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[Chapter 49] The High Priest was smiling with unusual benevolence. No matter how I looked at ‌‌‌it, that man had ulterior motives. [Why would ‌‌‌‌he insist on bringing Theodore along on a boat outing?] ['We need to spread rumors that Theodore has taken a liking to the Saint. Once all eyes are on the two of them, that's when we strike.'] Agatha explained the scheme that had formed in the High Priest's mind. [We'll manipulate the situation so it appears Theodore is threatening or assaulting Dorothy.] [So you're trying to attach a scandal to Theodore.] [Yes. Normally, a scandal or two wouldn't matter much to the Emperor, but touching the Saint? That would be a devastating ‌‌‌blow.] If the two of us pretend to be lovers, Theodore won't be the only villain, and I'll get caught up in the scandal too. As long as we can create trouble for Theodore, it doesn't ‌‌‌‌matter if I get dragged into it as well. And yet that man calls himself ‌‌‌the High Priest. Every thought in his head is nothing but criminal. My insides churned with indignation. ['Then I'll step in to protect the Saint's reputation and condemn the Emperor, spreading false oracles. The Emperor's power will be severely weakened. If the Emperor truly has interest ‌in the Saint, he'll suffer a psychological blow from this. Two birds with one stone.'] He was scheming to ‌do something despicable and crush someone's spirit, yet he planned to play the hero in the end. "The ‌‌‌‌Saint? Why aren't you answering? Don't tell me you lack confidence? You said you seduced the Emperor, didn't you?" The High Priest poked me ‌‌‌‌again with his words and asked. I felt the pressure of his insistence that I absolutely must bring Theodore on the boat outing. "No! It just sounds like it would be so much fun! Let me try asking him. Hehe. I'm so excited. A boat outing!" I laughed brightly and acted with all my might. But anxiety bubbled up inside me. Yes, the High Priest's scheming was shocking and unsettling, but... There was an even bigger problem. 'Would Theodore... actually agree to go on a boat outing with me?' ‌‌A boat outing with that man? It wasn't a fitting picture. A leisurely boat outing where one enjoyed nature and praised its beauty, combined with Theodore—a man obsessed with work. In any case, I had no choice but to agree for now. I'd pretend to go along with her plans, then preemptively ‌‌interfere and disrupt them. The High Priest simply stared at me expressionlessly. "Why don't you join us too, High Priest?" Even amid my anxiety, I poured all my effort into projecting an ‌‌‌‌‌even more naive and cheerful demeanor. For a moment, a look of contempt flashed across the High Priest's face. ['Tsk. Her head is completely empty.'] I wasn't pleased, but well. The High Priest seeing me as I wanted to be ‌‌‌‌seen was welcome. "...That won't be necessary. What would I do mingling with young people?" ['There will be so many families of low rank. Why would I bother?'] "What a shame. I suppose it can't be helped." The organizer of the boat outing was Alex, the third son of Count Gordon's House. Count Gordon's House ‌was certainly a powerful family, but apparently just seeing the face of the third son wasn't enough to satisfy her. 'Her greed knows no bounds...' I cursed her inwardly. "That's right. So you'll be going to the Imperial Capital? When do you plan to leave?" "Pardon?" The High Priest's question ‌‌‌‌caught me completely off guard upon his return. I wasn't mentally prepared yet to suggest a boat ride to Theodore. If I asked, he'd likely get angry and demand why I was wasting his time on such frivolous matters. "To ask the Emperor, wouldn't you need to go to the ‌Imperial Capital?" It was a reasonable argument. But would Theodore actually welcome me if I showed up at the Imperial Capital? "Saint?" I couldn't let him catch me panicking again. I forced out a bright smile. "Of course! I should go ask him! Hehe. I'm so excited!" "To go to the Imperial Capital, it would be proper to send a letter of introduction first. Since you likely aren't familiar with such procedures, I'll handle it for you." The High Priest spoke in that patronizing tone of his. By now, I'd grown so accustomed to it that I simply accepted it. After our ‌‌conversation ended abruptly, I hurried back to my room. [Will it really be okay...?] Since I had to deceive the High Priest, I would have to suggest the boat ride to Theodore regardless. Last time, he realized I truly wielded divine power, so ‌‌he probably wouldn't hate me quite as much anymore... [But it's still terrifying.] When he looks at me with those piercing eyes, I feel like I'd instinctively fall to my knees and apologize. [Dorothy. After all, Theodore himself said we need to look like lovers to others. Don't be so afraid. I know you get nervous about Theodore, but...] [I don't know what he's really thinking. He's the scariest person to me.] [It will really be fine. Dorothy.] Agatha ‌‌comforted me earnestly. Right. Going to the Imperial ‌Capital—what's the big deal? It's a good way to show everyone "this is the kind of relationship we have." As for the boat ride, well, the High ‌‌Priest ordered it. What could Theodore possibly do to me? I pressed my fingertips together, trying to calm my racing heart. And the reply to the letter the High Priest sent on my behalf came ‌‌‌‌back right after noon. 'If it's urgent, come to the Imperial Capital right away. The Saint is ‌‌‌‌always welcome.' With such a greeting, ‌‌a carriage from the Imperial Capital arrived. Needless to say, the High Priest was absolutely delighted. * * * After Becky's fussing, I was once again dressed as a noble lady suitable for visiting the Imperial Capital. Fortunately, this time ‌‌‌‌it was a modestly elegant and proper-looking ‌‌dress. Since the occasion was different from going out, I needed to ‌‌‌appear demure. I was grateful that Becky had standards appropriate for each situation. "Phew..." In any case, the overwhelming ‌‌‌presence of the Imperial Capital was incomparable to a nobleman's grand mansion. I felt utterly dwarfed by its grandeur. From the endless sprawling gardens to the beautiful palace structures erected throughout— Even after ‌‌traveling for quite some time since entering the Imperial Capital, the carriage was still moving. They said the Imperial Palace was positioned at the very center for security purposes. 