Seijo ni Narunode Nidoume no Jinsei wa Katte ni Sasetemoraimasu ~Outaihi wa, Zensei de Watashi wo Fu

‘It’s a commoner.’

When Lloyd saw Liz up close for the first time, that was the impression he had. It was when he went to a village far from the capital to pick the candidate of the next saint. Liz was wearing a worn out oversized dress and faded boots. She was carrying a basket full of strawberries. Her transparent white skin attracted his attention, but that was all.

Earlier, he heard from a maid in Emilia’s house that there was a strange girl named Liz, who could find lost objects, so he hastily pushed the key under the parlor bed. It was a lighthearted attempt to make sure that the maid’s words were true.

“Have you seen a little silver key? I’ve been looking for it, but I can’t find it.”

Lloyd was a priest from the Royal Palace, any commoner in a far away village would usually be excited by his shining face and yet Liz looked at Lloyd with a shifty, slightly annoyed face.

 

‘Interesting.’

He was a little interested.

 

“It is a silver key with a yellow string attached. It is under the bed on the right side of the guest room of the Kafen’s mansion. I believe it’s there.”

 

‘…You’re kidding!？’

She guessed it even though he had not seen the real thing, even the strings. He’s not surprised. It was said previously by the reigning saint in the temple that if one has sacred power, they’ll be able to see the key, however the string attached isn’t easily seen.

 

‘It’s a saint’s vessel.’

At that time, he was convinced.

Even after she was taken to the temple, Liz had changed. She has never met the prince before, yet she seems to have been acquainted with him. Suddenly, she randomly digs a hole and the sacred plant she grew was a different size from the standard. It was fun. One wouldn’t get tired of watching her. At first, she attracted the hostile attention of the crowd. 

 

‘Liz is the next holy saint.’

 

Despite her not being magical, his conviction was growing. How long has he been aware of Liz? As a woman, not as a candidate to watch over. He was not that early to realize, rather it was too late. By that time, Liz was already in love with Keefa.

 

‘It’s also tough since His Highness Keefa is a nice person.’

It would have been better if Keefa had been a person with nasty personality. A man using his power as an excuse to do whatever he wanted without thinking about the people around him. However, he wasn’t.

Sometimes by his words and deeds, people get confused by his strange behavior, but he’s a kind person to the core. Even when the current saint and the chief priest were at risk due to the fake saint’s tricks, he comforted Lloyd although he had no need to do that…he tried to cheer him up.

 

‘…What about the last life?’

There is a secret between Liz and Keefa. They seemed to be hiding it, but by piecing together their overheard conversations, it could be guessed that they were lovers in their previous lives, 500 years ago.

 

‘Previous Life.’

 

There is nothing but a bitter smile, moreover the Duke of Igner seems to be entwined in there too.

 

‘It’s too good to be true.’

Does this mean that their connection was so deep? Or did Liz, who has the power to become the next saint, draw him to her with her power? However, Liz herself may not even be aware of such a thing.

 

‘Well, it doesn’t matter. Does it?’

Because Liz has fallen for Keefa in this life, and Keefa as well, is in love with Liz in this life. Therefore it was too late for Lloyd to notice his feelings. That’s all.

From the passage in the temple courtyard he looked up into the sky. It is a fine day today as well. He didn’t want to bother Liz. Lloyd loves to meddle and joke with little things to Liz—well, Liz isn’t a bit upset, but he didn’t want to bother her on really important things. He’s never going to show it, but that’s what he really feels.

Liz, who has become a saint both in name and reality after the coronation, seems busy. For the time being, she follows the former saint and learns her duties as a saint. 

The vast area on the west side of the first temple is given to her as a living space, and a large number of  attendants and priests would follow Liz. Lloyd is one of them, just one of them. His position isn’t the closest to her as before.

So, if Lloyd were to remain at the same distance as Liz, it would be necessary for him to be the next chief priest.

 

‘The next chief priest, huh?’

It isn’t something that he aims to be. It makes him laugh at the thought of it. It’s something so far away.

Lloyd, who was an orphan, was taken to the temple when he was a child. He never knew the faces of his parents. Still, the former saint, the chief priest, and the priests were always by him so he wasn’t lonely. They were like his parents. Therefore, it was a natural path for him to become a priest. He hates work though.

He thought that he would go on like this, spending his days by properly performing his priest duties everyday. That is until he met Liz—

It was only a few days ago that he heard that the next chief priest will soon be selected.

