IOTB Chapter 57

“Um, well….”

 

Karon, who had been silent for a while, hesitated as he noticed the two holding hands.

 

“I heard that His Holiness decided not to reinstate Louise in the Holy Knights Order, but….”

 

Louise instinctively tried to pull her hand away under Karon’s gaze, but Licht only tightened his grip.

 

“Yes, that’s right. Sir Louise will not be returning to the Holy Knights Order.”

 

“Then, could you possibly tell me what your plans are for her?”

 

Despite clearly feeling intimidated by the pope, Karon bravely asked his question, determined not to leave without an answer.

 

“I was planning to announce it at the Holy Assembly tomorrow…”

 

Licht gave a slight smile and motioned Karon closer.

 

“But I’ll give the vice-captain a little hint in advance.”

 

As Karon, his eyes wide, approached, Licht leaned in and whispered into his ear, blocking the sound from reaching Louise.

 

“I’m going to marry Louise, and she will be my bride.”

 

“What? Is that true?”

 

Licht, noticing Karon’s startled reaction, placed a finger to his lips and said, “Shh.”

 

“It’s still a secret.”

 

“I understand. I will make sure no word of it leaks.”

 

Louise looked back and forth between Licht and Karon with curiosity.

 

Naturally, Licht wanted to call Louise ‘my bride’ right then and there, but regrettably, it was still a word he couldn’t say to her yet.

 

“By the way, it seems our captain won’t be able to attend the Holy Assembly tomorrow.”

 

“Really?”

 

Karon, having no idea that Licht was the one who had kidnapped and imprisoned Aiden, expressed his concern.

 

“Yes, there’s been no word from him even though the promised time has passed. I’m worried something might have happened. If we don’t hear from him by next week, I think we’ll have to send a search party.”

 

As she listened to the conversation, Louise cautiously spoke up.

 

“Try sending someone to the captain’s residence in Belkis first. He was supposed to stop by there.”

 

Licht’s brow furrowed slightly. Belkis was a large city bordering the Holy Nation.

 

“Now that you mention it, Louise, you might know. Did the captain happen to tell you where he was going?”

 

“He didn’t say anything specific… but it seemed like he wanted to introduce me to someone. I think he might have gone somewhere outside the Holy Nation’s influence.”

 

“Ah… Well, it was right after you’d been excommunicated. Maybe he was trying to find you a place to settle.”

 

Licht pondered.

 

If he were the king of the Rugaru clan, would he have waited patiently for Aiden to convince Louise to leave the Holy Nation?

 

‘No, of course not.’

 

He would have either sent someone trustworthy or secretly followed her.

 

‘Most likely… it’s the former.’

 

Aiden’s somewhat relaxed attitude suddenly made more sense. Someone from the Rugaru clan might be waiting for Aiden at the Belkis residence.

 

Considering how cautious Aiden was, he may have even prepared a contingency plan in case communication was cut off.

 

‘This is becoming a problem.’

 

The situation was pushing him to act quickly, yet Louise’s condition was unstable, which was a big issue.

 

‘For now, I’ll have to deal with the Rugaru people today and buy some time.’

 

If Karon Isles, who was needlessly diligent, sent someone to the Belkis residence immediately, that would be troublesome.

 

Licht estimated how much time he had.

 

If a knight rode at full speed, they could reach Belkis before the gates closed. Even if the gates were closed, if they explained the urgency of the matter, they might be let in.

 

That left Licht with about half a day.

 

“Then I suppose the vice-captain will have to attend the assembly as the captain’s proxy tomorrow.”

 

“Me…?”

 

“Yes. Someone from the Holy Knights Order must attend.”

 

Karon, looking deeply burdened, lowered his head with a dark expression.

 

“Yes, I suppose it can’t be helped. I’ll do it.”

 

“Good. Now, shall we go eat?”

 

Having settled the matter, Licht walked with Louise, but Karon trailed after them. It seemed like he was just standing in line for food, but Licht had a bad feeling.

