For Sale: Male Lead, Obsession Included - Chapter 44

As soon as the small silence fell, the priests’ gazes all simultaneously fixed on me.

“Worshiper, please call out the name of the priest you are looking for.”

The priests, who had knelt at the sight of Kyte, stood up and neatly clasped their hands together. Their obedient posture, waiting to be chosen, made nausea rise in my throat. What kind of doctrine did they use to brainwash them like this?

“…I’m looking for a priest named Ariel.”

“Novice Priest Ariel, come forward.”

At Kyte’s call, a young man standing at the front of the prayer room cautiously stepped forward.

If there were such a thing as ‘goodness’ incarnate, it would have a face like his. Ariel was a man whose very presence radiated warmth, and he stood before me.

***

“Shall we have a chat over tea?”

The sound of tea being poured quietly filled the reception room as Kyte personally served us.

“Thank you.”

Ariel received the teacup as if it were holy water, cradling it respectfully.

“…”

In the original story, Ariel was nothing more than a poor worshiper, exploited by Kyte.

He was so kind-hearted and straightforward to the point of being foolish, and because of that, he couldn’t oppose Kyte whenever Kyte claimed it was all for the sake of God. Ariel, dragged around without protest, was a frustrating character.

However, his faith in God was as strong as his naivety, making him a powerful character with divine power second only to the pope and the saintess.

Moreover, since Ariel wasn’t one of the main characters, he wasn’t deeply involved in the original plot, and given his abilities, I had long marked him as a would-be ally.

Just as I had expected though, Ariel’s gaze toward me was filled with hostility.

As someone who resented the nobles of this era for treating priests like commodities, it was no wonder that I, who had thrown down a thousand gold and selected a priest as if I were shopping, didn’t sit well with him.

‘A man who isn’t blinded by money.’

I liked this guy quite a lot.

“I would like you to accompany me on my travels, Priest Ariel.”

Perhaps because of his devout nature, it wasn’t easy to hire him. Even though I would be paying his salary, as well as covering all his food and other expenses, Ariel’s reluctance stemmed from the fact that he couldn’t train in service to God during that time.

Without even touching his tea, Ariel simply shook his head. Sitting straight with a calm demeanor, he continued speaking politely, as refined as a lady from a noble family.

“Not for a few weeks, but for years… I apologize, dear worshiper. Perhaps you could find a more capable priest than me.”

Even his humility was to my liking.

Since traveling with a different priest wasn’t part of my plan from the start, I became all the more determined to push forward.

“Even though I plan to visit the Holy Kingdom?”

“…”

For the first time, Ariel’s composed breathing faltered. His mouth, which had been consistently refusing, closed for the first time.

As expected, his devout faith made him waver at the mention of the Holy Kingdom.

“…The Holy Kingdom, you say?”

When Ariel’s beautiful golden eyes glimmered with interest, Kyte, who was sitting beside me, let out a faint chuckle.

It was so quiet that it didn’t reach Ariel, who was sitting across from us.

‘Typical.’

I cast a side glance at Kyte, who was cleverly hiding a mocking smile behind his teacup, and refocused on Ariel. I wanted to convince him as soon as possible and get away from this sinister man.

“Yes. I’ve always wanted to visit the Holy Kingdom, where the miracles of the Angel Natasia can be seen.”

Ariel’s eyes searched mine, as if trying to discern any deceit.

To meet his expectations, I offered a soft, sincere smile and clasped my hands together.

“Let’s go see Angel Natasia together, shall we?”

“…But—”

“In the Holy Kingdom, you can do everything you wish, Ariel. Whether it’s prayer or training.”

His blind devotion to the angel didn’t seem to be false, as he stared at the ceiling, mesmerized, before nodding slowly.

When I glanced up at the ceiling, I noticed a painting of Angel Natasia.

“You said you’re leaving tomorrow, Miss?”

“Yes, there’s an urgent matter I need to attend to.”

Although the fact that I was leaving so soon could have troubled him, Ariel merely gave a calm farewell.

Watching Ariel’s always tranquil and composed demeanor somehow made me feel at peace.

As we exchanged smiles, Kyte gestured to someone with his pale hand.

Then, as if they had materialized out of nowhere, an attendant emerged from behind a pillar.

“I’ll assist you with your confidentiality agreement and employment contract with Novice Priest Ariel.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, I shot up from my seat and left the room. I couldn’t stand to be in the same space as that sinister man for another second.

It was no mere coincidence that I stopped my brisk steps and turned around to glance back.

It was because I could feel Kyte’s gaze burning into the back of my head.

His half-closed, jet-black eyes glinted dangerously, and he was biting his lips, smiling.

…This was the look Kyte always had when something piqued his interest—a dangerous sign.

As the door slowly closed between us, I locked eyes with him and desperately prayed that the boy had completed his errand.