Strangely, I hadn’t felt embarrassed at all declaring my intentions for Heliod to the High Priest, but knowing Heliod had overheard made heat rise from my toes all the way to my head. Trying to keep my hands from fidgeting, I glanced around nervously as the High Priest rose to his feet.
“I’ve lingered too long. Heliod, I hope the victory parade goes smoothly. I apologize that I won’t be there to join you.”
“No need to apologize, Your Grace.”
“Thank you as well, Lady Arpen, for joining me for a short tea. I’ll be on my way.”
“Oh, um… yes, of course.”
Why was he leaving us alone after all that? With his obvious disapproval, why leave me and Heliod unsupervised? Watching the High Priest walk away, as graceful as a swan, I hesitated, then turned to Heliod, mustering my courage.
“So… Sir Knight, what did you need to tell me?”
“Ah… it was about the curse.”
Heliod rubbed his flushed cheeks and motioned for us to start walking.
“I’ll escort you outside as we talk.”
“Yes, alright.”
The sound of our footsteps echoed through the quiet temple corridor. I was about to break the silence with a sigh when Heliod glanced at me, then spoke slowly.
“After the victory parade, I’ll resume my duties as the temple’s knight commander, focusing on training new recruits.”
“Yes?”
“With that, I’ll also assist the High Priest with his tasks. I’ll have even less time at the estate.”
“Oh…”
Of course, the High Priest would dump more responsibilities on Heliod. My eyes narrowed slightly, but I quickly smoothed my expression when Heliod looked my way. He blinked a few times, caught off guard by my forced smile, then redirected his gaze forward.
“So… what I’m saying is…”
“I’m still going to keep writing you letters.”
“Pardon?”
“Even if the High Priest objects, I’m not going to stop contacting you.”
I was the Empire’s only noblewoman of my rank, and Heliod was a celebrated war hero. Other than the cursed dreams, our only means of communication was through letters. Each line he wrote had become a small joy in my otherwise predictable life. How could I give that up? Absolutely not.
I held my ground firmly.
“So, Sir Knight, you’d better not ignore my letters. I expect replies.”
“…I had no intention of ignoring them.” Heliod’s cheeks reddened as he replied, his tone softening. “I apologize for not replying today. I simply… couldn’t think of how to respond.”
“You could’ve just said, ‘Please stop that,’ or ‘I dislike this,’ as usual.”
“I… I couldn’t do that.”
I stopped walking, frowning slightly. Heliod paused beside me, glancing my way with uncertainty.
“Normally, I would’ve thought to scold you… but…”
He looked at me with wavering eyes, then admitted softly, “I couldn’t bring myself to do it.”
“Why not?”
Heliod hesitated, his lips parting before he spoke, almost as if confessing a secret, hiding his eyes with a hand.
“Because… everything you said was true.”
“…Excuse me?”
I tilted my head, trying to process his words.
‘Everything I said was true?’
What exactly did he mean by that? Was he talking about the things I wrote in today’s letter? What had I written again? Something about how he seemed to… enjoy it, or how he looked like a maiden… had he really liked all of it?
“What exactly do you mean by that?”
“It’s as I said. I was… overwhelmed by the truth of your words, and lost in my own disappointment… so I couldn’t reply.”
“Wait… Sir Knight, did you truly enjoy yourself that much in the dream?”
Heliod didn’t answer, his face bright red as he looked down, avoiding my gaze.
Of course, I’d seen him shiver under my touch, and I knew he hadn’t entirely hated it. But to think he’d been so consumed by it afterward, wrestling with himself. We had even been discussing this right before meeting the High Priest. I crossed my arms, stepping closer to him.
“Would you like to experience it again?”
“N-no.”
“Liar. You hesitated just now. Do you not want to keep your vow of chastity?”
“No!” he protested.
It was clear he was grappling with a profound desire for the first time in his life. He was like a man caught in the middle of a fierce tug-of-war, torn between his knightly vows and the allure of what I offered.
“Well, is that why you were thinking of ending our correspondence?”
“No, it’s not that….”
“Then what? You just said you’d be busy, that you wouldn’t be at the estate much anymore.”
Thanks to the High Priest’s firm “Don’t meet my son!” stance, my mood was already unsettled, and now, with Heliod acting like this… well, I couldn’t help but feel even more annoyed. Especially after he overheard my words about sincerity. For once, I didn’t bother hiding my disappointment, letting my lips pout in a way hardly fitting for a noblewoman.
Heliod must have noticed, as he hurriedly continued.
