The Protagonists of Romance Fantasy Novels Have Escaped

109 – 109. Sanctuary (2)

Jeblinne’s family home belonged to the Russell family, affiliated with the Kingdom of Beruso.

The Kingdom of Beruso.

It was one of the minor states located in the central part of the continent.

It had somewhat better economic strength than the Kingdom of Pugh, which was situated in the northern wasteland.

However, the Kingdom of Beruso had fallen into ruin due to consecutive defeats against neighboring hostile nations, becoming the worst land where countless deaths from starvation occurred every year.

Hunger.

Born into a poor baronial family, Jeblinne realized the terror of hunger the moment she was born.

If you are poor, you starve.

If you continue to starve, you have no choice but to die.

And after hunger, a dreadful plague always descends.

It was only natural for the impoverished baronial family, unable to even secure a meal, to sell their daughter, born with an innate affinity for the divine, for a few gold coins.

Jeblinne, sold off to the Holy Kingdom, was sent after several years of training in a monastery to serve as an apprentice priest, treating the wounded on the front lines.

“…How did they even know to send a letter?”

The girl, with her delicate silver hair cascading down, pressed her temples and furrowed her brow.

It was because of the letter that had arrived that morning.

Had misfortune truly befallen her?

A letter arrived, bearing the same weight as a personal missive from the sovereign.

Jeblinne recalled the unpleasant memory of her shameless parents, who had rejoiced over a mere handful of gold coins after selling their daughter.

It had been over ten years ago.

So much time had passed; surely things had changed significantly.

Yet the unfortunate memory of being abandoned by her parents, who had drawn in the priests of the Holy Kingdom, haunted her like a nightmare, making it impossible to forget.

It was no exaggeration to say that every time she recalled the laughter of her parents, who had clutched their bags of gold with glee, she was plagued by nightmares.

“…….”

Since being chosen as the First Saint, she had been given the opportunity to meet her family in the Kingdom of Beruso.

But Jeblinne had refused.

They were the beasts who had sold their daughter.

If they learned that she had become the First Saint of the Holy Kingdom, they would surely try to cling to her.

Since the day she fell into the monastery, she had vowed to sever all ties with her family. To prove this, Jeblinne had lived her life thus far, thoroughly concealing her origins.

But why—?

How could her family, who should be in the cursed land plagued by poverty and disease, be in the ‘sanctuary’?

Sanctuary.

The letter that had arrived was undoubtedly sent from the sanctuary.

Jeblinne felt a surge of murderous intent as she recalled the infamous cardinals of the Holy Kingdom.

‘Could they be planning to take my family hostage? How foolish… I wouldn’t even blink if I had to send them to the pyre right before my eyes. I severed those ties long ago.’

A hostage situation.

Indeed, it was a cunning scheme that one could expect from the old men.

Hadn’t they used blood relations to stage hostage situations when hunting down the hidden heretics? The Holy Kingdom had ultimately executed the heretics who had come forth along with their families.

“Now what do you expect to achieve with a letter?”

I miss you.

I’m sorry for everything that’s happened.

I want to ask for your forgiveness. Please, grant me that.

The letter, written in a shaky hand, continued to draw my gaze.

It’s cliché.

Using our blood relation to keep tearing at me until the end.

Jeblinne swallowed hard and picked up the letter that had arrived from the sanctuary.

Yet, despite showing a stubborn refusal, she couldn’t shake off her lingering feelings and simply tucked the letter into her pocket.

* * *

Recently, Ludmila’s visits had become particularly frequent.

It wasn’t just my imagination.

I had been having lunch and dinner with Ludmila every day.

Having received a proposal along with an engagement ring, perhaps she wanted to present herself as a fiancée. Ludmila enjoyed her tea time, sipping from a vintage cup.

“As you requested, the Empire’s intelligence department has conducted reconnaissance on the sanctuary. Here’s the report.”

“Thank you.”

Could Maximilian have returned to the sanctuary?

I had asked Ludmila to help me and mobilized the Empire’s intelligence department to find him.

True to their reputation for swift information gathering, the intelligence department quickly located Maximilian. I swallowed hard as I confirmed the report stating that Maximilian had indeed been spotted in the sanctuary.

Damn it.

Why would he show himself in the sanctuary?

Surely, the male lead of a romance fantasy wouldn’t be trying to ally himself with fanatics.

“Do you have any idea what your brother might be planning?”

“Not at all. How could I possibly know the mind of a hunk of metal?”

Until now, I had survived precarious situations with instincts bordering on intuition. Yet, even with such cunning, it was impossible to discern Maximilian’s true intentions.

He is not human.

He was a cyborg created to cater to the tastes of female readers of romance fantasy.

How could I possibly know?

With a sigh, I shrugged at Ludmila’s question.

“Of course, he wouldn’t walk in on his own… but even if he were to go to the sanctuary, I don’t think it would pose any immediate problems.”

“Is it because of Maximilian?”

“His human side is the worst, but still, he’s somewhat reliable as a brother.”

“Hmm. It’s the first time I’ve heard you praise him.”

