It's Not Adultery, It's Romance?
As soon as I stepped inside, I was greeted by a middle-aged man with a gentle face and glasses. He looked somewhat frail, yet those golden eyes held a quiet strength. "It's been a while, Jenkinson. Or should I call you Priest in this situation?"
The man smiled as he offered me a seat. I shook my head. "There's no need for that, Brother Seron."
Once, I had called this man Your Highness. Seron de Tilemans Rucella. He was the king of this nation, and I had been the son of a vassal serving under the margrave of that very kingdom.
"How awkward. The last time you came here as Greg's vassal, you were still an adorable boy."
Before entering the academy, I had spent some time learning the ropes as my father's subordinate. I'd followed him to war a few times and attended palace banquets. That was when I had met Seron. Remembering those days, he smiled. I took my seat and replied, "I'm hardly at an age where people call me cute anymore."
It might have been true back then, but that age had passed long ago. I smiled at the thought, and Seron nodded in understanding.
"True enough. You'll be thirty soon, won't you? How time flies."
I nodded. Time really did fly. The young king in his twenties from back then was now approaching his late thirties.
"What about marriage? My old proposal still stands, you know."
Seron's smile made me pause. Proposal...? Come to think of it, there had been talk of a match here as well. I had been grateful for the discussion involving the princess, but I'd already had Sera at the time and turned it down. And now...
"I'm sorry. I appreciate the offer, but my family already has an arrangement in progress."
The moment the words left my mouth, one woman's face came to mind. That was why I refused so quickly.
"Well... then it can't be helped."
Seeing his disappointment, I smiled and sipped the tea the maid had left behind.
"Shall we move on to business? What exactly do you need me to do here?"
Seron flinched at the question, then let out a sigh. "It's a bit... embarrassing, but..."
He began to explain. I listened quietly, then nodded. Of course. This was precisely the sort of matter that required the expertise of an inquisitor specializing in family affairs.
Is it really all right for me to leave my post like this?
In one of the most heavily guarded rooms in the entire palace, Asa felt deeply uneasy even as she was served the finest tea. Of course, the man named Cabinson had offered to explain the situation on her behalf, but... was it acceptable for a holy knight to wander so freely from an inquisitor's side? The question kept nagging at her.
Well... Alkai is still with him.
It should be fine, right? She convinced herself of this as she studied the woman before her.
More importantly, she's stunning.
Watching the woman lift her teacup with elegant grace, Asa couldn't help but admire her. Beautiful purple hair. Large, innocent-looking golden eyes that held an air of mystery. Her arms were so slender one might worry they would snap, and the white dress she wore was neither ostentatious nor plain. It radiated pure refinement.
Despite that delicate, petite frame... her breasts are huge.
Even as a woman, Asa found her gaze drawn to the generous curves. It was an almost unreal beauty and figure.
Then those small lips parted, and the woman spoke.
"Is the tea to your liking, Sir Asa?"
Her voice was wonderfully pleasant. Asa thought so even as she pulled herself together.
"Ah, yes, it's fine... But more importantly, Princess, why did you invite me like this?"
Asa couldn't understand it. Why would the princess summon her for a private meeting? This young lady was none other than Yuria de Tilemans Rucella, Rucella's one and only princess. She was the renowned beauty of the kingdom. Asa had only heard the rumors, but seeing her now, she realized the stories hadn't done her justice.
So why had someone like her invited Asa?
As she pondered this, the princess's face flushed slightly.
"W-well... that is..."
Why does she look so embarrassed?
The princess gathered her courage, her expression turning serious as she asked, "I heard that you serve as Lord Jenkinson's assistant."
Huh? The priest?
"Ah, yes. Though I haven't been doing it for very long."
Assistant... that wasn't inaccurate. Holy knights assigned to inquisitors acted as both escorts and aides.
"Is he doing well?"
"Well... he's the same as ever."
Could that man ever be anything but fine? Asa answered with that thought in mind. More than that, though... why does she seem so interested in the priest?
Was it just her imagination? It felt like the princess was paying far too much attention to him.
"I see. That's truly a relief."
Hmm...
Watching her brighten, Asa fell into thought. This was probably...
"Um, has he... ever mentioned me?"
"Ah, well... I'm not particularly close with the priest, so..."
This is exactly what I thought it was.
This princess was... Asa squeezed her eyes shut. She had a feeling she'd just been dragged into something troublesome.
"Sir Asa was taken away by the princess. Well, it can't be helped."
Jenkinson, having finished his conversation with the king, wasn't particularly surprised to find Asa missing.
"It wasn't rude, was it?"
