LADAD Chapter 5

"Shall we set a date for our next meeting?"

Ivan was the first to suggest it. In the light that had emerged once again, Amelia gazed at the luminous man as if spellbound. For all his claims of being a priest, he had taken the form of a handsome young man—as though he were the one doing the bewitching.

"Every Friday night around 11 o'clock, here."

Amelia nodded at Ivan's proposal.

"Good. Let's part ways for today."

For reasons unknown, Louise and the servants' surveillance had become somewhat lax recently. It was rare for them to stay glued to her side every moment like before. So spending about thirty minutes in the prayer room under the pretext of prayer shouldn't be much of a problem.

"If I'm away too long, they'll come looking for me."

Even after saying this, as if some lingering attachment remained, Amelia couldn't easily rise from her seat. Naturally, she couldn't let go of Ivan's sleeve either.

"You said you had to go."

At Ivan's words, Amelia smiled sheepishly. It seemed she wouldn't get up of her own will. Ivan extended his free hand and gently detached Amelia's hand. The hand that had wrapped around her slender wrist was now beneath Amelia's hand.

"We'll meet again next time."

Ivan whispered soothingly. Amelia's gaze turned toward the hand Ivan had captured.

"...Yes."

Though the longing hidden deep in her dark eyes remained, her answer was docile.

"Go ahead first."

At Ivan's words, Amelia nodded and rose from her seat. Ivan's hand gradually grew distant. His long, firm fingertips brushed across Amelia's palm before falling away.

"Wait."

Amelia, who had just reached the door of the prayer room, turned back. Ivan's languid gaze, still sitting on the platform, was directed toward Amelia.

"Why?"

Ivan asked. It was unclear whether he was speaking formally or informally. It was simply a comfortable and relaxed attitude, as if addressing a friend without ceremony. Heaven knows Ivan was a type of person Amelia had never encountered before.

Perhaps that was why. Strangely, Amelia felt comfortable with him. For reasons she couldn't understand, she found herself drawn to him. She even liked the fact that he had so little faith in God that he would choose to transgress.

"Could you... call me by my name?"

And she had the strange intuition that if it were Ivan, he would accept her affection.

"My name is..."

"I know your name well enough."

Ivan interrupted her. Just when disappointment was beginning to rise in her heart, thinking he wouldn't call her by name after all.

"Amelia."

Ivan called out to Amelia. By the name that existed but had never truly existed.

"......"

The moment Amelia heard her name called by Ivan, she felt a thrill run through her body. As if she had been reborn. As if she had been wandering the world in spirit form all this time, and had finally set foot on solid ground.

"See you again."

Ivan waved one hand with a smiling face. Gentle moonlight scattered in fragments above him. Unable to say anything, Amelia gripped the door handle of the prayer room.

"...Yes."

Amelia barely managed to answer with a choked voice and opened the door to the prayer room. She left the prayer room, leaving Ivan behind. As the door closed behind her, the world became quiet.

No. In truth, the temple in the deep night had always been this quiet. She simply hadn't noticed due to being distracted by Ivan.

"......"

It was when she had passed through the garden, crossed the corridor, and arrived at her bedroom. The mute servant, sensing her presence, woke from sleep and rubbed her eyes.

"Sleep more. I'm going to sleep too."

Amelia whispered as she climbed onto the bed. The servant lay back down in her place and closed her eyes.

"I know your name well enough."

Lying on the bed without even covering herself with a blanket, Amelia recalled the gentle voice. Through the open window, curtains fluttered, and insects played the music of the deep night.

"Amelia."

'Amelia. Amelia Escliffe. My name is...'

Amelia, who had recalled her name countless times, closed her eyes and curled up like a baby. A blush she couldn't hide was spreading across her soft cheeks.

"Your Majesty."

Ivan, who had been walking down the corridor toward the audience chamber, stopped abruptly. Rodan appeared at the end of the corridor. The black shadow that artfully covered half his face looked quite eerie.

"Standing there like that, you look like a ghost."

However, Ivan's response was cheerful. There wasn't even a trace of surprise from him.

"Did you really visit the temple again yesterday?"

"You told me to use the identification card since you went through the trouble of stealing it."

Ivan replied nonchalantly and began walking briskly again.

"I was asking why you needed to obtain an identification card if you were going to climb over walls anyway."

Rodan spoke with a small sigh.

"That's why yesterday I didn't climb the wall but passed through the temple gates pretending to be that novice priest. Though I couldn't kill the sacred maiden."

