LADAD Chapter 25

Ivan?

Amelia stared at the man in a daze for a moment. The bright, vivid blonde hair, emerald-blue eyes, and face were unmistakably those of the person Amelia had loved.

"......"

Could she be seeing things? Amelia's lips trembled. She clutched the fabric at her chest and was about to barely manage to call Ivan's name when—

"Your Majesty!"

The sound of someone belatedly running down the corridor could be heard.

"If you suddenly leave like this..."

"But wasn't I right? It seems all of today's main characters are gathered here."

A man appeared with words criticizing his rash and reckless behavior, wiping the sweat from his forehead. However, his master merely gestured with his chin toward Aaron and Amelia, who stood there stupidly, and answered his servant.

"Lady Saint, and High Priest. I apologize for the sudden visit. This person is the Emperor of Escliffe, and I am his servant, Rodan."

As if speaking for him, Rodan bowed deeply and politely apologized. However, upon hearing Rodan's apology, Amelia's eyes trembled like aspen leaves.

"Emperor?"

Emperor? That Ivan who was said to be a novice priest? That Ivan like the wind who freely traveled between the temple and the outside world? It couldn't be possible. Amelia stared fixedly at Ivan as if denying reality. It seemed she wanted to find differences from Ivan, or perhaps wanted to find proof that he was Ivan.

"......"

As if sensing that gaze, Ivan turned his head. Their eyes met. Those were the same eyes from her memories that used to shine with subtle mischief when they met Amelia's gaze.

"I..."

Amelia was about to unconsciously call Ivan's name when—

"Of course, I did come suddenly, but I'm a bit surprised that you wouldn't welcome me this much."

It was strange. Ivan's eyes were familiar yet unfamiliar. The foundation beneath that playfulness was like the bleakness of midwinter wind.

"Ah, should I greet you first and say it's nice to meet you?"

"......"

"Nice to meet you."

Ivan smoothly curved the corners of his mouth upward in greeting. As if seeing her for the first time.

Three teacups were placed before the three people sitting facing each other. Ivan was the first to reach for the cup releasing its steam. Despite having burst into the Lady Saint's reception room uninvited, he was as composed as someone who had nothing to feel guilty about.

"I apologize for the inadequate preparations due to the sudden visit."

"It's fine. I didn't come expecting to receive tremendous treatment. After all, you people aren't very interested in the imperial family, are you?"

At Ivan's words, Rodan frowned with a troubled expression. He seemed to want to cover his master's mouth.

"I don't know about the Lady Saint, but I am bound to this land. Therefore, as a subject of Escliffe, I serve you as well."

However, Aaron calmly lowered himself and acted flexibly, showing no intention of opposing Ivan. It was a natural reaction since he was originally a man who tried to avoid unnecessary conflicts with anyone except Amelia.

"However, this is ultimately where the Lady Saint resides. I'm concerned that inappropriate rumors might spread, so may I ask the reason for your sudden visit?"

Aaron asked carefully. Ivan leisurely savored the tea's aroma and took a sip.

"I want to provide some support."

And he gave a belated answer. Aaron blinked a few times, seemingly surprised by the unexpected response.

"When you say support..."

Meanwhile, Amelia never took her eyes off Ivan for a moment. She still couldn't tell if he was the Ivan she knew or not.

"Literally support for the temple. As a faithful servant of God."

Ivan answered cheekily.

"The relationship with the temple has been lukewarm since the previous emperor's time, hasn't it? Rodan has been worried about that problem."

And he casually brought up Rodan's worries as if he himself had never been in conflict with the temple. His relaxed attitude of enjoying tea made it appear as though Ivan was truly a person free from issues with the temple.

"By the way, the Lady Saint keeps staring at me intently."

It was when Amelia couldn't hide her confused expression. Ivan pointed out Amelia's gaze directed at him.

"Do I have a common face that you've seen somewhere?"

Too suddenly, and too directly.

"The Lady Saint is unfamiliar with direct meetings or contact with outsiders. She's acting this way because of that, so please don't be angry."

Perhaps feeling as if Ivan was picking a fight out of nowhere, Aaron hurriedly made excuses on Amelia's behalf. From the start, the fact that he had suddenly come to Amelia's quarters without prior consultation or schedule coordination made it hard to see that he had good intentions.

