“Wh-who?”
In my confusion, wondering if he might know Cesare’s true identity, I asked urgently. Then Priest Heiss smiled gently as if to reassure me and patted my cheek.
“Commonly known as the Dark Lord, Lampel Yanox. The father of the Young Duke of Yanox here.”
Brainwashing Magic wasn’t well known to ordinary people. Even ordinary mages claimed that magic to brainwash people was difficult to implement and said it was something only possible in the ‘Age of Prosperity.’
I only knew that Cesare used Brainwashing Magic because of the novel I read in my past life and the memory of him casting magic on me—very few people knew that the Yanox family was proficient in such magic.
‘He’s not an ordinary priest. I heard he was a high priest, but… seeing how he deliberately brought up the topic while Cesare was here, it seems like he knows something.’
Cesare, who had been silent, asked.
“Are you saying my father placed a prohibition on Lionel?”
It was a somewhat coldly subdued voice. Priest Heiss gently stroked my head and said.
“I couldn’t know that. Duke Yanox may or may not have cast magic on this boy. But what’s important is that poor Master Mellans is being played by someone’s scheme. That’s why he might have jumped from the fifth floor~ That’s what I’m saying.”
Though there was no conclusion, at the content that hit the core, Cesare’s face hardened stiffly. It was the same for me. If Cesare’s identity was discovered early on, I didn’t know how he would react.
“Master Mellans’ uncle-in-law, Count Cicero, is someone who helps our shrine with generous donations. I can’t help but be concerned that such a person’s nephew-in-law is being manipulated by someone. Especially as the only son of the Mellans Merchant Guild.”
Even though it was a serious topic, Priest Heiss’s tone was somehow slippery and light, not seeming sincere. Moreover, he kept acting familiar while touching my hair and cheeks, which wasn’t very pleasant, making me frown involuntarily.
“With me by his side, who would dare… lay a hand on him. That won’t happen.”
Cesare glared this way and restrained his arm. Priest Heiss finally backed off slightly. As a sign of gratitude for removing this guy, I smiled slightly at Cesare. Then Cesare gave a small cough and avoided my gaze.
He must be embarrassed because I’m making a stupid face again. Anyway, Priest Heiss delivered shocking news to us.
“But His Highness the Crown Prince was also injured recently, and there are many concerning matters. So I’m thinking of taking Master Mellans to the Grand Temple.”
“What? The Grand Temple?”
When I jumped up in alarm, Priest Heiss burst into laughter.
“It’s not such a scary place. It’s a safe place full of grace. Actually, I strongly sense sacred energy from Master Mellans. You have a good impression too. You probably hear often that you look virtuous, right? Your eyes are kind, so your soul looks pure too.”
Why are you talking so suspiciously? Saying I look benevolent when I even have an ominous tear mole. It seemed similar to the crazy guys who used to approach me in front of Line 1, so I couldn’t trust him.
“Are you saying I have divine power?”
“Well, I’d have to look into it more closely~. Have you ever received a revelation from the Main God?”
A revelation since I met Ju Shinyoung? But I shouldn’t carelessly mention that I had contact with Ju Shinyoung. The Grand Temple was a power institution that had existed since before the Torusian Empire was founded. If I said I was connected to her, I might be dragged to the temple immediately, forget the academy, and become a priest.
“We haven’t been recruiting new talent lately, so it’s really gloomy, but if Master Mellans joined the order, it would be really great. Should I write you a recommendation letter right away? It’s the Grand Temple, you know~? It’s on a different level from provincial temples?”
What is the image of priests anyway? Even in RPG games, aren’t they boring ascetic beings who, when everyone else is wearing splendid costumes, wear only one long priest robe, just heal-spamming while spouting self-righteous words?
Then my bucket list number one, a wedding march with Cesare… no, a nationwide gourmet tour would be over. It meant that I, an enormous wealthy person, would have to spend my life confined to the Grand Temple eating only bread and wine.
‘But if I go to the Grand Temple, I can be far from Cesare. If I’m in a place full of divine power, I won’t be subjected to Brainwashing Magic and Addiction might weaken too.’
But… temple life had a fatal flaw.
