Chapter 20: Imperial Palace Invitation

The temple of the capital boasts vast grounds.

Yet visitors must turn back without seeing even half the area. In contrast, an ordinary priest can view about 80%, while the remaining 20% is restricted to a select few.

For instance, the cloister where Rupert, the current Holy Knight Commander, rested. Though outwardly unremarkable, it led to the Pope's quarters.

Thus, Rupert and the Pope chatting while gazing at the lake was a familiar sight.

"Your Holiness."

"What?"

"Aren't you going to do anything?"

"When you phrase it like that, I don't understand."

Rupert scratched the back of his head. Then he frowned at the innocent lake.

"I've never seen or heard of a baptismal name holder roaming freely like this. Why aren't you taking action?"

"Shouldn't you have stopped him from leaving in the first place, Commander?"

"How was I supposed to stop that bastard? How could someone who's just good with a sword prevent something like that..."

Rupert grumbled, recalling the day Harte deserted the Holy Knight Order.

"That bastard was dead serious... He looked ready to force his way out no matter what."

Though Rupert held a high position, he didn't possess a baptismal name.

Yet a walking miracle had left of his own accord. He had no idea how to handle such a situation.

"A dragon was killed recently. By none other than that Harte."

"Impressive, as expected."

"Is this the time to be calmly admiring...?"

"Well, I don't have a baptismal name[1] either, you know?"

"You don't need one to...!!! Ah, forget it... Phew!"

Rupert couldn't understand the Pope, who seemed utterly unconcerned. He'd always been an incomprehensible man, but he was exceptionally lenient about this particular matter.

Perhaps there was some understanding between inhuman beings.

It was truly perplexing behavior.

"What's your real motive? Except for extremely rare occasions, baptismal names have never left the temple, even during wars. Things should be in uproar by now, but it's so quiet it's scary."

"You're right, it is unusual, isn't it?"

"Unusual is an understatement. The temple was supposed to decide on a punishment, but nothing's been decided at all."

Rupert, who had been glaring at the lake, turned to face the Pope directly.

"I need to decide my position too. Tell me how you view Harte."

"Hmm."

The Pope stroked his chin. His answer came shortly after.

"Maybe something like... barely safe?"

"What's that supposed to mean..."

"Actually, we can't punish someone with a baptismal name carelessly. So... to use an analogy, it's like we can't cut off the right arm just because it's paralyzed."

"Whose right arm are we talking about, by the way?"

"The Lord's, of course."

Possessing a baptismal name means being granted a portion of divine power. They have the right to break the laws of the world. This is proof of monopolizing the Lord's favor.

"No matter how strict the temple's rules are, well... it would be like a believer striking the Lord. It's troublesome."

"Are you giving up on taking action?"

"Rather than that... to be honest, the gravity of the situation feels unexpectedly light."

"What?"

"He'll likely refrain from acting recklessly to avoid provoking us... Also, Commander, you don't have a baptismal name so you wouldn't know, but those who do generally understand the 'line' they absolutely can't cross."

In conclusion, it meant Harte's deviation would be overlooked.

For some reason Rupert couldn't understand.

"If we were to truly punish him, it would be for crossing that line. So my conclusion is that it's barely safe."

"What's barely safe?"

A woman's voice intruded on the two men's conversation. Turning to look at her approach, the Pope smiled gently.

"Ah, Holy Maiden. Welcome. We were just talking about your bodyguard."

"Your Holiness was?"

"Well, it seems your bodyguard is adapting too well to the outside world."

"Ah..."

As the Holy Maiden showed a complex reaction, Rupert bluntly delivered old news with an indifferent face.

"Holy Maiden, did you know? That bastard Harte got married."

"What?"

"He stirred things up in Luminel and ended up ensnaring a duke's daughter. Maybe he's weak against women... They sure hooked him good."

Momentarily stunned, the Holy Maiden soon regained her composure and showed her usual clear smile.

"...That's cause for celebration, isn't it?"

"Of course, from a human perspective~."

The Holy Maiden nodded at the Pope's casual, gentle affirmation.

"I suppose... I'll have a chance to bless them soon."

---

---

After returning to the orphanage from the border.

The orphanage was always peaceful, but a subtle change had occurred unlike before.

"It's good we came back by train, right? It was so fun riding for the first time."

"It was surprisingly refreshing."

