Chapter 2: The Unexpected Saintess

Act 1: I Adopted My Father

The concept of 'adoption' typically involves a guardian choosing a child to take under their care. However, did you know that the definition of adoption extends beyond that? It's the act of 'legally recognizing relationships and identities, such as those between parents and children.' So, legally, I could adopt my dad!

I am choosing life rather than being chosen. An active life is the best life.

While I felt content with this idea, chaos had erupted among everyone else in the temple, especially the elders.

"What's happening here?" one of them exclaimed.

"This is preposterous!" another added.

"Huh? How can this be...?" The bombshell I'd just dropped had sparked an emergency meeting among the Pope and the twelve elders, though my participation was rather forced.

I tried to break the ice with a small giggle, but their expressions remained stern. It seemed my attempt at lightening the mood had fallen flat.

"Excuse me, Saintess," Elder Dominic began, regarding me with a complicated expression, "but how you chose your family was quite...unique."

I was well aware of that. Historically, the Pope and the Senate had fought to protect a saintess, leading to the establishment of the current system. But randomly choosing was a bit too much, especially when everything was rigged!

After an uncomfortable silence, Pope Raphael spoke up. "Saintess, the family you choose will need to introduce you to the world, educate you about it, and safeguard you. It's an immensely challenging and significant task."

They essentially conveyed that they couldn't respect my decision. I had already anticipated something like this, though.

Their expressions suggested they had more to say. Since whatever I said wouldn't change matters, I maintained a polite smile, allowing them to discuss the matter among themselves, lowering their voices as they delved into fervent debate.

"I can't accept a decision that disregards proper procedures!"

"It appears that the saintess hasn't matured enough to partake in this ceremony."

"The procedures are just as crucial as the results."

"Nevertheless, we cannot proceed with the ceremony without the saintess."

I watched them, still smiling. My calm demeanor was because I had prepared an explanation that the Pope and the elders would find impossible to refute.

I suspected they wanted me to be adopted into a family destined to face a dire illness within three months. If I were completely honest, that family had the most promising qualifications on the surface. However, as an ardent fan who had devoured every word of the novel, I knew how Priscilla, later named Ludia, had suffered. I refused to walk the path of despair that lay ahead.

Never! No matter what!

The elders continued to murmur among themselves. "What occurred today is highly unusual."

"There is no precedent for this."

"How should we handle it?"

While the elders appeared genuinely bewildered, the Pope remained remarkably composed, which, truthfully, annoyed me more than the elders' reactions. I turned my gaze towards him and offered a smile, but not even a hint of emotion cracked his steely countenance. Was he angry?

Meanwhile, the elders began addressing their primary concern. "Sending our precious saintess to Emperor Miltiades!"

"Why was he even among the final candidates?"

Emperor Miltiades, whose full name was Miltiades Rekshai Rochelle Rahel, ruled Rahel in the north, a nation rapidly emerging as a powerful force. Despite his young age, he had an unprecedented list of achievements, including victories in various conquests that united the northern territories. However, he didn't enjoy a favorable relationship with the Holy Empire, and many within its borders deemed him a villainous ruler, which added to the elders' current displeasure.

One of the elders sorted through some documents to explain how Miltiades had ended up among the finalists. "He wasn't originally one of our candidates," he clarified. "Rahel requested his presence, and we had to accept it to maintain our diplomatic relations..."

"How in the world did we end up choosing him...?"

Nobody in the room could fathom my decision. The elders were now preoccupied with figuring out how to persuade me to change my mind. Even though I was a saintess, I was, after all, still just a child.

"I can't send our precious saintess to that shameless man!" The elders' protests grew louder, their voices filled with concern and frustration. Pope Raphael, a figure of authority, raised his hand, signaling everyone to be silent. His piercing blue eyes surveyed the room, finally settling on me.

"Saintess," he called, and I responded with a grin, nodding in acknowledgment. "Is there something you wish to say?"

Thirteen pairs of eyes focused on me, their collective gaze comforting and overwhelming. I beamed even brighter under their scrutiny,playfully raising my handr and letting out a cute laugh, coaxing warm smiles from the elders. "I do!"

They regarded me with affection as though I were their own granddaughter. One elder inquired, "What is it that the saintess wishes to share with us?"

I adopted an innocent tone and shifted my head slightly, pretending to be oblivious. "Well, grandpas... I'm not sure what you're talking about." The atmosphere in the room shifted as I spoke.

