Chapter – 13
‘Does this cult recruit believers based on their looks?’
The man, who looked to be in his late twenties, seemed to radiate a languid, lazy aura from his entire body.
He was completely different from Ian, who had an ascetic and beautiful presence that felt almost sacred.
“Did I startle you? My apologies.”
“N-Not at all.”
I casually closed my book as if it were nothing.
The man’s gaze briefly swept over the book I had shut before returning to me.
“The library is closed at this hour. I came to let you know since you were inside alone, my lady.”
“Oh, is it break time?”
I turned my head toward the librarian’s desk.
Sure enough, no one was there.
‘Mr. Librarian… you greeted me so kindly earlier. Did you forget about me?’
An oddly eerie atmosphere hung in the silent library.
The blond man smiled brightly.
“I’ll escort you to the entrance. Even inside the cathedral, it could be dangerous for someone as beautiful as you to be alone.”
He said beautiful as naturally as one would comment on nice weather.
Embarrassed by such a direct compliment, I scratched my cheek awkwardly.
‘Wait… does he not know who I am?’
Since I had ended up debuting in the newspapers, most people in the capital should recognize my face.
The blond man continued.
“Are you adjusting well to life in the cathedral, Lady Irene?”
So he did know who I was. I nodded.
“Yes. Everyone has been kind, so I’ve been able to settle in easily.”
“That’s good to hear. May I offer you a piece of advice?”
“Advice?”
I turned to him with widened eyes as he smiled with charming eyes.
“As you know, in the Church of Elune, attending Mass once a week is considered a virtue.”
That… was indeed a virtue. Right.
Only now did I recall that detail from the original story, and inwardly clicked my tongue.
I resolved to attend Mass as soon as tomorrow and continued listening.
“But they only care whether you attend—not which Mass you attend. For example, tomorrow’s Mass is practically a triathlon disguised as a service.”
…What?
My eyes nearly popped out.
I barely suppressed my shock and looked back at him.
“I see.”
“Haha. There are also Masses without such physical training. For instance, the Monday Mass is just reciting prayers.”
Monday.
I would definitely attend on Monday.
After firmly deciding this, I looked at him with expectant eyes.
Despite his frivolous appearance, his advice was genuinely helpful.
“I see. I still have much to learn about the cathedral. Thank you for your advice.”
“It’s nothing. I’d gladly help a beautiful lady.”
He smiled brightly.
“Come to think of it, this is our first meeting, yet I haven’t properly introduced myself. Would you grant me the honor of kissing the back of your hand?”
The blond man slightly bowed and extended his hand, asking for mine.
‘Is he really a believer?’
Even if Elune’s church didn’t enforce strict puritanism, this man still seemed unusual. He had the natural ease of someone who had probably charmed a hundred women.
‘Hmm… I do technically have a fiancé. Is it okay to offer my hand to another man?’
As I hesitated, he tilted his head.
“Ah. Would Sir Ian perhaps disapprove? Is he the jealous type?”
Sir Ian?
At that title, I froze.
In this country, the title Sir was used by equals or superiors addressing someone of similar or lower rank. In other words—it was informal.
And currently, only two people in the entire empire could address Ian that way.
The highest authority of the Elune Church, the Cardinal…
…and the Emperor.
‘The Emperor.’
I quickly examined the man.
In the original story, the Cardinal of this era was an elderly woman. I searched my memory for the Emperor’s description.
The heroine had described him as a handsome blond man in his late twenties.
A description that matched the man before me perfectly.
My fists tightened from tension.
‘Why is the Emperor approaching me like this?’
Thinking about it, it was natural for the Emperor to be curious about me. It was just his method of approach that was unexpected.
I silently glanced toward the entrance.
If I could just get outside, Sir Joan would be waiting for me.
As I remained quiet, the man tilted his head slightly before grinning.
“You’re quite perceptive, Saintess.”
I swallowed hard.
What should I do?
I should show proper etiquette first.
Just as I was about to bow—
“When did you arrive, Your Majesty?”
A clear, disciplined voice rang out.
I turned sharply. Ian was striding toward us from the entrance.
“Ah. My younger brother.”
The blond man—no, the Emperor—smiled.
