~Chapter 06~
Selen clearly remembered the time when the priests of the Atenis National Church had come.
They had evaluated her appearance as if inspecting goods at a market.
―“It’s a shame your eyes aren’t violet but purple.”
―“Your hair isn’t silver, but platinum.”
―“Still, once she grows up, she’ll be quite beautiful.”
―“I agree. Judging by her face alone, she stands out among the candidates.”
At that time, Selen was only eleven years old, and she didn’t understand what it meant to become a saintess.
When she heard she had been chosen as the saintess, she felt vaguely happy.
She didn’t know exactly what a saintess was, but it felt like she had overcome a difficult trial and surpassed the other candidates.
However, her parents’ faces didn’t look happy at all.
Her two older brothers also wore somber expressions.
Later, she learned through her eldest brother that her mother had cried a lot while holding Selen’s swimsuit—a swimsuit she herself had never worn.
“I really wanted to go to the sea with my family…”
Kirien’s face stiffened.
A fleeting look of sympathy and pity passed across his face.
He carefully reached his hand toward Selen.
“Shall I… hold it for you? If it’s alright to take the place of your father.”
The shadows created by the moonlight made it difficult to see Kirien’s face clearly.
Yet Selen could feel that he was extremely shy.
Earlier, he had taken her hand without permission.
Was it more embarrassing to ask for permission than to just take it?
Somehow, that contrast made him seem even cuter.
“In place of my father? You’re far more handsome than him.”
Selen smiled bashfully and took his hand.
For that moment, it felt as if time itself had stopped on the beach where they were.
The waves that endlessly surged and receded, the salty sea breeze, the moonlight—all seemed to have paused.
Only Selen’s heartbeat seemed to continue moving.
Thump. Thump.
Her heart pounded violently.
Occasionally, she glanced at Kirien’s face, which was dyed by the night sky.
It was as beautiful as a painting.
“What do you usually do when you go out once a month, aside from delivering the Bluebird letters?”
At the mention of “Bluebird letters,” Selen flinched and glanced around nervously.
Kirien noticed and let out a playful, mischievous laugh, like a teasing boy.
Selen pouted and glared at him.
“I go on dates with my father near the royal palace.”
“Don’t you visit your family?”
“Not every time. Overnight stays aren’t allowed. Maybe once or twice a year, just for a short visit.”
Still, Selen added that it was fine since her brothers and mother often came to the temple.
However, Kirien clicked his tongue, seemingly displeased.
“Even if it’s a god, if you dislike something, say you dislike it.”
Selen stifled a smile.
She had already forgotten that he had forced her to come here.
“Still, Count Leclair must be pleased. His daughter comes to see him.”
“I like it too. On those days, I get to eat whatever I want.”
Kirien frowned, not understanding.
“You can’t usually eat as you please?”
“The temple dictates my portions.”
To be called the most beautiful woman in Artenia meant the saintess had to give up many things.
Strict diet management was one of them.
“My father dislikes sweets, but on that day, he eats cake for me.”
“How considerate.”
“He insists it’s fine not to, but he begrudgingly eats it. His face is so funny when he does.”
Selen laughed just thinking about her father’s expression.
Kirien imagined Count Leclair reluctantly eating cake and let out a soft laugh.
As they talked and laughed about her family, they soon arrived at the entrance of the Duke’s castle.
Selen looked at the wolf-embroidered flags fluttering above the thick iron gates and suddenly recalled the words “Blood Wolf.”
A shiver ran through her body.
Had she spoken carelessly to the one who was said to have poisoned her father?
Did he even have a family?
Kirien felt her thin hand tremble in his.
Selen’s violet eyes reflected fear as she gazed up at the castle walls.
“Are you worried you’ve spoken recklessly to the Blood Wolf who poisoned your father?”
Selen jumped in surprise.
It was as if Kirien had read her mind.
“No… it’s just that I feel like I talked too much about myself…”
Selen hurriedly made excuses, but it didn’t work.
Kirien released her hand first.
He simply told her to follow him and walked into the castle.
A sudden silence remained where Kirien had left.
