Chapter 99
“You don’t mean to say you thought I wouldn’t know, do you?”
He had thought she wouldn’t know. He assumed that the only ones aware of his feelings for Charlotte were his subordinates. After all, he had shared stories about Charlotte with them before, and though they were usually playful and easygoing, they were as tight-lipped as if bound in chains—and knew well which information could be disclosed and which could not. He was certain they hadn’t gone around spreading rumors about his feelings for Charlotte.
Yet the High Priest knew. Theodore couldn’t hide his surprise and asked,
“Uh… you knew from the start?”
“I had a vague idea ever since you challenged the paladins who insulted Charlotte to a duel.”
“!”
“Of course, others might have thought you acted because Charlotte is the daughter of your mentor, Ronan. But you can’t deceive my eyes. Though I may appear young, I’ve lived through years equal to those of Marquis Blanche.”
It was well-known that Theodore once challenged a senior paladin to a duel for Charlotte’s sake and won without a scratch.
However, everyone had assumed he did it because he was helping the daughter of a respected mentor. No one knew the truth: that Theodore nearly beat the opponent to a pulp because he liked Charlotte.
But the High Priest wasn’t fooled. He had seen straight into Theodore’s heart. Theodore pressed a hand to his forehead and paused to think.
From that point onward, whenever he saw anyone giving Charlotte a malicious look, gossiping, or speaking carelessly, he punished them. He knew well that his actions appeared to others as though he was merely protecting his mentor’s daughter. Thus, he hid his feelings and used the guise of protection as an excuse to frequently fight. Ronan himself had even stopped him once.
Yet the High Priest already knew everything: that he fought not because she was the daughter of his mentor, but because he liked her. Theodore lowered his head more and more, heat spreading from his nape all the way to his ears. The High Priest noticed Theodore’s face glowing through his fingers and chuckled.
“Oh? Like a ripe apple. So you can make this expression too?”
“…Ripe apple?”
“I never thought the face of a hero who led every mission to victory could turn into such a fresh, youthful look. Truly fascinating. I must live long enough to see more of this.”
The High Priest was thoroughly enjoying the moment. There’s a saying that nothing is more entertaining than someone else’s love. Theodore, usually composed and cold, was so embarrassed at having his feelings revealed that he couldn’t maintain his usual expression—it was quite a sight. Taking advantage of this, the High Priest began asking questions he had long been curious about.
“Have you confessed?”
“……”
“Not yet, I see.”
“……”
“Or perhaps you couldn’t? Oh, did you postpone it because Charlotte has a daughter…?”
“That doesn’t matter. If she loves the child, I can love her the same.”
Even when Charlotte had a daughter, Aria, Theodore’s love remained unchanged. He merely felt relieved that there was someone she could openly give affection to.
If, by some chance, he and Charlotte became a couple, he was confident he could love Aria as his own. Even if they didn’t, he still intended to cherish Aria—the child Charlotte loved—next to Charlotte herself.
Yet he had spoken this aloud. Theodore covered his mouth, and the High Priest’s eyes widened before bursting into laughter. He nearly slouched onto the sofa, shoulders shaking with amusement.
High Priest Silvert. His image was always accompanied by words like calm, graceful, gentle. He had maintained this image meticulously, except in front of Marquis Blanche, a close friend. Even before Theodore, he had never shown his true nature—rough yet charming, straightforward yet mischievous, fitting for a former paladin.
Theodore was flustered by seeing this side of him for the first time, and utterly exposed, he was on the verge of losing his mind. Yet the High Priest pressed on without giving him a moment’s reprieve.
“You say you can love her? How much do you love her to say such a thing?”
“……”
“Why won’t you answer? Why?”
The High Priest stood abruptly and strode toward Theodore, filled with the same pleasure as when he had drunk an entire bottle of Baricogesan wine with Marquis Blanche.
“Tell me everything. I have no wife or children, but perhaps my advice could help.”
He gripped Theodore’s shoulders firmly, preventing him from escaping.
“No, better yet… tell me when your love began. I’ll keep the secret, I swear.”
Heard from Marquis Blanche, Theodore knew the High Priest had excelled at interrogations even as a paladin—but he hadn’t expected a personal confirmation like this.
