It’s Sunny But I’m Depressed Chapter 21

Chapter 21: Rain, Tears, and the Desert (6)

 

“Stop, stop!”

 

The monocled man shouted with a face as white as a sheet.

 

“Please, stop!”

 

‘I won.’

 

Ilena swallowed a victorious smile inside. This battle had been decided long ago. The opponent was flustered, but she was not. With a pale face, he confessed.

 

“…Actually, I am the witness.”

 

“What? You, Sir Otter?”

 

No one in the room, including Ilena, was surprised, except for Regolus, who shouted in shock.

 

“Yes, but upon reflection, I must have been mistaken. The Priestess would never steal.”

 

To confess the truth so easily with just this much pressure.

 

‘Like king, like servant. Both have soft hearts.’

 

She grew more convinced of the theory that the Dark King wasn’t the ruthless villain he was thought to be.

 

“Why would you do such a thing… Sir Otter, what a disgraceful act this is!”

 

Regolus reprimanded in a stern voice. Though lacking in tact, he carried himself with the dignity of a noble.

 

“I apologize for causing confusion with uncertain information.”

 

Otter bowed deeply toward Ilena.

 

“…I am also sorry for causing you distress, Priestess. I sincerely apologize.”

 

‘He doesn’t want this to escalate further.’

 

“But someone must have tried to frame the Priestess, who came as a northern envoy! Otter only heard the wrong information.”

 

Regolus exclaimed, his face unusually stern.

 

“This is not something to be taken lightly. I think it would be best to leave this to the royal investigation team!”

 

Otter flinched at his words.

 

‘Hmm… should I leave it at that?’

 

Ilena, watching him for a moment, smiled generously.

 

“Then, Sir Otter, could you investigate this matter ‘for me’?”

 

“What?”

 

Otter’s eyes widened at the unexpected request. Ilena smiled benevolently, like a saintess.

 

“I believe you will do well, Sir Otter. I’m sure you mistook me for a thief for some unavoidable reason.”

 

“Yes, that’s true.”

 

Otter, sweating profusely, averted his gaze. Ilena continued, her eyes sparkling.

 

“I was almost wronged, but you saved me at the last moment. It’s all thanks to you, Sir Otter. You’re like a savior to me!”

 

“There’s no need to thank me… at all.”

 

He kept bowing his head, overwhelmed with guilt.

 

‘Yes. You feel guilty, don’t you? Your conscience is pricking you, isn’t it? You tried to frame me as a thief, but now you’re embarrassed because I’m reacting like this?’

 

Ilena didn’t stop there and drove the final nail in.

 

“Oh, how is the business I mentioned last time going?”

 

I gave you a business idea, remember? That was the implication.

 

“Ugh.”

 

Otter let out a groan as if Ilena had stabbed him in the heart with a knife, awkwardly avoiding her gaze as he mumbled.

 

“Thanks to you…”

 

“In fact, I thought about it more, and it might be good to export not only the fabric but also finished products with completed designs.”

 

Ilena kindly added.

 

“Since the fabric from Sru is unfamiliar to people from other regions, sewing might be difficult.”

 

“…Ah, indeed. That was a concern, thank you.”

 

Otter momentarily forgot the situation and spoke brightly. Ilena responded with an angelic smile.

 

“Yes. I stayed up all night thinking about it because I wanted to help.”

 

“Ugh.”

 

When Ilena spoke innocently, he groaned again.

 

“As a priestess who serves the gods.”

 

“Ugh.”

 

“I’m not a shameless person who would frame an innocent.”

 

“Ugh.”

 

She wasn’t one to show mercy to her enemies. She crushed them until the end.

 

“Then, I’ll leave the thorough investigation to you.”

 

Ilena said with a gentle, pure smile like a saintess.

 

“Of course. Then, I will.”

 

Clutching his heart, Otter hurriedly left the room as if fleeing. Ilena stuck her tongue out at his retreating back.

 

‘Not just anyone can do bad deeds. You think you can make a ruthless third-generation chaebol cry with just this?’

 

The matter concluded with Andre, who returned late to the drawing room, hearing about the situation and rushing after Sir Otter with a snicker.

 

***

 

Back in the palace, while listening to the oblivious chatter of Regolus, the Dark King arrived. He seemed to have heard the details of the incident from somewhere. Seeing Ilena alone with Regolus, he frowned briefly. But he immediately offered an apology.

 

“It seems my servant was too quick to suspect. I apologize on his behalf. He is reflecting on his actions.”

