Chapter 49
When Floria looked up, Caspar was sitting in a completely different posture than before.
He had gone from sitting rigidly with his hands together in prayer to lounging back in the chair, arms spread wide, looking utterly relaxed.
In the quiet, sacred prayer room, sunlight falling across him, his posture looked almost scandalously casual.
Even his yellow eyes glimmered with a mischievous spark.
Floria immediately had a gut feeling: his mind was surely full of some new prank.
No matter what he says next, I just have to stay calm and act natural, she thought.
“I’ll call the High Priest for a moment. You find the ledger while I’m gone.”
“……Wh-what!?”
Her voice burst out, almost like a scream.
Forget the slave market—he was telling Floria, a priest of the temple, to steal the High Priest’s ledger herself.
He was far more reckless and insane than she had ever imagined.
Could it be… the reason he promised to help if the High Priest called was because of the ledger?
Floria smacked her forehead with a thunk.
Clink.
‘I really don’t want to come here again.’
Floria almost grimaced at the teacup placed before her but forced herself to remain composed.
“It’s already this late. The High Priest will call you, so wait at your quarters.”
“Wha—The ledger…?”
“I’ll return to the carriage, bring the guards, and come back. Meeting the High Priest is an official duty.”
“Duke… Duke!”
Bang―!
“You crazy man!”
Caspar had left after saying what he wanted, so Floria had no choice but to go to her quarters.
It wasn’t so much because of his hint—more like the afternoon schedule had emptied due to the commotion in the confessional.
As predicted, the senior priest arrived, explaining carefully that the High Priest had summoned her.
And so she came to the High Priest’s office.
At first, I thought it was incredibly sacred here…
But now, seeing it in person, it felt almost unreal.
The walls were completely white, and the furniture spotless—not a speck of dust, not a mark from daily life.
‘Does he have an obsession with pure white? After running an illegal slave market, too…’
“Floria. I’ve called you here today because of a very important announcement.”
The High Priest’s soft voice made Floria shiver slightly.
That such a gentle person had committed so many abuses…?
When she saw him pour clear tea into an empty cup, her back broke out in a cold sweat.
Could it be… a mind-control potion again?
The High Priest set down the teapot after filling the cup and smiled faintly, then sat on the opposite sofa. His gaze lingered on the cup—the liquid that might very well be dangerous.
“I heard there was a bit of commotion at the confessional today.”
A bit? That was an understatement!
Floria pressed herself against the sofa, cautious of him, and weighed his words carefully—though she said nothing aloud.
“Well… perhaps the Duke of Fonhas already told you. Floria, I intend to appoint you as a senior priest.”
……There it was. The words confirming she would truly become a senior priest.
Even though Caspar had already told her, hearing it directly from the High Priest was shocking enough to unsettle her.
This meant, just as Caspar had said, the High Priest planned to appoint her a senior priest as a first step toward making her a saint.
Her fists rested politely on her lap, gripping slightly.
The High Priest, unaware of her inner turmoil, smiled gently and stroked his chin.
“You know, senior priests don’t handle confessional duties. You’ve worked hard listening to so many confessions. Now, you need not do that anymore.”
“I… Your Grace, honestly, I enjoy confessional work. Watching believers leave with lighter steps gives me a sense of joy.”
Truthfully, the chance to avoid the confessional was great news.
But she still wondered what the High Priest had planned that made him promote her to senior priest, setting aside her usual duties.
Her protest ended there.
She had already refused the position of saint twice. Refusing senior priest now would look strange.
“Also, in case you haven’t heard… the annex is rumored to be haunted.”
“Excuse me?”
“Previously, since you were a regular priest, you were given the room there. If it’s uncomfortable, I can move you to another room.”
“But… weren’t there no other rooms?”
“…A new one has been made.”
Floria thought it was an obvious lie, just a convenient excuse.
“Ah, that’s fine. I’ll just avoid the times the ghost appears.”
She had already seen the ghost anyway—it wasn’t close, but she would greet it politely if they met.
“Good. Let me know if it’s uncomfortable. We can change your room immediately.”
“Yes, thank you.”
Floria had said thank you like a parrot several times, but at least it bought some time.
Caspar—when is he coming? He said he would.
Waiting for him, relying on him, her stomach churned as she stared at the tea cup.
“Ah, I’ve been talking too much. Floria, no need to be nervous. Here, drink the tea.”
And then it happened. The High Priest pointed to the cup, instructing her to drink it.
Recalling his behavior the last time she visited, he would definitely glare at her until she drank.
His gaze was piercing, almost uncomfortably sharp.
“Ha ha… yes, thank you.”
Floria brought the cup slowly to her lips, hesitant. On the surface, it looked like ordinary, clear warm tea. But drinking it could mean another mind-control attempt.
Caspar, where are you? When will you arrive…?
Just then, BANG―!
Caspar burst through the door, knocking not even once.
The High Priest rose, startled, unable to hide his shock.
“D-Duke… I didn’t expect you so soon…”
Caspar’s earlier claim—that meeting the High Priest was an official schedule—wasn’t a lie.
The High Priest’s panic was simply because Caspar had arrived earlier than expected.
But Caspar ignored him entirely. He didn’t even glance at the High Priest, instead focusing solely on Floria.
Her wide-eyed look of relief and slight reproach met his eyes.
His emerald eyes sparkled like never before. Caspar covered his mouth with a gloved hand, trying to hold back a smile.
