Chapter 127
Chapter 127
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Pushing and Pulling to Get What You Want (7)
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The people finishing the mass froze as an emergency alarm rang out between them.
"Is it this time of night? Isn't it too early?"
"Which Imperial Princess is gracing us with her presence?"
At the other priests' questions, he drew the holy sign.
"Oh, Dio Benedica."
Calming his surging chest, he shouted in ecstasy.
"It's none other than First Imperial Princess Violet!"
"Good heavens, oh God!"
"No way!"
Screams erupted among the priests.
"Heh heh... In the end, even Princess Violet is making a move."
"It's a blessing for the temple."
The elderly priests put on airs,
"First Imperial Princess? She's never once attended mass!"
"The empire's greatest beauty?!"
"And not just that—she's His Majesty's most cherished one!"
"Wow! We need to start cleaning right away!"
But the younger priests chattered excitedly. Seeing them, Rachel felt her irritation surge even higher.
'Princess Violet?'
Rachel hated all imperial family members, but Violet was an exception among them. Because she'd never once attended mass.
But now, that was a thing of the past.
'Why the hell is she doing something she never did before?'
Whenever Rachel saw an imperial family member touched by Emperor Theodore's blood, nausea welled up. And now she had to face even Princess Violet, who resembled him in face as well.
"God's will has reached Princess Violet."
Hiding her boiling resentment, Rachel said quietly.
"Though her visit is sudden, prepare meticulously so the mass proceeds without issue."
"Yes, understood!"
"Leave it to us!"
Even seeing the priests' fervent loyalty elicited only a sigh from her.
Imperial family members periodically attended mass to strengthen ties with the temple. Usually in the late afternoon.
'What the hell is with mass at this hour? Since when was she so diligent?'
Rachel made full use of her veil. Pursing her lips tightly, she headed toward the chapel.
Today, the chapel gleamed brighter than ever. Thanks to the priests sweeping and scrubbing without a speck of dust left behind.
'Pointless effort.'
Grumbling nonstop, Rachel took her place at the podium. The moment she winced at the fatigue around her eyes,
"Her Highness, First Imperial Princess Violet, arrives!"
A priest's resounding announcement echoed.
Click, clack.
With the sound of heels, Princess Violet entered.
Today, the princess wore a relatively modest black dress that enveloped her entire body. The lavish high-grade fabric made her whole form shine with luster.
Her long, slender limbs like a deer's, her tall stature, and her captivating face overwhelmed everyone.
It was a stark contrast to herself, who still hadn't shed her girlish appearance.
'Hmph, no wonder the rumors call her a peerless beauty.'
Rachel twisted her lips but acknowledged the princess's beauty.
"Wow..."
"Ahh..."
The immature young priests gaped with mouths agape as the princess passed by their side. That, she could tolerate.
"Huh..."
"Oho..."
But when even the old priests did the same, she was dumbfounded.
"Bishop."
Rachel gave the bishop a subtle glance.
"Tsk."
Understanding her intent, the bishop clicked his tongue softly. Only then did the priests realize their rudeness and hastily compose their expressions.
"......"
Fortunately, Princess Violet continued walking without rebuking them. Thus, she reached right before the podium.
The moment their eyes met, Rachel bit her lip.
'She looks just like her father.'
Amethyst eyes that shone more darkly than Emperor Theodore's blood-red ones, yet just as hypnotically.
Among all the princesses Rachel had seen, Violet resembled Emperor Theodore the most—even her impassive expression.
"Welcome, Princess Violet."
At Rachel's greeting, Violet nodded once.
"Pleased to meet you."
Then she sat on the right side, based on the central aisle.
'She takes after her father—no manners.'
Rachel inwardly trashed her with all her might and turned her gaze away. Or tried to.
"-?!"
In the next moment, her eyes locked on the man entering through the door.
Blue hair, a pale and refined face, lips curved slightly upward. Above all, violet eyes sparkling transparently like morning dew.
It was Requiem's master.
'What the—?'
Rachel nearly pointed at him in shock. She couldn't because her body froze from sheer surprise.
"Abel Ovest Kindriel."
Requiem's master—Abel—entered the chapel after the priest's announcement. He strode confidently toward the podium.
"Ah..."
A soft sigh escaped Rachel's lips.
'Abel Ovest... Kindriel.'
It was him. The master of Requiem, who had sent her back and forth between heaven and hell until now.
His appearance resembled young Diego, but his eyes were completely different.
Diego's were those of a ruthless wolf itself, while Abel's were intelligent yet languidly scattered.
Yet something alive and sparkling within them captivated people.
It was the gaze of one who always obtained what they desired. Unwavering, uncompromising.
Rachel stood dazed until a priest brought the holy book before her.
Without even thinking of illuminating him with Serenade's power, or deciding what to say.
"Saintess?"
"Ah."
She finally snapped out of it at the priest's call. Sweat slicked her fingertips, making her hands slip.
'Whew.'
She barely gripped the holy book and placed it on the podium.
By then, Abel had drawn near the podium. He gazed steadily at Rachel and moved his lips.
"-!"
Rachel tensed instantly. She focused every cell in her body on him, ears perked.
"......"
Finally, Abel flashed her a grin before quietly sitting on the left side—opposite Princess Violet.