 

They are going to call for candidates, and from among them, the senior priests are going to vote to select the next chief priest. Unlike for saint candidates whom they’ve just seen for the first time, it’s a voting system among the priests since they know each other very well.

 

‘Oh no. I can’t do this.’

Lloyd isn’t trusted by the priests, even now. Especially senior priests who were ten or twenty years older than him.

 

‘I have to think of a plan. Should I give them a cigarette? Wouldn’t I be caught?’

As he was walking down the corridor with his arms crossed, he encountered the chief priest and his accompanying priests. Honestly, he didn’t want to see them now. That’s because the priests are mostly composed of senior priests. But,

“Hello.” He raised his hand and gave a small smile. The priests’ faces distorted as if saying, “Impertinent!” Only the chief priest smiled at him. 

“Lloyd, I heard that you ran for the position of next chief priest. I’m glad.”

“Is it a good thing?”

“However, you have to do your best. Have you seen the other candidates? They’re serious and diligent, they work hard and take initiative.”

“I’ll do my best. It’ll be a voting system, right?”

“Yes…this is no good.” The chief priest smacked his forehead with his hand. It sounded flat. After all, it’ll sound good when the area is large. “Though, why do you want to be the next chief priest? You seemed to be the least interested.”

“…I just thought that if I could help Liz, I could support her in any way I could, even a little.”

The chief priest as well as the other priests were shocked. Perhaps it’s because it was unusual for Lloyd to say that. As he too, himself, thought. And yet he did his best at the coronation. The chief priest stared at Lloyd, who chuckled at the memory. 

""

 

“Is it  that surprising?” Lloyd asked.

“Well…no, it isn’t.”

 

‘Which one?’

 The chief priest chuckled at Lloyd’s dazed look, “It wasn’t surprising. That’s what you are, you’re that kind of guy. I’ve seen it since you were a child, so I know you well.”

It’s now Lloyd’s turn to be remarkable and to stand out.

“However you were more unserious and unqualified than now.”

“Anyhow, chief priest. In this case, will the method of selecting the next chief priestㅡ”

“No.”

“…”

 

Similar to the former saint, he believes that the chief priest also has a good personality. The reason why he’s told that his personality is naughty and disobedient is probably because he’s influenced a lot by the people who raised him.

“Well, good luck.” The chief priest left with a chuckle. The priests, who had been staring at Lloyd, finally averted their gaze away and followed the chief priest.

 

…

""

 

“Oh, Sir Lloyd.”

A few days later, in front of the ninth tower gate, he met Liz. She was wearing the saint’s robe. He’s still unaccustomed to her wearing it. Liz looked bored as she was holding a large amount of documents in her arms. Behind her was one of the senior priests carrying even more official documents. 

 

“I have to verify and sign all of this by the end of today.” By the tone of her voice, she sounded so tired.

“You can just sign everything at random without looking at it.” He stealthily whispered to her ear, and saw Liz’s eyebrows raise up. She wondered if it’s a good idea.

“You’re still a newly appointed saint, the priests will review it later and will tell you if there’s anything wrong with it.” 

The moment Liz’s red eyes shone, the senior priest, who was standing behind, called him out, “Hey, Lloyd! Don’t you blow in anything strange now. Miss Liz, please don’t let him talk to you like this.”

“…Yes.” Liz nodded reluctantly and breathed out a small sigh. She’s probably not aware of it, but she looked very tired. Everything from formal to informal work of a saint is taught at once.

“Lloyd, I heard that you’re running as the next chief priest, but no one will vote for you in this matter!”

At the priest’s angry voice, Liz’s red eyes widened, “Lloyd, you’re running for the position?”

“Yes.”

“I have not heard of it.”

“I didn’t tell you.”

 

Her red eyes were wide open.

“…There’s something dignified about it.”

“Nothing better.”

“… something dignified.”

“What’s more than that”

 

As she continued to stare at him, he turned his head away from her.

“Well,” Liz’s tone became softer, “I’m glad. Please hurry and become the next chief priest.” She gave him a smile, her red eyes were like crescents and her skin was translucent white that it gave a glow.

 Ruby red eyes smiling like jewels paired with her skin looked fantastic. His gaze was on her for a moment. It’s probably just an effect because of her wearing the saint robe. He’s sure it’s because of that.

