Chapter 28

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·  · ୨୧ ·  · 

(Chris’ 3rd Person POV)

He was revered as the Supreme Priest.

But Chris knew himself well.

He is twisted and full of anger.

It is true that he is the one who loves God the most, but he will also be the one who hates God the most…

Chris, who came out after closing the door, hastened his footsteps while looking at the people of Hillington, as he passed them by.

Since no one would be picking him up, he was able to get out of the mansion to a place where no one would see him.

“Why did I do that? Why?”

He stared blankly at the sky.

‘I always did what I wanted.’

‘Smooth path towards my goal.’

“I’ve never gone wrong before, but what the hell am I talking about? What did that woman do to me?”

‘It was strange, too strange. It felt like I was drunk and possessed at the same time.’

Chris was very suspicious about the situation, and thought it might have been one of her abilities.

When Chris came to the Hillington residence, he expected to face all kinds of emotions.

‘Confusion, hurt, resentment, and misunderstanding.’

When he first heard the rumors about Hildea, what came into his mind was a weak, broken plant.

‘A dry, worn-out plant that didn’t have strong roots, so it would be no surprise if she broke down at any point.’

(T/N: Is a metaphor referring to a person who’s considered a weakling, coward, or aloof person.)

‘Like she would kill herself, if she spoke even a little.’

(T/N: He first had this kind of thought toward Hildea: after he talked to her, she would break down, or felt miserable afterwards. Of course, he did not expect that she would be way stronger than he thought.)

‘Generosity, love, affection?’

‘It’s a funny thing to say.’

Since she was a woman who was surrounded by bad rumors, he thought that even a little bit of anger would lead to misunderstanding and listening to words would have swept her away.

Unlike her shining twin sister who was known to society, she would be made to feel inferior and her pride would be trampled on, which would lead her to make reckless choices.

That way, it would be easier for him to obtain Hildea. In that case, she could run away and stay at the temple, and above all else, he would be able to achieve his revenge.

‘But who would have thought?’

It was from the moment when he faced Hildea properly that he himself acted strange.

The moment he saw those still red eyes staring at him, Chris forgot his original intention.

“Would it be similar, on how it feels as if I was being sucked into a tornado?”

Before and after meeting Hildea, it seemed like he was split into two.

“Who the hell is Hildea?”

When he saw her eyes tremble after hearing her congratulatory remarks, it felt as if he was the one who was dying, not Hildea.

(T/N: Oh my gosh. He was definitely doomed.)

“So that’s what I said.”

Chris growled. He shook his head deliberately, as if trying to forget his thoughts.

Somehow, he felt like his pride was hurt. Two feet were quickly moving away from the Hillington mansion, as if to avoid the scariest thing in the world.

“I’m not going to change myself.”

He felt an unknown happiness when he held Hildea’s hand, but at the same time, it was similar to fear.

-ˏˋ ━━━━━━ ʚɞ ━━━━━━ ˊˎ-

(Gabriel’s 3rd Person POV)

“I am so disappointed, Duke of Belfius.”

At the time of the catastrophe, the one who protected the young Gabriel from death was the monarch in front of him.

Emperor Detroit. He, who had a fiery temper, looked truly like a fierce lion in the field. 

He deliberately made the shivering air sharp, as if to test Gabriel. Then he twisted his lips.

(T/N: The Emperor uses his skill to control the flow of the wind to test Gabriel.)

“You didn’t even enter the palace, but you immediately bought land within the Hillington estate. What was so urgent that you threw away your face as if you were a devoted partner?”

The fact that he received asylum from an early age also meant that Gabriel had been taught by the emperor.

However, it was not a generous relationship between the teacher and the disciple, but rather a relationship of mutual benefit.

So, Gabriel knew the Emperor’s heart well and what the emperor meant by those words.

The Emperor’s will has changed.

That Hillington and Belfius marriage discussion wasn’t right.

‘Is he trying to break the engagement?’

Just thinking about it made him feel like he wanted to kill. ‘He was the one who initially planned this marriage, and when he feels like it, he’ll just change his mind as easily as flipping a coin?’

Gabriel’s lips twisted furiously.

“The air stings as if to make me choke, Your Majesty. Unfortunately, my years of experience were not easy going, so it won’t be enough for you to test a God like this.”

(T/N: Wow, Gabriel is way cool, hehe.)

The emperor’s eyes narrowed and then, as if he had regained his composure, he smiled as if he had not done anything.

“Okay, that’s good. There’s really no better foundation than time. That’s fine, but do you have no intention of answering my previous question?”

“I was in a hurry.”

Gabriel decided to go all out. The Emperor’s eyes twitched at that frank, unhesitating remark.

“What?”

“I won the war and I’ve done my part. Since I’ve worked hard to give you what you wanted, all that remains is for me to get what I want this time.”

“Is that what you want? Marriage?”

‘It’s been 12 years. 12 whole years.’

(PR/N: Feels like I’ve been waiting 12 years to see them get it on)

‘Since he used me to the fullest, just because he saved me before, wouldn’t it be good for the Monarch to know his ignorance afterwards?’

For Gabriel, the amount of time spent not being able to go and see Hildea, to talk to her, or to give her everything was.

“Have you forgotten, Gabriel?”

The Emperor’s hardened, thick fingers pounded the armrest of the chair that he was sitting on with displeasure.

The throne.

“I thought I was going to give you this seat.”

Gabriel was furious.

‘I never wanted it, even if he gave it to me on a *silver platter.’

(T/N: *Provide something valuable for nothing, or give an unearned reward to.)

“Just like what I said before, I don’t need it. But I know that there’s someone else who is anxious enough to get that position, so you should give it to him.”

Gabriel was referring to the crown prince, who was the weakness of the current emperor.

The Emperor, who looked like he had been stabbed in the back, slammed his fist.

“What do you mean nothing has changed? You’re the only one who says that.”

“It would be a known shame, and remind me of my status as well. I am not a prince: I’m only just a Duke.”

“It won’t be impossible. Who are they to say so, and how can a man who has done a lot of reckless things get to have the seat of the Emperor?”

Gabriel rubbed his forehead, not hiding his annoyed expression. In fact, their conversation has always been like this.

The Emperor ignored Gabriel’s disrespect, while he casually poked Gabriel’s wounds.

“Your Majesty, I am very tired. When can I go back?”

The emperor snorted.

“It’s not like you’re being rude for a day or two, but you’re acting like a bear who is hogging a pot of honey. I don’t mind knowing what it is. Who is this that’s making you smitten?”

In an instant, his eyes became sharp.

“Your Majesty, I dare to say that everything else is fine, but.”

“But?”

“But I know that it’s not. I might go crazy, and we don’t know what a crazy dog ​​might bite.”

A tense confrontation ensued.

He pretended to be a loyal follower to the Emperor, but was that even the truth?

Even if Gabriel confesses his feelings towards Hildea right away, it would be a relief if she wouldn’t look at him with contempt.

At this point in time when he hasn’t done or confirmed anything yet, the Emperor decides to interfere.

“Since the rumor about your engagement has come to this point, why don’t we consider this marriage between the two families non-existent? And if that’s the case…” 

Just thinking that Hildea would start acting cold towards him made him chew the flesh inside his mouth.

‘No way.’

“How about marrying the princess?”

‘This old man is definitely crazy.’

(PR/N: Get off my ship boomer D: