BJ Villainess Chapter 353

Although Heden disliked the fact that only Theresa was being made an exception, he agreed immediately since it was the opinion that best aligned with his own. “That’s right. Destroying evil. Isn’t that the purpose of our order’s existence? There was nothing to debate in the first place.”

 

The pope nodded as well. “Theresa has contributed more than anyone else to the stability of the people’s livelihoods.”

 

In just half a year, she had achieved remarkable accomplishments that the other cultists of the Evil God couldn’t even dream of imitating. Some people were even whispering that Theresa might not be a cultist at all.

 

“Theresa is already someone who has escaped the fate of a cultist of the Evil God. Don’t you all feel it?”

 

The cardinals either firmly or reluctantly agreed with the pope.

 

A few more agenda items were presented and quickly resolved. As long as it didn’t concern the cultists of the Evil God, they had no reason to quarrel, so the meeting ended smoothly.

 

As Ilya stood up, Heden snapped at him. “You seem to trust that cultists qui…”

 

Before he could finish, Ilya replied, “I do.” He nonchalantly reached out and straightened Heden’s collar. But the gesture felt so much like being choked, making Heden unconsciously shrink back.

 

“So, Heden. You’d better watch your attitude in front of my people. Do you understand what I mean?”

 

“…”

 

“Seems you do.” Ilya let go of Heden’s collar without hesitation and turned away.

 

“You’ve become truly strange, Cardinal Ilya!” Furious, Heden shot up and demanded. “I know you’re not someone to defend a person just because they’re competent. What on earth is it? Do you actually like that cultist of Evil God?”

 

Ilya sighed. “Humans truly …”

 

“What did you just say?”

 

“I said that way of thinking—trying to connect everything like that—is pathetic.”

 

The age difference between Theresa and him is huge. Besides, she isn’t even human, let alone a cultist of the Evil God.

 

A flicker of transcendent boredom and annoyance crossed Ilya’s eyes before sinking deep down again. Even this sort of squabble was meaningless.

 

“But Heden. It seems you see Theresa as a woman.”

 

“…”

 

“Is that why you were so adamant in your denial…?”

 

“Cardinal Ilya!”

 

Ilya clicked his tongue as if it were the end of the world, and left the fuming, red-faced Heden behind. He just didn’t want to be in the same place with an idiot any longer. As he walked not that far, a familiar figure appeared from the opposite direction.

 

“Lord Ilya!”

 

With her long hair fluttering softly, Theresa was running toward him. She stood out like a spot of ink in the all-white Holy See—she was the only one forbidden from wearing the white robes of a priest and instead wore a black robe, with tight black clothes underneath.

 

Theresa’s face, which had been quite youthful, had matured in the past half year and now had a woman’s poise. But Ilya opened his arms and hugged her as if she were still a girl. Then, wrapping her completely in his white robes, he looked her over.

 

“You’ve lost weight.”

 

Ilya had made sure she ate well and gained some weight, but in just a month, she’d become thin again. It annoyed him more than he expected.

 

“Has someone been bullying you?”

 

Theresa hadn’t run to him intending to be embraced, but she didn’t waste the opportunity. “I missed you.”

 

“That’s not an answer to my question.” Ilya pointed out, but a faint smile appeared on his lips. Hearing her say directly that she missed him made him realize that what he’d been feeling recently was, in fact, longing. Maybe Theresa’s words were the perfect answer.

 

“I’ll go report to His Holiness quickly and come back. Let’s go home together after.”

 

Theresa tried to pull away from his embrace, but Ilya didn’t let go.

 

“His Holiness just left the meeting room, so he’s probably in the prayer room now. It’s a dangerous place for you, so go see him tomorrow.”

 

What Ilya said wasn’t true at all. The pope was probably meeting visitors in the audience room at that moment. If Theresa appeared among them… the aftermath was obvious. They’d either insult her or pretend to be friendly. He didn’t like either option.

 

“Umm, okay. Let’s do that.” Theresa accepted his words without the slightest doubt. Not because she was naturally obedient, but because her trust in him was absolute. That gave Ilya a deep, indescribable satisfaction.

 

Ilya had just left the meeting room and saw Heden staring intently in their direction—more precisely, at Theresa in his arms. I just warned him. He wondered if Heden was really that slow. Using his long sleeve to cover Theresa’s face, he walked straight ahead.

