Cassian immediately acknowledged that it was a stupid question even to himself.

“Mmm, I do pray of course, but…… I do other things too. Like…… education to become a good saintess.”

While saying this, Florencia blushed as if she found it extremely embarrassing.

“I see……”

Though he was originally a boy uninterested in understanding others’ emotions, he felt something strange and asked again.

“……Who provides the education? Another saintess?”

“No, Father Ludwig……”

In that moment, Cassian felt his wandering mind snap back to attention. If he wasn’t being overly sensitive, her voice when mentioning that name was subtly different from usual. It was as if an excited light rose up as though reciting a verse from the most beautiful poem in the world, with a sweetness that felt like it was thinly coated with sugar.

Hoping it was just his dull imagination, he asked again.

“Who is this priest?”

“……Father Ludwig is the high priest of the Lebleia Temple, and he’s a very, very kind, thoughtful, and affectionate person. He’s been taking care of me since I was little, and there’s nothing he doesn’t know, nothing he can’t do, and also……”

This time, there was no room for doubt. Listening to her voice, which seemed to scatter fine sugar powder, Cassian’s expression hardened rapidly.

Florencia, you…….

You like that person.

* * *

When Marquis Esteban’s carriage arrived in front of the capital’s Grand Temple, neither Florencia nor Cassian had expected that Ludwig would be waiting at the main entrance to greet them.

“Laura.”

Cassian, who had gotten out of the carriage first to escort Florencia, reflexively turned his head at the low voice coming from right behind him. The fencing instructor who had taught him for ten years always praised Cassian for having exceptionally keen senses, but how was it possible? He hadn’t felt this man approaching at all.

“Laura, take my hand.”

……Laura?

The tall man who called her by such a familiar nickname that only family or lovers would use treated the bewildered Cassian as if he didn’t exist and extended his hand to Florencia.

“……Father Ludwig……”

Cassian frowned. This man is a priest?

He looked like he was carved from marble, but looking again, he was wearing a white priest’s robe with long sleeves. Though Cassian himself had always been evaluated as having a handsome appearance, he had never seen someone so beautiful anywhere in society.

He exuded the unique atmosphere of a high-ranking priest with strong holy power. Along with that, Cassian could also sense something dangerous that could only be detected through male instinct.

“Florencia, let me help you.”

With the spirit of a nineteen-year-old who didn’t want to back down in front of a girl he had feelings for, regardless of who the opponent was, Cassian stood proudly beside him. Please, Florencia. Take my hand……!

Despite his desperate wish, Florencia chose Ludwig’s side. He glanced at Cassian with an expressionless face, then instead of taking her hand, he embraced her waist, lifted her up, and gently set her down.

“Father……”

She was scared because you suddenly lifted her without saying anything! Cassian was extremely displeased seeing Florencia’s face, which looked slightly frightened.

“I came out once because you seemed to be running very late, Laura.”

He spoke in a tone that revealed almost no emotion, unlike his beautiful appearance.

“……I’m sorry, Father. Was I very late?”

Ludwig said nothing and just looked at Florencia. The moment of silence was very brief, but it felt heavy, as if pressing down on the surrounding air.

Cassian broke that silence. It was partly intended to reveal his own existence, which seemed to have become invisible, but also because he strongly disliked the subtle atmosphere flowing between the two.

“Pleased to meet you, High Priest. I am Cassian von Esteban, Florencia’s friend.”

Since he spoke right beside him, there was no way Ludwig couldn’t have heard, but his gaze remained fixed only on Florencia. As if demanding some answer from her.

“……Father, this is my friend…… Cassian, who attends the same Academy as me.”

“I see.”

Cassian was dumbfounded that he only responded after Florencia hesitantly introduced him, as if checking for his reaction.

“Nice to meet you.”

Ludwig added one more indifferent phrase, but even Cassian could immediately tell it wasn’t a welcoming tone at all.

Though he hadn’t yet graduated from the Academy, to treat a proper marquis like this. But since holy priests, who even imperial family members couldn’t treat carelessly, often showed arrogant attitudes, it wasn’t particularly surprising.

“It seems your ‘friend’ escorted you here, thankfully.”

“It’s only proper not to send a lady alone, I merely did what was right.”

“……Lady?”

