Chapter 140: I Like You Too
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 140: I Like You Too
“And don’t worry about that bird. He won’t be leaving the Magic Tower for the rest of his life.”
“You’re going to keep the Good Omen locked up forever?”
“Yes. Even I cannot kill a Good Omen blessed by God. However, he will never have a reason to set foot outside the Magic Tower again.”
“Hmm.”
I wasn’t entirely sure of the specifics, but killing a Good Omen seemed to be a grave matter. I had almost brought a curse upon myself earlier without even realizing it.
Trusting the Master of the Magic Tower, I nodded. Then, I asked him the question I had originally wanted to ask Harnen.
“Will everything really be okay if we keep the Good Omen here?”
The fact that the Good Omen was still alive meant that the angels were still watching this world. If that was the case, there was no telling what might happen later.
Despite my worried question, the Master’s expression remained perfectly serene.
“Of course. From now on, the power the Temple exerts over the continent will only weaken.”
“Ah.”
“The Magic Tower doesn’t intend to just sit idly by anymore, either.”
The Master of the Magic Tower had once been so consumed by fear of the Temple’s power that he had been busy hiding the tower away. However, it seemed he had learned a great deal from this recent incident. He continued with a serious face.
“To be honest, I didn’t think you would actually be able to defeat Empress Dowager Gabriella, Lady Dia.”
“Did you see the future as well, Master?”
“Yes, though I only came to know it by chance.”
Nodding, the Master of the Magic Tower explained how he had glimpsed the future.
Upon reaching a certain level of magical mastery, he had come to understand the principles of the world. For a brief moment, he had touched the realm of the gods and, like the Archdemon, saw the future. From that point on, he had been secretly communicating with the Northern Region to oppose the Temple.
Come to think of it, the North was the first region to embrace the Magic Tower. I understood now, recalling the portal that had led directly to the North.
“Even so, I only took passive measures. It’s not something I can say with pride.”
With a sheepish smile, the Master of the Magic Tower picked up the limp Harnen. I watched him and asked, “What will you do with the Good Omen now?”
“I’ve prepared a cage in my room. I plan to keep him there.”
“Um, won’t he be noisy?”
“You get used to it after a while.”
“Haha...”
The Master spoke in a nonchalant tone. If anything, he looked quite pleased.
[Isn’t this what they call a sadist?]
[He’s a cruel human, contrary to his appearance. I almost feel bad for the angel’s lackey.]
‘Be quiet.’
After whispering a quick shut-up to the muttering demons, I offered an awkward smile. Looking satisfied, the Master of the Magic Tower departed, carrying Harnen like a trophy.
“Dia, are you alright?”
“Oh, yeah. I’m fine.”
I answered Nathaniel’s worried inquiry as if it were obvious. If anything, I was more worried about him.
“Are you okay? The Good Omen, who was supposed to be raised in the Temple, is being held captive in the Magic Tower.”
“Yes, it doesn’t matter.”
“But if the other priests find out...”
“They won’t find out.”
Nathaniel cut me off firmly. He spoke as if he would ensure that no one would ever know what he had seen at the Magic Tower. I looked at him with fresh eyes.
“Is it really okay for the future Pope to say such things?”
I asked somewhat playfully, but Nathaniel stared back at me with an intensely serious expression. I flinched slightly at his gaze.
“Dia.”
“Uh, yeah?”
“To be honest, I don’t care whether I become the Pope or not.”
“What do you mean...?”
I was shocked by his words.
I knew well enough that he hadn’t seemed to value the Temple much until now. Still, I had assumed he accepted becoming the Pope’s adopted son because he had started to value his own future more than before.
Hearing him say this now left me bewildered. As I looked at him, demanding an explanation, Nathaniel spoke again.
“The reason I became the Pope’s successor was for you, Dia. Because if I can control the Temple later, you’ll be able to rest easy.”
“Are you saying... you became the Pope’s adopted son because of me?”
“Yes, of course.”
Nathaniel’s expression was resolute, as if he never would have accepted it otherwise.