‘Get a grip, Lionel. You’re the embodiment of capitalism who needs to eat caviar for breakfast, truffle salmon steak for lunch, and tomahawk for dinner, and who loves handsome men! You can’t live on just bread and wine!’
I like a corrupt life! Down with the temple! Waaaah! As the shout echoed in my heart, strength surged into my fist. And I quickly organized what to say to persuade the priest. That I’ve never received any revelation and I’m just an ordinary person far from devoutness.
However, perhaps my impatient nature burst out, my logic became too convoluted.
“Never mind a revelation from the Main God, I am! Of capitalism! A handsome! Caviar!”
“Pfft!”
At my words, Cesare hurriedly lowered his head and covered his mouth. I could see Priest Heiss’s puzzled face. Cesare, barely holding back his laughter, quickly explained on behalf of me whose brain was twisted.
“He’s saying he doesn’t want to live poorly since he can’t eat caviar if he goes to the temple.”
“Right. That!”
Damn. Why am I not an intelligence-type character? *Sniff*.
* * *
After Priest Heiss left, telling me to think carefully about joining the order, I spent about two days resting alone in the infirmary. My body was still stiff and my bones ached, so I needed more recovery.
Still, meeting with Priest Heiss wasn’t entirely fruitless. He gave me a small bracelet with a sacred barrier. He said it could block the servants of Brainwashing Magic from entering.
So during those two days, I spent the short rest productively, writing a letter to deliver to Grandfather with peace of mind and organizing my thoughts about what to do going forward.
My current goal is one thing. To meet Duke Yanox and retrieve the other half of the artifact. I felt like I needed to break this damn Addiction first before I could think and judge normally.
Before leaving the infirmary, I looked in the mirror. Deep green eyes beneath neatly combed blonde hair. This was clearly me now. Not something like possession, but really myself, Lionel Mellans. The sensation of falling in the library a few days ago came to mind, and I squeezed my eyes shut.
‘This is really my life now.’
I couldn’t let my life become like a puppet controlled by Cesare. I opened my eyes again brightly and glared at myself beyond the mirror. I spoke to the lively green eyes.
“Right. I love Cesare. I can’t deny that.”
Recalling Mitche’s existence that Ju Shinyoung had told me about last time, he must have already seeped deep into my heart. There was no use getting stressed out blaming that magic anymore.
“But now I really need to take concrete action. I really need to make choices for myself.”
Cesare cast Addiction on me with the determination to stake everything. So I must face him with matching resolve. There was no guarantee that such dangerous things wouldn’t happen again.
‘If I find out what Cesare is plotting and what his future plans are, I might have a way to survive too.’
Rather, if I stuck close to him and gathered more information, I might be able to prepare for what’s ahead. The Dark Guild story from Cain’s side was also meaningful.
‘Grandfather might know something about the Dark Guild. I should ask in a letter.’
As I was making such resolutions, I heard Cain calling from below.
“Rye! We’re here!”
“Oh, I’ll be right out!”
I packed my bag well and finally reached back to put on my cape.
“Ugh.”
As I was rubbing my shoulder at the slightly throbbing pain, Cesare, who had come in at some point, sighed and properly draped my cape for me.
“Ah, I could do it myself….”
“It’s faster if I do it.”
“Where’s Cain?”
“He said it’s too much trouble to climb the stairs, so he’s waiting outside.”
At his face approaching suddenly, I unnecessarily lowered my gaze. While quietly watching his white fingers fastening the cape, I asked quietly.
“Cesare.”
“Hm?”
“Isn’t it uncomfortable touching me?”
“Touching isn’t uncomfortable.”
“Is it okay that I like you?”
When I asked directly, Cesare’s touch paused for a moment. But he soon raised the collar of the cape again with graceful touches.
“Lionel. While you were lying down, I realized one thing.”
“What?”
“That I never want to lose you again.”
Cesare looked at me and smiled. With the morning sunlight shining from behind, his hair was beautiful like golden aura rippling over black waves, making me stare blankly without realizing it. I couldn’t tell if it was really beautiful or if it looked enhanced because of Addiction.