"What will you do if you're caught?"

"I just won't get caught."

Ivan answered smugly. Even though he knew it wasn't something that could be controlled at will. Rodan was the only one getting a headache dealing with his impulsive master.

"Whether you climbed the wall or used the identification card to pass through the main gate, sneaking in is the same thing. If you're discovered, the temple won't just stand by."

Rodan tried to persuade Ivan.

"I've already made arrangements to meet that woman regularly."

"Are you planning to visit the temple again? When something happens, the identification card won't be a complete excuse... You're not listening, are you."

However, Ivan clearly showed signs of listening with one ear and letting it out the other. He was always like this. Indifference to anything other than what interested him was his nature.

"At least I can buy enough time to lie about being a lost priest and escape. You also want the sacred legend debunked."

"I don't want it done by risking the Emperor's life."

Rodan denied it as if he had no desire to gamble with Ivan's life. That was also his sincere feeling. The imperial power had already weakened from long confrontation with the temple authority. Ivan was like the last card for those who supported the imperial family. If something happened to him, the Escliffe imperial family could no longer remain in the name of glory.

"Next time you meet, you must kill her."

Rodan said. Ivan made a humming sound and avoided Rodan's gaze.

"Your Majesty."

"Yes, someday."

When Rodan pressed for an answer, Ivan replied. It wasn't a reluctant attitude. It was just that it wouldn't be right now, but he was also thinking of killing Amelia someday.

"The more you frequent the temple, the more dangerous it becomes."

At Rodan's words, Ivan stopped walking. It was reasonable concern. He wasn't unable to understand his worry. However, he had already failed to kill her.

"But isn't it a bit wasteful to just kill and eliminate someone who seems to have value for use?"

Looking back on past events and feeling regret wasn't suited to his temperament. If he was going to think about what came after, that would be different. If he couldn't kill the woman, he just needed to find a reason to keep her alive.

"Rodan."

"Yes."

"That woman is starved for attention and affection. And she knows everything that happens inside there."

Ivan turned to look at Rodan, who stood one step behind, with a grinning face.

"She already trusts me as her friend."

"......"

"Anyway, she's a woman I can kill anytime when we meet. Since she doesn't bring any attendants. Then wouldn't this be too good an opportunity to miss?"

Whether to keep her alive or kill her, every moment Ivan faced Amelia was an opportunity for him.

"Why do you ask when you won't listen to what I say anyway?"

Rodan shook his head. He had already given up trying to persuade his reckless master. He didn't have the power to break Ivan's stubbornness. Moreover, ironically, it was also true that Ivan's recklessness had created the first opportunity to make contact with the sacred maiden.

"I feel like this opportunity won't come twice."

All the spies the imperial family had sent to the temple had failed to reach Amelia. Men who weren't priests found it difficult to approach the sacred maiden, who rarely went out.

Women were the same. They could only do menial work in the kitchen or stables at most. Except for Louise the maid, the servant who watched Amelia most closely couldn't speak. Naturally, she couldn't write either. There was a reasonable excuse that she could impersonate God's will with stories overheard while guarding the sacred maiden.

"Do as you wish."

Rodan answered after a sigh. It was insolent behavior, but Ivan didn't point it out. Rather, his face looked refreshed.

"Leave it. I'll open it myself."

Ivan, who had arrived at the audience chamber door, stopped the guards' movements and opened the door himself.

"Duke Russell."

"I greet the Sun of Escliffe."

Duke Russell, who had been waiting seated on the sofa, rose from his seat and bowed to him. Ivan stared at Duke Russell's round back of the head without responding to his greeting or giving permission to straighten up.

"I've recently injured my back and am in pain. Please forgive me for raising my head without permission, Your Majesty."

Before long, Duke Russell smoothly straightened his back and smiled while making eye contact with Ivan. Naturally, the Emperor's permission hadn't been granted yet. Moreover, Duke Russell didn't look like someone in pain at all.

"Of course I understand, Duke."

'Insolent bastard.'

Ivan thought.

"I'm grateful for your understanding."

Duke Russell replied leisurely, as if reading his mind. He was expressing gratitude while ignoring the Emperor's authority.

"Now you should be thinking about passing your title to your children."

Ivan, unable to stand such behavior, continued speaking. Then a faint line appeared at the corners of Duke Russell's softly curved lips.

'Impudent brat.'

Duke Russell thought. Ivan, who had coolly exposed his senility, read his mind and smiled thinly.