FLBE Chapter 5 Part 5

With no one on her side and burdened with absurd obligations, her frustration was understandable. She tried to soothe her boiling frustration with other speculations.

 

 

 

Perhaps he was close to the previous saintess and resented her for taking the saintess’s place. Yes, that’s a more comforting thought.

 

 

 

Liena forced herself to shake off her spiraling thoughts and looked back at the now-quiet garden.

 

 

 

It seemed the ritual to confirm the mark’s color was usually done in the presence of all the priests. But this time, thanks to Roan’s intervention, she was spared that humiliation. Whatever his reasons were, she was grateful.

 

 

 

Roan approached with a bright smile. It looked like he was hoping for a compliment. In any case, she was able to avoid an embarrassing situation thanks to his consideration, so it seemed right to say thanks, even if it wasn’t a compliment. Liena awkwardly bowed her head.

 

 

 

“Thank you.”

 

 

 

“There’s no need for thanks. Didn’t I tell you? I will protect you.”

 

 

 

Liena felt a twinge of guilt at Roan’s smiling face, regretting her earlier outburst towards him.

 

 

 

“….But, why are you being so kind to me? I am… nothing special.”

 

 

 

“I don’t expect anything in return. I am merely following Lord Vertia’s will.”

 

 

 

Lord Vertia’s will. What exactly is that? What did Roan mean by following it?

 

 

 

Liena had many questions, but they seemed futile. Even as the Pope, Roan couldn’t possibly know the will of a deity that didn’t physically exist. To her, he was just a devout believer.

 

 

 

“Please change into this robe.”

 

 

 

“Yes……?”

 

 

 

Upon hearing Roan’s words, Liena looked around. She wondered how she was supposed to change clothes in a space that was not even a room, but an open area. Seemingly without any thought that she might feel embarrassed, Roan casually brought over a robe and offered it to her. It was a white robe similar to the priestly clothes Roan was wearing.

 

 

 

“Take everything off and just wear this.”

 

 

 

“Here? Now?”

 

 

 

“Yes. It’s just me, so you shouldn’t feel too uncomfortable.”

 

 

 

But it feels uncomfortable… how could I not feel uncomfortable??? 

 

 

 

After all, Before being a pope Roan was a man, also a high-tier alpha at that, known for their uncontrollable lust towards omegas. Would it be okay to casually change clothes in front of him?

 

 

 

Seeing her doubtful look, Roan reassured her.

 

 

 

“I am not just a man here, but the Pope. A Pope does not covet a woman.”

 

 

 

“….W-When did I ever say anything like that? But it’s still embarrassing to undress in front of you, Roan. Ah, I mean it’s embarrassing to undress in front of anyone, not just you…”

 

 

 

Liena awkwardly made excuses that were not really excuses. Meanwhile, she felt bewildered about why she was making excuses in this situation.

 

 

 

“Hurry up and change. If you’re embarrassed, I’ll turn around to give you some privacy.”

 

 

 

“….Okay.”

 

 

 

The situation was absurd but strangely reassuring. If it were Rhetrik, he might have torn her dress off. In contrast, Roan’s simple gesture of turning around seemed almost reasonable.

 

 

 

Watching the back of the man, Liena hurriedly started to take off her dress. She was greatly relieved that it wasn’t a gown. If it was, she might have to ask him to help her undress.

 

 

 

Glancing around nervously, Liena quickly put on a robe. But before she could even feel a sense of relief for being dressed, she gasped at her own appearance.

 

 

 

What is this? You can see everything!

 

 

 

Like wearing a see-through robe, the robe shamelessly revealed Liena’s curved body to the point it was embarrassing to even say that she was wearing a pure priestly robe. She tried desperately to cover herself with a flustered expression, but it didn’t help.

 

 

 

“Are you done?”

 

 

 

“N-No!! Don’t turn around yet! But, is this the only robe available?”

 

 

 

“It was specially prepared for you. Do you not like it?”

 

 

 

What….? Why such a robe? Couldn’t they have provided something more modest?

 

 

 

Feeling exposed, Liena stomped her feet in frustration.

 

 

 

Then, without warning, Roan turned to face her. Startled, she covered herself as best as she could, wishing she could just jump into the water.

 

 

 

Roan’s grey eyes slowly traveled over her body. His expression was unreadable.

 

 

 

He gently took her hands, which were barely covering the peaks of her br*ast, and then placed his hand over the left br*ast where her mark was.

 

 

 

“!”

 

 

 

“The Saintess’s mark is indeed mystical. I am curious to see what color it will reveal today.”

 

 

 

For a brief moment, his eyes seemed to sparkle with multicolored lights, but it was gone in an instant.

 

 

 

Huh? Did I see it wrong?

 

 

 

Liena’s persistent gaze boring into his eyes made Roan look elsewhere on her body as if avoiding her eyes.

 

 

 

Her skin was fairer than the white gown she wore, and her long jet-black hair was like the night sky, complemented by her captivating, trembling pink eyes.

 

 

 

Roan was momentarily dazed, intoxicated by the beautiful woman standing before him.

 

 

 

Not all Saintsses are beautiful. Just as everyone has a different appearance, the Saintesses he had encountered thus far each exuded a unique aura. However, he found himself constantly drawn to Liena. She wasn’t blindingly beautiful, but there was a strange allure about her.

 

 

 

A pretty face with a wildflower-like freedom. A woman who appeared pure yet subtly sensual. Whenever her soft rose-hued eyes trembled, a sadistic desire to keep her hidden away and make her cry unexpectedly erupted within him. The conflicting feelings of wanting to possess her all to himself and to protect her muddled his mind.

 

 

 

As the Pope and an alpha, he found Liena, a dangerous omega, a peculiar woman who stirred different emotions within him.

 

 

 

Whenever he saw her, the bubbling emotions he felt seemed clearer to Roan at this moment. He wanted to hold her. He wanted to possess her. And he wanted to make her his own woman.

 

 

 

Suddenly, a hollow laugh escaped him. It was the first time he had been so blinded by lust, almost transforming into a beast.

 

 

 

“Roan…?”

 

 

 

Roan, who had been lost in thought with his hand on Liena’s chest, came back to his senses at her call. He can’t believe he’s having such audacious thoughts ahead of a ceremony for the Saintess.

 

 

 

“You are a dangerous woman.”

 

 

 

“What?”

 

 

 

“And that makes you all the more appealing.”

 

 

 

“What do you mean…?”

 

 

 

“Shall we begin the ritual?”

 

 

 

“Ah… Yes.”

 

 

 

Taking her hand, Roan led her into the water. Unconcerned about her robe getting wet, he guided her deeper in.