Richard frantically asked everyone he encountered about Cioranne’s whereabouts.

“Have you seen the Holy Maiden?”

Fortunately, he didn’t have to search long before getting an answer. The nun who had once given Cioranne catnip had spotted her while watering the garden.

“I saw her heading to the Grand Cathedral with a senior priest earlier.”

“The Grand Cathedral? When there’s no Mass?”

“I don’t know the reason.”

Richard grew increasingly anxious and quickened his pace. The moment he opened the doors to the Grand Cathedral…

“Give me back my time! I don’t want to die!”

“…!”

A shout erupted from within.

Inside the cathedral, Grand Priest Arnold was clutching Cioranne’s robe and pressuring her. Protecting Cioranne being his top priority, Richard immediately stepped between them, shielding her.

“What do you think you’re doing!”

“Richard?”

Proving his claim about failing eyesight wasn’t false, the Grand Priest recognized Richard a beat late. Richard reprimanded him in a cold voice.

“Grand Priest, how can you behave so disgracefully? You’re making unreasonable demands of the Holy Maiden. Have you no shame?”

What would a young, healthy fellow like Richard know? The Grand Priest shouted with bulging veins.

“Holy power can reattach severed limbs, yet you think it can’t restore youth? Does that make any sense?”

“Then study the beast-folk! They possess regenerative abilities too!”

He couldn’t waste Cioranne’s rest time with such nonsense. Richard kept Cioranne hidden behind him and cut the conversation short.

“This is becoming ridiculous, Grand Priest. Let’s end this discussion for today.”

“Holy Maiden!”

The Grand Priest tried to plead, but Richard blocked his way. After quickly escorting Cioranne out of the Grand Cathedral, Richard sighed deeply and asked:

“Are you alright, Cioranne?”

But contrary to his expectation that she would be pale with distress, Cioranne replied with her usual calm smile.

“Thanks for coming, Richard. If not for you, the conversation would have dragged on forever.”

Her composure sent chills down Richard’s spine. He asked in a tone of disbelief:

“…Does this happen often?”

Cioranne responded with an awkward, ambiguous smile, and answered indirectly:

“Anyone, even a saint, would feel anxious facing death. I understand.”

“Cioranne!”

Thinking about it, he had been naive not to predict such situations. With her extraordinary holy power, how many people must beg her to save them?

He never imagined even a Grand Priest of the temple would make such outrageous demands.

The temple was supposed to be her home. Yet even here, people tormented her. Richard couldn’t help but ask:

“…Are you happy in the temple?”

“Richard?”

Cioranne’s blue eyes blinked. She clearly didn’t understand what he meant.

“Never mind.”

Richard lowered his head. Then he led Cioranne back to her room, holding her wrist.

His mind was in turmoil the entire walk. By the time they reached Cioranne’s room, he had come to one conclusion. It was connected to his marriage proposal that had been rejected before he could even voice it.

Cioranne would only find happiness away from the temple.

‘But my strength alone isn’t enough to get her out of the temple.’

And Richard knew someone who could help him.

Just as he thought of him, Noel opened the door and stepped out.

“Brother.”

“I think the Pope noticed I snuck in. I should leave quickly.”

“Oh no.”

He had been so focused on Cioranne that he hadn’t paid attention to the commotion outside.

In truth, Noel was lying about being discovered, having already accomplished his goals. That’s why, unlike Richard, he could calmly walk out of the room.

Before leaving the temple, Noel’s eyes met those of the silver-haired woman standing beside Richard. Even without an introduction, he recognized who she was. He bowed respectfully.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Holy Maiden.”

“Farewell…”

Cioranne, however, didn’t recognize who Noel was.

Their first meeting ended just like that, without time for introductions.

Cioranne entered her room while Richard and Noel left the temple. Noel held onto his much-grown brother.

“Richard, may I ask one more favor?”

“Yes?”

