CH 28

Eden responded to Celestina’s comment with a heavy sigh. 

“Everyone is worried about the saint.”

“I know, but they’re worried about Saint Celestina, not me.”

A sad smile tugged at the corners of her mouth as she clutched the warm mug of tea.

It was hard for Eden to deny her words because she was right. 

After a heavy silence, Celestina smiled reassuringly.

“I’m sorry, I was being unnecessarily rude to Lord Eden.”

“No. If I’m of any use to the saint, that’s all that matters.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

His answer was unwavering and straightforward, and Celestina put her lips to the teacup with a look of satisfaction.

Sip.

Celestina closed her eyes and hummed as the warm tea flowed down her throat.

“I truly enjoy your tea, Lord Eden, and I hope you will continue to make it for me.”

With that, she blinked open her eyes to see Eden’s reaction.

Once again, Eden merely nodded meekly. 

“As long as I’m guarding the saint, of course.”

“That’s right, Eden, you are my shield and my sword.”

“Right.”

Celestina smiled to herself. 

Anyone else in the temple would have blushed at Celestina’s words. She was beautiful, and she was the most powerful saint ever.

But Eden was different. A knight at heart. An attitude of only doing his duty.

A steadfast loyalty that would never cross the line, and that satisfied Celestina. 

~ Translations by Lurelia | Editing by Valpal | Read only at moonlightnovels.com ~

“More than that, the reason I’m here late at night….” Setting down her half-empty teacup, Celestina looked at Eden and continued, “I was told by the High Priest that you traveled to the Duchy of Mercedes today to investigate the alleged attempted poisoning of the emperor.”

Eden flinched slightly at the words, his mouth tightening. A faint hint of discomfort formed in his blue eyes. 

Celestina, sensing the emotion, gave Eden a pitying look.

“It’s been seven years now since I became a saint by divine revelation, and I’ve not even seen him once.”

It was true. Cardien had never attended a single event at the temple. Of course, the temple hadn’t bothered to invite him either.

“But I’ve heard tales of him often, that he denies the Goddess and is hostile to the temple.”

Her snow-white lashes fell heavily. They cast a deep shadow over her neat face, which resembled a lily of the valley.

“On top of that, he’s at odds with Lord Eden, which must have been very difficult for you.”

“…….No.”

“What was he like?”

Eden’s fine brow narrowed slightly at Celestina’s question. Celestina knew instinctively that he was thinking of the Duke of Mercedes now.

After a moment of silence, Eden’s lips parted quietly.

“He is…… an odd one indeed. Rude, arrogant, and…… a solitary one.”

“I see. What a pity.”

A rueful smile tugged at the corners of Celestina’s mouth. When the mood subsided, Celestina quickly changed the subject.

“By the way, have any women caught Lord Eden’s eye yet?” 

“What?”

Eden stared at Celestina in surprise at the sudden question.

Celestina laughed a small, mischievous laugh, then replied with a relaxed face.

“Lord Eden, you’re of marriageable age.”

“……..”

Eden’s gaze lowered slightly. Eden’s age this year was twenty-six.  A bit past the age of marriage.

“……. That’s right.”

Eden replied dryly.

It was a long time ago that priests and paladins were not allowed to marry.  Nowadays, even priests and paladins could marry and have children.

In addition, Eden also holds the title of Marquis. It was not uncommon for marriage proposals to arrive at his doorstep.

Eden, unbeknownst to him, was currently the most sought-after groom in the empire.

It was almost too obvious. 

Not only is he the commander of the First Order of the Holy Knights, but he is also the next in line for a Ducal title, as well as being strong and, above all, very handsome.

Of course, when it comes to beauty and titles, Cardien is far superior, but not only does he have a son who has already been declared his heir, he is also publicly rumored to be suffering from madness.

No one wants to be his wife. 

So, it’s no wonder that any woman would set her sights on Eden Aquilium. 

Though Eden, being blind to these social nuances, merely assumed that the marriage market was active these days.

“What about you? Have you seen any ladies that caught your eye? I mean, any that you’re interested in.”

Eden pressed his lips together at Celestina’s cryptic question. Celestina had often asked this question before.

Each time, Eden had simply replied with a stone-faced ‘no’.

No wonder. Women flirted with him all over the place, but his job was to protect the saint, to protect Saint Celestina.

He had little time for women. 

But……. 

Celestina continued pressing. “If there’s a girl you’re interested in, send her to…….”

And finally, Eden’s lips, which had been closed for longer than usual, slowly moved.

Celestina watched the cautious movement in silence. Finally, with a squeeze of Eden’s hand on his thigh, he replied.

“I think I have.”

“You think?” Celestina repeated, surprised, as if she hadn’t expected it at all.

Eden, who hadn’t noticed the change in Celestina, nodded slowly.

“It’s not a rational feeling. It just sticks in my mind…”

“……I see.”

Celestina replied quietly, her voice low. After a moment of fiddling with the cooled teacup, she suddenly smiled.

“The lady who stole Lord Eden’s attention. I am so curious to know what kind of person she is. Can you at least share with me her name?”

The question made Eden flinch like a stoned frog.  After looking at her strangely, Eden replied with a slightly depressed look on his face.

“……I can’t.”

“Huh?”

“I asked, but I never got the answer. She didn’t tell me.”

“I beg your pardon?”

Celestina’s eyes widened.

She couldn’t believe it, and neither could he, Eden Aquilium. The most powerful man in the empire asked for her name, and she refused. 

Celestina’s confusion aside, Eden’s face darkened as he recalled their exchange earlier in the day.

‘Would you mind telling me your name?’

Never in his life had he ever asked a woman for her name first, so Eden was nervous. 

But at the same time, he didn’t think she would refuse his request. The answer that came back completely shattered his expectations.

‘I was only doing what I was supposed to do as a tutor for the Mercedes family, so you don’t have to repay me for my favor.’

Which is why her rejection stung all the more. 

Her refusal was both polite and firm, and Eden could not bring himself to ask her to give him her name again.

In the end, Eden didn’t ask for her name out of any selfishness.

He just wanted to know her name because he thought she was amazing for taking control of the situation. 

But Eden never thought she’d say no……. 

By now, Eden was lost in his thoughts of the Mercedes tutor with Celestina in front of him.

~ Translations by Lurelia | Editing by Valpal | Read only at moonlightnovels.com ~

Celestina, who had been staring at Eden inscrutably, suddenly smiled and said.

“Don’t be so despondent, my lord, for you will have another chance to meet her.”

“……?”

“There is a baptismal ceremony soon.”

“Ah.”

“I’m sure you’ll see each other again, too……” Celestina trailed off, but soon smiled as brightly as the sun. “I’d really like to see her, as well.” 

“……….”

Celestina’s words stopped Eden in the middle of his thoughts. She stood up abruptly from her seat. Eden stood up after her.

“I’m glad I came today, after hearing Lord Eden’s tales of her.”

“Saint…… I didn’t really mean that.”

Eden’s face flushed with embarrassment at Celestina’s antics.

Then Celestina laughed fondly.

“Hehe, I’m just kidding. I’ll leave you to it, then. Good night, my lord.”

“I hope you have a peaceful night as well, Saint Celestina.”

“Thank you.”

After exchanging friendly greetings, Celestina left Eden’s room.

Thud. 

As the door closed behind her, a thick darkness fell over the corridor.

And then. 

“……..”

With her back to the closed door, Celestina glanced back at Eden’s room expressionlessly, then poked her head through the darkness and slowly crossed the corridor.