Chapter 142

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***

“Marquis Haneton, this way please.”

For the first time in a long time, Kalis was in a normal state of body and mind. The sleeping medicine prescribed by the doctor was effective, and also thanks to Kalis’s own efforts to take maximum care of his  health for the measuring test.

“Please come in.”

“Is all this divine power from Seria?”

“Yes, it’s Stern’s divine power.”

Kalis was also one of the heads of the seventeen families whose bodies were imbued with divine power. So he had some idea of how much divine power was added to this large holy object.

Je couldn’t tell how much, but he could tell that it was a tremendous amount of divine power that even a high priest couldn’t do it at once.

Does that mean Seria’s divine power is of a similar level to Lina’s?

“Marquis Hanetone. The result of the measurement of His Highness’ power came out unusually fast.”

Kalis had already heard about it.

And High Priest Jubelud said one more thing. There was a high probability that half of the divine power that Lina had conceived was the divine power of Marquis Haneton.

The probability of it being Seria’s divine power was relatively much lower.

“It’s my divine power…”

Kalis’s desire to take responsibility for Lina’s child had not changed.

“Because if it’s Grand Duke’s child, you’re afraid Seria will get hurt, right?”

“…….”

“If it’s Seria’s child.….you want to raise it?”

He didn’t mean to hurt Lina, but it was Kalis’s sincerity. He couldn’t help it. If Lina’s child was his divine power, there was nothing more to say. He would have to take her to Haneton.

Lina has been avoiding Kalis ever since that day.

‘It must be confusing to Lina.’

He had to give her time to sort out her thoughts. She wasn’t a noble of this world, and she wasn’t that good at organizing her emotions.

“…….”

Kalis gulped lowly at the divine power that warmed his body. Even in the restful sleep that had lasted for several days, he had dreamed of Seria every time. However, it didn’t feel like it was enough compared to that body he had actually hugged a few days ago.

That warmth that soothed the pain that had always plagued his heart as if it were a lie….

“Marquis Haneton, I’ll cover you with this now. It should be easy, so please don’t worry.”

The priest carefully explained and put on the covering made of constellation gold. It was a measurement that was likely going to produce results in one’s power with a high probability.

But if it’s really Seria’s divine power…

“…….”

A soft shadow cast over. Kalis closed his eyes. The sacred power of the sacred relic was surprisingly warm. Perhaps that was why. Tears trickled down Kalis’s cheeks.

***

Most courtyards in the Great Temple were very sunny.

Afternoon sunshine. Quiet time. Seria sat leaning back in a swing shaped chair in the garden. The breeze was just blowing lightly and she felt good.

Then, suddenly she felt a shade cast over eyes. Without opening her eyes, she smiled.

“Why? Bibi. Do you want another cookie?”

“Cookies?”

It wasn’t Abigail’s voice. Seria hurriedly opened her eyes….

“Lesche?”

“So Linon brought you a cookie basket.”

Lesche was looking down at Seria with his back bent. Seria blinked and he smiled gently. Her heart skipped a beat at that moment.

No, why is he smiling like that…? Feeling her cheeks burning, she scolded Lesche for no reason.

“Why are you smiling all of a sudden?”

“You saw my wife, but I can’t smile?”

Seria looked around, trying to offer him a seat, but the swing chair was just for one person. So two people could never fit.

“Shall we go somewhere else?” (Seria)

“We’ll just stay here. You look comfortable.” (Lesche)

“Oh, you want to sit here then?” (Seria)

In an instant, Seria’s body was lifted and sat down again. The swing chair was the same as before, but this time it was a little different because she was sitting on Lesche’s thighs.

Her feet swayed as they failed to reach the lawn. The hem of her skirt spread lightly.

Lesche’s arms were wrapped around her.

“How many swings like this shall we put in the garden of the mansion?” (Lesche)

“You’re going to use it more than I will.” (Seria)

Seria said with a pout.

“Those are your feet that are swinging now.” (Lesche)

Lesche laughed. The swing continued to move back and forth. In the midst of all this, Lesche’s arms were gripping Seria tightly and she wasn’t worried that she was going to fall. To be honest, she felt like she was on her favorite ride.

‘It’s fun.’

She glanced up at Lesche’s face, which was completely different from what she had seen the past few days. He looked much more at ease. She was sure that Lesche had heard about the result of his test.

When the man she liked looked in a good mood, she naturally felt better. There were times when she was exhausted from filling the holy relic with her power.

She gazed at the garden in silence, enjoying the warm sunshine and the soft breeze. Lesche’s hand played with her fingers. A few moments passed.

Lesche opened his mouth.

“Seria.”

“Hmm?”

The words continued in the same tone.

“You said you would divorce me if the Saintess’ child was mine.”

The swing stopped. Seria’s eyes shook loudly. Their gazes met. Lesche asked, tilting his chin.

“Are you going to divorce me?”

“No?”

“Then, why did you say that?”

“Well… there was a bit of a need to threaten.”

“What threat?”

