Chapter 93
The reunion after five years had gone by so quickly that Theodore and Charlotte only realized belatedly that the sky above the central training grounds had turned a deep crimson. Today, the sunset was unusually vivid—its intense hues seemed like roaring flames, as if the entire world might be engulfed in red at any moment. Charlotte admired the rippling sunset as she stepped out of the main gate of the training grounds. Theodore followed close behind.
“It was nice to see you after so long.”
“I enjoyed it too. Are you heading back to the marquis’ residence now? Should I call a carriage?”
“No, I’ve already left it waiting at the castle gate.”
“It’s a bit far to walk, though.”
“Perhaps. Aria is asleep too—would you mind keeping her company so she doesn’t get bored?”
Charlotte gently stroked Aria’s head, who was exhausted from playing with the paladins during the day. Her comment about accompanying her was meant as a joke. She thought that with the sunset being so beautiful, walking through the royal gardens would be pleasant, and they’d reach the gate in no time. But before Charlotte could clarify that it was a joke, Theodore nodded immediately.
“All right. I’ll take her.”
“Wait, I was joking.”
“Really? I’m serious.”
Theodore extended his hand as if to escort her. Even though Charlotte had said it was a joke, he took a step closer with a smile. Once again, Charlotte realized just how much Theodore had grown in five years. Her childhood friend, once a boy, had returned a man—and it was hard to get used to him in a single day. Charlotte blinked her long white eyelashes slowly as she looked up at Theodore.
The sunset, having shifted from a deep orange to red, gradually gave way to a bluish tint in the distant sky. It was impossibly high, clear, and watercolor-like in beauty. Yet Charlotte’s gaze remained fixed on Theodore.
Instead of the first stars timidly appearing in the sky, she focused on his clear sky-colored eyes, his chestnut hair that seemed to shine even in the encroaching darkness, and the gentle curve of his lips that resembled a meteor streak. For some reason, she couldn’t look away. Was it because it had been so long? Even though they had spent the entire day together, her eyes kept drifting toward him.
At that moment, several paladins, including Marc and Siveron, came out to see them off.
“My lady, are you leaving? Please come visit us again. You may come and go as you please whenever you wish.”
“Thank you. I had a wonderful time. And thank you for playing with Aria.”
Aria, who had been sleeping so deeply that she might not have noticed someone carrying her, suddenly stirred and turned toward the paladins. Her blue eyes peeked out from under her closed lids. Charlotte gently patted her head, and Aria smiled and waved at the paladins. Then, just as she had waved, she fell back asleep. The paladins quietly laughed at the scene.
However, the laughter stopped abruptly. They all widened their eyes and alternated glances between Charlotte and Theodore. More precisely, they stared at Charlotte’s hand resting on Theodore’s arm.
Charlotte had been speaking her farewells when Theodore placed her hand on his arm. In the blink of an eye, they were linked, and Charlotte’s face flushed slightly.
“Shall we go?”
“W-wait, Theodore.”
Charlotte hurriedly grasped his arm.
“Is it really okay for you to take me? Aren’t you busy?”
She had asked indirectly, but Theodore’s answer was clear enough for the paladins to hear.
“I’m not busy.”
“Excuse me?”
Although there were still matters left over from the joint council, he lied convincingly. His subordinates were desperately helping him ensure that their commander’s love could be fulfilled.
“The commander is extremely efficient and, admittedly, something of a workaholic. If he finds a report or paperwork, he finishes it in the blink of an eye. Today’s work was already completed, so don’t worry.”
“That’s a relief…”
Charlotte wondered how she could gracefully free her arm, but she thought she might as well practice now, since she would enter the Order of Knighthood ceremony linked with his arm anyway. She hugged his arm with one hand and carefully held the sleeping Aria with the other. She whispered softly to Theodore, who had readily agreed to accompany her despite her joke:
“Please escort us well, sir knight.”
At that moment, a reddish tinge appeared on Theodore’s face as well. Whether it was because of the sunset or another reason, Charlotte couldn’t tell.
For Silvert, Sonnet was like a child. Though he hadn’t raised her himself, he had never let her out of his sight since she was selected to enter the Lebelain Archipelago. When she was chosen as a saint, he had kept her close and personally taught her with special care.
After being expelled from the temple that was like her hometown, Sonnet had only returned today. No one could know how many schemes and opportunities Silvert had orchestrated to bring her back.
As the empress predicted, Silvert had spent years arranging for her return right after her expulsion. Though he hadn’t communicated directly with Sonnet, he had received updates through Duke Balian.
Among these, the news that Sonnet had become an Emergent was considered a perfect way to reinstate her as a saint. But timing and circumstances had to align perfectly.
