EIITAB - Chapter 96 < The Identity Of The Guard Knight >

EIITAB - Chapter 96 < The Identity Of The Guard Knight >

Even if it is Trampled and Broken

Hestia nodded immediately. 

"Of course. I remember it." 

However, after that, she rarely brought up the story related to Aslan again, so he thought it was a no-brainer. If she goes outside the room, the only place she can take a walk is the garden. 

Hestia was reluctant to waste high-quality manpower such as knights on something like that, as it would certainly be frowned upon. And she feels most comfortable with just Angela by her side. She's fine now, but since Hestia has a limited life, she doesn't know when her physical condition may deteriorate drastically. 

She kept Aslan's person by her side as a guard knight, and if he even showed hemoptysis, the situation would get worse. 

'If Aslan finds out that I'm not feeling well...' 

She made her assumption. Even now, he makes a coat out of white raccoon fur and keeps putting firewood in her room. Seeing that Aslan even took care of her so that she didn't miss any meals, it seemed like there was still at least some recognition for her in Aslan's heart. 

So Aslan says she's not feeling well and he's going to send someone to the temple. But it won't be of much help. As is widely known, people with divine powers could not receive help from doctors or pharmacists. There are restrictions even among priests. It was possible for a person with high spiritual power to heal someone with low spiritual power, but the reverse did not work. Those with high levels of holy power can usually neutralize poison or heal wounds with their own power, but strangely, Hestia was unable to do so. 

'El Rafa said he would take my life, so there is no way he would allow me the healing power to overcome my illness.'

Anyway, if Aslan informed her temple that Hestia was sick, they would try to take her to the capital, saying that she should be placed in 'the sanctuary'. Of course, there is no place called a 'sanctuary' in the capital or temple. It's just a place created as a good excuse to show off to ordinary believers, but in reality, it's just like any other space. 

However, if such a pretext is used, Hestia will return to the capital and be imprisoned. Perhaps, unlike her past life, this time her death might not even be publicized to prevent fear among her followers. 

'I'm sure they'll give reasons such as stopping external activities because I'm not feeling well.'

Confused by the situation that was so clearly portrayed to her, Hestia took a breath to control her disturbed mind. 

'But in this situation, he asked about an escort knight.'

She didn't ask on purpose because she thought it would be okay for Aslan to forget about her like this. It seems that Aslan had not forgotten, but was just silently choosing his choice. 

While Hestia was thinking these thoughts, Aslan opened his tightly closed lips. 

"I'm glad. I came here to discuss it today.' 

He had a happy expression on his face that he didn't have to repeat the explanation. Hestia frowned lightly. 

"Aslan, Is it necessary to select my escort? My life won't be any different from before. Even in the capital, there were not many noble ladies who would bring an escort for something as simple as a walk in the garden." 

"That's the capital's job, and it's needed here. And it became necessary."

Hestia, who had not paid attention to Aslan's last words, asked back. 

"Yes?"

But Aslan only stiffened her expression and did not respond. 

'What does it mean to be necessary?'

Considering Aslan's simple stubbornness, these were somewhat meaningful words. Hestia gazed at him calmly. It was because she thought that if she looked at him like this, he would give her more of an explanation that was lacking, even if it was uncomfortable to look at.

After waiting for a while, Aslan's lips finally opened. He let out a long, heavy breath before releasing his rhyme. 

"Hestia, I have something to tell you in advance. This is something that neither I nor the three lieutenants expected, so we are a bit embarrassed." 

He frowned and roughly rubbed his eyebrows as if the situation was very difficult. Purple eyes looked straight at him as if asking what the hell was going on. 

After catching his breath, Aslan finally spoke. 

"Hawson said he had joined the others in the capital."

"What does that mean? Are you saying there are more people in the group?"

"Exactly. They say your uncle sent a delegation here, and a pilgrimage group from the temple." 

"What do you mean? A delegation and a pilgrimage group?" 

Even when they left the capital, there had never been such a discussion. 

'It seems like they rushed it as soon as Aslan and I left.' 

Hestia continued his thoughts with a hardened expression. 