"I feel like I could ride it every day... How nice it must be for the railroad workers!"

These were Glen, Yulian, and Tina's impressions, in order. The three were chatting in a small single room dubbed the playroom.

As I passed by, Tina would often notice my footsteps and scurry over. Then she'd gift me a bright smile and trail beside me.

"Dad, is that laundry? Can I help?"

"My dear, I'm not so pathetic as to let my daughter's hands touch cold water."

"But I want to be with you... Can't I?"

Tina showed deep disappointment.

Meanwhile, the reason for her disappointment is so pure that I feel like I'm achieving enlightenment.

'What is this? An angel?'

It's surprising enough to suddenly have a daughter, but I never expected to hear such adorable cuteness in my life.

'Our child has changed.'

Lately, Tina has become dangerously heart-melting. She was cute from our first meeting, but recently she's reached a level where it's difficult to even find words to describe it.

Indeed.

The biggest change since returning from the border was this transformation in Tina.

"Tina."

"Yes?"

"May I hug you?"

"Yes, please!"

I set down the laundry basket and lifted Tina up with all my might.

Our child, floating in mid-air at eye level, seemed so precious I could put her in my eyes without pain.

As our eyes met for a while, Tina suddenly stretched out her neck.

Smooch!

Her tiny lips briefly stamped my cheek.

Who knew such an unexpected peck on the cheek could be so blissful? Indeed, Tina was a child who seemed sculpted from the very idea of daughter-ness.

"Hehe... It's the exact same spot where Mom kissed you."

"What am I going to do with you... Tina."

She seems to vividly remember the incident in the carriage heading to the border. S~eaʀᴄh the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

If only she hadn't said that.

Thanks to it, the sensation of Elphisia's lingering kiss revived, and a wave of guilt washed over me.

While I was tormented by inner conflict, Tina tilted her head.

"Can't you do it for me too, Dad?"

"Me too?"

"Yes!"

Tina noded vigorously. Her braided pigtails sway in time with the movement.

I clear my throat, trying to maintain some semblance of dignity.

"Ahem, if my daughter wishes..."

Receiving such a request makes me feel our father-daughter relationship has progressed. This too was a blessing to celebrate.

So, just as Tina had done, I brought my lips to her cheek... or tried to.

"What do you think you're doing?"

Until Elphisia glared at me with strange eyes.

"Uh... a kiss?"

"A kiss... you say?"

But Elphisia's reaction was odd.

She stared at me with bewildered eyes, her tone tinged with what sounded like resentment.

It was hard to understand.

'I'd rather she looked at me with contempt...'

Though an adopted daughter, she's ten years old, so it might come across as creepy. Especially for a noblewoman raised conservatively like Elphisia, she might judge it as excessive doting.

But looking at her now, that doesn't seem to be the case.

"Hmm."

Tina looked back and forth between me and Elphisia, shaking her head. Then, as if she'd discovered some great truth, she clapped her hands and jumped down to the floor.

"Dad, did you kiss Mom today?"

"What...! Tina?"

"Did you? Didn't you?"

"No, well, I... didn't..."

As soon as she heard my deflated voice, Tina narrowed her eyes and grabbed my hand. Then she forcibly joined it with Elphisia's and puffed out her chest proudly.

"Then what are you doing! You've made Mom upset!"

"Wh-what?! Who said I was upset with anyone!"

"I read in a book that dads and moms always give morning kisses when they wake up. But wait..."

The innocent Tina then posed a question far too cruel for us.

"Why don't Mom and Dad share a room?"

"...Tina?"

"Wh-what...!?"

"You kissed in the carriage, so aren't you on good terms? Did you fight? Mom pulled Dad's hair before, remember?"

"Urgh...!"

Elphisia groaned, pummeled by this one-sided verbal assault.

Tina nodded to herself, recalling even the one-sided violence from when the contract marriage began. From Tina's perspective, unaware of the details, it was a conclusion that made perfect sense.

"Dad. Glen, Yulian, and I will do the laundry well. So from now on, you should love each other in the same room, not separate ones!"

"..."

"..."

Elphisia and I were dumbfounded, losing our ability to speak. Meanwhile, our daughter was faithfully fulfilling her role as a marriage mediator, dragging the married couple into the same room.

When I closed my eyes and opened them again, the location had changed. It happened so suddenly that I felt as if I was hallucinating.

