‘Different. Always a step behind, even wandering around.’

As soon as our eyes met, I recognized him.

And, as if delivering a verdict, he mercilessly spoke harsh words without hesitation.

He was always like that.

Mercy was non-existent, spreading ruthlessly in all directions.

Except for one thing.

There was one thing he desperately begged for, and that was her.

But there was one thing he didn’t know.

What my feelings were, until the very end.

After missing it, he realized and became this desperate.

On such a topic…

“Are you leaving?”

The high priest quickly cut off the train of thought that sharply extended with the Crown Prince’s voice, and quickly composed his expression.

“When did you come out? I didn’t notice.”

“Walking carefully is a habit, so it’s natural not to notice. But are you going back already? Haven’t you just arrived?”

Slyly.

The Crown Prince, who took a step to block his way, smiled playfully.

“How about having a cup of tea before you go?”

His black shoes, stepping on the marble tiles, did not flinch.

The high priest, from the expensive handmade leather shoes, free of a speck of dust, shifted his gaze to the Crown Prince’s eyes, looking expensive and luxurious.

He was a man wrapped in precious things from head to toe.

Noble by birth, and he was expected to live that way in the future.

Unlike the princess, who was born the same way but did not allow to walk that path.

The high priest felt a little tired of the blue eyes that stared at him so persistently.

Inside them, the surging greed and desire were so thick that his whole body felt sticky.

He was already fed up enough today.

The words of the saint, which were nothing but pretentious, were painfully realized in the Solar Hall.

The saint knew.

What was already irreversible.

Like before.

“So, go and see with your own eyes. The reason why only you were treated unfairly.”

Now was the time to mend the broken heart alone.

Not when glaring at the Crown Prince with eyes sparkling in the sun and consuming mental strength over a cup of tea.

The high priest lightly pulled out the rosary he had in his sleeve and showed it to the Crown Prince.

“…What is this?”

As the sleeve flowed, revealing the rosary he was holding, the Crown Prince did not hide his interest.

“This is the rosary I’ve been carrying. When I go to pray, the saint gives it to me.”

“This is…”

“I’ll give it to you.”

“To me?”

“Even if I listen, I’ve been piling up the world for several years, so I don’t know if I’ll understand, and the wisdom I can offer is probably shallow.”

“Such a precious thing, I just wanted to treat you to a cup of tea in a welcoming manner.”

Perhaps he was quite pleased, as the Crown Prince’s broad grin was dyed a bright red.

It was the rosary that the high priest used to pray two years ago.

Moreover, it was given by the saint.

The high priest looked at the rosary in the Crown Prince’s hand, mesmerized.

“Originally, didn’t you look around wisely? Now that you are alone, you might feel a little lonely.”

Selling out his younger brother, who had no more use as a shield, his situation might be somewhat precarious.

The high priest did not miss the noticeably tired appearance of him compared to two years ago.

His eloquence became surprisingly fluent, and he skillfully intervened in the conversation, leading the situation in a way that was advantageous to him.

There was no need for that before.

Just being by the side of the emperor was enough for him to be the ‘Crown Prince.’

Because the emperor’s anger was poured solely on Bianca, he had no need to do anything else.

But not now.
The emperor, like selling off his children early, sent them into the marriage market, and the only one left was Jeremy Termina. He was the only one. Considering the long exposure to the dirty emotions and harsh words poured onto Bianca, the implication was that he was the only one who could handle the outpouring as if it were as natural as breathing.

So, today, the content of his request for a seat was obvious without asking separately. Whether he wanted to complain about his situation, seek strength from me, or whatever it might be, it was undoubtedly going to be a monotonous story for him.

“If you have it, it would be a great comfort to the heart.”

“Thank you, High Priest.”

“I’ve held it and prayed a lot.”

“Is that so?”

Jeremy’s legs, which had spread casually, gathered neatly, and as if guiding, he extended his arm forward. Where Jeremy’s arm pointed was the main gate of the palace. The quick change of posture was as amusing as it was unusual, as he had been blocking the way, pretending to be stopped due to the car. But instead of mocking such a frivolous attitude, the High Priest smiled affectionately. It was because his insides were still transparent, making it impossible to suppress the laughter.

“Always caring for many people, you are truly compassionate.”

“It is embarrassing to hear such words from someone who will surely be more compassionate for many people in the future than I am.”