Chapter 10
The matter of Daisy’s transfer would be discussed with Reyhas little by little.
After finishing my preparations, I left the temple building to take the carriage. Like several ancient castles standing together, the temple was magnificent, and there were countless buildings within the grounds.
I saw white horses pulling a white carriage bearing the emblem of Elium. When the coachman brought the horses to a stop, a man wearing silver armor approached and opened the carriage door. The sturdy-looking man then looked at me, bowed his waist, and spoke.
“I am Dwayne, the commander of the Second Holy Knights Order. I will be escorting Saintess today.”
With brown hair and an appearance that seemed to put him close to thirty years old, he looked like a reliable knight.
“Please take care of me, Dwayne.”
After giving him a light greeting, I stepped into the carriage. The inside was not as luxurious as a modern vehicle, but it was far more comfortable than I had expected. I sat down on the soft velvet seat and leaned back.
Today, I was going to the Crown Prince’s twentieth birthday banquet as a representative of the temple.
That meant I was different from ordinary noble ladies who needed a male partner to escort them.
The sound of horses’ hooves could be heard from behind the carriage. The members of the Second Holy Knights Order, including Dwayne, began their procession and escort.
The carriage moved slowly, and I looked outside while observing the path until we finally left the enormous temple grounds.
Until now, I had never stepped outside the temple, so I had only roughly imagined its size.
But the temple was probably much larger than I had thought.
Even though the horses were not running, it still took more than ten minutes just to leave the temple grounds at the carriage’s speed.
‘I’ll definitely need a horse when I leave next time.’
I quietly added horses to my plans.
Since there was a stable not far from the main residence where I stayed, perhaps I could visit often and learn.
If I had a notebook, I could write down my plans.
Thinking that, I stared at the road extending beyond the edge of the temple.
The temple did not seem to be located in a completely isolated area. Before long, we reached what was clearly a bustling street.
People gathered on both sides of the road, scattering flowers. Some even looked at the carriage I was riding in and prayed.
Saintess.
A position admired and welcomed by everyone.
The representative of God.
And then…
[The God of Love, Odyssey, is showing off.]
[The God of Knowledge, Hesed, clears his throat.]
[The God of Art, Monde, is capturing this scene in a painting.]
I had thought about it before, but the gods really were close to being attention seekers.
“Are they really gods?”
It was an awkward sentence without a subject, even to myself, but I couldn’t think of a more appropriate thing to say.
Perhaps the gods heard me because the dialogue window began to sparkle again.
[The God of Knowledge, Hesed, expresses displeasure.]
“Well, I’m a fake Saintess too. How am I supposed to know whether you’re fake gods or not?”
I deliberately threw out the words provocatively.
But at that moment—
A flash of lightning suddenly struck the sky, followed by a tremendous crash of thunder.
There wasn’t even a single drop of rain.
It was dry lightning.
I opened my mouth after a brief pause.
“…Well, I’ll admit it if you’re capable of this much.”
No further response appeared in the dialogue window.
For some reason, I imagined the faces of two children sulking.
“Pfft.”
A laugh escaped my lips.
Somehow, my heart felt lighter.
‘Well, whatever.’
I decided to accept their existence.
Even if they really were gods, it seemed they couldn’t hear my thoughts. No matter what I thought, they never reacted.
But whenever I moved or spoke, they responded.
[The God of Love, Odyssey, wonders about the meaning behind your laughter.]
‘At least I should be grateful that they can’t interfere with my thoughts.’
While I was lost in complicated thoughts, the carriage eventually entered the Imperial Palace.
Several enormous buildings, similar in size to the temple or perhaps slightly larger, came into view. Unlike the temple’s gray walls, the palace had a reddish-brown exterior.
Crossing an arched bridge, the carriage entered the palace grounds.
After passing countless beautiful sights, it finally stopped in front of a magnificent building that looked like a grand hall of the arts.
‘So the second male lead is inside there.’
I thought with a slightly reluctant expression.
The banquet hall’s exterior alone made it obvious that it had been built for performances and banquets.
By now, darkness had begun to settle outside, and the banquet hall was gradually filling with people.
When I stepped down from the carriage, the holy knights lined up and bowed to me.
Holding the edge of my dress, I walked proudly along the blue carpet.
Many gazes from knights and nobles focused on me, but I wasn’t nervous.
Compared to the countless eyes filled with contempt and the cruel words thrown at me when I entered my biological father’s household in my previous life…
Compared to those endless days that felt like war, these curious gazes were actually pleasant.
