Chapter 5: Unwelcome Encounter

Why was Duke Ravenhook, Priscilla's deadbeat dad, here? I didn't just dislike him; I harbored a profound hatred for him that I yearned to erase him from the novel altogether. In fact, my disdain ran so deep that when rereading the story, I would deliberately skip over all the parts involving him. I truly did not want to see him.

Luciana, sensing my hardened expression, intercepted Duke Ravenhook as he approached me. "Show some respect to the saintess," she warned him, earning a fleeting, dangerous look from him that he quickly concealed.

I could almost guess his thoughts—perhaps he believed Luciana was just a mere maid. I didn't need to make assumptions; it was apparent.

"I greet the first light of the world," Duke Ravenhook said, kneeling on one knee.

Since becoming Priscilla, I have become uncomfortable with formal greetings, so I often asked others not to address me this way. However, I felt no compulsion to extend the same courtesy to Duke Ravenhook. It was a small, petty act, but I intended to savor it. Typically, I would swiftly accept the greeting and ask the person to rise, but this time, I stared at him as if I were oblivious to the protocol. Duke Ravenhook's smile soon waned into an awkward expression.

It was likely the first time anyone had treated him this way. After all, who else would dare?

I let a considerable amount of time pass until Luciana eventually called my name, clearly intending to persuade me to relent. I wanted him to kneel a bit longer, but she wanted me to stop, so I observed him for a moment longer, contemplating.

Duke Ravenhook seemed to possess the most impressive qualifications among all the candidates chosen in the empire. He came from a respected family, held a high social status, had influential connections, and boasted widespread fame. On the surface, he appeared to have it all. However, none of that changed the fact that his accomplishments could have been fabricated, and he remained an odious individual in my eyes. I had no liking for him whatsoever.

Luciana feigned a cough. "Saintess," she repeated.

Very well, I thought. This was enough. I nodded slowly.

Luciana let out a sigh and turned to the duke. "The saintess is quite shy around strangers," she explained.

"I see," Duke Ravenhook replied, rising and offering me an ambiguous smile. At the sight of it, I instinctively sought refuge behind Luciana. Normally, people would converse further with me before leaving me alone, so this was a convenient solution.

"Oh no! She appears to be quite startled," he remarked.

His demeanor seemed to change as he continued speaking with Luciana, becoming noticeably more curt. I understood the privilege of being an important figure and how it could affect one's behavior, but witnessing such a stark transformation in his countenance was surprising. "Indeed, it seems so. I didn't anticipate the saintess would be so taken aback," he commented. "I only wanted to greet her, as we will soon become family."

Family? What family? I wanted to dispute it, but he beat me to it.

"I'll be your uncle soon," he announced.

Ugh! I yearned to retort with, I won't accept an uncle like you! but I restrained myself, fearing I might end up hurling insults. Then, I hesitated. Cursing him out during our first meeting...

Honestly, that sounded rather amusing. Should I just go for it?

As I contemplated applying the skills I had honed as a fan on him, I suddenly noticed Benjamin and Ludwig approaching us. "Saintess. Your Excellency the Duke," Ludwig greeted.

He began to formally introduce himself, turning toward Luciana, but Benjamin interjected with a smile, sidestepping the introductions. "I had no idea we would encounter Your Excellency the Duke here," Benjamin swiftly added.

Duke Ravenhook nodded. "I consider myself fortunate to have crossed paths with the Commander of the Knights so easily."

Benjamin offered a brief, polite chuckle. "I'm the fortunate one, truly."

Then, the two of them exchanged awkward glances as if they had something they wanted to discuss privately. "Please speak freely with Ludwig," Benjamin said, bowing before departing with Duke Ravenhook.

I felt a twinge of unease as they left together, but I told myself not to dwell on it. Were they plotting something? I hoped not.

Luciana gently took hold of my arm. "Saintess," she said, drawing my attention. I turned my head to see Ludwig standing there, patiently waiting.

Oh, right!

"It's been a while, Sir Ludwig," I greeted him warmly.

"Yes, it has been a long time, Saintess," he responded, saluting me. His salute looked impressive, but it also seemed somewhat burdensome. Ludwig was the epitome of a perfect knight.

If Miltiades could be considered my first child in terms of loyalty, then Ludwig, honest and dependable, felt like my second.

"I heard you called for me," he prompted.

Without wasting a moment, I went straight to the point. "Yes! I have a request."

