Chapter 52
A holy knight who had abandoned the Spencer ducal name to enter the temple.
His holy power was insignificant, and his skill with the sword was merely average. Were it not for his unusual background and astonishing face, he would have been an utterly unremarkable man—if not a disappointing one.
“From the very beginning, he drew far too much attention.”
They had heard that he resembled his father, who had supposedly been famed for his looks.
But no one had imagined he would be that beautiful.
Even within the Order, where they were taught not to be swayed by outward appearances, Felix’s arrival had caused tremendous upheaval.
His beauty was simply beyond description.
“But hasn’t he lived quietly all this time?”
“Perhaps he simply no longer wishes to.”
What if Felix harbored ambitions of his own? What if he intended to seduce Abel in order to achieve something?
It was entirely plausible.
“Hasn’t he spent his entire life keeping his head down?”
From the moment he was born, political circumstances had condemned him to the lowest and most miserable position imaginable.
If the man who had spent his entire life being trampled underfoot finally resolved to overturn everything in his desperation…
And Felix possessed a face capable of making that possible.
With that face, he had succeeded in captivating even the Herald of God.
Yet even that theory had its flaws.
“For someone with such ambitions, he doesn’t act very proactively.”
The rumors that Abel was the one unilaterally pursuing Felix, and what people actually witnessed with their own eyes.
“Could that not be intentional?”
“I’ve heard similar things from the clergy who serve at Lord Abel’s side. They say Lord Abel is always the one who makes the first move.”
When rumors spread that Abel was in love with Felix, and that he could be somewhat forceful in his affections, most people paid little attention to the latter.
After all, he was receiving Lord Abel’s love. To most, something like that hardly seemed worth worrying about.
Everyone assumed Felix would be overwhelmed with gratitude and accept Abel’s feelings. But that wasn’t the case.
“How could anyone refuse Lord Abel?”
“But if he accepted him, wouldn’t that create its own problems?”
“That’s true…”
“Perhaps he refuses because he knows his own place and doesn’t believe himself worthy of Lord Abel.”
The two of them never looked like lovers.
It was always Abel who took the initiative, while Felix merely obeyed his commands as though he had no other choice.
“And Lord Abel is certainly… rather clumsy.”
Abel’s love was entirely one-sided, while Felix occupied a position where rejecting the Herald of God was no simple matter.
Throughout the time they spent together, Abel’s eyes were always on Felix, his attention constantly drawn to him.
Felix, on the other hand, wore only a faint smile, avoiding speaking first or approaching Abel whenever he could.
And then there were those moments when the color would drain from Felix’s face.
To the priests watching, it was obvious which way the balance of their feelings leaned.
“Though, of course, who knows what they’re like when they’re alone.”
“True enough. No one can know everything unless they’re one of the people involved.”
“And what about the banquet? Didn’t Sir Felix take hold of Lord Abel’s hand and change his mind?”
Yet even so, Abel possessed everything, while the only thing Felix truly possessed was his face.
For that reason, it was difficult to completely dismiss their suspicions of Felix.
“What if Lord Abel and Sir Felix have joined hands because each wants something from the other?”
“Wouldn’t that be the worst possible outcome for His Eminence?”
Even after exchanging similar arguments several more times, the two priests ultimately reached no conclusion.
There simply wasn’t enough evidence yet.
“It seems the Order will be in turmoil for quite some time.”
“His Eminence will surely be keeping a close eye on Lord Abel as well.”
The two men met each other’s eyes and let out quiet sighs.
Though they considered themselves largely neutral, they had nevertheless placed one foot within Pope Gregory’s faction.
Like everyone else, they would have to watch what unfolded carefully before deciding where their loyalties should ultimately lie.
And so, even after the prayer gathering had ended, most of the clergy found themselves unable to wholeheartedly celebrate the Empire’s failure to gain the upper hand.
Discussion
0 CommentsNo comments yet.