"I see! We were discussing a complex matter that you might not fully comprehend," one elder exclaimed.

"Please, feel at ease," another elder chimed in, echoing the pope's sentiments. "We are here to listen attentively."

"Why did you choose that man?" Another elder pressed the question, and all eyes remained fixed on me, awaiting my response. This was the opportunity I had been waiting for—to persuade these stubborn elders and make them see reason.

I began my explanation with a hint of mystery. "I heard a voice," I confessed, and they collectively held their breath in anticipation. "As soon as Daddy walked into the temple, my vision brightened, and a warm voice whispered to me, 'He is the one.'"

In truth, such an event had never occurred. A six-year-old possessing such an incredible power was implausible. However, I needed a convincing justification for my decision, and this was my chance. I had experienced something similar in the past, albeit unrelated to this situation, during the "Fan Accident" three years ago.

The elders were left stunned. "Th-That..."

"Foresight?" one elder ventured to suggest.

"Oh, God!" They all began to pray in unison. "Please reveal your divine judgment and illuminate our path with your unwavering truth!"

I joined them in prayer, silently addressing my thoughts to a higher power.

Merciful God, I prayed, "please forgive my small deception. I merely wanted to be with my favorite character. There is only one family in this world that I wish to be a part of, and that man is the only one who can be my father. I will not allow anyone else to take his place. No one shall contradict my decision.

***

The Holy Empire was not the only realm left bewildered by this sudden turn of events. Even the young Emperor of Rahel, Miltiades, found himself utterly perplexed.

Communicating through a magical device, a strikingly handsome young man wore a grimace as he questioned, "What? You've been designated as the saintess's father, Your Majesty?" His name was Achillios. "Does this mean the Vios Empire is destined for destruction?"

"Keep your mouth shut," Miltiades retorted, his brows furrowing at Achillios's sharp interrogation. In truth, he should have been the most outraged by this bizarre development. How on earth did he end up as the saintess's father? He hadn't walked into that templeintending to becomeg a parent.

"So, this is serious? It's not some kind of prank?" Achillios persisted.

"I told you to be quiet."

"But seriously, this feels like foreshadowing the world's downfall," Achillios continued unabated. He seemed to be exaggerating everything, but since they were miles apart, Miltiades's frustration could do little more than simmer. "Your Majesty, please, tell me honestly. Did you threaten the saintess?"

Miltiades ignored him entirely. "In any case, prepare a room within the week," he ordered, choosing not to address Achillios's questions. "She'll be staying for three months."

"Excuse me? Does that mean you'll be back soon?"

"That's correct."

"And you're bringing the saintess?"

"Yes."

Achillios couldn't believe the turn of events, but who could refuse Miltiades? "It's been three thousand years since a saintess last appeared. It seems like the Vios Empire's days are numbered," Achillios muttered nervously. "What's your plan, Your Majesty?"

"What?" Miltiades asked.

"Will you really reject their proposal?" There was a slight tremor in Achillios's voice. He knew Miltiades better than anyone, but the emperor's grim expression raised doubts.

Then, a suppressed huff of laughter burst out from beside Miltiades. Callian, the guardian knight, couldn't contain his amusement any longer after seeing his emperor's expression. "Sir Achillios," he began, clearly entertained.

Achillios looked at him quizzically. "The saintess seems to have His Majesty wrapped around her little finger," Callian remarked.

Achillios's eyes practically bulged out of their sockets, his expression resembling a canvas covered in question marks and exclamation points. It was evident that he wanted to bring the saintess in just to verify Callian's claim.

"To be honest, what happened was—"

"Enough, Callian," Miltiades interrupted coldly.

Callian cast a quick glance at Miltiades before promptly sealing his lips.

"Wait!" Achillios protested from behind the magical screen. "You can't just cut him off like that! What happened yesterday?"

However, Achillios's insatiable curiosity had to wait. A knock on the door of Miltiades's chamber resounded through the room. "Your Majesty," a voice called, "the saintess has arrived."

Callian ended the communication. A moment later, he opened the door to find a maid bowing. He peered at her inquisitively, but a young child emerged behind her. The child's initial shyness vanished as soon as she spotted Miltiades.

"Daddy!" she exclaimed, discarding her initial embarrassment and rushing into Miltiades's arms. "My grandpas said you can come see them!"

All that remained in the room was the radiant smile of the little girl, the frozen expression on the emperor's face, and the heavy silence that hung in the air.