Chapter 6 : Love? Ridiculous.

I woke up as the sun rose. I looked at my bed and slowly shifted my gaze on the door which I felt a person being behind it.

I stood up and took a deep breath and forced a smile.

"You may come in." I said.

The door creaked open and there stood my butler.

"It's me, your grace."

I looked with an eye that doesn't care.

"Claire, any reports?" I asked knowing that she came for a reason.

"Yes, your grace"

I slightly smiled as I saw the paper she was holding. Perhaps, this is it.

"Apparently, the baroness has been embezzling. According to my investigation, the viscount knew all along but it seems like he was protecting the baroness"

I frowned from hearing it.

"Why? There's no reason to protect a betrayer." I wondered for I never thought that he would trust the baroness too much.

"Well, the only thing the maids told me was... there's something the baroness uses to make the viscount back her up."

I looked at Claire with a frown. I cleared my throat and opened the window looking from far away.

"Well... make sure to find some evidences. I need to get them arrested." I said and calmly looked at the paper Claire has been holding.

Does she not have any intention to show it to me?

Perhaps, she noticed my gaze so she handed the papers to me.

"Your grace, I've already kept evidences." Claire said and smiled softly at me.

"That's fast work. I'll make sure to reward you" I said satisfied with her work. I looked through the papers and saw all the money the baroness has stolen from the viscount.

"This could work...Claire, find someone to spill the crime" I said and stopped as I saw Claire's baffled look.

"What's with the puzzled face?"

Perhaps she needed some courage to tell me so I adjusted my face to form a smile on my lips.

"Claire."

She looked like she was not sure if it's a right thing to say but she finally took the courage to speak.

"Your grace... Would you really let them go this easily?"

That's right... Claire knew me too well for she was also a slave I brought from the baroness' house.

"No" I answered.

"But, your grace... arresting them.... it would be over!" Claire protested. She does hold some grudges against them. Must be also why she worked faster than expected.

"I... I have other plans, Claire. If you're going to hinder my plans, I might kill you right now"

She seemed to be taken aback so she just bowed at me with a worried expression.

I frowned.

"I shall leave, your grace" She said and left quietly.

I do understand her for I was a slave too. But the pain I endured was nothing in comparison to hers.

She was just a new slave anyway. But that doesn't mean she is in the exception of people hating the Baron's house.

I sighed and dressed up and rode the carriage that will take me to the temple.

...****************...

I arrived at the temple and it was peacefully quiet once again.

The priests who saw me all greeted me with their lovely kind smile. I just smiled back at them and said few of my kind words.

I honestly never wanted to be in the temple... for I hate seeing one paladin who seemed to be following me.

I got tired of him.

"Won't you come out?" I said and looked back as my hair touched my face. He came out and walked towards me looking baffled.

"How did you know, saintess?" He asked and kissed the back of my hand as a formal way of greeting.

"I can feel your stare at me from far away. Perhaps, I did something wrong?" I asked him.

His golden eyes slowly came close to my face and a gentle smile wrapped his lips which took me in surprise.

"Saintess, you never did anything wrong" He said.

Ugh, that face...

"Paladin-"

"Just call me by my name" He smiled and took the strand of my hair off my face.

"Fine. Ian, what have I done?" I asked him, feeling tired. He was the sole purpose why I was here anyway. I want to get rid of him as soon as possible. But killing in the temple is way risky.

"You've done nothing, saintess. Perhaps, because I was just naturally attracted to your eyes..." He said sweetly and let out a soft laugh.

"There's nothing special in my eyes"

Right now, I am stopping myself from taking my dagger and stabbing it to his lips.

"There is... it's the only eye I saw full of loneliness yet confident" He said as if he saw right through me.

"What do you mean by that, Ian?"

"I know you're in misery, saintess... and-"

He got cut as I slapped the back of his hand trying to cup my face.

"They said that misery loves company? Sorry, but I don't believe in it"

(A: Lmao I just realized this line is from a song)

He was taken aback with my response but what the h*ll?!

"That makes you more interesting"

What is this man saying?