DLRV 4

Chapter : 04

“Did the necromancer you went to capture get apprehended successfully and brought here?”

“Excellent knights are tracking him.”

He had returned urgently even though the mission wasn’t complete.

“So you returned while leaving a dangerous criminal free in the world… because I left the temple?”

“I always stand where God commands and fulfill my duty, nothing more.”

“By standing here, innocent victims could increase, couldn’t they?”

“Knights pursuing criminals are exceptional. They will surely eliminate evil. There is no need for concern.”

I fell silent for a moment. When I stopped speaking, Samuel also closed his mouth and continued staring at me.

Since I had opened the door, Samuel had not shifted his posture even once. Just from the way he stood, I could tell:

This man was incredibly patient and stubborn.

He had stood in that endless gaze, seemingly prepared for an indefinite standoff, before finally moving. Slowly lowering his eyes, he spoke quietly:

“As I have said, the temple understands that you, the resurrected one, need time to adapt. I am here only to ensure your safety. I have no other intention.”

By words alone, it was a courtesy I could not ignore. Samuel’s emotionless tone reinforced his meaning.

I smiled faintly and stepped back.

“You’re right. I do need time to think. But I have no intention of letting you in, so act accordingly.”

Bang.

No footsteps came from beyond the firmly closed door. He intended to keep watch outside, I guessed. I stared at the door and took a deep breath.

The necromancer could be captured by another knight, but since no one else could catch me, he had come. That meant he was the only one who could find me.

The reason it had to be him…

I traced my neck with my fingers. My hand touched the shape-changing magical item. A treasure of the temple, and he possessed extraordinary holy power.

And moments ago, his gaze had brushed across the back of my neck. Wasn’t that obvious?

I exhaled in exasperation. Yes, I had been careless. There was no way the temple would leave its treasure lying around. But now that I knew the cause, I would not make the same mistake twice.

Knowing the reason brought peace of mind. As the tension released, a wave of exhaustion finally hit me. I stretched and headed for the bed.

To escape, I needed to manage my stamina. A nap seemed necessary.

Outside, Samuel still seemed to be standing, but I didn’t care.

“Truly, I apologize, Your Highness…”

The palace attendants couldn’t lift their heads. Naturally—they had no choice. I was barely an engaged fiancée, but in reality, I was practically the crown princess.

Everyone in the palace treated me as a member of the royal family. Everyone except my fiancé, Maxell.

“His Highness had urgent business and thus, regrettably…”

The attendant, sweating profusely, listed excuses for Maxell canceling our appointment. Plausible claims about international affairs, envoys from the Grand Temple, and so on.

But I was a daughter of the Roam family, destined to be empress from birth. Everything I had learned was to survive in this palace. Maxell’s transgression could not escape my notice.

There may have been teachings about tolerating a husband’s indiscretions for the sake of the empress. Such lessons existed.

If I had been in a calmer state, I might have executed my learned strategies meticulously. But that day…

On my birthday, watching him flirt with another woman—a daughter from a fallen family—was unbearable.

By then, rumors mocked the Roam daughter for being neglected by the crown prince, and Lilia’s exceptional charm and friendliness were beginning to stand out.

“Since the crown prince seems to have forgotten, go and deliver my message. Speak loud enough so everyone present can hear.”

I refused the attendant’s order to leave and smiled.

“No matter who is present, they all need to hear your voice. Understood?”

The attendant conveyed my request to Maxell, who was with Lilia, clearly enough for her to hear.

That day, I spent half a day sitting in the empty reception room of the crown prince’s palace. My father criticized me for clinging to him without pride, claiming I would become crown princess anyway, and my older sister clicked her tongue and ignored me.

My mother sighed and stayed silent; my younger brother lingered behind her, nervously observing.

What truly wounded my pride were these reactions. Those little things.

The next day, I attended a party where Lilia was present and poured wine over her head. Then, as if it were only natural, I slapped Maxell, who was standing by her side.

Everyone witnessed it, was shocked, and from that moment, my notorious reputation ignited.

Touching a member of the royal family, I should have been executed immediately. But my status as the fiancée and the events of the previous day were considered. The emperor granted pardon after three months of restraint.

“I wish you had executed me back then.”

Perhaps then I wouldn’t have resurrected.

With that silly thought, I rose. The bed was poor, and I had tossed and turned several times, but a few hours of sleep helped reduce my fatigue.

Pressing my throbbing forehead, I sat on the bed and gradually organized my foggy thoughts.

Immediately upon opening my eyes, I realized I had dreamt garbage while briefly asleep last night. Maxell had appeared.

“Starting the day on a bad note.”

Grumbling, I flung open the door to request water for washing and froze at the giant figure in the doorway.

“Up early, I see.”

Ah, yes. Samuel was here.

“So you are… Sir Samuel, right?”

I hadn’t realized, and my tone came out sharp. Samuel nodded calmly.

“Yes, thank you for remembering.”

“Did you stand there all night?”

“As I said, it is to ensure the resurrected one’s safety. Do not worry.”

I don’t like persistent men.

Leaning crookedly against the doorframe with arms crossed, I replied coldly:

“I’m about to bathe, so I can’t ignore it. I’m too timid to strip comfortably with a man standing beyond the door.”

“Do not worry.”

“Is it really that simple?”

I muttered irritably. Samuel slightly furrowed his brow, then declared without hesitation:

“Even if you were standing naked, it would not affect me.”

Oh ho. Look at that.

A faint trace of pride and stubbornness in his ash-gray eyes hinted at his nature.

So, he wasn’t compliant. If other young ladies heard that, they might cry in shame or flee. Even just feeling intimidated.

“Well, that’s a fortunate confession. Then I can strip without concern.”

But what to do? I wasn’t him.

“I’ll keep that in mind and trust it—open the door if I feel warm while bathing.”

I replied nonchalantly and turned away, sensing eyes on my back.

Ugh, what a nuisance. How could I get rid of him to buy as much time as possible?

After confirming the door was closed, I dragged my legs back to the bed, flopped down, and buried my face in the blanket, pondering.

He wouldn’t be affected even if I were naked?

That audacious voice made me clench my fists.

“…….”

I sprang up, reopened the door, and found Samuel standing in the same posture.

Passing him, I found the inn staff and insisted they prepare the bathwater at dawn.

The largest tub, filled to the brim, as I explicitly instructed.

Even when I deliberately made noise bathing, Samuel did not budge outside. The stubborn man.

They say the first thing God’s servants cultivate in the temple is patience—and they are right.

Thanks to him, I unexpectedly bathed, wasting the early morning hours despite waking early.

If Samuel intended this pointless delay, he had succeeded perfectly.

“I will guard you. Do not worry and carry out your morning routine.”

Even after preparing for the day, I hesitated to leave. Samuel, with rare generosity, urged me.

“What could you possibly do?”

“Whatever I do does not matter.”

“Indeed. Even if I bathe nearby, it would not affect me. Whatever you do, it will not concern me.”

Perhaps my twisted perception made his words sound irritating.

“Good. That seems proven by this morning, thankfully.”

I couldn’t tell whether he was speaking plainly or mocking. I could waste my time on another pointless verbal duel.

I left the inn, with Samuel following at a distance.

As I walked, my mind calmed, and I reviewed the situation rationally.

Finally, I concluded it was best to tolerate him for now. Keeping him close would be more advantageous.

Thousands of pilgrims and tourists passed through this city daily. No matter what excuse I gave, they couldn’t block access for long.

The longer the delay, the more complaints would arise, and eventually the real reason for the lockdown would be revealed.

Naturally, the temple, wishing to secure my safety as soon as possible, had summoned Samuel.