He snickered at Cassian’s words, then hardened his expression with surprising coldness.

“It looks like it’s about to pour rain, so we should go inside, Laura.”

“Yes, Father…… Ah, Cassian!”

Florencia, being led away by him, quickly turned her head to say goodbye.

“Thank you for escorting me today……”

“It’s nothing, you were late because you were with me, so it’s only natural. I had fun today.”

Ludwig had completely wrapped Florencia’s shoulder within his embrace. It was an overly affectionate escort for a prospective saintess and the priest guiding her, but the movement was so natural that Cassian didn’t even think it strange.

Ludwig, who had not given Cassian even a glance all this time, looked over at him as if only now noticing his existence.

“……Would you like to come in and have a cup of tea?”

“No, thank you.”

Cassian unknowingly frowned. Judging by that terrifying expression…… He might have poisoned the tea.

“That’s a shame.”

The cold, arrogant tone sounded to Cassian’s ears exactly like saying he regretted not being able to kill him right away.

“Well then, goodbye, boy.”

I’m not a boy but a young man! Barely suppressing the urge to shout, Cassian waved to Florencia.

“I’ll go now. See you tomorrow, ……Laura!”

The last part was definitely the childish jealousy of a nineteen-year-old.

Surely that lofty high priest wouldn’t even blink at such an obvious provocation…….

Cassian berated himself, pulling at his hair, and only got into the carriage much later.

“Father……”

Ludwig said nothing throughout their walk down the long corridor. Sometimes a cold silence can be more frightening than fiery anger. Florencia knew this better than anyone.

As soon as they entered the Temple, he left Florencia and headed upstairs to the second floor alone. She had to almost run, scurrying to keep up with his wide strides.

“Father Ludwig……”

Still by his side without him looking back, Florencia hesitated, not knowing what to say after calling him.

“I’m listening.”

“……”

“What is it?”

The indoor temperature felt lower than outside, perhaps due to the cool energy emanating from him. Florencia became tearful as she anxiously watched him, not knowing what to do.

“……I’m sorry.”

In any case, it was her fault for creating a situation that could only lead to his misunderstanding. She had lied that Cassian was a woman, broke her promise again, and even came together in his carriage…….

“Sorry for what?”

Florencia hesitated as she was about to say, ‘I’m sorry for betraying the trust between lovers and lying.’ The fact that they were in a romantic relationship was actually just her own thought, and suddenly she wasn’t sure if Ludwig felt the same way.

“You seem…… because of me…… to be in a bad mood……”

“Do I have a reason to be in a bad mood?”

His blue emerald eyes saying this were as cold as the winter sea, and Florencia nearly burst into tears.

“I played with my friend and didn’t keep our appointment, and I even lied……”

“A friend.”

His calm tone was even more frightening, and Florencia unconsciously took a step back, avoiding his eyes.

“Your ‘friend’s’ eyes were a vivid red, just like some kind of jewel.”

“……Cassian’s…… eyes?”

Why is he suddenly talking about Cassian’s eyes? Florencia just blinked, not understanding his words. Ludwig stared at her for a moment, then turned away first. As he brushed past Florencia, who stood still not knowing what to do, a cold voice awakened her.

“The name of the cat you’re taking care of was, if I recall, Ruby.”

“……Ah!”

“Did you enjoy your secret date, Laura?”

With those final words, he walked away without looking back.

“Father, you misunderstand…… That has nothing to do with Cassian……”

Actually, that name was derived from your name……!

“Do you have anything more to say to me?”

When she hurriedly followed him, Ludwig was just about to enter the room.

“If you have more to talk about, let’s go inside and discuss it.”

Florencia nodded with a pale face and followed him into the bedroom.

* * *

How should she interpret this situation?

Left alone in the room, Florencia tried her best to think rationally.

The two of them were about to have a conversation in Ludwig’s bedroom. She intended to apologize for lying, explain that Cassian was just a friend, and clearly state that the only person in her heart was Father, but…….

“Laura, can you be alone for a moment?”

“……Yes?”

Ludwig, who had sensed something, asked before she could open her mouth. Without giving her time to respond, a large circle of dazzling light appeared in the room, and as if through spatial movement, Saintess Elisabeth appeared from within it.

“……Lud!”