Chapter 50
The High Priest chuckled, his arm sweeping around my shoulders to draw me closer. “It’s settled then. Everyone, Adelina has special duties at the Grand Temple for the time being. If you need her, come to my private study.”
The High Priest’s private study could only be accessed through his office. He willingly fell for my little ploy of using him as a shield.
“Isn’t it against protocol and fairness for someone not on the divine roster to enter the High Priest’s private space?” However, Clovis wasn’t one to let things slide.
The High Priest nodded benevolently at Clovis’s remark, latching onto a casual comment I had made. “Indeed. But don’t worry. I was just about to process the paperwork for updating the divine roster this morning, but His Highness the Crown Prince arrived with Adelina so early that I haven’t had a chance to stamp it yet. Ha ha.”
A surge of exhilaration clenched my fist. The High Priest, a formally ordained priest, couldn’t lie like a novice like me. If he hadn’t stamped the roster, it was true. I was still listed within the temple.
Now what do you have to say? I looked triumphantly at Clovis, who sighed in response.
“I should have just stayed and wallowed at that inn.” Clovis muttered the chilling words casually and bowed his head to the High Priest. “With the banquet and the expedition preparations, I will take my leave for today. However, I implore you not to dismiss my concern for your safety and that of the temple staff. Would you permit me to leave a few of the Royal Knights?”
It was a blatant declaration of his intent to place me under surveillance. This was the ultimate concession, one that couldn’t be refused. The High Priest, recognizing this, readily agreed.
Having secured permission, Clovis turned sharply and, for added emphasis, clapped Reynard on the shoulder as he passed. The force of it made even the large-framed Reynard flinch.
Reynard rubbed his shoulder and looked at me. “My, my. Seems His Highness noticed the mark I left.”
I took a step back, watching him grin.
“Adelina?”
I inclined my head slightly toward the bewildered Reynard. “Then, safe travels to the three of you. Count—no, Duke Seikan Ferdian, Marquis Helion Ziek, and Marquis Reynard Mason. I wish you luck.”
Even with my head bowed, I felt all three of them stiffen instantly.
“Um, Adelina? Such formalities are for official occasions. I’m not really one for such pleasantries.”
I lifted my head, meeting his gaze with the coldest expression I could muster. He clearly intended to brush it off.
Reynard finally seemed to realize something was amiss, his brow furrowing. “Adelina, you…”
“Please excuse me.”
“Lina!” Helion grabbed my wrist, but I swiftly pulled away. The violet eyes were clearly hurt by my sharp rejection.
Leaving behind a raised-eyebrowed Reynard, a wounded Helion, and Seikan, whose expression I couldn’t decipher, I strode purposefully toward the High Priest’s office. Being with you wasn’t exactly repulsive, but let’s never see each other again!
It was three days later that I heard the news: Seikan Ferdian, the former Count, now a Young Duke, had entered the Princess’s chambers at the royal palace banquet and hadn’t emerged for quite some time.
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