Kael, still half-lying on the bed, felt a surge of rage crawl up his spine. "SAINT ALVINA, WILL YOU MARRY ME?"
His red eyes gleamed in the darkness. He sprang up, hurriedly putting on his shirt.
"What the hell is going on?!"
Without thinking, he rushed out of the room, his footsteps echoing through the halls of the holy palace. He bumped into a knight on his way, almost slipping on an overly polished rug, and reached the doors of the audience chamber.
With a sharp motion, he swung them wide open.
Inside the audience chamber, a man stood proudly before Alvina, one knee on the ground. He was tall, blonde, dressed in royal armor adorned with gold and blue. His radiant smile reflected absolute confidence.
"I, Darius Varta, third prince of the Empire, have come to ask for the hand of Saint Alvina Fitzroy!" he declared loudly.
The priests and knights around him held their breath in astonishment.
Then, another noise rang out.
BANG!
Everyone turned their heads toward Kael, who had just slammed the door behind him. He wore a wide grin, but his red eyes glowed with a sinister aura.
"Oh… what a lovely declaration. Truly touching." He slowly advanced, hands in his pockets. "But I think you've forgotten a little detail, my dear prince."
Darius squinted.
"A detail?"
Kael approached Alvina, placed a hand on her shoulder, and said, with fake innocence:
"She's already taken."
The room fell into shocked silence.
Darius slowly got up, adjusted his armor, and fixed Kael with a cold stare.
"And who are you to dare claim such a thing?"
Kael smirked mischievously.
"Oh, just a humble traveler… who shared the same bed with her five minutes ago."
A priest choked behind them. A maid fainted.
Alvina coughed loudly, her face turning crimson.
"Kael!" she hissed.
Darius clenched his fists, his aura beginning to vibrate with holy energy.
"I am an imperial prince. Do you think you can compete with me?"
Kael shrugged.
"If we're talking titles, I'm the official fiancé of the sixth imperial princess. That makes me a future prince by marriage, right?"
Darius blinked.
"Wait… WHAT?!"
"Oh, and I also recently overthrew a pope. Does that make me important?"
Darius seemed to be calculating something in his head, but it looked like it was giving him a headache.
Seeing the situation escalate, Alvina raised her hands.
"Enough! It's late, and I don't want any foolish fighting in the Holy Kingdom."
Kael and Darius glared at each other but calmed down slightly.
Alvina sighed and placed a hand on Kael's shoulder.
"I never said I accepted your proposal, Darius."
The prince blinked, surprised.
"But… why?"
"Let's just say… I already have someone on my mind right now." She shot a quick glance at Kael.
Kael flashed a victorious smile.
Darius crossed his arms.
"This isn't over. We'll talk later."
He turned on his heel and exited the room, head held high but visibly frustrated.
Kael sighed in relief, but he knew this wouldn't be the last time he heard about the arrogant prince.
Back in his quarters, Kael stretched and gave Alvina an amused look.
"So, have you thought about my concubinage proposal?"
Alvina threw a pillow at his face.
"Sleep, Kael."
"Is that an invitation?"
"Good night."
The sun gently pierced through the curtains of the luxurious room in the Holy Kingdom. A light morning breeze caressed the white silk sheets, but that wasn't what woke Kael.
No.
It was the soft sound of Alvina's snoring.
Kael opened his eyes, still a bit groggy, and turned his head to see the sleeping Saint beside him. Her face was peaceful, her long blonde hair in disarray on the pillow. But what caught his attention most was the slight droplet of drool threatening to escape from the corner of her lips.
Kael raised an eyebrow.
"So this is the holiest Saint in the Kingdom? An enraged sleeper?"
A devilish smile spread across his face.
He slowly approached her and whispered softly:
"Alvina... Alvina... it's time..."
No reaction.
"Alvina, the Empire is under attack by demons!"
Still nothing.
He narrowed his eyes.
"Alvina, the Pope has returned from the dead to ask for your hand in marriage."
No movement.
Kael gently tapped her cheek.
"Alvina, you're late for your wedding to Prince Darius."
"Hmm... NO!" she suddenly mumbled as she abruptly turned over.
Kael almost burst out laughing.
She's still asleep, but even in her sleep, she rejects that idiotic prince.
He shrugged, then decided to move on to the next phase of his plan. He grabbed a strand of her hair and lightly tickled it under her nose.
Alvina stirred, frowned slightly, and, in an unconscious reflex, bit Kael's hand.
