novelraw Chapter 52
Chapter 52
Chapter 52Reina flew through the sky, and shortly after, the carriage she had ridden into town and the escorting Temple Knights arrived.
"S-Saint... please don't go off on your own."
"More importantly, you could fly...?"
The knights, out of breath as they arrived, looked relieved to see Reina unharmed, though they also seemed somewhat taken aback.
(Well, I mean... I can't really blame them.)
If the person you're supposed to be guarding suddenly sprouted wings and flew off somewhere, anyone would make a weird face.
"Sorry, I just..."
"Just flying off like that isn't good. Everyone, thank you for your hard work."
"............"
The knights gave Clael an awkward look.
What dwelled in their eyes was doubt. They looked at Clael as if they didn't fully trust him.
"Is something wrong?"
"No... We had heard that the person who raised the Saint was here at this shrine, but you seem quite young."
"Ah... I took Reina in at this shrine when I was eighteen, so I'm twenty-three now."
"Twenty-three... So there's an eight-year difference with the Saint..."
"............?"oo. We do have guest rooms, but they haven't been cleaned, and gathering supplies for five people on short notice would be tough..."
"Ah, if that's the case, it's fine. These people will be leaving soon anyway."
""""What!?""""
At Reina's words, the Temple Knights cried out in surprise.
"S-Saint! That's a problem!"
"That's right! We were assigned as your escorts during your leave!"
"Um... that's what they're saying, though?"
"It's fine."
Reina smiled sweetly and tightened her embrace.
She hugged him from behind, pressing her cheek against his once again.
"I'll be fine without any escorts... Isn't that right, everyone?"
""""Eek!?""""
Again, the Temple Knights recoiled.
No... what exactly were they seeing?
Because Reina was clinging to him, Clael couldn't turn around, but maybe there really was something behind him.
"U-Understood! We'll report that to His Eminence the Cardinal!"
"P-Pardon us! G-Goodbyeeeeeeeeeeee!"
The Temple Knights fled the shrine as if running for their lives.
Without even a chance to stop them, they left their charge behind and galloped away on horseback.
"Um..."
"I-I'll be staying at a nearby inn. Let me know if you need the carriage."
The one who said that timidly was the coachman, who had remained silent and shrunk into a corner.
He too quickly left the shrine, leaving only Clael and Reina behind.
"...Starting today, it's just the two of us again."
"............Yeah."
She was just saying something completely ordinary... so why? Why did a chill just run down his spine?
(T-This is weird... Was Reina always this... sultry-sounding...?)
Clael didn't know.
That Reina was suffering withdrawal symptoms from not seeing him for several months.
And on top of that, she had learned through the Holy Spirits that Clael was considering a matchmaking meeting and had let an old friend stay at the shrine.
"Ufufufufufu..."
Reina, clinging to Clael's back, wore a beaming smile—but her eyes were disturbingly devoid of light.