CHAPTER 11………………………………
Isaac flashed a satisfied smile, as if pleased with my answer.
“Good. Do you have a particular position in mind?”
“I haven’t thought of anything in particular.”
I didn’t have enough points, so working at the Sacred Palace felt impossible.
Naturally, I hadn’t even considered what job I’d take there.
“I would like Priest Sonia to become a confessor specifically for the nobles who visit the Sacred Palace. Given the rumors circulating these days, everyone will think you’re suitable.”
Only nobles and members of the imperial family were allowed to visit the Sacred Palace.
Naturally, that meant I’d frequently run into the obsessive male leads, including the prince—one of the possessive maniacs—as well as Schwarz.
Especially Schwarz—didn’t he say he’d even bring cookies?
He looked full of intentions to return.
I really should refuse any job where I might run into those obsessive men.
But I can’t run away forever.
As long as I’m an omega, running for my whole life isn’t realistic.
Schwarz owned an assassin organization that operated in the shadows.
If he set his mind to it, he could easily track down someone like me.
…Actually, maybe this is for the best.
If I’m affiliated with the Sacred Palace, even the emperor can’t touch me easily.
It might be safer to meet the obsessive maniacs in a place guarded by the Holy Nation’s forces.
“Please leave it to me. I’ll do my best.”
“I believe Priest Sonia will do well. But strangely, His Holiness is opposed to the idea.”
Why would he be opposed? I may look like this, but I am a count’s daughter—I’ve mastered court etiquette perfectly.
“…What does His Holiness want me to do?”
“Well, he didn’t say. You should meet him directly and talk.”
I had lived in the Holy Nation for quite a while, but it was my first time visiting the Sacred Palace.
Apprentice priests like me weren’t even allowed to look at its doors.
Only high-ranking priests or those with special permission were allowed inside.
Following Isaac into the building, we entered a place decorated with marble and gold—an antique, solemn hall.
The solemn atmosphere made me tense up.
“Your Holiness, it’s Isaac. I’ve brought Priest Sonia.”
The door to the office, firmly closed, opened. Inside was quite spacious.
“I will speak with her alone. Everyone leave.”
“Yes, Your Holiness.”
Not only Isaac but even the holy knights guarding the entrance left.
Only Cassius and I remained in the office.
“Come closer.”
Cassius’s office was extremely large. The distance from the entrance to his desk was quite far.
As I walked forward slowly, something brushed against my foot.
“Meow.”
Looking down, I saw a long-haired, snow-white cat clinging to my ankle.
The cat rubbed its cheek and forehead against my ankle, blocking my path.
Its appearance felt familiar, so I looked closer—it was the same cat from the bell tower.
Cassius had said it was his divine beast, and its name was…
“Mikael?”
“That is correct. It seems Mikael likes you.”
He clawed at me and ran away last time, but now he was greeting me like this—how outrageous… Actually, he was adorable.
Cats are allowed to be a little self-willed.
Because they’re cute!
Last time, I couldn’t pet his fur properly, but it finally seemed like I had my chance.
I wanted to ruffle that white fur thoroughly and pat his little backside.
“Meoww!”
Mikael’s long tail brushed lightly against my priest’s robe.
Why was he acting so cute?
“Is he always this affectionate?”
“No. Like me, he only acts like that toward people he likes.”
“…Excuse me?”
“Pets tend to resemble their owners.”
I didn’t hear the rest.
“Meeow—”
As if he realized we were talking about him, Mikael rolled onto his back and showed his tummy, letting out an adorable sound.
Ugh, so cute.
White fur and pink toe beans—dangerously cute for the heart.
“Can I hold Mikael?”
“As you wish.”
“…He won’t scratch me, right?”
“Well, he probably won’t.”
Mikael valued his life, after all.
With permission granted, I crouched down in front of him.
“Mikael, come here.”
“Meow.”
Just like last time, he was a very unique-looking cat.
His eyes were the same mixed yellow and green as mine, and the fur around his neck and chest was so fluffy it looked like he was wearing a scarf.
Unusual, but beautiful.
I met Mikael’s round, gentle eyes. I felt my expression melt without realizing it.
“Mikael, come to big sis—”
“He’s male.”
Oh. Mikael was male.
