Episode 6: The Most Eligible Bachelor

Armed with an assortment of sweets, fragrant bouquets, and an avalanche of pink letters, Heliod marched briskly through the temple corridors. His destination was the secluded garden of the High Priest, hidden deep within the temple grounds. Without hesitation, he approached the High Priest, who was enjoying tea amidst the serene greenery.

“High Priest,” Heliod called out.

“You’re late, Heliod,” the High Priest replied calmly.

Instead of offering an apology, Heliod unceremoniously dumped his collected items onto the table. The High Priest widened his eyes in surprise, then chuckled at the sight of bouquets that seemed better suited for a young woman.

“Bouquets? How unique. Which noble family’s daughter sent these?”

“They are not from a lady,” Heliod answered flatly.

The High Priest choked on his tea, quickly wiping his mouth before resuming his usual composed smile.

“I see… More importantly, have you sent your belongings to the residence His Majesty granted you?”

“They will be dealt with shortly.”

“Efficient as ever. You truly are diligent,” the High Priest remarked with amusement.

“High Priest,” Heliod interrupted, his voice low and his gaze sharp as he sank into a chair opposite him. It had been a long time since the High Priest had seen such defiance in Heliod’s eyes, though his serene smile remained intact.

“What is it?”

“There is something you should tell me.”

“Hmm. Heliod, you must understand that the world is full of people with diverse tastes, and we should accept them without prejudice.”

“That’s not what I mean!” Heliod’s face flushed bright red before darkening again as he exhaled a long, weary sigh and rubbed his temple.

“I know you orchestrated the triumph ceremony,” he accused.

“…”

“It was you who arranged for me to receive a title, wasn’t it?”

Heliod’s sharp blue eyes glinted. The High Priest met his gaze without flinching, calmly taking another sip of tea.

“Why did you do it?”

“I wanted you to see a wider world,” the High Priest said gently.

“My world consists solely of you and the temple. Anything beyond that holds no value for me,” Heliod replied firmly.

For a fleeting moment, an image of pink hair and golden, crescent-shaped eyes flashed through his mind. He quickly shook his head, banishing the thought.

Biting his lip, he pressed on. “I am but a baron. Yet the immense wealth bestowed upon me has attracted numerous suitors, dragging me into unwanted political games.”

“I know. They’re all lovely young ladies, aren’t they?”

“I am a paladin bound by a vow of purity. Marriage is…” He hesitated before continuing, “…not an option.”

At last, the High Priest’s warm expression faded. Setting down his teacup, he studied Heliod closely. His usually composed protégé looked worn and haggard, his pockets stuffed with trinkets given by insistent nobles.

Since Heliod received his title, the temple had experienced an unprecedented influx of visitors. Noble daughters, drawn by the allure of the newly titled baron, flocked to the temple in droves, each eager for a glimpse of him. Yesterday, it had been Lady Isolin; the day before, the twin daughters of Viscount Kirion; and before that, the only daughter of Baron Dante, a member of the aristocratic faction.

At first, Heliod’s chivalry and gentle nature had compelled him to meet them. However, the relentless barrage of gifts, insincere smiles, and hollow pleasantries soon turned the encounters into a torment. He had grown so weary of the incessant suitors that even the sight of a flowing dress now made his skin crawl.

In desperation, he had started taking less-traveled routes within the temple, hoping to avoid the visitors. But even that hadn’t spared him—earlier today, a young lord he couldn’t place had handed him a bouquet.

Heliod sighed deeply, the weight of his new reality pressing down on him.

“Why has it come to this?” he muttered to himself, lamenting his fate as the empire’s most eligible bachelor.

“I can’t move freely through the temple like this. I need to get to the training grounds for my knightly drills…”

“Heliod.”

“Yes, High Priest?”

Heliod looked directly at the High Priest, who seemed hesitant, his lips parting slightly before he finally spoke.

“Why not take this opportunity to meet someone other than a noblewoman?”

“…What do you mean by that?” Heliod’s face hardened, his expression becoming alarmingly stern.