"I don't know why they didn't arrive together, but it's true because it was told to me by Howson, who just arrived. The number of people was twenty from the royal family and twenty from the temple. They say there's a total of 40 people." 

It could be considered possible that a delegation would come. Although they are said to be at odds, the Duchy of Kalathi was clearly the territory of the Kingdom of Ellsworth, and Aslan was also a vassal of Yorgos. So, even if it felt a little shameless, there was nothing strange about a lord visiting a vassal's territory. 

Of course, the one that could be problematic was the temple. 'A pilgrimage.' It was very easy to feel that the choice of words was wrong. 

As Hestia thought more and more, the space between her eyebrows narrowed. Even without that, how can one confidently push forward into this land where religious faith is at an all-time low? 

Although Hestia also belonged to a temple, she was appalled by their shamelessness. But unfortunately, Hestia's shock was not over yet. This was because Aslan spoke next as if he was pushing her. 

"And it is said that there is a red-haired Saintess with the pilgrimage group."

At that moment, Hestia's breathing stopped. She looked at Aslan quietly, holding her breath, with eyes that seemed as if they were empty. Aslan's heart sank involuntarily at the sight of Hestia not moving at all. He reflexively grabbed Hestia's shoulders and lightly rocked her back and forth. 

"Hestia? Are you okay?" 

"I'm okay. But... I was a little surprised..." 

Hestia slowly let out her stopped breathing and asked in a voice that seemed to have rested for a short time. 

"Therefore... Are you saying that Saintess Anette is also coming?" 

"Yes. That's right." 

Aslan nodded his head. 

Finally, all the pieces of the puzzle came together in Hestia's head. And she had a hunch. Anette, that she was coming to see her. 

'You've set the tone.'

Okay. In that case, there was no need to guess the true intention of the delegations and pilgrims coming here. Hestia felt like her nerves were all loose, so she let out a brief laugh without realizing it. 

Hestia clenched her fists without realizing it. It was impossible to stop Anette's face from appearing in her mind. Even though her body was obviously far away, it felt as if she was facing her. Her lips always smiled warmly at Hestia, but her eyes did not. 

Anette's cold blue eyes came to mind again, and Hestia shivered involuntarily. 

'How...... Why?' 

Hestia thought, curling her lower lip. Although she had never had a direct confrontation, she sensed that Anette disliked her.

'Why did you bother to come here and meet me when you want me to disappear right before your eyes?'

 No matter how hard she racked her brain, she couldn't even guess the answer. breath coming out of her lips was shallow due to her frustration. Aslan, who was watching this in silence, swallowed his sigh.

 'Tsk. What on earth are you thinking?'

Aslan already knew that Anette and Hestia's relationship was not that good. He didn't know exactly what happened between the two, but he knew that Hestia was uncomfortable with Anette. Even if he asks why, Hestia won't tell him. 

Aslan picked his words and opened his mouth. 

"Well, anyway, that's why I'm giving you an escort."

"..."

 Hestia didn't respond in any way, she just nodded her head weakly. Aslan, who was frustrated because he could not understand her true feelings, sighed heavily and grabbed the nape of her neck with one hand and massaged it. 

"Let's introduce ourselves first." 

Then she looked towards the door and spoke lowly. 

"Come in." 

It seemed like someone was waiting outside, and the door opened as if waiting for him to finish speaking. The number of men who can enter a noble Lady's inner room is limited to her husband. And blood brothers. Other than that, he is a Noble Lady's escort knight. Only these three cases were permitted according to social norms, and it was difficult for a man who was no different from a stranger to treat a noble lady alone. 

At least three people had to stay in one space, with one of the maids or guard knights always present. Therefore, the presence of escort knights was quite significant for noble ladies, and it was an issue that most people had no choice but to be picky about. 

Hestia gasped with a confused look in her eyes. She opened her trembling lips as she looked at him entering her room. 

"Aslan, the person who asked to be appointed as my guard knight..."

Hestia couldn't believe it even when she saw him with her own eyes. Hestia couldn't bear to continue her words and bit her lip. But she can't continue like this. She tried her luck again. 

"Was it Sir Jerome?" 

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