AFRPR 54

Episode 54

—

Pfft.

Lennox couldn’t help but chuckle as he effortlessly picked Duren up in one arm.

“Did you make a lot of friends?”

“Yup!”

“That’s great. Next time, invite them over to our house.”

“No!”

“You don’t want Dad to come?”

He had heard “Dad” and “no” in the same sentence so many times that Lennox asked it without thinking.

“No! Dudu wants to go to their house!”

“Alright, alright.”

Lennox let out a sigh of relief and walked out of the banquet hall.

It was a warm, happy family scene.

“How about the holy relic?”

As soon as they left the hall, Estelle lowered her voice to ask.

“You didn’t tamper with it, right? Then why did it give a result mixed with truth and lies?”

“I… did mess with it a little.”

He hadn’t actually touched the relic.

But since even he couldn’t believe what happened, he lied.

“So, when you answered, it showed the manipulated result, but when I answered, it showed the truth?”

“…That’s right.”

Me? In love with Estelle? Ridiculous!

He was sure the scales had malfunctioned for a moment.

Unable to explain the cause or result, Lennox brushed it off vaguely.

Still, he had enough of a conscience to avoid looking Estelle in the eyes.

Normally, she would’ve found it strange that Lennox kept staring into the air, but she was too distracted by other thoughts to notice.

“Duke.”

“Uh? What?”

“I have a favor to ask.”

After a short hesitation, Estelle spoke.

Her words made Lennox’s eyes widen in shock.

“Estelle… are you serious?”

“Yes.”

Estelle nodded, looking more serious than ever.

—

“A fake relic? That’s impossible! And even if it were fake, the temple would never hide such a thing!”

The junior priest helping Helios walk shouted angrily.

“There must be some mistake. Or maybe Duke Winterlen tampered with it!”

“Since Winterlen has demon blood, your theory sounds convincing.”

“Right? You think so too, Brother Helios?”

The temple couldn’t possibly be wrong.

When Helios agreed, the junior priest’s faith became even stronger.

“If it was a real relic, why would it be in the hands of a duke? Why would God’s legacy be in the hands of a demon?”

“…”

“And come to think of it, isn’t it strange how he pulled it out right when needed?”

“Yes, that is strange.”

“And the princess believing him? She must have been bewitched by the demon!”

“Then why don’t you report this directly to His Holiness?”

“Me?”

“Yes. I’m sure it would help.”

“You’d give a lowly priest like me a chance to meet His Holiness?”

The junior priest looked at Helios with admiration, awe, and respect.

Helios was so used to this reaction that he found it boring.

He forced a perfect smile, but inside, he was yawning.

Then, an unexpected person approached.

“Priest, may I have a moment to talk?”

Helios’s eyes widened.

It was Estelle.

This time, his smile was genuine.

“Yes, of course.”

He quickly glanced around and confirmed she was alone.

“I’d like to speak privately…”

“Let’s move somewhere else.”

Helios followed Estelle to a dark, empty corner.

“I didn’t get a proper chance to greet you earlier.”

Helios bowed politely, then gently took one of her hands and pulled it toward him.

“Nice to see you again, my lady.”

His lips brushed her hand lightly.

It sent goosebumps across her skin.

Estelle looked at the one man she hadn’t killed—no, the one she couldn’t kill.

“You look thinner than last time.”

Helios straightened and spoke warmly.

Estelle was startled.

She’d noticed it in the banquet hall too—this man was too friendly toward her.

She pulled her hand away, eyes wary.

“It’s a shame we have to meet like this. I just wanted to make something clear.”

“What is it?”

Helios looked at her with eager eyes.

What was he expecting?

Estelle couldn’t read his thoughts, but she was sure her next words wouldn’t be what he wanted to hear.

“Our time as husband and wife was short, and it didn’t end well. I’d like you to act as if we don’t know each other from now on.”

“…”

“Frankly, it makes me uncomfortable. Besides, I have a husband now.”

“But you didn’t marry him out of love, did you?”

Helios smiled brightly.

“That’s enough for me.”

“Priest Helios!”

Helios, the man who ends up with Vera in the original story, claiming to like her?

It’s all an act.

He was a priest, and the temple suspected she had killed her husband.

“I see this as a moral matter, not about my feelings for my husband.”

In the original story, he would have dragged her to the executioner the moment he knew she could use Magi.

He was probably just acting like a lovesick ex-husband to test her—just like the duke had done earlier.

“I understand. For appearances, I’ll be careful. But I also have a request.”

“What is it?”

“Leave Winterlen territory and the duke as soon as you can.”

“I don’t understand what you mean.”

“It’s about your life. Staying married to him is dangerous.”

Even though he sounded genuinely worried, Estelle couldn’t lower her guard.

Seeing her suspicion, Helios smiled faintly.

“Do you know why I didn’t argue when you asked for a divorce?”

She had always wondered.

Rumor had it he stayed silent because he couldn’t refute her.

“I didn’t want to make you a liar.”

“…!”

“I’ve loved you from the first moment I saw you.”

A confession she never expected.

Estelle was momentarily speechless.

“I believe you only married him because you had no choice. If you ever need help, come to me.”

If she hadn’t overheard his real feelings before their wedding night—or if she didn’t know the original story—she might have believed him.

“I will always be on your side.”

Helios reached out, and a golden light surrounded Estelle.

Like he’d done for the princess, he was blessing her.

This feels different.

His power toward Alice had been like a candle flame; now, it was like staring into the sun.

She squeezed her eyes shut, then opened them again, feeling dizzy.

She almost stumbled but managed to stay upright.

“Priest, I—”

“You don’t have to answer now. My offer will always stand.”

Before she could refuse, Helios cut her off.

“Just remember that.”

“…”

“Until we meet again—stay safe.”

Wait, Priest—

She wanted to stop him, but her dizziness grew worse.

All she could do was watch him walk away.

—

[Please watch Duren for a bit while I speak with Helios alone. That’s my favor.]

[Alone with the priest? Why?]

[I want to end things. Completely cut ties.]

She had been confident, but quickly realized it wouldn’t be easy.

He was a far tougher opponent than expected.

How can someone lie so well, like they’re truly in love?

If Helios was going to act with such sincerity, she would too—acting like she and Lennox were a real couple, not a contract one.

And to do that…

“Ah! Ah!”

A familiar man’s voice broke her thoughts.

“There you are, Estelle!”

She was yanked forward by the shoulder and came face-to-face with him.