I didn’t know whether to be happy or troubled by that.
However, I couldn't deceive my own heart. I was incredibly happy with Nathaniel’s answer.
I had been constantly anxious because of the Temple, but if Nathaniel ascended as Pope, I could use him to bend the Temple to my will.
The truth was, that thought brought me immense relief. The Good Omen would never leave the Magic Tower, and Nathaniel and I would gradually neutralize the Temple over time.
If we did that, the angels wouldn't be able to ruin this world no matter what methods they used. House Winston would never face total destruction.
“To be honest... I’m happy to hear you say that, Niel.”
“I’m glad.”
“But really, are you okay with that? You’re not pushing yourself too hard just to repay your debt to me, are you?”
Nathaniel had never truly lived his own life until now.
As a child, he was trapped in the Temple and subjected to horrific brainwashing, and after being freed from that, he became bound to me. I was the one who had made him so blind in his devotion.
Perhaps I hadn't given Nathaniel freedom, but had simply become another set of shackles. The sudden thought made me uneasy.
“Dia.”
“...Yes.”
“Don’t worry. If I were doing this simply out of a sense of debt, I would have left your side without lingering the moment you woke up.”
“But...”
“Becoming the Pope for you is my choice, and liking you is my own heart’s desire. Please don’t deny that as well.”
“No, I’m not denying it, I’m just...”
I was just worried.
If Nathaniel ever realized the shackles he had placed on himself and tried to break free, wouldn't I be the one who ended up hurt?
Even though I hadn't accepted Nathaniel’s feelings under the guise of being confused, I was still worrying about him leaving me.
It was absurd. I didn't want to reveal the full extent of those feelings to him, so I bit my lip hard. Even so, he looked at me with gentle eyes.
“I just want to be of help to you. I’ll get rid of everything that makes you anxious. So please, let me stay by your side.”
“...”
I stared into Nathaniel’s pale gray eyes without a word. My own reflection was faintly visible in his transparent pupils.
I reached out and stroked Nathaniel’s pale cheek. He closed his eyes softly at my touch, as if savoring the warmth of my palm.
“...I like you, too.”
The truth slipped out before I could stop it.
I had no choice but to admit it now. In truth, from the moment I saw how much he had grown, I had been helplessly drawn to him.
No, as impossible as it seemed, perhaps it had been from the very first moment we met here...
“Yes. I like you too, Dia. I really like you.”
Nathaniel opened his eyes and smiled broadly. Seeing his face light up as the corners of his mouth turned upward, there was still a hint of boyishness left in him.
My heart pounded uncontrollably. My face was surely flushed bright red by now.
We held each other in a long embrace, having finally confessed our feelings to one another.
*
I returned to the Imperial Palace for a while. Time flowed on, and before I knew it, the seasons had changed. I murmured softly as I watched the falling leaves outside the window.
“The leaves are pretty...”
Actually, I didn't particularly like autumn. I was sensitive to the cold and hated winter, so autumn—the middle ground—was also uncomfortable for me. To me, it was nothing more than a warning that the cold was coming.
That was why I had never thought the falling leaves were pretty, perhaps because of the chilly weather, but lately, things felt different.
‘Does everything look beautiful when you’re in love?’
Not long ago, I had finally been honest with my heart. I hadn't wanted to admit that my heart fluttered for Nathaniel, who was mentally much younger than me, but in the end, I had no choice but to surrender completely.
However, since we couldn't openly announce that the Imperial Princess and the Pope’s successor were dating, our relationship was currently a secret.
That’s right. I was in a secret relationship with Nathaniel. Just thinking about it made my heart race.
“Princess, it is time to head out.”
“Oh, right.”
I turned my head away from the window. Rachel, who had recently become my maid, was looking at me with her characteristically clever face.
I had to attend the formal dinner held every evening. Since it was a time when the Imperial Family was required to gather, I quickly stood up.
Nodding to Rachel, I stepped out of the office, and my guard knight, Demia, followed close behind. We hurried toward the Emperor’s Palace.