“That’s not what I meant. I only meant that, after the victory parade, I expect peaceful days ahead, and no ordeals for a while.”
“…Is that so?”
“Yes. And since I won’t be at the estate much, I wanted to suggest you send letters directly to my office from now on. I’ve already let them know to deliver any personal correspondence to me directly, so you can… write whatever you like.”
“Oh…”
The frustration I’d been feeling turned into elation, like petals floating on a gentle breeze. I grinned at him, eyes sparkling.
“So, when do you think the next ordeal will come?”
“I’m not sure. For now, it looks like there won’t be any for about a month after the parade.”
“Ah, that’s… what?”
I felt my smile falter. A month? No ordeals for an entire month? My golden eyes wavered, and Heliod tilted his head, curious about my sudden reaction, but I couldn’t answer him.
‘With the Empire’s best priests gathered, I imagine the curse could be lifted within the month.’
The High Priest had confidently said they’d break the curse within a month, and now Heliod was saying there wouldn’t be any ordeals during that time?
‘Does that mean… I won’t see Heliod in my dreams anymore?’
This couldn’t be happening. I’d only been able to explore that beautiful body twice, and now there would be no more chances? This was downright cruel!
❖ ❖ ❖
I wasn’t sure how I even managed to leave the temple.
Heliod, suspecting my strange behavior had something to do with the High Priest, kept pressing me about what we’d discussed over tea.
‘What did His Grace say to you? He mentioned that he opposed something… What exactly does he oppose?’
The clueless man, so endearingly concerned, held my shoulder, his blue eyes glistening as he questioned me relentlessly. Out of irritation, I finally snapped back:
‘He was only asking about my relationship with you. Don’t worry about it. After all, you already heard my answer, didn’t you?’
That shut him up. Heliod walked me to the exit without another word, his whole body shivering once before his cheeks flushed as delicately as a flower in bloom, and he couldn’t meet my gaze. Though I felt a twinge of guilt for distracting him right before the parade, I was just as upset. How could I be calm, knowing I might never get the chance to lay hands on the most beautiful figure in the Empire’s history again?
I sighed heavily as I returned to my mother’s side, and Mary quickly trotted over to me.
“Lusha! Lusha!”
“Oh, Mary. It’s been a while.”
“What’s with the lukewarm reaction? Weren’t you happy to see me?”
I forced a weak smile, shaking my head.
“Not really.”
“Oh, come on…”
Mary clicked her tongue lightly, scanning the large square in front of the temple, where various nobles and attendants awaited the Emperor’s procession.
“Looks like they’re going all out for this victory parade. It’s exciting.”
“Think it’ll take long?”
“Probably. There are so many paladins to honor. If they recognize each one individually, we might be here until evening.”
I sighed, staring blankly at the sky. Most likely, our dear knight would receive nothing but a hefty reward. In the dream, they granted him a holy sword, but what would reality bring?
“What do you think Sir Vus will receive?”
“Oh, so that’s why you’ve been looking so glum, Lusha?”
Since my mood was indeed dark thanks to Heliod, I didn’t bother correcting her. Mary was the daughter of Count Jedediah, who owned the capital’s most prominent newspaper, so I figured she would know a thing or two about the parade. While I didn’t expect much, knowing His Majesty’s rather strict nature, speaking the question out loud had made me genuinely curious. Mary gave a little smirk, one corner of her mouth lifting.
“Well, I have heard a few things.”
“Really?”
“Of course. This is something only my family knows, I’d wager.”
Mary nudged my arm, looking smug.
“Want to know, Lusha?”
“Stop stalling and just tell me. His Majesty will be here any moment.”
I glared, narrowing my eyes, and Mary pouted in annoyance.
“Alright, alright. Honestly, scolding me for your ‘lover’s’ sake…”
He wasn’t my lover… yet, anyway. But I didn’t bother denying it. Instead, I crossed my arms, watching her expectantly. Mary sighed and gestured for me to lean closer, and I quickly obliged.
“This is fresh news—just a few minutes ago.”
“Yes? And?”
“For his exceptional service in the war, Sir Vus will be granted…”
Mary paused dramatically, and I turned to see Heliod approaching, clad in a cloak even more splendid than before, his face set in a tense expression.
“…the title of baronet.”
“What?”
A title?
“Your ‘lover’ is becoming a noble,” Mary said, pulling back with a satisfied grin. “Congratulations. He’s to be a baron.”
I gaped in shock, my mouth hanging open.
‘Sir Knight… becoming a baron?!’
