Emilone’s Temptation Labyrinth – Chapter 58

“Duke Cassian.”

“…”

“Have you ever considered that they are sacrificing their God-given power to help others, rather than devoting their life to God?”

I scoffed, raising my head slightly.

Duke Cassian was quick to understand. As a clever man, he knew how to read people.

“They don’t give up everything for me. Even the new priests, who have just joined us, speak their minds to me.”

There were so many priests who came to me, overflowing with enthusiasm.

As I thought of them, my sneer changed to a kind smile. It was hard not to smile when I thought of the young priest in their robes, realizing that they could truly be of help to people.

“They are so adorable, and they go, ‘Saintess, I’ll do this. Saintess, I’ll do that. Please entrust me with this.’ Even the paladins throw up their hands in surrender when they come around.”

As I took another step up the stairs, Duke Cassian slowly moved two steps up as well. Even so, there was still a distance between us, so it felt like I was looking down at him from the top of the stairs.

“And isn’t the role of the nobles to take care of the people?”

“…”

“Nobles rule their territories and strive to revive the nation from the highest positions. Why do you consider their duties to be the work of our priests?”

If the people in the temple heard this, they might feel a bit sad. They never once thought they were taking care of the people.

“The paladins and priests do not take care of the people.”

Someone once told me that they do not see their acts as caring for the people but rather as sharing their power because they have it.

That they were just sacrificing what they had, because they had it.

“It’s because they have it, so they sacrifice.”

Ideas can occur to anyone, but not everyone can put it into practice.

“These are people who simply wish to soar together with the people. Do not think of them as protectors. Do not assume that just because you care a little less, we will care a little more.”

When I smiled, all expression vanished from his face.

“Duke Cassian.”

“…Yes.”

“Is that truly how you think of the priests?”

“…”

“People who willingly do not treasure themselves?”

When I saw the turmoil on his face, I also wiped the smile off mine.

“I…do not.”

As far as I knew, the duke’s territory had the highest standard of living.

This was because the duke’s territory was more blessed than anywhere else. He was a lord with solid financial resources who spared no effort for his people, and even held the title of Duke.

They had a young lord who was willing to work tirelessly day and night to solve any issues that arose in his domain.

“Sacrifice is not compulsory; it is a choice. And while there may be no rewards for that choice, I believe there is much you can gain from it.”

“Does Your Holiness think I am making a sacrifice?”

“…That…I do not know the answer. Even I often wonder if I’m making a sacrifice or just paying the price for the privileges I enjoy.”

I slowly held out my hand, and he slowly ascended the stairs to take it.

“But I know one thing for sure. Whether it is a sacrifice or a price… from the moment you put it into action, you become different from others.”

There were many who didn’t even pay that price. They thought that as long as they didn’t let go of what they were given from birth, they were doing enough.

His hand felt warm as he took mine.

“And I can confidently say that such people are amazing.”

Such people did things others wouldn’t necessarily do. Things that would be just fine even if they didn’t do anything and just maintained the status quo.

“Am I wrong?”

“…I’m not amazing,” Duke Cassian refuted.

“Why do you say that?”

“I don’t believe I’m worthy of such words.”

“If you say that, then I’m also not worthy of the title of Saintess.”

An apt silence descended, as if waiting for the opportunity.

“It was never set in stone but at some point, it was decided that those titled a Saintess must be kind and gentle, always putting others before themselves.”

When I let go of his hand, the warmth faded away. I tilted my head slightly and gazed up the stairs.

“Because of that, I wondered if I should be like that too. Because that’s all Reneben and the priests ever taught me.”

A benevolent, kind, and gentle Saintess who is kind to everyone.

“But that’s not true. That’s just the image that people want of a Saintess.”

At some point, only those born in the Empire would become the Saintess.

Unfortunately, the god I knew wouldn’t bother doing such a troublesome thing.

How could only the Empire produce Saints?

And from what I knew, the nation most cherished by the god was Ishmea Kingdom, the smallest island nation on this continent.

In fact, when that kingdom was in danger, I received several oracles. This is despite the fact that similar dangers occurred frequently in other countries.

And yet, somehow, Saintesses were only born in the Empire.

Even the Saintess before me didn’t have the typical appearance of an imperial subject. She had black hair and black eyes. Plus her small and petite physique was quite different from those born in the Empire.

“So the Empire simply brought the Saintess here and raised her into the ideal figure they desired.”

That was when I realized it. She wasn’t originally from the Empire; she was brought here willingly or unwillingly and raised to fit their ideal.

