After the Prince's narcissistic personality was revealed, his attachment to Marin grew more and more with each passing day. Despite his evident appeal, his beauty did not affect her; Marin was not interested in his handsomeness, and all that preoccupied her mind was Lilia.
Marin lifted her head from the book, which was written in a language she didn't understand, and looked at Ilarion, saying: "your majesty .. If we were to assume
that Lilia is the Saintess belonging to the neighboring kingdom, what would happen to her?"
Ilarion tilted his head slightly and said: "In the worst-case scenario... she might be executed, if it is believed that she attempted to harm our kingdom."
Marin felt a shock course through her body, and she rested her head on her knees. Ilarion noticed her distress and spoke in a reassuring tone: "However... if there was something that forced her to do it, we will not issue any judgment against her as long as you are able to control her." Then, he leaned his body towards her as if seeking attention, like a large, spoiled cat.
Marin raised her gaze to him again: "So... after I finish my work as the Saintess here, will I be able to go search for her?"
Ilarion answered her: "Do as you wish once we fulfill the prophecy... and when my family's curse is also broken."
Marin averted her gaze from him only to be surprised by a strange sight
Edgar was running while carrying Ronak, and the Church Elder was running behind them.
"Huh? Am I dreaming?"
Ilarion muttered in annoyance: "Those wretches... always interrupting my quiet moments."
Marin quickly stood up and rushed toward them: "You guys!!! What are you doing without me? I want to join!"
Ilarion sat bewildered as he watched her run with them: "What exactly is happening right now...?"
A month passed, and Marin was still immersed in searching for a solution to Ilarion's curse. She shouted in exasperation: "This is impossible! There is no solution but to directly communicate with a sorcerer!"
Ronak, while eating a piece of cake, said: "And which sorcerer is going to cooperate with the Church?"
Marin sank into thought, then suddenly remembered: "... he Crazy Musician
.. Who is he?"
Ronak froze in his spot, and terrifying expressions appeared on his face as he quickly tried to change the subject: "It is better to focus on your Divine Power instead of wasting time on useless ideas."
She raised her eyebrow, and her eyes shimmered with defiance as she sensed he was hiding something. "Why? Don't you want to end your Prince's curse? What is so troubling about this sorcerer?"
Ronak stopped at the door and spoke with an uncharacteristic coldness for someone cheerful like him: "The Saintess must only obey orders." Then, he left and closed the door behind him.
Marin closed the book. Curiosity about that sorcerer began gnawing at her, but she temporarily ignored the thought to take a bath and change her clothes, preparing to go out into the city with Ilarion.
Ilarion entered, dressed in commoners' attire, and said with unshakeable confidence: "Oooh... even when I wear the common people's clothes, I am still handsome! Even poverty cannot diminish my beauty..."
Marin stood quietly contemplating him, and smiled sarcastically: "I'm afraid you kiss yourself in the mirror."
Ilarion was shocked: "How did you know!!!"
Marin froze in place: "I will pretend I didn't hear anything..."
They spent their day shopping, tasting sweets, and dancing, until they finally sat down, sighing contentedly. But the name of the Crazy Musician kept echoing in Marin's mind, until she finally decided to ask.
"Ily... who is The Crazy Musician?"
Ilarion's face suddenly became tense: "That... why are you asking?"
Marin tilted her head slightly: "To remove your curse?"
He answered after a moment: "Hmm... I used to hear about him from my
grandfather. This sorcerer is powerful, and he can remove my curse... but the price will be high, and it might even lead to stripping you of your Divine Powers. My grandfather used to glorify him as if he were a legend, but I don't believe in that power of his."
Marin asked curiously: "And why was he called The Crazy Musician?"
Ilarion said in a serious tone: "Ah... because he gathered the nobles who wanted to exile him in one palace... then burned them all while playing the violin."
Marin's eyes widened in astonishment: "Wow!!! He sounds like a perfect novel character!"