interest.
“So, then you must have seen His Grace without his mask? Now that you’re married.”
It was an unexpected question.
But she couldn’t say she hadn’t, so she nodded.
“And… what was he like?”
“Why is everyone wearing a mask, anyway?”
“I’m just so curious about His Grace’s face!”
Curious eyes pressed in on Olentia from all sides. The crowd seemed to grow even larger. She struggled to respond and finally managed to squeeze out a reply.
“He’s just… normal. Don’t be curious!”
The face of Dimidius she had seen in her prophetic dream was very handsome, but if she said that, people would likely interrogate her further.
Olentia quickly stepped away to rest for a moment. Staying there any longer could mean hearing who-knows-what.
It was then.
Olentia noticed a white light appearing in her vision. It resembled the wave she had seen from the sunflower-shaped fantasy flower.
Startled, she moved toward the left corridor where the light flowed. Being drawn to divine energy seemed almost instinctual.
The white light shimmered beautifully, like rolling waves.
As she walked closer to observe, a door in the left corridor suddenly swung open, and someone leapt out. Olentia was grabbed by a man and pulled into the room.
She took a sharp breath and looked up at the man who had brought her inside.
“Gasp! P-Prince?”
It was none other than the Crown Prince of the Bonus Empire, Regalis Pulpa.
With striking silver hair and piercing blue eyes, he wore a wide smile on his face.
“Surprised?”
Olentia immediately nodded.
“Yes. Of course! What brings you here?”
“I have something to discuss with the Duchess.”
“Here?”
“Yes. Here, in this room.”
Olentia looked around, blinking in surprise. Something about the room seemed familiar—it resembled the room from her prophetic dream, complete with a large piano, the kind usually used for performances.
This must be a room meant for piano performances. It was very spacious, and the acoustics were clearly excellent.
Feeling a bit dizzy, Olentia spoke to Regalis.
“Do we really need to be alone in a room for this? Let’s go out.”
Being alone in a room with another man, even after marriage, felt uncomfortable.
As Olentia tried to leave, Regalis spoke from behind.
“Madam, are you thinking of divorcing immediately?”
‘What is he talking about?!’
Olentia froze, covering her mouth with one hand in shock. Her body stiffened, and her voice faltered.
Yet Regalis continued smiling serenely.
“You don’t want to say such things outside?”
“No! No!”
That would have been a disaster.
Olentia quietly sat down on the chair Regalis indicated, her heart racing and palms sweating.
Divorce… yes, but not for another five months. Aside from Bobby, no one knew that, so why was Regalis bringing it up now?
She couldn’t understand.
‘I thought it was just an insignificant prophetic dream, but this is surprising too!’
She exhaled, straightening her long hair.
“Prince, what is it that you want to say to me?”
Regalis crossed his legs and leaned back in his chair, appearing very relaxed compared to the tense Olentia.
“I heard that you were originally supposed to marry Marquis Luxus.”
“Yes. But…?”
“I could guess. You didn’t like Marquis Luxus, so you brought another man, somewhat hastily and without much feeling.”
“……”
“In that case, wouldn’t it be better to officially end the marriage now that the urgent matter is resolved?”
Olentia listened quietly, tilting her head.
“That’s something I decide myself. I don’t see why Your Highness is concerned.”
‘Did he come here because he heard rumors about me? That’s strange…’
She watched him warily.
Regalis was broad-shouldered, slim, and model-like. He was quite popular with women. His royal-blue eyes were refreshing, and the slightly upturned corners of his lips gave him a cheerful appearance.
Noticing Olentia’s suspicious gaze, he raised both hands and looked around.
“You look like you want to arrest me or something.”
“Me? Surely not.”
“Anyway, Duchess, don’t hesitate to divorce. I know a very suitable match for you.”
‘Is he trying to remarry me off? Why?’
Whatever it was, she decided she shouldn’t get drawn into Regalis’ schemes. Such sensitive topics couldn’t be discussed with the Crown Prince.
Olentia shook her head firmly.
“Thanks for the thought, but I have no intention of divorcing right now.”
Rising firmly from her seat, she added,
“Then may I leave first?”
It was astonishing that Regalis had detained her just to say such trivial things. Though he was curious about her, it seemed overly intrusive.
Then Regalis, with his eyes narrowed, said something surprising.
“I know you possess divine energy.”
Olentia shivered in shock. How on earth did he find out? She decided to play ignorant for now.
“Ah, no? I don’t know what you mean.”
“Trying to pretend you don’t?”
“I’m not someone with divine energy! It’s been so long since anyone in the Armeniaca family had it!”
Without evidence, she intended to brazen it out.
Regalis raised one eyebrow and calmly said,
“I just used a sacred tool, and it seems you saw something and came from the left corridor. The sacred tool I used is only visible as white light to those with divine energy. So, in conclusion, it was revealed that you possess divine energy. I was surprised too.”
‘So the white light I saw earlier came from the Crown Prince’s sacred tool?’
Olentia covered her face with one hand, realizing she’d been caught. She wanted to keep her divine energy hidden, but now it was problematic. She sighed involuntarily.
She wanted to claim there was no reason for her being drawn to the left corridor, but he seemed so certain. If Regalis discovered her divine energy through the tool’s light, denying it would be useless.
Finally, she clenched her fists and said,
“Sigh… why did you use the sacred tool here?”
Regalis shrugged with a smile.
“The sacred tool brings a pleasant feeling, maybe due to the holy energy. That’s why I often carry it.”
“Prince, please keep it a secret that I possess divine energy.”
Olentia spoke seriously. Apart from Dimidius, no one had seen it, and she was quite concerned.
Surprisingly, Regalis nodded obediently.
“Very well. I don’t know why you hide it, but I’ll cooperate.”
“Thank you.”
“But meet me tomorrow.”
“What? Why?”
Olentia’s eyes widened in surprise. Regalis smiled faintly and replied,
“I want to introduce you to someone.”
‘Could it be the match he mentioned earlier? A man?’
Olentia trembled and protested.
“I said I don’t intend to divorce right now!”
“You misunderstood. The person I want to introduce is Saint Daphne of the Bonus Empire.”
Saint Daphne?
Olentia covered her mouth in shock. Saint Daphne was someone only the Pope or royalty could meet, shrouded in mystery. Meeting her was nearly impossible. She was considered divine by the people of the Bonus Empire.
‘Could I really meet her? The Crown Prince wouldn’t lie!’
If she could meet her, there were so many things she wanted to ask—how to strengthen divine energy, how to handle prophetic dreams. It would be immensely helpful. Just knowing that another person experienced prophetic dreams was comforting.
But why was Crown Prince Regalis showing such favor to her?
Arranging a meeting with the Saint for someone with divine energy was a significant act of kindness. Everyone admired the Saint, but those with divine energy respected and revered her deeply.
Olentia felt the same way.
Her heart raced at the thought of meeting Saint Daphne.
Before confirming the appointment, she asked Regalis,
“You’ll keep it a secret, right?”
Regalis stood and approached her, his shadow enveloping her completely. He looked down at her with a charming smile.
“We now share a secret, Duchess, and I don’t want to break it.”
‘Does he always speak like this?’
Hearing something so easily misunderstood wasn’t pleasant.
Olentia returned to the crowd of nobles, trying to act natural. It would be troublesome if anyone suspected she had met Crown Prince Regalis.
At that moment, Dimidius approached her.
“Where have you been?”
