IATAOTHKG | CHAPTER 84

[CHAPTER 84]

The first day of August.

The morning of the Holy War Day dawned alongside dark clouds that signaled the full beginning of the rainy season.

Lord Lenox Castle had been bustling since dawn to help prepare those participating in the event.

Two carriages loaded with luggage for the one-night, two-day schedule were parked in the garden, and more than ten maids were gathered in the wardrobe room.

“The hair, just do whatever.”

Curden, sitting with his legs crossed on the leftmost chair, flipped through a newspaper with an indifferent expression as he spoke.

A maid who had been working wax into his hair for quite some time asked carefully.

“Will this do, Lord Lota? The back and sides are neatly pressed, and the front is swept naturally.”

Curden glanced at the mirror in front of him and nodded.

“Perfect.”

After folding the newspaper, he added flatly.

“People might think I’m an actor.”

The maid bowed her head with a smile and stepped back politely.

“Hah!”

Adonis, receiving makeup to Curden’s right, let out a scoff.

“An actor, sure. Try covering up those dark circles first.”

“What, dark circles?”

“Yes. You look like a corpse.”

“Where are these dark circles you’re talking about?”

Clatter!

Dragging his chair noisily in front of the massive mirror, Curden leaned his face in close.

Tilting his head from side to side as he examined his complexion, he suddenly covered his mouth in surprise.

“Oh my. What is this state?”

“Pfft.”

“I’m not going.”

Watching Curden feign indignation without a hint of laughter, Adonis shook his head.

“That’s what I’m saying. Your skin is rough and your lips are all cracked. What kind of condition is that?”

“My fatigue hasn’t been recovering lately. Maybe it’s old age?”

Muttering to himself, Curden returned to his seat and reopened the newspaper.

Adonis dropped his smile and examined Curden’s face with concern.

In truth, Curden had been living like the dead, staying up several nights in a row due to excessive work.

The lethal beast Spiculum that had attacked Meyna, and the carriage accident just before she had been trapped in the crack.

On the same day, an unidentified assassin had even attempted to kill Banze Motenson.

With incidents occurring around Caliph’s close associates, everyone at Lord Lenox Castle was on high alert.

“At least put something on your face.”

“Ugh.”

At Adonis’s suggestion, Curden twisted his face in disgust.

In truth, his remarks about his appearance and refusing to attend the event were meaningless jokes.

Curden had no interest in his own looks whatsoever.

His only interest was work.

With his tall build, aristocratic appearance, and profession as a lawyer, countless noblewomen had lined up for introductions to Curden.

Yet he invested neither time nor emotion into anything outside of work.

“All the nobles in town will gather, enjoy lunch and dinner, and even hold a sacred religious ceremony with the Saintesses at midnight. With you looking like that, Lord Lota, it’s embarrassing to walk around together.”

“Let’s call it the hardworking capable man concept.”

Picking his ear as he spoke indifferently, Curden began flipping through the newspaper again.

“Lord Lota. We’ve prepared three suits. Shall we go try them on—”

“Lucky three. The third version.”

Seeing Curden answer carelessly with a nonsensical reason, Adonis shook his head once more.

“Tsk.”

Clicking his tongue, Adonis shifted his gaze to the right.

Reflected in the mirror, Caliph had his eyes closed as he entrusted his body to the maids’ hands.

It was impossible to tell whether he was asleep, as he had not spoken a single word since entering the wardrobe room.

His expressionless face was as rough and dark as Curden’s.

On top of that, having lost weight rapidly over the past few days, his cheeks were visibly hollowed.

The maid Hodgie approached Adonis from behind.

“I’ve selected your shirts, Lord Hiarone. Shall we go try them on once you’re finished?”

Adonis nodded with his characteristic clear smile.

However, in the brief moment as he rose from his chair, all trace of amusement vanished from his face.

“Wait.”

After speaking to Hodgie, Adonis suddenly examined his reflection in the mirror.

His pale skin had strangely lost its vitality, and the corners of his lips, always gently curled upward, had stiffened completely.

Curden, Caliph, and even the maids silently focused on their tasks.

After Meyna left, everyone in Lord Lenox Castle was living with the same face.

* * *

The capital of Sahal on the Western Continent, Kasadin.

Ahead of the Holy War Day event, an endless crowd gathered like clouds.

“I’ll go check if there’s a place where you can rest after lunch.”

Axelt quickly disappeared into the crowd.

Left behind with Biterion, Meyna stared blankly around her.

“There are really a lot of people.”

Holy War Day was the second largest annual event in the Empire.

Not only citizens living in Sahal, but people from the polar regions at both ends of the continent were arriving one after another by train and ship to witness the event.

“Be careful not to get hurt.”

Biterion smiled gently and lowered his gaze slightly.

Meyna unconsciously followed his eyes.

He was looking at the two feet revealed beneath the hem of the skirt she was holding.

“It’s been a while since you wore heels, hasn’t it?”

Concern filled Biterion’s eyes as he looked at Meyna.

Meyna smiled awkwardly and nodded.

“Yes. I don’t even remember the last time I dressed like this.”

A voluminous pink dress and shining shoes.

Hair worn long instead of tightly tied up.

And most of all, her bare face without glasses.

Her appearance felt so awkward that it was as if she were standing naked in the middle of the street.

“Shall we walk a bit? There’s about thirty minutes left until lunch.”

At Biterion’s suggestion, Meyna nodded.

Watching carefully so she would not be swept away by the crowd, Biterion began to walk.

Meyna kept a slight distance as she walked alongside him.

A handsome man in a black robe and a dazzling beauty.

They looked too intimate to be merely public associates, yet too awkward to be lovers.

People’s gazes poured openly onto the two of them.

Biterion felt those stares keenly.

Having strictly limited his external activities, he was now as sensitive as an animal with its quills raised.

He was careful to avoid physical contact with others, and vigilant in case someone might target Meyna again.

“Your Highness. Are you perhaps uncomfortable?”

Meyna blinked innocently as she asked about Biterion’s condition.

To reassure her, Biterion smiled more brightly and shook his head.

“Not at all.”

Meyna nodded, immediately convinced.

Biterion quietly watched her side profile as she walked, looking around with curiosity.

“It’s a shame Professor Motenson couldn’t come with us.”

Meyna lowered her gaze.

Banze, who had been attacked by an unknown assailant, had thankfully regained consciousness but was still unable to move.

“Young Lady, Your Highness.”

Axelt’s voice came from behind them.

Turning around, they saw her tall figure, a head taller than the surrounding crowd, walking briskly toward them.

“I’ve secured a hotel nearby where you can rest. It’s a hotel used by ability users attending the event, so security should not be a concern.”

“Thank you, Axelt. You’ve worked hard.”

Meyna gently brushed the back of Axelt’s hand.

With an arm around Meyna’s shoulders as they walked, Axelt added,

“The dresses and jewelry prepared for the banquet have also been stored at the hotel. After lunch, I’ll help you change in your room.”

Meyna recalled the dress Banze had personally sent while confined to his sickbed.

A silk dress where pale violet and silver blended like a painting.

It revealed the upper body’s contours alluringly, while the skirt flowed gracefully below the waist.

Thousands of beads were embedded one by one, shining like a galaxy.

“I’ll make the two of you appear more glamorous and splendid than ever before.”

That ambitious declaration of Banze’s was about to become reality, on that very day.

“Did you just see that?”

“Who are those two? Which family? Are they married?”

“Look at that woman. Was there such a beauty in Sahal?”

Curden and Adonis, having just stepped down from their carriage, listened expressionlessly to the excited murmurs of the passersby.