Marin gets dressed and styles her hair, then heads out to the garden several hours before her appointment. While strolling, she notices a man sitting on the fence, with long, light brown hair and striking violet eyes. She freezes in place, captivated by his beauty, completely forgetting about the appointment. Her moment of awe is interrupted by the man who quietly tilts his head, looking at her with curiosity without uttering a word, his violet eyes watching her steadily. It suddenly crosses her mind that his features strangely resemble Rudy's. She quickly shakes her head and calls out to him:
Marin: Excuse me... The priest said that strolling is forbidden today. You might get punished.
The man is silent for a few seconds, staring at her, then turns his gaze away, saying coolly:
Man: Hmph... I don't follow the orders of that stupid priest.
Marin's eyes widen in shock:
Marin: Wait! If anyone hears you, you'll be expelled! The salaries haven't arrived yet for you to risk saying that!
He smiles lightly at her:
Man: Don't worry... You're the Saintess, aren't you?
Marin puts her hand on her forehead, and stars almost fly around her:
Marin: Wow... I'm so famous. Sorry, I'm not giving autographs right now.
The man looks at her in surprise:
Man: Huh? I thought Saintesses were strict people... like that annoying priest. But your personality is refreshing.
Marin thinks to herself:
"And your beauty is refreshing..."
The man continues:
Man: So, Madam Saintess...
Marin (interrupting): No—run away before Ronak sees you!
He looks at her with feigned innocence:
Man: Why? I didn't do anything!
Marin: The Crown Prince is coming today, so the Head Priest banned us from strolling or causing trouble... Anyway, are you a new priest? I haven't seen you before. What is your name?
The man smiles and steps down from the fence:
Man: Iliaron.
Marin: A strange name, but it's beautiful. I'm Marin—
Then she spots Ronak waving at her anxiously.
Damn... The annoying one is here. See you later!
She runs towards Ronak, who was holding a stack of papers and scolding her for carelessly wandering around.
An hour later, Marin prepares for her first meeting with the Crown Prince. She walks behind Ronak, wearing a white dress with blue edges, while Edgar walks beside her, wearing an unusually smart shirt and trousers for him.
Ronak opens the massive door, revealing a spacious room. Marin notices the foot of someone sitting on the sofa, and as soon as she raises her gaze, she completely freezes when she sees... Iliaron.
Marin: Huh?! What are you doing here?
Ronak smacks her on the head.
Ronak: Show respect to His Highness!
Marin: His Highness...?
Iliaron rises with a calm smile:
Iliaron: Hello, Marin... I believe this is our second meeting, isn't it?
Ronak looks between them, stunned, as if his world is collapsing:
"Great... She's definitely ruined her reputation in front of him already..."
Marin raises her hand in a simple salute:
Marin: Hello...
Edgar interjects:
Edgar: No hand salute! You must bow!
Marin: My back hurts from sleeping!
Edgar: Great... We're going to be imprisoned now.
Iliaron laughs softly, his voice gentle:
Iliaron: No need to exaggerate. Besides... I'm the one who needs something from the Saintess, not the other way around.
Marin (curiously): And what exactly do you want?
Iliaron pulls his shirt slightly off his shoulder...
Marin blushes violently and covers her face:
Marin: Kyaaah!! Pervert! Even if your body is stunning, don't expose it like that!
Minutes of silence pass... Marin finally removes her hands, only to find Ronak pretending to be dead, Edgar preparing to comfort her, while Iliaron is sitting on the floor, his face covered, shaking from suppressing his laughter.
Iliaron, with tears in his eyes from laughing: I just wanted to show you the curse lines...
Marin freezes:
Marin: Oh...