Back then, it was before she received the oracle, a time when she was growing up without want as a noble family’s daughter, innocent and pure.

From early morning, wagons loaded with gold and silver treasures crossed the main gate of the Marquis’s residence.

The high-stacked chests stirred excitement among the onlookers.

Young Lucilia’s eyes widened with surprise.

Just as she was feeling proud of her father’s tremendous power, two men stepped out of a carriage that followed.

They were Baron Welber Artnal, who had just reclaimed his title, and his son.

The Baron’s face was a mess, testifying to his harsh life experiences.

She had heard he came to pledge his loyalty today, but his left face bore a long bruise as if he had been in a tavern brawl.

She remembered thinking how pathetic it was that he had drunk so much instead of exercising restraint before such an important day.

Being at an age where everything sparked curiosity, Lucilia examined Aaron closely with bright eyes.

What she first encountered was his remarkably handsome appearance. Though he seemed three or four years older than her, the atmosphere he exuded was very mature.

Even though he hadn’t fully shed his childlike appearance, a young man’s spirit surged within him.

Equally impressive was his undying energy even before the Marquis. She could even sense a hint of defiance.

Young Lucilia elegantly packaged this defiance as dignified confidence, and eventually indulged in an outrageous fantasy—what if she made this boy her knight?

Unable to suppress her curiosity, Lucilia followed them to the office, slightly opened the door, and peeked inside.

Her father’s voice came from a distance.

“I took a risk and established your family in my territory.”

“Indeed. How could I forget Your Excellency’s grace? That is why I am here today with my son to pledge our loyalty to you.”

As if he had truly received a great favor, the Baron bowed his head deeply, flattering her father.

The upright father, the Baron taking an almost servile posture, and the terribly calm boy.

Though it seemed like a harmonious picture, something felt off.

Lucilia watched anxiously.

After the Baron performed the oath ceremony first, Aaron followed with his voice.

“The blessing of the Teneri family has moistened dry land. I swear by the name of my Artnal ancestor that I will devote my life’s conviction to serve Your Excellency with loyalty.”

“I will devote my life’s conviction to serve with loyalty.”

Kneeling after his father, bowing his head, offering his sword.

An energy different from his resolute will flowed from Aaron.

Perhaps it was pent-up resentment about to overflow?

For some reason, Lucilia glimpsed intense hostility in the boy’s eyes.

She prayed that the vivid anger emanating from him wouldn’t reach her. She disliked the unfamiliar feeling of being hated.

Though the boy would probably snort if he knew, Lucilia felt a tremendous bond. The loyalty pledge seemed to tie the two families together.

Having become vassals, they belonged to the Marquis’s household.

Simply put, they were on the same side.

Perhaps that’s why she purely wanted to befriend Aaron.

After that day, she met Aaron several times at the mansion.

Even when she tried to greet him warmly, Aaron consistently avoided her.

While thinking it might be difficult for him to converse with the Marquis’s daughter, his fierce gaze suggested otherwise.

She was puzzled by how his anger showed no signs of subsiding. It even felt as if she had somehow offended Aaron.

Five years passed like that.

During that time, Lucilia was elevated as a saint and lived in the monastery.

The Marquis’s family truly flourished and wielded great influence.

It was thanks to the significant achievements of the army led by Marquis Teneri in the frontline battles. Surprisingly, the greatest contributor was Aaron Artnal, the young baron who was only 17 years old.

With skill alone, he became a knight commander at a young age and formed a detachment to infiltrate enemy lines. At that time, Aaron Artnal, who succeeded in a preemptive strike at the risk of death, earned the nickname “Black Fog.”

That’s how quiet, dangerous, and lethal he was.

The man she met at the victory celebration banquet exuded more majesty than she had imagined.

In the time they hadn’t seen each other, he had grown so tall that she had to tilt her head back to read his expression.

Barely calming her trembling heart, Lucilia gathered her courage and greeted him first.

“It’s been a while, Sir Artnal.”

Aaron glanced at her.

He seemed a bit surprised.