Selen stared emptily at his retreating figure, feeling the distance even greater than when they had been physically close.
“From now on, whatever you see in here, you must tell no one. Remember that I know your secret as the saintess.”
Kirien’s dark blue eyes glared sharply at Selen in front of a room.
Even sharper than his gaze was the blade pointed at her.
Yet it didn’t scare her at all.
It was only meant to intimidate; he had no real intention to harm her.
The blade was far enough from her neck.
This was such a gentle threat.
Looking at Kirien, Selen remembered a cat she had once seen on the street.
A cat that had hissed while hiding its wounds.
A cat that made louder noises and extended its claws to mask its pain.
That was exactly how Kirien looked now.
“Please let me see the patient first.”
Kirien’s eyes widened in surprise.
In fact, from the moment she had stood at the door, Selen had smelled a foul odor seeping from inside the room.
It was the stench of someone who had been ill for a long time.
No matter how much they bathed or were purified with holy power, it couldn’t be removed—it had soaked deep into the body.
The smell permeated the entire hallway.
Kirien slowly opened the door.
The sudden, unpleasant odor wafted over Selen, but she endured it.
The room they entered was large and clean.
Yet somehow it felt lonely.
The furniture was gathered around a canopy bed in the center, leaving the rest of the space empty.
Probably arranged that way for the convenience of the caregivers.
Small tables, chairs, couches, and the bed formed a circle, with lanterns placed around them, emphasizing care.
The room felt both lonely and heartwarming at the same time.
Everything in the room seemed to protect the patient with all its might.
“Arie, your brother has brought the saintess to you.”
Kirien kneeled on one side of the bed, his voice gentle—the gentlest Selen had ever heard from him.
Soon, a voice of a young girl emerged from under the blanket.
“Really? Really the saintess?”
“Yes. Your brother promised to bring her.”
The thick blanket moved, and the girl revealed herself.
Her face was mostly hidden under the hood of her cloak.
Only her bright violet eyes were visible to Selen.
“Really the saintess!”
The girl’s mouth fell open in amazement. Pure and innocent.
“Princess, my name is Selen Leclair.”
“I’m Arpiel. It’s an honor to meet you.”
Arpiel’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Selen was used to this kind of gaze.
All children seeing her for the first time had eyes like that.
“Wow, your hair glitters!”
Arpiel’s praise made Selen sweep her hair back proudly.
“The shine comes from the most expensive perfume in the empire. Would you like to touch it?”
Selen leaned slightly toward Arpiel.
Her long hair flowed gently.
“Wow! Saintess, you’re so beautiful! Your hair is pretty, your face is pretty, everything’s pretty!”
“I know. I’m very pretty.”
Selen clasped her hands under her chin.
The girl giggled at the sight.
“So, can I let the most beautiful saintess check my condition?”
Atenis doctrine’s main feature was that holy power could be gained through effort.
All priests could increase their power only through prayer and service.
Selen had prayed daily for nine years and performed confession services.
Her holy power was fairly strong.
“I will definitely heal you.”
Selen was confident.
She had never used her full power on patients before, only listening to confessions—but her power was not weak.
However, when she noticed faint red marks on Arpiel’s wrist, she could do nothing but bite her lip.
“Brother, am I fully healed now? The saintess is here!”
Selen held back her tears and poured all her power into purifying Arpiel’s illness.
She used all her holy power until she lost consciousness.
When she opened her eyes again, she was in an unfamiliar room.
A ceiling she had never seen, a bed she had never slept in, the scent of the bedding unfamiliar.
Kirien, who had been sitting beside the bed, noticed her stirring and approached.
“Are you feeling a bit better?”
“Yes… how long was I out?”
“About two hours, I think.”
“Two hours lying down?”
“It’s fortunate you’ve woken up. Can you stand?”
“Um… I’m not sure…”
“If you like, I can carry you back to the temple. We must return as soon as possible. Even if someone notices your absence, I will handle it…”
He didn’t say the last part: that a bloodshed would probably be unavoidable.
Yet Selen felt she had heard it in his words.
Kirien helped Selen to her feet, supporting her carefully.
