Holy Kingdom – Crossroads (4)

“You’ve worked hard again today. Just a few more days of hardship and it’ll be over.”

-Squish squish.

“…Thanks. But is there really a need for this? If we just use Holy Power….”

Jade carefully tried to remove Veronica’s hands massaging his shoulders from behind.

“That wouldn’t be sincere. Or… do you dislike receiving a massage?”

Veronica pouted slightly and stopped her hands. She worried she might be doing something Jade disliked.

After the previous incident and education, Veronica had been making efforts never to do anything Jade might dislike.

“Ah, I didn’t mean it like that.”

Noticing Veronica’s thoughts, Jade hastily added to clear up the misunderstanding.

“Really?”

“I’ve always been grateful for how you stay by my side and help me. So don’t worry too much about my reactions. As long as it’s not excessive like last time.”

“Hehe. Then I’ll keep going.”

Cheered up, Veronica smiled and resumed massaging Jade’s shoulders.

To any observer, they looked like an extremely close man and woman.

Witnessing this firsthand, Annie felt her insides burning up.

To think they’d already reached the stage of casual skinship.

‘They feel even closer than last time.’

Annie had visited Jade out of concern for this very situation, and reality matched her expectations.

‘Brother clearly said Veronica-nim is also under the brainwashing’s influence.’

According to information Ian had uncovered through Lena, Veronica was currently under the Pope’s brainwashing.

Knowing all this, Annie could finally make sense of the situation.

‘Right. There’s no way Veronica-nim would fall for Jade at first sight no matter what.’

Though she didn’t want to disparage Jade, Annie saw absolutely no charm in him that would make a beautiful Saint like Veronica fall for him.

Come to think of it, she’d heard Lena fell for Jade not because of his looks, but because he’d thrown himself to save her during a monster subjugation request.

“Annie, is something bothering you?”

“…Huh?”

Lost in thought, Annie looked up at Jade’s question.

“You came to my room for the first time in a while. But you’ve been quiet with an uncomfortable expression since arriving.”

“Ah….”

‘Was I that obvious?’

Worried Jade might see through her, Annie quickly composed her expression into a smile.

“I was just watching how close you two seemed. I couldn’t find the right moment to interrupt.”

“Ah, sorry. Thinking about it, I did keep talking with Veronica while ignoring you. I’llㅡ”

“Really? Do Sir Jade and I look close?”

At the mention of closeness, Veronica happily cut off Jade’s words. Her cheeks flushed slightly with embarrassment.

“W-well… yes….”

Faced with that reaction, Annie couldn’t bring herself to say anything more, just fidgeting with her hands.

‘Ugh. What should I do about this innocent unnie….’

In normal circumstances, she would’ve snapped “She’s taken!” or “Stop flirting!”

But knowing the circumstances, she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

“Veronica-unnie reached out to us first. I’m really grateful for that. Thanks to you, unnie and Jade could become close friends and colleagues. I was actually worried at first, but it seems things will be fine even after leaving the Holy Kingdom.”

“Hehe, thank you.”

“But I have a request for unnie.”

“A request?”

“This is… presumptuous of me, but could you give us some privacy? There’s something I want to discuss with Jade alone.”

Just watching would defeat the purpose of Annie visiting Jade. She needed to do something about this situation.

Fortunately, Veronica readily agreed to the request.

“Ah. Then I’ll come back later.”

“Are you sure?”

Jade seemed apologetic about sending Veronica away.

“Yes. I need to prepare for today’s Appointment Ceremony anyway.”

Veronica stopped massaging and lightly shook out her hands. Waving at the two, she headed for the door.

“It was nice seeing you after so long. Sir Jade, I’ll visit again tonight!”

“To-tonight?”

Veronica disappeared outside after dropping a bombshell Annie couldn’t possibly ignore.

-Thud.

After confirming the door was fully closed, Annie immediately questioned Jade.

“Jade…? Don’t tell me Veronica-unnie has been visiting you at night and all?”

“Sigh… Don’t misunderstand. She literally just comes to hang out.”

Jade sighed as if he had a headache and scratched his head.

