The Saintess Returned to the Emperor’s Arms – Chapter 124

Author: Chewyy

That Day, An Unexpected Incident

Tok–Tok

When she heard a knock on the door half-asleep, Riella was still in Herhan’s arms.

‘Is this a dream?’

With hazy eyes, Riella burrowed deeper into the comforting chest that felt like her own little nest.

Then came another knock, clearer than before.

“What….”

“You’re awake? There’s a guest outside.”

It had been a mumble to herself, but a gentle response followed.

Herhan had apparently been awake for a while.

“Do you have any guests arriving at this late hour?”

Riella rubbed her eyes and got up, then tried to pick up her gown and started to get dressed properly.

She had a feeling she knew who it might be

“Wear this too. I think you might need it.”

What Herhan, who had followed Riella, handed over was a thick coat.

Riella nodded with a lovely smile and soon left the bedroom with Herhan in a determined manner.

As the two descended the stairs, those waiting in the Living room on the first floor stood up.

Asion and Jess.

And.

“You must be Priestess Amelia. I heard from Sir Jess.”

“It is an honor to meet the living incarnation of Ann.”

It was Amelia, a blue-eyed priestess with long blonde hair flowing over a black cloak.

* * *

“I didn’t think there would be anyone inside the temple who could help us.

So why are you helping us?”

A night where even the high-hanging moon couldn’t fully light their path.

Their quiet steps rustled through the moonlight.

Amelia, who was leading the way, turned her head slightly and looked at Riella, who was following behind her.

No matter how she looked, Riella was someone who drew the eye.

‘Have we met somewhere? Or is it just because she is a descendant of Ann?’

Amelia shook off her useless thoughts and started walking again.

“I grew up in the temple. When I was a child, High Priest Romano saved my life. Since then, I’ve lived in the Central Temple, serving the gods.”

“Hugh Priest Romano?”

“He was the previous High Priest.”

Herhan added a soft explanation for Riella, who did not know much about the temple.

Instead of nodding, Riella simply gripped Herhan’s hand tighter.

The only reason she could walk this dark path without fear was because of his touch.

“After High Priest Romano died in an accident, Priest Ludovico assumed the highest authority. That’s when the Temple began serving the Alliance’s interests.”

“So Priest Ludovico was the root. That must’ve been quite some time ago—over twenty years now.”

“Yes, roughly so, Your Majesty,” Amelia answered calmly.

“How much do you know about the true nature of the alliance?”

“I’m sorry. I don’t know much about that. They only communicate privately with High Priest Ludovico.”

Everyone walked in silence for a moment.

Then Riella spoke in a distressed voice.

Although it was in the form of a question, it was closer to a sigh.

“Why did the Alliance use Princess Greta for this scheme? Surely they knew it would backfire like this.”

“They probably didn’t expect things to turn out this way. Actually, there was an unexpected incident that day.”

“An incident?”

Riella tilted her head, then realized she was the only one reacting that way.

Jess, Asion, and even Herhan just had stiff faces as if they already knew something.

“This way. I think it would be best to hear the details directly from the person involved.”

At last, Priestess Amelia stopped and pointed to a small cottage.

Earlier, with the help of Jess and the Imperial knights, the “witness” had been moved here, outside the Temple.

“Someone involved? I thought you were the one testifying about Greta and the Alliance. There’s another witness?”

No one answered.

Instead, everyone waited for Riella to open the door. Even Herhan.

At that moment, a heavy realization came over Riella.

If there is anyone else who stays in the central temple and knew about Greta’s actions and relayed that information to the Empire, then it could only be—

“Fabian….”

This time too, the same silence continued.

Riella weakly lowered her hand that had been reaching for the doorknob.

“I don’t want to go in.”

“Riella.”

“I don’t want to see him again. Fabian and I are already…..”

She had already said goodbye to Fabian.

In front of the palace at sunset, on the day he left for the Temple.

“I don’t want to see him. If I really have to, then later. Okay?”

It was a childish refusal.

Immature and inconsiderate of the effort Amelia had made. But still, she said it.

She thought, at least Herhan would understand and accept her reluctance—but oddly, his face was the most painful.

Riella couldn’t understand it at all.

Why was Herhan looking at her with such sorrow, clenching his jaw?

“I wish I could let you, but I can’t, Riella. If the tomorrow you speak of never comes… I’ll have to live the rest of my life under your resentment.”

‘Why is he grabbing my hand and saying something incomprehensible?’

What was the smell of death that filled the room?

And why was Fabian lying there like a corpse

Riella couldn’t figure out anything.

“Ah. Riella…”

At least she should be relieved that Fabian isn’t dead.

“I’m glad. I can see your face for the last time.”

