Hush Now, Saintess! - Chapter 142

Chapter 142

Translator: Yonnee

—

—Try throwing a coin into the Saintess’s fountain!

—It’s an easy way to make a donation.

—With a coin, you can wish for happiness, luck, and even a dream!

Their booming voices could be heard even inside the cake shop. Through the window, the fountain plaza was packed with people, all gathered to get their free coins.

“I never would’ve guessed he’d arrange something like that…”

Roella mumbled absently as she leaned back in her chair, feeling a bit overwhelmed.

Meanwhile, Hildeon was silently stewing.

The High Priest had bestowed blessings, and the Duke was distributing coins, both promoting Roella’s accomplishments.

It made him feel like he was the only one who hadn’t done anything for her—and worse, like he was the one constantly receiving her consideration.

“Maybe I should’ve prepared something too…”

“No, please don’t. Seriously, don’t.”

Roella blurted out in alarm at his unintentional murmur.

“It’s already more than enough. I think we’re all set.”

With firm conviction, she emphasized her point, then picked up the menu.

“Let’s just have some cake. I think I need something sweet.”

“I’ll pay for it.”

“Oh, you don’t have to do that.”

“But I’d like to do something for you.”

If he had his way, he’d give her something more remarkable than a few slices of cake—something finer, more precious. After all, Roella was his…

‘…Partner.’

Yes, she was his partner, and they were bound together by the curse and the issue with Arhopev—a connection strong enough to make him want to look out for her.

Realizing this, Hildeon swallowed dryly, feeling as if he were explaining himself without having done anything wrong.

“In that case, I’ll accept. Thank you.”

Unlike Hildeon, who was caught up in his own thoughts, Roella gave a casual answer and focused on the menu.

“Wow, there are so many choices…”

Frowning slightly, she murmured to herself while reading. Hildeon quietly watched, noting how her knitted brows looked oddly… charming.

Just then, Roella snapped her head up, and Hildeon quickly looked away, pretending to examine the, uh, air.

“What are you having, Deon?”

“Anything is fine with me.”

“‘Anything’? You realize that’s the hardest choice, right?”

“Ah. Then… the third one in the top row?”

Roella squinted at him, studying his expression.

“Are you not a fan of cake? Are you just here because of me?”

“That’s not it.”

“Really?”

He nodded, assuring her with a sincere look.

“It’s just that I haven’t tried it often, so I’m not too familiar with it.”

Roella’s eyes widened.

“You haven’t had much cake?”

“It’s not that I’ve never had it. I just haven’t had it frequently.”

“……?”

With a confused tilt of her head, she seemed to wonder why he hadn’t eaten much cake.

‘It’s not like the palace wouldn’t have had a pastry chef.’

Seeing her confusion, Hildeon calmly explained.

“Since I was young, people gave me strange looks if I ate sweet things. It bothered me, so I avoided them.”

“Oh, that’s ridiculously adorable.”

“……?”

Hildeon looked at her, startled, while Roella also looked a bit flustered. She’d meant to say, “That’s just fxxxing ridiculous,” but it’d come out sounding like she found him cute.

She’d wanted to criticize those people who’d made him self-conscious, but instead, she’d somehow made him sound endearing.

‘Ugh, get a grip, Roella. Watch what you say.’

With an awkward laugh, Roella tried to explain.

“I mean… I just thought about little Deon and couldn’t help it.”

“Oh.”

Hildeon cleared his throat, glancing away, a faint blush creeping up his neck.

It wasn’t that he was embarrassed by the compliment itself, but rather…

‘Am I actually… pleased to hear it?’

He found himself oddly happy to be called ‘adorable’, a feeling that embarrassed him even more. How could he be pleased by something so trivial?

“Honestly, that’s simply absurd,” Roella continued. “What’s wrong with a kid eating cake? Why make it an issue?”

“Well, I understand why.”

Hildeon replied, working hard to keep his voice steady.

“I was often told I looked intimidating, even as a child. I suppose they didn’t think I’d be the type to enjoy cake.”

But then—

“I don’t buy it.”

Roella’s brow furrowed deeply.

“That’s just ridiculous,” she said firmly, shaking her head. “They misjudged you, then treated you like you were strange just because you didn’t fit their idea.”

“……”

“That’s unfair. It’s really upsetting,” she muttered, her gaze turning bitter as she rolled her eyes.

Hildeon watched her in quiet astonishment, realizing something he hadn’t noticed before.

Roella, too, had lived trapped under layers of others’ judgment.

Born to be a saint, grew up to be a villain.

Now, she was breaking free from the ‘villain’ label and forging her own path again, but… she must have endured a lot to get here.

Maybe all the warmth and kindness she showed him were products of that journey.

Moved by this thought, Hildeon responded.

“You’re right.”

“……?”

Roella blinked at his sudden agreement.

Meeting her gaze directly, Hildeon said,