Chapter 92
I understand he’s jealous, but he should still separate personal feelings from duty.
Though I flinched slightly at the sudden drop in affection, I cleared my throat.
“Hexion. I’m asking you a question.”
“…I believe he arrived with the temple’s holy knights.”
That means he’s been waiting since yesterday evening.
‘Why wasn’t I informed? Well, I was rolling around in bed, so it would have been awkward if someone had barged in!’
But he should have woken me in the morning at least. Or told me as soon as I woke up.
“Hexion. Didn’t you say you wanted to be my foremost guardian knight?”
“Yes, Shin Joo.”
“Then you shouldn’t stay silent without reporting that the admiral is waiting for me.”
My criticism colored Hexion’s expression with bewilderment.
“You seemed so exhausted…”
“That’s not for you to decide.”
Letting me sleep in because I might be tired could be considered thoughtful. But concealing information about Kaint’s visit crossed the line.
Hexion, I didn’t see you this way before, but you’re surprisingly controlling.
“From now on, if there’s information I should know, report everything without making your own judgments or filtering it.”
“…I will do so, Shin Joo.”
Perhaps because I spoke coldly, Hexion’s expression turned gloomy. After sharing such passion last night, maybe I was too harsh.
“I want Hexion to be my eyes and ears.”
“…!”
“I trust you, so please don’t disappoint me.”
[Hexion]’s current affection level: 99 (MAX)
To release the limit, the special event [Oath of Loyalty] must occur.
Fortunately, his affection immediately recovered to its previous level. I can’t tell if he’s an easy man or a difficult one.
When I stood up, Hexion opened the door. Since he had changed me into priest robes while I was sleeping, I didn’t need to adjust my appearance.
“Where is Kaint?”
“He’s waiting in the prayer room.”
My steps faltered momentarily. The prayer room where I first offered him tea. Though Kaint didn’t enter it then, it was the place where I first crossed the line with Hexion, so meeting another man there felt somewhat awkward.
But since there was nowhere else to receive him, I decided to just go.
The door to the prayer room was open. Though called a prayer room, it was spacious and pleasant since no one but the Divine Master used it.
Perhaps that’s why the man in a white uniform sitting neatly in a chair caught my eye so clearly.
“I’m sorry for keeping you waiting, Kaint.”
Kaint’s eyebrow twitched as he looked at me.
Is he angry because I made him wait too long?
“I heard you were exhausted. Are you feeling alright?”
“Yes, I’m fine now.”
Actually, my lower region still stings a bit… but not enough to interfere with daily activities. I guess Hexion was right to be considerate of me.
The tea had long gone cold. As I lifted the teapot to brew fresh tea, he rose from his seat.
“I’ve confirmed you’re well, that’s enough. I’ll be taking my leave now.”
“What? But you’ve been waiting all this time!”
Didn’t he wait all night because he had something to tell me?
Looking up in surprise, I saw Kaint turn his head away from my gaze, creating a slight distance.
“I was only waiting out of concern that you might have suffered aftereffects from being held at the demon’s quarters. Seeing the Divine Master and the guardian knight’s condition, it seems my worries were unfounded.”
His voice was strangely sharp. Though his affection is at zero, I don’t think it was this bad during the second playthrough.
‘Kaint thinks I’m a traitor.’
It makes sense. Kaint values devotion to others and loyalty. It’s natural for him to think poorly of me for abandoning Hexion, who was falsely accused, and entering the demon’s quarters.
Even if there were unavoidable reasons, my showing affection to Marvis would make his impression of me the worst.
‘How can I build affection from here?’
There are two ways to gain Kaint’s affection.
One is to become friendly with his siblings.
The other is physical contact.
The former is impossible due to physical distance limitations, so I should aim for the latter, but I see no opening. Should I pretend to fall and embrace him? If I touch him wrongly, his affection might plummet.
‘No choice. Let’s go with the direct approach.’
I held the teapot tightly and called to him.
“Wait, Admiral. What do you think I’m doing here?”
“Divine Master?”
“I understand you’re upset from waiting so long, but it’s not polite to just say what you want to say and leave without considering the other person.”
To hold back this courteous man, I had to point out what he values. Though he would be justified in leaving after being made to wait all night, it wasn’t my fault he was left waiting for so long.
“I’m not upset.”
“I also want to talk… What?”
“As I said, I was only waiting to check on your condition. It was my own decision, so the Divine Master bears no responsibility for not responding.”
Kaint’s tone was calm, but it felt oddly sharp like the tip of a needle. He does seem upset, but not because I kept him waiting.
“Then there’s no need to leave in such a hurry. Let’s talk a bit.”
“I have nothing to say.”
“I have something to say to you, Admiral.”
“….”
When I looked up at him with a furrowed brow, Kaint let out a light breath and sat down. I wondered if this was really the same man who used to bring me flowers daily and smile seductively.
I knew he was straightforward with people he didn’t like, but there seemed to be no reason for him to treat me with such irritation.
“Divine Master. What did you want to say?”
“I think the admiral misunderstands me, and I want to correct that.”
“Misunderstand, you say.”
“Yes. I didn’t abandon Hexion and run away. I was trying to save my guardian knight, who was falsely accused, in my own way.”
Actually, I stumbled into it this time, but in the first playthrough, I genuinely put my all into it, even putting on a self-harm show, so it deserves some consideration. It’s not like I chose the [3. Run away] option of my own will.
Kaint was still listening to me with a cold face. I’d forgotten because he always smiled gently, but his eyes are quite fierce, making him look quite intimidating when expressionless.
Hexion is big and taciturn but not scary, giving the impression of a wall or pillar, but this one is like a sharply honed blade.
He won’t try to cut me himself, but the sense that touching him would definitely cut you makes it more so.
“Divine Master.”
Kaint, who had been listening to me, spoke again.
“You’ve chosen the wrong person for your explanation. Such words should be directed to your guardian knight.”
“I’ve already spoken to Hexion. But it seems the admiral misunderstands me as a traitor.”
“….”
“If you still think I’m a traitor after hearing my story, then there’s nothing I can do.”
“Regardless of the reason, the fact remains that you betrayed your guardian knight.”
He truly was an uncompromising, knife-like person. He was only being polite because I was the Divine Master; if I were a civilian, he would have probably splashed tea on me and left immediately.
“Divine Master. Not only the priests and holy knights of the temple but also the citizens of the Holy City adore and admire you. I believe it is the virtue of one in your position to live up to those expectations. So rather than words, through actions…”
“What about you, Admiral?”
When I cut him off with my question, a look of puzzlement appeared on Kaint’s face.
“You just said the citizens of the Holy City adore and admire me. Are you included in that?”
“….”
Kaint’s lips pressed tightly together.
In the second playthrough, Kaint had no hesitation in saying he adored me even when his affection was at 0. That means he had gratitude and respect for his savior, even if he had no romantic feelings.
But now, Kaint seemed different.
“Is the position of one person important?”
“It is important. Because I want to know Kaint’s heart.”
His eyebrow twitched again when I called his name.
“I do not trust you.”
A tiny needle seemed to pierce my heart.
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