Outside the honored guest room, the knights were waiting for Schuden. They were somehow different wearing the Kingdom’s uniforms than when they were wearing the Knights of Garth’s uniforms. Schuden glanced at their uniforms. The Kingdom’s white armor emphasized the aesthetic aspect too much, so it looked useless on the battlefield where blood splashes, but the blue cape with a refreshing color sense was not bad.
‘That’s the blue cape she was wearing.’
Schuden, who naturally thought of Valia, gestured to the honored guest room.
“Shaun, get the cooperation from the temple and protect this room.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Shaun bowed his head. Schuden walked without hesitation and stopped for a moment in front of the young knight earlier. He spoke in passing.
“Are you Robin? You were pretty good earlier. Protect this place with Shaun.”
“Thank you! I will protect milady with all my life!”
Robin replied out loud. The knights around him laughed quietly at his overly standard answer, but he was not ashamed. This was because he was complimented by his liege. Schuden smiled.
“I look forward to a job well done.”
“Yes, Your Grace!”
Leaving Robin shouting in the proper position behind, Schuden took his moves. Valia would stay at the temple for a while. It was inappropriate to bring a woman who was not even married into his home. If she was his lover or concubine, it would not matter, but she would officially become Marchioness Garth. Any rumors had to be prevented in advance. It was not because he was afraid of rumors. But because it was more beneficial for her. It was a small consideration unworthy of gratitude.
[God is watching you.]
Suddenly her words came to mind. What it meant was clear. Certainly, this was a temple and it was very inappropriate and unholy for men and women to engage. He was really going to just fix her dress without much thought. Although she was in an alluring dress in a place that might create misunderstanding.
‘That was interesting.’
It was really refreshing because it was the first time he was declined like that. Above all, the reason she applied for the temple princess selection also bothered him. There were two reasons Schuden thought people would apply. They were either religious or bored of the world that was running like a wheel, so they applied while dreaming for deviation. However, the woman did not fall under either. In fact, Schuden still did not know exactly why she applied for the temple princess. It did not seem that she would easily tell him the reason. He had such a vague intuition.
“Your Grace.”
Schuden’s thought did not last long because the High Priest was waiting for him at the entrance with the priests. The High Priest’s face was dark with a complicated feeling. He knew what he was worried about.
‘He is worried that I won’t marry her.’
However, Schuden had already told Valia that he would marry her. Schuden contemplated for a short time. Should he keep his mouth shut until early tomorrow morning to make the High Priest anxious or should he be honest now? The conclusion was reached in a blink of an eye.
“We met just in time. High Priest, I have something to say.”
“Say it.”
He could even feel the High Priest being nervous. It was not bad as compensation for bothering him all these times. The rest would be calculated with wealth.
“You’re invited to my wedding.”
“Pardon?”
The High Priest blinked, wondering if he had heard something wrong. Schuden smirked.
“I’m saying that I will marry Lady Dean.”
∘₊✧──────✧₊∘
At the word of the Marquess, the temple was literally turned upside down. The communications area connected to the great temple in the holy nation rarely turned off and there were countless carriages with big temple signs that went in and out of the temple.
In the midst of the chaos, there was a person who stood alone.
It was Valia. There was only a little commotion on the first day. After that, Valia had nothing to do. Shaun and Robin, who protected Valia, were friendly and not awkward because she had seen them before. She was touched by the delicious meals that were served three times a day and touched again that she could take a warm bath every day. The most touching thing was that she did not have to clean up afterward.
Of course, she was not comfortable all the time, for Valia was also immersed in her thoughts. And they were all related to Schuden.
‘Why is he marrying me?’
A question like that was at least better.
‘Won’t he regret marrying me?’
That question was so scary that she could not even contemplate it even when she was alone.
When she worked at the Imperial Palace, Valia had seen the Marchioness several times. Although the Marquess loved Yeri, the Marchioness was also a beautiful woman. Her red hair was spectacular, so she stood out even from a distance. As a high-ranking noble, she dressed up in a dress with beautiful, white lace and wore a lot of flowers and jewelry on her head to suit her position.
Valia still did not know what the deal was between the temple, the Marquess, and the Imperial Family. She was someone who was directly involved, and yet she did not know why the Marquess’ bride was sought like this.
‘Let’s not interfere and spoil the mood when I don’t even know anything.’
One just might get by, if one stays quiet. It was the truth that Valia realized while working for the Imperial Family in the past. Fortunately, she was good at waiting. She also knew to hold back even when she was curious.
‘The day will come when I can ask him.
Valia, who had roughly organized her thoughts, was currently sitting in the drawing room. In front of her was none other than the High Priest. Valia, who had never seen the High Priest this close, was nervous. Unable to utter a single word, she could only blink her eyes.
“Milady.”
