Chapter 224
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 224
When did he get here?
Ferdinand was looking down at me with blood-red eyes.
Since he remained silent, it fell to me, as a noble, to find a topic of conversation and keep my mouth moving.
"What brings you here, Your Highness?"
"Is there anywhere in the Great Temple I cannot go?"
Probably not.
"Of course. I was simply surprised to see Your Highness so suddenly."
I felt a bit awkward. Regardless of what had happened between Ferdinand and me, anything negative should have been kept to our private spaces.
In a public setting like this, with so many nobles watching, letting it slip that we weren't on good terms would deal a massive blow to my reputation. It would affect the White Tulip Salon as well.
But did Ferdinand know how I felt? Or rather, would he even care if he did?
Our last meeting ended on such a terrible note...
Just as I was debating whether to check Ferdinand’s favorability, he spoke.
"Grand Princess Frezier."
It was a title that felt far more distant than when he used to call me 'Lady Tulia.'
"Do you wish to enter the Temple of Light?"
I didn't even have a chance to say no. The nobles who had been siding with Corico the whole time immediately caught the vibe and chimed in.
"Your Highness, I'm sure the Grand Princess is very curious about the Temple of Light. Isn't everyone, really?"
"That's right. It's famous for its beauty, but those who have seen it in person are few and far between."
"However, unlike Saintess Corico, Grand Princess Tulia hasn't received an invitation from the High Priests, so she hasn't been able to enter. We find it quite a pity."
Pity on the surface, delight underneath.
The attacks against me were relentless, but Ferdinand offered no reaction, simply staring at me intently.
Right.
I know I said I hurt you deeply. I know that...
But Ferdinand!
If you keep staring at me with those cold, vengeful eyes in front of everyone, do you have any idea what kind of rumors will start?!
Terrible ones, obviously! And won't my White Tulip Salon take a hit too? Huh? Have you never considered that my business's sales might plummet?
No matter how angry you are at me!
Wait. Is he glaring at me with those terrifying eyes because he actually wants that to happen?
I understood Ferdinand’s feelings, of course, but I had many subordinates and farmers depending on me.
As their leader, I couldn't just stand by. Just as I opened my mouth to steer the conversation elsewhere—
"..."
A hand was extended toward me. The owner of those long, elegantly jointed fingers was...
"Then I shall invite you."
It was Ferdinand.
The surrounding nobles were more shocked than I was, and a murmur rippled through the crowd. Ferdinand didn't rush me to take it, but I didn't dare refuse his hand.
For public reasons, I didn't want to throw the Brillant social circle a new bone to chew on for the next thirty years.
And for private reasons...
I just didn't want to refuse.
The hand I took reflexively felt hard and full of calluses, unlike its appearance. It was the hand of a man who gripped a sword.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Ferdinand, who had been watching me, shifted his gaze.
"Very well."
Holding my hand, Ferdinand began to walk with long strides. The priests and Holy Knights guarding the door looked flustered when they saw me.
"Your Highness? That, er, the lady is..."
"Open it. I have invited her."
"Y-Yes, sir!"
Could the world really change this much just by crossing a single threshold?
The Temple of Light was truly a beautiful place.
Grapevines were planted throughout the vast rear garden, and the clusters of dark, heavy grapes created a lush, pastoral atmosphere just by looking at them.
The air was thick with the sweet, fragrant scent of grapes. Colorful autumn flowers swayed in the cool breeze, making me feel good despite myself. It felt as if I had stepped into a fairy forest.
I guess the real thing is better than the illustrations.
"You seem to like it."
Lost in thought for a moment, I remembered Ferdinand a beat late.
When I turned to look at him, I was startled again. His red eyes were fixed on me as if trying to pierce right through me.
I felt it every time, but if Ferdinand didn't have such incredible looks, his life would have been much harder.
His red pupils looked like fresh blood, which could be chilling at times.
But even that kind of fear, when paired with such handsome features, only served as an element that added a raw, primal charm...
I cleared my throat lightly and spoke.
"It's a truly beautiful place. I'm getting to see something precious thanks to Your Highness. Thank you."
"If you like it, come and see it whenever you want."
