“You have a lot of books in your study.”

“Actually, they’re mostly there for ornamental purposes.”

“That’s unexpected. I thought you’d read them all.”

“Is that so? I’m a little curious as to how I look in your eyes, Eliana,” Rube smiled softly.

His silver bangs were still, his eyes slightly hidden.

Eliana could see her reflection in the thickness of his golden eyes.

Eliana spoke with calmness, recalling the first time she met Rube.

“Well, when I first saw you, I thought you were impressive. First of all, your face stands out.”

“For the first time in my life, I’m thankful my face caught your eye.”

“Hey, I’d be thankful every day if I was born with a face like yours,” Eliana smirked at him, and Rube laughed aloud.

A neat voice mixed in with a man’s laughter echoed inside the room.

After a couple of moments, Rube stared at her and asked, “How about now?”

“Now…” Eliana rolled her eyes.

Come to think of it, it was difficult to accurately define a man like Rube.

He showed kindness from the first day they met, and it was hard to read his mind because he was never moody.

Plus, he was hard to understand because he strangely agreed to everything she said.

In particular, the way he didn’t tell Hera about Verkley’s contract with the Hanev was still questionable.

She was not originally this wary of people, but she was not in a safe situation right now.

‘There might be something else behind your kindness.’

Eliana smiled bitterly, recalling her classmates that turned against her.

If Rube had appeared in the novel, she might’ve been less suspicious.

Anyway, she would’ve known a little bit about him.

They had a friendly but somewhat suspicious relationship, and it was really ambiguous that they were already too close to be distant.

So, this was the only answer that came to mind.

“You’re someone I want to know.”

It was true.

The existence of something known feels more familiar and safer than the existence of something unknown.

Being safe was the most important thing to Eliana.

Because she did not want to die again.

Eliana wanted to know more about this man named Rube Demeter so as not to doubt him.

Just because he’s not threatening her right now doesn’t mean he’s on her side.

She needed more solid physical evidence.

Rube’s eyes slightly shook and then stopped.

He said quietly, “You beat me to the words I wanted to say first.”

“I’ve already shown you everything, haven’t I?”

“I mean, I want to know more than what you’ve shown. And I’m not worthy enough to learn all those things about you.”

“Ay, you’re too humble,” Eliana replied with a smirk.

A moment of silence passed.

This time, Eliana insinuated. “So, what about the engagement story?”

At the sign to move onto the main issue at hand, Rube interlaced his fingers, resting his hands on the table.

Then, he leaned his body toward Eliana and whispered, “It’s because things weren’t looking too good.”

“Are things not going well?” 

When Eliana leaned in as well, one side of Rube’s mouth lifted, and he said,

“In truth, this is not known due to the accident on the day of the ceremony, but the princess did not manifest her abilities.”

“…!” 

Eliana pretended to be surprised—although she already knew, and Rube continued.

“The Empress Dowager wanted to kill His Majesty sooner than expected. Maybe, had I not proposed the engagement, she would have ordered you to poison him.”

“…” 

“I was afraid you might get hurt in the process. It was urgent, and that was all I could come up with. I’m sorry if it was presumptuous.”

Eliana was stunned by his calm explanation of the situation.

Without realizing it, the ‘fate of death’ was avoided with someone else’s help.

‘I was not ordered to poison him because of Rube’s actions.’

The novel could be changed by someone else.

On the contrary, this means that there is a likelihood of another ‘fate of death’ existing when one didn’t before.

Eliana struggled to hide her trembling hands.

In the future—despite the novel—new storylines may be written whenever someone makes a move.

It was also unknown whether they could survive safely in the process.

As Eliana sat silent, Rube opened his mouth again.

“Even at today’s ceremony, the princess will not be able to manifest her abilities.”

“Why are you so sure?”

The words were full of confidence.

When Eliana questioned, Rube answered in a meaningful voice.