‘Keep your head straight and look forward. Straighten your back. Keep your eyes clear.’
I had learned how to arm myself so that I would never appear pitiful or weak.
Without turning my eyes toward the noble ladies and nobles whispering about me, I slowly walked into the banquet hall.
An orchestra was playing music to raise the atmosphere of the banquet, and servants carrying trays moved around, handing wine glasses to nobles who requested them.
I continued walking along the carpet.
At the end of the long carpet stood two thrones.
I saw the Emperor, a man in his mid-fifties with slightly graying red hair wearing a heavy-looking crown, and the young Empress with golden hair who appeared to be in her twenties.
That man is Emperor Lauhen Jansen Illaid.
‘And that woman is…’
The Empress Rose Illaid, who entered the imperial family as his second wife three years ago, was said to have been the daughter of Count Michael.
Beside the thrones stood a man wearing a splendid military uniform with a sword hanging at his side.
He was likely the protagonist of today’s banquet—the Crown Prince.
A height and broad shoulders that could rival Reyhas, a strong and solid build.
Red hair like blood, and eyes with a deep crimson color burning like flames beneath his sharp gaze.
The man who would become the Emperor of the Empire.
The man who was said to be the most brilliant and cold-hearted of all.
Yet, when it came to the heroine Camilla, he would eventually lose his frozen heart.
‘Kyle Alexis Illaid.’
The countless medals attached to his navy-colored uniform proved his achievements.
“……”
I stood before the Emperor, Empress, and Crown Prince.
Then I grabbed the hem of my dress, placed one hand over my chest, and bowed politely.
“On the twentieth birthday of His Highness the Crown Prince, I bring the blessings of Elium to the Imperial Family.”
“Thank you, Saintess. Raise your head.”
At the Emperor’s calm voice, I slowly lifted my head.
“I deliver the blessings of the nine gods and the congratulations of Elium and all temples.”
I glanced briefly at Kyle’s face.
His deep and cold eyes, his icy expression, and even the slight furrow between his brows that suggested his displeasure.
Ariel had probably met him once or twice before, but judging from his atmosphere alone, I could tell they did not have a good relationship.
“In the beginning…”
I saw his eyebrows twitch slightly in annoyance, but I continued.
The temple’s blessing speech was an important ceremony.
Everyone was watching me.
“When the Supreme God created our world and divided His power into nine parts, the brilliant power of benevolence descended upon the Empire, allowing it to prosper as it does today. And when the God of Justice chose the Emperor, the Empire was blessed with a wise ruler.”
Meeting his gaze, I continued seriously.
“The Crown Prince was born under the month blessed by Ciel. Through his unparalleled wisdom, he assists in governing the nation and never neglects divine matters. His virtues and blessings shall bring even greater glory to the Empire. As Elium, we stand as servants and companions of His Majesty the Emperor…”
His cold gaze remained disrespectful, but I continued without hesitation.
“We hereby celebrate the birthday of His Highness, the sole heir to the throne. May the blessings of Ciel, the God of Destruction, and the other eight gods remain with His Highness.”
When I finished speaking, I let out a sigh of relief inwardly.
Fortunately, the blessing speech I had worked so hard on seemed flawless.
“Then now…”
Of course, I disliked his openly cold expression.
But I still had a duty to fulfill.
I lowered my head and turned my hands over, placing them together as I extended them toward him.
“……”
Only after a long moment did he finally place his hand on mine.
The weight of his hand settled into my palm.
Within my vision was his hand.
A large masculine hand with long fingers resting atop mine.
It was unfamiliar to touch a man I had just met.
However, this scene was an essential part of the traditional temple blessing ceremony.
I could not omit it.
I lowered my head and pressed my lips to the back of his hand.
More precisely, the moment my lips touched his skin, I slightly pulled them inward and touched the area beneath his nose instead.
Applause from the nobles celebrating the temple’s blessing echoed in my ears.
Ah.
Having to kiss someone’s hand in front of so many people was truly humiliating.
‘Why did Ariel want to do something like this so badly?’
When I raised my head a moment later, his brows had become even more rigid.
‘Excuse me. I’m the one who feels worse here.’
For a moment, his red lips moved.
“You…”
And then—
Suddenly, my vision flashed white.
A loud explosion echoed through the hall.
Immediately afterward, the banquet hall was filled with people’s screams.
