Chapter 42: Sweet Talk and Sharp Words

A Refined Respite

Clink.

I gently set the teacup on the saucer.

Savoring the tea, its flavor spread through my mouth.

‘Earl Grey, maybe?’

I only know iced peach and lemon teas, but the name rang a bell.

Lost in such silly thoughts, the atmosphere of the multipurpose room, used as the snack club’s base, was undeniably elegant.

Worn wooden furniture exuded vintage charm, paired with ornate carpets, a tray of desserts, teacups, and plates.

The room, adorned in gold and deep red, was lavish yet tasteful, making me feel like a noble lady.

As a guy in my past life, I couldn’t enjoy cafes like this without feeling watched.

Now, indulging in desserts so leisurely felt amazing.

Ledel, at the same table, grabbed a madeleine from the top tray and spoke.

“Wow, I was shocked! I thought you’d join Agnes’s religion club, but you raised your hand right after I spoke. You must love sweets!”

“If there were a temple of snacks, I’d pledge my devotion.”
‘I’d sell my soul for sweets.’

“Oh my, look at her! A saintess saying that doesn’t sound like a joke!”

Ledel giggled, popping the madeleine in her mouth.

I’m not joking.

Is there really no snack temple?

[The God of Love says how can a saintess talk like that?]

What?

I’m already juggling eight gods; one more won’t hurt.

Brushing off the God of Love, I grabbed a small tarte tatin from the middle tray.

The sweet apple flavor filled my mouth.

Sugar seeped into me, restoring my energy.

Nothing beats sweets when you’re drained.

I demolished the tarte tatin and reached for a madeleine on the top tray.

“You ate all that lunch and still have room for snacks?”

“Huh?”
‘What?’

Erdike quietly set down her teacup.

Her graceful demeanor clashed with her snide tone.

“Someone hand-fed you lunch, and you’ve still got an appetite?”

Now I get why she’s the main heroine.

Her shade-throwing skills are top-notch.

No wonder the other concubines can’t compete.

At lunch, seeing Erdike leave the cafeteria gloomily stirred some pity in me.

But her queenly attitude erased it instantly.

I wasn’t going to take it lying down, so I fired back softly.

“Yes, healing Orphe’s scars, checking every inch of his bare body while channeling divine power, left me hungry.”
‘You never saw Orphe’s bare body, right? So chiseled and firm… ugh.’

Even I cringed saying it, but for the jab, I’d endure.

Give flesh to take bone, as they say.

As expected, Erdike’s reaction was intense.

Her smile held, but her trembling right hand, gripping the cup, suggested she was mentally executing the harlot Isidora.

Savoring the madeleine, I watched her teeter on the edge.

Mm, delicious!

“But… you didn’t really touch him, right? Like with the others, Healing Blessing doesn’t need contact.”

Monica, caught in our crossfire, spoke nervously.

I gave her a smile.

“Of course.”
‘Am I crazy?’

I sipped and swallowed my tea.

“But Orphe’s so big, my hands brushed him a bit while casting…”
‘She’s calming down; let’s poke a little more…’

I thought Erdike had settled, her head drooping, so I teased again.

But she was too quiet.

Looking closer, she was shedding silent tears.

“Saintess Erdike?”
‘Oh, shit.’

Not just me—Monica, Patricia, even Ledel looked startled.

Erdike, oblivious to us, sobbed with a runny nose.

“Hic… Orphe, that idiot… sniff doesn’t know how I feel… hic, chasing some girl who flirts with him…!”

Damn, I messed up.

It reminded me of a college drinking party.

I jokingly told a friend worried about her weight that even pigs would call her boss.

She ran out crying, and rumors spread in our small department, pushing me to enlist early.

Why does this feel so familiar?

[The God of Entertainment says this is exactly like that.]

[The God of Jealousy says why cross the line and make her cry?]

I thought she’d snap back, not break down…

With 100% fault on me, I couldn’t argue with the gods.

“Here, use this.”

“Hic… thanks… sniff…”

Patricia, looking sympathetic, handed Erdike a handkerchief.

Erdike blew her nose loudly.

A small, clear arc formed as she pulled the handkerchief away, but no one dared point it out.

“Ugh, Isidora made her cry.”

Ledel turned away, feigning innocence.

Patricia, wiping Erdike’s eyes and nose, spoke up.

