“I am honored to meet you, Saintess.”

At Adriel’s polite greeting, the Saintess tucked her blonde hair behind her ear and smiled brightly.

“What’s this? Stop with such formal greetings.”

I looked at the Saintess who was making a mischievous expression toward Adriel.

Just as I was thinking they seemed quite close, the Saintess continued speaking.

“More importantly, why is Your Lordship wandering around the Grand Temple instead of the training grounds in broad daylight? What’s the special occasion?”

Hmm…?

Was it my imagination, or did the Saintess keep making eye contact with me? And for some reason, her face was filled with curiosity and excitement.

Adriel must have noticed the Saintess’s gaze as he looked at me.

“My la…”

My la? No, this person.

I secretly poked him in the side as he was about to call me “my lady.”

Startled, Adriel stiffened and slowly opened his mouth again.

“…Please, speak. Didn’t you say you had something to discuss with the Saintess?”

Though the situation was a bit awkward, since I had been looking for the Saintess anyway, I cleared my throat and greeted her.

“I pay my respects to the Saintess.”

When the voice altered by a magic spell came out of my mouth, the Saintess showed signs of surprise.

“N-nice to meet you. I’m Cynthia. And you are…?”

Her tone suggested she was asking for my name.

As I was thinking of a name to make up, Adriel conveniently answered on my behalf.

“This is Lord Lier’s cousin, I’m told.”

Cynthia asked with confusion.

“Lord Lier’s?”

“Yes. I was guiding them as they said they had an urgent matter to discuss with you, Saintess.”

“I see.”                                 

With Adriel’s single statement, I suddenly had a cousin I didn’t know about, but judging by Cynthia’s murmuring while looking at me, she seemed to accept it without suspicion.

I immediately revealed my fake name.

“I’m Wit.”

This was to provide some information about myself before she could ask more questions.

However, Adriel made an incredulous expression upon hearing my words.

What.

It’s not my fault this was the only name that came to mind.

“That’s an unusual name.”

“Yes. I hear that sometimes.”

As I was nodding in agreement, Cynthia suddenly asked me in a gentle tone.

“May I call you Miss Wit?”

Miss Wit?

Perhaps because of my small build. Like with Daniel before, everyone seemed to think I was a woman even though I had never revealed my gender.

Well, it doesn’t matter. They can’t deduce who I am just from my gender.

“Please call me whatever you prefer.”

“Alright, Miss Wit.”

At my answer, Cynthia promptly called me as if she had been waiting for permission.

I hadn’t considered this, but perhaps the Saintess was a sociable person?

While I was thinking this, Cynthia made another mischievous expression and began looking back and forth between Adriel and me.

“So, you two just met here for the first time?”

“What? Oh, yes.”

“And despite being strangers, Lord Adriel personally escorted you around?”

“That’s right?”

Is there some problem…?

Cynthia made a curious “hmm” sound directed at me.

What is it? Is there something else that only I don’t know?

As my confusion grew, Cynthia squinted one eye playfully and continued.

“When I heard that Lord Adriel was walking through the temple with an outside guest, I was truly surprised. I even asked if they had seen correctly.”

Wait, what part was surprising? That Adriel was with someone?

Ah, could it be…

Suddenly, I recalled what Captain Daniel of the Holy Knights had told me.

About how Adriel always lived alone like a solitary, noble wolf.

So Adriel… was a loner without even friends to walk with?

Somehow, that stoic man standing there today seemed rather pitiful.

“…What is it?”

Somehow sensing my gaze despite it being hidden under my hood, Adriel raised one eyebrow.

As I shook my head to indicate it was nothing, Cynthia once again looked at me with that strange expression.

Finding it somewhat uncomfortable, I took a step back to distance myself, but Cynthia quickly changed the subject.

“Anyway, you said you came to see me?”

“Ah… yes.”

Cynthia tilted her head.

“But why are you here? My private reception room is right at the entrance of the Grand Temple—”

“Is it appropriate to continue this conversation in the middle of the corridor?”

Adriel suddenly interrupted Cynthia’s words.

Ah, right.

Only then did I remember my purpose for coming here.

To discuss the sacred relic, I needed a place without eavesdropping ears.

I approached Cynthia and asked.

“Saintess. Could you spare me a moment of your time?”

Hearing my serious tone, Cynthia looked at me quietly before nodding with matching gravity.

“It seems more important than I thought. Shall we move to a more suitable location?”

I followed the Saintess to where she led.

After descending the nearest circular staircase, we arrived at the room where the Saintess stayed.

“……”

I narrowed my eyes and stared at Adriel.

Hey. It was right in front of the main entrance.

Either pretending not to notice my gaze or ignoring it, Adriel kept his eyes fixed forward and said.

“It’s been a while, so I must have confused the way.”

Well, looking at this layout, that could happen… except no.

How could a cleric get lost in their own temple?

“Please come in.”

After giving Adriel a sharp glare, I followed Cynthia into the reception room.

“…?”

I turned to look at Adriel who was naturally trying to follow behind me.

“Thank you for escorting me, Sir Knight.”

It was a farewell meant to tell him to leave, but Adriel didn’t budge.

Did he not understand?

“I have matters to discuss privately with the Saintess, so would you mind leaving us?”

“……”

Even with this kind explanation, Adriel merely furrowed his brow, clearly dissatisfied.

Why? What’s his problem now?

I pondered why he was acting this way.

Ah, could it be that?

I stood on my tiptoes and whispered so only he could hear.

“I have no intention of eating your Saintess, so stop worrying and leave.”

“…Ha.”

At that, Adriel, who had been standing with stiff shoulders, let out a small sigh, resignation evident in his demeanor.

Then, returning to his cold gaze, he asked me.

“I suppose it’s something I shouldn’t know about.”

“…It’s not so much that, but rather something you don’t need to know, Sir Knight.”

There it is again, that expression. This man has such a limited range of expressions.

At my answer, Adriel’s face showed complex emotions. Something difficult to explain…

“Pfft!”

Just then, laughter came from behind.

When I turned around, Cynthia was shaking with suppressed laughter, her head turned away.

What’s wrong with her now?

“I understand.”

As I was looking strangely at Cynthia, I turned my head forward again at the sound of Adriel’s voice.

Looking at him again, he had a slight smile at the corner of his mouth, but his eyes remained as cold as ever.

“Whether I find out now or later, it’s just a matter of time anyway.”

I muttered blankly as I watched Adriel kindly close the door behind him.

“What was that…?”

What’s with the sudden bravado?