'This place is absurdly vast...' Moreover, unlike the modest carriage Theodore typically rode in, the one ‌‌sent to me was resplendent from the very exterior, as if proclaiming itself to be "the Imperial Capital's carriage." The ‌‌‌Emperor's seal embedded in the door was even gilded, which said everything. 'And the ride is absolutely exquisite.' Truly, an Emperor is an Emperor. I had always sensed Theodore's striking appearance and commanding presence, but having never truly grasped the extent of his power and wealth, I found myself newly afraid of him. After countless thoughts swirled through my mind, ‌‌‌‌‌the carriage finally came to a halt. "Saint. We have arrived." At the ‌‌‌same moment, the ‌‌Coachman's announcement drifted through the window at ‌‌the front. Glancing out the window, I saw Knights in full regalia standing in formation. It was quite an overwhelming welcome. "May I open the door?" "Oh, yes!" Such courteous ‌‌‌consideration. I quickly rose to my feet. "Please take my hand." While Coachmen had offered their hands before, the Knights' demeanor was entirely different. The way one treats a noble lady. 'I actually like this...?' It seemed chivalry in countless romance novels stirred women's hearts for good reason. Before I knew it, my mood had lifted and I found myself smiling. I took the Knight's large hand, gloved in soft fabric, and descended from the carriage. Then I looked ahead. 'This is... ‌‌the Imperial Palace...!' It ‌‌‌was enormous. It seemed to ‌‌rival the Grand Temple in sheer ‌scale. The Knight holding my hand escorted me through the center of the assembled people. And I stood at the entrance... "Y-Your Majesty?" I came face to face with Theodore. The way he was staring intently at me suggested he had witnessed everything—from my descent from the carriage to the Knight's escort. It was rare for an Emperor to come out and greet someone personally, wasn't it? Or was it? Wasn't that reserved ‌for distinguished state guests? "Why did you... come all the way out here...?" I was so bewildered that I couldn't manage my expression. ‌‌‌He gazed at me quietly for a moment, ‌‌‌‌then smiled gently. It was the most serene face I had ever seen him wear. "How could I remain idle when such an esteemed guest arrives? I am truly delighted that you have honored us with a visit, Saint." He was even being courteous. I nodded as if entranced. 'When he acts, he commits fully...' There may be only our people in the Imperial Capital, but regardless, we had agreed to appear that way before others as well. There was no harm in being careful and maintaining the facade meticulously. And given Theodore's nature, he likely wouldn't assume all the servants within the Imperial Capital were "our people." 'He's the type who believes spies exist everywhere.' "The weather is lovely, so I've had refreshments prepared in the Garden. Will you join me?" "Yes, yes! Of course. Thank you." I nodded eagerly. "Then let's go." Theodore turned sharply, but then suddenly looked back at me and extended his hand. "Yes?" "Give me your hand." ‌‌‌'He wants me to take it?' So he was going to commit ‌to the act that thoroughly. I couldn't lose. My pride as a master of performance—no, as a con artist—wouldn't allow it. I placed my hand upon Theodore's. He guided me with an elegant grace, positioning me at his side before ‌‌releasing my hand. "Walking side by side would be better, don't you think?" Theodore whispered softly. Ah, so it was merely an escort. "Yes, of course." The rough, calloused texture of his ‌palm lingered on mine. The sheer size of ‌‌‌his hand, so much larger than my own. Even knowing it was all an act, I found myself wishing that Theodore treated me this way ordinarily. ‌‌‌It would make him seem far less frightening. As I followed him out from the Imperial Palace, a small side gate appeared. "This is a garden I'm fond of." Upon opening the gate and stepping through, I found a garden with an entirely different atmosphere from ‌‌‌‌the grand one I'd seen on the way to ‌‌‌‌the Imperial Palace. Tall trees were densely planted along the outer rectangular border, creating ‌‌‌‌‌a structure where the interior couldn't be seen from outside—and it was somewhat... natural. With wild grasses and wildflowers growing abundantly, it felt like a garden nestled within a forest. It wasn't meticulously manicured. In the center ‌‌of the garden stood a gazebo with a tea table, upon which refreshments were already laid out. "Sit." The warmth vanished entirely from his face as he gestured to me. As expected. A master actor with a cold heart. We sat facing each other. "Haha. This place is quite... romantic, isn't it?" Lacking the courage to broach the subject of a boat ride with such a rigid person, I opened my mouth to lighten the mood. At my words, Theodore let out a soft chuckle. "Then it's perfect as a meeting place with the Saint." Oh. The atmosphere seemed like it might ease up after all. I brightened instantly. "Right, yes. We need to ‌‌‌look like that sort of pair. You were doing so well just now, Your Majesty. Treating me as an honored guest! I thought you'd grown tired of such acting." I laughed along with him as I spoke. Theodore simply gazed at me ‌‌quietly. "Your Majesty?" Noticing his slightly bewildered expression, I called out to him.

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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org

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