FTA Ch 7

<Chapter 7>

 

“Did they really believe that?…”  Leonard asked.

“Yeah, they did.”

“…”

“They believed it so much they were practically worshipping me.”

 

Gloria recalled the reverent gaze Lenny had given her and let out a dry chuckle, her face faintly exasperated.

 

“Well, in any case, it’s just the two of us in this mansion now. You won’t have to worry about eating poisoned food anymore.” Gloria said.

 

She tried to keep her tone light, brushing away her lingering thoughts and the bitter mood that clung to her.

Yet, shaking off her unease wasn’t as easy as she hoped.

Her spirits, already low, had plummeted during her conversation with Lenny and hadn’t rebounded since.

 

“Even in my situation, I’d never knowingly eat something poisoned. Honestly, it’s just… unbelievable.”

“What situation are you referring to?”

 

Gloria’s muttered words weren’t ignored.

 

“Are you saying that even a saint like you has been mistreated?” Leonard asked.

 

Gloria glanced at Leonard, startled by his directness, then quickly dropped her gaze.

 

“Hmm. It’d probably be quicker to count the people who haven’t treated me poorly.”

“…”

 

Leonard fell silent, the weight of her words hanging between them.

The stillness stretched, and Gloria began to feel uncomfortable with the heavy atmosphere.

She bit her lip nervously and let her eyes wander, trying to avoid the sharpness of his gaze.

Leonard studied her intently, as if etching the sight into memory, until his low, gravelly voice finally broke the silence.

 

“So, that’s why those ridiculous rumors about you being a fraud are circulating.” Leonard said.

 

His statement carried a bitter edge as he began to piece things together.

 

“Anyone who’s witnessed your abilities wouldn’t dare to call you a fake.”

 

He seemed to understand, at least in part, the treatment she had endured and why she might have sought him out.

 

“You healed me, someone who’s suffered for years in an instant. That’s a power only you possess.”

 

Leonard’s lips twisted into a sardonic smirk as he added,
“And yet, there are people foolish enough to call you a fraud? I’d like to see their faces.”

 

For some reason, Leonard’s words, even tinged with mockery, felt more comforting than any well-meaning reassurance. Gloria, unsure how to respond, kept her eyes fixed on the floor before slowly raising her head. Their eyes locked instantly.

 

“Well, it’s not like I’ll ever have to see them again.” Gloria replied.

 

‘So really, it’s fine.’

She swallowed her thoughts and forced an indifferent expression—one she’d perfected over years of shielding herself.

 

“Anyway, let’s get back to what we were discussing earlier.”

 

Her tone was dry as she redirected the conversation.

Leonard noticed the sudden shift in her demeanor but decided against pressing her.

He simply nodded, prompting her to continue.

 

“Once your health is stable enough, we’ll leave the capital and go somewhere else.” Gloria said.

 

Leonard listened without interruption as she elaborated.

 

“As I mentioned before, I don’t know where we’ll go yet, but the important thing is that we need to leave the capital as soon as possible.”

 

He agreed. The imperial capital, home to the palace, was essentially under the emperor’s control.

Staying there made it nearly impossible to evade his reach.

 

For Leonard to fully recover and rebuild his family’s power, he needed to get away. Moreover, Gloria had just driven out the spies the emperor had stationed in the Grand Duke’s estate. It was only a matter of time before the emperor discovered this. He would likely send someone soon to confirm if Leonard was truly dead. They had to leave before that happened.

 

“Of course, with my divine powers, the clergy could easily track me down if they wanted to…”

 

But the likelihood of that was low.

Currently, rumors of her being a “false saint” were widespread, thanks to the First Subjugation Unit, led by Crown Prince Alexion. Without direct orders from him, neither the unit nor the imperial family would act.

And the temple? They were preoccupied with training the new saint who had recently emerged.

 

“Even if all this is just to buy time, it doesn’t matter.”

 

Due to the stigma she bore, Gloria couldn’t leave the empire entirely. Simply leaving the capital might not change much in the grand scheme of things, but it was enough for her.

She had never been this far removed from the control of the imperial family or the temple. She had never had the freedom to make her own decisions and act on them.

Gloria was determined to make the most of this opportunity to escape from both.