“Whether it’s breaking off our friendship or anything else, I don’t want to lose you again in any form. So even though it’s hard to accept you with the same feelings.”
His masculine yet beautiful lips moved subtly.
“I’ll try to keep you by my side. Like someone said, you have to treat them well while you have them, right?”
“Uh….”
At the sudden embarrassment rushing over me, I bit my lips and lowered my head. A soft voice flowed over my head.
“You keep trying to make me fall for you too. Then I might really fall.”
“…You’ll fall for me?”
Not having the confidence to face him, just looking at my feet and barely asking back, Cesare lightly grabbed my chin and lifted it. My face heated up at our gazes meeting suddenly.
“At this rate, won’t it take quite a while to fall?”
What kind of ambiguous answer that’s neither yes nor no is this? But why my heart was fluctuating like a hummingbird’s wingbeats, I couldn’t understand.
“I don’t know about you, but isn’t now a good time to kiss? Lionel. You have 3 left. Want to use one?”
“Hey. What are you two doing! Come out quickly! It’s Professor Hugo for first period!”
At Cain’s voice suddenly heard from outside, as Cesare turned his gaze, I quickly grabbed his collar and stood on tiptoe.
‘If I’m going to be swayed by you like this, I’ll do it first.’
— Smooch.
I planted my lips on Cesare’s cheek. Unlike his jet-black hair, the refreshing bird kiss tasted of morning sunlight.
“I’ll use one with this.”
As if he hadn’t expected me to kiss his cheek first, he rubbed his cheek with a dumbfounded expression. He rubbed it so hard with his hand that his cheek turned bright red. Watching that, I asked quietly.
“By the way, I have something to ask.”
“……?”
“About the prohibition that Priest Heiss mentioned. The Brainwashing Magic cast on me. Do you really not know anything?”
“……”
“You know a lot about magic. Is there really nothing you know? Even something very minor is fine. I almost died because of it.”
When I stared at Cesare, he shook his head with a slightly awkward face.
“…No.”
‘As expected. You’re still planning to deceive me.’
At Cesare’s lie that left a slightly bitter taste, I grabbed the doorknob.
“I see. Okay then.”
“…But, I’ll protect you.”
“Protect me?”
“Not just the prohibition, but with Cedric, Princess Françoise, and now even the Grand Temple. If I look away even a little, too many strange guys swarm around you. So I can’t take my eyes off you.”
He was saying very romantically that he wouldn’t give me to anyone else and would suck me dry to the bone all by himself. My insides ached, but I smiled at him on the outside.
“Right. Never take your eyes off me. So others can’t touch me.”
“Who would dare touch you. A person of the ducal family.”
Sir.
Having answered that way in my heart, I quickly ran down the stairs. Below, Cain was grumbling with a sulky face.
“Are you two already excluding me just because you made up?”
“Sorry. Let’s go quickly!”
“Cain. We’re not that late. Stop complaining.”
“Ah, finally the three of us are together after so long!”
With Cesare in the middle, Cain and I stuck to his sides. Rose vine clusters were already climbing up the railing leading to the facade corridor in late spring.
“Guys. I think we need to run?”
“Our sick puppy, can you run?”
“Of course!”
“Then whoever arrives first gets the window seat!”
“You guys are energetic from the morning. Phew.”
Running side by side to class as a trio was really after a long time, but it was a time without any awkwardness.
* * *
When I returned to class, other students’ attention was focused on me. But it wasn’t intense welcome, but rather a slightly strange form.
Everyone would whisper while looking at me, then stop precisely when I turned around, and repeat whispering again when I turned back.
During class, during breaks, while eating—it was like that. At first, I thought they were looking at me curiously because I had come back from the brink of death, but this was excessive.
“Aren’t the kids acting a bit strange? They’re looking at me strangely.”
“I don’t know.”
“Rye. Maybe you smell.”
Even when I asked Cesare and Cain, they just played dumb and were no help at all. Even when I asked William’s gang, they just shook their heads halfheartedly.
And it was only during the afternoon reading time that I met Lucy and could hear the full story. Lucy secretly handed me a newsletter that seemed a few days old.
