~Chapter 16~
Floria had expected the High Priest to bring up the topic gently—but no, he just said it outright.
Then again, she had also spoken boldly when she asked for a bigger room, so she really couldn’t complain.
It was clear: the High Priest was very eager to make her the official Saintess.
“Ah… thank you for the offer, but I still need some time to prepare myself.”
Floria gave a slightly awkward smile.
It felt silly to refuse when she was the one asking for something, but she had no choice.
Her plan was simple: get everything she could from the temple, push the High Priest until he couldn’t say no anymore…
And then run away.
“Alright. Take your time, think it over slowly.”
Surprisingly, the High Priest didn’t seem upset at all.
That meant he wouldn’t bring it up again—at least not today.
He stood up from the sofa and walked to his desk.
He pushed aside some documents he had been reading before Floria arrived, and took out a neatly wrapped box.
For a moment, he stared at it with trembling eyes, then touched it gently like it was something sacred.
Inside the box… was tea leaves.
‘Seriously? He’s shaking just for that?’
Floria looked at him with disbelief.
What was so special about those tea leaves?
But the High Priest… lifted the glass jar of leaves with both hands like a treasure, all the way to his chest, his mouth slightly open in awe.
Then he even started reading the note that came with it out loud, whispering:
“If you brew it like this…”
What was going on with that tea?
Now Floria, curious despite herself, leaned closer and listened carefully.
But his voice was too quiet to hear properly.
Suddenly, the High Priest stood up.
“…!”
Floria quickly sat up straight, pretending she had been patiently waiting the whole time.
Thump thump.
Her heart beat faster—was he going to scold her for eavesdropping?
Thankfully, the High Priest didn’t even notice.
He was carefully placing the tea leaves on a tea tray.
He brought the tray to her and, as usual, personally poured her a cup of tea.
Soon, a full tea set with snacks was laid out before her.
“I’ve been talking so much without even offering you tea. I must have been too distracted. My apologies, Priest Floria.”
He pointed to the table, inviting her to eat.
Floria forced a smile and glanced at the cookies and tea in front of her.
‘He wants me to eat… now?’
She was about to go to morning prayer soon.
To be honest, she didn’t usually eat anything even after the morning prayer.
Usually, around 9 a.m., she’d have a bit of soup. But cookies and tea… in the middle of the night?
Still, with the neatly arranged snacks and the High Priest waiting and watching her,
it felt rude not to at least take a bite.
So, reluctantly, she picked up a cookie and took a small bite.
‘Ugh… my stomach…’
She wanted to rub her belly, but she held it in and focused on eating.
The High Priest watched her closely.
At first, it was just a few quick glances. But soon, he was staring straight at her.
If Floria had noticed it, she might have broken into cold sweat and tried to escape. Because… It was a bit creepy.
“…”
One of the High Priest’s eyes twitched.
“Priestess Floria, why aren’t you drinking the tea? It’s brewed from freshly imported tea leaves. Is the scent not to your liking?”
His voice sounded offended.
He hadn’t minded when she refused the Saint position, but not drinking the tea? That was unacceptable!
…So drinking the tea was the real test?!
“Ah, no! Of course not,” Floria said quickly.
She had just picked up a cookie out of politeness, but it seemed like the High Priest didn’t like that.
She had really tried to eat it too!
Barely holding back a frown, Floria put the half-eaten cookie down and quickly reached for the teacup.
“Haha… The tea smells wonderful.”
Honestly, she didn’t know anything about tea.
She didn’t even care for it—so she had no idea how this tea was different from the one she had before.
But she started praising it anyway, pretending to savor it with her eyes closed, slowly spinning the cup.
Sweat started forming down her back.
Even with her eyes shut, she could feel it—his intense gaze, like he was forcing her to drink it.
‘Wow… this is seriously uncomfortable.’
She didn’t know why he was staring so hard, but still—since a superior had offered her tea, the polite thing was to drink it.
So she slowly took a sip.
And yes, it tasted just like before.
“The aroma is lovely, High Priest.”
She smiled brightly as she praised it.
Flattery was basic survival in the workplace, especially when she came here asking for a bigger room.
That had to be what the High Priest wanted to hear, because the moment she spoke, his dark expression lit up.
He laughed heartily—like a happy boss from a past life—and walked back to his desk.
And then…
<Then let’s make it official. You will become the Saintess, Floria.>
He repeated what he said earlier.
This time, it wasn’t a question—it was a command.
‘I already turned this down once, and now he’s just deciding for me?’
Floria was about to firmly say no again.
But she couldn’t.
<Then let’s make it official. You will become the Saint, Floria.>
<Then let’s make it official. You will become the Saint, Floria.>
<Then let’s make it official. You will become the Saint, Floria.>
His voice echoed in her mind, repeating over and over again.
Floria’s eyes went blank. The focus vanished.
Her head started spinning, and her body swayed as if possessed.
Her mouth began to move—she was just about to say “Yes” like a machine—
Spark!
Suddenly, the yellow ring on her finger sparked.
It was a very tiny flash—too small for the High Priest to see.
The ring flickered several times, then went still, like it had finished its job.
“…!”
At that exact moment, Floria snapped out of it.
Her eyes cleared, and she sat up straight as if nothing had happened.
“Y-yes… huh? I mean, I’m sorry, but like I said before, I still need more time to think about that, High Priest.”
Thank goodness.
She had nearly said “Yes” but managed to stop herself just in time.
But she had no idea what had just happened to her.
‘It felt like I was hypnotized…’
Why had that happened?
Why had she almost answered on her own, without thinking?
The weird feeling made her look around nervously, but everything seemed normal.
Ugh—her head throbbed.
‘Don’t tell me he put something strange in the tea.’
She felt dizzy. She pressed her fingers to her forehead and looked down at her cup.
The tea was mostly gone—just a few drops left at the bottom.
It was completely clear, like plain water. Nothing suspicious was visible.
“…”
She carefully turned her head.
The High Priest was smiling warmly, looking innocent and kind—as if he had done absolutely nothing. And that’s when Floria knew.
‘This guy is super suspicious.’
She could feel it. The High Priest had definitely done something. People who pretend to be harmless like that are always the scariest.
That foggy, strange feeling… it wasn’t unfamiliar.
It felt like she had experienced it before—and that scared her even more.
There was no doubt now: he had put something in the tea.
‘Okay, I’m never drinking tea from him again.’
That had been dangerous.
She didn’t know why the tea didn’t work on her—but thank goodness it didn’t.
Floria secretly clenched her left hand where the ring was—out of the High Priest’s sight.
Then, tilting her head slightly, she put on a confused expression.
‘Why are you asking again?’ that’s what her face said.
In situations like this, pretending to know nothing was best.
The High Priest kept smiling like always.
It was strange—almost too perfect—and he didn’t even realize how creepy he looked.
