Chapter 60
If she couldn’t connect Kylus and the Third Prince, she could simply connect Baroness Meltain and the Third Prince.
After all, Baroness Meltain was needed to move the Third Prince.
Even if Kylus had survived and Baroness Meltain currently had no desire for revenge… Baroness Meltain was the turning point in the Third Prince’s life.
In the original story, he was the male lead who fell in love with Baroness Meltain at first sight and dedicated his life to her.
He decided to become the Crown Prince for her revenge, and Baroness Meltain was won over by the Third Prince’s sincere devotion.
The love story of these two was the most important thread running through the original story… so it naturally wouldn’t change.
So if Baroness Meltain got involved with the Third Prince, Kylus would naturally be drawn into that connection.
Why hadn’t she thought of this earlier?
The way for Kylus to meet the Third Prince, and for the Third Prince to decide to stop living in hiding, was right in front of her.
Sienna Meltain.
She was the female protagonist who could kill two birds with one stone.
I was worrying for nothing.
Alice’s face brightened dramatically as she found the answer.
Kylus, who was sitting across from her and quietly observing this change, raised the end of his eyebrow slightly.
What thoughts could make her look so excited like that?
Kylus felt somewhat uneasy as he looked at Alice’s sparkling golden eyes.
But their different thoughts didn’t last long.
Because the carriage soon came to a stop.
“We’ve arrived at the temple,” the coachman said as he opened the carriage door.
Kylus got out of the carriage first, and Alice took his hand to step down gracefully.
As they hadn’t sent word of their visit in advance, there were no priests to greet them.
“We didn’t announce our visit, so there’s no one to guide us. I’ll call for a priest.”
Kylus was about to call a passing temple servant, but Alice stopped him.
“It’s alright. I’ve come here often, so I know the way well.”
Before Kylus had awakened, she had visited the temple almost daily under the pretext of praying.
She now knew the paths as well as most of the priests.
As Alice let go of Kylus’s hand and led the way into the temple, Kylus followed right behind her.
The entrance of the Grand Temple of Helios.
On the ceiling supported by tall pillars was a sacred mural depicting Helios, the God of Light, sealing the power of darkness deep underground.
It was truly a magnificent scene no matter how many times one saw it.
Especially the Helios in the mural, despite being a painting, had an extraordinary aura that made him feel like a real god.
That’s why I can’t swear here.
I don’t dare to curse.
Just as Alice’s gaze was momentarily captured by the ceiling she hadn’t seen in a while, a familiar voice called out to her.
“Duchess?”
“Violet!”
“It is you, Duchess. Have you been well, madam?”
Violet approached her with small steps, as running wasn’t allowed in the temple, her brown eyes curving into crescents.
“I’ve been well. Has Violet been well too?”
“I’ve always been doing well under the grace of our Lord.”
It was truly a priest-like answer.
At that moment, Kylus stood close to Alice.
Violet’s eyes widened upon seeing Kylus. As she stared at Kylus in apparent surprise, an uncomfortable silence fell from Kylus.
As if coming to her senses, Violet blushed and hurriedly bowed her head.
“Ah, I’m sorry, Duke Dearrut. I’d heard rumors that you had awakened, but seeing you in person was so surprising… I apologize if I offended you.”
“Ah, she didn’t mean any harm,” Alice added, worried that Violet might be in trouble.
Kylus glanced at Alice and lowered his raised eyebrow.
“I see she’s a priest you’re close with.”
“Yes. She’s a priest who helped me a lot when I was coming to the temple to pray… for you, Duke.”
“If she helped my wife, what can I say? Let’s overlook the rudeness. Raise your head.”
Wife…
Kylus always referred to her as ‘wife’ when other people were around.
It must be because we’re officially a married couple.
I know that fact, and I’ve heard it several times already, but somehow it still doesn’t feel familiar.
Especially when he acts like such an affectionate husband, it’s even harder to get used to.
Alice gave an awkward smile at Kylus’s hand on her shoulder.
Violet flinched at the sight of Kylus’s hand on Alice’s shoulder.
It wasn’t just Violet.
Everyone passing through the temple lobby was glancing at us.
To anyone watching, we must look like a couple with a good relationship.
