chapter 44
“It is also an honor for me to meet Saint Mille Shining.”
“Uh… um.”
Mille’s shoulders curled inward tightly.
“I thought you might be surprised. I was also worried that this might be too sudden,” she continued.
Was she trying hard to appear kind? Or was she genuinely apologetic? Or perhaps she was scared because of how sharply I had spoken to her last time?
Mille was carefully watching my reaction as she spoke, and Whistler didn’t stop her.
I expected him to restrain her to prevent the Saint’s dignity from being compromised. If not, it must mean Mille had a reason to act this way.
Raising her upper body slightly, Mille held her dress and bowed her head. Her voice was firm, as if she had practiced.
“Regarding the events of the Saint’s Prophecy Day, it is difficult for me to claim complete innocence. I heard that Lady Light suffered harm that day. So, I have come to offer an apology on behalf of the temple.”
I finally understood why the temple had sent Mille to me.
Not only had the prophecy failed that day, but I had also been injured. My reputation wasn’t as bad as before, and since I was trapped in the temple’s warehouse, their responsibility wasn’t entirely absent.
Ultimately, they hadn’t come to blame me—they had come to receive my forgiveness.
I quietly swallowed a small gasp, clenching and unclenching my fist.
I needed time to think. But Whistler spoke first.
“The warehouse you were trapped in that day does belong to the temple. However, it has been in their possession ‘temporarily’ since the empire became unstable after the saint’s death, at the request of the royal family.”
“Temporarily,” I repeated to myself, studying Whistler’s smile. Then I spoke.
“So ultimately, it is the temple’s property.”
“Just to be clear, it’s temporary,” he said.
“Ultimately, yes, it is their property.”
Temporary or not, it was still an advantage. Especially now, when I needed to assert myself without hesitation, I had to act confidently.
“So, what is your opinion, Lady Light?”
As always, Whistler’s voice was like a gentle spring breeze. But I wasn’t deceived by his kind and clear demeanor.
The Saint and the Marquis—my status couldn’t compare to theirs, yet as a citizen of the empire, I still had the right to remain silent.
“Give me a moment. I’d like to think. I plan to answer within ten minutes, so please enjoy some refreshments in the meantime.”
I gestured to the butler holding the teapot.
“Oh, if you’d like to read, I can bring you a book. If you need anything, you can ask the butler,” he said.
The butler’s eyes widened, but I calmly organized the situation and rested my chin on my hand. Whistler, watching me, came around from behind the sofa and stood beside Mille.
“Lady Light, I understand your grievance, but Saint Mille cannot leave the temple for long. Ten minutes is precious and long for her,” he said, meeting my gaze as if trying to coax me with kindness. His eyes shone a brighter red than Herace’s.
I calmly sipped my tea. Whistler’s pretense could be countered with the right distance and a clear explanation.
“Then perhaps it’s best to postpone this conversation. I should rest as well, after the aftereffects of the warehouse incident.”
Negotiations must never be rushed. If you feel intimidated or uneasy, you step back.
If you can give them a reason they cannot refuse.
“If you wish to leave, please do. We shall part for now and plan for the next meeting.”
Silence followed. The butler now stood with his mouth wide open.
Even smiling, a subtle threat lingered in Whistler’s gaze. Amid the tense atmosphere, Mille lightly waved her hand and spoke.
“Ten minutes! Ten minutes is really, really fine. I can wait. While the Marquis, or rather the Marquess, is right, it’s also my duty to visit Lady Light today. The envoy would understand too, I’m sure.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure. No, I mean it’s correct,” Mille replied confidently.
I pushed some biscuits toward her out of courtesy. She offered them to Whistler, but he shook his head.
“I will understand this as granting the ten minutes,” he said.
Tick-tock, tick-tock. The wall clock moved. I drank my tea smoothly, the liquid tickling my throat.
When ten minutes passed, I set down my teacup.
“I am willing to accept the temple’s apology,” I said.
Now I had a clear understanding of the situation. Though the warehouse belonged to the temple, Mille and Whistler’s behavior had been excessive.
It was natural that a temporarily held warehouse would be poorly managed. They could have blamed my naivety or my connections, but they didn’t.
‘Technically, they couldn’t.’
The temple seemed displeased with the warehouse, calling it temporary, but for some reason, they hadn’t removed it.
The temple didn’t know I had no intention of finding the culprit. They were likely afraid of the responsibility I might impose after finding the culprit.
If they were afraid, only high-ranking clerics could access the warehouse keys. If true, this could become a serious problem.
‘The timing isn’t right.’
If the Saint’s prophecy had succeeded, it would have been different. Now, every minor disturbance must be eliminated to return to normal.
From an environmental perspective, in this negotiation, they are the ones pretending to have power, while I am truly in control.
“I have conditions,” I said.
Even as a “guest of honor,” Mille was still a third party. To resolve this, it had to be her, not Whistler, agreeing to my terms.
Exactly what I wanted. Speaking to Whistler directly would have been pointless anyway.
It was also a perfect opportunity to understand the enemy.
“If you accept these conditions, I will accept the temple’s apology and will not conduct further investigation.”
Mille’s eyes didn’t blink. Whistler also did not answer.
I realized I had caught them off guard several times today.
The negotiation ended quickly.
Whistler occasionally tried to persuade me, but it didn’t work. I explained my proposal and the conditions, and Mille listened carefully, nodding.
Honestly, I didn’t expect the negotiation to end today. Given the Saint’s involvement, I thought Mille would take time to deliberate. But—
“I understand. Yes, I think I can do what’s needed. This issue must be resolved,” Mille said.
“Saint, I still think it may be difficult to meet alone. Perhaps reconsider?” Whistler suggested.
Despite his protest, Mille smiled wryly, then brightly and confidently said:
“It’s fine. I’ve been a Saint for several months now and have adapted. I’m not an extraordinary Saint anyway.”
Her voice was weak but firm.
“I don’t want to cause any more harm here. I can’t. I’m a Saint, after all.”
The tone at the end of her sentence carried strength.
“I heard from someone that as a Saint—and now as a noble—my actions could have unforeseen consequences. Therefore, I must be careful and consider the impact.”
Mille, who had only been looking at Whistler, slowly turned to me. For the first time since arriving, she raised her face, straightened her chest, and held her posture upright.
“Thus, I must be cautious in my actions and mindful of any harm they might cause.”
Whoever gave her that advice must have been as wise and sensible as Herace.
