"I can't trust the Saint alone, so I'll show my physical condition to another member and then contact you separately. I'll contact you through the Marquis.
With those words, the Pope left the carriage for the last time. Shion sent the Pope back in his usual manner, without being noticed by anyone, and called the coachman over as well.
After that, he sat down opposite Odette, as if he had not heard anything.
'You arrogant old man. Given his personality, it's obvious that he'll attack Raphael anyway. How dare you act so haughtily in front of Odette?'
Shion had expected that the Pope would eventually use the medicine he had received from Raphael and Odette.
But if that were not the case... Shion was determined to kill Raphael with his own hands.
If it doesn't work out, then it's okay to brainwash the Pope. He doesn't have much time left to live, so even if there are side effects, they will only be temporary, right?
If Odette had to do something that would expose her personal pain, then it had to be done.
Shion looked out the carriage window. The story he had just heard about Odette's wounds was still on his mind. And how he had wronged Odette so much.
'I was only thinking about how to make it up to you...'
Looking back now, it was funny. How can he make up for it? How can he pretend like it never happened, when he already did it with his own hands...
"Your Excellency."
At that time, Odette called Shion.
His violet eyes turned to the seat opposite the carriage, and the moment he saw Odette, his heart almost dropped.
"Thank you."
It was because Odette bowed to him and greeted him while sitting in the carriage.
'What...?'
Shion looked at her with a bewildered expression. She straightened her back neatly and added with a comfortable smile.
"Seriously."
Well... Shion felt bitter.
It was the first time he had seen Odette make such an expression on her face.
When he tried so hard to get her attention, it was always a sharp reaction of self-deprecation... Just by putting aside his coercive attitude and just treating Odette...
Thank you very much.
'This is the extent of her sincerity that I can receive.'
Shion felt both happy and empty. The guilt was greater than the joy.
When he thinks about how Odette was treated as a child, he feels sorry for her being thankful for such trivial things.
"You're welcome."
He felt like his stomach was churning.
As he said that, Shion turned his gaze out the window. He had no fac to face Odette.
'If you can express your gratitude so politely and to such an extent...'
How on earth do I apologize to you?
The carriage pulled into the street leading to the Place des Canaris. Just around the corner was the place where Odette had been promised to be dropped off.
At that moment, Odette got up from her seat and sat down next to Shion.
"...?"
"Your Excellency, just a moment."
With those words, Odette's white palm covered Shion's eyes.
Although embarrassed, Shion remained still. After all, he was not hurt by anything Odette did.
Even if it meant hurting him, it was something he had to do if Odette wanted it.
'It would be an honor for me to be hurt by Odette's hands.'
He was only worried that he might hurt Odette's palm while hitting him.
While he was thinking such pointless thoughts, Odette's lips touched Shion's.
Shion's body stiffened as he realized the identity of the soft touch. His heart sank with a thump.
'What is this...'
And then a dizzying purification came over him. It was like light.
He felt something warm and affectionate, something made of light, filling his body. He felt his wounded body, which had not yet healed, recover completely and the level of contamination decrease.
He felt a warm, soothing sensation, like pain or sensation.
It filled him with the full scent of spring. It was like spring rain made of light. Cool, yet warm. You could call it the very essence of life.
He clenched his fists. His breathing became rapid. If he relaxed even a little, he felt like he would knock Odette to the floor of the carriage.
After what seemed like an eternity or an instant, Odette pulled away.
Even in Shion's eyes, the palms fell off.
"Because you made way for me last time."
"..."
"I even promised a price."
Odette had an unusually calm expression on her face, for someone who had just been kissed.
So, this is just a simple purification for Odette. Only Shion finds this ecstatic and gives it meaning.
Without any sense of purpose, without any speed. Even knowing that, he was ecstatic. He was endlessly satisfied. At the same time, he was equally dissatisfied.
"I'll go first."
Odette got out of the carriage again with a neat and tidy expression.
Shion leaned back weakly against the backrest as soon as she got off.
"..."
He was completely dumbfounded.
Isn't what he just experienced a hallucination? Rather, it was reasonable for Shion to think about it.
***
Shion stepped down, doing only what was necessary for Odette. As if he knew exactly how far she wanted help.
'That's why he and that person really seem to be connected with a vengeance.'
The only one who understands. At the time, he had just spat out words to curry favor with Shion, but today he was truly grateful to him.
"If it wasn't for Shion's help, I would have been in trouble."
However, apart from being grateful... Is it really okay to just accept today's help?
Shion had said he didn't need a deal, but she couldn't fully believe it.
Odette had already been betrayed by Shion's actions, which she thought might be a favor.
"Can I tell the Count everything?"
She didn't know when he would change his words and threaten to take revenge.
'I think it's safer to pay the price.'
At least when it comes to "dealing", Shion keeps his own principles.
"Either you take purification from me. Either brainwash me to see my face... Please do not swing me to your heart's content later. Please get out of the way from now, Your Excellency."
In addition, she was worried about the promise she made on Victory Day. Shion followed her to the cathedral because he believed in that promise.
Odette didn't want to leave any debts. That was why. She blindfolded Shion and purified him with a kiss.
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