"Ah..."
Her tension deflated absurdly. Rachel bit her lips and stared at him desperately.
"Your Highness."
The maid who accompanied Princess Violet offered a holy book to the saintess. She was a middle-aged woman with graying blonde hair and calm blue eyes.
"Mm."
Princess Violet opened her holy book, and Abel finished preparing as well. Only then did the bishop step to the podium.
"We will now begin the mass."
The moment he announced the start,
"Wait."
Princess Violet raised one hand.
"I came here today because I was deeply impressed by yesterday's consecration ceremony."
The princess's gaze turned to Rachel.
"So, I wish to hold a private mass with the Saintess alone. What say you?"
"A private mass with just the Saintess?"
The bishop panicked at the unexpected request.
"But masses have always been..."
"I came here for time alone with the Saintess, no one else. I don't want that interrupted."
Princess Violet's amethyst eyes gleamed.
"Is there any reason that wouldn't be possible?"
The pressure from her gaze was no less than the emperor's. Even the bishop, who had met countless powerhouses, faltered.
"That's not it, but we should ask the Saintess's will first."
In the end, he passed the decision to the saintess.
"Fine. I'll conduct it."
Rachel answered without the slightest hesitation.
"......Pardon?"
"Please leave."
The bishop looked shocked at the unexpected reply. The saintess had never shown such initiative before.
"Are you... truly alright with that?"
"You wouldn't think of defying Her Highness's command, would you?"
"Of course not, but..."
The bishop scratched his cheek and withdrew. He seemed inwardly pleased with Rachel's dismissal order.
"Then I'll handle matters outside. Things have piled up since yesterday."
"Do that."
The bishop closed the chapel door and left.
"Why are they still standing there?"
Princess Violet pointed to the knights standing on either side of the podium.
"We've been ordered never to leave the Saintess's side, no matter what."
One knight spoke up. Princess Violet furrowed her brow unpleasantly.
"Do you think I'd harm the Saintess?"
"That would never happen."
The knight's tone was merely dutiful and flat.
"We're simply following His Majesty's orders."
"......"
Princess Violet twisted her lips slightly.
"If it's His Majesty's will, then no choice."
Her gaze turned to Rachel.
"Begin."
Meanwhile, Rachel had placed her hand on the holy book's cover, lost in thought.
While gazing at Abel, who sat flipping through his holy book with apparent interest.
'Why is he here? Does he know something? Or just coincidence?'
His sudden appearance left her mind in chaos. She couldn't grasp the situation at all.
'If I talk to him...'
It would undoubtedly reach the emperor's ears. The knights were watching with sharp eyes.
'...No.'
Rachel was suddenly seized by a realization.
'I can just make Requiem go berserk right now?'
It was the tantalizing possibility that she might be the first one killed by Requiem.
With its master right in front of her, how had she not thought of this?
'Am I an idiot?'
Unlike yesterday, at this close range, stimulating Requiem would be plenty.
'Yes, right now...!'
Just before Rachel turned thought into action,
"-!"
Her eyes met Abel's.
His blue-violet eyes sparkled dangerously, as if piercing her very intentions.
In that moment, Rachel felt an inexplicable premonition. That trying now would lead to the same end as yesterday.
"......"
A chill washed over her. Like a black pit yawning wide toward her.
'...No way.'
A foreboding chill ran down her spine, as if Abel knew everything.
"Saintess?"
Princess Violet's voice snapped Rachel out of it.
"Ah."
The princess was looking at her curiously.
"...Sorry. I was lost in thought for a moment."
Rachel steadied her ragged breathing. Meanwhile, Abel had returned his gaze to his holy book.
'...Let's observe the situation first.'
Rachel held off on acting. Composing herself, she opened the holy book.
"We'll start from Article 12, Section 4. The most fundamental part of God's word."
She read from the holy book in a soft voice.
"...shall not do so. Thus, to benefit them widely..."
The passage she'd heard dozens of times was etched in her mind. Rachel recited mechanically.
'What do I do? Should I try now?'
Her mind wandered elsewhere, but her mouth faithfully chanted the scripture.
"Nevertheless, God said..."
For a while, the chapel was filled only with Rachel's voice reading the holy book. Amid that silence, Rachel suddenly realized,
'...Huh?'
It was too quiet.
"Remember me, and do this..."
Without stopping her recitation, she slyly lifted her face.
"-!"
Rachel's eyes twitched. Princess Violet was dozing off, holy book in hand.
'Ha, of course.'
As if that princess would faithfully attend mass. She couldn't endure it and fell asleep.
Snorting, she glanced to the side.
"-!"
Rachel flinched in surprise.
Even the maid who should attend the princess was asleep—still standing in place.
'Something's... off.'
Sensing something amiss, Rachel looked around. Everyone in the room except her was asleep.
"What... is this? What's going on?"
Was it possible she actually had the siren's talent?
The moment that thought crossed her mind,
"God's word must have been too boring."
An unexpected voice replied. Rachel jumped in shock and looked toward the source.
"Yawn."
It was Abel, stretching as he rose.
"I nearly fell asleep myself."
Contrary to his words, his voice held no trace of drowsiness.
"Actually, I dozed off a bit."
He grinned at Rachel.