“…Humans with rich emotions sometimes become blinded by greed. Anyone can, at any time.”

“True, but there are few morally bankrupt individuals who covet others’ belongings for the sake of greed. Therefore, punishing them is the duty of God and Your Holiness. So, Your Holiness, on that day, expressed your anger and expelled the duke, did you not?”

“Well, I did. I made such thoughtless and insincere remarks.”

“Death always brings about many thoughts.”

Cloé smiled faintly at the pope, who was nonchalant about her mistake. Eventually, she turned her head for a moment and gazed at the sky.

“For four years, the duke had countless opportunities. However, instead of correcting his wrongs, he only indulged in greed. He received judgment for the sins he had accumulated throughout his life.”

Cloé reminisced about the past once again.

Four years, yes, it was four years.

And the time the man, who plundered many things under the name of a hero, sought redemption lasted only two weeks.

“Your words are true. Now that I think about it, four years ago, I bestowed a blessing upon the hero of the century. Looking back, it seems like it’s been a long time…”
The Pope, too, seemed to be caught up in similar thoughts, his voice unexpectedly becoming muffled.

Suddenly, the grand performance of the one-day orchestra invaded the quiet corridors. It was the beginning of a lively dance.

After the cheerful group dance concluded, a slow dance, with couples pairing up, would follow. A man looking for Cloé would appear.

He was thinking of slowly returning to the banquet hall.

“Why didn’t you claim it as yours?”

The Pope, who had been lost in thought, abruptly intercepted her.

Faced with a vague and unclear question, Cloé only blinked her eyes.

“It’s about the Knight of Honor. Why didn’t you claim that you defeated the monster?”

“Well, the only thing I could have defeated was…”

“Of course, the power of the potion might have been strong, but regardless, your abilities remain. Even though the same potion was used, when the duke could only groan, you managed to shoot an arrow right into the heart, defeating the monster. Moreover, if you hadn’t confessed the truth, the temple wouldn’t have even noticed that the potion was used… You weren’t exposed like the duke, and your reason for rejecting the honor is intriguing.”

He was referring to the Knight of Honor bestowed upon Winter Fried.

“Ah…”

Then, Cloé let out a short sigh.

“I don’t know what answer you’re expecting, but it seems challenging to provide the response Your Holiness is anticipating. I am not purely virtuous, after all.”
“I just want to hear your sincerity, so there’s no need to try to package it. Just speak freely.”

Whether he was genuinely curious or not, the Pope’s urging continued.

“As His Holiness and King Sieghard have mentioned, the Hunt Festival is an event made up of the sweat and efforts of knights. I didn’t want to turn away from the festival, which is organized with the true sense of a knight’s mission to help those in danger… Although saying that might sound quite hypocritical, don’t you think?”

“I almost considered you as the next candidate for the Saint, to be honest.”

In response to the Pope’s jest, Cloé shrugged her shoulders.

“Yes, please forget about it. What I just said in front of His Holiness was just a response fulfilling my duty. The reason was simple, without much ado. I just didn’t want to become the same as the duke.”

“Same as him, huh?”

“While the reward received with falsehood may be sweet for a moment, I’ve always been afraid of when the truth will be revealed. Rather than living every day with such unstable emotions, I choose to have nothing now. Also, I don’t want to pass on the anger brought about by my greed to someone precious.”

The Pope chuckled at Cloé’s words.

“It sounds like you’re sure that He will gladly take on your burden.”

“I can’t help but have some certainty.”

This time, Cloé smiled subtly as the music was slowly fading away, the faint sounds of the performance reaching her ears.
“I kept you standing for too long. Even for a spectator event, it would be more fun in front of the young than the elderly.”

“That’s not the case…”

“Your answer is sufficient, so go quickly. Your precious person must be waiting impatiently.”

Having reluctantly exchanged pleasantries with the Pope, who had been watching his every move, Cloé bid farewell. Soon after, she left with a bright smile, looking for the person in her mind.

The seemingly never-ending banquet came to an end as everyone’s energy was drained.

Having consumed ten to twenty glasses of wine and champagne at the banquet, Kun managed to keep himself in good condition. Nevertheless, the festive atmosphere in his thoughts about Cloé’s safety seemed to have faded.

Leaving the banquet hall, they headed to the bedroom prepared for the two by the Pantheon Temple.

After drinking a few more rounds than her, Kun, supporting her who seemed to have lost her balance due to intoxication, reached their room.

In front of the bed, she naturally freed her arms from around his neck. Soon, the soft sensation touched her back.

Then, Kun approached her. His hand, which had been lingering around her chest area, began to loosen the straps of her dress.

“We shouldn’t dirty the sacred bed of the Pantheon Temple.”

Contrary to the intention to change her clothes, his touch was rather lascivious. None of the maids who helped her dress had experienced such intimate contact.
As the straps were skillfully loosened, her clothes became loose. Successively, the sleeves that were lightly hanging on her shoulders slid down.

“Is such an impure act allowed?”

Cloé’s figure was visible only occasionally below eye level. If that’s the case, it would be much more conspicuous to someone taller than her.

Looking at Kun playfully, she said, “Is it an impure act for lovers to do this, Cloé?”

His red eyes scrutinized her body persistently. The man who got even closer bowed his head for a moment and lightly brushed his lips.

Despite squirming within the remains of instinct, and whether or not he realized she had consumed cheap liquor, it was an unanswered and light kiss.

“Cloé.”

Kun, with a wet body, opened his mouth with reddened eyes.

“Yes, Kun.”

“Cloé Freehid.”

“Yes, Lord Kun Freehid. Please speak.”

“Isn’t it time for you to truly take that name?”

Even though it was a short kiss, Cloé’s lips quickly took on his color, turning as red as her eyes. In the meantime, an unexpected statement popped out.

“…What are you talking about?”

Not fully understanding the meaning, Cloé asked again.

“Marriage.”

Then, the man answered with a leisurely voice.

“I’ve come to want that with you madly.”