Or should she be sad that Fabian is not dead yet, but is clearly dying?

“What are you doing, Fabian…?”

“I’m sorry, Riella.”

A deep, dark red blood seeped out from his chest, rising with ragged breaths.

Fabian just let out a hot breath, not even having the strength to sob.

“I wanted to at least watch over you this time. In the end. I wanted to do just that….”

* * *

The very day Greta walked in on her own two feet, an emergency meeting was immediately held in the central temple.

“She’s a wanted criminal. Of course, we should report her to the imperial palace!”

“And now she claims that the future Empress is a descendant of Ann? What ridiculous nonsense. There’s nothing more to discuss.”

The young priests who were in their right minds prepared to report immediately, but some of the clergy began to add strength to their opposing arguments.

“What if the princess’s words are true? What if Ann’s descendants really exist?”

In the end, the matter was reported directly to the high priest.

The young priests were ordered to step away from the situation.

After some time had passed, the high priest’s strict instructions were given to the entire temple.

The order was to keep Greta’s visit to the temple a secret.

* * *

Greta was confident.

If she were going to be arrested as a wanted criminal, she would’ve been sent straight to prison.

But instead, she was summoned to the grand office of the highest priest in the temple—proof that she now held the upper hand.

“What are the conditions for reporting?”

“It’s simple. Protect me.”

“Well, we don’t feel comfortable taking the side of a notorious criminal like you.”

“Don’t bluff. The fact that you’re just watching me like this instead of reporting me right away is already treason.”

Despite Greta’s presumptuous provocation, High Priest Ludovico shrugged his shoulders without being fazed.

Greta snorted.

She had worried that the highest priest in the Central Temple might be a self-righteous noble type, but he was just as greedy as anyone else in the outside world.

“Very well. From this point forward, the temple will secretly ensure your safety. Do you require anything else?”

“Just make sure Riella is separated from the Emperor. The more you torment her, the better.”

“We want to serve Ann’s descendants, not torment her.”

“Call it whatever you like.”

Such pure-hearted malice made High Priest Ludovico clicks his tongue.

Anyway, just when it seemed like the deal was done, Greta suddenly hesitated, as though something had just come to mind… or perhaps it had been the thing she most wanted to say from the beginning.

“Fabian Claire… there should be a man by that name who arrived here months ago. In the detention center.”

High priest Ludovico suppressed his laughter.

Of course, he knew who Fabian was.

That couple had stirred up quite a fuss in the temple.

In fact, Ludovico found it strange that the princess did not bring up his story as soon as she sat down.

“Would it be enough just to let you see him briefly?”

Greta flinched at the unexpected offer, as if kindness had struck her rather than a demand.

“I would appreciate it if you could do that….”

Young love. Still in that sweet stage.

Pretending to smile, Ludovico rose from his seat.

He figured nothing serious would happen if the former lovers who had tragically parted ways briefly reunited.

But then it happened.

Something that neither Ludovico nor the ‘he’ who had painted and ordered all these pictures before the princess arrived had expected.

* * *

‘She must be enjoying herself right about now. It’ll be her last taste of freedom—so live it up, Princess.’

High priest Ludovico was in a good mood.

How come everything goes according to plan without a single mistake?

‘Soon the temple will be celebrated as a hero, and we’ll have secured the descendants of Ann.’

Though he had promised to protect Greta, that had been a lie.

Ludovico intended to hand her over to the Imperial family.

The temple has caught the heinous criminal who made the whole world tremble. And during the process of arresting her, they have discovered that Riella Blinite is a descendant of Antu, so as the duty of the central temple, they must determine the truth.

It was a brilliant plan that achieved both fame and fortune.

‘How on earth did Sir Kyle plan all this?’

He was practically omniscient, like a god.

Ludovico had doubted when Kyle first said he would send the princess.

As always, Kyle’s prediction was right on target.

Right down to the exact day Greta arrived. He even outlined how the temple could claim the saintess while preserving its honor.

If this continued, the temple would become the most powerful and honorable power group in the world.

It was finally a reward for the years of obediently following the alliance’s will and serving as a caretaker to those with abilities throughout his life.

‘On a day like this, we should have a toast.’

Ludovico hummed and took out the wine he had been saving.

“H–High Priest!”

Just then, a priest barged in without knocking.

He was a priest who had been sent to accompany Princess Greta.

“What….”

“There’s been… an incident.”

“Then just calm things down, can’t you?”

“I-I think you need to come immediately!”

Ludovico, scowling at having his good mood ruined, suddenly noticed blood on the priest’s hands and chest.

Without needing to hear more, he rushed to the living room—and froze in horror.

The High priest, who had gone straight to the living room without asking any further questions, was so shocked that his body froze.