Chapter 53
“That, that’s…! Absolutely not…!”
At Frillien’s bombshell statement, one of the priests cried out in horror. His voice shook as if he truly was flustered.
“You can’t mean you’d turn down both the Imperial Palace and the temple to go to House Semperion? We can take far better care of you! The temple has been preparing for the Saintess for a very long time. We would even escort you with the entire temple knight order to ensure your safety, so please reconsider…!”
Elysia was happy the quest had been completed successfully, but truthfully, she had been thinking the same thing.
‘It’ll be hard to take her to the ducal house.’
The Imperial Palace, the temple, and the Mage Tower each subtly checked one another for political reasons. The faction that gained the Saintess would gain more influence.
And if, out of nowhere, the Semperion Ducal House entered the picture? The most politically powerful noble family, with the Saintess under its roof as well?
“…That could be seen as a threat to imperial authority.”
Right.
Wait, but how do you even know that, sis?
Why are you so good at political analysis? LOL
“Hey, do you think I’ve only played one or two games? I’ve got a decent grasp of medieval-fantasy politics… probably.”
Yeah? And yet you’re always scheming rebellion?
And constantly ignoring etiquette.
LOL, you probably only played palace-intrigue and war games.
“Ahem.”
…Which was true. She’d hardly ever played romance-fantasy games. Feeling a pang of guilt, Elysia cleared her throat. Meanwhile, Frillien seemed to have thought of something else and proposed a new idea.
“Then… could I go together with Lady Semperion? Whether to the temple or the palace…”
What? No way!
Elysia almost scowled but restrained herself. Of course she planned to escape her house someday, but not like that.
Going to the temple? To where that High Priest was? That shady guy would no doubt nitpick her at every turn. Better to be criticized at home, where at least she could be comfortable, than there.
The Imperial Palace was no better. She’d have to listen to the Crown Prince’s irritating, smooth-tongued remarks from behind a mask of politeness and be plagued by court gossip. And if she entered alongside Frillien? The rumors would explode—claims that they were rivals for the Crown Prince’s attention, or that Elysia, jealous of Frillien, had insisted on joining her in the palace.
And that’s not even all! Sneaking out the window would be so much harder. Breaking your own house’s window is one thing—breaking into someone else’s is another level entirely!
While Elysia was seriously tallying up the downsides, the priest beside her, oblivious to her inner thoughts, quickly chimed in.
“If that’s what the Saintess truly wishes…! That could indeed be an option. Normally, serving the Saintess is an honor granted to very few, so if Lady Semperion were to take on that role, some might object… but since it’s the Saintess’s choice, no one would dare outright oppose it! Let’s do that!”
What? Do what?!
Elysia’s eyes widened in disbelief.
The priest was already acting as if it were decided she’d follow Frillien, even though she hadn’t said a word.
On top of that, his comment implied she should consider it an honor to be by the Saintess’s side—and his brazen attitude made it worse.
Is this for real?
If this was truly how everyone saw things—if this was the “law” of this world—then…
What was she supposed to say?
Elysia’s expression was hardening when a familiar voice cut in.
“You’re taking Elysia? That’s not happening.”
It was Howell. Striding over, he took Elysia by the shoulder and pulled her back, naturally breaking Frillien’s hold on her arm. He turned to Frillien with a cold, firm tone.
“I understand the Saintess is important, but Elysia is a member of House Semperion. Even for you, Saintess, she’s not someone you can just take along like a guard or a maid.”
…What’s with him?
Unexpected. Howell wasn’t a capture target in the game, but from the start he had always been friendly and cooperative toward the protagonist, Frillien. He could become a trusted friend with maxed-out affinity, always willing to help.
But now, the ever-kind Howell was flatly rejecting the Saintess’s suggestion. Apparently, the family’s prestige was one thing he wouldn’t compromise on.
One of the priests, however, didn’t seem pleased.
“Being able to accompany the Saintess is a great honor! Wouldn’t that be a good thing for Lady Semperion?”
His eyes practically scolded them—Who do you think you are to refuse? Surely you’re not more important than the Saintess. The open contempt in his gaze made Elysia narrow her eyes.
And then—
“…No. I was wrong. I’m sorry.”
Frillien bowed her head.
“I didn’t realize how important the Lady was, and I made such a selfish request. I’m sorry for putting you in a difficult spot.”
