“Therefore, even if it is the Carter Family, who are relatives of the Imperial Family by marriage, His Imperial Majesty would not shield them, right? If I can find relevant clues, could you please turn a blind eye?”
Behind the banquet hall, hidden behind the curtains, a gentle priest in holy robes smiled as he greeted the majestic man before him.
However, his words were ruthless.
The man questioned across from him did not speak.
Beneath the curtain, only his shimmering golden hair was visible.
It was impossible to tell if the expression on his face was one of anger or sorrow, but he radiated an intimidating pressure.
“I believe in Marquis Carter’s character. If he really intended to lay a hand on the Saintess, he could have simply kidnapped her. Why… would he have the people of the Holy See deliver her right to his front door?”
The words held a double meaning.
Whether the Carter Family had accidentally invited this guest, or if the people of the Holy See intended to pin this matter on the Carter Family from the start, the Emperor’s implication was clear.
“Haha, Your Majesty is joking. The Saintess is a gift given to the Holy See by the Goddess. How could we possibly do such a thing?”
The priest’s gaze shifted, but only for a split second before he regained his calm demeanor, coldly calculating the monarch’s temper.
“Perhaps his subordinates lied to hide something, or some unfaithful fellow was bribed by external things…”
The Emperor’s silhouette remained silent for a moment, but his voice seemed to grow heavier, as if he felt insulted.
After all, the Carter Family and the Imperial Family shared both glory and ruin.
“Is the Holy See implying that I am shielding a criminal? If I allow you to enter the Carter Family’s territory and you do not find the Saintess, will you then crown me with the title of her murderer —”
Just as the Emperor was about to lose his temper, a young man’s voice timely interrupted the tense conversation.
The First Imperial Prince arrived just in time to inform them about the Saintess and her dance partner.
Perhaps to better make someone owe him a favor, the First Imperial Prince specifically mentioned that Marquis Carter had escorted Hailey and her companion.
“I knew that Marquis Carter’s character and sense of responsibility would not change. As for those with ill intentions…”
The Emperor’s tone finally softened after the First Imperial Prince’s arrival.
He patted the young man’s shoulder with relief.
Meanwhile, the priest’s expression turned quite sour.
After all, he had been prattling on about shifting the responsibility onto the innocent Carter Family, only to find out that the very man they wanted to frame was the one who had sent the lost Saintess here.
“It seems the Holy See should take some time to handle its internal affairs, Priest.”
When the Emperor stepped closer, he was actually one head taller than the man from the Holy See.
As they brushed past each other, the Emperor spoke slowly into his ear with a mix of sarcasm and warning.
“Let’s go, Adost. Let’s go meet that Saintess and see what kind of talent she has to be blessed by the Goddess…”
The Emperor’s figure disappeared behind the curtain.
Even until the moment he led the First Imperial Prince away, his face remained hidden, but the pressure he radiated alone was enough to make the priest break out in a cold sweat.
The Saintess had actually been brought here by Marquis Carter.
Didn’t that mean all of His Holiness the Pope’s previous arrangements had gone to waste?
However, he could only grit his teeth and accept it, then leave to report the news.
Meanwhile, in the banquet hall, the crowd had grown denser at some point.
Perhaps because the time for the banquet bell was approaching, the surrounding guests temporarily stopped their small discussions.
Everyone seemed to be waiting for the most noble figure hosting the banquet to appear.
No one dared to be too conspicuous before then, except for the Second Prince, who led his group inside with a dark expression.
Hailey and Idledra knew exactly why his face was so dark.
He had tried so hard to find an opportunity to make things difficult for them at the gate, only to search nearly half the guests without finding a trace of them—only to run into them here.
Idledra also seemed to notice him.
She put down the snacks in her hand and looked at him with a smile full of contempt and mockery.
The Second Prince’s face grew darker, but he had no way to take action here.
Hailey was too lazy to pay the guy any mind.
After all, he couldn’t possibly attack her in public, right?
‘How many lives does he have to be causing trouble like this?’
“Hey, why are you two still eating? Can’t you see everyone else has started moving to the sides…”
A sly voice rang out from behind Hailey.
At some point, Imperial Princess Tracy had playfully walked up behind her and gently tapped her shoulder, nearly making her cry out in surprise.
Looking at the mischievous yet serious young girl, Hailey pulled Idledra along to sit properly on the chairs nearby.
Though they weren’t as exaggerated as others—some of whom were kneeling on one knee—they followed suit.
Without needing to think, Hailey could guess what kind of important figure was about to appear—the host of this banquet, the master of this palace, and the ruler of this Empire.
“Almost everyone has arrived. According to His Imperial Majesty’s wishes, please enjoy this banquet to your heart’s content.”
The great figure she expected did not appear.
Instead, that same figure who made Idledra feel uncomfortable presided over the start of the banquet once again.
The First Imperial Prince flashed a friendly, fake smile toward them.
‘Tsk, the more I look at this guy, the less he looks like a good person…’
Idledra let out a soft, disdainful scoff.
It was unclear if his ears were simply too sharp or if he was truly heading for them, but the First Imperial Prince, Adost, walked over with a smile.
“Saintess Idledra, His Imperial Majesty would like to invite you to a side room for a chat.”
Before the words could even settle, Idledra’s cold face appeared as she moved her hand to block the space between them.
She stared with hostility at the First Imperial Prince and his trademark fake smile.
Though nothing could be seen on their faces, the two were already like fire and water.
“Apologies, lady bodyguard whose name I do not know. His Majesty only invited Saintess Idledra. Please wait here for a moment.”
“Without the Holy See’s permission, the Saintess cannot be taken away alone, right?”
Being arranged for a private talk did indeed have an ominous, conspiratorial atmosphere.
However, the other party was the ruler of the Empire.
If they rashly refused or failed to follow his wishes, it might be…
Hailey hesitated, but Idledra’s attitude was even more determined.
After all, this wasn’t the first time Hailey had suddenly disappeared after running off from her sight.
Compared to the so-called offense of a ruler, Hailey always came first.
“Please inform His Imperial Majesty that unless my lady bodyguard is allowed to accompany me, we should let His Holiness the Pope make the decision.”
The First Imperial Prince hesitated for a moment and retreated.
However, he soon returned to the two of them with a smile.
The result was clear to everyone.
“In that case, Saintess Idledra and this lady bodyguard, please follow me.”