When Cabinson asked with a worried expression, Jenkinson answered lightly. "In this case, I'd say it's barely within the realm of what's acceptable."
A holy knight shouldn't abandon their post so casually... but since it had been his brother's request, he would let it slide.
With that thought, Jenkinson muttered quietly to himself before turning to Alkai, who still stood there like a stone statue.
"Shall we unpack first? It looks like we'll be staying at the palace for a while."
"Yes!"
"Brother. Hey, brother."
Watching Alkai respond in perfect military posture, Cabinson nudged Jenkinson and whispered, "More importantly, what exactly is that barbarian?"
Why was a barbarian obeying his brother? The question was written all over Cabinson's face. Jenkinson was momentarily at a loss for words.
"Hmm..."
He considered how to explain it, then said, "He's a lamb I took under my wing."
"A... lamb?"
Cabinson looked stunned. With that massive build? He seemed larger than their father. But Jenkinson paid the reaction no mind. Seeing this, Cabinson simply gave up. His brother had always been like this. Once something caught his interest, he offered no proper explanation and simply did as he pleased.
"Anyway, I'm off duty now. The butler will show you to your room, brother."
Cabinson prepared to leave, then paused as if remembering something. "Ah, and if you have time, you should meet with the princess. She'd be delighted."
"...?"
There was no reason to meet her. Jenkinson tilted his head in confusion. Cabinson sighed inwardly. He's still so far from getting it.
Indeed... Is it already too late?
Considering the recent rumors he'd heard, it probably was.
"Now that I think about it, there were rumors about your marriage. With the Ofrel family. The whole palace was in an uproar."
Honestly, he couldn't believe it. Marriage to that giant of Yura? His brother? He'd assumed it was merely family arrangements that Jenkinson knew nothing about. But...
"It could be."
"???"
To his shock, Jenkinson didn't deny it.
He's not denying it?
More than that...
"You knew?"
You already knew the rumors were circulating? Cabinson asked in disbelief. Jenkinson scratched his cheek.
"Well... roughly?"
Since he'd already heard the general idea, Jenkinson answered casually. But the response hit Cabinson like a hammer to the skull. Seeing his expression, Jenkinson looked slightly hurt.
"I'm almost thirty now too. Thirty. Of course I've thought about marriage."
Th-that's true, but...
It wasn't wrong. But...
"Then what about the princess?"
Cabinson asked with clear concern. Jenkinson looked puzzled.
"I've been wondering why you keep bringing up the princess. Brother."
I already refused that proposal long ago. At Jenkinson's answer, Cabinson hesitated, but... Well, it can't be helped.
He simply resigned himself. It was unfortunate for the princess, but when he thought about it, this was someone else's business. Shifting his attention, Cabinson asked with interest, "Then you must have met her? That giant of Yura. What kind of person is she?"
They said she was a powerhouse who could rival their father. How strong was she? Personally, he was quite curious.
"...Let's go inside and talk."
It seemed this would be a long conversation, so Jenkinson decided to change locations. Standing around in the hallway felt awkward. He turned to Alkai.
"Go ahead and rest. I need to catch up with my brother after so long."
"Understood."
Alkai accepted immediately and followed the butler who had approached, disappearing down the corridor. Jenkinson patted Cabinson's back.
"Let's go."
"Huh? Go where?"
Seeing his brother's dazed reaction, Jenkinson sighed, removed his surplice, folded it neatly, and spoke in just his shirt.
"Your house. Let's have a look around."
"Ah, th-there's really no need..."
At the flustered Cabinson, Jenkinson's eyes narrowed.
"...You do clean properly, don't you?"
Flinch!
That reaction drew another sigh from Jenkinson. "Lead the way. Quickly. Don't test your brother's patience."
The cool tone made Cabinson realize there was no escaping this. He squeezed his eyes shut.
"...Yes."
With a gloomy expression, Cabinson led the way. Jenkinson followed, the folded surplice draped over his arm. At this moment, he wasn't Jenkinson Beckett the priest and inquisitor. He was simply Jenkinson Abnaigel, older brother to the hopeless Cabinson Abnaigel.
"...Well, I expected as much."
Jenkinson stepped into the two-story mansion near the palace and let out a sigh. He'd thought it was rather large for one person, but...
"Does anyone actually live here?"
Spiderwebs covered every corner. Dust lay thick everywhere except the few spots that were clearly used. It was easy to tell which areas saw any activity.
"W-well... when you're busy with work, cleaning tends to fall by the wayside..."
It looks like it's only used for sleeping.
Jenkinson ran a finger through the dust and sighed again. This would require...
"Let's start by cleaning."
Before any conversation, the house clearly needed to be cleaned first.