He had no choice but to retreat or the Pope would have him killed.

‘Whether I died one way or another, it made no difference, so I might as well follow my heart.’

The priest, abandoning all dignity, threw himself on the ground and shouted at the top of his lungs.

“You cannot do this to me! I will not get up until you clear the way!”

“Father, let’s not make this uncomfortable for each other. Please turn back. If you continue to be stubborn, you’ll be dragged out.”

“You must not lay hands on a man of the cloth!”

“Is that so? Sigh…”

He was now clinging like a leech, despite his earlier attempts to escape—the Pope must be putting pressure on him from behind.

The best approach with someone who wouldn’t listen to reason was to present irrefutable evidence.

‘I had prepared for this.’

“Sir Willar, bring in the witness.”

The priest, who had dismissed this as nonsense, pushed out his lips as if expecting to see something ridiculous.

Despite his brazen attitude, when the actual witness appeared, he jumped up as if he had never been lying down and rubbed his eyes in disbelief.

“You, you, you!”

The volunteer who had taken medicine from the infirmary bowed her head deeply.

‘Wasn’t she with His Holiness?’

Since she knew about the gold coins hidden in the monastery quarters, he naturally assumed she had reported it to the Pope.

‘So those d*mn monks searched my room and found the pouch of gold coins.’

‘Wretched people!’

He was disgusted by these people who seemed to know everything and meddled in everything.

But how did the Baron’s household know to capture that woman?

‘D*mn it… it must have been Mannea.’

He had threatened Mannea to win Lucilia’s heart by any means necessary, but it seemed she had exposed his misconduct instead.

He had stolen medicine secretly, but how did they find out?

‘Even so! After all the history between us, how could she talk?’

Perhaps she harbored resentment over that incident?

She was such an obedient child who followed instructions well, so he called her to his office and… moved his lower body. She struggled at first, saying no, but became docile after being slapped.

Was it a mistake to think she was enjoying it while whimpering and moaning?

‘That little thing got me in trouble. D*mn it!’

While he was blaming others without considering the heinous crimes he had committed, the witness continued her confession.

“I only committed the crime of selling medicine as the Father instructed me. I was desperate for money… But I’ve been repenting all along! I’ll return all the money I received, so please forgive me. Please, Baroness, show mercy just this once!”

“I cannot judge the crime of stealing medicine meant for soldiers in battle. It seems appropriate to handle this under military law, so I’ll postpone the matter until the Baron returns. Sir Willar.”

“Yes, my lady.”

“Imprison this woman in the mansion’s underground cell.”

At Lucilia’s words, the priest threw a bigger fit than the volunteer.

“M-military law? By whose authority? None of that matters—please leave my disposition to the Papal Office.”

If he couldn’t enter the temple, the Pope would kill me; if he was dragged to the Baron’s castle, Aaron would kill him.

How could he escape this crisis?

Perhaps he should beg for mercy first…

If he lowered his tail in submission, they might show compassion.

But that sliver of hope was cut off by Lucilia’s crisp tone.

“Keep the Priest at the mansion until his trial.”

He was just feeling relieved it wasn’t prison when she added:

“The firewood storage shed would be suitable.”

As soon as she said this, everyone tried to suppress their laughter.

He was so humiliated he wanted to bite his tongue and die.

But what was even more shameful was his own pettiness—not daring to protest further for fear of being thrown in prison.

* * *

As things seemed to be progressing smoothly, the cold winds of late winter retreated, and spring arrived.

Having successfully detained the priest, Lucilia focused on finding the secret room.

Ension also devoted all his energy to monitoring the temple. Lucilia had instructed him to widen the search perimeter in case there was an escape route connected to the secret room.

While additional troops were being deployed around the temple, Kite was active inside.

Disguised as a painter, he had been assigned to temple maintenance.

Lucilia scribbled her thoughts randomly, the quill’s feather fluttering impatiently.