It was just a few minutes ago when the High Priest called Valia. Shaun was holding the fort solemnly behind her.
Actually, the High Priest wanted to have a meeting with Valia only, but the knights did not step back because of their liege’s order. At least, Robin was standing outside the door.
“I didn’t have anything else to say. But I just want to grant a blessing to you.”
“Bless…ing?”
Valia’s eyes opened slightly. It was well-known that the blessing of a priest was more precious than ten golden crates filled with diamonds. This was because the divine power of a priest was finite and numerous offerings had to be paid to even give a single blessing.’
‘Even though that is not actually true.’
The words ‘the blessing of a priest is precious’ were a kind of gimmick. One that was made by the holy nation. Ironically, the reason why this became known to the continent was because of Yeri, the woman of the oracle. She granted blessings as much as she wanted, worthy of her title as the woman chosen by God. Thanks to that, the position of the priests had narrowed down considerably.
To make matters worse, it was revealed that the holy nation lied for the protection of its credibility and competitiveness, causing a big stir. It was also at that time that a conflict broke out between the temple and the Imperial Family, which used to be externally cooperative.
‘But no one knows about that yet.’
Now it was long before Yeri appeared. A blessing was still a once-in-a-lifetime thing. In fact, Shaun had an unusually surprised expression on his face.
“However, High Priest, to grant a bless-”
“I know. The ceremony and ritual have already been completed. We have also dedicated all the offerings needed. This is a wedding gift for Lady Valia from the temple.”
Valia knew that was all a lie.
It amazed her that the High Priest, who seemed to be acting out of pure kindness, lied without batting an eye. Was he forced to lie for the competitiveness of the temple?
“I thank you on behalf of milady.”
Shaun bowed his head. A blessing was a ceremony that was worth it. Valia also hid her feelings and expressed her gratitude.
“But, High Priest, what kind of blessing are you trying to grant to me?”
“It’s a blessing that makes it easier for you to seduce your husband.”
Valia opened her eyes wide. The blessing she thought of was a kind of wishing for her physical health or for her to give birth to many children. But a blessing for her to easily seduce her husband? It was not only Valia who thought that was strange. Shaun asked the High Priest first.
“High Priest, forgive me for interrupting, but if you’re going to grant such a blessing, shouldn’t His Grace know about it?”
“If he refuses, the blessing granted to Lady Valia will disappear forever. Is that okay?”
“That’s…”
Shaun hesitated for the first time. That was because the blessing was a precious thing that could not be easily obtained even if one gave an immense sum of money. Moreover, it was a blessing from the High Priest! Shaun was one of the few people who knew Valia was going to be the Marchioness. He had a realistic concern about what if she bore a grudge of not getting the blessing. Valia was still contemplating while listening to their argument.
‘Did the Marchioness in the past also receive this?’
She could not confirm it but she could not help but be suspicious about that. Valia asked something else to buy time to think.
“My future husband… I mean, the Marquess, is he scary?”
“In a sense, he’s scary. He can mesmerize women.”
“…I see.”
The expression of the High Priest was accurate. Even Shaun, who risked his life to be loyal to his liege, could not refute that expression. Valia also agreed internally. She was almost swayed by the Marquess in that short span of time. Then, she began to worry more and more. Let’s say that she managed to seduce the Marquess and they lived well. After that, what’s next?
[Did you hear that? Marquess Garth is so into Lady Yeri.]
[Yeah, I heard about that too. I heard he even had an argument with the First Prince.]
There was no one who did not know about that because the rumor had spread throughout the Imperial Palace. Only then did Valia understand the shock that the Marchioness felt. How terrible would she feel if the man that she cared so much after receiving such a blessing said that he loved another woman? In fact, she could not bear it and ended up creating a big incident in the Imperial Palace ball, where one had to show only one’s dignity.
‘There’s no guarantee that I won’t be like that.’
In fact, Valia thought that she would be okay. It was the confidence she could have because she did not know how cool of a man the Marquess was. However, after meeting him personally, he easily broke Valia’s expectations. Above all, his gaze…she did not know how a person’s gaze could be like that. The moment she put herself in those red eyes, she had to suffer from the strange feeling of being captured inside her inner heart’s castle.
“Milady?”
Valia came to her senses at the voice of the High Priest. She made up her mind.
“High Priest, I appreciate your gesture, but I can’t accept the blessing.”
“…Can I ask you why?”
“I don’t want to be loved by my husband by relying on blessings. Even if we fall in love, there will always be other thoughts. Something like, if I hadn’t been blessed, I wouldn’t have been loved by my husband.”
The High Priest’s expression changed slightly. Because the seduction he was talking about was referring to physical seduction, not emotional love.
“My husband will not receive such blessings, so I also want to treat him as he is without being blessed. That’s the duty of a married couple.”
