“Heliod?”
I froze, turning my head, and drew a sharp breath.
‘Oh, no…’
A figure as ethereal as a god. The High Priest had arrived.
‘It’s confirmed. The Seisior Temple must be choosing priests and knights based on their looks.’
Stunned, I stared at the High Priest in awe, momentarily unable to think, while Heliod quickly lowered his head in a respectful bow. Collecting myself, I glanced around awkwardly before following Heliod’s lead and offering a polite nod.
“What brings you here?” the High Priest asked, his voice gentle but authoritative.
“I came to see you.”
Heliod pulled his cloak around him, clearly trying to hide his flushed face as he averted his gaze from the High Priest, his hands trembling as he clutched his cloak. He must have been nervous, wondering if the High Priest had overheard anything.
“Keron was looking for you. He seems to have some matters to discuss regarding the parade.”
“You could have sent a servant. You shouldn’t be lingering outdoors for too long.”
“No need to worry. This area of the garden is secluded, only my own people are around.”
The High Priest smiled gently, then looked at me with a slightly ambiguous expression.
“Or maybe… that’s not quite the case.”
I flinched, my shoulders trembling slightly.
He was so incredibly handsome that he didn’t seem real, leaving me utterly speechless. Golden hair that seemed to have captured sunlight itself, long lashes, and a calm, kind expression that held a perpetual warm smile. It was enough to make me dizzy. I should’ve apologized for intruding, but somehow, facing him was even harder than facing my mother.
‘In the dream, I only thought of him as a ridiculously attractive High Priest.’
But reality far outshone dreams. How could any dream replicate this sacred aura?
“I called for the lady. I apologize, and I’ll be more careful next time.”
Perhaps Heliod sensed the High Priest’s hint, as he quickly lowered his head to take the blame. I was ready to protest, but Heliod’s solid stance remained firm. The High Priest blinked in surprise, then waved his hand, dismissing the issue.
“It’s alright. But Heliod, why don’t you leave the lady’s escort to me? You have tasks to attend to.”
“No, please, allow me. She is my guest, so I should…”
“The imperial procession will begin soon. You’ll need time to meet with Keron and handle that matter as well, won’t you?”
Handle it? My mind whirled with questions, and a blush rose to my cheeks as I realized he knew we’d been lingering here.
Heliod, visibly flustered, straightened his posture. His face burned as if it were a volcano ready to erupt. A heavy silence filled the air. With trembling hands, he adjusted his cloak one more time and finally responded.
“Understood. I’ll take my leave. My apologies, Lady Arpen.”
“Oh, it’s fine! I’ll see you later.”
“Yes.”
Heliod, trying to keep his composure, moved out of the garden as quickly as he could.
Despite his youthful appearance, the High Priest stood in a paternal position to Heliod. And here I was, caught in a moment of intimacy with his “son.” Embarrassed, I tried to make a quick exit myself, but the High Priest stopped me.
“One moment, Lady Arpen. I’d like a word.”
“Oh, with me?”
“Yes. I assume you already know who I am…”
Come to think of it, the High Priest’s appearance wasn’t widely known. Should I have pretended not to recognize him and asked Heliod who he was? Mentally, I was already face-palming, but I kept quiet.
Then he made a surprising offer.
“Would you care to join me for tea?”
“Tea…?”
“Yes, if you have time.”
The High Priest’s eyes crinkled as he added the invitation with a soft smile. I mentally counted down the minutes until the victory parade, then abandoned all pretense of restraint and replied immediately.
“Yes, absolutely.”
After all, it’s a rule never to refuse an invitation from a beautiful person.
❖ ❖ ❖
Though the victory parade was fast approaching, the High Priest remained unhurried. With graceful, dignified movements, he summoned a servant, lifted his teacup with a languid hand, and sipped slowly. I, on the other hand, was barely holding my composure, keeping a polite smile fixed in place as he drank. My hands clenched under the table, anxiety simmering within me.
“For the Lady.”
“Yes, yes?”
Our High Priest even spoke slowly. He gazed into his cup before looking up at me with a warm, apologetic expression.
“I have always felt deeply sorry.”
“Pardon…?”
“That you became entangled in Heliod’s curse. It’s my own failing, really.”
“Oh, no, there’s no need to apologize. It hasn’t caused me any real harm…”
If anything, I was enjoying it a little too much. A part of me didn’t want this ordeal to end. Sure, I wished for the curse to be lifted whenever I saw Heliod suffering, grappling with pleasure and temptation… but only for a moment.
“It’s unavoidable, after all. You don’t need to feel sorry on my behalf,” I replied with an awkward smile, taking a sip from my cup. The High Priest’s smile deepened.
“Is that so? Even so, the imperial court and temple priests have been tirelessly researching the curse. It may soon be dispelled.”
“Uh… what?”
“Six trials. Far too harsh a fate for both Heliod and yourself. Soon, your mind will be unburdened of this matter.”