“Isidora, you’ve been sharper lately compared to when we met. Even if you’re tired, don’t take it out on others.”

“Her looks are angelic, but that was like a scary mage tower senior…”

Total Lucifer!

Monica’s rebuke made me realize how bad this was.

My loosened restriction let me talk too freely, causing this disaster.

I wanted to bolt, but I held back.

Instead, I stood and approached Erdike.

Feeling me near, she turned.

I grabbed her hands, resting pitifully on her lap.

Time to tell the truth.

“Saintess Erdike.”

“Sniff… what? Going to see Orphe?”

She’s still using his nickname.

Relief washed over me.

If she’d given up entirely, things would get messy.

Holding her hands tightly, I spoke calmly.

“I don’t like Orphe.”
‘He’s just a friend.’

I said it loud enough for Erdike but soft for our table only.

I have zero interest in Orphe.

Never did.

I only teased Erdike because she annoyed me, and it spiraled.

“…Huh?”

Erdike bit her tongue in shock.

Her cute reaction, despite red eyes, almost drew a fond smile, but I held it in.

This is serious.

I took a mental breath and continued.

“As I said, I’ve never felt more than friendship for Orphe.”
‘Honestly, how could I date a guy?’

“Then what about what you said before? Anyone would think you liked him!”

“Our relationship wasn’t exactly great, right? I teased you a bit, and… I’m sorry.”
‘If you hadn’t slapped me at our first meeting, I’d have made you the main wife by now.’

“So the stuff about his body was a joke too?”

“Obviously.”
‘Yup.’

Erdike’s tearless eyes now sparkled with hope.

Meanwhile, Monica and Patricia looked horrified.

“Isidora, you don’t like Orphe? After all that?”

“What?”
‘What?’

“You’re always with him, and today he carried and fed you!”

Ugh, this is bad.

Orphe’s dumb move piled up misunderstandings like a mountain.

I set Erdike’s hands on her lap and waved mine to deny it.

“That was because I had no strength, and Orphe helped. I wanted the infirmary, but…”
‘Guys with protagonist vibes do whatever they want. If someone collapses, take them to the infirmary, not the cafeteria!’

Their stares were heavy, but I pressed on.

“And Orphe said it himself—it’s just repayment for healing. You saw his eyes, right? No hint of affection.”
‘You’re the weird ones for thinking we’re into each other.’

“That’s not true.”

Surprisingly, Erdike cut in.

Gone was her earlier gloom, replaced by calm.

“From what I see, Orphe’s not entirely indifferent.”

“What?”
‘What now?’

“What guy would carry and feed a girl he feels nothing for?”

Don’t guys usually do that?

…On second thought, maybe not.

My “usual” is based on modern Korea.

Orphe’s from a similar background.

In this near-medieval world, such care might not be normal.

[The God of Love says your standards seem off but won’t elaborate.]

What, I’m normal.

You wouldn’t help a collapsed girl and just leave her?

[The God of Dreams asks if you’d feed a female friend too?]

That’s a bit much, sure.

But it’s not a big deal, right?

[The God of Beauty says kids these days are so bold.]

“It’s fine. I confirmed Saintess Isidora has no feelings, so!”

Erdike’s sudden stand interrupted my mental argument with the gods.

She clenched her fist, staring at Orphe’s table, where he sat with Fifirel and others.

Their serious faces made it impossible to guess their topic.

Chatting so well with just girls.

Is this the harem protagonist’s social charm?

No, it’s not much different from our lunch.

Erdike pointed at Orphe, her index finger outstretched.

“It’s just a matter of winning Orphe’s heart. I can handle it. A brief ex-girlfriend is nothing to me.”

‘He’s not even an ex.’

Words rose to my throat, but I stayed quiet.

No need to ruin the mood I just patched up.

Erdike’s face radiated confidence.

“I won’t lose to Orphe’s crush. Childhood friends are invincible!”

A bold declaration.

Ledel clapped at the sight.

“Ugh… is this the beauty of a woman in love? Erdike, who was just crying messily, shines like this!”

“Messily, what?!”

I quickly stopped Erdike, who frowned and turned at Ledel’s words.

“Saintess Erdike.”
‘Hey.’

I brought up the topic I meant to raise before class.

“Would you hear my proposal?”
‘I’ve got an offer you can’t refuse.’