Outside the honored guest room, the knights were waiting for Schuden. They were somehow different wearing the Kingdom’s uniforms than when they were wearing the Knights of Garth’s uniforms. Schuden glanced at their uniforms. The Kingdom’s white armor emphasized the aesthetic aspect too much, so it looked useless on the battlefield where blood splashes, but the blue cape with a refreshing color sense was not bad.
‘That’s the blue cape she was wearing.’
Schuden, who naturally thought of Valia, gestured to the honored guest room.
“Shaun, get the cooperation from the temple and protect this room.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Shaun bowed his head. Schuden walked without hesitation and stopped for a moment in front of the young knight earlier. He spoke in passing.
“Are you Robin? You were pretty good earlier. Protect this place with Shaun.”
“Thank you! I will protect milady with all my life!”
Robin replied out loud. The knights around him laughed quietly at his overly standard answer, but he was not ashamed. This was because he was complimented by his liege. Schuden smiled.
“I look forward to a job well done.”
“Yes, Your Grace!”
Leaving Robin shouting in the proper position behind, Schuden took his moves. Valia would stay at the temple for a while. It was inappropriate to bring a woman who was not even married into his home. If she was his lover or concubine, it would not matter, but she would officially become Marchioness Garth. Any rumors had to be prevented in advance. It was not because he was afraid of rumors. But because it was more beneficial for her. It was a small consideration unworthy of gratitude.
[God is watching you.]
Suddenly her words came to mind. What it meant was clear. Certainly, this was a temple and it was very inappropriate and unholy for men and women to engage. He was really going to just fix her dress without much thought. Although she was in an alluring dress in a place that might create misunderstanding.
‘That was interesting.’
It was really refreshing because it was the first time he was declined like that. Above all, the reason she applied for the temple princess selection also bothered him. There were two reasons Schuden thought people would apply. They were either religious or bored of the world that was running like a wheel, so they applied while dreaming for deviation. However, the woman did not fall under either. In fact, Schuden still did not know exactly why she applied for the temple princess. It did not seem that she would easily tell him the reason. He had such a vague intuition.
“Your Grace.”
Schuden’s thought did not last long because the High Priest was waiting for him at the entrance with the priests. The High Priest’s face was dark with a complicated feeling. He knew what he was worried about.
‘He is worried that I won’t marry her.’
However, Schuden had already told Valia that he would marry her. Schuden contemplated for a short time. Should he keep his mouth shut until early tomorrow morning to make the High Priest anxious or should he be honest now? The conclusion was reached in a blink of an eye.
“We met just in time. High Priest, I have something to say.”
“Say it.”
He could even feel the High Priest being nervous. It was not bad as compensation for bothering him all these times. The rest would be calculated with wealth.
“You’re invited to my wedding.”
“Pardon?”
The High Priest blinked, wondering if he had heard something wrong. Schuden smirked.
“I’m saying that I will marry Lady Dean.”
∘₊✧──────✧₊∘
At the word of the Marquess, the temple was literally turned upside down. The communications area connected to the great temple in the holy nation rarely turned off and there were countless carriages with big temple signs that went in and out of the temple.
In the midst of the chaos, there was a person who stood alone.
It was Valia. There was only a little commotion on the first day. After that, Valia had nothing to do. Shaun and Robin, who protected Valia, were friendly and not awkward because she had seen them before. She was touched by the delicious meals that were served three times a day and touched again that she could take a warm bath every day. The most touching thing was that she did not have to clean up afterward.
Of course, she was not comfortable all the time, for Valia was also immersed in her thoughts. And they were all related to Schuden.
‘Why is he marrying me?’
A question like that was at least better.
‘Won’t he regret marrying me?’
That question was so scary that she could not even contemplate it even when she was alone.
When she worked at the Imperial Palace, Valia had seen the Marchioness several times. Although the Marquess loved Yeri, the Marchioness was also a beautiful woman. Her red hair was spectacular, so she stood out even from a distance. As a high-ranking noble, she dressed up in a dress with beautiful, white lace and wore a lot of flowers and jewelry on her head to suit her position.
Valia still did not know what the deal was between the temple, the Marquess, and the Imperial Family. She was someone who was directly involved, and yet she did not know why the Marquess’ bride was sought like this.
‘Let’s not interfere and spoil the mood when I don’t even know anything.’
One just might get by, if one stays quiet. It was the truth that Valia realized while working for the Imperial Family in the past. Fortunately, she was good at waiting. She also knew to hold back even when she was curious.
‘The day will come when I can ask him.
Valia, who had roughly organized her thoughts, was currently sitting in the drawing room. In front of her was none other than the High Priest. Valia, who had never seen the High Priest this close, was nervous. Unable to utter a single word, she could only blink her eyes.
“Milady.”
