Time-Limited Saintess, You’ve Been Caught by the Tyrant Once Again - Chapter 96

Chapter 48.2

“You could’ve just killed me, but instead, you went out of your way to spare me. You brought me back here after I was cast out and left me with no guards to watch over me.”

“….”

“Even though it’s risky, you’ve given me money and the opportunity to go out…”

“….”

“Why are you doing all of this?”

Arkan remained silent.

It was because, truly, even he didn’t know the reason. If he broke it down, each action had its own justification.

The reason he spared her was because she had looked into his eyes without hesitation. As for bringing her back after she was cast out, it was out of a sense of responsibility.

He chose not to assign a guard because he didn’t think she needed one… but mostly because he thought it might make her feel uncomfortable. And the reason he gave her money and allowed her to leave the imperial palace… well, just because. He pitied her, a slave, and wanted her to experience the freedom of the outside world.

However, he wouldn’t allow her to escape.

‘…What kind of contradiction is this?’

Arkan realized the contradiction within himself that Ellin wasn’t aware of.

The next moment, he gazed at the woman who was calmly pointing this out to him. Her face, staring directly into his crimson eyes, held curiosity but none of the fear or disgust he was used to seeing.

“Do your whims have a reason?”

“….”

“Don’t question my whims.”

For the first time in a long while, he felt a flicker of fear. Despite being the Blood Emperor, who had killed his own brother over and over, his own contradictions terrified him. Whether or not Ellin was angry, Arkan withdrew, turning into a cold stranger and surrounding himself with a wall.

He feared uncovering the reason that could justify his contradictions.

Ellin nodded at his cold words.

“I see. I’ve overstepped.”

“….”

Killing her would resolve the contradiction… but he didn’t want to kill her. Even as he put up a cold wall, he spoke the truth.

“You… you looked straight into my eyes.”

“….”

“So yes, that’s why.”

Unable to finish his sentence, he shifted his gaze out the window.

The woman sitting before him widened her eyes before lowering her head. Although she tried not to meet his gaze, he found himself turning his eyes back toward her.

She was looking at him as if she was surprised.

What she had just heard was something she hadn’t expected. Her typically serene emotions, usually as calm as a still lake, now swelled and churned like a stormy sea.

“All I did was look into your eyes… why does that matter?”

“….”

“Please tell me, Your Majesty. Why? Why does it matter so much?”

There was a hint of desperation in her voice.

Seeing the earnest expression on her face, Arkan finally parted his lips.

“Because you didn’t see me as a lowly Normatian.”

Tears welled up in Ellin’s eyes, and she nodded softly.

“Yes… I understand now.”

“….”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Ellin smiled with an expression that seemed lighter than before. Her smile carried sorrow, but at the same time, it was as if she were smiling brightly.

Arkan found himself momentarily entranced by her face before snapping back to his senses.

‘That’s enough. Stop staring.’

But why was she suddenly crying?

…Did this mean she’d forgiven him?

He was haunted by the ominous feeling that he might never truly understand this woman for his entire life.

̊ · : * ✧ * : · ̊

Erich watched Liliana as she returned from the temple. Her face looked drawn and weary, which was understandable.

Her day had been nothing short of terrible.

She had expected to gain great recognition and honor by blessing the princess, but instead, Elena, who had always been a thorn in her side, had interfered.

Even joining the procession alongside Charlotte hadn’t been enough to ease the humiliation she’d felt in front of the nobles.

At a time when the saintess should have been warmly welcomed, the imperial palace claimed to be refraining from hosting a grand party out of consideration for Princess Charlotte. As a result, Liliana had to return to the temple as if she were being cast out.

“You’re back?”

The sight of Erich’s smiling face only made Liliana’s anger flare even more. He was supposed to accompany her, but he had pulled out at the last moment without even showing his face.

“What happened?”

If it hadn’t been for Maynard, her reputation would’ve been dragged through the mud.

“Wasn’t it supposed to be a moment to highlight the saintess? I figured it wasn’t my place to step in.”

“….”

“Aren’t you the representative of this temple, Saintess?”

“….”

“Why? Didn’t you do well and return?”

Erich twisted his lips into a crooked smile. Infuriatingly, even that expression radiated a beauty that was almost captivating.

His glassy orange eyes shifted to Maynard. The blonde young man wore a rigid, tense expression. His slightly furrowed brows clearly indicated he was upset.

“Did something happen?”

He asked in a soft, almost melodic tone, as though he were singing.

Knowing the story would spread regardless, Liliana clenched her teeth and began to speak.

“Ellin, the woman you cherished so much, has tried to take my place.”

“….”

“The princess even called her saintess. Could there be a greater insult than that?”

“Did Her Highness, Princess Charlotte, really do that?”

“Yes.”

As soon as he heard those words, Erich burst into laughter.

“Ahahaha!”

He laughed as if he had just heard the most ridiculous joke, clutching his stomach as his laughter rang out. His long blue hair swayed with each chuckle, and as a smile spread across his beautiful face, it seemed as if light itself were exploding.

The laughter, beautiful yet somehow eerie, echoed through the temple.

Liliana trembled with fury at the humiliation.

‘One day, I’ll kill that priest and that woman as well.’

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