“Brother.”

As Theodore looked at him, Evan bowed his head.

“I heard from mother… that Grand Duchess Kayla saved you with holy power.”

The Emperor gestured for the Crown Prince to approach.

“Evan, she is now your sister-in-law and a sacred symbol of the Empire.”

Evan quietly raised his head to look at the Emperor.

“Your Majesty, I have a suggestion.”

“What is it?”

“The Grand Duchess’s holy power should be utilized in the subjugation campaigns.”

In an instant, Theodore’s expression froze coldly.

“What are you saying?”

Evan remained calm.

“The demonic beasts and bandit groups at the borders. The subjugation is still not complete. People desperately want the power of holiness. It will surely help in the subjugation campaigns.”

“Kayla is not a soldier.”

“Holy power shines even brighter on the battlefield.”

Theodore spoke firmly. Evan looked at him and said calmly.

“Brother, this isn’t about personal feelings. The entire Empire needs her power.”

The Emperor was silently watching the two of them.

“Even at this moment, soldiers are dying at the borders.”

“You would force Kayla to use that power?!”

Theodore’s fist slowly clenched.

“If Her Highness agrees, it will surely be an honorable role.”

Evan took a step closer.

“We must make the Bride of God the shield that protects the Empire.”

A heavy silence flowed through the audience chamber. The Emperor quietly opened his mouth.

“Theodore Gloucester.”

The Emperor’s voice resonated deeply.

“Do you think that child has a choice?”

Theodore couldn’t answer. And at that moment, he realized. The Emperor had already made his decision. What could he do to protect Kayla? Theodore quietly closed his eyes.

‘Kayla…’

The warmth of her touch felt like an afterimage.

※※※

At that time, in the grand ducal residence.

Kayla discovered her name in the newspaper. Feeling countless gazes directed at her, she sat alone by the window.

‘God… chose me?’

She was rather questioning herself.

“Am I someone who can save others?”

A small light dimly rose from her fingertips. She didn’t know yet. That her power might soon shine on a blood-soaked battlefield. And that the decision was not one she could make herself.

Having finished his meeting with the Emperor and Crown Prince, Theodore headed to the underground prison. On the cold stone floor, Marcel was slumped, covered in blood and bound in chains. Blood had dried on his wrists and ankles, and the life had long disappeared from his eyes. Theodore slowly walked in front of him. His red eyes were as cold as ice.

“… Your Highness Theodore.”

Marcel said with a mocking smile at the corner of his lips.

“So you’re alive.”

Instead of answering, Theodore just silently looked down at him. After a long silence, Theodore opened his mouth, swallowing his anger.

“Where is Frea?”

Marcel’s smile slowly disappeared.

“……”

“Was it all your doing?”

“……”

“Why?”

Theodore threw questions with a heavy voice toward the silent Marcel. Marcel slowly raised his head. With bloodshot eyes, he looked straight at Theodore and laughed briefly.

“That woman… doesn’t suit Your Highness.”

“You’re talking nonsense.”

“I just… wanted to fulfill what Miss desired.”

“You mean Frea ordered this.”

“… Miss did not command it.”

Marcel smiled with blood-covered lips. Blood trickled between them.

“But… she cried. That night, what I had to do was already decided…”

Theodore silently looked down at Marcel, then spoke coldly.

“Was it love?”

Marcel remained silent.

“Do you have other accomplices out there?”

“……”

Marcel wouldn’t open his mouth. Theodore drew his sword and held it to his neck. Despite the cold blade touching his nape, Marcel’s eyes didn’t waver. As if he wouldn’t utter anything more. Theodore also knew that threatening him further would be meaningless. All that remained in him was obsession and regret. Theodore quietly withdrew his sword and coldly turned his back.

“I’d like to cut you down right now, but I’ll leave your fate to His Majesty the Emperor.”

He walked away without looking back. The sound of chains and the smell of blood no longer held any meaning for him.

※※※

Late night, at the grand ducal residence.

Kayla was waiting for Theodore’s return. When he appeared at the end of the corridor, she wanted to run and throw herself into his arms, but she couldn’t.

“Theo…”

At her voice, Theodore nodded with a tired face.

“Let’s talk for a moment.”