Though he tried to keep silent, Theodore eventually revealed, under the High Priest’s coaxing, the full course of his love for Charlotte—from its beginning to the present. By the time he finally left the High Priest’s office, the sun had risen high. It was fortunate that no special schedule awaited him.
‘So what Marquis Blanche said was true,’ Theodore recalled.
[Marquis Blanche: I’m curious. Was the High Priest as calm and composed during his paladin days?]
[Who would say that? Surely he didn’t say it himself, did he?]
[No, it’s just a rumor. I wondered because his younger years weren’t well-known.]
[Theodore, listen carefully. That demeanor is all an act. Don’t be fooled. He’s a cunning fox.]
[Huh?]
…And it had been true. Remembering the High Priest, smiling warmly while listening to him blush as he confessed, it all made sense.
Theodore had inadvertently admitted everything: how he came to love Charlotte, and that his love had been unrequited until now. Yet he hadn’t only given; he had also received guidance.
[Charlotte likes dancing at balls, but she only dances the first song because of people watching. So take her out often. Oh, sometimes her feet get tangled when the tempo speeds up, so watch over her.]
[I’ll remember. But how do you know this, High Priest?]
[Didn’t you hear that I was the one who taught Charlotte to dance?]
[Huh?]
The High Priest’s advice proved useful.
When Charlotte had her debutante dance, Theodore was busy on a monster-infested mission. Completing one task after another, he had been involved in increasingly more operations. Thus, the current title conferral was essentially the first ball he would attend with Charlotte. He had missed the debutante dance, but he planned to claim the first dance at the title conferral.
‘I didn’t realize Charlotte liked dancing that much.’
One week remained until the title conferral. Though he knew how to dance, he still considered practicing. Suddenly, something golden leapt before him, causing him to stop in his tracks. Theodore furrowed his brow, momentarily failing to recognize who it was.
“Sir Arbelce, meeting you here.”
Hearing the voice, he recalled belatedly. Had Marc and Sieberon been there, they would have quietly remarked, “How could the paladin captain not recognize the saint?” But Theodore, generally indifferent to anyone outside his circle, had paid no attention. He bowed formally.
“Greetings, Saint.”
“Are you here to see the High Priest?”
“Yes.”
“I see. Ah, today is such a lovely day, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it’s warm.”
Having openly expressed his love for Charlotte in front of the High Priest, Theodore’s expressions had been unusually soft and varied. But upon meeting Rieta, his expression returned to its usual cold, indifferent mask, words clipped and polite. Rieta, however, remained unperturbed and went straight to the point.
“It’s warm and lovely today. If you don’t mind, could you spare me a moment?”
Knowing Theodore’s naturally taciturn personality, Rieta had prepared to handle his brief replies and had waited in the morning for him, meeting first with Baroness Potrie and then sitting in the prayer room. She would not leave without accomplishing her goal.
“…No, I’m afraid that’s difficult.”
Her firm refusal was enough to leave him momentarily speechless. Yet Rieta did not relent and tried again.
“It’s something I really want to say. Even a brief moment—is that too much?”
“Is it really that important?”
Rieta nodded enthusiastically, twice.
“Yes, it’s truly important.”
“…Very well.”
“Thank you so much. I’ve prepared a place in the Goddess’s Garden. Let’s go together.”
Acknowledging its importance, Theodore reluctantly accepted. Rieta’s face brightened as she clasped his hand.
Though normally disliking contact with anyone beyond close friends, Theodore’s eyes betrayed slight discomfort. Either he hadn’t noticed or pretended not to. Rieta smiled and led him into the Goddess’s Garden.
Roses bloomed throughout the garden. Surrounded by crimson rose bushes, Rieta appeared momentarily out of place. She guided him to a small parlor connected to the garden, where tea, cookies, and small snacks were all prepared on a glass table.
“Please, sit. These are my favorite cookies and tea. I hope they suit your taste.”
“……”
Sitting down, Theodore stared quietly at the cookies offered.
“I’ll just accept the thought. I’m not fond of sweets.”
“Oh, I see.”
Rieta smiled shyly, adjusting her teacup.
“Next time I’ll prepare something less sweet for tea.”
