Chapter 34

That morning, Berman Pasis came to the imperial palace immediately. As soon as Lehan gave the order, a messenger was dispatched to Sir Pasis. While Sir Pasis waited at the knights’ quarters, an attendant was sent to the Saintess.

“Sir Berman Pasis has arrived.”

“I see.”

The Saintess snapped shut the book she had been reading. With a faint smile on her lips, she spoke.

“And His Majesty asked whether you could join the afternoon tea time.”

“All right.”

The Saintess responded as if she’d been waiting for the invitation. Thus, on a rather gloomy afternoon, four people gathered. At the table set up in the garden, Lehan and Edelis sat together on one side, with Sir Pasis and the Saintess seated opposite.

“It’s been a while, Your Majesty.”

“It hasn’t even been a week.”

When Sir Pasis greeted Edelis, Lehan immediately interrupted.

“It felt like a long time. Has it really only been that short?”

Sir Pasis flashed a dazzling smile at Edelis, seemingly on purpose. Lehan felt so irritated he wanted to throw Pasis out then and there. But he had to hold back—he hadn’t yet heard what the Saintess had to say, and Edelis wanted to hear it.

“It seems Sir Pasis greatly missed Her Majesty.”

“…Did he?”

“Yes.”

Edelis was sitting here to gain information from the Saintess, but she felt utterly uncomfortable.

“Now that everyone is here, shall we hear what you came to say?”

“Already?” the Saintess replied as she sipped her tea leisurely. But Edelis didn’t want even a sip—she just wanted to leave before she suffocated.

“You’ll be returning to the Holy Empire soon. Aren’t you busy?”

“…”

Edelis had only stated a fact, yet the Saintess’s hand briefly paused as she held her teacup. It was true—she was supposed to return in three days.

“It’s fine. I can stay a bit longer.”

“I’ve heard many believers are seeking you, now that your title as Saintess has been announced.”

“In that case, we’ll arrange for you to return quickly via warp gate.”

“No, that’s not necessa—”

“Not at all. You’ve shared interesting stories twice now—it’s the least I can do.”

“…”

Edelis was pleased Lehan supported her by pushing to send the Saintess away quickly. Once again, she felt reassured that he was on her side.

‘In the book, he didn’t even listen to me and always sided with the Saintess.’

It reaffirmed the thought: books are fiction—reality is different.

“So, what is the prophecy that required Sir Berman Pasis to enter the palace?”

Lehan’s voice turned chilling—as if warning her that the news had better be important. The Saintess couldn’t have missed that tone. She was briefly flustered but soon regained her composure.

“Sir Pasis was Her Majesty’s personal guard, was he not?”

“…”

“He stepped down and now trains the knights.”

“He should return as Her Majesty’s guard.”

“What’s the reason for that?”

Lehan didn’t want Pasis, who clearly had feelings for Edelis, near her. But now the Saintess invoked a “prophecy” that made it hard to ignore.

“Because Sir Pasis is directly tied to Her Majesty’s safety.”

Her safety. When Lehan took the throne through rebellion, the most important thing to him was Edelis’s safety. That’s why he hadn’t gone to get her immediately, but first quelled all uprisings. Only once he believed it was safe did he go to bring her back. Still, he couldn’t rest easy.

On the very day he came to bring Edelis back, she was attacked by an unknown group.

‘We still haven’t uncovered who was behind that attack.’

Even after that, he used the intelligence branch of the Grand Duchy of Raksid to track those who dared to endanger her. But every client they traced turned up dead.

‘If it’s truly for Edelis’s safety, must I appoint Pasis as her guard?’

He could dismiss someone like Pasis any time—but not Edelis’s safety. While Lehan weighed the dilemma, the Saintess added another nail to it.

“When Her Majesty’s life is at stake.”

‘Her life is at stake.’ The words tightened like a noose around Lehan’s neck—not because his own life was threatened, but Edelis’s. He’d crossed death many times, but the thought of Edelis being in danger suffocated him more than any battlefield.

“In that moment, Sir Pasis will play a critical role.”

She was implying that Edelis’s life would again be endangered. In the palace, unrest was normal—but threats to her life were another matter. When Lehan looked over, he saw Edelis clutching her dress tightly, anxiety in her eyes.

‘Of course. She fainted the last time she was attacked.’

It was natural to feel shocked, panicked, and afraid.

“Lehan…”

“It’s all right.”

