CH 170

“You should go. It’s necessary. If you don’t want to go alone, maybe I could come with? I could be your personal divine object.” I suggested.

“You left the palace because you were worried about bad rumors, but you’re going to go to war with me?”

He wasn’t criticizing me. He was just curious. I also knew it didn’t make sense, but I couldn’t say that it was because of Eris, so I came up with another solution.

“I could volunteer as a soldier.”

“Never,” he said. “I won’t send you to war when you hate blood.”

“Why? I can just stay in the barracks. Isn’t that possible as a soldier? Then I’ll go as your aide. How about your advisor?”

I already remembered most of the details in the original novel about the war. It wasn’t too detailed, but I recalled the dangerous tactic from Lucretia and the king’s naïve reactions.

“Never.”

Becoming a staff was a serious suggestion. At Ridrian’s refusal, my brows furrowed. Ridrian looked like he could eat me, like I was too cute.

I really can’t handle him looking at me with that handsome face. I felt like I might have a heart attack, but I held in. Honestly, this was a new way of bullying.

“Make me something I can take instead.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Something you can take?”

“Ah, it seems like women made something for men at the hunting tournament.” He turned away in embarrassment.

It was a little cute, and I couldn’t help smiling. Even then, I felt a twinge of sadness.

“I’m so bad at making things, even Lina gave up,” I said. “Is that ok?”

“Yes.”

“The doll I make for you might look cursed.”

“A curse from you. I like that.”

I just said it might look cursed. Why was he distorting my words? He smiled at me, and my heart raced again. I blushed, certain that I would never get used to this sweetness.

“Then I’ll make something.”

“Okay, I’ll be waiting for it.” He kissed my forehead. “When the war is over, let’s go to Lefta Island together. I think it’ll be good to rest at Catalaif for about a month.”

“I think so, too.”

There would be two months overlapping after the war. Wouldn’t it be over by that point, whether it be a happy ending or a destruction? And hopefully, it ended well, and resting at the warm Lefta Island would be good.

Wait, but would the two of us be the only ones going?

My imagination bounced around randomly. It felt like Ridrian wouldn’t want to take anyone else. Honestly, that was what I wanted as well.

Was it just me, or was it suddenly getting warmer?

“Don’t you think it’s too hot? Should we go in?”

The day was pretty hot. It wasn’t just because of what I was thinking. I thought about going to the room with the ice magic stones, and I suggested it, but he grabbed my waist.

“You trying to run? I’m not hot at all.”

“I—I’m not running! Just a little hot…”

“Iona!”

The terrace door burst open just then. and Eris jumped out. I pushed Ridrian aside in surprise and shot to my feet. I don’t know if Eris had seen us or not but she seemed angry. She marched over and grabbed my hand.

“Come in,” she said. “This wall window!”

“Huh? What’s wrong?”

I looked around, trying to see what was happening this late at night. Butler Roban could be seen looking for me.

“Ah, Master.”

“Roban, what’s wrong?”

He hesitated for a bit, then continued.

“The crusaders from the Terrace Central Temple are here to pick you up.”

The entire dining room went silent.

“What…?”

There were about twenty crusaders standing in two columns as I stepped out of the mansion. Soldiers waiting for their captain to step out, all wearing silver helmets were lined up. The palace knights looked alarmed.

“Just what is going on?” I asked in surprise.

Someone took a step forward. Dylan. It must have been he who let them in the front door. Since he was my guard, the palace knights couldn’t stop him.

He bowed, greeting me almost religiously. Before I could say anything, Dylan started talking, and I found myself growing terrified.

“Theres’s first sword, Dylan Lyn Fortis. Here to escort Saintess. Even though it may not be enough, I’ve called some guards to escort you to the Central Temple.”

“What? Saintess? Central temple? W-wait.”

I could feel myself growing flustered. Ridrian stepped forward, his teeth gritted. “What do you think you’re doing?” he demanded.

Dylan glanced at Ridrian and bowed without really showing much. “I apologize for not being able to notify you, as we were on the clock, Your Majesty Ridrian Ferid Lebrooks. The Pope told me to notify you that this is Theres group’s business, and we have no intention to go against the Ivant Empire.”

“Even though she’s a noble in Ivant Empire?”

“We also know that half of this continent’s people are under your rule. But this doesn’t involve this world’s title.”

“Brother Dylan! What are you doing!” Ravis, who had been absent earlier, rushed outside, looking horrified.

“Brother Ravis,” Dylan replied. “The Pope has spoken. He ordered us to escort the Saintess to the central temple.”

“I heard no such thing. How rude of you! Why would the Pope call Viscount Lesprey a Saintess? On what ground?”

“I told him about the pillar of light that came out a few days ago.”

Ridrian’s eyes blazed with fury. I could sense that this could turn into a physical fight, so I decided to stop them.

“Wait a moment,” I said.

“Iona.”

“Just a moment. Everything is happening so fast, I don’t know what’s going on. I think I need a review. Dylan, can I speak to you for a moment?”

Ridrian pulled me back in surprise. I was half-hugging him, trying to calm him.

“I’m just going to talk to him,” I said. “If he tries to force something, I’ll scream. You’ll come save me, right?”

He frowned, as though he didn’t like it, but didn’t say anything, just stared at the determined look on my face.

“Make sure to scream if something goes wrong,” he finally said.

“I promise.”

I calmed Ridrian and went into the mansion with Dylan