Her voice trembled as if genuinely apologetic. The pure, harmless tone made Elysia relax her glare.
Well, I can’t get mad at that.
So this was the Saintess effect? Whether sincere or not, her calm, polite demeanor looked saintly. Whatever her true motives, it was a sharp and intelligent move.
“I’ll just… go to the temple on my own.”
Frillien nodded regretfully, then turned to Elysia.
“Let’s meet again sometime. You saved my life, and I won’t forget it. Thank you, truly.”
She bowed once more, and Elysia, unable to do otherwise, returned the gesture, responding just as politely.
“Please take care of your health too, Saintess. As I said earlier, don’t forget to heal your own wounds.”
“Huh? Oh… yes…”
Elysia had been perfectly serious, but Frillien’s expression suggested she wasn’t sure she’d understood.
“Well then, we’ll head back with the Saintess. As for why Lady Semperion was here… since you saved her, I suppose we’ll let that slide.”
The High Priest gave Elysia, Leonard, and Frillien a measuring glance. Since Leonard had explained he’d come here because of her, and Frillien had called her a savior, he couldn’t press the matter further.
Guess I should be grateful for the Saintess’s thanks, because I sure didn’t get it from him.
While Elysia was swallowing a sigh, Leonard spoke.
“Elli, sorry to call you out here only to leave, but I need to report this to the Imperial Court. Will you be alright on your own?”
Wow, smooth talker.
From his eyes alone, he looked like someone who hated to part from a cherished person… but his words basically meant “Problem’s solved, I’m busy, so I’m leaving.” Understanding this, Elysia quickly nodded.
“Yes, Your Highness—please, travel safely.”
“Sir Ende, will you come with me?”
Leonard turned to Finn, who was standing nearby. But Finn shook his head.
“No. I plan to accompany Lady Semperion.”
“What?”
“Pardon?”
“What was that?”
The unexpected statement drew startled echoes from the Crown Prince, Elysia, and Howell alike. Finn continued matter-of-factly, as if it were obvious.
“After what just happened, she should have an escort for the return trip. And there are still stray monsters about.”
“Elli’s probably stronger than that.”
Leonard countered. Everyone here had seen her wipe out the monsters—what claim did Finn have to act as her guard?
But Finn’s voice remained calm as his gaze stayed on Elysia.
“Perhaps. But that doesn’t matter. It’s just an excuse.”
“An excuse?”
“I came because I wanted to see her.”
“…!”
The words overlapped in Elysia’s mind with Leonard’s earlier statement—“I called you here because I wanted to see you.” Leonard turned to her with an incredulous look.
“Elli… did you arrange to meet Sir Ende here instead of me?”
Why are you even asking that?
It’s not like you ever made an appointment with me. Why are you giving me betrayed eyes?
Of course, she’d never arranged anything with Finn either. His “came to see you” line…
What does he mean by that…?
Did he actually know she was here? Or was it just a throwaway line?
Whatever it meant, it certainly wasn’t what Leonard was imagining. But she had no desire to set him straight. She tilted her head innocently.
“Hmm… well, as you know, my next partner is Sir Ende.”
“….”
“So maybe he did want to see me.”
The more she spoke, the more Leonard’s expression subtly twisted. Amazing—he’d always been good at controlling his face, but apparently he couldn’t when things didn’t go his way.
Just as Elysia was thinking this—
“There’s no need for either of you to bother. Elysia will be going back with me.”
Howell interjected, his voice weary and irritated.
“I can handle her escort.”
“You?”
He was going to escort her? Not the other way around?
Elysia looked at him with deep concern. Sensing her gaze, Howell scowled.
“Hey, I only stayed put earlier because you told me to. Anyway, I can do it.”
“…Right…”
Her reply was listless, her tone anything but reassured. Howell snapped irritably.
“Are you kidding me right now? I’m going to report everything to Father.”
He lowered his voice so only she could hear, his tone cold.
“You arranged to meet the Crown Prince here? And Sir Ende says he wanted to see you? What a story that’ll make.”
“No, that’s not—”
“Just so you know.”
That would definitely earn her another house-arrest order.
It was enough to make Elysia want to scream, but there was nothing she could do. Honestly, even if she had told him she was going out to witness the Saintess’s descent—or to fight monsters—she’d still have been scolded. This was probably inevitable the moment Howell decided to tag along.
