FLBE Chapter 8 Part 2
by SYLPH“Your eyes have changed. They are not the eyes of a pope but of a corrupted alpha.”
“…!”
“So, how was it? After embracing Liena, did you feel like throwing away everything, even your position as a pope?”
“Be careful what you say.”
“Since it has come to this, why not speak frankly? Let’s set aside our titles of pope and emperor and just talk as top alphas.”
Rhetrik’s provoking words caused Roan’s ashen eyes to cloud over. After staring at the emperor coldly for a moment, Roan suddenly smirked and elegantly swept back his long hair, then leaned back against the sofa in a more relaxed posture than before and arrogantly crossed his legs.
Roan spoke in a languid tone,
“What are you curious about?”
“…Ha! What?”
Rhetrik’s eyes immediately grew fierce at his bold tone. No one had ever dared to speak or act this way towards him. Moreover, this was a new side of Roan that he had never seen before. Realizing that Roan had completely changed, his barely contained anger surged again.
“No need to get angry. You were the one who unleashed my shackles. It’s funny that you expect decorum from me when we agreed to speak as top alphas.”
“Haaa, fine, I suggested it, so I’ll generously let it pass this time. But you’d better be honest in your answers too. You won’t get another chance like this.”
“Don’t worry. As I told Liena, I don’t lie.”
When Roan mentioned Liena’s name, Rhetrik’s eyes flashed again.
Roan had deliberately provoked Rhetrik. He wanted to test his true feelings. Although he didn’t want to admit it, it was clear that Rhetrik had developed other feelings for Liena.
The emperor had never lost his composure in any situation. Especially since he had always regarded previous Saintesses indifferently, it was impossible not to notice how openly he revealed his intentions regarding Liena.
“Liena is.”
At the mention of her name by Rhetrik, Roan’s expression also turned cold.
“Is she definitely a dominant omega?”
“…Yes.”
“Ha! I suspected as much, but it’s still astounding to hear.”
That ordinary woman was actually a figure from legend. When asked before, Roan had definitely denied it. However, from his expression now, Rhetrik was convinced she was a dominant omega. Still, hearing the confirmation from Roan’s own lips was both surprising and overwhelming.
“They wouldn’t prophecy something that doesn’t exist. But she still doesn’t know she’s ‘Carna’. So be careful with your words.”
“Carna…”
Rhetrik muttered the unfamiliar name. To Roan, it was a prophecy, but to him, it was just a fanciful legend. Thus, the idea of her having another title was both novel and displeasing. To him, she was just his omega, the Saintess destined to serve him.
At Rhetrik’s cold gaze, Roan asked in a relaxed manner, raising the corners of his mouth.
“Now it’s my turn to ask.”
Rhetrik glared at Roan with a fierce gaze.
“Are you obsessed with her because she is Carna?”
“…What? Ha, obsessed? I don’t understand what you mean. Liena has always been mine. From the beginning, she’s my omega and the woman meant to exist for me from the moment her mark appeared. Why would I need to be obsessed when she’s obviously mine? And whether she’s a dominant omega or Carna, it doesn’t matter to me. I just want her by my side because she’s mine.”
“What is Liena to you, exactly? Is she just an omega needed by an alpha, a Saintess needed by the emperor, or…”
Pausing, Roan broached a topic he might not have needed to.
“…your beloved woman?”
“What? Ha!”
As if in disbelief, Rhetrik repeatedly let out hollow laughs. His lips curled up, but his eyes remained chillingly cold.
Rhetrik was probably the man least associated with the word ‘love.’ He would likely never understand the emotion of love, knowing only to dominate and possess. To such an arrogant man, Roan revealed his inner feelings.
“I hold her in my heart not as an alpha, nor as a pope, but as a man, a human being.”
Roan’s words cracked Rhetrik’s facade as if he had been struck. He tried to compose his expression, but he couldn’t hide the trembling corners of his lips.
Having barely managed to regain his composure, Rhetrik scoffed.
“…You’re insane. I never expected to hear a pope proclaim his love for a Saintess.”
“Popes have feelings and hearts too. I’ve just decided to be honest with mine.”
“Does your god know? That his servant has coveted a Saintess?”
“I’m prepared to accept my punishment. Since I’m going to be punished anyway, I might as well embrace her a bit more.”
Rhetrik’s heart jolted at Roan’s explosive declaration. He truly had not imagined Roan would take such a stance. It was headache enough dealing with a damn mage, but to have his closest ally turn against him was more shocking than expected.
“So, you’re saying you won’t send her away? Are you really planning to go to war with me?”
“I’m suggesting a compromise.”
“A compromise…?”
“She will stay in the temple from now on. If you need her, she can always be sent to the Imperial Palace. But there are conditions.”
“Conditions?”
Rhetrik’s mood twisted further. Indulging him had only made Roan more presumptuous.
“Set the Day of Blessings to once a year.”
“What?”
There were three Imperial holidays:
The Founding Festival, the New Year Festival, and the Harvest Festival.
On these days, the Saintess would travel throughout the empire to bless the people. Comforting the powerless and healing the sick was both the duty of the temple and the role of the Saintess. But now, the pope was demanding to reduce it to just once a year.
“You’ve gone mad over a woman and now it seems you’ve completely forgotten your duties as pope. Are you planning to fully fall into corruption?”
“She’s different from the Saintesses before her. You know that, don’t you? If it’s her, one blessing is enough for the people of the empire to thrive. Why needlessly reduce her lifespan with multiple ceremonies?”