“Laura said of her own will that she wants to become a saintess, so what nonsense are you talking about?”

Elisabeth snorted as she set her teacup down on the table.

“What own will? Her wanting to become a saintess is obviously because of you. Or she’s been brainwashed by you since childhood.”

“……”

“Am I wrong? You know better than anyone that only chosen saints can enter Elysium. If something goes wrong, your precious little saintess could die.”

“Watch your words, Ella. I will never let that happen.”

“Every woman wants confirmation of her partner’s feelings, and then wants to be openly acknowledged in front of others. You, bound by a saint’s vow, can never do that. She may be young now, but she’ll eventually resent you.”

“Ella, what do you know?”

“At least more than you do.”

They glared at each other for a moment. A tense, cold silence flowed between them, like a bowstring drawn to its limit just before release.

“……Ludwig, it’s still not too late. She hasn’t yet been listed in the register of saints, so if there’s a chance to set everything right……”

Who was the first to avert their gaze?

After their stubborn staring contest ended, Elisabeth tried to persuade him with a more conciliatory tone.

“You were chosen as God’s representative. You’re the most needed being in Elysium to save all the pitiful people of this land. Please don’t try to go against your destined fate.”

“Have I ever, even once, not complied with the fate my God has set for me? I’ve prevented numerous disasters and healed people suffering from diseases with the sacred power He gave me. I’ve sworn to soon depart for Elysium according to God’s call. Is that not enough?”

“……You desired that girl, Ludwig. That’s the greatest deception and lie against God. From the fact that nothing has happened yet, it seems you haven’t broken your vow……”

The room where they were talking and the corridor around it were as quiet as death. Though completely enveloped in silence except for their voices, Elisabeth kept looking around nervously. Her voice was very small, as if afraid someone might hear, and trembled as if she feared something.

“That’s exactly what I find ridiculous. You’re right that I desperately want Laura. I’ve been so unable to resist that I’ve done various things following my heart’s desire. Except for speaking the forbidden words.”

“……”

“Is there such a contradiction? It disgusts me, makes me nauseated at myself, just like when I see the emperors of the Empire who massacre countless innocent people in conquest wars yet believe they can go to heaven by donating large sums to temples and repenting.”

Ludwig spoke with self-mockery, almost spitting out the words. Elisabeth reached out with trembling fingers and clutched his sleeve.

“……No, Ludwig. No one can be perfect. Any clergy member could have such concerns. In any case, you can save many people with your abilities, just think about that.”

“……”

“With the person you want…… next time…… hmm? Meet later in God’s embrace. If you faithfully accept the fate given to you according to His will, God will allow you to be with her in heaven someday in the distant future.”

Ludwig frowned at her attitude, which seemed like she was trying to persuade a child.

“Heaven? How can you be sure it really exists, Elisabeth?”

He sharply spoke as he shook off her slender fingers clutching his sleeve.

“Be together in God’s embrace after our bodies rot away? And what if my great God, who gave me unwanted power regardless of my wishes, still doesn’t allow it then? Will you take responsibility?”

“Oh, Ludwig! Please……”

Elisabeth’s face turned deathly pale at his words, which bordered on blasphemy. She paled as if all the blood had drained from her body.

“Even if what you say comes true, I’m not a man generous enough to be satisfied with merely embracing her soul after death. What if Florencia meets another man, makes marriage vows, and becomes a mother by bearing his child? Just imagining that makes me feel…… want to know how I feel?”

“……Please stop sinning further. Cease your blasphemous words.”

As if trying to atone for his sins, she clutched the saintess’s emblem around her neck, continuously making the sign of the cross and reciting prayers. After silently watching her, Ludwig finally sighed briefly and brought the situation to a close.

“Today, my emotions ran high and I made a mistake, Saintess Elisabeth.”

“……”

“I will formally apologize again on another occasion. If you have nothing more to say today, please leave now.”

“……Lud, when will you…… come to Elysium?”

“As soon as matters here are settled. It won’t take long.”

With those final words, Ludwig rose first. Elisabeth stood up with a resigned face at his clear dismissal as he opened the reception room door and politely gestured.

“Then, I’ll see you next time, future Holy Pope.”

“Ella.”

A soft voice from behind stopped her as she was about to exit. Elisabeth halted without turning around and answered.

“Yes, High Priest. Please speak.”

“I may be garbage, but I know well what I must do. Even if I devote some of my private feelings and time to her, I promise I will never fail to faithfully carry out my duties. What you’re worried about will never happen, so you can rest assured.”

