Chapter 49
Deep within the Sanctuary lay the Saintess’s private chamber.
Florentia, dressed in a simple chemise, paced around the room, repeatedly checking the wall clock.
‘Why isn’t he coming? It’s almost five already.’
Elion, who had said he would stop by in the afternoon to check on her, still showed no sign of appearing.
Florentia had waited for him all day, and her patience was beginning to wear thin.
Just then, knock knock knock—
A maid’s young voice followed from outside the door.
“Saintess, His Grace the Grand Duke Klitzmann has arrived to visit you.”
At the words she had been waiting for, Florentia’s face instantly brightened.
She hurried to check herself in the mirror.
Her hair, let down loosely, was messy, and her face looked pale because she had intentionally skipped meals since yesterday.
Satisfied with how sickly she appeared, Florentia quickly dove into bed and sat up against the headboard.
“…I see. Bring him in.”
“Yes, Saintess.”
A moment later, Elion stepped inside.
“Florentia? Are you feeling any better?”
She stared quietly at him as he approached the bed.
When he entered, the gloomy, chilly room seemed to instantly grow bright and warm.
It felt as if a soft spring breeze was blowing around him.
‘As expected, you’re someone I need in my life, Elion. My light, my air. So always stay by my side. Be with me.’
As she desperately wished that inside, she opened her mouth, her voice faint.
“Ah… Elion. You came yourself. Thank you.”
Elion’s gaze swept over her pale face, filled with concern.
“You look really unwell. I was shocked when you suddenly collapsed the moment you entered my estate.”
“Nothing new.”
Florentia brushed her hand over her face.
“I’ve always been like that since I was young. I guess staying up all night praying for days must’ve been too much for me without realizing it.”
“A girl as frail as you, praying through the night…”
“But I’m much better now. Really. I’ll be completely fine by tomorrow. Thanks for worrying, Elion.”
“How could I not worry when the Empire’s only Saintess is sick? You heal others, yet you can’t heal yourself.”
“……”
Florentia lowered her head with a weak smile.
Just then, a maid entered with a teapot and cups, setting them on the table next to the bed.
Watching him raise a teacup and take a sip, Florentia asked:
“Is the engagement… really true?”
“Yeah. That’s how it ended up.”
Elion nodded quietly.
Seeing no trace of excitement on his face, Florentia gathered her courage.
“Elion, you said before… that you had no intention of dating or marrying or building a family. So… did His Majesty force you? Against your will?”
“He said if I want to date someone, I should do it after getting engaged.”
“Ah…?”
Florentia’s delicate brows tightened slightly.
She was glad it wasn’t his idea to get engaged in the first place—but the fact that he wanted to date that woman made her despair.
As far as Florentia knew, Elion hadn’t even known Lady Payson for a full month.
Yet he decided on an engagement because he wanted to date someone he barely knew?
Florentia simply could not understand.
“What about that woman—No, what about Lady Payson… do you like so much?”
Grinding her teeth, she forced out the question.
Surprised as if he hadn’t expected it, Elion thought quietly before answering.
“She’s similar to me. We both have… flaws.”
“……”
The wrinkle between Florentia’s brows deepened.
Similar? We? Elion… flawed?
Nothing made sense.
His calm voice continued.
His eyes shone faintly, as if looking into the distance.
“But at the same time… Lady Payson is different from me. She’s honest and sincere about what she wants. So even though she’s flawed, she shines.”
Earlier, she was like him—but now she was different?
Elion’s worldview was always rational and cold.
Except when it came to Florentia, his childhood companion.
But now, he seemed to be making another exception.
His description of that woman wasn’t rational or cold at all.
The special bond only the two of them once shared… was no longer special.
Unaware of her heart burning away, Elion continued.
“No… maybe she shines because she’s flawed. I don’t know what I’m saying. Even I don’t understand myself.”
He laughed sheepishly, thinking of his long-time friend.
Florentia cursed her own eyes for finding even the smile he showed while thinking of another woman unbearably charming.
“Anyway, those parts of Lady Payson—I like them. She’s… lovely, I guess.”
He froze.
Lovely?
Rubiana? Lovely? We’re not… we’re not like that at all…!
Realizing what he himself had said, Elion panicked.
But only for a moment.
Because he wanted to see Rubiana.
The moment that thought crossed his mind—thump, thump, thump—his heart pounded violently.
He remembered their argument in the carriage. The awkward silence. The way she lowered her head.
Elion regretted it.
He should’ve given her anything she wanted—no matter what it was.
‘On my way back, I should stop by the Payson estate.’
Watching him lost in thought, Florentia felt a tearing pain in her chest.
She didn’t understand a single thing he had said—but one thing she understood clearly:
‘Elion… is serious about that woman. He likes her. …No! That can’t happen! You belong to me!’
Florentia fell into despair.
If she stayed still like this, she would lose Elion forever.
She refused to let that happen—not at any cost.
Elion was like her very life.
“By the way, you were injured too, weren’t you? Are you okay now? It’s fine for you to be walking around like this?”
“It was nothing. My mana was just a little unstable, but it’s fine now.”
“Your mana… was unstable? You should’ve called me.”
“I appreciate the sentiment. But it wasn’t serious enough to monopolize the Saintess.”
He grinned playfully.
Florentia fell for him all over again.
The desire to have that smile all to herself surged within her.
At that moment, the communication stone on Elion’s wrist lit up.
“Ah, my aide. Just a moment.”
“Sure.”
While he stepped out onto the balcony to answer, Florentia quickly got up.
She opened a desk drawer and pulled out a vial, taking out two yellow pills, dropping them into his teacup.
‘One pill didn’t seem enough last time, so I’ll try two today.’
Once she confirmed they had completely dissolved, Florentia hurried back into bed.
Luckily, Elion was still on the balcony.
A moment later, he returned wearing a tense expression.
“What’s wrong, Elion? Did something happen?”
“Sorry. I need to go now.”
“Ah… I’m sad, but I understand.”
“Take care of yourself. I’ll see you again soon.”
“Okay. But the tea…”
She eyed his teacup, barely touched.
Leaving tea for a guest was impolite, so Elion picked it up and took a big gulp.
“I’ll go.”
“Be safe.”
As she watched him disappear quickly, Florentia clenched her fists.
Even though she had added two pills, he drank so little that it probably wouldn’t work properly again.
Annoyance surged through her.
‘Why did Rubiana collapse again? Didn’t that Omar bastard say her condition was perfect? Rubiana said so too. So why…!’
Walking quickly, Elion’s mind boiled with anger.
‘Damn it.’
Just as he climbed into his carriage with a heavy sigh—
A sharp headache stabbed through his skull.
“Ugh!”
Elion winced, grabbing his head.
Barely managing to settle into the seat, he closed his eyes and took deep breaths.
‘My body again… It’s not normal. Not even half a day since I heard everything was fine, and the pain is back!’
He ground his teeth at the thought of Omar.
What was the Empire’s best healer even doing?!
All he did was tell them to exchange mana on their own.
He didn’t even know the proper amount they should exchange.
And the “perfect condition” he proclaimed lasted only a few hours before she collapsed again.
‘Damn quack!’
Elion forced down his rage, his jaw muscles twitching violently.
