“White robe.”

It was a common color of robe often worn by mages and priests.

However, when Lucia thought of a place related to a saint, she first came to the prayer room located inside the fortress.

And she began looking for the priests.

She had injured her hand at the time they met, so she was looking for someone unusual.

But it seemed prayers had ended; the dark prayer room was empty.

Only the statue of the goddess Asir hanging on the small window shone some light.

The only indication of time passing in this place was the wax of numerous candles that hadn’t solidified.

Just then, she turned her head at the sense of someone’s presence.

“Ah, Commander Lucia. I am Priest Mordo.”

When Lucia raised her hand to her chest upon seeing the suddenly appearing Priest Mordo, he also naturally did the same.

It was the etiquette for addressing a priest.

“What brings you here?”

In response to Priest Mordo’s question, she first looked at the back of his right hand raised to his chest.

‘It’s not this person.’

“I came to pray.”

“Ah, is that so.”

He seemed taken aback by her words.

Because it was an obvious lie.

Even on her last expedition, she hadn’t dismounted, and he couldn’t forget her cold eyes looking down on him.

Before expeditions, blessings.

It was a highlevel divine skill essential for knights, increasing stamina and luck, which nobody ever refused.

Because Lucia was the first knight who had refused such an absolutely essential blessing, it was too obvious a lie that she, who did not believe in the goddess, had come here to pray.

Even with his surprised face, Lucia said, looking at the flickering candle wax,

“Someone must have been here.”

“Ah, yes, Commander. Today is Sunday, and the deputy priest prayed for the health of His Majesty the Emperor and the Crown Prince.”

Drawing upon past memories, Lucia thought of a saint who had been praised by people until her death.

Having enough power to freely come and go in the palace, she was the only one who could speak about the political situation.

‘I should have acted a bit earlier. What a pity.’

Because she knew that wounds received from dark energy don’t heal easily even with divine power, she was concerned about what to do next.

“Commander Lucia, I saw your child during the baptismal ceremony at the kindergarten.”

At his sudden words, Lucia’s eyes locked onto him.

“Her Highness has black hair, so our side did a little quiet investigation. I want to apologize for the rudeness, although it’s late.”

Instead of putting his hand on his chest, he sincerely bowed his head.

‘What a very straightforward fellow.’

Though Lucia was on edge at his words, she didn’t show it.

Not only because she could stand it as long as Nia wasn’t proclaimed as a saint, but she was also a little surprised at his attitude.

In her past life, she had the image that people from temples were weak and cunning, but this was the first time she met someone who openly admitted his mistake.

“Commander Lucia!”

She looked toward the entrance of the prayer room at the voice calling her.

There stood the Crown Prince, his eyes lighting up upon finding her.

Upon seeing him, Priest Mordo turned and raised his hand to his chest.

“Under the goddess, I see the second most noble light. Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”

“Ah, Priest Mordo. You haven’t left yet?”

“Yes, by His Majesty’s orders to clean up, I will be staying a little longer.”

“Really, you all work hard because of those cute children. Haha.”

“It’s nothing, Your Highness. Then you two, please continue your conversation.”

As Mordo left the prayer room, Lucia turned her head toward Airen, who was staring at her intently.

From those sparkling eyes, it seemed he had some sort of business.

“Did you come looking for me?”

“Thank you!”

At his words, Lucia blinked her eyes.

He always spouted irrelevant things, but this was the first time he had said thank you.

Airen looked down at her slightly and gave his characteristic eyesmile.

“The only person who sees my mother without prejudice is the Commander. So, I went around looking to say thank you.”

‘Ah, it must be about yesterday.’

She couldn’t sympathize with his words since it wasn’t her intention in the first place.
The reason was that she felt she was no different from the ladies who openly attacked her, simply playing the role of a bystander.

“No, I feel the same. And the idea for the picnic was your idea, Your Highness.”

“Yes, but I heard that because of you. More than anything, it was the first time I saw my mother cry in front of anyone other than His Majesty.”

“……”

Lucia also doubted his words because it was the first time she had seen anyone cry so aggressively, but there was no denying the outcome, so she had no more to say.

“Besides, it seems you’re still praying.”

“Yes, you know our health isn’t good, right?”

At her question, the crown prince gave a bitter smile in response.

The crown prince had been frail since childhood, so frail that even divine power couldn’t help. He had always heard that he wouldn’t live long.