“That day, I felt the princess’s power develop. But after the accident, it disappeared.”

“You can feel it?”

Rube nodded quietly. “I wouldn’t have known if the princess manifested magical powers, but I could feel it was divine, the same as mine.”

“Ohh…”

“It was easier to recognize because her power had almost fully manifested. Perhaps the one who stole her power is…”

“It must be the Hanev.”

“Yes,” Rube confirmed without hesitation.

He was a man of good sense.

As he said, it was true that the Hanev stole Mary’s power.

But of course, it was not necessarily the Hanev’s problem because it was Verkley’s plan.

Eliana opened her mouth, hesitated, but then continued.

“His Majesty thinks he signed a contract with a demon.”

“I see.”

“He’ll be surprised to know that it was a Hanev instead. I hope His Majesty doesn’t know about it yet.”

“Then, this really is a secret between the two of us.”

As Eliana shook her head quietly, the corners of Rube’s lips gently rose.

He softly said, “I’ll help you as much as I can. I know the most about the Hanevs out of the entire Owen Empire.”

“Thank you.”

As Eliana smiled shyly, Rube asked her cautiously,

“Is there any particular reason why… you’re helping His Majesty?”

“Well, His Majesty’s side is safe, at least.”

“No, His Majesty’s side won’t be safe either. His Majesty made a deal with a Hanev. Those involved with the Hanevs have bad endings. You’ll be in danger.” He sounded worried.

As he said, Verkley’s side could be more dangerous.

Eliana was also a little embarrassed when she found out he had signed a contract with a Hanev.

But she already had a history of overpowering the Hanev.

If she uses that unknown power wisely, she may have complete control over the Hanev.

And above all else, she couldn’t leave Verkley behind.

She didn’t know why, but… that’s what her heart was telling her.

Eliana replied, trying not to worry him.

“I’m not just staying near him.”

“Then…?”

“I can’t explain it, but the Hanev won’t touch me.”

“…”

“So the safest place in this situation is next to His Majesty.” Eliana declared with confidence.

The look on Rube’s face as he stared at Eliana said he didn’t know what she was thinking.

His face was just stiff.

“…All right,” Rube replied slowly after a moment.

Seeing Rube’s serious expression, Eliana tried to brighten him up.

“Let’s talk about something else for a second. Why do you wish to perform the ceremony again knowing that the princess won’t manifest her abilities anyway?”

When Eliana changed the subject, she received a calm answer.

“We’re putting on a big show.”

“A big show… Are we going to act like she’s developed her abilities?”

“That’s right.”

She expected this, but not for it to be some kind of show.

In addition, Rube was the Priest.

He, the Priest, decided to engage in such a big fraud at Hosios Temple, the 1st temple.

It was a huge thing.

He remained calm, even though this could be a great sin.

‘Surely, God Algiers exists, so is it okay to commit this kind of coverup?’

With a slightly shaky voice, Eliana asked, “Is it okay to lie before God? Especially when it comes to holding the ceremony inside the temple…”

In fact, Rube smiled nonchalantly.

When she looked at his smile curiously, Rube continued.

“If Algiers were to punish me for this evil deed, there would no longer be any priests left in the Hosios Temple.”

“What?” Eliana’s brows dipped down to her forehead.

It sounded like he was saying that corruption was already rampant in the temple.

Rube called it exactly “this evil deed”.

That means that there are already many priests who commit evil.

When her face showed she required an explanation, Rube went on.

“You must know that God’s revelation made me the Priest.”

“Yes. He finally revealed himself after a long time of silence. So you were able to become the Priest.”

Why is he suddenly talking about revelation?

Eliana wondered, but Rube was serious.

“The revelation of God will soon be my answer.”

“…Which is?”

“Rashatarach.”

”…?” 

That’s a unique word.

Eliana was confused because she couldn’t interpret Rube’s words.

In response, Rube wore a self-mocking smile and said…