The Fortune-Teller Saintess - Chapter 101
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Nein didn’t answer. He simply stared blankly at Estina’s tombstone.
Just as I was about to change the subject, thinking he would avoid answering again.
“A relationship of mutual hatred.”
Nein opened his mouth.
“Hatred?”
I asked back in surprise without realizing it.
I had expected Nein’s feelings toward Estina, but why did Estina hate Nein…?
Nein nodded and slowly began to speak.
“It was good at first. As an orphan, I followed her like a mother, and even though Estina knew I possessed magical power, she treated me like a son. I thought that relationship would continue forever. Until one day Estina suddenly said those words.”
“What words…?”
“She said I was disgusting for having magical power.”
I was shocked into silence.
Nein smiled crookedly and spoke about what happened back then.
“She said I was frightening, disgusting, and told me never to come back. She spat out all sorts of harsh words and returned to the Temple.”
“…”
“After that day, I caught Old Man Wilrend’s eye and entered the Mage Tower. But not long after, I heard news that she had died. I wanted to appear before her proudly as the Mage Tower Master, but then…”
Nein gritted his teeth and muttered in a voice tinged with murderous intent.
“The reason she died was because of the Seer.”
“Nein…”
Looking at him with pity, I hesitated before carefully asking.
“Nein, do you really hate Estina?”
“Yeah, I hate her.”
Nein answered firmly and added quietly.
“Because I loved her that much.”
“Estina might not have hated you. The Seer said so.”
‘Estina, she had a very warm heart. Everyone followed her, and she embraced them all.’
‘And she embraced heretics like you as well.’
When I brought up what Cardinal Barion had said, Nein’s eyes trembled slightly.
After a moment, Nein spoke with a sigh that sounded resigned.
“Even if that’s true, what meaning does it have? Estina is already…”
Nein’s complicated gaze fell on Estina’s tombstone.
I also looked at the tombstone with him, then raised my head resolutely.
Perhaps, as Nein said, Estina really had given up on him.
Even if that were true, I…
“I won’t do that.”
Nein turned his head to look at me.
I gazed quietly at his wounded eyes and spoke as if making a vow.
“I won’t leave your side. No matter what happens, absolutely not.”
“…”
There was no answer in return, but I could feel it instinctively.
At least my feelings had definitely reached him.
The warmth that leaned against my shoulder was proof of that.
***
Nein left Memorial Park with Ellia to escort her back to the Temple.
Ellia walked alongside him, chattering endlessly without pause. So that silence wouldn’t have a chance to settle in.
“So I told her. If it’s that hard, I’ll beat up those Cardinals or whatever for you. And do you know what Robelina said? She smiled and said even just the words made her feel better, and thanked me. But I was serious.”
Nein gazed intently at Ellia. He couldn’t take his eyes off her as she casually continued the conversation as if nothing had happened.
They say eyes are honest. It was a moment when he could feel the truth of those words.
But apart from his simple gaze, his mind was incredibly complicated.
‘I won’t leave your side. No matter what happens, absolutely not.’
‘How can she say such things so easily?’
Ellia probably would have said the same words even if it had been her friend Robelina, or even the annoying Lucian.
But the weight of those words was never light.
Ellia was the kind of person who would sacrifice anything she had to protect those within her circle.
Knowing this, when he heard those words, rather than feeling unpleasant, he found it fascinating, and also…
“Nein? Are you listening?”
…he felt it was endearing.
“Nein!”
Ellia suddenly thrust her face forward. Nein, who had been lost in thought, startled and stepped back without realizing it.
Then Ellia tilted her head and asked.
“What were you thinking about to be so lost in thought?”
“…Thinking about the Holy Lady.”
“Huh? Me?”
“Holy Lady…”
Nein trailed off hesitantly, then carefully continued.
“Why do you like me?”
“Uh…”
Ellia blushed as if flustered by the sudden question. Then, when he stared at her intently, she belatedly opened her mouth.