“Hunt the Pope with evidence from the secret room. Whatever it is, he must have committed some wicked deed. T*rture? Lewd acts? Or perhaps he practiced sorcery.”

She would expose everything that happened in there and legally punish the Pope and his minions.

The Pope, who should have been praying for Caldman’s prosperity, had colluded with Mrangel to start a war and reduced his own country’s territory to a trading commodity.

That alone was enough to constitute treason.

She was very curious about the fate of the Pope who had tried to execute her by labeling her a witch.

“Just wait a little longer. I will punish you in God’s name for using God’s name to fulfill your selfish desires.”

Snake of a man!

She felt nauseated remembering the Pope hiding his true intentions behind a benevolent smile.

Birgita was no different. Her cunning smile and arrogant behavior truly reminded one of a witch.

“You call yourself a saint? Perhaps you’re the witch.”

Given the opportunity, she wanted to look into Birgita’s mind once more.

She might disguise her thoughts with lies like Mannea had done, but at least attempting it would help clarify things.

Should she extract the truth through leading questions, or pretend to be fooled while waiting for the right moment?

Lost in thought, she felt a throbbing headache coming on.

If only she could receive a letter from Aaron saying he was well…

Since he had forbidden all contact with the outside, all she could do was wait.

“Haa… are you as anxious as I am?”

‘I miss you…’

She murmured softly while unfolding the certificate he had written for her.

[Furthermore, permission is granted to claim ownership of Aaron Artnal.]

Though her mood had been sinking just moments ago, seeing his handwriting made her smile involuntarily.

Her heart seemed to wear away little by little from longing, but thinking of his existence immediately brought a smile to her face.

When he returned, she would stick to him for days on end.

And if he found it bothersome, she would claim her ownership rights.

He was hers, so she could do as she pleased.

“Aaron… Aaron.”

As she whispered his name that pierced her heart, there was a knock on the study door.

Knock knock—

She had heard that the priest had gone on a hunger strike a few days ago. Perhaps there was a report about that…

Assuming it would be Hans, she answered.

“Come in.”

Her gaze was lowered as she put the certificate in the drawer.

The door clearly opened, but the expected footsteps weren’t heard.

Lucilia turned her head as she closed the drawer.

The half-closed drawer stopped, precariously balanced without closing completely.

Lucilia, dumbfounded, blinked and murmured.

“This… isn’t a dream, is it?”

“As long as it’s not a nightmare. Actually, I’d rather it not be a dream at all.”

“…”

“You don’t seem to believe it. Why don’t you come touch me and find out?”

“A-Aaron? Is it really you, Aaron?”

“Tsk… I should leave then.”

He playfully wrinkled one eye and scratched his eyebrow as he stepped forward casually.

With wide strides, he closed the distance in an instant, grabbed her neck, and captured her lips.

“Mmph!”

Before she could properly recognize that it was truly Aaron, a hot sensation filled her mouth.

His persistent and intense way of sucking on her tongue finally made her realize that Aaron had indeed returned.

As her breathing became labored to the point of overflow, his hand moved between her legs just as she clutched his collar.

As if their time apart meant nothing, he found her intimate crevice in one go.

“Ahh, ah!”

As she opened her mouth to let out a sensual m*an, he changed the angle and inserted his tongue deeply.

He swept across her palate and teeth, rubbing and entangling her entire tongue.

She desperately wanted to ask how he had come without any notice, but his passionate kiss completely overwhelmed her senses, making her press her body tightly against his.

He chuckled deeply at her instinctive movement.

“Your body is as heated as mine.”

Then it happened in an instant.

Her body was lifted lightly and laid on the desk. Despite the items falling and making a clattering noise, he paid no attention.

Her undergarments fell away, and her muscles contracted helplessly before relaxing, but rather than feeling embarrassed, she craved more intense stimulation.

Aaron, too, had completely lost his reason as he poured out the desire he had been suppressing all this time.