“I’ll see you later.” Liz left bringing all the documents. Her tired figure from earlier seemed to have gone. She looks as if she had regained some energy. The priest behind her was startled as he rushed after Liz.

 

Lloyd, who was the only one left in the hallway, leaned against the wall and slowly blinked. The image of her smiling face seemed as if it was imprinted into his eyes as it slowly disappeared from behind his eyelids.

“…Can I do it?” With a wry smile, he swept up his black hair with his hand. He continued to touch his hair as if he couldn’t get rid of the feeling.

It was ten days later when the results were announced. In order to be fair, the voting date was kept a secret from everyone, only the senior priests knew.

Lloyd’s colleague, a tall, gangly priest came rushing to him excitedly, “Lloyd, have you heard? The next chief priest has been decided!”

“Who!?”

“That—!!”

 

…

 

The hall where the voting took place had already been cleared. When Lloyd rushed in, only one senior priest remained.

 

“Oh, Lloyd.”

“Why did you decide on me?”

 

The senior priest is about twenty years older than Lloyd, he raised his brow as if they were casually talking about options on what to eat,  “What, you don’t like it?”

“No, I was just wondering.” 

 

Lloyd was chosen to be the next chief priest. But wasn’t he disliked by senior priests? The priest in front of him seemed to have understood what Lloyd meant, “You have the ability, however you tend to not be serious and don’t do the job quickly. You always tease and make fun of people and always have a playful attitude. Sometimes, it also gets me annoyed.”

 

“…Then why?”

“Of all the candidates, I thought you were the one who genuinely wanted to help Liz. Also, Saintess Liz thinks so as well.”

Lloyd was stunned.

The priest continued, “Of course, there are some senior priests who don’t think the same. Though it was not only I who thought that you were the best option, but many others as well. That’s all.”

Lloyd was at loss for words. He was more puzzled than bewildered, but he could feel his heart burning in his chest. The priest then lightly patted him on his shoulder, “Well, Chief priest.”

 

…

 

That evening, Lloyd went to Liz’ room. There were no signs of the Holy Dragon. Actually, since the dragon is the saintess’ sacred beast, a room is specially prepared for it. It is probably sleeping in its room with its big belly out.

The lady-in-waiting left the room as soon as she served them a cup of tea. The faint cries of insects from outside can be heard as they sipped their tea in silence.

“Liz, you know what?” Lloyd started as he stared at her.

“Yes?”  Liz stared back without hesitation. A ring with a blue stone threaded with a string shone dully on Liz’s chest and just above her right ear was a golden hairpiece with green and red jewels like fruits and leaves attached to it like a treasure. He heard that it was a gift from Prince Keefa.

His heart throbbed.

Before her coronation, he decided that he would give up on her, but he couldn’t at all. He was overwhelmed with weakness. Still, he pushed down his feelings and said in a light tone, ” It suits you, that hair piece.”

“Thank you!”  Liz gave out a wide smile. She was very happy.

The inside of his chest was buzzing. What if he reaches his hand out now? They’re facing each other across the table. If he stretches his arm out, he’ll be able to reach her.

He suppressed himself and closed his eyes as he lifted his head while breathing slowly.

 

“I dont know.” Lloyd uttered.

“What?” They were just silently facing each other while drinking tea when he suddenly uttered something that she didn’t understand.

“You’re joking with me.” Liz frowned.

“What is?” He let out a chuckle at the frowning Liz.

 

He knows exactly what he wanted to do, and it’s not that act. He doesn’t want to hurt her and ruin everything just to fulfill his wish. As the chief priest, he wants to support her all throughout his life, to help her continuously. No matter what. That’s his sincere wish.

Before her coronation, Liz, with a fearless smile, pointed straight at the place where the chief priest was. She was looking at him. At that time, his heart decided. 

“I have been chosen as the next chief priest.”

“Is that so?” There were no signs of surprise in her face. 

On the contrary, Lloyd was the one who was surprised, “…Did you know?”

“No.”

He couldn’t understand. Then, why is she so calm?

Liz laughed at the confused Lloyd. It was that same smile as that time.

 

‘—Oh, right.’ He could tell by that smile. ‘You believed I would.’

She believed that he’s able to become the next chief priest as he had always believed that she would become the next saint.

“Nice to meet you, chief priest. Please take care of me.” Liz looked at him with a smile.

“Yes. It’s my pleasure, saintess.” He uttered slowly with a chuckle.

 

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