Chapter 185: The Saint and Maria-2
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 185: The Saint and Maria-2
"You have nothing left to say, do you?"
The woman, her hair neatly braided, stared at me.
What was there left to say when her heart had already moved on?
To be honest, a part of me wanted to hold onto her.
But would that act be born of love? Or was it just the anxiety of being alone driving me?
Whatever the reason, I knew that if I tried to stop her, something inside me would shatter.
A tower built from the scraps of my mangled self-esteem, barely held together.
Yes, let her go.
"Yeah. Goodbye."
I swallowed hard and spoke with an expression of feigned relief.
Let’s end it—this exhausting chain of emotions.
Even if a long, lonely stretch of time awaited me, never knowing if another love would come, letting her go was the right thing to do.
She walked away without a single backward glance.
I turned my back as well and started walking.
I didn't do anything as pathetic as looking back.
And then, I made a vow.
I would never beg for love again. I wouldn't be the one giving love; I would be the one receiving it.
*
I woke up naturally to the sensation of something heavy pressing down on me.
Then, the silhouette of a person in very close proximity came into focus.
Blonde hair and emerald-green eyes.
Who was it again...? Ah, Maria.
My attendant, Maria. Maria Roen.
But why are you positioned like that?
It’s a posture very similar to how my Master used to wake me up in the morning.
Looking at her expression, it didn't seem like she was the one who initiated the hug.
I was the one holding her arm... Did I pull her in while I was asleep? That seems like the most plausible explanation.
But wait, I’m the Saint.
Isn't this going to be a problem? For me, specifically.
The Saint, who is supposed to be more upright and chaste than anyone else, is the kind of guy who pulls women into his bed?
That’s a one-way ticket to being burned at the stake.
...I must overcome this crisis using the wisdom of my ancestors.
"Agh! Rapist!"
The best defense is a good offense.
At my scream, Maria jumped in shock and tumbled off the bed.
She immediately prostrated herself on the floor, her body trembling violently.
"I-I am so sorry! Holy Saint! That was never my intention! I only approached to wake you. Never! I never intended to defile the Saint’s holy body!"
Seeing Maria shaking like a leaf made me feel a pang of guilt.
Since her reaction was even more extreme than I anticipated, I realized I shouldn't let this drag on.
Perhaps because I had just woken up, my 'Saint acting' wasn't quite ready yet.
"S-Sister Maria. Please, stand up. It seems there was a misunderstanding between us."
I quickly shifted my expression to one of benevolence and helped Maria up.
"No! I am a sinner. I shouldn't have approached the Saint so carelessly..."
Maria looked like she was on the verge of tears. I climbed out from under the covers and, just like last time, helped her up myself.
Even as she stood, she kept her gaze fixed on the floor, unable to look at me.
"S-Sister Maria. I am fine. So, you may look at me."
I scratched the back of my head and spoke to her again.
"Are... Are you truly alright...?"
Maria mumbled in a voice as tiny as an ant's, and I nodded vigorously.
"Yes, yes. I think I was just talking nonsense in my sleep."
"I-Is that so? I hope you aren't just lying for my sake..."
"A Saint does not lie."
I put on the most gentle expression possible to reassure her.
Whether she saw the sincerity in my face or not, Maria whispered the words, "Does not lie..." to herself.
Phew, it looks like things have finally calmed down.
"Anyway, you came to see me because I woke up late, right? What is the schedule for today?"
"Yes... Well, there is the morning service."
Ah... right, a worship service.
Don't tell me this happens every day? That’s overkill.
"Actually, we are a bit late."
Maria spoke hesitantly, fidgeting with her fingers.
"Uh... has the service already started?"
"No, there are about thirty minutes left."
She stole a glance toward the wall.
Thirty minutes?
"Isn't the service held at the Cathedral?"
"That is correct."
As she nodded, her golden bangs swayed.
The Cathedral... it’s not that far from here, is it?
"Thirty minutes should be plenty of time to attend."
"But... you haven't had breakfast yet, and you need to wash..."
She began counting off the things I needed to do on her fingers.
Hmm?
"That's plenty of time."
"Pardon?"
She stared at me blankly.
I looked in the mirror. My hair was a bit messy, but I didn't think I needed to wash it.
I had some sleep in my eyes, so I just needed to wash my face and brush my teeth.
"Please wait just a moment."
Giving a corporate employee thirty minutes to get ready for work?
Five minutes is more than enough.
*
Exactly five minutes after the Saint spoke.
I was currently escorting the Saint, who was now impeccably dressed in his formal uniform, toward the Cathedral.
The Saint had washed his face and brushed his teeth with incredible speed before tidying his hair.
After running his damp hands through it a few times, his previously disheveled hair regained its vitality.
[As for breakfast...]
[Missing one meal won't kill me. I heard lunch is quite good here, so I'll just eat then.]
The Saint gave a bright, sun-like smile.
Whenever I looked at his smile, I felt a strange warmth in my heart.
It was a pure, untainted smile, free from all the impurities of the world.
Even in a rushed situation, his exemplary attitude of prioritizing the worship service...
Of course, it was expected of a Saint, but it would serve as a wonderful inspiration for the apprentice priests who had just begun walking the Path of Light.
Even I, for instance, sometimes hesitated to attend service if I had a fever or a stomachache.
[Holy Saint, the perfume and accessories...]
When I offered him the accessories a high-ranking clergyman would typically wear, along with the perfume currently trending at the Church Headquarters, the Saint jumped back and waved his hands dismissively.
[The service is what matters. Attendance is more important than things like this.]
I felt ashamed of my hand holding the jewelry.
How trapped had I been in empty formalities and vanity?
"......."
I looked at the Saint’s profile as we headed toward the Cathedral.
His confident stride, his straight nose, his warm chestnut hair, and those mysterious blue eyes that seemed to contain the ocean itself.
Suddenly, the earlier situation flashed through my mind.
The moment I was held fast against the Saint’s chest.
My face suddenly flushed hot.
No. Having such profane thoughts is blasphemy.
Harboring such impure feelings toward the Saint is grounds for summary execution.
I shook my head vigorously, trying to brush away the useless thoughts.
But my thoughts continued to chain together, winding around my head like heavy iron shackles.
"......"
To calm my heart, I recited a prayer internally.
O Supreme Light, lead me not into temptation.
As You destroy external evil, judge the temptations within.
Under the strict Sacred Laws of Light, allow Your servant to exist solely as a servant.
So that I may finally...
"Ah, Sister Maria."
The Saint, who had been walking ahead, turned his head to look at me.
"Hic!"
A vulgar hiccup escaped me.
What would the Saint think of me if he saw me like this?
"Come to think of it, I haven't said this yet."
"I look forward to working with you starting today, Sister Maria."
Behind the Saint’s grinning face, the brilliant blessing of the sun poured in.
It was dazzling.
And strangely, my heart began to race.
It felt as though my faith was being fulfilled.