“I am not involved with Lady Arpen,” he stated firmly.

“And yet, you’re still exchanging letters with her.”

“That’s… out of necessity… Wait, High Priest, did you tell her to stop corresponding with me?”

A memory of Luisha’s cute—no, sullen—face as she insisted she would keep writing to him flitted through Heliod’s mind. His sharp blue eyes glinted.

“Did you?”

“It seems the lady tattled on me,” the High Priest said, unfazed.

“Don’t put it like that. Why would you interfere?”

“Because she isn’t the right match for you, Heliod. I wanted to show you more of the world.”

The High Priest smiled faintly, watching a pair of birds fluttering together in the sky.

“Don’t think about politics. You deserve to live in a family where you can love and be loved.”

Heliod was at a loss for words.

Until now, he had assumed the sudden title was part of the ongoing power struggle between the temple and the imperial court—a move by the High Priest to draw him into the conflict as a successor to oversee the temple. But now…

“Are you trying to marry me off?” Heliod asked, his voice strained, teeth clenched.

“What did you discuss with His Majesty? What did you trade to have me given a title?”

“Nothing much. I just realized that, with peace finally upon us, political squabbles are meaningless.”

“The temple is the only force capable of keeping the imperial court in check. Countless citizens—”

“And countless aristocrats have already approached me,” the High Priest cut him off, gazing at the dregs in his teacup as he swirled it. He glanced back at Heliod with a small smile.

“It doesn’t matter anymore, whether it’s the emperor or the nobles. With the demons gone, I have no role left in this world.”

Aside from finding you a proper match. The High Priest sipped his tea with a chuckle.

“The current emperor may not be a saint, but his rule is adequate. I want to leave the temple as a sanctuary for all and entrust the rest to the nobles.”

“That’s…”

“So don’t concern yourself with political conflicts. Think of this as… a matchmaking effort, if you will.”

Heliod was left speechless.

So it was true—contrary to the speculations of Luisha’s mother, Cetina, and the many factions within both the imperial and noble courts, the real reason Heliod had been thrust into aristocratic society was simply the High Priest’s personal whim.

For the first time, Heliod found himself disapproving of the High Priest’s decision. How could such a grand and one-sided matchmaking attempt be justified? Worse still, it felt less like a proper match and more like a race, with noble ladies—and the occasional young lord—competing for the prize that was Heliod.

He saw no value in continuing the conversation and stood abruptly.

“I’ll take my leave now.”

“Go ahead. Be careful on your way.”

Heliod bowed stiffly, his face cold, and walked away, his steps echoing through the corridor.

Images of the High Priest’s face and the countless noblewomen who had approached him swirled in his mind. He sighed, running a hand over his face. Then, he remembered the faint crinkle of paper in his pocket. Searching it, he pulled out a letter bearing the elegant navy seal of the Duchy of Arpen—Luisha’s letter.

His recent duties had delayed his replies, but he quickly scanned the letter as he walked toward his office.

[Sir Knight—or should I call you Baron now?]

The title of baron, which had grown so tiresome from others, felt oddly bearable in this letter. Unconsciously, Heliod’s expression softened as he opened the door to his office.

[Why are your replies so slow these days? I need to talk to you about something. Would this afternoon work?]

This afternoon? Heliod blinked, glancing at the ticking clock on the wall. It was already 2 p.m., the perfect time for a visit.

[I’ll be visiting the temple with a friend, so please greet me warmly. I’ll wait for your reply.]

Luisha was always like this—impulsive and thoroughly one-sided. In truth, she wasn’t much different from the High Priest. Yet, despite that, Heliod adjusted his jacket, draped his cloak over his shoulders, and left his office without a hint of displeasure. As he walked briskly down the corridor leading outside the temple—

“Sir Knight!”

It had only been a few days, but the sight of familiar pink hair made it feel like an eternity. Without realizing it, Heliod smiled. But then, his gaze shifted to the figure beside her, and his expression hardened.

“Why didn’t you reply to my letter?” Luisha complained, her tone accusatory.

Standing next to her, however, was an unfamiliar man.