It must be surprising since it’s so different from the many rumors about the Dearrut ducal couple.
While rumors of the ducal couple getting along well wouldn’t be bad for Alice… the glancing gazes weren’t particularly pleasant.
Alice got straight to the point with Violet.
“Violet, I came to see High Priest Prion. Do you know where he is?”
“Ah. The High Priest is currently at the poor relief center. He’s treating sick patients.”
There again today, is he?
Alice turned to Kylus.
She sent him a look asking him to let go of her shoulder, but Kylus just looked at her with an indifferent face.
Don’t tell me he intends to follow me all the way to meet Prion?
Alice looked at Kylus’s shamelessly handsome face and smiled brightly.
Then she naturally shrugged off Kylus’s hand from her shoulder.
“Duke, I’ll go meet High Priest Prion.”
“I’ll…”
“You said you had business at the temple, didn’t you?”
Alice cut him off, throwing his own words back at him.
Kylus withdrew his hand and answered slowly.
“…Indeed I did.”
“Please take care of your business, Duke. I’ll be talking with High Priest Prion in the meantime.”
Alice knew full well that Kylus had no real business at the temple, but she couldn’t accompany him all the way to meet Prion.
It would make Prion uncomfortable.
Moreover… she had important things to tell Prion.
So even if he was displeased, it couldn’t be helped.
Alice curled up the corners of her mouth into a smile, ignoring his darkening eyes.
“Then I’ll be going.”
Alice hurried her steps towards the poor relief center, in case Kylus tried to stop her.
* * *
The poor relief center.
The free meal distribution time seemed to be over, as the center was full of beds.
Less than five priests were busily moving around, caring for the patients lying on the beds.
Among them, one person stood out as particularly busy.
Alice immediately spotted a man with broad shoulders that even his priestly robes couldn’t conceal.
She headed straight for him.
“You’ll be fine now.”
As bright light burst from Prion’s hands, the pale complexion of a young child quickly improved.
The child’s mother hugged the child and bowed deeply to Prion.
“Thank you. Thank you so much, High Priest.”
“May the Lord’s grace always be with you.”
Prion lightly patted the mother’s shoulder and turned around. Then his blue eyes widened in surprise at the person in front of him.
“…Duchess.”
“It’s been a while, High Priest.”
Alice smiled faintly at the surprised Prion.
“I came because I had something to tell you in person. But you seem busy… should I wait outside for a moment?”
“No. The treatment of urgent patients is finished. What you have to say to me… probably isn’t light.”
Prion looked around before continuing.
“Please follow me.”
Prion told another priest to call him if any urgent patients arrived, then left the relief center with Alice.
The place Prion took her was none other than the path leading to the relief center where they had talked last time.
Perhaps because the distribution time was over, there were fewer people passing by than that day.
“…I’d like to take you to my prayer room, but since you’re not a priest yet, I’m worried unnecessary talk might arise, so I had no choice but to come here. Are you very uncomfortable?”
Prion asked carefully, seemingly misunderstanding Alice’s looking around.
Alice immediately shook her head.
“Not at all. I was just looking around because there seem to be fewer people today.”
“I’m glad you’re alright with it. Once you’re officially inducted as a priest, I’ll invite you to my prayer room.”
Prion smiled gently.
He seemed certain that she would become a priest.
Well, thinking that way, he must have sent the letter today saying to tell him right away if anything happened.
And the person who made him so certain was Alice herself.
To move Prion’s heart, she had desperately asked for his help.
Alice felt pangs of conscience at Prion’s kind gaze.
But Alice hadn’t intended to deceive Prion from the beginning.
When she asked him for help, she really did want to become a priest.
Who could have known the situation would change so drastically?
While Alice had her own reasons to feel wronged… she couldn’t help feeling sorry towards Prion.
“…Did something happen at the Duke’s residence? I was worried after hearing about Lady Quillian. I thought you might have encountered some trouble too…”
Prion’s lips turned down, seemingly reading the troubled look on Alice’s face.
“No, I’m doing well at the Duke’s residence, High Priest.”
“Then why do you have such an expression…”
Prion stared at her face in confusion, then let out a small exclamation.