“Ah. Then come to… big bro—no, wait…”
Before I figured it out, Mikael calmly climbed into my arms.
Warm, soft!
His fur felt like a piece of cloud plucked from the sky—soft and airy.
“Purr, purrr.”
Cradled in my arms, Mikael purred happily, enjoying my touch.
Then he rested his front paws on my shoulder, leaning in as if asking to be petted elsewhere too.
He was in the perfect position to smack his butt. I lightly patted his backside.
“Purrr, purrr.”
Cats love butt pats, after all.
Mikael stuck out his tongue and licked my cheek.
His rough, sandpapery tongue startled me a little, but even that was cute. I rubbed my cheek back at him affectionately.
Crack. Something broke.
I glanced toward the sound—Cassius was holding a pen snapped clean in half.
Our eyes met. He lowered his eyes gently and discreetly set aside the broken pen.
Why was he breaking pens? Even if he disposed of the evidence, I saw everything!
Was he trying to say he’d break me like that pen if I didn’t focus on him?
Scary…
This was no time to be playing with a cat.
I immediately set Mikael down.
“I—I’m sorry, he was just too cute…”
“Do you like cats?”
“Yes. I like anything cute.”
“Cute things, hmm.”
He seemed to be lost in thought. Then he tapped lightly on his desk with his fingertips—bubble, bubble—and I heard the sound of water forming.
Looking around, I saw transparent water droplets rising like soap bubbles. They clumped together into the shape of kittens.
Dozens of water-bubble kittens began circling around me.
My stiff body began to slowly relax as I followed the kittens with my eyes. My tense expression loosened, and a smile crept onto my face.
“You seemed frightened for some reason.”
Because you suddenly broke a pen!
“Do you like them?”
“Yes, they’re adorable.”
Instead of answering, he moved his hand gracefully, producing more bubbles. Small droplets appeared around the kittens. Every time they popped, the kittens let out soft purring sounds.
“Wow, you handle holy power so skillfully!”
The way he manipulated it showed incredible mastery.
“When I was an apprentice, I often took care of small children.”
His words triggered memories of volunteering at the orphanage.
Even as the Holy Saint’s successor, he had to complete the same priestly training, so he must have visited orphanages often to play with the children.
Seeing the cute water kittens made all my wariness melt. I smiled like a child and twirled as I followed the kittens. While watching them, I realized something.
He smells different.
Cassius had said the rain-scent was his pheromone.
But the cats made from water-element holy power smelled like a fresh, cool stream deep in a forest.
Either way, I felt like I could distinguish his real scent now.
Even the soft, lingering warmth of his natural scent.
Thanks to the water kitten bubbles he created, my uneasy feelings vanished.
After watching me quietly for quite a while, Cassius finally spoke.
“Now that you seem more at ease, we should discuss your work. Isaac explained the situation, correct?”
“Yes, he said I would be working at the Sacred Palace.”
“It has not been fully decided yet.”
Now I could tell that working at the Sacred Palace itself wasn’t guaranteed.
Isaac said they’d add points because I fell slightly short.
But from Cassius’s perspective, even with bonus points, I wasn’t enough.
“I know my abilities are lacking. I understand I’m not skilled enough to become an official Sacred Palace priest.”
To become a high priest—my original dream—there was no better path than joining the Sacred Palace.
I had thought the chance would only come when I grew old, but since the opportunity was here, I had to seize it.
Time to appeal properly!
My only advantage was my rare healing-attribute holy power.
“My holy power is still small, but I’ll work hard to become a valuable asset.”
“I know you possess healing holy power. But to be honest, healing is rather underwhelming. For simple injuries, even holy water can achieve the same effect.”
Ugh. He wasn’t wrong.
Unlike the four elemental holy powers that can be awakened, healing was limited.
Earth can cultivate land, water and wind raise crops.
Fire is useful in countless ways.
But healing—for me, it only meant stopping my colds from turning into pneumonia and healing others cleanly without scars.
All because I hadn’t achieved the Final Awakening.
If only I could reach the Final Awakening, it would be useful!
To strengthen holy power, you needed a Sanctuary. But the healing Sanctuary had vanished from history, so I had no way.
I had to highlight whatever strengths I had.