Maximilian is fundamentally a deeply cynical person towards humans, except for Beatrice. Yet, even this cold-hearted individual shows a softer side when it comes to family.

Despite facing numerous dangers throughout the story, Maximilian often displayed a desperate determination to ensure that his father would not bear the brunt of any harm.

The same went for his younger brother, Edanant.

I had heard that he took on the responsibility of disciplining his young brother in place of their father, who was burdened with work, and their mother, who had passed away early. At that time, it was before he became possessed by Edanant, so I can’t know the quality of that experience.

Could it be that the reliable older brother would save his cornered younger sibling?

So, when I heard that Maximilian was in the sanctuary, I was able to relax for a moment.

‘If I were to go to the sanctuary… I would have to go alone.’

The second princess of the Baltaria Empire and the first saintess of the Holy Kingdom are not in a position to move recklessly.

If I must step out,

If I must walk into the slaughterhouse on my own,

It would be easier for the war-hungry saintess party to make a move.

“It’s almost time to meet the first saintess.”

“Hmph… You really are busy. I’m sure after meeting the first saintess, you’ll go to see Liza.”

“How did you know? Truly, Ludmila.”

“You’re such a wicked flirt.”

The princess, with her luscious golden hair, pouted and turned her head away. I gently kissed her cheek, which was stained with a shy blush, hoping to comfort her heart tangled like a ball of yarn.

Smooch-.

At that, Ludmila jumped in surprise.

Fortunately, it seemed her anger dissipated quickly.

In front of the maids attending tea time, I planted a quick kiss. Ludmila, who had no experience in romance, naturally flustered at the sudden display of affection.

“Did you know? Ludmila is the cutest when she’s jealous.”

“C-cute?! I’m four years older than you…!”

Ludmila, flushed like a ripe apple, shouted.

Her spiteful feelings towards the flirt melted away like cotton candy soaked in water.

* * *

The moment I saw Jeblinne waiting in the palace, I sensed the heavy worries she was carrying.

Her deep-set, dark eyes.

An awkward dimple appeared, as if to suppress a solemn heart.

It’s certain.

Something has happened that the First Saint can hardly reveal.

Noticing this, I cautiously approached Jeblinne. She had always been my benefactor, providing strength whenever I found myself in trouble, and I wanted to help her no matter what.

“Shall we take a walk for a moment?”

“Uh? I mean, it’s fine, but….”

Usually, she had a playful and lively personality, but depending on the situation, she could be as stubborn as Rudmila.

That’s why I suggested a walk to draw out her true feelings.

She seemed surprised by the sudden suggestion, but Jeblinne immediately stood up. When I extended my hand, the pure white saint blushed slightly and accepted the contact.

“I actually had something I wanted to tell you.”

“C-could it be a confession?”

Didn’t I already confess last time?

After receiving a wedding ring, does she expect another proposal?

“I promised not to hide any secrets. I can’t quite remember when we made that promise, though.”

“Three years ago… before we parted, I promised Ethan.”

Jeblinne answered, bowing her head deeply as if to express the weight of the pressure she had been carrying alone.

I nodded in response.

“Maximilian really appeared in the sanctuary. The Empire’s intelligence agency confirmed it directly. So I’m contemplating whether to enter the sanctuary to meet him.”

“You’re really going to the sanctuary?! I told you not to fall for the old fools’ tricks so many times!”

As soon as I hinted at my intentions, a fierce opposition came flying back.

It was a natural reaction.

After all, I had just said I would walk into the slaughterhouse myself.

What could be Maximilian’s reason for colluding with the fanatics of the Holy Kingdom? I wanted to find out immediately, but since events were unfolding in the sanctuary, known as the slaughterhouse of the socialites, I needed to be cautious in my judgment.

“Don’t worry too much. Surely, no one in their right mind would stick their head into a slaughterhouse without any plan, right?”

“…You’ve done it several times already.”

Jeblinne pouted her lips.

Then, playfully poking my side, she revealed her troubled heart.

“I’ve been honest. Now it’s your turn.”

“What do you mean?”

“Just look at your face, it’s full of worries. Who are you trying to fool, little one?”

“Let go of this!”

I pinched her soft cheek.

At that, Jebeline spoke sharply, struggling like a sulking child.

“Are you seriously going to invoke the right to remain silent with me?”

“It’s not that serious. I just… wanted to keep it hidden.”

The saintess, dressed in pure white robes, took a step forward and maintained her silence. Only after passing through the royal palace did she cautiously open her mouth, which had been sealed in silence.

It must be a dilemma that’s hard to reveal.

Perhaps she still doesn’t want to disclose it.

The myriad of emotions staining Jebeline’s face seemed to want to speak for her.

“What if you end up hating me? What if you feel disgusted by me…? That’s what scares me. Once he knows the truth, Ethan will think of me as a wicked witch.”

“I’ll be clear. You will never be hated, nor will you be met with disgust. Absolutely not.”

I tightened my grip on her soft hand.

Jebeline smiled sadly at my strong declaration.