"How can it be a mere request?" he asked. "Just give the order, and I'll do anything you require. Please, feel free to tell me what you want."

I didn't hesitate to accept his offer. "I want you to be my knight," I declared. I wanted the freedom to choose the person guarding me, regardless of the elders’ or the pope's choices.

Ludwig bowed and knelt at my feet. "It will be my greatest honor."

"Then, you'll do it?" I inquired.

"I will protect you with my life," he swore.

"Well, you don't need to do that," I quickly interjected. I wished to keep him safe, so it would be troublesome if he put his life on the line. Although I knew him as 'Ludwig of the Holy Sword,' he had yet to earn that title in the present. In the original novel, he didn't become Priscilla's guard immediately; instead, he stayed and trained before pledging his loyalty to her after reaching adulthood and obtaining the sword.

This meant that he might not wield the holy sword this time, and I couldn't help but feel it would be somewhat unfair to him.

"Ludwig," I called his name.

"Yes. What do you need, Saintess?" he responded.

"Do you desire to possess the holy sword?" I asked him directly.

His eyes widened in astonishment. "Excuse me? How can I—"

"Not right now," I clarified. "I'll give you a chance later." Evidently, he hadn't even considered such a possibility, which was understandable since obtaining a sword like that was no small feat. I pressed further, "Do you want it?"

If he didn't, then there was no need to burden him with the matter. However, Ludwig remained true to his character. He controlled his swirling emotions and nodded. "If it's for you, I can do it."

I couldn't help but think, "You once wielded the holy sword through your strength."

***

The adoption process proceeded quite smoothly, with a few minor bumps along the way, but overall, it went better than I had anticipated.

"Since this is the Holy Empire, everything will work out if I invoke God's name," I mused to myself. However, a tinge of guilt washed over me, prompting me to clasp my hands together in prayer. "God, I believe that you'll forgive me for this little white lie! Please, don't let it come back to haunt me!"

Though I concluded my prayer, an uneasiness still lingered within me. I let out a sigh. "Ah, I can't help but feel nervous. If only I could draw up a contract with God."

I rested my face against the window frame, gazing at the bustling Vatican, which was no longer the empty place I remembered. "I suppose it's because we're moving," I mused.

Miltiades wanted to return to the northern empire earlier than expected, so we were leaving two months ahead of schedule. Despite the limited time to prepare, I was not idling away. "I must study the basics, not forget my prayers, and meet with the pope!"

And there was one more thing, a constant in my life, regardless of how busy I became.

"Daddy!"

I couldn't contain my excitement when I spotted Miltiades in the distance. I shouted and rushed towards him. For some reason, Miltiades had begun treating me with more tenderness, though others still found him intimidating.

I reached him as quickly as I could, and he swept me into his arms, his expression warm as he looked at me.

"Daddy!"

I never ceased to fangirl over my favorite character, whether in the past, present, or any dimension! My love for my favorites knew no bounds.

"Daddy, you're positively radiant today. Did you eat handsomeness for breakfast?" I teased. Miltiades froze, seemingly taken aback by my audacity. "Why is your name Daddy? It's so adorable!" I continued.

I heard Luciana whisper that his name wasn't Daddy, but I persisted.

"Daddy, I think you're a mix of angel and Rahelian, half and half!"

Silence.

By now, he should have grown accustomed to me, but he still seemed to struggle with my audacious comments.

"Welcome, Saintess," Callian greeted me kindly with a smile.

I stared at him. I liked him because he was a good person, but his desire to be close to me felt burdensome.

He offered me a piece of candy. "Saintess, would you like some of this?"

I remained calmly in Miltiades's arms, squeezing his hand. "Sir Callian, the Saintess is rather shy," he responded on my behalf.

Callian's expression fell. "Ah, I see."

Miltiades took the candy from Callian's hand and showed it to me. "Would you like to have some of this?"

I giggled. "Yep!"

If my dad was offering it to me, I would gladly accept!

Callian smiled when he saw me happily take the candy. If I were in his shoes, I might have been upset. His genuinely cheerful expression even made me feel a bit guilty. Perhaps I should be kinder to him.

Miltiades interjected, "What are you doing at this hour? Shouldn't you be praying?"

"Ah, you know my schedule. I knew you loved me lots!" I playfully responded.

He fell silent, but I couldn't help but find his reaction cute. I tugged at his sleeve, realizing there was something important I needed to discuss with him.

"I have a request, Daddy."

"A request?" he inquired.

I nodded. "Please give me a name!"