Silvert tracked all monster attacks and dark mage appearances in the Agent Empire without missing a single detail, waiting for the right moment. Though it took years, he used the monster attacks in Nostri and the joint council with royals and dignitaries as an opportunity to bring Sonnet back safely. If he had been alone in the grand hall, he would have raised his arms in victory.
When Sonnet returned, he had intended to ask how she had been, whether the north had been cold, whether the snow hurt her eyes, and to share all the stories they hadn’t had time for. Finally, he wanted to comfort her for all her hard work. But on what should have been a day of joy…
“Dylan, that brat…”
Silvert stroked the sleeping Sonnet’s head and clenched his fists repeatedly. He had known this would happen. He shouldn’t have allowed them to meet. He should have prevented anyone from approaching the Moon Chamber under the pretense of her health. But he had been too weak-willed and allowed their meeting.
He had once loved passionately but had parted ways, thinking this reunion would be tender—but it was far from it. About an hour ago, Sonnet had run into the study in tears. She wouldn’t answer when asked what had happened, so he had comforted her until she fell asleep and returned her to the Moon Chamber.
Sonnet was usually calm and quiet. For her to lose control of her emotions like this, it was clear that Dylan had done something wrong. Sonnet could not possibly be at fault.
The lovely Sonnet could not have done anything wrong. Even if she had, she shouldn’t have been made to come in tears. Silvert had thought Dylan a promising young ruler, but it seemed he was truly a terrible man.
At that moment, someone knocked on the Moon Chamber’s main door. It was Priest Letran.
“High Priest, Marquis Blanche has arrived.”
“Marquis Blanche?”
Hadn’t he already left after the joint council? Silvert gently stroked Sonnet’s sleeping head once more and quietly left the Moon Chamber.
“Keep everyone from entering the Moon Chamber. Bring Marquis Blanche to my study.”
“Ah… I confirmed that there were no other priests, so he’s already entered the study.”
“Just as I expected.”
Even though Blanche was a close ally in enemy territory, he respectfully addressed Silvert as High Priest in the presence of other priests. But with Letran, a priest he was friendly with, he used his name instead of the title.
Silvert had often scolded him for not using proper titles, but he didn’t really mind. If Blanche had only treated him as High Priest and not as a friend, Silvert would have thrown off his robes and retired.
Back in the study, Silvert first noticed a dark, aged wooden box on the table. He hadn’t seen it before. For a moment he wondered what it was, when Marquis Blanche issued a serious order to Letran.
“High Priest, I have important matters to discuss. You must step aside. No one may enter until I call.”
“Yes, understood.”
Blanche’s voice had a weight that suggested a serious matter. Letran followed the instructions calmly, closing the study door and dismissing all other priests. Once no footsteps could be heard outside, Silvert narrowed his brows and looked at Marquis Blanche.
“You said you needed to discuss something with me. What is it, Marquis?”
“It’s too much to handle alone, so I had to share it with you.”
What could be so serious that we must share a drink…?
Ignoring Silvert’s confusion, Blanche opened the elegant aged wooden box and pulled out two bottles of wine. Silvert, almost spellbound, approached the wine.
“Baricoke wine. Where did you find something so rare?”
“I reserved it for a special occasion, and now I give it to you.”
“Ah, but there are no glasses.”
“Why would you need glasses? Drink straight from the bottle like in your youth.”
“Hah, I’ve been holding back all this time.”
Silvert was a huge drinker—a fact known only to Blanche. When he was young, after a monster hunt, he would drink five strong bottles on the spot. Blanche suspected all his rewards went to alcohol. Watching Silvert uncork the bottles with his bare hands, he thought the same.
“I have many regrets in life, but becoming High Priest is my greatest regret. Who knew I’d have to abstain from drinking?”
“You, a heavy drinker, abstaining… It’s like torture every day.”
“Exactly. So why did you suddenly bring wine?”
“Just to chat. I have no friends besides you. Today was eventful—you brought back a saint who was like a child to you, and I have a great-granddaughter now.”
“Hahaha!”
Silvert laughed heartily and settled into the sofa.
“So, when did you learn that the saint was an Emergent?”
He hesitated. Silvert rolled his eyes briefly and spoke quietly:
“I learned after hiding Sonnet in Nostri. Please understand why I didn’t tell you.”
“I understand. Fewer people knowing such information keeps it safer.”
Blanche murmured as he stroked his chin:
“So now there are two of them?”
“Two of what?”
“The Emergents. There are two now, aren’t there?”
Silvert’s white eyes widened instantly at Blanche’s unexpected remark.
“Silvert, you’re an Emergent too, aren’t you?”