“Dispelled… you mean?”
This was the first I’d heard of it. I knew that Heliod’s curse could be lifted after overcoming six trials, but I had no idea the priests were secretly working on a way to break it.
“Oh… how long will it take?”
“Well, it’s a delicate process, but with the finest priests in the Empire working on it… perhaps within the month.”
A month. Was there some important date for Heliod in this coming month? Frowning, I mentally sifted through possibilities.
“I didn’t realize. So you can break the curse without him enduring all six trials?”
“Yes. It’s something we’ve kept from him, which is why he likely hasn’t mentioned it.”
“Ah, right…”
I blinked, shifting in my seat. My mother would’ve scolded me for the lack of decorum, perhaps even tapped me with her fan, but the High Priest remained calm, a composed smile on his face.
“Heliod is a considerate soul; he wouldn’t want to be a bother to anyone. As soon as he heard of the chance to end the curse, he agreed to let us handle it.”
Heliod… a child? A strange sense of unease began creeping in.
“He’s always been so kind and selfless, and I didn’t want him to feel burdened. That’s why I decided to be honest with you today, Lady Arpen.”
“…I see.”
“So, please don’t trouble yourself over Heliod or the curse any longer. In a month’s time, this ordeal will end, and you’ll have no reason to be concerned. I wouldn’t want your heart weighed down unnecessarily.”
My hand trembled slightly as I held my teacup. Despite his polite language, his meaning struck clearly. I understood now why the High Priest had summoned me.
‘He’s telling me to step away from Heliod, isn’t he?’
This man… was nothing less than a fiercely protective father, wasn’t he?
I struggled not to glare at him in defiance, but ultimately, I couldn’t contain my irritation. I set my cup down with a clink, folding my arms.
“People say the bond between you and Sir Heliod is like that of a father and son. It seems that’s very true.”
“Yes, well, I am rather attached to him. I’ve looked after him since he was a child, so it’s difficult not to be protective.”
“Oh, you raised him? I was under the impression that he spent most of his time at war and had barely stayed at the temple at all.”
A crack appeared in his serene smile.
“Pardon?”
“Oh, did I get it wrong? My apologies. I’d heard that Sir Heliod grew up in an orphanage before joining the knights and going off to war, with hardly any time spent at the temple. I assumed he raised himself, really.”
What had he done for Heliod? Here he was, calling a grown man a “child.” Sure, he cared about him, but was that really a reason to come here and make demands of me?
I continued, smiling sweetly but not bothering to hide the pointed edge in my words. The High Priest’s face hardened slightly.
“Well, if that’s not the case, then I must have been mistaken. I’m not from the temple, after all.”
My connection with Heliod was fragile, as fleeting as a candle flickering in the wind. Without this curse, perhaps we never would’ve crossed paths at all, and once it’s lifted, who knows if we’ll meet again? But that decision was ours to make—mine and Heliod’s.
“You are not what I expected, Lady Arpen.”
“Apparently, I’m rather well-known in social circles. Perhaps you hadn’t heard?” I said, maintaining a polite smile.
“I apologize if I’ve offended you. But I hope you can understand my own feelings,” the High Priest replied, his mesmerizing gaze narrowing slightly.
“Lady Arpen, you aren’t truly sincere about Heliod, are you?”
It was so absurd I nearly lost my words.
“Sincere?”
“That’s right. Heliod is a gentle soul. He’s only met you because of this unfortunate curse…”
“Hold on, High Priest. We’ve only known each other for a little over a week.”
We’d hardly even seen each other a handful of times, and he’s talking about sincerity?
My initially fiery temper cooled sharply, and clarity dawned. Yes, now I understood.
‘He’s old enough to be my father.’
Adjusting my posture, I gave him a look one would reserve for dealing with a strict, old-fashioned elder. My shift in demeanor startled the High Priest, who blinked in mild confusion.
“While my interest may seem lighthearted, just as you worry,” I said smoothly, “no one can predict what will happen in the future.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Time will tell. Whether I become truly sincere with Sir Heliod… or not.”
Yes, I was Luisha Arpen.
“Just because something begins lightly doesn’t mean we know how it will end, does it?”
There was no way I’d let go of a man who perfectly suited my tastes from head to toe. Sure, it might just be physical attraction for now, but who’s to say what might come of it?
I made my declaration boldly, and the High Priest gazed at me in stunned silence. His eyes wavered, drifting just past me. Narrowing my eyes, I turned to look behind me.
“…Sir Heliod?”
Heliod stood there, his face flushed and frozen as if he’d turned to stone. A heavy silence fell over us.
He glanced back and forth between us, and when his gaze met mine, he jerked in surprise, bowing his head quickly and turning his reddened face to the side. My mind spun, and I hastily spoke up.
“Um, you… had business to attend to…?”
“Yes… I’ve finished my tasks. I actually came back to speak with you, Lady Arpen,” he managed to say, biting his lip before falling silent again.