 

“…”

 

Theresa, not understanding the situation, let herself be shielded as they headed for the carriage. Their destination was Ilya’s house.

 

* * *

The carriage entered Ilya’s mansion and stopped at the main entrance.

 

“We’ve arrived, Master.”

 

At those words, I—who had dozed off without realizing—slowly opened my eyes. Ugh. Did I overwork myself trying to finish the mission quickly?

 

“…”

 

The moment I opened my eyes, I realized the world was lying sideways. Confused, I suddenly noticed I was using someone’s thigh as a pillow. The firm sensation on my face… could it be…?

 

“You’re awake.”

 

Startled, I sat up in shock. I couldn’t even remember when I’d ended up sleeping with my head on Ilya’s lap. This is crazy! If Ilya hadn’t been watching me so intently, I would have pulled at my hair in embarrassment.

 

“I apologize for being rude.”

 

“What rudeness?”

 

“Uh, you know, sleeping on, Lord Ilya’s body…?”

 

Ilya, looking completely unimpressed, got out of the carriage first. “You kept bumping your head on the window, so I laid you down.”

 

I see. I didn’t know whether to feel more embarrassed or grateful as I got out of the carriage.

 

Ilya held out his hand to help me for safety, and even after I got out, he didn’t let go, but kept walking with me. In the past, he would always carry me out of the carriage, but after I begged him not to, we settled on just holding hands.

 

He really is overprotective, for someone who doesn’t seem like he would be. Ilya would deliberately hug or pat me, and always hold my hand. I knew he did it to dispel the ominousness of my status. But he has no idea that it actually makes me uncomfortable.

 

I stared at our joined hands and sighed. My heart had been racing even before our reunion, and the flush in my cheeks wouldn’t go away. He was just doing it to protect me, but I was making a big deal out of it by myself. That made me suddenly feel bitter.

 

“Come to think of it, I missed your coming-of-age ceremony.”

 

My coming-of-age day was two days ago. I actually wanted to be back by then. But this damned world isn’t on my side. Even though I cut back on eating and sleeping, I barely made it to the capital after two days.

 

“It overlapped with my mission, so it couldn’t be helped.” I shrugged, pretending not to care.

 

Just then, the servants, who had heard of our arrival, gathered around. “Welcome home, Master. Milady.” The maids assigned to me greeted me politely. “We’ve prepared bathwater.”

 

Their words made me look down at myself. My black combat outfit with a subtle sheen, leather boots that went below the knee, and a rough black robe. Not really a lady-like appearance.

 

To blend in with the upper class, who valued appearances above all, I needed to dress the part. But up to now, the dresses I’d worn were too frilly and cutesy for my age. Now that I’m an adult, I won’t have to wear childish dresses anymore.

 

“I’ll get changed and come greet you again, Lord Ilya.”

 

“Do it later.”

 

Ilya didn’t let go of my hand and just kept walking, taking me straight into his room. Usually, he would have let me go with a word, so this was unusual. He then opened his desk drawer and took out a box wrapped in beautiful silk.

 

“Take it. It’s your gift.”

 

Inside was a pair of pearl earrings. The softly glowing pearls were elegant and beautiful.

 

Pearls were a symbolic jewel that every woman of the upper class was expected to have upon coming of age. Ilya’s not the type to care about such things. So it was clearly a gift prepared just for me. That made it all the more special.

 

“The pearls are so cute and pretty. Thank you, Lord Ilya.”

 

As I smiled brightly and expressed my joy, a slight smile appeared on Ilya’s lips too. He picked up one of the earrings and reached for my ear, as if to put it on for me, but then paused.

 

“Your ears aren’t pierced.”

 

Having grown up in the slums, I’d never had a reason to pierce my ears. But now that I was living as a lady with Ilya, I’d have to do it soon.

 

“I’ll wear them next time, when I’m properly dressed.”

 

Instead of replying, Ilya gently touched my smooth, unpierced earlobe, almost obsessively, as if trying to leave a mark.

 

“Lord Ilya…?”

 

Feeling strange, I cautiously called his name. Then he made an unexpected suggestion.

 

“I’ll pierce them for you.”