The two entered the study. Theodore leaned his tired body and let out a short sigh. Kayla sat across from him with her head bowed, waiting for his words. Soon, Theodore opened his mouth.

“Frea… hasn’t been found yet.”

Kayla raised her head in surprise.

“Marcel said he acted on his own. Of course, I don’t fully believe that, but attacking me was indeed his independent action.”

“Frea… where could she have gone…”

“He wouldn’t say anything. We don’t even have a clue where she went or who she’s with.”

Theodore’s eyes sank coldly.

“She’s definitely still nearby. She might be waiting for another opportunity.”

Kayla’s fingertips trembled slightly.

“She… will never give up…”

Theodore gently caressed her cheek.

“This time I’ll protect you for certain, absolutely.”

At his resolute voice, Kayla quietly nodded. And after a silence, she looked at him and asked.

“You have… more to tell me, don’t you?”

Theodore avoided her gaze, then spoke in a low voice.

“A decision has been made at the imperial palace.”

Kayla bowed her head. She had some idea of what it might be.

“Your holy power has been officially recognized as an imperial asset.”

“Asset…”

“Yes, holy power wielders are beings directly managed by the Empire.”

Theodore continued, frowning.

“Evan… that is, the Crown Prince, suggested using your power in the subjugation campaigns. He said the power of holiness should be used on the battlefield.”

Kayla momentarily held her breath.

“I… didn’t want to agree.”

His low voice resonated in Kayla’s heart. Theodore’s hand holding hers was trembling. Kayla could feel his trembling.

“Kayla, the choice is yours. I… if you don’t want to, I’ll make sure you don’t have to use that power.”

Kayla looked into his eyes. In those wavering red eyes, amid anxiety and fear, he was looking only at her.

“Do I… really have a choice…?”

Theodore was silent for a moment at her words.

“… If you don’t want to.”

Kayla bit her lip. She couldn’t answer right away. She looked down at her own hands. These were the hands from which light had bloomed to save Theodore’s life that day.

“I don’t want you to be troubled anymore because of me…”

“That’s not it, just…”

“In reality, there’s no such thing as a choice, is there?”

“……”

Theodore couldn’t answer. He was angry at himself for not being able to deny it. Then Kayla smiled slightly and said.

“Whether it’s the battlefield or anywhere else, I’m not worried. I have you, Theo.”

At her calm words, Theodore’s heart crumbled. Because he imagined her covered in blood, fallen on the battlefield.

“… The battlefield is a much crueler place than you think. I can’t send you to such a place.”

“That’s not what I’m afraid of.”

She continued.

“I don’t know who I am or what I should do from now on… but more than that, I’m afraid because I’m not sure if I’m someone who can save others.”

“You don’t need to define justice or anything. Kayla, you just need to be yourself.”

Kayla quietly stroked his hand.

“Still, I… want to be helpful to you.”

Theodore smiled at her small confession. He carefully embraced her shoulders. Warm body heat approached cautiously.

“You already are, more than enough.”

In the quiet silence, Kayla buried her face in his chest. The two held each other wordlessly. After a while, Theodore whispered softly.

“Even without holy power, I was already saved from the day I first saw you.”

Kayla’s eyes welled up with clear tears at those words. Theodore carefully cupped her tear-streaked face with his hands. Her trembling breath touched his palm. After gazing at her silently for a long time, he slowly, very slowly pulled her face closer.

“Close your eyes.”

At his low, quiet whisper, Kayla closed her trembling eyes. Theodore brought his lips close to her red ones. Yet even at that moment, they didn’t touch immediately. In that short distance where their breaths intertwined, Theodore whispered.

“I’m sorry for making things difficult.”

With those final words, his lips touched hers. It was a warm and careful kiss. Kayla was about to burst into tears at the sensation, but soon placed her hands on his shoulders. Theodore’s touch moved from her back to her neck, and then to her cheek again. Then he embraced her as if he would never let her go.

“I love you.”

“Me too…”

The two kissed again. Deeply, as if not to miss even a fragment of breath. Shortly after, having ended their long kiss, they barely caught their breath and pressed their foreheads together. They sat quietly leaning on each other’s warmth like that. As if, for that moment, nothing in the world could interfere. As if no coming misfortune could stop the two of them.