Whoever the enemy, whatever came—he would protect her, even if it cost him his life. But that “critical role” would not be his, but Pasis’s. That was difficult to accept.

“I didn’t expect you to hesitate so much.”

From the Saintess’s point of view, it made sense. It was about Edelis’s safety, and to her, there was no reason to reject Pasis as her guard.

“Sir Berman Pasis.”

“Yes.”

Lehan let out several deep sighs. He knew he had to accept this. At this point, Pasis’s feelings didn’t matter—Edelis was a radiant, attractive woman. It was natural others might fall for her. Lehan didn’t need to push everyone away—as long as he did better, that was enough.

What mattered was the danger to Edelis’s life. A thorough reinvestigation of the previous attack was also necessary.

“Appoint him as Edelis’s guard.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Everyone present had expected this. What annoyed Lehan was how Pasis responded as if he had known all along. He wanted to break something in a sparring match, like before. But he worried that if something happened in the meantime, Pasis might fail to protect her.

“As long as I may remain near Her Majesty, that is enough.”

Lehan clenched his fists—barely restraining the urge to draw his sword. He couldn’t act rashly anymore.

“Sir Pasis.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Please refrain. It makes me uncomfortable.”

“…”

“You’re calling me ‘Your Majesty,’ so you must know I am the Emperor’s wife.”

With each word from Edelis, Lehan felt his anger melting away. Her emphasis on being his wife filled him with sweetness.

“No matter what prophecy says, be more careful with your words.”

Her firm tone gave him a thrill. Pasis seemed stunned, unable to respond. Lehan hadn’t expected Edelis to speak so clearly, but he relished it.

“If you speak like that again, I will personally refuse you.”

Edelis shot Pasis a sharp look and sighed.

“Saintess, I’m sorry, but if you have nothing more to say, I’d like to leave.”

“…Very well.”

Edelis rose, gave a polite bow, and exited the garden.

“Thank you for sharing the prophecy.”

“No, it’s fine. You’re… special.”

The Saintess emphasized the word special, but Lehan paid it no mind. He didn’t understand why she was blushing as she said it, nor did he care to ask. It simply didn’t interest him.

“Well then, I’ll take my leave. Pasis, escort the Saintess to her quarters, then come to my office to discuss your duties.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“You’re leaving me behind again?”

The Saintess’s voice was tinged with restrained fury.

“I cannot leave the Empress unguarded. I’m sorry. I will apologize to the Holy Empire accordingly.”

“Isn’t Sir Pasis her guard?”

“Nothing has been formalized yet.”

“But he already was her guard before—!”

“That’s not for you to decide.”

“…”

“Unless the Holy Empire intends to interfere in Cronad’s domestic affairs.”

Interference. A heavy word. No one dared speak of interfering with the greatest empire on the continent. The Saintess looked like she had a lot to say, but with many eyes watching, she couldn’t act out.

“I’ll send a chamberlain to express our apology. Then, excuse me.”

Lehan strode off in the direction Edelis had gone. The Saintess could only watch his back, fists trembling in silent rage.

“Sir Pasis.”

“Yes.”

Her usual soft tone was gone, replaced with a cold, stern voice.

“Escort me to my room.”

“Understood.”

“There’s more I need to say about the prophecy.”

“…Yes.”

After leaving the garden, Edelis felt a great sense of relief. Though things had become a bit strained between her and Pasis, at least he had been appointed her guard. She’d work to mend things later, but she refused to accept such behavior in front of her husband.

‘But he plays a crucial role in saving my life?’

She went straight to the study and took out the book. In the book, Pasis had ultimately failed to save her. There weren’t many details, but based on everything so far, that was the conclusion.

“Shouldn’t it be Lehan who plays the decisive role in saving me?”

That’s why she could be firm with Pasis. Ultimately, it was Lehan who determined whether she lived or died—not Pasis. If she allowed Pasis to continue behaving like that, Lehan might grow suspicious of their relationship and fall out of love, just like in the book. She’d rather be surrounded by knights than travel with someone like that.

“In the book’s future, Lehan was the key.”

But now it was suddenly Pasis?

Something didn’t add up. Edelis thought deeply. In the book, Pasis couldn’t save her—she was stabbed by the Emperor’s sword. All he did was support her emotionally, nothing more. But now, the Saintess’s prophecy claimed he had a crucial role in protecting her life.

“They’re different.”

Edelis was sure of it now. The book’s content and the prophecy didn’t align.

“The future…”

She let out a breath.

“…has changed.”