But his averted gaze and sharp jawline remained cold.

While coldness flowed between them, hot interest poured from the eyes of the women around them.

A shy blush bloomed on each face that stole glances.

Unlike those women who didn’t dare approach him, they seemed to envy Lucilia, who could easily approach Aaron simply because he was their vassal.

A strange sense of victory made her heart race. Lucilia continued the conversation in a more natural tone.

“I heard the news. You performed remarkably, didn’t you?”

“Yes, well.”

“Congratulations on the victory.”

“Thank you.”

Aaron didn’t meet her eyes.

Seeing his cold response, the women covered their lower faces with fans.

Since they couldn’t snort at the saint, they intended to laugh secretly like that.

Beyond the people’s reactions, Lucilia was hurt by the wall Aaron had built.

It felt like a cold wind cutting into her flesh.

It wasn’t unexpected.

Not just Aaron, but no one could look into Lucilia’s eyes.

And why wouldn’t they avoid it?

The ability that manifested when confirming her as the daughter of God was precisely reading thoughts through others’ eyes.

Most likely, the people gathered here would be reluctant about a saint attending the party.

She had visited to commend the military achievements in her capacity as a saint, but in reality, it was her father’s coercion.

To proclaim that the saint praised by the kingdom’s people was his daughter.

That he had not only backed a powerful army but also secured a spiritual foundation.

He insisted she must attend to announce that the Marquis’s family had reached the pinnacle of power.

Her father, whom she faced in public, looked like he had nothing to envy in the world.

But did he treat her as a saint? No, not at all.

Her father’s interest was solely focused on advancement.

As if clothed in arrogance, he didn’t even ask after Lucilia, who stayed at the monastery.

Didn’t he feel sorry for his daughter who had no friends her age?

Was that why? She was so glad to see Aaron, whom she had known since childhood.

Of course, she had rarely seen him since becoming a saint, but he felt as familiar as an old friend. Hoping he wouldn’t feel burdened, Lucilia spoke to him again.

“Are you injured anywhere?”

Once the conversation started flowing, an affectionate tone naturally emerged despite Aaron’s cold expression.

As Lucilia, the Marquis’s daughter and saint, casually approached a lower nobleman, her father’s attention finally shifted toward them.

The moment she confirmed her father’s displeased expression, Lucilia realized she had meddled unnecessarily. Thinking she shouldn’t cause trouble for Aaron, she tried to turn away.

But Aaron was faster.

“Thanks to the saint’s blessings, I am unharmed.”

Surprisingly, Aaron responded calmly.

She couldn’t have been happier with such a sincere answer.

Despite the Marquis continuing to give warning looks, Aaron didn’t cower; instead, he straightened his neck and gazed at her.

For a moment, his gray eyes clearly formed on Lucilia’s retina.

‘Dear God…’

God’s blessing couldn’t have been more regrettable. Even without wanting to, she read the man’s mind.

Aaron’s emotions were transmitted unfiltered through his eyes.

‘Since the Marquis is so averse to it, I should converse more with his daughter. Let’s see how that makes him seethe.’

‘So he’s doing this deliberately to provoke my father.’

The defiance he exuded while gritting his teeth vividly transferred to her skin.

Lucilia’s excited face darkened with disappointment.

She had spoken to him unnecessarily, and now things had become awkward.

She disliked the idea of her father’s fiery anger engulfing Aaron, and she also disliked being hurt by Aaron’s cold aura.

What business did someone like her have at a party?

The place where she belonged was indeed the monastery, which had built walls to prevent worldly pleasures from penetrating.

“It was nice to meet you. I’ll be going now.”

As she was about to leave, the Baron hurriedly approached. His expression was completely frozen as he watched the Marquis’s reaction.

“Saint, has my son committed any rudeness?”

Lucilia quietly shook her head and looked at Aaron.

At this, the Baron was startled and pushed down the back of Aaron’s head in front of everyone.

“How dare you look into the saint’s holy eyes!”

Fearing others might gossip about his son’s poor upbringing, he glared at him with fierce eyes.