“You’re right. I never thought I’d come to like a crazy guy like you, so what could be the reason?”
“What? Crazy guy?”
“B-but still! Let me think of a reason!”
After pondering for a moment, Ellia exclaimed “Ah!” as if something had occurred to her.
“I think I like your warm heart, Nein.”
“Warm heart…?”
It was an absurd statement. Especially since the Mage Tower guys had once whispered that there must be a monster’s core inside his heart.
Most of all, even Nein knew well that he wasn’t a warm person.
Nevertheless, Ellia nodded with sincerity.
“Even though you’ve teased me a lot, when I’m going through hard times, you help me and always stay by my side.”
Ellia smiled so brightly that her eyes curved like crescents, her cheeks flushing red as she spoke.
“How could I not like someone like that?”
Thump, thump, thump-
Nein placed his hand on his chest. His heart was beating so fiercely it seemed like it might burst through his skin.
When he became aware of his feelings for Ellia, and when Ellia conveyed her heart to him, Nein had agonized.
Whether to burn with revenge against the former Holy Lady who had abandoned him, or to abandon that and walk a new path with Ellia.
Now he could see that all of that had been pointless worry.
‘Ah, I see.’
There had only been one path from the beginning.
From the very moment he first met Ellia.
“Holy Lady.”
“Yeah?”
“I love you.”
Ellia’s eyes widened. The light green pupils in her large eyes trembled finely.
Nein chuckled and carefully cupped Ellia’s cheek, bringing his face closer.
“Now that I’ve conveyed my true feelings, may I?”
“I-It’s not that urgent, couldn’t we take it a little slower?”
“Are you crazy?”
Nein frowned and stole a kiss from Ellia’s lips with a soft sound.
Ellia’s face was now burning so red it looked like it might burst.
Watching that adorable sight, Nein spoke in an impatient voice.
“I thought I was going crazy wanting to do this.”
“Wh-What…?”
“I can do it, right?”
“W-Wait!”
Ellia hastily covered her lips and escaped from Nein’s embrace, running far away.
Nein, who had been standing there dazed and flustered by her appearance as she fled from embarrassment, let out a hollow laugh.
“Just wait until I catch you.”
Nein pulled up the corners of his mouth in a grin.
His face, having cast away all hesitation, was filled only with relief and desire for his target.
“Now that I’ve heard you won’t leave, I’ll never let you go.”
***
[(Breaking News) Temple’s Saintess found with burst heart on public street…]
…It was fortunate that such an article wouldn’t be published.
That’s how lethal Nein’s obsession and temptation were to my heart.
Still, thanks to my desperate escape, I was able to return safely(?) to the Temple.
Nein, who followed behind, kept making sulky faces though.
“Doing it in the Temple would make me feel awkward toward God.”
“You crazy bastard, have some sense of time and place!”
Shocked, I covered my burning face with my hands and shouted.
Nein clicked his tongue and grumbled as he followed. As I was entering the Temple, I stopped and whirled around to look at him.
“You’re coming inside the Temple too? Don’t tell me you’re really going to…!”
“It’s not like that. But seeing how that’s the first thing you think of, maybe you were secretly hoping for it?”
“What…!”
“Over there.”
Nein extended his long finger to point behind me.
Reflexively turning around, I soon spotted a familiar face.
“Oh? Your Highness?”
“Perfect timing.”
Jacad, who had been talking with Robelina, noticed us and approached.
Seeing my face, he tilted his head and asked.
“Your face is red. Are you sick?”
“No. I’m not sick.”
“Is that so? Then…”
Jacad suddenly stopped and looked behind me. There’s only Nein behind me though?
Just as I was about to turn around in confusion, Jacad muttered.
“I see. I understand.”
“Huh? What? I didn’t say anything.”
“Your boyfriend is speaking for you with his eyes.”
“Boy… what?!”
I was so flustered that my mouth fell open. Looking to the side, Robelina was also laughing meaningfully.
My lips trembled from embarrassment.
How did they figure it out?!
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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