Veronica’s innocently intended words often got misinterpreted by others.

“Th-that’s a relief. Anyway, seems you two got really close without me knowing.”

“Well… yeah. We’ve talked a lot while being stuck together lately. Though she can be frustrating sometimes, lately I find that cute so it’s fine. Makes me realize Saints are human too.”

“…Considering how you were attached last time too, did you two decide to date?”

Annie asked with a pounding heart.

‘Please… He should still have feelings for Lena.’

The whole truth would soon be revealed. Her brother, whose personality might be questionable but whose abilities were undeniable, had stepped in.

But if Jade forgot Lena and fully committed to Veronica before then…

‘That absolutely can’t happen.’

The worst outcome had to be prevented at all costs.

“Me dating Veronica?”

“Yes.”

“We’re not at that stage yet.”

“Haa….”

Relieved by the news, Annie unconsciously let out a sigh. From her perspective, blocking any progress through vigilance over the next few days should be manageable.

“But Annie.”

“Hmm…?”

“Do you dislike me getting close to Veronica?”

“Wh-what are you talking about? Why would I feel that way?”

Watching Annie fidget, Jade took a sip from his teacup.

“Well, maybe it’s just my imagination. Even if it were true, it’s fine. I can somewhat understand your feelings. But please don’t interfere too much. My relationship with Veronica is something I’ve carefully considered. Who I like is my choice.”

“Then let me ask you directly. What are your plans regarding Lena?”

“….”

Jade’s calm expression instantly darkened.

“Sigh… Let’s talk about Lena later.”

“I know bringing up Lena stresses you out. But if you’d just listen and reconsiderㅡ”

“Enough.”

Jade sharply cut Annie off. Startled, she couldn’t continue and closed her mouth.

“Annie, do you still refuse to let go of Lena? We’ve already investigated thoroughly and Lena confessed. Even Sir Antonio conceded and stepped back. While the Pope has issues, Lena’s guilt itself is clear.”

“…I still can’t accept it. We knew Lena’s true self, remember? Others wouldn’t understand, of course. They don’t know what kind of person Lena was. But we know. That Lena wasn’t someone who’d do such things.”

“You know? How can you be sure that wasn’t a mask? I don’t know about you, but my palm still throbs sometimes.”

Jade bit his lower lip and rubbed his right palm.

The stab wound had healed completely without a scar, but the inner wound it left on Jade remained.

“Jade, then give me just a little more time. Until the Appointment Ceremony. Please don’t give up on Lena until then.”

“Annie, do as you wish.”

“What?”

“Do whatever you want. How you view this case is your freedom. I’ll understand even if you believe Lena is innocent and everything was fabricated.”

Jade’s following words were cold.

“But don’t force your views on me. Especially if you understand the depth of the wound Lena gave me.”

“Still….”

“Annie, I’m the Hero. You know this. People still suffer from remaining demon remnants and monsters. That’s why I can’t-mustn’t-break down here. What do you think people would say if the Hero got played by a demon woman and neglected his duties?”

Jade’s words carried the weight of all his burdens-responsibilities, stress, and pain.

‘…It must be so hard for him.’

Feeling this, Annie couldn’t continue her argument.

Reflecting, Annie had barely met Jade-first due to betrayal towards Lena, then to ensure their plan succeeded after learning the truth.

Without Veronica, Jade would have shouldered everything alone.

Even if brainwashed, Veronica’s role in preventing Jade’s collapse was undeniable.

‘If I reveal the whole truth now, would he believe me?’

That everything was fabricated. That Lena was being “interrogated” elsewhere in agony. That Veronica’s feelings for him were manufactured.

But Jade, relying on Veronica, was highly unlikely to believe this.

After organizing her thoughts, Annie cautiously apologized to Jade.

“Sorry. I won’t mention Lena in front of you anymore.”

“…Thank you. I apologize for losing my temper too.”

“No. It’s understandable when you’re under so much stress.”

Ultimately, Annie decided not to reveal the truth.

‘We have no choice but to wait for Brother….’

Instead, she resolved to argue her case again once they had concrete evidence.