"Pardon?"
"Tell them you are my guest and come in."
"But... I heard even His Majesty the Emperor cannot easily enter this place. Is it really alright for a mere Grand Princess like me to do so?"
"It is."
Ferdinand shifted his gaze.
"The Great Temple tends to look quite pityingly upon a Crown Prince who suffers from a divine power disorder."
"..."
What was I supposed to say to that?
Good for you?
You're amazing?
Both were one-way tickets to hell.
Truly, the path of a sycophant was treacherous...
I didn't answer—or rather, I couldn't find a suitable response—so I just looked back at the garden.
In the center of the garden stood a beautiful temple building that looked like a work of art. Crystal lamps hung from the white marble exterior walls like beads on a string, dangling softly.
Crystal lamps that never go out, even at night.
A mysterious structure that earned the place the name 'Temple of Light.'
That was a place I had never even entered in the illustrations. Judging by the high-ranking priest standing at the door, Corico seemed to be inside.
"The Saintess seems to be in there."
"You knew?"
"I did. That priest is specifically assigned to the Saintess."
I thought he wasn't interested in Corico.
In fact, based on his attitude during the first day of the Saintess verification, I had vaguely inferred that Ferdinand held a subtle hostility toward her.
I guess I was wrong.
"But why are you staring at that building so intently?"
"I'm just a little worried about Corico."
"Worried?"
Ferdinand’s eyes took on a strange light.
"She is the Saintess."
"Yes. She is."
"And this is the heart of the Temple."
"...That's true."
"So what is there to worry about?"
My own safety.
I'm worried about what kind of scheme Corico is cooking up, what her relationship with the fanatics is, and whether the High Priests are all going to be slaughtered at once!
...But I couldn't say that.
"The High Priests are noble individuals. I was worried Corico might make a mistake, Your Highness."
"Don't say such things in front of others."
Ferdinand said as he led me along, still holding my hand.
"To others' ears, it might be twisted to sound like the Grand Princess is jealous of the Saintess."
"Jealousy?"
"Isn't it? The nobles standing out there earlier certainly wanted to say you were jealous of her."
Even that...
"You knew?"
"It's a common attempt to drive a wedge. How could I not know?"
I suppose...
No matter how much he disparaged himself, Ferdinand was the Crown Prince with undeniable legitimacy. He would be well-versed in the rhetoric of the Brillant social circle.
Just as I was thinking that and about to ask if we could go inside—
Whoosh!
Ferdinand suddenly wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me into his embrace.
Startled, I stumbled and fell into his arms, looking up in shock.
"...!"
And when I saw blood—no, blood splatter—on Ferdinand’s face, I nearly screamed.
Ferdinand, who had practically thrown me behind his back, spoke in a cold tone.
"Lady Tulia. Get your head down."
* * *
"Aaaah!"
"H-Help me! Gasp!"
A young Viscount, screaming at the sight of the monster before him, saw someone's sword cleave the creature in half.
A savior!
As the Viscount hurriedly looked up, he saw hair as black as a black lion's mane.
Black hair was a relatively common color, but the long, hound-like legs, broad shoulders, and firm muscles—and above all, the remarkably handsome face—were extremely rare.
"Y-Young Lord Leon Frezier!"
It was Leon Frezier, one of the Grand Ducal twins!
True to his reputation as a sword prodigy who would go down in the Academy's history, his skill was magnificent.
Having already saved dozens of nobles, Leon continued to push further inside.
"Where the hell did these low-lifes suddenly come from...?"
Spitting out a curse, Leon cut down the hundreds of monsters that had swarmed out from somewhere in the Temple, one by one.
Only ten minutes ago, Leon had been peacefully watching the priests cling to his twin brother.
Then, the situation reversed when ladies began approaching him as well. He was beyond frustrated that Lisian just watched with a peaceful face as if it were someone else's problem.
Should I just tell the priests to bring a hundred bridal candidates for my brother?
The Temple was turned upside down immediately after.
At the sudden surge of monsters, Leon immediately went looking for Tulia, but she was nowhere to be found, driving him to the brink of madness.
"Where is Tulia! Where is my sister!"