Chapter 18
Prodia was quite surprised when she heard Papier’s words.
Not rank 100—even top 10?
Of course, Papier had excellent qualifications as a contestant.
He had outstanding looks, a good personality, and even a skill called “Charm.”
The rest could be trained by Prodia.
However, there was one crucial thing he lacked:
Motivation.
So realistically, it would be difficult for Papier to make it into the final top ten.
Why would the High Priest give Papier such an order?
At that moment, Irtis, who had been listening quietly, spoke up.
“So you’re not allowed to come back unless you make the top ten? That basically means never come back.”
Suddenly, Papier raised his voice again.
“That’s not it!”
He sounded completely different from his earlier anxious self.
Facing Irtis, he spoke without hesitation.
“The High Priest only said that because he knows my weakness.”
“Weakness?”
“Yes. Unlike Luca… I struggle to get along with people. If he hadn’t said that, I would’ve definitely given up on the very first day of the competition.”
“……”
“So this is a trial given to me. I must overcome it and return.”
Prodia fell into thought as she listened.
Right. The High Priest wasn’t a fool—he must have known that Papier would struggle in the competition.
Which meant he likely expected Luca to take part most of the time.
Then… could it be…?
Prodia spoke to Papier.
“Papier? I think the High Priest may have had another intention.”
“W-what do you mean?”
“Perhaps… he wants Luca to disappear.”
“…What?”
Papier was startled by her words.
But at the same time, his heart began pounding with excitement.
Does that mean… Luca can be made to disappear?
Prodia noticed his reaction.
“Of course, this is just my speculation. But I have one question.”
“Please ask.”
“Between you and Luca… who is the original personality?”
“……!”
Papier’s face stiffened with confusion.
After hesitating for a moment, he answered,
“I… believe it’s me.”
“You don’t sound very confident. Luca seemed quite certain that he was the original.”
“T-that’s…”
Papier faltered before continuing.
“To be honest, I’m not sure anymore. But I have memories from childhood. So I believe I’m the original. And…”
He swallowed hard, then spoke with determination.
“Even if I’m not… I have no intention of handing my life over to Luca.”
Prodia nodded.
“I understand. To be honest, I don’t really care which of you is the original.”
“…Pardon?”
Papier looked slightly taken aback by her bluntness.
Watching from behind, Irtis shook his head.
There she goes again—even talking to a priest like that.
Would it hurt her to be a little kinder?
Then Prodia said something even more shocking.
“But since my client, the High Priest, wants it—and you want it as well—we’ll proceed with eliminating Luca.”
Eliminating Luca.
Both Papier and Irtis were startled.
Not just by the proposal—but by the cold, businesslike tone she used.
Papier, however, had no room to dwell on that.
If Luca disappeared, it meant his incurable condition could be cured.
Prodia asked him,
“Papier, do you know why your personality is split?”
“You mean… there’s a reason for this condition?”
“Yes. Usually, dissociation occurs after severe psychological trauma. So the way to resolve it is…”
She pointed at him.
“To heal the wound in your heart.”
“My… emotional wound?”
“Yes. The High Priest mentioned that Luca enjoys going out and socializing every day. But you’re the exact opposite, right?”
Papier nodded.
“That’s right. I prefer being alone… I don’t go out much.”
“Exactly. That gap may have given birth to Luca. So during this competition, let’s allow him to run free.”
“R-run free?”
“Once that deprivation is satisfied, the separated personality may disappear naturally.”
Papier was confused.
So… my subconscious longed for freedom… and that created Luca?
Even the High Priest had said something similar before.
Could that really be the cause?
Then, if Luca participated in the competition and fulfilled all his desires…
Would that solve everything?
Seeing his troubled expression, Prodia added,
“Of course, Luca won’t be able to win. Don’t worry about that. By the end of the competition, you’ll be able to return to the temple.”
In other words, there was no chance Luca would become the imperial consort.
After all, Prodia intended to ensure Irtis would win.
But Papier still felt uneasy.
What if Luca takes over my body permanently?
Still, he had to make it into the top ten.
And between the two of them, the one more capable of doing that was—
…Luca.
Papier himself couldn’t do it.
Facing crowds, drawing attention, competing and winning—
Impossible.