"Have a cozy time together. Dad, Mom!"

Swoosh.

Tina, who had forcibly confined us, closed the door. No, to be precise, she left a crack as thin as a hair to secretly observe us.

Does she really believe we can't notice that? This adorable misunderstanding is enough to bring tears to my eyes.

"Haah! I guess there's no helping it?"

"...Huh? Harte, you..."

I took a step towards Elphisia. And for each step I took forward, Elphisia took one step back. During this ridiculous farce, I lowered my voice as much as possible and whispered:

"Tina is watching."

"S-so what...!"

"I'll finish quickly. I know you don't want to, but I'd appreciate your cooperation, Elphisia."

The back-and-forth dance soon came to an end. Given the small size of the room, there was only a bed behind Elphisia.

Elphisia stumbled, her knees giving way. Thus, the scene of her body collapsing onto the bed was complete.

"Ah... Ahh..."

Elphisia's eyes lost focus, overwhelmed with bewilderment. Seeing her so pitiful and helpless, I hastily added an explanation.

"Calm down, Elphisia. I'll just pretend adequately. We definitely won't touch."

"Huh...? Why...?"

"Why? Well... because you'd hate it. Right?"

"Y-yes! Of course. Of course, but..."

Somehow, Elphisia's face looked like she might burst into tears at any moment.

"Ugh... since she's watching... we have no choice, right...? It's all, all because of the contract..."

"Con-contract? At a time like this?"

"You said it yourself... to always prioritize the children. And... I emphasized the duties of a married couple. So what I mean is... take full responsibility and be properly grateful!"

"Elphisia... you...!"

What tremendous resolve.

Indeed, Elphisia was a woman who valued promises as highly as faith. Hearing her tearful words, I felt a surge of affection for her once again.

"Where should I do it? Choose the least unpleasant spot."

"Anywhere is fine... I guess. We are married on paper after all, so... l-l-lips... would be okay too..."

"Lips, you say..."

"To avoid controversy... well, the cheek might be good too..."

This time, it was my turn to rub my face dry.

Elphisia had already steeled herself to sacrifice, but I felt too honored to accept her goodwill.

However, she, a noble lady, had mustered this much courage. Not repaying that courage would make me less than a man, less than a husband.

"H-here I come, Elphisia."

"Sniff... come on then...!"

Lips and lips slowly close the distance. I advance very slowly towards the red flesh perfectly sculpted like a work of art.

Elphisia's breath feels enchanting at close range. Perhaps that's why a tingling temptation kept threatening my purity.

Just as the distance between us was about to reach zero.

"Director!!!"

"Ack!"

"Eek!?"

Yulian and Glen suddenly came thundering down the hallway towards us.

Consequently, our efforts were inevitably ruined, and I ended up landing unceremoniously on my backside.

"Ugh, it was such an important moment..."

"That's not what's important!"

"Do you even know what you're talking about!"

Tina openly scolded the two boys.

This makes it awkward to pretend we didn't notice...

In any case, it was rare for the boys to run unnecessarily down the hallway.

There must have been a reason compelling enough to discard manners.

"Haah... Kids, what's the matter?"

As I moved towards the children gathered outside the door, Yulian handed over an envelope containing a letter.

"Mail just arrived... with the temple's seal on it."

I roughly tore open the seal and read the contents.

Excluding extraneous details, the content was concise enough to summarize in a single sentence.

[...... Therefore, we order Sir Harte to attend the royal palace ball on Founding Day.]

[P.S. The Commander is quite angry. And the Holy Maiden sends her congratulations on your marriage. Of course, I do too.]

'... His Holiness wrote this letter personally?'

I became extremely confused.

I had expected a series of stern warnings, but every sentence was far too carefree.

Of course... the content itself wasn't carefree, but still.

'Is this my karmic retribution...'

Crumple!

The Pope's letter was crumpled haphazardly. Not because I hated him, but because I was too distraught.

Enduring my dizziness, I turned my gaze to Elphisia.

She had buried her face in her knees, wallowing in solitary shame.

... I don't understand. Any of the situations given to me.

---

[1. raei: uhm, in chapter 4, it is said from Yulian's perspective that the Pope is the only known name holder... i've triple checked the raws. Everything looks right from both chapters so... scratch that? I guess?]