Chapter 51
The High Priest wondered if he was hearing things. He asked himself repeatedly, his eyes drifting with a lost focus, long past anger.
“Excuse me… but the important matter you mentioned, Duke, could it be…”
“Yes, it’s a very important matter. My lover has been promoted to senior priest, but I still haven’t decided on a gift.”
“……”
“It’s really troubling.”
Caspar sighed, shaking his head, his voice filled with genuine concern.
No, it couldn’t be. There was no way even a reckless man would call him to the annex prayer room just to say something like that.
The High Priest crept forward to check Caspar’s expression. He had been keeping his distance, watching Caspar’s back out of fear.
But when he glimpsed Caspar’s side profile, he froze.
Drooping lips, tightly closed mouth, a face shadowed by worry.
He looked like someone in love.
It was unmistakable. Sometimes nobles would come to him to complain about their lovers, but Caspar looked no different. This wasn’t an act.
The High Priest felt his strength drain; he almost collapsed.
Memories of the confessional earlier flashed in his mind like a panorama.
The teacup with the mind-control potion—Floria had held it just as she was about to sip.
He had tripled the dosage this time, yet Caspar had interfered.
‘I thought today I could finally complete the mind control.’
Under the emperor’s orders, he had been acting on the same instructions, but Caspar had ruined it.
Yet, thinking carefully, perhaps it was for the better.
‘The emperor ordered me to ensure Floria obeyed. Caspar being with her could help her become a saint.’
If Caspar and Floria were truly a couple, her sainthood was only a matter of time. And perhaps Caspar’s guidance now would be better than a half-done mind control.
‘Anyway… if the Duke is with her…!’
Greed flickered in the High Priest’s eyes. He bent forward slightly, trying to appear respectful in Caspar’s sight.
“If I may… women supposedly like unexpected gifts. Like giving flowers and saying you thought of them on the way here…”
“I already gave flowers.”
The High Priest blinked in surprise, rolling his eyes slightly.
“You already gave flowers?”
Caspar repeated himself calmly, emphasizing the point. The High Priest could hardly process it.
“Then how about something she’ll think of you every time she sees it?”
“For example?”
“Like a large teddy bear she can hug while sleeping.”
The High Priest had no experience with romance. He only remembered what nobles had told him or what priests had casually mentioned. Yet he answered boldly, secretly proud of himself, though Caspar could not see it.
Caspar listened, then stroked his chin, pretending to think seriously. He crossed his legs, leaning in a rebellious, improper way for a prayer room.
Then he muttered softly.
“But High Priest, you have no experience with love, do you?”
The High Priest froze, dumbfounded.
“……Yes?”
Not mockery—just Caspar stating a simple fact. The High Priest couldn’t help zoning out.
“Getting advice from someone who has never been in love is a little dangerous. If you give Floria the teddy bear and she doesn’t like it, it’s your responsibility.”
The High Priest swallowed hard, startled. Caspar’s frown tightened slightly.
“Yes… I suppose so. I spoke out of turn.”
Even so, the High Priest responded naturally. Appeasing nobles was nothing for him; he had climbed the ranks using every little advantage he could.
Caspar watched silently, checking the clock on the wall. The late afternoon sun glowed orange outside. He had been patient long enough.
“Alright, I’ll take it into account. That’s all for now.”
“Y-Yes… thank you, Duke.”
Suddenly, Caspar’s shadow loomed beside him. The High Priest blinked nervously.
“D-Duke, is that all you wanted to say?”
Of course not. Caspar had already walked to the door and grabbed the handle.
“From now on, I’ll use this prayer room once a week. With Floria.”
“…Then I’ll make sure all priests know it’s reserved for you.”
The High Priest tried to suppress his worries.
‘The Duke might not follow the emperor’s instructions and betray me.’
But even in love, Caspar remained Caspar—a man with no mercy. The High Priest bowed deeply before Caspar’s back. Caspar pulled the door closed behind him.
Meanwhile, Floria felt despair.
The High Priest’s office was at least five times bigger than the small room where the slave market ledgers were kept.
“…Duke, what color is the cover of the ledger this time?”
“I don’t know.”
“Excuse me?”
“I’m not even sure if the ledger exists. Just a guess.”
“Whaaaat?”
“How am I supposed to find a ledger here?!”
This mad Duke. Shade couldn’t enter the High Priest’s office, so she couldn’t check anything herself.
‘Sigh… this is my fate.’
Still, if the Duke commanded, she had to obey. Floria pressed her hand to her forehead, frowning.