He clutched his head.
The more he thought about it, the more painful it became.
I want to get rid of Luca… yet I have to rely on him…
I claim to serve the gods, yet I’m so cowardly.
Pathetic.
But there was no other way.
Because he was the real one.
Because he couldn’t let Luca take everything from him.
Finally, he made his decision.
“…I’ll do as you say.”
“Good choice. But this must remain a secret from Luca. If he finds out we’re trying to eliminate him, he won’t sit still.”
“Understood.”
At that moment, Irtis approached from behind.
“Finished talking?”
Prodia nodded.
“Yes.”
“Red-eyes looks kind of pitiful. You’re all teaming up to kill him.”
Prodia corrected him.
“It’s treatment.”
“Call it whatever you want—it still means he disappears. But what choice do you have? They can’t go on like this forever.”
He glanced at Papier, who was crouched in his chair with a gloomy expression.
But Prodia was satisfied with the situation.
Either way, Papier would now cooperate with the competition.
Now they just needed to bring out Luca.
But how do we trigger him?
Prodia asked,
“Papier? When does the personality usually switch?”
“I’m not sure. It always happens unexpectedly…”
So even he didn’t know.
“Then we’ll wait for Luca. For now, I’ll show you to your room.”
“O-okay!”
As Papier hurried to stand, his foot tangled and he stumbled.
“Ah—!”
“Papier?”
As he lost his balance, Prodia quickly reached out and caught him.
He ended up half-falling into her arms.
“Are you okay?”
“Th-thank you. I almost fell—”
That’s when it happened.
“Ugh!”
Suddenly, Papier clutched his head in pain.
“Papier? What’s wrong?”
His golden eyes slowly turned crimson.
That eye color—
It was Luca.
Prodia and Irtis exchanged glances.
He had appeared sooner than expected.
After a moment, Luca regained his senses and muttered,
“…Where is this?”
He looked around in alarm.
An unfamiliar room. Unfamiliar furniture.
Prodia and Irtis standing before him.
He quickly checked his clothes.
Not the white uniform of the temple—
But comfortable indoor attire worn by nobles.
Confused, he asked,
“Where the hell am I?”
Prodia explained everything that had happened.
Luca shouted in shock,
“What? A consort selection competition? That’s ridiculous. I’m not entering that.”
This just got complicated.
But will he still say that after seeing this?
Prodia picked up a sheet of paper from the table.
“Take a look at this first.”
She held it out to him.
It was a portrait of the imperial princess.
“How is she? Pretty, right?”
“Who’s that?”
“Her Highness Princess Arlin Avebem. If you win the competition, she’s the one you’ll marry.”
Luca stared at the portrait.
The princess was the very definition of beauty.
Soft pink wavy hair, blue eyes, a gentle blush on her cheeks, and perfectly refined features.
It was no wonder she was called the greatest beauty of the empire.
Even Prodia had been captivated by her once.
If my past life had been an idol audition program, she’d be the center for sure.
So Luca’s response should have been obvious.
But instead—
“Not interested.”
“…What?”
That made no sense.
Prodia glanced back at the portrait.
No matter how you looked at it, she was undeniably beautiful.
Not his type? Just how high are his standards?
How was she supposed to persuade him now?
She quickly moved to Plan B.
“But you don’t want to go back to the temple, right?”
Luca nodded.
“Yeah. I don’t.”
“Then how about joining the competition for now and deciding later? You don’t have anywhere else to go, do you?”
“Hm…”
Maybe seeing the princess in person would change his mind.
Prodia watched him carefully.
After thinking for a while, Luca spoke.
“Alright, I’ve decided.”
“Good choice. Let’s work hard together to prepare for the—”
“I’m not entering the competition after all.”
“…What? Why?”
“I thought of a better idea.”
A better idea? What could he possibly do besides entering the competition?!
Whatever it is, it doesn’t sound good…
She decided to hear him out first and then persuade him somehow—
But suddenly, Luca dropped to one knee in front of her.
Thud.
…Huh?
Prodia was startled.
“L-Luca? What are you doing?”
Instead of answering, Luca gently took her hand.
Looking at her with melting eyes, he said—
“Hey… can’t I just marry you instead and move in here as your husband?”