But she seemed angered by his words.

“You really……”

Elisabeth turned around irritably. Her obsidian-like eyes brimmed with fresh anger.

“Do you even know what I’m worried about?”

“……”

“Answer me, Ludwig.”

“That I might not properly perform the Pope’s duties and endanger everyone?”

“……”

“That an innocent girl might become unhappy because of my selfishness and the church’s authority might crumble?”

“Ha……”

“……Am I wrong?”

Ludwig was the one surprised when she didn’t respond with her usual sharp, clear voice.

“……Ludwig.”

Elisabeth truly wanted to slap him. Suppressing her rising emotions, she took a step closer to her tactless twin brother.

“If this goes wrong…… you’ll die too.”

“……”

“I’m worried about you getting hurt, you fool.”

Her black eyes were filled with glistening tears. Witnessing her sincere gaze directly, Ludwig could no longer say anything.

* * *

“Um……”

Florencia started to speak but checked his mood and closed her mouth again. She fidgeted with the innocent bed sheet, meaninglessly moving her fingers.

‘Father, did something happen between you and Saintess Elisabeth?’

While waiting alone in Ludwig’s room for their conversation to end, she had thought about many things.

‘Should I ask what you two talked about when you return?’

Given that he asked her to leave, they must have discussed something that she shouldn’t hear, but……

Though no one, not even Ludwig himself, had verbally acknowledged it, she believed they were now clearly lovers. It seemed too much to be just her imagination – his eyes told her so when he looked at her, and recently when they joined bodies, though he hadn’t said it directly, there were moments when she felt their hearts connected……

His lover.

Even thinking the word in her mind made her toes curl and body twist shyly, but what is a lover? Two people whose hearts connect and who share intimacy – even with an eight-year age difference, shouldn’t it be an equal relationship?

He had become furiously angry and even hit her just for briefly talking with Assistant Priest Pablo, yet now he asked her to leave so he could speak privately with another woman, even if it was work-related! She should rightfully be angry with him for not even apologizing afterward. She actually felt a little angry…… or at least thought she had the right to boldly ask what they had discussed.

Ah, well, it wasn’t that he hadn’t apologized at all.

“Laura, weren’t you bored waiting alone? I’m sorry.”

Ludwig had gently stroked her hair as soon as he returned to the room, but that wasn’t what she wanted.

I should maturely confront him about what he discussed with that incredibly beautiful woman without me, about this unequal relationship. I surely have the right to……!

“It’s fine, Father. It wasn’t that long.”

Like a fool…… not a single word of what she had prepared came out. Far from getting angry, she answered obediently like a well-behaved student, no different from usual.

Even when he kissed her more forcefully than usual, it was the same.

“Haah, Father……”

At this point, she should be skillfully seducing and leading him, but Florencia still only followed his lead. No matter how firmly she resolved herself, for some reason, she lost all sense of self and became dazed the moment Ludwig’s lips touched hers.

“I told you to breathe through your nose.”

She panted heavily, leaning against his broad chest that embraced her. She felt unusually resentful toward him as he lightly pinched the tip of her nose while speaking. Though his attitude was clearly that of fondly coaxing her, that wasn’t what she wanted either.

“Rest, Laura.”

Ludwig stroked her head once more before getting up. He calmly opened a cabinet, took something out, placed it beside Florencia, and gestured for her to eat it. Then he left her alone on the bed and went to sit in a chair at the table opposite. Since then, he had been sitting with his model-like long legs crossed, lost in deep thought without saying a word.

Looking down at the small box filled with delicious-looking round chocolates, Florencia was dumbfounded. What exactly does Father, this man, think of me?

“Father, did something happen?”

“No, nothing.”

Compared to the question she finally mustered the courage to ask after much hesitation, his answer was disappointingly simple.

It seemed clear that something had happened to him outside.

“Father Ludwig.”

She picked up the box of chocolates and placed it with a thud on the nightstand beside the bed. Though the sound rang out louder than she had expected, making her inwardly flinch a little.

“Should I take off my clothes?”

“……What?”

This time, her bold seduction, for which she had summoned ten years’ worth of courage, got a reaction from him. Ludwig, who had been lost in thought, looked at her with raised eyebrows as if dumbfounded. Florencia overcame her embarrassment and untied the ribbon holding the waist of her skirt. But she hesitated, lacking the courage to remove it with her own hands, when a large hand approached and silently retied the ribbon.

“You’re menstruating, Laura.”

“……”

“Do you want to?”