To do so, she needed a new identity.

 

“There’s one thing we need to sort out before we leave the capital.” Gloria said.

“What is it?”

 

Leonard tilted his head slightly, signaling her to continue.

 

“As I told you before, I need a convincing identity.”

 

Something that some are born into without a second thought—a privilege Gloria had never been granted.

Harsh and unfair, but an undeniable truth.

 

“If I were a commoner, I could be killed by nobles at any time, but if I were a noble, even the Emperor couldn’t punish me without a proper trial.” Gloria said.

 

In this rigidly stratified society, social status was a minimal safeguard.

Though Gloria hadn’t wished for it, her experience living within the aristocracy had taught her this lesson well.

 

“I’ll bring the papers tomorrow. Sign the documents declaring me a member of your family.”

 

Leonard had raised concerns about the minimal age difference between them, but after careful consideration, Gloria saw no alternative besides marriage or adoption.

Moreover, the papers were already prepared. She had them stashed in her travel bag at the inn she rented immediately after leaving the Lanark Marquis’ estate.

 

“While I’m out, I’ll also bring all my belongings here. I’ll stay with you until we leave the capital.” Gloria said.

“Alright, whatever you wish. But as I’ve said before, adoption is…”

“Trust me. I’ll make sure there’s no trouble.” She replied.

“That’s not what I meant…”

 

Leonard began to object, but Gloria’s next words left him speechless.

 

“And I’ll take good care of you to ensure you recover your health completely.”

 

‘Take care of him?’ Leonard was stunned.

it was the first time in his life anyone had ever said that to him.

 

“I’ll also make sure nothing threatens you. So don’t worry about others’ opinions.” Gloria said.

 

‘Did she think he was a helpless child? And telling him not to worry about what others thought—Leonard had never once feared or cared about others’ opinions.’

He had more than enough strength to protect himself, and not just ordinary strength. Leonard was one of the few Sword Masters in the empire.

Yet to Gloria, he seemed like a fragile creature in need of protection. Her view left Leonard utterly speechless.

Whether she realized it or not, Gloria remained as expressionless as ever, speaking with firm resolve:

 

“So promise me you’ll let me take your family name.” Gloria said

“…I promise.”

Leonard replied earnestly, but just as Gloria’s face began to brighten, he quickly added a condition.

 

“But no adoption.” Leonard said.

“What? Then…”

“Adoption is absolutely out of the question.”

 

The age difference was one thing, but Gloria had already been adopted into a noble family once.

If she were to become the daughter of a grand duke only four years her senior, the rumors it would generate were all too predictable.

Leonard knew well that Gloria’s name was already accompanied by countless whispers wherever she went.

Although she didn’t seem to mind much, Leonard was adamant about not giving anyone another excuse to tarnish her reputation because of him.

His voice was firm as he concluded:

 

“We’ll put the matter of your inclusion in the family on hold until I find another solution.” Leonard said.

“…”

 

Rebuilding the family and granting her a title directly was the cleanest option, but Gloria wouldn’t want to wait that long.

Marriage was another possibility, but Gloria had already made her disinterest in that option crystal clear.

Thus, Leonard resolved to find a legitimate way to include her in the family—one they could both accept and agree upon—without resorting to adoption.

 

“…Fine.” Gloria said.

Gloria nodded, though she looked a little sullen despite her expressionless face. She seemed almost petulant, as if pouting.

 

“You’re not upset, are you?” Leonard asked.

“Do you really think I’d get upset over something like this? I’m not a child.” she replied.

 

‘Was she unaware of how much like a sulking child she looked right now?’

“…I see. That’s a relief.” Leonard said

 

If that’s the case, Leonard thought, it was probably best to pretend not to notice. He cleared his throat and averted his gaze.

 

* * *

 

“…What?”

Gabriel looked up, utterly dumbfounded.

 

“The saint left the estate?” Gabrial asked.

“…Yes, sir.”

 

The butler of Lanark Marquis, Dennis. He bowed deeply with his face full of shame.

 

“There are witnesses who saw the saint leaving the estate with a bag as large as herself.” the Butler said.

 

Gabriel threw the documents he’d been reviewing onto the desk in frustration.

“And why are you only bringing this news now?” Gabriel said.