Ted trailed off his words.

He was at a loss for what to say to a child chosen by the Pope, someone blessed with divine love, despite being a knight himself.

Gabrielle furrowed her brows.

“Was it Cien from the Mirmode family?”

“…Yes, that’s him.”

At Ted’s straightforward answer, Gabrielle scoffed.

“I’ve heard he’s a child who rolled around on a dirt floor.”

Then she added, whispering elegantly,

“Someone like him and me are as different as fake and real pearls.”

Gabrielle assumed that by this point, Ted would break his arrogant posture and yield to her.

However, Ted narrowed his eyes at Gabrielle’s words.

“Lord Cien is not such a person.”

“…What?”

Gabrielle’s incredulous gaze pierced through Ted, yet his expression was stern as a mountain. As if he had chosen Cien as a lady to protect; what’s with that attitude?

“What did you just say?”

“I said, Lord Cien is not such a person.”

A knight who was both resolute and gentle.

At this, Gabrielle’s face turned bright red.

Until now, no one had ever opposed her opinion. How dare this knight…

Gabrielle bit her lip.

A sense of discomfort, anger, and humiliation washed over her.

“So, are you saying I’m lying?”

She couldn’t help but be assertive.

As if someone would even contradict her at this point.

For just over ten years of her life, Gabrielle had grown up arrogant. Being in a position where arrogance was justifiable.

Her divine power was notable not just in Senoa Temple, but among all temples; she was the most cherished by the Pope.

However…

“Yes, Lord Cien is a good person.”

…once again, she was refuted.

Gabrielle was flabbergasted. No one had ever spoken to her so decisively before…!

“…Never demean him in front of me again!”

Although she was angry, her fury wasn’t directed at Ted.

Gabrielle’s sharp anger was aimed towards Cien.

‘All of this is because of Cien, that strange girl. Ted was almost designated to be my knight until…!’

Before Cien appeared, Senoa Temple had been peaceful—a place that revolved solely around Gabrielle.

Gabrielle had offered prayers in the temple, not just that, she generously healed visitors with her divine power.

However…

Ever since Cien showed up, the order of Senoa Temple shattered.

Merely by lifting up Cien Mirmode, children lost their opportunity to become temple servants. Even Gabrielle lost children who would have become her hands and feet.

‘She’s ruining everything.’

Gabrielle’s face contorted, uncharacteristic of a child.

She wanted to cut down with her own hands that wretched girl who was trying to steal her chosen knight.

From her fingertips, a sinister energy began to emanate.

‘…Ted is mine. Senoa Temple is mine, as is the affection of the people.’

Gabrielle’s divine power sometimes manifested as a faint foresight.

A feeling of insecurity began to creep into her heart, as if she would be robbed of everything starting from Ted.

Watching this, Ted sighed.

Strangely, the more possessive Gabrielle became of him, the more he longed to see Acid and Cien.

(Time separator.)

Meanwhile, I was facing Acid who had entered my room.

“So, um…”

Where had all the bravado gone that he’d had when knocking and entering?

Acid cautiously opened his mouth.

Given that the maids and even Dad were here, he looked somewhat subdued. But that’s still pretty brave of him.

In times like this, courage should be encouraged!
I quickly jumped down from my father’s lap, not even giving him a chance to stop me, and scurried toward Acid, who was still standing in the doorway.

“Um, what is it? Speak!”

“Yes, yes?”

Could it be that no one had ever properly listened to Acid’s somewhat awkward words before? Acid’s delicate eyelashes flickered.

I looked up patiently into his eyes. Acid cautiously opened his mouth.

“I…”

“Um, go on.”

“I want to… meet my brother.”

“…What?”

I stared at Acid cautiously.

I understood the feeling of wanting to become stronger, but the emotion of wanting to meet his brother felt somewhat sudden.

“It’s not that I’ll forgive my brother.”

There was still a faint anger present.

Then why?

I grabbed Acid’s arm as my head tilted, noticing he was visibly tense.

“Go on, I’m listening. Say it.”

“…Yes.”

Acid cautiously continued.

“I want to find out… how much divine power I… have.”

Though his voice was creeping low, it was clearly audible.

“Is that okay?”

I looked straight at Acid.

At this point, it was clear that Acid had mustered all the courage he had.

Obviously, it needed to be acknowledged.

“…Yes. Good job.”

Acid added in a confused tone.

“I didn’t do… anything yet…”

“No, you want to become stronger, and you’ve thought about how.”

I patted Acid, praising him like one would a puppy. That being said, his round eyes did look rather like a puppy’s…

“I, really…”

This hesitant, faltering demeanor oddly reminded me of a small country dog. I slightly parted my lips and sighed.

‘So cute.’

Although older in actual age, he still seemed so childlike.

I patted Acid’s shoulder and emphasized my words.

“You did good by gathering the courage!”

“…”