<strong>Chapter 116</strong>


    Gabriel let out a deep, silent sigh and looked towards the main pce.


    He couldn’t concentrate at all. Be it prayer or practice.


    It has been like that ever since he was told that Aria had returned to the castle, copsed and lost her consciousness.


    ‘No, actually, it was before that.’


    The longer the Grand Prince and Princess went to the Imperial Pce and stayed in the capital, the more Gabriel felt the vacancy.


    He had no choice but to. Ever since he came to the Grand Duke’s castle, he never not prayed with Aria.


    ‘I can’t even visit…….’


    Gabriel realized his position anew.


    In the meantime, he could always be by Aria’s side because Aria came to him without hesitation.


    Because he was only an apprentice. He wouldn’t have had a chance to meet her if Aria didn’te to see him, except if he passed by and ran into her.


    ‘Why did you copse?’


    ‘Are you still very sick?’


    ‘Are you awake? Could it be that you are still unconscious? It’s been three days.’


    ‘I wonder if you were injured so badly that you couldn’t move.’


    ‘Is that why you can’t evene to pray….?’


    Gabriel opened his closed eyes. His thoughts kept running through his head, and he could hardly continue his prayers.


    ‘Please be safe.’


    The end of his prayer was always to pray for Aria’s safety.


    Gabriel looked at the rustling key from his arms without saying a word. Before Aria left for the Imperial Pce, she gave him the key to the prayer room through the servant. It was a consideration for Gabriel, who was deeply religious, and it was proof that she could now trust him with the key to the prayer room.


    But he rather…….


    ‘…… I didn’t want to receive it.’


    Gabriel realized why he didn’t feel happy when the keys were first handed over to him. If he receives this, his connection with Aria willpletely disappear.


    ‘Can we meet after you wake up?’


    The ce where Aria stayed was the main pce.


    Gabriel couldn’t evene close to the main pce. So, if she doesn’te out of the pce, he’ll just pass by and not even be able to run into her.


    ‘Aren’t youing to pray now?’


    The moment he received the key, he had such a feeling. Perhaps it will be difficult to see the Grand Princess again in the future.


    Gabriel, clutching the key, exited the prayer room and headed for his room.


    Themunication device in one corner of the room was ringing.


    It was from Veronica. Gabriel was tired today, but he faithfully contacted her.


    “…Saint.”


    – Long time no see, Sir Knight.


    Veronica, beyond the video, greeted him with a gentle smile as usual.


    – I’ve finally been assigned to the Fa branch’s Great Temple, Sir Knight. Aren’t youing to see me?


    “Ah…….”


    Gabriel followed her, smiling and trying to avoid her gaze as if embarrassed.


    “I’m sorry, Saint. I can’t leave Valentine until the purification hase to an end.”


    When Veronica heard those words, she murmured with a look that he hadn’t thought of.


    – Purification…… Thene to think of it, the power of God…….


    “Yes?”


    – No, nothing.


    She smiled brightly and turned her words around naturally.


    – So, you’ll definitelye next year, right?


    “Of course.”


    Gabriel answered bluntly, but he looked somewhat ufortable. It was because he remembered Aria’s words before leaving for the imperial pce.


    <i>‘The saint mighte to the Fa Empire to find a way to increase her divine power.’</i>


    Maybe that statement was true?


    ‘She must have not known she can absorb divine power enough to make the other person die…….’


    Gabriel had aplicated heart. He doesn’t know what to say to convince Veronica.


    – I think I troubled Sir Knight a while ago.


    Then Veronica lowered her eyes with a guilty expression.


    – The harsh memories I received from Brother Barom must have put me to the test.


    Did she recall any bad memories? The dark golden eyes fluttered wide, and drops of dew appeared.


    Gabriel couldn’t help but panic.


    Whatever Veronica coveted, she was the victim anyway. She put on a look of disappointment.


    – I have been guilty of coveting things that are not mine, even for a moment.


    “Saint…”


    – When I asked God for forgiveness, he was happy to forgive my sins, as always.


    A smirk passed over Veronica’s expression as she wiped away the tears with a hand covering her face.


    – I decided to live my life grateful for what I have in the future. Although my divine power is weak, I can support children so that they can grow up properly and lead a happy life.


    And she smiled broadly, trying to close her watery eyes.


    – So, Sir Knight doesn’t have to worry about it anymore. I’m sorry I made you worry for nothing.


    Gabriel felt sorry for Veronica and was relieved at the same time.


    ‘Yes. There’s no way the saint would do that.’


    She was swayed by temptation for a while. As Aria said, Veronica was only a human, not a god.


    He hesitated for a moment, then said.


    “Are you okay with Priest Barom’s incident now?”


    – Ah…… Actually, I’m notpletely okay. Sometimes I think it’s my fault…….


