Selene vividly remembered the time when the priests of the Arthenian National Church visited.
They evaluated her appearance as if appraising goods in a marketplace.
— “It’s a shame her eyes are violet, not purple.”
— “And her hair is platinum blonde, not silver.”
— “Still, she’ll grow up to be quite a beauty.”
— “I agree. Based on her face alone, she’s outstanding among the candidates.”
At the time, Selene was only eleven years old and didn’t understand what it meant to become a Saintess.
When she heard the news that she had been chosen as a Saintess, she felt vaguely happy.
She didn’t know what being a Saintess entailed, but it felt like she had passed a difficult test, surpassing the other candidates.
However, her parents’ faces didn’t look happy at all.
Her two older brothers also wore gloomy expressions.
Later, she heard from her eldest brother.
That their mother had cried a lot, holding onto Selene’s swimsuit, which she had never gotten to wear.
“I really wanted to go to the sea… with my family…”
Kirien’s face hardened.
For a moment, emotions of sympathy and pity flickered across his face.
He cautiously extended his hand toward Selene.
“Will you take my hand? Even if it’s just as a substitute for your father.”
Because of the shadows cast by the moonlight, Kirien’s face wasn’t clearly visible.
But Selene could sense that he was feeling quite shy.
Even though he had grabbed her hand without permission earlier.
Was asking for permission more embarrassing than actually holding hands?
For some reason, Selene found that contradiction even more endearing.
“A substitute? You’re much more handsome than my father.”
Selene smiled bashfully and took his hand.
It felt as if time had stopped on the beach where the two of them stood.
The waves that ceaselessly surged and receded, the moist sea breeze, and the moonlight.
It was as if everything had frozen at this moment.
As if the only thing moving was Selene’s heart.
Thump, thump.
Her heart pounded relentlessly.
Occasionally, when she glanced up at Kirien’s face, it seemed to blend with the night sky.
That sight was as beautiful as a painting.
“What do you usually do during your monthly outings? Other than sending the Bluebird’s letters.”
At the mention of ‘Bluebird’s letters,’ Selene flinched and looked around.
Seeing her reaction, Kirien chuckled like a mischievous boy.
Selene pouted and glared at him.
“I go on dates with my father near the royal palace.”
“Don’t you visit your family home?”
“I can’t go every time. Overnight stays aren’t allowed. I visit once or twice a year, briefly.”
Still, my brothers and mother often visit the temple, so it’s fine, Selene added in explanation.
But Kirien clicked his tongue in disapproval.
“Even if it’s for the gods, you should say no to things you dislike.”
He grumbled about how she wasn’t even allowed to visit her home freely.
Selene stifled a laugh.
Has he already forgotten that he practically kidnapped me here?
“Still, Count LeClair must be happy. His daughter comes to visit him.”
“I like it too. On those days, I can eat whatever I want.”
Kirien frowned as if he couldn’t understand.
“Can’t you eat freely otherwise?”
“I only eat the portions set by the temple.”
To maintain the title of the most beautiful woman in Arthenian, the Saintess had to give up many things.
Strict dietary control was one of them.
“My father doesn’t like sweets, but on those days, he eats cake for me.”
“That’s kind of him.”
“Even when I tell him he doesn’t have to, he insists it’s fine and eats it. You wouldn’t believe how funny his face looks when he’s forcing it down.”
Selene burst into laughter, just thinking about her father’s expression.
Kirien also chuckled, imagining Count LeClair forcing himself to eat cake.
As they laughed and chatted about her family, they eventually arrived at the entrance of the Duke’s castle.
Selene looked up at the wolf-emblazoned flag fluttering above the thick iron gates and suddenly recalled the term ‘Blood Wolf.’
She shuddered in surprise.
Had she been insensitive, saying such casual things to someone accused of poisoning his father?
Did he even have a family?
Kirien felt the slight tremor in her hand.
In Selene’s violet eyes, which were gazing up at the castle walls, there was a hint of fear.
“Are you regretting talking about such things to the Blood Wolf accused of poisoning his father?”
Selene was startled.
It was as if Kirien had read her mind.
“No, I just feel like I’ve talked too much about myself…”
Selene hastily made an excuse, but it didn’t work.
Kirien had already let go of her hand.
He simply told her to follow him and entered the castle.
In the silence left behind, Selene stood there, feeling a pang of disappointment as she watched his retreating figure.
Just moments ago, he had been right beside her.
