When the Villainess Died, the Male Lead Went Crazy - Chapter 147.2

“Well… His Majesty… seemed to think the High Priest would be busy with the New Year’s event, so he suggested you rest and take care of yourself… ah!”

Lewarren immediately snatched the letter from Zisis’s hand as soon as he saw Zisis rolling his eyes while speaking evasively.

[Damned Lewarren Iphigenia.

You visited the palace and, instead of seeing me, you dared to approach my wife first? And now you wish to be her partner for the New Year’s event?

It seems you haven’t changed your thieving ways. Wanting to partner with another man’s wife for the New Year’s event.

Even as a high priest, nothing has changed.

P.S. If you go ahead with being my wife’s partner at the New Year’s event, I will destroy all your precious possessions in front of you, so keep that in mind.]

“High Priest…?”

Lewarren chuckled softly, wiped his hand on the paper, and then tossed it to the floor.

“This New Year’s celebration is going to be quite interesting.”

With those words, he forgot about the discomfort his body had caused him and went straight into his room.

* * *

“Anais. I want to be your partner.”

Anais, who had been out taking care of some matters, was returning to the Empress’s bedroom. She was surprised when she saw Phileal, who was waiting outside her room, dive straight into the topic before greeting her.

“Did you hear it from Lewarren?”

“It’s already become quite well-known.”

Anais was sure that Kylian had heard about it too. He had probably planned to use the excuse of ‘the New Year’s event’ to spend time with her. Feeling a little embarrassed, she awkwardly smiled and spoke to Phileal.

“Well, you might be the next subject of the rumor.”

“If it’s that kind of rumor, I think Re would be pleased.”

“Why?”

“Well, Re wants to show everyone that the Temple of Chaos is on Anais’ side.”

Phileal’s words, accompanied by a gleam in his eyes, made Anais feel warm from his kindness.

“If it gets out that we’re close, it might make things difficult for you when you get married.”

“I’m fine with it.”

Anais thought that it was better to take Phileal with her too. It would be better to have more people involved than just Lewarren. If people later found out that all of this had been an act, the blame would likely fall on the weaker ones, Phileal and Lewarren, rather than on Anais.

Of course, Anais didn’t intend to just stand by and let that happen. But it was better to prepare for any unforeseen events.

“You should get Kylian’s permission too.”

“I already have.”

“Really?”

Although Phileal was blatantly lying, Anais didn’t doubt him. She was distracted by how cheerfully he spoke.

“I swear it on Re.”

Anais didn’t realize that it was actually a vow made under Lilith’s influence, who had ordered him to do so. The vow, though sworn on a god, was an exception when it came from the god’s will.

“Alright, then. Let’s go together.”

“That sounds great!”

Phileal pulled Anais into a big hug. Anais laughed without realizing it and gently patted his hair.

“I’m looking forward to it, Anais.”

“Me too.”

Anais thought that Phileal was probably acting this way because he had never truly experienced a proper New Year’s celebration at the palace.

* * *

And so, the New Year’s celebration began.

Anais was in the Empress’s quarters preparing. The event kicked off with the Emperor and Empress performing the formal rituals, followed by a banquet where they would watch performances with the nobles.

On the second day, there would be a banquet, and on the third day, just like the first Emperor, they would share lamb meat that had been hunted for the occasion with the ministers.

The morning ritual was over, and now Anais was changing into a new outfit and getting her hair done for the banquet.

For the rituals, she had to wear very uncomfortable clothes, uncomfortable shoes, and a corset so tight it felt like it might break her back. However, the attire for the banquet wasn’t quite as uncomfortable.

“This color doesn’t suit me much.”

“I understand.”

Though the maid had already chosen a dress for her, Anais didn’t like it and asked to change. She felt like wearing blue today rather than gold.

In her dreams, she had hated her blue hair. But now, since her hair had turned platinum blonde, she didn’t mind the color blue as much.

“That deep blue over there.”

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

Anais wore the deep blue dress. She thought it suited her quite well, even more so than the blue in her own eyes. And since it wasn’t often that she wore a dress, she felt excited about it.

Once she finished dressing, the door to her bedroom opened.

“You look beautiful, Anais.”

“It’s probably too much to run around in this, though.”

The voices came from Phileal and Lewarren, who had been waiting outside.

Both of them were dressed like nobles, not in their usual priestly robes.

“Shall we go?”

With an excited smile, Anais spoke, linking her arm with theirs. The three of them headed to the banquet hall where Kylian waited, completely unaware.