Chapter 16

Chapter 16

When I could finally think more clearly, it seemed the answer to this situation was very obvious. As soon as I recovered, I requested to see the Goddess’ warrior to tell him the truth.

“Camille asked you to do such a thing…?”

Sitting leisurely at the tower, which was made of stones, the warrior listened to me patiently. Two of the Innocent Ones, who were assigned to the warrior’s protection duty today, stood far away, which meant there was no risk of our conversation being overheard.

I couldn’t tell if he was shocked or just simply surprised. Unlike Prince Camille, who looked delicate, Arim Hakim Karid looked much rougher and colder. He was the son of the king, as well as the Goddess herself.

I was standing in front of him with my head bowed. He asked me quietly, “So where is Hawaki now?”

“Pardon?”

“The Virtuous Priestess. Are you telling me that you took her out of her harem and handed her to Camille? Even if you did, you would still know where she is hiding… It would have to be a place no one can find her…”

I hesitated for a minute, but in the end, I told him the truth.

“… His Highness Prince Camille informed me that he will keep her in the most inner area of his quarters.”

To be honest, I never even thought to check up on her after leaving her there. I was familiar with many areas of Prince Camille’s wing, but the place I dropped the priestess off was somewhere I have never been before. I continued to explain, “There is a restricted area within His Highness’ quarters where no servants can enter. It is considered a sacred place. Prince Camille told me that the Virtuous Priestess would be safe there, hidden from everyone, and unlikely to be found. No one would dare to enter that place, not even us the Innocent Ones or the odalisques from the harem. It is said that anyone who enters the sacred place will be punished by the Goddess herself.”

“Alright.”

To my surprise, Hakim Karid didn’t become angry at me. It didn’t seem like he was going to punish me. Confused, I asked him cautiously, “Sir… Are you not upset?”

“Hmm? About what?”

“Me.”

He seemed so nonchalant that I felt a little silly for asking him this question. I didn’t know what to say, so I rambled on, “The Virtuous Priestess is a woman who is supposed to have relations with you, the Goddess’ warrior. Everyone came here to make this happen, yet Prince Camille is…”

I suddenly closed my mouth, realizing I was crossing a dangerous line. However, despite my rudeness, the warrior still seemed indifferent. In fact, he asked me, “So are you telling me I should do something to get between Camille and Hawaki? Can they not be together because he is the ‘murderer of the Goddess’ rather than an ordained warrior?”

“…”

“I have ordered everyone never to disrespect or mistreat Sevan Camille. I also asked not to call him by that awful title. He has the same blood as I do. He is of royal birth, and that alone is enough for him to attempt what he will. He is a prince, just as I am, and he was born from the Goddess’ womb, just as I did. If he thinks he can get the Virtuous Priestess with a child, then he can try.”

I didn’t know if I should feel happy or sad about his words. To be honest, I have been expecting and hoping that the Goddess’ warrior would correct this wrong. I thought Hakim Karid was the only one who could reprimand Prince Camille for his wrongdoing and order him to return the Virtuous Priestess.

If this happens, I knew I would be punished as well, but if it meant protecting Prince Camille’s innocence, I didn’t mind. I would willingly take whatever penalty I deserved.

The priestess needed to be returned so Eriez could convince her to accept the Goddess’ warrior as her partner. She needed to get pregnant and bear the Goddess. This is what needed to happen.

However, it seemed like I wouldn’t be punished. The same goes for Prince Camille too.

The warrior said to me, “You are free to go.”

His attitude proved that the warrior had no intention of begetting a child from the Virtuous priestess. However, before I left, the Goddess’ warrior said something strange, “… But I suppose we should at least know what they are thinking. We should look into them. Iztal Juya, you are the one who is closest to Camille since you are his teacher. This means you are perfect for the job. I assume you are still loyal to me, correct? Do you still consider yourself a proper Innocent One?”

“…pardon me, Sir?”

“Alright, then. Here is what you need to do. You will study how these two are doing and report back to me. I will give you the next order once I hear your report.”

“Bur Sir… I cannot enter the sacred place where the Virtuous Priestess is currently residing…”

“I am the fated Goddess’s warrior, and you are only following my order. Therefore, you will not be punished by the Goddess for entering that place. Now, you are dismissed.”

I should have been happy that the warrior trusted me so, but his expression was odd. Was he trying to hide his displeasure?

Was it because of me? Was it because of what his younger brother had done? Or was it the Virtuous Priestess?

I wondered if I should ask. Would he tell me then? What was happening with these princes? Why were both of them ordering me to do strange things?

Confusion and uneasiness filled me, but I bowed deeply and left the room. At the end of the hallway, the guards and Eriez were waiting for me.

Eriez asked me, “Did you tell him everything?”

I nodded, but I didn’t dare to tell him everything that was said between the warrior and I. Before he could ask any more questions, I left quickly.