But before his shoulder blade could break, Odette grabbed John's arm.
"Oh, please don't do that, Your Highness. It was I who promised first."
But John did not let go of Shion's shoulder. He was already looking at Shion with eyes that seemed to be looking at trash.
It was only natural. How much had the Purifier been tormented by the Transcendent?
Nowadays, transcendent beings are assigned to the Imperial Army, but in the past, they were assigned to the Cathedral under the name of Paladins. Saintesses were also assigned to the Cathedral under the name of Priestesses.
In those days, it was common to force purifiers to do something under the pretext of a God-given cause.
Even though the Transcendent beings frequently force the Purifiers to purify themselves by using their power, it was considered natural for the Purifiers to endure this.
Even if the Transcendent worships the Purifier, there are bound to be scum that they want to control and keep under their feet.
After the advent of runaway delayers and the concept of 'legal purges through military procedures' as purifiers were considered civilians, such incidents decreased significantly.
And yet, the Purifiers are still being exploited, and Shion has been causing a fuss for the past two years, saying that they need to make laws to protect the Purifiers more strongly... And then he demands purification like a thug?
John thought there was no morality.
But John's contempt and curses were of no importance to Shion. He was in a state of panic.
'It must have been a hallucination, right? How did Odette know about it?'
There was definitely no scent. It was different than usual, but... Shion's heart sank in fear.
Somehow, for a hallucination topic, it was too pretty.
Shion felt his body tremble.
"But I'm busy right now. I'll definitely keep our promise next time, so please set a time and let me know."
From Odette's emotionless voice, Shion felt how she viewed him.
Since there were no expectations from the beginning. It seemed like she wasn't even angry anymore.
"Please tell me the level of purification you want, and I will prepare it."
Odette spoke indirectly, but it meant that she wanted to decide the level of skinship. She would do whatever Shion asked...
'No, that's not what I meant.'
However, the reason why no excuses came out of Shion's mouth was because he was flustered. Just like when he saw Odette crying in her bedroom one day.
He tried to make an excuse, but he didn't know what to say. Because...
'... I didn't want to be purified?'
Isn't that a blatant lie? He's dying to be purified right now.
No. What he wants is not purification, but Odette's body. He wants her body as much as he wants her mind.
He couldn't shamelessly tell such a lie about his passion, which had never wavered even after two long years of self-reproach.
'I won't force you to do something you don't like, right?'
Then how can he make an excuse for trying to force a kiss?
Are you saying that I was just hallucinating? Are you going to advertise that I was this crazy during the two years you were gone?
The only way to avoid blaming Odette for his suffering is to not let her know that he suffered.
I want you. I want your body.
But I won't rip you off any longer. I won't harass you or insult you anymore. I don't want to do things you don't like. I want to be loved by you.
I wish you wouldn't be nervous around me. I wish you would be comfortable with me.
But why on earth, the more I try to do well...
The wound on his wrist felt throbbing.
He no longer wanted to take anything away through trade. Even if that was Shion's innate temperament and essential nature, he wanted to change in front of Odette.
The joy Shion felt was shattered along with the painful thoughts. Then the surrounding scenery came into view.
'How long has His Highness been here...?'
Odette interpreted Shion's slow reaction as a look of relief.
"Your Excellency seems to be convinced. Then I will go first. I have something to do."
"Odette. It's dangerous to go alone. I'll take care of your security."
"I want to do this alone. I don't want to be disturbed."
At Odette's shaking of her head, John did not encourage her any further.
"Please return to the palace safely."
It was then that Sbion's eyes, which had been filled with despair, began to show a different emotion.
'How can Odette be so comfortable with John?'
Odette's expression was not much different from usual, but Shion knew the expression Odette had when she faced him. He also remembered the expression she had made when she faced John two years ago.
Compared to then, Odette's expression on her face as she looked at John had clearly softened.
There was a faint smile on the corner of her lips.
Shion couldn't take his eyes off the sight. He stared blankly at it and then burst out laughing.
'I would give my life for that smile.'
Although he had lived as the royal family's guard dog without any major complaints, for the first time, Shion felt the urge to bite the neck of the royal successor.
'Why are you so lenient with John? You always disappoint me.'
Similar age, similar power, similar appearance. What on earth is different about them?
Shion felt as if his insides were turning with jealousy toward John.
"Is the story about purification true? Even if you go crazy, you should go crazy nicely. You disgusting bastard."
"Your Highness, I feel it is a bit unfair to hear this."
Shion looked John up and down.
He was wearing a black ceremonial outfit, and the star-shaped medallion that should have been worn on his chest was hanging in front of his neck. In addition, he had a rapier on his waist that was too small for John, which he had picked up in a hurry somewhere.
"Your Highness, who is in such a state?"
As he said that, Shion twisted his lips upward. Even to himself, he could hear the wariness and competitiveness in his voice.
Most people probably don't know about the royal ceremonial that is no longer in use, but John and Shion knew the meaning of the attire.
Even if it was worn for 'Victory Day', it would be different if a rapier and a medal were added to it. It was the uniform that a member of the royal family had to wear when making a vow of chivalry to a lady.
'My life will belong to you from now on, Lady, so please use it generously.'
It was following the disgusting romanticism of savage men who were willing to die for women.
As soon as Odette left, he threw down the rapier he had been holding in his hand as if it were annoying, so it was clear that he had done so on purpose.
"Are you talking about the mirror? It's really disgusting that you're performing the knightly oath ceremony alone."
The oath was already valid by decree. The fact that he was standing in front of Odette like that the whole time meant that he recognized that he had performed a simple ceremony.
'At least it means that I am prepared to do it that way in the future.'
"That's not something I should discuss with you. That's something I should discuss with Odette."
John spoke to Shion as if he were a lunatic. This is ridiculous. Who is the lunatic now?
A person who swears a chivalric oath on his own and insists on making it valid is truly a madman.
"What would Odette think if she found out? That His Highness the Crown Prince had already found Odette and had even assigned her an actor to keep her under your control. And on top of that, you secretly got rid of the people that old Koenig had assigned to her?"
Shion was furious. Will Odette know the truth about John?
Shion was the only one, other than the slave, who noticed that Odette had run away, but did not pursue her.
John was even more evil than Victor. He pretended not to pursue, but pursued more diligently than anyone else.
'Pretending to be a good person who helps Odette. Even gathering unknown actors.'
Do you know how Odette will react when she finds out that all of those people are John's?
John responded to Shion's provocation.
"You shouldn't be saying that, since you personally confirmed all of those facts. Isn't it true that you didn't assign anyone to Odette? You seem to be honest about assigning people to me and Koenig, right?"
Shion not only attached his people to Odette, but also attached a disgusting amount to Victor and John.
"It wasn't to spy on Odette. It was to protect her."
"What a pitiful excuse."
Odette had never shown a gentle expression towards Shion, so why to John...
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