“I thought I’d have a little chat with your fiancée. How did you know to come so quickly?”
“You came without notice. Had you informed me, I would have escorted you personally.”
Ian reached my side in an instant.
Seeing the brothers standing together, I wondered why I hadn’t recognized the Emperor sooner.
They did resemble each other. Especially their identical blue eyes.
But there were many differences too—their hair, posture, expressions.
If the Emperor was like flowing water, Ian was like cold frost.
On that icy face appeared a perfectly polite smile.
“I will escort you to my office.”
It was such a beautiful smile it was almost chilling. Though he smiled, it made my spine feel cold.
Was it because I knew of the Emperor’s ugliness and Ian’s hatred?
The Emperor, however, didn’t react like I did. He simply shrugged.
“More importantly, my sudden appearance must have startled the lady.”
“…Greetings, Your Majesty.”
I quickly placed my right hand over my chest and bowed.
“See?”
The Emperor clicked his tongue.
“We were having such a relaxed conversation.”
The moment his identity was revealed, he seemed like a completely different person.
The man who had smiled and called me lady vanished, replaced by someone arrogant and overbearing.
Ian spoke with a faint smile.
“My fiancée is somewhat shy. If you have something to say, please address me instead.”
“It’s nothing like that. I just thought I’d like to get to know her. She is the first lover of my dear brother, after all. Hmm… so this is your type.”
The Emperor’s gaze slowly scanned me from head to toe.
For a moment, I felt like a slab of meat hanging in a butcher’s shop, being evaluated piece by piece.
Disgust ran through me, but I tried not to show it.
Then—
“Irene.”
Ian gently pulled my shoulder.
“Please stand closer to this side. You seem closer to another man than to me.”
“Ah… yes?”
I blinked in confusion as he guided me behind him.
Soon, Ian’s broad back blocked most of my view. I could still see the Emperor’s face slightly, but that was all.
I blinked rapidly.
It felt as if Ian was protecting me.
“Another man?”
The Emperor chuckled.
“How am I another man? I’m your fiancé’s elder brother.”
“Anyone who isn’t me is another man. Even if he is my brother, he is not me.”
“How unusual. You’re showing jealousy.”
The Emperor raised an eyebrow.
It was a gesture similar to Ian’s, but unlike Ian’s cold intensity, this one just seemed irritating.
“Didn’t you used to desire nothing? Not your mother’s affection. Not your father’s recognition. Isn’t that right?”
‘…What a bastard.’
Behind Ian, I clenched my fist.
Ian had not received the affection of the former Empress nor the recognition of the former Emperor—and it was because of that man.
Ian Esteban. The second prince who excelled at everything.
A brilliant mind, unparalleled swordsmanship talent, and upright character.
Anyone could see he was worthy of the throne.
In fact, during the late Emperor’s reign, many argued that making Ian Crown Prince would be better for the empire’s future.
‘Rashid must have known that too.’
The more Ian was praised, the more sensitive Rashid became.
If their mother so much as patted Ian’s head, or their father praised him once, Rashid would throw hysterical fits.
His hysteria peaked when the Emperor gave Ian his personal sword.
If Ian hadn’t joined the Holy Knights—implicitly showing he had no intention of claiming the throne—Rashid might have tried to assassinate him.
‘Maybe he already tried several times.’
Though handsome on the outside, Rashid was shameless enough to eliminate anyone for his own safety.
In the original story, when cornered, he even made the worst possible decision.
‘He tried to open the dam and flood the entire capital that Ian had captured.’
It was a mad plan that would have killed not only Ian but countless imperial citizens.
I tried not to let my disgust show as I looked at him.
Unlike my turbulent thoughts, Ian’s voice remained flat and cold.
“Why would I covet what was never mine, Your Majesty?”
His voice was calm as he spoke of his mother’s affection and father’s recognition as things that were never his.
How long must he have tempered himself to maintain such a perfect poker face?
“But this person is different.”
Ian tightened the arm around my shoulders.
“She is someone I discovered and someone I chose. She is mine.”
…I was so shocked I couldn’t speak.
Even if it was just an act, I never expected such possessive words from Ian.
‘What a terrifying man. Truly terrifying.’
