While I was carefully managing my supporters, an unexpected person secretly sneaked into my chamber, accompanied by Andres. Bishop Theo rushed to inform me about the news in the middle of the night. He told me that the Shadow of Duke Ellon summoned Paul. Under the watchful gaze of Cardinal Peter, he was tasked to assassinate High Priest Leon, who was residing in the North. They said he was the last clergyman in the North. Yet, he refused to obey the recall order from the main church. So, they decided to remove him for good. Yet, I could understand that the real reason lay elsewhere.

  He was my main support. Although being a High Priest, his influence easily surpassed some of the Cardinals. Before becoming a High Priest, he was a senior Guardian Knight, the main competitor for the position of the Holy Knight. Yes, he was my first choice for Holy Knight. Yet, because of the political circumstances at that time. I did not choose him. After I became a saintess, he decided to become a high priest to continue to support me. He was my central pillar.

  He was the first person to be kicked out of the main church when I was losing my power.

  That was why I could understand their motivation.

  Because of my bold move to gather my previous supporters, they decided to kill him before I could summon him. It was really short-sighted of me.

  Yet, they also chose Paul to do that job. We could not fathom the real reason he was chosen. I felt that Andres knew the real reason; however, he refused to tell us. It was extremely rare for him to go against us.

  It is my speculation. Perhaps because they became suspicious of us, maybe we became too close, they specifically chose him. After all, High Priest Leon was like a brother to me. He was my butler before I became a saintess candidate. Then he became a guardian knight when I became a saintess candidate. He also chose to be a High Priest when I became a saintess. By making Paul kill him, they want to create black blood between us. They tried to eliminate any potential for our cooperation. Apparently, our interaction during the ‘graduation’ of Andres did not go unnoticed. I should not have lost my composure during that time.

  Perhaps, there were many more reasons. Perhaps my speculation was not correct. Could you share your thoughts on this, Lucy?

  Apparently, Maria and Anna also went to inform Aria about this development. She came to us while holding you. After our discussion, Aria decided to go after Paul. We decided to send him to the South to assist Lily after we recused him. It was also about time for Lily to awaken her power as a saintess. That was why we decided to send him. I had to appoint Aria as my proxy to carry out my order.

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  With her still weak body, Aria needed to force herself to ride a horse. It would take weeks with standard carriage. However, if we ride the horse nonstop, we could get there in days. I knew I was being selfish. I should have stopped her. Yet, I easily agree to her proposal. I was not sure myself.

  Leon is my brother. Aria is my daughter. And Paul… I really did not know what I should do at that time. If you were me, what would you do, Lucy?

  I knew that Aria was risking her life to stop them. And Paul needed to fulfill his mission or face death. Leon just followed my order.

  I admit it. A part of my heart did not want Paul to kill Leon. It was not because I did not care about Paul’s death. It was something else. Something I did not know myself. I instinctively knew that I would regret it for the rest of my life if he did that. Could you tell me what it was, Lucy?

  You might not remember, but that night, you, together with us, saw Aria and Andres off in the middle of the night. They exist through the secret passage introduced by Mr. Tuk. That was also the first time you were introduced to Mr. Tuk.

  At that time, I also experienced Andres’s growth firsthand. While everyone was losing their composure, he was the only one who remained calm. He was the one who comforted us. He became a real figure at that time. After his ‘graduation’, he became more mature. He became like a second Paul.

  While Anna and Maria were begging Aria not to go, while you, Lucy, were hugging Aria as you cried, while I was about to give up, he stood up and supported Aria. Do you know what he said to us at that time, Lucy?

  “Please have truth in Her Holiness as you have always had.”

  That sentence alone was what stopped us. That sentence alone was what gave us faith.

  After they left, Anna and Maria also helped us hide the fact that Aria had left the main church. Not many suspect her absence. They became used to Aria shutting herself in her room for days. That was a saving grace. About Andres… we just told everyone he is stuck with you, Lucy. That was during that time, I had to confine you in my room with me for days, until they came back. For days, I prayed to the goddess with you for their safety.

  Because of my selfish wish, Aria had to scarify herself again. She had to use Mother's Touch to save Leon. She came back while unconscious, carried by Andres. I really owe you both too much.

  Apparently, Paul tried to act as if he pierced Leon’s heart. Yet, he just pushed him to a cliff, where Aria was waiting. However, Duke Ellon’s men tried to ensure his death by also piercing his heart. That was why Aria forced herself to use the Mother's Touch to the limit. I was not aware of the details of that operation. You should ask Andres and Paul for it.

  Lucy, sorry because of me, Aria had to suffer. Due to my selfishness, she had to sacrifice herself once again. It was my incompetence. I am sorry.