FLBE Chapter 5 Part 1
by SYLPH“Pope…? So he’s not just a mere priest? And what…? A high-tier alpha?!”
“This…. I was going to introduce myself, but Your Majesty has taken even that opportunity away from me.”
Liena felt dizzy as Roan nonchalantly confirmed it without denial. She had vaguely felt that he was an alpha due to his pheromones. Despite that, she had firmly believed he was just a priest, given his appearance and a stark contrast to Rhetrik.
And now, to discover he was not only the Pope but also a high-tier alpha! The truth about Roan was shockingly far from her beliefs.
As Liena slowly moved to sit further away, Roan’s eyebrows drooped, looking like a hurt puppy rejected by its owner.
“Saintess, do you dislike that I am the Pope?”
It would be uncomfortable for anyone to suddenly learn that a man thought to be an ordinary priest was the Pope. It wasn’t so much dislike as discomfort. But that wasn’t the main issue.
Instead of answering, Liena’s eyes trembled with wariness. Roan, looking serious, asked again.
“Or are you frightened because I am an alpha?”
“Why… Why didn’t you tell me?”
Liena’s trembling voice seemed to annoy Roan, who glared at Rhetrik in irritation and sighed heavily in what seemed like a non-apology.
“It’s not that I didn’t tell you, I just planned to tell you slowly. You would have naturally found out if I took you to the temple today. And we haven’t had a relaxed conversation, have we?”
“S-still…”
Roan turned his head awkwardly at Liena’s persistent wariness. The sight of Rhetrik smirking triumphantly made Roan’s anger boil.
Liena, squeezed at the end of the sofa, glanced fearfully at the two formidable men. Both high-tier alphas and her future seemed bound to either the royal palace or the temple, leaving her no peace of mind.
“Liena, you don’t have to worry too much. As long as I’m here, the Pope can’t do anything to you. If he dares touch what’s mine, the temple will disappear without a trace as of today.”
What Rhetrik said seemed intended as comfort, but it didn’t soothe her at all. Instead, it only added to the discomfort of the situation.
It was hard to tell if Roan was joking or serious in his response, his expression ambiguously blending a smile and anger.
“Hmm, there was much effort put into the making of that temple. Please stop making such ridiculous threats.”
“Even if we are allies, it’s better not to forget that I am above you. And don’t forget that Liena is mine.”
“The only one above me is Lord Vertia. And how many more times must I remind you that the Saintess is also a servant of God? Do I look like a pushover because I’m genuinely smiling like this? It would be in your best interest not to provoke me further.”
“War is my favourite thing. Maybe it’s not a bad idea to change the Pope at this opportunity.”
“Are you done talking now?”
When Roan abruptly stood up, Rhetrik, who had been lounging casually until then, let out a cold sneer and straightened up.
“W-Wait a moment!”
As the childish argument seemed to escalate, Liena quickly got up, sensing the rapidly intensifying hostile atmosphere. If left unchecked, the two men seemed ready to start an actual war. Already burdened with a complicated mind, Liena touched her throbbing head, overwhelmed by the unmasked hostility of the two men.
She had stood up in haste, but when both men’s intense gazes turned to her, Liena’s lips trembled. She felt weak under the intimidating stare of the two fearless men.
Then, in a voice she had never heard before, tender and gentle, Rhetrik spoke.
“Liena.”
“Yes?”
“Go and learn about that healing power you like. Stop bothering with bandaging and applying medicine. And don’t forget to return before dinner.”
The man who seemed ready for a confrontation just moments ago suddenly calmly told her to go. It was unexpected, especially after his earlier possessiveness. And that smile, so out of character, what was it about?
Glancing at Roan, Liena noticed the earlier menace had vanished, replaced by a similarly gentle smile.
Confused by the situation, Liena slowly stood up, looking at Roan. His warm smile remained, but now it didn’t seem as simple as before.
By the tone of the conversation, Rhetrik seemed dominant, but it was clear both men were equals. Roan was no ordinary figure either.
“Shall we go? If you have questions, hold them until we reach the temple. I will answer everything without omission.”
“…Yes.”
Despite her reluctant response, Liena looked at Rhetrik. Strangely enough, his presence felt reassuring today. The temple, which she had longed to visit, now seemed daunting after learning Roan’s true identity.
It was a mystery to her why Rhetrik, arguably the most dangerous of the two, felt more reliable at the moment.
“Take care. I’ll be waiting.”
“I’ll be back…”
For the first time, Rhetrik’s smile appeared genuinely affectionate, highlighting the fickleness of the human heart.
As usual, Roan extended his hand, but this time, Liena hesitated and ultimately refused it. She stepped back cautiously, causing Rhetrik to let out a hearty laugh.
Roan shot Rhetrik a sharp look and sighed deeply before opening the door.
* * *
The carriage of the temple was modest yet sizable. Though it paled in comparison to the lavish carriage she first rode with Rhetrik, it had a sanctified and neat interior, seemingly reflecting its owner’s character.
However, the shock of her first encounter with Rhetrik still lingered, making Liena uncomfortable in the carriage. And now, another high-tier alpha, not much different from her initial impression, sat right in front of her. Despite being the same man, his status as a high-tier alpha made him a terrifying presence to her, an instinctual reaction she couldn’t control.
Liena, huddled in a corner of the carriage, pretended to look outside while maintaining her guard. She knew all too well from her past experiences that it was difficult to escape in a confined space like this.
“Am I that frightening to you?”
“…”
“You seem to know a lot about high-tier alphas.”
“…”
Despite his gentle tone, there was a hint of suspicion or curiosity in Roan’s eyes.