Chapter 71
Reina picked up an item from the stall and said, “I still want to buy one, since we came all this way.”
Even if it held no real blessing, it could carry a wish.
The pouch she chose was labeled [Happiness].
As she paid, she suddenly handed it to Kaiden.
“Is this… for me?”
He looked surprised, assuming she’d keep it for herself.
“I bought it for you…”
“…”
“Is a fake one no good?”
Reina, uncertain, started to pull the pouch back.
He quickly grabbed her hand, holding the pouch.
“You can’t give and take back.”
“What?”
“You said it’s mine.”
His serious tone, hand still on hers, made Reina wonder if he meant the pouch—or her.
Why am I like this?
Her heart raced again, and she felt flustered by her own reactions around him.
“Y-Yeah, it’s yours.”
Avoiding his gaze, she mumbled, and he grinned.
“Yep. Mine.”
* * *
The path to the Great Temple had multiple gates.
A holy knight led them through a quieter entrance, unlike the bustling main gate for the Holy Day.
Inside, the atmosphere was serene, with ornate ceiling frescoes greeting them as they crossed the corridor.
Feeling a sense of reverence, Reina gripped Kaiden’s hand tightly.
“Wait here,” the knight said, guiding them to a quiet reception room resembling a private prayer chamber, lined with holy texts.
Before coming, Kaiden had shared information about Isadal, a direct disciple of the Pope and one of the twelve cardinals.
Recently appointed, he was relatively unknown.
It seemed he’d been named a cardinal around the time he began aiding Arteon.
Oddly, Reina had never heard of Isadal in her past life.
Kaiden watched her tense expression.
Normally composed, she was hypersensitive about her brother.
Understandably—Jeffery was her only family. If anything happened to Aiden, Kaiden would feel the same.
To reassure her, he squeezed her hand.
“Kaiden?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll find your brother, I promise.”
His light words carried weight—she knew he kept his promises.
Having such a steadfast ally filled her heart.
“…Thank you.”
She smiled softly, as if her tension had never existed.
With him, she felt she could reunite with Jeffery.
Soon, the awaited figure entered.
Contrary to expectations, Isadal was strikingly young, barely in his twenties.
Most cardinals were in their forties or fifties.
“Finally, we meet,” he said dryly, taking a seat.
His golden hair, like molten sunlight, and radiant gold eyes shimmered with an otherworldly glow.
Despite his youthful appearance, his aura was distinct from other priests.
“Are you His Eminence Isadal?”
“Just call me Isadal.”
“But…”
“I chose this position out of necessity. I’m merely Isadal, a servant of the Divine.”
His devout reply made Reina nod awkwardly.
As he sat across from them, the air shifted.
Using Ritsi’s power, Reina sensed a powerful holy energy forming a barrier around their sofa.
She’d never encountered a priest with such divine strength, and it unnerved her, reminiscent of meeting Kaiden for the first time.
If Kaiden’s aura was a fiery passion, Isadal’s was like a condensed glacier—cold and unyielding.
She shivered under its weight.
Then Isadal spoke. “You don’t just feel, you see.”
He’d noticed her using Ritsi’s power.
When she didn’t respond, he didn’t press, as if he already knew everything.
His piercing gaze seemed to unravel her.
Steeling herself, she asked, “I heard you’ve been helping Arteon find Jeffery. Can you tell me why?”
Despite her direct question, Isadal merely stared coldly.
She hadn’t expected warmth, but his detached response was disconcerting.
She waited for his lips to move.
After a pause, he said, “Do you wish to become Emperor?”
The sudden question caught her off guard.
“…What?”
She’d come to ask about Jeffery, not to discuss becoming Emperor.
She’d wanted to kill the Emperor, not take his place.
His ominous opening made even Kaiden wary.
Isadal pressed softly, “Was my question difficult?”
She assumed he was testing her.
Without Arteon’s lead, she wouldn’t have come to the Holy Nation.
Defensively, she replied, “No, I have no desire to be Emperor.”
“Why not?”
“Why? Because…”
“You have the qualities of a ruler. Unlike before, you chose the dragon, which I assumed meant you were prepared. Was I wrong?”
His dry words were hard to parse.
Unlike before?
It sounded like he knew about her past life.
That was impossible.
No one but her could know.
Yet Isadal suddenly felt suspicious.
He’d never been mentioned in her past life.
How had someone with such divine power stayed hidden?
Her expression hardened. “Answer my question first. Why were you looking for Jeffery? When did you learn the Empire was involved? What were you planning to do?”
Her rapid-fire questions made him frown, as if overwhelmed.
“I intended to protect him.”
“But why…”
“There was a revelation. I was commanded to protect you and your family. By the time I was ready, you were already the dragon’s wife.”
He glanced at Kaiden, who seemed to understand the “dragon” referred to him.
Unfazed, Isadal repeated his question. “Now answer me. Do you wish to become Emperor?”
She couldn’t fathom his obsession with the question. Frowning, she said, “I just want to be free.”