It was just a few minutes ago when the High Priest called Valia. Shaun was holding the fort solemnly behind her.
Actually, the High Priest wanted to have a meeting with Valia only, but the knights did not step back because of their liege’s order. At least, Robin was standing outside the door.
“I didn’t have anything else to say. But I just want to grant a blessing to you.”
“Bless…ing?”
Valia’s eyes opened slightly. It was well-known that the blessing of a priest was more precious than ten golden crates filled with diamonds. This was because the divine power of a priest was finite and numerous offerings had to be paid to even give a single blessing.’
‘Even though that is not actually true.’
The words ‘the blessing of a priest is precious’ were a kind of gimmick. One that was made by the holy nation. Ironically, the reason why this became known to the continent was because of Yeri, the woman of the oracle. She granted blessings as much as she wanted, worthy of her title as the woman chosen by God. Thanks to that, the position of the priests had narrowed down considerably.
To make matters worse, it was revealed that the holy nation lied for the protection of its credibility and competitiveness, causing a big stir. It was also at that time that a conflict broke out between the temple and the Imperial Family, which used to be externally cooperative.
‘But no one knows about that yet.’
Now it was long before Yeri appeared. A blessing was still a once-in-a-lifetime thing. In fact, Shaun had an unusually surprised expression on his face.
“However, High Priest, to grant a bless-”
“I know. The ceremony and ritual have already been completed. We have also dedicated all the offerings needed. This is a wedding gift for Lady Valia from the temple.”
Valia knew that was all a lie.
It amazed her that the High Priest, who seemed to be acting out of pure kindness, lied without batting an eye. Was he forced to lie for the competitiveness of the temple?
“I thank you on behalf of milady.”
Shaun bowed his head. A blessing was a ceremony that was worth it. Valia also hid her feelings and expressed her gratitude.
“But, High Priest, what kind of blessing are you trying to grant to me?”
“It’s a blessing that makes it easier for you to seduce your husband.”
Valia opened her eyes wide. The blessing she thought of was a kind of wishing for her physical health or for her to give birth to many children. But a blessing for her to easily seduce her husband? It was not only Valia who thought that was strange. Shaun asked the High Priest first.
“High Priest, forgive me for interrupting, but if you’re going to grant such a blessing, shouldn’t His Grace know about it?”
“If he refuses, the blessing granted to Lady Valia will disappear forever. Is that okay?”
“That’s…”
Shaun hesitated for the first time. That was because the blessing was a precious thing that could not be easily obtained even if one gave an immense sum of money. Moreover, it was a blessing from the High Priest! Shaun was one of the few people who knew Valia was going to be the Marchioness. He had a realistic concern about what if she bore a grudge of not getting the blessing. Valia was still contemplating while listening to their argument.
‘Did the Marchioness in the past also receive this?’
She could not confirm it but she could not help but be suspicious about that. Valia asked something else to buy time to think.
“My future husband… I mean, the Marquess, is he scary?”
“In a sense, he’s scary. He can mesmerize women.”
“…I see.”
The expression of the High Priest was accurate. Even Shaun, who risked his life to be loyal to his liege, could not refute that expression. Valia also agreed internally. She was almost swayed by the Marquess in that short span of time. Then, she began to worry more and more. Let’s say that she managed to seduce the Marquess and they lived well. After that, what’s next?
[Did you hear that? Marquess Garth is so into Lady Yeri.]
[Yeah, I heard about that too. I heard he even had an argument with the First Prince.]
There was no one who did not know about that because the rumor had spread throughout the Imperial Palace. Only then did Valia understand the shock that the Marchioness felt. How terrible would she feel if the man that she cared so much after receiving such a blessing said that he loved another woman? In fact, she could not bear it and ended up creating a big incident in the Imperial Palace ball, where one had to show only one’s dignity.
‘There’s no guarantee that I won’t be like that.’
In fact, Valia thought that she would be okay. It was the confidence she could have because she did not know how cool of a man the Marquess was. However, after meeting him personally, he easily broke Valia’s expectations. Above all, his gaze…she did not know how a person’s gaze could be like that. The moment she put herself in those red eyes, she had to suffer from the strange feeling of being captured inside her inner heart’s castle.
“Milady?”
Valia came to her senses at the voice of the High Priest. She made up her mind.
“High Priest, I appreciate your gesture, but I can’t accept the blessing.”
“…Can I ask you why?”
“I don’t want to be loved by my husband by relying on blessings. Even if we fall in love, there will always be other thoughts. Something like, if I hadn’t been blessed, I wouldn’t have been loved by my husband.”
The High Priest’s expression changed slightly. Because the seduction he was talking about was referring to physical seduction, not emotional love.
“My husband will not receive such blessings, so I also want to treat him as he is without being blessed. That’s the duty of a married couple.”