 

His sincere demeanor showed genuine remorse. The little resentment Ilena had melted away. She spoke with a gentle expression.

 

“He’s bedridden.”

 

Andre, who had gone to confront Sir Otter, reported back. The monocled man was apparently in a state of distress as soon as he returned to his room.

 

‘It must be due to guilt.’

 

She hadn’t expected him to fall ill. He was more naive than she thought.

 

‘How do they manage the royal household like this?’

 

Even someone not prone to meddling like herself felt concerned about these men.

 

“I’ve already received an apology, so it’s fine.”

 

Ilena said nonchalantly. She hadn’t intended to make a big deal out of it anyway. She had to stay here for three months, and she wasn’t planning to return to the north where that wretched crown prince was. The Dark King, who had been gazing at her, turned his attention to Regolus.

 

“So, you helped.”

 

“It was nothing, Your Highness.”

 

Though it was clear he wasn’t being praised, Regolus took it as a compliment and bowed humbly.

 

“I was just passing by and saw the Priestess in trouble…”

 

“Why did you go to the Crystal Palace? …You’ve been visiting the palace quite often lately.”

 

The Dark King interrupted Regolus with a displeased expression. Once again, an overwhelming aura emanated from his massive frame.

 

‘He gets angry without any context.’

 

Ilena tilted her head, pondering. Seeing him like this, he seemed like the Dark King from the novel.

 

‘Is this all an act? A way to keep the nobles in line?’

 

“Ah… well.”

 

Completely oblivious to the strange atmosphere, Regolus blushed at the Dark King’s words.

 

“I wanted to express my resolve… I’ve made up my mind.”

 

‘Huh? Oh, right. He did say he came to have dinner with me.’

 

Ilena recalled his attempt to help her earlier and smiled kindly.

 

“You came to have dinner with me?”

 

“Yes, yes. That’s right.”

 

He replied with a flushed face, speaking with determination. To think he was trembling so much just to ask for a dinner date. He was truly innocent. As Ilena chuckled, the Dark King spoke with a displeased expression.

 

“I will join you.”

 

As soon as he finished speaking, Regolus muttered, “As expected…” and bowed his head deeply. Why is he acting like this? Ilena wondered, but she cheerfully replied.

 

“You too, Your Highness? Great. The more, the merrier.”

 

Meals are better with more people. Last time, she almost choked having dinner alone with him. Regolus muttered again, “The more, the merrier. As expected…”

 

‘Why is he acting like this? Well, it’s not the first time the men here have been strange.’

 

Ilena hid her curiosity with a bright smile.

 

“Shall we go then?”

 

As soon as Ilena finished speaking, Regolus stood up and exclaimed with determination.

 

“Yes! I am ready!”

 

He looked like a knight about to head into battle.

 

“What do you need to prepare for…”

 

After all, the maids handle all the cooking and setting up. Ilena said with an awkward laugh.

 

“We just need to go and sit.”

 

“Oh, do we sit?”

 

Regolus asked seriously.

 

‘Huh? How else would you eat if not sitting?’

 

Only then did Ilena sense something was off. His flushed face and labored breathing. She felt a bad premonition and asked cautiously.

 

“…Sir Regolus? What did you prepare?”

 

“I brought medicine! It’s something old kings used in the western harems… I never needed it before, but still!”

 

He pulled out a crystal bottle from his pocket and held it high. The bottle caught the light and shone too brightly. Wait, what is this man saying? So, this means…

 

“What on earth are you talking about?”

 

Ilena exclaimed in shock. Regolus, flustered by her bug-eyed stare, stammered.

 

“Well, you see… since last time, the three of us… together…”

 

“Are you crazy!”

 

Ilena shouted.

 

“Isn’t it?”

 

“So, all this time! What did you think of me! It was about having dinner together! Obviously!”

 

As she shouted, Regolus’s face turned even redder. Realizing it was all a misunderstanding, he felt so ashamed he wanted to die. He even considered jumping out the window.

 

“Then…”

 

“How could you think that in this context! Think logically!”

 

In other words, she was calling him an illogical pervert. Regolus was at a loss for words and closed his mouth. Then, even in this crazy situation, the Dark King, who had remained calm, parted his lips.

 

‘Yes! Say something!’

 

Ilena looked at him with expectant eyes.

 

“You’re delusional.”

 

The Dark King’s gaze was cold and intimidating.

 

‘Good! More!’

 

“Did you think you could compare to me with mere medicine?”