emperor chapter 11

Chapter 6 – A Riot of Color

How dare he say such a thing, the very person who ruthlessly murdered his wife because of Helion! There’s a limit to such audacity.

“Lowell, you, of all people, shouldn’t be saying that.”

“Why not? I have no intention of taking a lover. If anyone dares to make such a paltry suggestion, I’ll punish them on the spot.”

Then raise your fist and strike your own cheek. Because you, Lowell, are the one committing that paltry act.

“Haah…”

I sighed and lowered my head, my gaze falling upon the collapsed form of Helion. Soaked in his own blood, he had been unnaturally still and silent. The shallow rise and fall of his chest, however, indicated he was merely unconscious, not dead.

What have you done from the very first meeting? Your connection is my only escape route.

“I may not be the most upstanding person to offer guidance, but let me tell you this, Lowell. You shouldn’t hurt others.”

“A difficult request.”

Moonlight streamed through the window, bathing Helion in its ethereal glow. From the tips of his toes to his reddened lips, the elegant slope of his nose, and the scattered silver of his hair, the light touched him, and his ragged breathing began to even out.

“Very well.”

Lowell added these words calmly, turning his back to me.

“I suggest you return to the temple before the night deepens further.”

A suggestion phrased as a command. I hesitated, my eyes lingering on Helion. With a sharp click of his fingers, someone materialized beside Lowell as if a shadow had taken form.

A figure kneeling before Lowell, their presence unnervingly faint.

Judging by their appearance, a knight from the Emperor’s personal guard.

“As you command, Your Majesty.”

The knight, obedient to the unspoken order, lifted Helion and escorted me back to the temple. There were no farewells. Until the doors of the audience chamber closed behind me, Lowell never once looked back.

***

I learned from Raphaerd that the wine Lowell had given me was actually holy water.

Miniel’s secretary and a scholar of theology, Raphaerd possessed extensive knowledge in this area. He seemed utterly shocked that I hadn’t recognized the holy water upon tasting it.

“How could you not know? Even a freshman at the Holy Academy would recognize the taste of holy water.”

Even if he was shocked, how many days has he been repeating this?

It can’t be helped. I’m not the real Miniel.

“It just tasted bland.”

“Good heavens!”

At my honest assessment, Raphaerd reacted as if the sky was falling. I liked it, but what could I do if the taste itself was simple?

“This is unacceptable. I must immediately prepare holy water to help you recover your senses… No. Perhaps it would be better to first convene an emergency meeting with the high priests. A vacation to another temple might also be a good idea.”

I could understand why Raphaerd was making such a fuss.

For civilians without divine affinity, holy water is akin to poison.

It was beyond comprehension that the Saint, no less, couldn’t distinguish holy water. The Holy Academy’s regular exams always included questions about holy water, a fact Raphaerd had made sure to drill into me ad nauseam.

So, Helion, who has no divine affinity, not only drank holy water but even licked it?

The main character of the novel almost met his demise right from the start.

“Calm down. None of Raphaerd’s suggestions are good ideas. I just need some rest.”

“Rest, you say?”

Raphaerd, who had been pacing restlessly around the office, stopped abruptly.

“Are you saying that sneaking out of the temple without a word wasn’t enough for you?”

Oh dear! Was my choice of words wrong?

I’d already been lectured for running away, but it seemed he still had more to say. Raphaerd placed his hands on his hips, preparing for another round.

“Your Saintliness…!”

Fortunately, I was spared a sermon on the proper conduct of a Saint. Helion burst through the door, interrupting the flow of conversation.

“Your Saintliness! I’m now…”

“How inconsiderate. Couldn’t you at least knock?”

Helion had been about to tell me something in an excited voice, but Raphaerd’s reprimand cut him short. The interruption clearly displeased him.

However, upon seeing Raphaerd’s scowling face, Helion meekly backed out and knocked on the door.

Knock, knock, knock. Even the sound of his knocking was cute. Not yet, but it’s understandable why Lowell would lose his mind over him.

“Your Saintliness, it’s Helion.”

“Yes, come in.”

Raphaerd pinched the bridge of his nose, watching Helion take his words so literally.

“I’m now fully recovered enough to resume my daily activities.”

It was Raphaerd, not I, who had healed Helion. Although he was now glaring daggers at me from behind, he had readily used his healing magic on the injured Helion.

I could have done it myself, but he insisted…

Could it be that Helion, with his captivating charm, has ensnared even Raphaerd?