Limited Extra Time - Chapter 159

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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A Doomed Extra’s Time

A Long Romance Fantasy Novel by Ja Eun-hyang

A Doomed Extra’s Time

Side Story: Episode 15

“Your Holiness.”

“I don’t want to. I’m not going, so leave.”

The moment Kalan Dium stepped into the pristine Prayer Chamber, he heard the dismissal and exhaled a weary sigh.

He had a general sense of how the Pope would react, but facing it in person was exhausting nonetheless.

“It’s a request from the Imperial Court.”

“You’ve always handled such trivial matters perfectly fine. Why must I participate in something so beneath me?”

“There are… circumstances.”

At Kalan Dium’s direct words rather than evasion, the Pope—who had been kneeling before a statue with clasped hands—finally turned his head.

Hair the color of honey-glazed gold swayed at his waist. Loosely bound into a single knot,

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strands stuck out haphazardly from the front and sides.

He wore pristine white garments that seemed to permit not a single blemish, yet his gaze was as dark and gloomy as they came.

A flicker of irritation crossed the Pope’s golden eyes before vanishing.

“So it’s one of those extraordinary matters again?”

“Yes. It appears Carina Leopold and Serenus have also been forced to attend.”

“You’re worried the Heretic Sect might reach out their hand.”

The Pope rose from her kneeling position using only the strength of her legs. Or rather, she attempted to.

Whether from dizziness or some other cause, her slender frame swayed dramatically. Kalan Dium hurried forward and caught her waist, steadying her.

“When was the last time you ate?”

“Mm….”

At the Pope’s non-answer, Kalan Dium’s eyes slowly swept across the Prayer Chamber.

The food sat nearly untouched in the corner, abandoned.

Kalan Dium guided her to a long wooden bench in the Prayer Chamber. The Pope leaned back wearily and exhaled a deep sigh.

“Your Holiness.”

“Ah…. I’ll pass on the lectures, Kalan. It’s hardly charming. You weren’t like this in the old days.”

“I’ve changed because of you. Regardless, I ask that you comply, even if you dislike it.”

“Mm…. My precious child asks, and I wish to oblige, but….”

The Pope drew out her words meaningfully, her arm draped over the backrest as she gazed at Kalan Dium standing before her. His attire was flawless in every detail.

The Pope’s eyes narrowed with amusement as she suddenly smiled and reached out, grasping Kalan Dium by the collar and pulling him toward her.

“Wait—!”

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Naturally, Kalan Dium’s waist bent forward. His pale navy hair cascaded down, scattering in disarray.

His eyes narrowed slightly in displeasure. He extended his arm to grip the chair’s backrest, preventing himself from falling, and regarded the Pope with clear dissatisfaction.

“But I clearly taught you, Kalan. When you make a request, how should you do it?”

“…Sigh.”

Kalan Dium exhaled softly, gazing down at the Pope who smiled with childlike innocence.

If he granted her wishes, she would comply with his requests. Otherwise, she would sulk again.

He leaned forward slightly, tilting his head as he pressed his lips against hers. Slowly, he parted her closed lips and slid his tongue inside.

Kalan Dium lightly traced the inside of her mouth, drawing her tongue toward him and sucking gently before releasing it.

After the brief kiss, he gently bit the Pope’s lower lip before pulling away and straightening his posture.

When he lowered his gaze, she wore a mischievous expression.

Kalan Dium knelt on one knee and brought her hand to his lips, kissing the back of it. The reverent gesture that followed the lingering kiss was utterly devout.

“I humbly beseech you, my Queen.”

The Pope withdrew the hand he had kissed and caressed his face.

“Eighty points.”

“…What deducted points this time?”

“You should have called me ‘sister’ sweetly. Back then, you used to call me ‘please, sister…’ with tearful eyes.”

She complained that his head had grown too large and darkened. Kalan Dium sighed and turned away.

“Besides, kneeling for another woman—

Grumbling about how his head had gotten bigger and darker, Kalan Dium sighed and turned his head away.

“Anyway, for another woman…”

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should I be jealous?”

…You know as well as I do. That child, Serenus, will not grow ordinarily. He will hold a fading flame in his heart, sense what is extraordinary, and witness what is extraordinary.

At Kalan Dium’s words, the Pope leaned back against the hard wooden chair, blinking slowly. Her narrowed gaze touched upon Kalan Dium before drifting away.

Like me, perhaps?

….

Kalan Dium gazed down at her in silence. She too had entered the Temple at a young age and endured considerable hardship.

She grasped Kalan Dium’s arm and drew him down beside her.

God’s love is truly cruel to mankind. We cast aside what we cannot bear and call it a blessing. That’s why I don’t love God.

Your Holiness, such words are impious. I must ask you to guard your tongue when we’re in public.

Could anything be more impious than the sins you commit before God himself?

At the Pope’s brazen retort, Kalan Dium finally found himself at a loss for words. Around this woman, he always felt swept along by her will.

