Chapter 34
Chapter 34
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: A Lovable Little Kid Like Pink Cotton Candy
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Ted trailed off.
Even as a holy knight, he had no idea how to speak to a child chosen by the Pope, one who received the love of the gods.
Gabrielle furrowed her brow.
“Was it Sien of the Mirmod family?”
“……Yes, that’s her.”
Gabrielle snorted at Ted’s honest reply.
“I heard she’s some kid who rolled around in the dirt.”
Then, she whispered elegantly.
“I and that girl are as different as fake pearls and real ones.”
Gabrielle figured that by now, Ted would curb his arrogance and bow to her.
But at her words, Ted narrowed his eyes and snapped back.
“Lady Sien is not like that.”
“……What?”
Gabrielle’s incredulous gaze pinned Ted down. But Ted’s expression remained as steadfast as a mountain. What was with that attitude, as if he’d chosen Sien as the lady he’d protect himself?
“What did you just say?”
“I said Lady Sien is not like that.”
A resolute yet gentle holy knight.
At the sight, Gabrielle’s face flushed bright red.
No one had ever opposed her opinion before. And yet…… how dare a mere holy knight…….
Gabrielle bit her lip.
Disgust, anger, and humiliation washed over her all at once.
“Then are you saying I’m the one speaking falsehoods, Sir Knight?”
She was quite bold about it.
She never imagined he’d refute even that.
Having lived just over ten years, Gabrielle had grown arrogant. It was possible because of her position, where she had every right to be haughty.
Her holy power surpassed not just Senoa Temple but was top-tier among all temples. Among all the priests here, she was the Pope’s most favored.
But…….
“Yes. Lady Sien is a good person.”
……She was refuted once more.
Gabrielle was stunned. No one had ever spoken to her so firmly before……!
“……Don’t ever defend that girl in front of me again!”
She lashed out in anger, but it wasn’t directed at Ted.
Gabrielle’s sharp fury turned toward Sien.
‘This is all because of Sien, that weird girl. Ted was practically already set to be my knight……!’
Before Sien appeared, Seneo Temple had been peaceful. It revolved solely around Gabrielle.
Gabrielle toured the temple, offering prayers to the gods. And that wasn’t all. She wielded her holy power to benevolently heal visitors, performing many good deeds.
But…….
Sien’s arrival shattered the order in Seneo Temple.
She’d only teased Sien Mirmod a little, and the children lost their chance to become priests. Gabrielle herself lost the children who had served as her hands and feet.
‘She’s ruining everything.’
Gabrielle’s expression turned venomous, far beyond her years.
She wanted to deal with that infuriating girl herself—the one trying to steal her chosen knight.
A faint, milky glow scattered from her fingertips.
‘……Ted is mine. Seneo Temple is mine, and people’s affections are mine.’
Gabrielle’s holy power often manifested as faint precognition.
Anxiety flooded her heart: starting with Ted, she’d lose everything.
Watching her, Ted rubbed his face dryly.
Strangely, the more possessively Gabrielle acted toward him, the more he missed Asid and Sien.
***
Meanwhile, I faced Asid head-on after he entered my room.
“Th-that is…….”
Where had all that boldness from knocking and entering gone?
Asid cautiously opened his mouth.
With the maid sisters and Dad here, he looked a bit intimidated. Still, mustering this much was pretty brave for him.
This called for some encouragement!
Before Dad could stop me, I hopped down from his lap. Then I toddled quickly toward Asid, still lingering at the door.
“Hm? What’s up? I’m listening!”
“Y-yes?”
Had no one ever properly listened to Asid before, with his slightly halting speech? His delicate lashes fluttered.
Patiently, I looked up into his eyes. Asid finally parted his lips hesitantly.
“I…….”
“Hm, baby.”
“Want to…… meet my brother.”
“……Huh?”
I gazed at Asid carefully.
I understood wanting to get stronger, but wanting to meet his brother felt sudden.
“I-it’s not like…… I forgive him.”
Lingering faint anger still colored his words.
Then why?
I tilted my head and gripped Asid’s arm tightly. It trembled slightly—he was clearly nervous.
I patted his arm and said.
“Baby, listen to me. Go ahead and say it.”
“……Okay.”
Asid continued haltingly.
“Meeting him…… I want to see…… how much holy power I have…….”
His voice was shrinking, but audible enough.
“Can I? Is that okay?”
I stared at Asid.
For him, this was clearly scraping the bottom of his courage barrel.
Of course I had to reward that bravery.
“……Yeah. Good job, baby.”
Asid added in a puzzled tone.
“I didn’t…… do anything…….”
“Nuh-uh. You said you wanna get strong, and figured out a way too.”
I patted Asid, praising him like a puppy. Come to think of it, those round eyes did look like a pup’s…….
“R-really…….”
His hesitant, fumbling demeanor reminded me of a little country doggy. I parted my lips slightly and let out a soft sigh.
‘S-so…… cute.’
Older than me in actual age, but still such a baby.