But now, he had fled further away than the distance they had just closed.
*** *** *** *** ***
“From now on, you must not tell anyone what you see inside. Remember this. That I know your secret, Saintess.”
In front of a room, Kirien’s navy eyes glared sharply at Selene.
An even sharper blade was before her eyes.
But she wasn’t scared at all.
She knew it was just meant to intimidate, not to actually harm her.
The blade was held far from her neck.
Such a gentle threat.
Looking at Kirien, Selene was reminded of a cat she’d once seen on the street.
A wounded cat that had hissed defensively.
A cat that had raised its claws and growled louder to hide its injuries.
That’s exactly how Kirien looked now.
“Please let me see the patient first.”
Kirien’s eyes widened in surprise.
In truth, from the moment she stood at the door, Selene had caught the acrid smell seeping through.
It was the smell of someone who had been ill for a long time.
A musty odor that had seeped deep into the body, impossible to remove no matter how much one cleaned or purified with holy power.
That smell permeated the entire corridor.
Kirien slowly opened the door.
Though the unpleasant smell that rushed out almost overwhelmed her, she endured it.
The room she entered following Kirien was large and clean.
But it felt somehow lonely.
All the furniture was clustered around a large canopied bed, making the remaining space feel emptier.
Probably arranged that way for the caregiver’s convenience.
The small table, chairs, couch, and lamps arranged in a circle around the bed were evidence of this.
Though it felt lonely, it was also a heartwarming scene.
All the furniture—the table, chairs, and small lamps—seemed to be protecting the patient with all their might.
“Ari, brother has brought the Saintess.”
Kirien knelt on one knee before the bed and spoke in a gentle voice.
It was the gentlest voice she’d heard from him yet.
The blankets stirred, and a young girl’s voice was heard.
“Really? Is it really the Saintess?”
“Of course. Brother promised to bring her, didn’t I?”
After the thick blankets rustled greatly, a girl appeared.
Her face wasn’t clearly visible. A hood attached to her cloak covered everything above her forehead.
All Selene could see were bright purple eyes.
“It really is the Saintess!”
The girl gaped at Selene with a pure, innocent expression.
“Princess, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Selene LeClair.”
“I’m Arpiel. It’s an honor to meet you.”
Arpiel’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Selene was used to such looks.
All children looked at her that way when they first met her.
“Wow, your hair sparkles!”
At Arpiel’s praise, Selene swept her hair back showily.
“The sparkle is artificially created. My hair is maintained with the empire’s most expensive oils. Would you like to touch it?”
Selene tilted her head slightly toward Arpiel.
Her long hair flowed smoothly.
“Wow! Saintess, you’re so beautiful! Your hair is beautiful, your face is beautiful, everything is beautiful!”
“I know. I am beautiful.”
Selene cupped her chin with both hands.
The child giggled at this.
“So, would the world’s most beautiful Saintess be allowed to examine the Princess’s condition?”
The most distinctive feature of Arthenian doctrine is that holy power is gained through acquired effort.
All priests can only develop their holy power through prayer and service.
Selene hadn’t missed a day of prayer in nine years and had served through confessions.
Therefore, her holy power was quite strong.
“I’ll definitely cure your illness, Princess.”
Selene was confident.
Although she had only listened to confessions instead of healing patients until now, her holy power wasn’t weak.
However, upon discovering the faint spots blooming on Arpiel’s wrist.
All she could do was bite her lip hard.
“Brother, I’ll get better now, right? The Saintess is here.”
Selene fought back tears.
And she gave everything she had to purify Arpiel’s illness.
Until she exhausted all her holy power and lost consciousness.
*** *** *** *** ***
When she opened her eyes again, she was in an unfamiliar room.
An unfamiliar ceiling, an unfamiliar bed, even the scent from the blankets was unfamiliar.
Kirien, who had been sitting by the bedside, noticed Selene stirring and approached.
“Are you coming to your senses?”
“Yes… How long was I unconscious?”
“About two hours, I believe.”
“I was lying here that long?”
“I’m just relieved you’ve opened your eyes now. Can you get up?”
“Hmm… I’m not sure…”
“If you’re able, I’ll carry you back to the temple. We must return as soon as possible. Even if someone notices your absence, I’ll somehow manage to resolve it, but…”
Kirien didn’t finish his sentence with ‘though there would likely be bloodshed.’
But Selene seemed to hear it anyway.
She rose from the bed with Kirien’s support.
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