 

And sure enough.

 

Even after receiving his meal, Karon followed them without a hint of tact.

 

“…It looks like the other knights over there have been waiting for you, Sir.”

 

Eventually, unable to bear it any longer, Licht, forcing a smile, spoke to Karon.

 

“I see. It seems they’ve saved seats for both of you. Why don’t you go join them?”

 

“…….”

 

For a moment, Licht was at a loss for words, struggling to maintain his composure and suppressing the twitching corners of his mouth. Just then, Louise stepped closer to Karon.

 

Licht, wondering if she was going to leave him to go with Karon, stared with a hardened expression as he faintly overheard her whisper.

 

“How can His Holiness eat among those who reek like that?”

 

“Hm? Does it smell that bad?”

 

“Of course. They all reek. If they want to dine with His Holiness, tell them to wash up properly, change into fresh uniforms, and put on some perfume next time.”

 

“…Me too?”

 

“Yes, you too.”

 

Faced with Louise’s firm response, Karon had no choice but to return to the other knights by himself.

 

“With that lack of awareness, no wonder he’s single.”

 

Licht, rubbing the corners of his mouth, looked down at Louise’s round head.

 

‘She may not be as oblivious as him, but Louise isn’t exactly sharp either.’

 

Still, he was glad they could finally dine alone together.

 

Or so he thought.

 

“Is the food to your taste?”

 

First came the greetings from the cardinals who appeared out of nowhere, despite not even dining in the hall.

 

“See, I washed up! Isn’t that good?”

 

Then came the knights, wolfing down their meals and rushing off to wash, returning without even drying their hair properly.

 

The time Licht and Louise had to eat together peacefully barely lasted five minutes. As more and more people came by to greet them and engage in conversation, Louise’s food gradually grew cold on her tray.

 

“I’m sorry.”

 

Licht, having reached the limits of his patience, finally spoke up.

 

“But could you all please mind your manners?”

 

The sudden change in expression on the new pope’s face startled those around him, causing their eyes to widen.

 

“My partner can’t even eat.”

 

The dining hall fell completely silent, save for the clinking of cutlery. Even Louise stared at Licht with wide eyes.

 

As the silence dragged on, Licht started wondering if he had overreacted in front of Louise.

 

“Oh… we seem to have overstepped.”

 

“We’re sorry, Your Holiness. Please enjoy your meal in peace.”

 

Those gathered quickly backed away, almost running.

 

“……?”

 

Licht looked at Louise, puzzled, and saw that she had buried her face in her hands. Her exposed ears and neck were bright red.

 

“Louise, what’s wrong?”

 

“No, it’s nothing, Your Holiness.”

 

Her voice sounded close to sobbing.

 

“Shall I get you fresh food? It seems like yours has gotten cold.”

 

“No, I think we should just leave.”

 

Licht, relieved, nodded enthusiastically at her suggestion. He had been uncomfortable with the knights hovering around, trying to talk to her throughout the meal.

 

“I think that’s a good idea.”

 

Though he was a bit concerned that Louise hadn’t eaten enough, he figured he could make up for it later with something more substantial.

 

As he stood and offered his hand to help Louise up, all eyes turned to them, though they quickly looked away when Licht caught their gaze.

 

‘I shouldn’t have brought her here in the first place. Especially not to a place full of men.’

 

Feeling increasingly irritated, Licht quickened his pace.

 

The stares persisted until they were far enough from the dining hall that the building was no longer in sight.

 

“So now…”

 

Licht slowed his steps and looked down at Louise.

 

“I suppose we should head to the confessional.”

 

After all, Louise had said she would confess her past indecent acts involving Licht. He had been curious about her thoughts at the time and wasn’t going to miss the opportunity to hear them.

 

“Oh….”

 

Louise’s face flushed red, then paled.

 

“Um…  Licht….”

 

“Yes? What is it?”

 

Closing her eyes tightly, Louise whispered in a small voice.

 

“Could we go to the most secluded confessional, please?”