I patted his shoulder and said firmly once more.
“You were brave—good job!”
“…….”
Asid flushed red at the unexpected praise, as if embarrassed.
“Enough.”
“Ah…….”
Fidgeting with his hands, Asid bowed his head toward me.
“Th-thank you…….”
His face was beet red, fingers twitching nonstop—it seemed that was the peak of his courage.
Maybe overwhelmed by too much praise, Asid—now a flaming radish—bowed at a full 90 degrees.
He murmured cautiously, “Th-then, when you have t-time, to S-Seneo Temple…… t-together,” before heading out.
After the brave Asid left, I was alone at the door.
Having heard our whole conversation, the maid sisters and Dad stared holes through me.
‘Somehow embarrassing!’
The maid sisters’ eyes were super dazed, mouths slightly agape. They looked like…….
‘Maid sisters, you’re way too immersed!’
Their attitudes suddenly felt burdensome, so I scurried to Dad.
“Daddy, Asid did great, right? Cool, huh?”
Dad wrapped around my waist, lifting me as he gazed at me. His clear blue eyes captured mine.
“……Yeah, he did well.”
“Heehee.”
“You did well too, sweetie.”
Dad soothed me tenderly.
I beamed at him. Then Dad quietly lowered his eyes, as if at a loss for words.
“Our girl’s already grown so much.”
Here we go again.
Dad always gets teary-eyed whenever I act a little grown-up.
I shrugged casually.
“Hm, grown-up now!”
Conversation with Dad wrapped up roughly…….
‘But those muscle maid sisters are weird. Jaws dropped since earlier…….’
No matter how I looked, they’d been glancing at Dad and seemed shocked.
Dad being so sensitive wasn’t new, so why?
Protein side effects maybe……?
‘Think positive! Ted and Asid will meet, and Asid’ll get his holy power checked!’
Anyway, it was truly great news.
I gripped Dad’s big hand with my tiny one and thought.
Our family and friends were gradually drawing closer to happiness.
***
At the same time, inside Seneo Temple.
The moment the Mirmod family’s visit was announced, the temple atmosphere flipped.
No wonder—the temple and Duke Mirmod’s house were in perfect opposition.
An outer Seneo Temple, not even the grand central one in the capital. And an uninvited visit at that.
Of course, given the temple’s nature of embracing all, they couldn’t officially refuse.
“Why is that girl Sien visiting the temple again?”
“I heard Ted has a younger sibling. Apparently serving as a servant in the Mirmod house. Probably for that child.”
Why of all things……! Oblivious to Gabrielle’s twisted face, the priest rattled on.
“They say the sibling might have holy power too, so they requested a holy power check at the temple. That’s the main reason, and they plan to meet Ted before and after.”
Siblings were surely just a pretext; that little demon Sien Mirmod was obviously coming to steal Ted.
Using her villainous father to harass Ted, then whisk him from the temple—had to be the scheme.
Of course, holy knights didn’t have to serve in temples.
But like caterpillars eating pine needles, those with holy power were expected to serve temples first and foremost.
Sien Mirmod was surely a demon come to enchant Ted. And Ted was clearly falling for the temptation!
‘How to overcome this crisis?’
Gabrielle brushed back her hair, lost in thought. It was an elegant motion befitting a saintess. But the thoughts within were wicked.
I won’t let the likes of you see Ted. He’s my knight to protect me.
I won’t lose to a demon’s daughter like you.
I’m a saintess brimming with holy power.
Gabrielle’s elegant face twisted fiercely.
“I’m taking Ted away.”
“Yes? Lady Gabrielle, but…….”
“It’s my decision.”
The girl overflowing with the Pope’s love, Gabrielle, was essentially Seneo Temple’s ruler. No one could argue with her.
Sure enough, the young priest—twice her age—fidgeted and wiped sweat from his brow.
“The Mirmods sent word to Ted too.”
“……To Ted as well?”
“Yes. Since his sibling’s coming, stay at the temple that day.”
Gabrielle’s eyes sharpened.
“Hmm, is that so?”
Gabrielle’s mind raced.
“Did Ted receive the message himself?”
“Ted’s in fasting training now, so he hasn’t heard yet.”
“I see.”
“Good news, though—finding his sibling.”
Who cares about some sibling.
Honestly, even hearing about it, he’d prioritize protecting her.
But you never know.
Ted was an affectionate knight. He might care a little for his idiot commoner brother.
Though never as much as he cherished Gabrielle, whom he’d guarded so preciously all this time.
“Then hide it. Ted mustn’t know his sibling’s coming.”
“……Pardon?”
The dim-witted priest looked baffled.
What if Sien Mirmod used Ted’s idiot beggar brother to blackmail him into becoming her guard knight?
She had to prevent that.
No need to explain that to this priest, though.
Gabrielle rose.
“I hate the fuss. That day, I’ll take Ted out of the temple all day.”
The words were tantamount to a formal declaration of war against Sien Mirmod.