    “Why is that, Saint’s fault?”


    – Of course I know it’s no one’s fault, but I just…… I feel bad.


    Barom is dead. Very foolishly. Gabriel wondered if that was karma.


    It was about the time the conversation was over.


    Veronica brought up another topic.


    – By the way, Sir Knight, do you have any concerns?


    <i>Concerns</i>? Gabriel blinked puzzledly and said, ‘Oh.’ ‘ and patted his cheek.


    He wondered if everything was revealed in his expression.


    “it’s nothing.”


    – You’re lying. You think I don’t know the knight?


    “……”


    – If you share your concerns, it’s halved.


    Veronica asked politely.


    Does he have anything to worry about?


    Then Gabriel, who was silent for a moment, turned around and showed the corner of his troubles slightly.


    “…I just realized that I am nothing.”


    An idiot who has no idea of his own worth.


    A ve temperament who puts the values of others before his own and is desperate to serve.


    ‘That’s why you can only be a loyal dog.’


    Veronica thought.


    She was not at all jealous of Gabriel, no matter how much divine power he had. Because it wasn’t worth it.


    “What does Sir Knight mean you’re nothing?”


    He knows his ce very well.


    “Is that possible?”


    Veronica said somethingpletely different from what she was thinking and smiled a little bitterly.


    “Then what do I be?”


    – What? I don’t mean that…….


    Arousing guilt and sympathy was the easiest way to get him to speak out.


    Veronica knew how to use the method very well. Not only his heart and soul, but also his everything will be offered.


    – Nothing else, just, I realized that I was in a position where I couldn’t even meet her. It’s new.


    But as soon as she heard Gabriel’s words, she was puzzled and tried to eagerly exin…….


    She couldn’t help but be sure.


    ‘Is it toote already?’


    The dog’s savior was no longer her.


    ‘Hmm…… Shall I throw him away too?’


    It was a precious loss, but it was also a dangerous one at the same time. If the dog bespletely submissive to its new owner, he will ungratefully reveal its teeth to Veronica.


    Veronica decided to do what she had in mind for quite some time. After all, before he bes a big threat, it’s better to get rid of him now…….


    ‘Oh, wait.’


    Rather, can’t she use this in reverse?


    Veronica came up with an entirely different n. A twinkle shed in her eyes.


    “That’s strange.”


    – What do you mean?


    “Sir Knight that I know are the ones who do not give up even when everyoneughs and points their fingers at you, and perseveres.”


    Veronica said as if she was holding his hand tight.


    “If you want something, get it yourself. That’s what Sir Knight did.”


    She thought. In the dog’s mind, if she was no longer there, she would shove his back altogether. Down to the abyss.


    Gabriel, who had been walking around, brightened up as soon as Aria approached him. He looked like a puppy weing its owner who had left the house for a long time.


    Aria was a little embarrassed.


    He wasn’t like this before she left for the Imperial Pce.


    ‘We weren’t even that close…….’


    Gabriel had a deep bond with Veronica, which made him suspicious. Aria was wary of him, and she took a step back.


    “I heard people talking, you copsed all three days.”


    Oh, he was worried about that.


    Aria had a shy expression.


    Unless they’re sworn enemies, you can’t help but feel sorry for someone if they copsed for three days.


    “I have heard that you freed ves from the grip of the ve traders.”


    <i>So that’s why youe here?</i>


    Aria looked around the temporary building where the ves were staying, and she nodded.


    ‘If it is me, I wille here as soon as I wake up.’


    Unable to go to the main pce, this would have been the only way for him to meet Aria.


    “I’m really d you woke up safely. Really…”


    Aria waited patiently for Gabriel to bring up the main point. It must have been that he had something to say, so he came all the way here and waited for her.


    But after a while, he didn’t say anything.


    – Is that it?


    “Yes?”


    Gabriel, hearing the message from Aria for the first time, widened his eyes.


    Seeing that his chest, which had been trembling with each inhtion and exhtion, stopped in its ce, he seemed surprised to the point of forgetting to breath for a moment.


    – Oh, Gabriel must be new to this. From now on, I’ve decided to speak through messages instead of cards for convenience.


    Aria nced at the thin string bracelet on her right hand.


    “Then is this the Grand Princess’ voice?”


    – Yes.


    “Ah…….”


    Gabriel nodded and shook his head for a moment.


    There was a pink blush on his cheeks that was white enough to make him look pale.


    Aria was not impressed. It was because everyone who heard her voice for the first time showed this kind of reaction.


    “Now…….”


    Gabriel said hesitantly.


    Was this the point now?


    Aria listened to him and nodded her head.


    “Now, you won’t call me an angel anymore?”


    “Yes……?”


    At that moment, the jaguar, who was silently standing next to Aria, rushed to Gabriel.