"......"

So Amelia thought he was not the Ivan she knew. The Ivan she had loved was not this rude, was not this arrogant.

"If I've displeased you, I apologize, Your Majesty."

And above all, he didn't look at Amelia with contempt.

"I seemed to be staring because you resembled someone I know. Please forgive my rudeness."

Once she thought that way, words of apology came out readily. Staring intently at a stranger was certainly rude. She could understand the displeasure he had shown. Even though the voice that had been mocking Amelia was also similar to 'that' Ivan's.

"If you say so."

'Ivan wouldn't do that.'

It was trust that went beyond simple belief. Just as believers trust in God, Amelia wholly believed in the actions and words Ivan had shown her. There could be no breaking of that trust, and the memories left to her.

"I accept your apology."

Ivan graciously accepted Amelia's apology. Amelia naturally averted her gaze from the emperor. She had no interest in a man who wasn't Ivan.

"Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty. However, for support or donations, you could have delivered them through Count Worphe."

A subtle chill circulated between Amelia and Ivan. Noticing this, Aaron naturally spoke to Ivan, turning his attention to himself.

"Ah."

Ivan let out a short exclamation.

"Of course that's possible, but then it would be difficult for me to make a request of the Lady Saint."

"When you say request..."

Aaron trailed off questioningly. No matter how much he thought about it, Ivan's intentions didn't seem clear, so he kept suspecting and probing into his true feelings.

"As I said, the relationship with the temple has deteriorated since the previous emperor's time, and we're receiving a lot of misunderstanding. I want to clear up those misunderstandings. But I need help for that."

Ivan set his teacup down on the saucer. Even in that light gesture, the countless teachings he had learned and acquired over the years showed through. It was different from that Ivan who would sit on the ground without hesitation and lay hands on Amelia.

"Wouldn't it be nice to enter the palace once a month for tea time?"

"......"

"In the sense that I have no ill will toward the temple, and the temple trusts me as well. It seems like it would be a suitable explanation."

When Amelia was once again certain of her judgment, Ivan showed excessively gentle and generous goodwill toward the temple.

"I understand what you're saying, but..."

As expected, Aaron seemed to find Ivan's attitude change hard to believe, and opened his mouth to politely express subtle rejection with a smiling face. When they were already trying to hold onto someone who might bolt at any moment, sending her outside these walls was out of the question.

"Wait."

Ivan raised his hand to interrupt Aaron's words. Aaron looked at Ivan with a puzzled expression.

"I can hear a child crying from somewhere."

Rodan muttered. It was only for a very brief moment, but a cold energy instantly swept across Aaron's face. It was clearly a look of dismay.

"That can't be, Rodan. Would there be any reason to hear a child crying here?"

Ivan placed his elbow on the table. And naturally rested his chin in his hand while pretending to ask Rodan a question. At that moment, a baby's crying sharply pierced their ears.

"...It doesn't seem to be a mistake."

Rodan answered. It was loud enough that no one could lie and make excuses that it wasn't there.

"......"

Ivan didn't miss the opportunity and jumped up from his seat. Then he strode toward the door leading to Amelia's bedroom.

"Your Majesty! That's the Lady Saint's bedroom!"

Aaron hastily got up from his seat to stop him.

"Your Majesty! That's the Lady Saint's bedroom!"

Unfortunately, Rodan was a bit faster. Rodan pretended to grab Ivan while blocking Aaron's path.

"Yes. There really is a newborn baby."

Thus, before Aaron could catch him, Ivan opened the door to Amelia's bedroom and barged in. Louise, who had been trying to somehow block the baby's mouth by stuffing clothes and such into it, was startled when she made eye contact with Ivan.

"Surely that newborn isn't a priest."

Ivan approached Louise without concern. And he pulled out the cloth that was filling the baby's mouth. The little one who had been dry coughing opened his eyes softly. Heavens, and as if eager to make his existence known to Ivan.

Brilliant blonde hair, and...

Louise, with a face not knowing what to do, desperately cast a pleading gaze for help.

"And eyes as black as deep night."

"......"

"Did the Lady Saint give birth to a child?"

Then, following that path, Ivan cast his gaze behind him and asked. His voice was so satisfied it sounded like mockery.