He pressed his palm against his forehead and exhaled a long, weary sigh.

You enjoy it, don’t you? Only you would find excitement in doing what mustn’t be done, in indulging such depravity.

Your tone has grown disrespectful, Kalan.

She rested her chin on the shoulder of Kalan Dium beside her, her voice petulant.

The Pope pressed a finger against Kalan Dium’s chest as he shrugged.

And yet… it’s you who grows aroused by such a woman.

…Could you please maintain some decorum in your language and word choice?

Not when we’re alone. And tell them I’ll attend the banquet.

Yes, I shall make the arrangements.

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Kalan Dium finally rose from his seat.

The Pope exhaled deeply. Truly, he despised appearing before others.

Still, when my child made this request, I couldn’t possibly refuse.

“If you don’t eat your meals on time from now on, you won’t see my face for quite some time. I’ll be bringing your meals myself.”

“…Ah, you’re not cute at all. How did you become so rigid?”

“From the day you saved me and picked me up, I decided I would keep you alive and well. If you’re going to regret it, then reverse time and start by not picking me up in the first place.”

As Kalan Dium closed the door behind him and left those words hanging, the Pope’s eyes narrowed slightly. Even so, if time could be reversed, she would still save him.

She still couldn’t forget that moment on a cold winter’s day—him asleep in the snow, barefoot, wrapped in nothing but a tattered scrap of cloth.

“To think I have to see that old raccoon-like man… it’s truly dreadful.”

But it was a rare request, so there was no helping it.

The Pope rose from her seat with a light movement of her body. She put the cold food into her mouth and let out a long sigh.

“Carina Leopold, I think it would be better if you didn’t go.”

“…What? But I’ve prepared everything?”

“Now that I’ve prepared everything, it feels like it shouldn’t happen.”

Millaiyen Pestellio spoke with a stern expression. What was he saying?

As Carina Leopold furrowed her brow, Millaiyen

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let out an exasperated sigh.

Only after watching him run his hand across his face several times did she realize how grave he truly looked.

“Has something happened? If that’s the case, we shouldn’t go.”

“Mm. No matter how much I think about it, I can’t bring myself to let you and Seren go.”

Seeing Millaiyen Pestellio’s grave expression, she nodded obediently, sensing this was no ordinary concern.

Well, there’s nothing to be done about it. The fact that Millaiyen is reacting like this means something is wrong.

“You could have mentioned it earlier. Either way, if something is the matter….”

“What if someone takes you and Seren away from me?”

“…Pardon?”

“Isn’t it too elaborate? Of course… if you want to do it, then do it, but….”

Carina Leopold stared at Millaiyen’s serious expression and finally found herself at a loss for words.

Since Seren was born, he had truly become capable of uttering such embarrassing words without hesitation.

Carina Leopold turned her head away in silence.

I couldn’t quite grasp whether I should engage with this or what I should say in response.

“Millaiyen, you really….”

“I’m sorry. But I really am worried. You’re beautiful.”

Millaiyen murmured softly and pressed a kiss to her cheek. At his affectionate kiss, Carina Leopold’s cheeks flushed slightly.

She gazed at him with her lips pressed firmly together, then averted her eyes slightly.

“Of course I should be beautiful.”

“Mm.”

“I endured the discomfort just to show you, after all.”

“….”

Millaiyen’s eyes widened slightly, then

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soon narrowed in apparent embarrassment.

He exhaled a low sigh before pressing his lips against hers.

Then he kissed the nape of her neck, the back of her hand, and finally her palm.

“You’re beautiful without trying. Always—you’re the only one who stirs my heart.”

“But I haven’t gone out recently, so I haven’t even bothered to dress up at all.”

“If you want to make my heart stop, you’re welcome to do whatever you wish.

But please show some restraint today.”

His curved eyes gleamed with delight.

Millaiyen too was impeccably dressed in his formal uniform today, every detail precise. Entering the Imperial Palace meant observing such formalities.

“I know it will be tiring, but let’s manage for just an hour or two. Seren, I’m sorry.”

“Poof!”

The child burst into delighted laughter at Millaiyen’s fingers brushing her cheek, showing no sign of distress.

Yet how well Seren would endure in a crowded place was certainly a source of concern.

“You said you’d leave first?”

“Yes, I have matters to attend to. I’ll come to meet you, so don’t worry and arrive on time.”

“Understood.”

She pressed a quick kiss to Millaiyen’s cheek. Seren watched the two of them with wide eyes before turning her gaze to Carina Leopold, who held her, and opened her mouth.

“Ma! Ma!”

“Of course. Mama loves you too, Seren.”

Carina Leopold gently kissed the child’s soft cheek. The child burst into delighted giggles. It was an utterly precious scene.

Millaiyen rose lightly to his feet.

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.

“Then I’ll head out first.”

“Yes, see you in a bit.”

“Mm.”

Millaiyen pressed a kiss to Seren’s cheek before turning to leave.

Yet as he stepped through the doorway, his expression had grown subtly shadowed.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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