Chapter 51
Chapter 4 – The End of Twisted Desire
Most people imagine temples as places of quiet, stillness, and peace. However, temples are also the places people visit most when they have worries or wishes, and they serve as resting places for pilgrims traveling across the continent. While one can certainly find quiet solitude for prayer, temples are also places where, if one chooses, news travels the fastest.
[That night, a passion bloomed beneath the glittering chandeliers of the Imperial Palace. What did the newly appointed Duke do in Her Highness’s chambers until dawn…?]
Is this an er0tic novel or a newspaper article? I shook my head and folded the paper. The tendency of reporters to exaggerate the smallest details seems to be universal. The sensational headline and article contained exactly the kind of gossip that would entice people at this time.
The problem is…
“Why am I being dragged into this…?”
The article explained that Seikan had long held feelings for Her Highness, but she had too many admirers. It claimed he used my name at the promotion ceremony as a way to gain access to her. Should I be grateful they didn’t reveal my name and instead wrote, ‘a trainee priest of the Grand Temple, Miss so-and-so’? What does it matter? My name was already announced in front of everyone. I tapped my finger on the phrase, ‘a trainee priest of the Grand Temple, Miss so-and-so.’
Although the article was incredibly provocative, it probably wasn’t entirely fabricated. It seems true that Seikan entered Hestia’s room, but…what did they talk about privately? Seikan said he had no personal feelings for Her Highness. Did he go to her now, seeking comfort for his wounded heart after I rejected him…?
“Is that really what happened?”
Hestia isn’t the type to accept such advances. But then again, it’s just as unbelievable that they would do such a thing to me. Hestia was angry with me, and Seikan felt rejected because of me, so somehow they ended up…
Hestia must know I’ve returned to the Grand Temple. It’s strange that she’s been so quiet.
The more I thought about it, the more I was drawn into this tabloid fiction. But what is this uneasy feeling that lingers?
I shook my head to clear my thoughts and closed the newspaper. As I left the room, the two knights waiting outside quickly followed.
“Have you finished? Are you going to the High Priest’s study again today?”
“Today, I’ll stop by the library first, then go to the High Priest’s study. My departure is imminent, so I need to pick up the pace.”
“I see. Well, I… Never mind. Please, go ahead.”
The way one of the knights hesitated, as if about to say something, made me tilt my head in confusion. What was it?
When I stared directly at him, he avoided my gaze like a puppy about to relieve himself. The other knight standing beside him had a similar expression.
Seeing their discomfort, I pretended not to notice and headed towards the library.
As soon as I retrieved the necessary books and stepped back outside, the knights, who had been whispering anxiously, startled. They hadn’t expected me to come out so quickly.
“P-please, go ahead.”
“…Knights.”
“Yes?”
“Do you have something to say to me?”
When I spoke directly, the handsome knights’ faces stiffened.
Exchanging glances, they finally nodded.
“Excuse me, but…”
Excuse me, but?
“It’s… We know this is against protocol, but…”
“What is it? Why are you hesitating so much?”
Despite my urging, they continued to hesitate. Finally, the taller knight, with a look of resolve, closed his eyes and bowed deeply.
“Would you please speak to Her Highness and ask her to reconsider the dismissal of the newly appointed Knight Grion?”
“What?”
Who is Knight Grion?
As I blinked in confusion, the knights looked at me with a mixture of resentment and pleading.
“Knight Grion… he was knighted this year, a new member of the Royal Knights.”
“Ah… I see.”
“He struggled for years, unable to receive his knighthood, finally achieving his dream this year.”
Their slowing speech felt ominous.
“And he told everyone how honored he was to be assigned to Her Highness’s personal guard. He’s a naive and passionate young man.”
“Is… that so?”
Bragging about their friend? Why to me?
“However, he made a mistake while escorting Her Highness to the temple the other day, and Her Highness immediately dismissed him.”
I bit the inside of my cheek.
Oh. It was about that knight. The young-looking one I noticed during my escape.
“He failed to properly perform his assigned duties, so it’s understandable that Her Highness was angered, but…”
“.…”
“He worked so hard for years to finally achieve his dream. He’s also an only son, carrying the weight of his family’s expectations. His parents are at the age where they are preparing for retirement.”
The knight’s words weighed heavily on my shoulders.
Hestia… you were really that angry with me.
“We implore you.”
As he spoke, the knight’s eyes reddened, his voice thick with emotion. He then composed himself and bowed to me again.
“P-please rise.”
It’s a sad story. However, it’s not my place to interfere. How dare I question the Imperial authority on personnel matters?
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