Chapter 2
Hearing his response, Leila bit down on her lips as if holding back sorrow, but she didn’t seem overly shaken. It was probably because she had already heard the rumors that were widespread throughout the capital.
At that moment, Bjorn was grateful that he had such an unavoidable reason to give her.
If that hadn’t been the case, he would have been at a loss over what cruel words he should use to reject a woman who had devoted herself to looking at him alone, unwaveringly, for no less than five years.
However, the deployment was not an excuse but the truth. Leaving behind such a radiant spring, he had no choice but to throw himself into slaughter carried out under the pretense of enlightenment.
“Actually, I already know. The news that you’ll be participating in the holy war, sir.”
Faced with a reason beyond her power to do anything about, Leila let out a sigh with a sorrowful expression.
That must have been the reason for her sudden confession as well. A feeling like wanting to convey her genuine feelings one last time to someone with no promise of returning, someone who might never come back at all.
She wasn’t the only woman who had come to see Bjorn with such thoughts.
Under the pretext of considering the faithful, the temple actively encouraged personal meetings for paladins on the eve of the holy war. Fearing to miss the opportunity, countless noble young ladies and married women who had supported him in every way had already swept through the temple once.
As they competed to pour out their private desires, it eventually became a time little different from confession, but even so, Bjorn dealt with them with as devout an attitude as possible.
By nature, the more war funds there were, the better, and the purses of women who liked Bjorn’s shell were like an inexhaustible spring. So at this level, he could indulge them as much as needed.
Among them, Leila Bailey was the young lady who had offered the largest amount in donations to him. Considering the sum she had paid over a period that was by no means short, five years, he couldn’t help but show even greater sincerity.
Although she consistently dressed in a bizarre appearance, as if she had a peculiar sense of fashion and no interest in adornment at all, she wasn’t a bad person. No, rather, she could be said to be a kind woman, rare among noble young ladies. At times, to the point that her foolish innocence severely grated on his nerves.
True to her being such a good natured lady, Leila even chose the perfect timing for her confession. Bjorn resolved to highly value the merit of her coming to see him at just the right moment to be rejected, and to give his finest performance in return.
Whether he liked it or not, this was something he was already used to. Up until now, this had always been how he was used within the temple’s knightage, so it wasn’t a difficult task at this point.
“If I were not a servant of God, I would gladly have returned your feelings, Miss Bailey, however my fate was offered to the Lord Almighty long ago. So, please, forget me without regret.”
Faithfully playing the role of a noble knight departing for a sacred war, and the first love of an innocent noble young lady, Bjorn swallowed the bitter aftertaste. He didn’t know why he felt this way at what should have been a refreshing final farewell. Of course, he didn’t want to know either.
In any case, Leila Bailey would live well even in a world without him. Whether Bjorn lost his life in this war, became crippled, or, by good fortune, returned safely. Her future and his future were destined to flow on without any connection.
The same applied to every woman who had confessed that she felt love for him. As time passed, they would all forget a decent looking paladin who had once been a pleasant diversion, and go on to build their own families and live happy lives.
Bjorn thought Leila would be no different. The woman who was now standing before him, eyes glistening pitifully, would forget him before long. After that, the name Bjorn Schmidt would be kept only as a beautiful and useless pressed flower adorning one part of her memories.
Exactly that level of feeling, exactly that kind of incident.
“The reason I confessed my feelings today wasn’t because I hoped for an answer.”
As if proving Bjorn’s expectations, Leila said so. Just as he thought, she merely wanted to unilaterally place her feelings onto him. Without even considering Bjorn’s feelings at all.
Of course, it would have been troublesome if she had hoped for a response, but for some reason, an unfounded surge of anger welled up in his heart.
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