They brainwashed the Saintess into whom they wanted her to be, and made her think that this was the right thing to do.

“But I’m different. Of course, that doesn’t mean I think I am an amazing person.”

Duke Cassian was silently looking at me. I grasped his hand firmly, pulling him slightly.

“But at the very least, I don’t think I’m doing anything wrong.”

“…Neither do I.”

His lips moved slightly. When Ronella wasn’t around, he became noticeably quieter despite his strong presence, which was a pity.

Especially since he had such a nice voice.

“I am doing my best within my abilities.”

“Hmm….”

“…Of course, I wasn’t able to protect Your Holiness back then.”

“Hm? Ah….”

It looks like he was still holding on to that chandelier incident. The incident where he, as a knight, protected Ronella instead of me, the Saintess.

“I feel I can give you a proper answer now.”

With my hand guiding him, he took another step up the stairs and stood beside me. The warmth faded as I let go of his hand.

“I will protect you. Even if Ronella is by my side.”

I blinked, feeling a sudden release of tension, and my voice naturally relaxed.

“Oh my, are you trying to make my heart flutter with that?”

***

There were some uniforms that the priests hated because they were uncomfortable, but I had them tailored for a few occasions.

Given how developed Duke Cassian’s body was, I thought nothing would fit him, but surprisingly, everything fit perfectly.

“It suits you well.”

“…Thank you.”

I handed him a brooch, wondering how many times I had heard him say ‘thank you’ today.

“I didn’t think it would suit Your Grace considering it is heavily in the clergy’s style.”

“I’m glad to hear it fits.”

His accessories were practical and elegant without being so flashy that it hurt the eyes.

That was the kind of jewelry I liked too.

“Shall we head out now?”

“I feel like I’ve take up too much of you time, I apologize for—.”

“Stop. It’s not the best feeling to keep hearing ‘sorry’ and ‘thank you’.”

“It seems I’ve offended you.”

I just told him to stop…. Was he doing it on purpose?

I stared at him intently, but he looked down at himself as if wondering if there was something on him. Seeing no ill intentions, I looked away.

“That reminds me, the Princess seems to have returned to the ducal residence. Does Your Grace plan to remain?”

“Since His Royal Highness is here, I plan to stay.”

Unlike the middle to low ranked nobles who truly came to enjoy themselves, the high-ranking nobles were more on edge, engaging in subtle power plays.

For example, the Crown Prince and Sage Helio, whose reasons for remaining were unclear.

“Perhaps His Highness the Crown Prince will be leaving now that Ronella is gone.”

While rubbing his thumb over his lips, he heard what I said and tilted his head doubtfully.

“He…probably won’t.”

The way back didn’t feel as long as it did when we first arrived.

“Why do you say that…?”

“Because…”

He trailed off until we reached the party hall, which I wasn’t familiar with since I had only come here a few times, then he finished his sentence.

“Because His Highness the Crown Prince came here today to see you, Lady Saintess.”

My eyes widened, and at that moment, the middle door quietly opened, disrupting my plans.

Seeing all the attention turn towards us like when I first enterd, I quickly grabbed Duke Cassian and pulled him inside, closing the door behind us.

After awkwardly closing the door, I looked around for Reneben, acting like nothing happed, and the halted music also resumed awkwardly.

Those who had turned their heads towards us awkwardly turned away again. I felt like I had destroyed the mood and gave a few fake coughs.

“Um… Duke Cassian? What did you mean by that?”

He looked hesitant for a while, like he was unsure if he could speak.

Just when I was about to say that there was no need to answer if it was a difficult question, he opened his mouth like he was just keeping me in suspense.

“After meeting Your Holiness, His Royal Highness focused solely on his official duties for a while, but today he mentioned that he felt he needed to see you…”

That was all I needed to hear.

The Duke closed his mouth, looking troubled like he had said too much, but I had already heard what I needed.

“He came to see me, you say…”

And yet he hadn’t even started a conversation with me?

My eyes flew to where I expected the Crown Prince to be, then I noticed an unexpected figure with him.

“…Alois.”

“Prince Eseah, it seems.”

Seeing Alois talking with the Crown Prince, the corner of my mouth ticked up.

“Shall we go over there?”

“I’m alright.”

Although their backs were to me, the light brown hair and subtle honey-blond were unmistakably the Crown Prince and Alois, so I walked over without hesitation.

As I approached, Alois was the first to notice.

Breaking up their talk, Alois turned his head to me.

“Lady Emilone.”

There was a strange look in his red eyes.

Wondering what it was, I even studied the Crown Prince carefully but couldn’t find anything strange.

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