“To make them take out the hidden relic….No, I was going to tell you, but when I woke up, you were gone.”

‘Before that, I was just too sleepy to talk!’

It was awkward. What did those priests tell Lesche! As Lesche stared at Seria, one of his eyebrows raised up. Suddenly, she began to think that the smile that Lesche was building was not because he was in a good mood.

“So you’re going to divorce me?”

“It was a threat, really.”

Seria apologized softly.

“But I’m sorry if I upset you.”

“I don’t realize that you’re the kind of person who thinks about my feelings.”

Lesche became sarcastic, which scared her a little. She couldn’t help but gasp at the sight of herself apologizing so lamely now, after having done something so plausible. On the other hand, she realized that the priests had very light lips. (*meant talk a lot)

“We broke down the office a bit…..”

Has she been too nice to the Great Temple? The thought didn’t last long. It was because Lesche’s eyes were glued to her.

She cleared her throat awkwardly.

“Do you want to talk to them now? That you can’t stay married to a Stern with a child…”

Seria’s joking words didn’t last long. Because the smile instantly disappeared from Lesche’s face.

“Seria.”

“…… yes?”

“I don’t intend to divorce you, no matter how many kids you have.”

“…….”

“I wish you wouldn’t put words like that in your mouth.”

Seria was embarrassed. She cleared her throat, wanting to evoke a sudden strange atmosphere.

“What do you mean how many? There’s no one.” (Seria)

“Good, I mean I’m not going to divorce you no matter where you go and make them.” (Lesche)

“…Do I look like a home wrecker in your eyes?” (Seria)

“You know how to break your husband’s heart.” (Lesche)

“Mean! You’re mean!”(Seria)

“You’re mean! I’m going to cry.” (Seria)

Eventually, Seria covered her head with her hands and screamed, “Ahhhh!”

“I won’t do it again! I’ll never do it, really…” (Lesche)

Lesche burst out laughing at Seria’s scream. He had a lot of fun teasing Seria, and the strange expression earlier was completely erased.

“Swear to the Stern insignia. Even if you die, you won’t divorce me.” (Lesche)

When Seria didn’t answer, Lesche asked again.

“Don’t you like it?”  (Lesche)

“I think it’s unfair. What if you have a child?” (Seria)

“Another child?” (Lesche)

Lesche’s hand suddenly touched Seria’s stomach. Every time his fingers slowly passed by, a shiver went down her spine. Lesche whispered.

“I have no intention of making my children anywhere else but here.”

“…….”

Seria couldn’t help but look around, afraid someone would hear it.

Of course, everything was quiet. No one was there… Lightly grabbing Seria’s chin, Lesche stared into her eyes.

“Don’t look elsewhere.”

“That…”

“You should’ve answered, Seria.”

He sounded strangely adamant. Sometimes she got the feeling that this man… if he really wanted something, he’d use all kinds of strategies and means. Seria slightly avoided Lesche’s gaze and spoke as coyly as possible.

“It’s about the Stern insignia, I’ll give it some more thought.”

“…There’s nothing you can honestly overlook, is there?”

Said Lesche with a low sigh, tilting his head towards Seria. Their lips naturally met. She suddenly felt that Lesche’s cheeks were thinner than usual. It was only a little….

Because it was a really tough schedule. The fact that he was able to make it to the temple so quickly while completing the itinerary to check the boundaries of the demons meant he didn’t have time to rest at all and just kept running.

And coming to the temple wasn’t for a good reason.

“Lesche.”

Seria asked in a faintly breathy voice.

“Shall we return to our castle instead of the imperial mansion?”

“Why?”

Seria continued to talk while touching Lesche’s cheek with her fingers.

“It’s been a rough time. Why don’t we rest together for a bit and then leave?”

Come to think of it, Linon also fainted, saying that he would rather see the demons in the manor. For the sake of Berg’s well-being, Seria thought it would be better to return to Berg castle and rest.

“You don’t like it?” (Seria)

Lesche stared at Seria and smiled a little. His hand dug in between her fingers and squeezed tightly.

“Anything. Do as you wish.”  (Lesche)

His hands cupped Seria’s cheeks and chin and lifted it carefully. Lesche kissed her more deeply than before. It was the kind of gentle kiss that went well with this quiet garden.

.

.

.

A few days later.

“…….”

It was early morning. Seria had fallen asleep and was awakened by the presence she could feel from outside. She lifted her head and saw Lesche standing in front of the open door in his gown with his arms crossed. He seemed to be having a conversation with someone outside the door.

‘What’s going on?’

***

“What do you mean it’s not my divine power!”

Kalis banged the desk angrily. The priests who had come to inform him were flabbergasted.

“Whose divine power is it then?”

“…….”

“Seria?”

“…….”

Kalis sat down with a thump. The priests were at a loss for words.

“Is it really Seria’s divine power?”

Kalis rubbed his face repeatedly with both hands.

Not Lesche Berg, not Kalis Haneton.

Then, of course, there was only Seria left. Kalis swept his face.

“….Then the child will be raised in Haneton.”