chapter 9
“Since you’ve already been appointed as a Saint Candidate, you must fulfill the required term at the very least. It’s a matter of authority.”
“How long?”
“Normally, at least three years.”
“Let’s reduce it to one year.”
“One year….”
A heavy silence settled between the two. Dust particles scattered in the air shimmered in the sunlight streaming through the window.
After a long pause, Skyler finally spoke.
“I need time to think.”
“……”
“I need time to think.”
“Alright. Then.”
Soleon ended the conversation as lightly as if it had been nothing important.
As Skyler stood up, she impulsively spoke.
“Thank you for everything you’ve done for me.”
He looked at her silently at the sudden, unstructured remark. Embarrassed but determined, Skyler continued.
“For the past three years, you made time to encourage me and tell me about Rozel, even though you didn’t have to. You even agreed to this unreasonable request.”
She had gathered her courage to say it, but no reply came. Feeling even more awkward, she bowed her head and turned to leave.
“Skyler.”
A calm, unreadable voice called her back.
“Yes…?”
Tilting his head slightly, Soleon gave a faint smile.
“It’s your birthday today, isn’t it?”
Skyler felt as if cold water had been poured over her. It was a birthday she had never told anyone about—one she herself had forgotten.
“How did you know?”
“I told you. I know more than you think.”
Standing up, he placed a small package of sweets in her hands—the kind he would often bring her.
“It’s late, but happy twentieth birthday, Skyler.”
As soon as Skyler was appointed a Saint Candidate, a dedicated team was formed for her.
To study etiquette, academics, and train her divine power, she was assigned to stay at a villa perched atop a cliff for the time being.
“…And that is how this country was established. Do you understand?”
The elderly teacher wearing a monocle concluded his explanation. Listening to the sound of waves beyond the cliff, Skyler nodded.
“This is basic knowledge—even in the temple. So I know my class may feel a bit boring.”
Noticing her lack of interest, the teacher sighed softly.
“However, now that you are a Saint Candidate, you must memorize everything I’ve told you. It is your duty and responsibility.”
“…Yes.”
It wasn’t a position she had wanted in the first place. Skyler avoided his gaze with a troubled expression.
“I have a question.”
“What is it?”
“Where is Rozalin? Is she receiving the same education?”
“Rozalin is…”
After a brief pause, the teacher answered,
“She is being trained elsewhere.”
“Wouldn’t it be fine to train together?”
“Absolutely not. A Saint Candidate and a Saint Candidate’s attendant are entirely different positions.”
“Oh.”
“Even after training ends and you begin your official duties, you will rarely meet.”
Hearing this, Skyler felt relieved.
She didn’t think she could endure being constantly judged and criticized by Rozalin—even if it was just for one year.
“Let’s end today’s lesson here.”
Noticing her darkening expression, the teacher finally stood up.
But the end of this class didn’t mean the end of her day.
As the teacher left, a maid waiting outside entered.
“Lady Skyler.”
“Esther?”
The maid assigned to her—a girl of about fifteen—had an innocent face.
Though young, she was capable and diligent.
“I brought some refreshments.”
“Thank you.”
Skyler smiled faintly, and Esther blushed shyly as she set tea and cookies on the table.
“Why is there only mine?”
“How could I possibly dare drink tea with you?”
“Esther.”
Sighing softly, Skyler pointed to the seat across from her.
“I’m bored. And I don’t think I can finish all these cookies. If drinking tea together is too much, at least have some cookies with me.”
“I… can’t…”
“Honestly, I’m lonely.”
“….”
“I’m stuck in a building on some remote cliff, surrounded by teachers, expected to meet everyone’s expectations. I don’t even have anyone I can call a friend, and I’ve lost contact with my peers.”
Unable to resist the stream of complaints, Esther finally gave in.
“Alright… if you’re okay with it, I will.”
“Thank you.”
Smiling brightly, Skyler sat across from her and began studying her face.
Under the intense gaze, Esther blinked nervously.
“L-Lady Skyler?”
“You remind me of my younger sibling.”
“A sibling…?”
“Yes. Not by blood, but someone who followed me closely. Her name was Rozel.”
“Ah…”
“I do receive letters from time to time, but the last time I saw her in person was three years ago.”
Thanks to Soleon, Rozel was living comfortably without lacking anything.
Each letter reassured Skyler that not only Rozel, but also the orphanage director and the other children were doing well.
She considered that a blessing.
It was one of the reasons she could endure the harsh training—marching under the pretense of discipline, facing low-level monsters, and even watching some of her peers get seriously injured or die.
Of course, the biggest reason was her desire to repay the kindness she had received.
“Can I ask you something?”
Suddenly recalling a face she had passed by recently, Skyler turned to Esther.
“Yes?”
“The Knight Commander candidate and the High Priest candidate… they don’t seem to get along. Were they always like that?”
“Hmm… I’m not sure. I grew up in the countryside, so I’ve never had the chance to meet such high-ranking people…”
“I see.”
Skyler gave an awkward smile.
“That makes sense. Sorry for asking something strange.”
“But…”
Esther seemed to recall something as she spoke in a hushed voice.
“…But?”
“I heard somewhere that the two are actually distant relatives. Not related by blood, though.”
“What do you mean?”
Skyler froze at the unexpected information. Esther explained calmly.
“You know the Knight Commander is always chosen from the Kraus Ducal family, right?”
“…Yes. That’s how they maintained pure divine power.”
“But the High Priest is different. Bloodline doesn’t matter at all.”
“Isn’t it always from the Decameron Marquis family?”
“No. When the time comes, the High Priest personally chooses their successor—regardless of background or age.”
“Chooses…?”
“Yes. Sometimes from noble families, sometimes from ordinary ones—even from orphanages. Lord Soleon was chosen that way too. That was….”
“….”
“I believe he was eight years old. So about sixteen years ago.”
“That’s so young…”
Seeing her serious expression, Esther laughed.
“Huh? That’s not young. He’s twenty-four now.”
Realizing the misunderstanding, Skyler didn’t bother correcting her.
Instead, she recalled his face the last time she saw him.
He was kind—though there were parts of him that felt unfamiliar.
“After that, the Decameron family adopts the chosen child. That’s the usual process. Soleon is a bit older, but since they’re close in age, they probably grew up together like relatives.”
“Mm…”
“So maybe they argue because they’re close? I fight with my closest friend sometimes too. If the relationship is distant, you can’t even argue like that.”
“For people who are close… it seemed a bit…”
As Skyler muttered, the grandfather clock in the hall below chimed noon.
Esther sprang to her feet.
“Oh my, it’s already this late. You need to go to your next class.”
Skyler didn’t go to bed until nearly ten that night. Her schedule was brutally packed.
She woke at seven, washed and ate quickly, then studied for nearly ten hours starting at eight.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
She woke late at night to the sound of waves crashing against the cliff.
“It’s suffocating.”
Throwing on a robe, she quietly slipped out of the villa.
Following the sound, she found a vast ocean beyond a low wooden fence.
Gripping the fence tightly, she stared at the waves. Even in the darkness, the white foam crashing against the rocks drew her gaze.
She watched like that for a long time.
“Are you in your right mind?”