“I wanted to speak with the Holy Maiden but couldn’t. However, as long as she’s in the temple, we can’t talk freely… I’d like to secretly bring her to the imperial palace. Could you help me?”

“What do you wish to ask her?”

Richard instinctively became cautious. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Noel, but rather a natural reaction as a knight protecting the Holy Maiden.

But the man before him was Noel Ferol, who had secured his position beside Kailas with nothing but his silver tongue. Making up lies to persuade his brother was no challenge.

Noel bowed his head dejectedly and spoke in a subdued voice:

“His Majesty is unwell. The Pope won’t send any priests to help. But I believe the kind-hearted Holy Maiden would heal him…”

Richard’s eyes widened at Noel’s words.

It was already widely known within the temple that the emperor hadn’t appeared in public. And only his closest confidants knew that Kailas was a beast-folk.

Noel emphasized his loyalty with a gloomy expression, stressing why the Holy Maiden must be brought to the imperial palace.

“The Empire has only just found stability. But now His Majesty is ill, and that peace is threatened. I cannot let that happen.”

“You’re right, brother.”

This aligned with Richard’s desire to take Cioranne away from the temple. Richard nodded with a serious expression.

“I will definitely bring her.”

* * *

One week later.

I was lounging in my room with Kyle again that day. For whatever reason, Kyle had changed—now when I petted or kissed him, he closed his eyes and buried his head in his front paws.

‘He looks like a praying priest.’

Really, is this how he should respond when I’m petting him because he’s cute—with such detached acceptance?

Even when I poked his cheeks with my finger in exasperation, Kyle didn’t react. I frowned.

‘What’s wrong with Kyle? Is he sick?’

His stillness suddenly frightened me. But before I could grab and shake him, Kyle’s eyes flew open.

“Kyle?”

Why such an irritated expression all of a sudden? Just as I tilted my head in confusion, there was a knock at the door.

“Uh…”

Great, I think I’m developing a knock allergy.

‘When has a knock ever brought good news?’

I approached the door hesitantly. When I opened it slightly, a handsome young man with curly golden hair and a tall frame stood there.

It was Holy Knight Richard.

“Richard!”

“Hello, Cioranne. I came to return this.”

“Ah, the stone.”

It was the blessed stone I had given him to prevent other priests from eavesdropping on Richard and Noel’s conversation.

“Did you meet your brother well?”

At my question, Richard smiled shyly.

“Thanks to you. Thank you.”

“It’s nothing. It must be tough for you. Your position in the temple must have weakened because of your brother.”

“Well, that’s…”

Richard answered while twirling his hair as if it were nothing, but I couldn’t smile back.

‘Richard must be enduring so much.’

The temple is a closed place. Richard has grown up here since childhood, but there must be people who treat him like a traitor because of his bloodline.

And Richard himself must suffer having to oppose his own brother.

“You can talk to me about any concerns, Richard. I’ll help with whatever I can.”

When I said that to encourage him, Richard gave a bitter smile. Then he gently tapped my forehead and replied:

“Then ease my worries, Holy Maiden. Eat your meals on time, and immediately tell me if there are any unreasonable demands or treatment.”

“There’s nothing unreasonable…”

“Holy Maiden.”

“…Yes.”

When I answered, Richard finally smiled with satisfaction. Then, crossing his arms and leaning against the doorframe, he asked:

“Cioranne, would you like to go out with me this time?”

“Why?”

“I’m planning to visit the marketplace. I’ve already gotten permission.”

“I don’t particularly need to buy anything.”

I responded indifferently, not especially wanting to go out. Richard then said to me in a low voice:

“There’s a trend in the marketplace these days.”

It was enough to perk up my previously uninterested ears.

“Making ear-flap hats for pets.”

“…Ear-flap hats?”

What are those?

‘I don’t know what they are, but they sound adorable just hearing about them.’

Ear-flaps. Doesn’t even the sound of it seem cute?