"Ouch! Are you a dog or what?"
She grumbled in her sleep and buried her face in the pillow.
Kael shook his injured hand and smiled.
"Alright, you asked for it."
He leaned down toward her ear and whispered smoothly:
"My beloved Saint, you're so adorable when you sleep..."
Alvina shivered slightly but didn't move.
"But even cuter when you're awake."
She moved a little.
Kael smiled wider.
"So… are you going to wake up, or should I wake you up my way?"
With a slow movement, he brought his lips closer to her forehead for a soft kiss—
BOOM!
In a flash of lucidity, Alvina punched him in the chest and sat up sharply.
"KAEL! WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM?!"
Kael, sprawled on the mattress, groaned in pain.
"I should be asking that question! Who reacts like that after a sweet and romantic wake-up?"
She rubbed her eyes and looked at him suspiciously.
"You were harassing me while I was sleeping, admit it!"
Kael crossed his arms.
"I was waking you up with love and gentleness. It's not my fault you sleep like a sacred stone."
Alvina sighed deeply, still half-asleep.
"Why are you like this in the morning...?"
Kael moved closer with a teasing smile.
"Because you're too cute when you sleep, and I wanted to enjoy it a little longer."
Alvina blushed slightly but recovered by crossing her arms.
"You're unbearable."
Kael shrugged.
"I know. But you love me anyway, right?"
She sighed, but a discreet smile lingered on her lips.
"I'm going to pray to the Goddess to give me the patience to endure you today."
Kael burst out laughing.
"Good idea. Because the day has only just begun, my beloved Saint."
And that's how the morning began, in an atmosphere as romantic as it was chaotic.
After a morning full of chaos and teasing, the time to leave was finally approaching. Kael had to return to the Empire after overseeing the power transition in the Holy Kingdom.
But of course, Saint Alvina wasn't going to let him leave so easily.
Preparations were underway throughout the palace. Servants and knights were busy ensuring Kael's departure would be grand and dignified. But what intrigued Kael was the strangely mischievous look on Alvina's face.
She was giving specific orders to her servants, whispering instructions to her knights, and most notably… casting sideways glances at Kael, a nearly devilish smile on her face.
"Are you preparing some diabolical plan, Alvina?" Kael asked as he approached her.
She turned her head with feigned innocence.
"Me? Not at all, of course."
Kael furrowed his brows.
"Then explain to me why my travel clothes are now embroidered with the Holy Kingdom's insignia and why there's a massive banner of me that's going to float above the convoy?"
Alvina covered her mouth to hide her smile.
"Oh, that? It's just to show the Empire how much the Holy Kingdom respects you… and how close you are to me~"
Kael narrowed his eyes.
"Don't tell me this is some trick to make Lysandra jealous?"
Alvina placed a hand over her heart, feigning shock.
"Kael, Kael, Kael… What image do you have of me?"
"A Machiavellian woman willing to do anything for fun?"
She burst into laughter.
"You know me too well."
Kael's convoy was now ready to depart, but several things had changed:
1. His cloak was white and gold, symbolizing the Holy Kingdom.
2. His horse had been adorned with sacred decorations, as though it were a divine hero.
3. A delegation of saints and knights accompanied him, almost singing praises to his name.
4. An official letter from Saint Alvina was addressed to Princess Lysandra, containing particularly ambiguous words.
Kael sighed as he mounted his horse.
"You want to start a jealousy war, don't you?"
Alvina winked at him.
"Me? No, I just want everyone to know how close we are. Nothing more~"
Kael shook his head, laughing.
"Lysandra's going to kill me."
"But she'll also love you even more."
Kael rolled his eyes.
"You're incorrigible, Alvina."
"And yet, you adore me~"
The convoy set off, and Kael finally left the Holy Kingdom…
…with a massive target on his back.
Kael was preparing to leave the Holy Kingdom for the Empire, but before departing, Alvina had carefully orchestrated her strategy to sow jealousy in Princess Lysandra. Kael's convoy set off, leaving Alvina behind with a mysterious smile.
After several days of travel, Kael spotted a village on fire in the distance. The path was filled with black smoke, and upon arrival, a village reduced to ashes was revealed. The villagers were fleeing, screaming about a demon.
Kael, with his knights, moved cautiously forward. As they entered the ruined village, he saw a gigantic and deformed silhouette, a massive demon, surrounded by an evil aura. The ground trembled beneath Kael's feet, and an explosion of demonic energy shook the air.