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CHAPTER 10
“Anyway, people all tend to think along the same lines.”
With that, Adel had neatly eliminated every typical desire a man might have had. Only one possibility remained.
“…Absolute beauty?”
“Who knows?”
As her lips curled up into a smile, the man’s emotions visibly stirred.
“I don’t think I need anything more in that department.”
Being honest wasn’t a crime. And especially not in a sacred temple where even modest lies wouldn’t count as a virtue.
Her stunning beauty, after all, was as widely known as the fame of the Southern House of Sergio.
“Before God, such things are meaningless, of course, but—ah.”
Whoosh.
The heavy curtain opened, and light flooded the room all at once.
What the—? I can’t even open my eyes.
Adel blinked hard, shielding her eyes with her hand. As her vision adjusted, a figure slowly became visible.
“It seems that part, at least, was true.”
“Ah…”
When the owner of the voice came into full view, Adel’s lips parted in awe.
She was stunned.
If her father had been here, she might have grabbed him by the collar and asked,
“You said this was a temple—when did you mention a god actually lived here?”
“…Is something the matter, my lady?”
Even to someone who had seen all manner of rare and beautiful things, he was breathtaking.
Silver hair that seemed spun from melted snow, skin cool as ivory, and piercing sapphire eyes without a speck of flaw beneath his dark brows.
“…”
It wasn’t even embarrassing to stare.
When a mountain is tall, you look up. When the ocean is deep, you gaze into it. When someone like this stands before you, looking is only natural.
To not look at such a man would mean one of two things: you’re either blind—or dead.
Wait a minute… Did our family donate statues like this?
The thought was so absurd, yet she couldn’t help being briefly captivated.
But no, no statue could possibly move and speak like this. Even creating such a face would be beyond human skill.
“…Seems the light is too bright for you.”
“N-No.”
As he lifted his hand to close the curtains again, Adel, as if hypnotized, shook her head.
That wasn’t the kind of “blinding” she meant.
Even if the curtains closed, there was no way she’d forget that face. Her mouth still felt dry from the shock.
At least I know Father hasn’t met him.
If he had, there’s no way the Count of Sergio—who knows every notable figure in the South—would have kept quiet.
He’d have made sure this man was known far and wide.
Which means…
Adel began regaining her composure.
She hadn’t come all this way just to gawk at a handsome face.
That could wait until she’d secured her spot as head of the guild and could sit front-row at temple ceremonies.
First, she had to find out who this man really was.
“…The sun’s quite strong up here in the highlands, isn’t it?”
She feigned shading her eyes while sneaking another glance at him.
His attire caught her attention. A silver uniform buttoned to the neck, adorned with the emblem of San Fidelio, and a black epaulet shining at his shoulder.
A harmony of restraint and sanctity—flawless from head to toe.
Unlike the priestly robes or trainee garb she’d seen earlier, this suit fit him like it was made for him.
Could someone who isn’t a priest serve as the Archbishop’s proxy?
It was strange.
Surely the temple had many priests and bishops—but this young man, who couldn’t be older than thirty, was the one sitting in the archbishop’s place?
She examined his clothing more closely—until her eyes landed on his belt.
Only then did she quietly gasp.
A Holy Knight.
No sword hung at his side.
She’d assumed he must be a priest, but that expectation delayed her realization.
But even that’s odd.
Though Holy Knights possess strong divine power, the temple’s major positions—from Archbishop down—were always held by priests.
With one exception.
“…Looks like you figured it out.”
Adel flinched as his blue eyes met hers precisely.
No wonder they kept the room dark earlier.
It had seemed strange, but in hindsight, that had been the right call.
If she’d met those eyes from the start, she’d have been too dazed to do anything but nod and blurt out nonsense.
“You’re Lady Adelaide, correct? Forgive me, I haven’t introduced myself.”
“Not at all. I should reintroduce myself.”
“…”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Captain of the Knights of San Fidelio.”
Adel stepped back, lifting her skirt in a curtsy. One step forward, head bowed—but not the eyes.
A subtle difference, but one that marked the distinction between a priest and a knight.
His unreadable gaze sharpened.
“I don’t recall saying that.”
“Of course not. That was just my own guess.”
As she subtly glanced toward his belt, his brow twitched.
Clearly, he realized what had given him away—but that didn’t mean the tension lifted.
“This isn’t a knight’s uniform.”
“Old habits die hard, Captain.”
Just like how I’m reading you right now.
Her smile barely twitched at the corners of her lips.
If she were the type to judge people by their clothes alone, she would’ve quit business long ago.
Everything about him was too perfect—but the loosely worn belt gave it away.
And now that she knew, other signs stood out: the callus on his finger from wielding a sword, his neatly combed hair uncrushed by priestly headwear.
Adel gently pushed forward.
“If I’m mistaken, I’ll apologize. Or if you prefer, punish me—”
“Enough.”
Of course.
Adel placed a hand over her chest and stepped back as if relieved.
Sorry, but you should’ve expected this.
If he’d had a sword at his hip, it might have been dangerous—his entire presence radiated icy wariness.
You’re a little naïve, aren’t you?
She almost bit her lip to keep from laughing.
Should’ve brought him a mirror.
San Fidelio had hosted several events this year, but not a single rumor had spread about this man.
And among all the eligible noble ladies in the South, none had spoken of him.
Even her friend Julia—who called anything with eyes and a jawline “handsome”—only remarked, “The place had a holy vibe.”
That’s it.
“Surely, if someone I’ve never seen before reached the rank of Knight-Captain, he must’ve returned from training at the Ice Caverns of Kelloan.”
“You know of Kelloan’s caverns?”
“Of course. Half the babies in the South are said to be found there.”
She smiled lightly, skirting the truth.
The man narrowed his eyes but didn’t press further.
In truth, tales of the Ice Caverns and dragons scaring disobedient children had been around for centuries.
But who cared about his mysterious past?
A man who could survive such a place would, of course, be standing here—calm and unscathed.
What mattered was that he didn’t see me as weak.
I haven’t even brought up the real topic yet.
“…So then, what is it you actually want to say?”
Oh my.
He’d read her like a book and struck first.
His gaze alone was enough to make someone shrink in place.
“You said it was important.”
“…To me, it’s a matter of a lifetime.”
Obviously.
If marriage isn’t important, then what is?
It was a contract marriage, technically, but she didn’t need to go into detail.
Even the Archbishop wasn’t here—no reason to let gossip spread.
And you’re not even the Archbishop—wait, no!
Just as she was starting to show disappointment, her eyes widened.
The reason she’d come was to get the best possible recommendation for a husband from the Archbishop.
And now…
Adel stared at the man before her.
“…My lady?”
This wasn’t just “suitable.” This was perfect.
Captain of the Holy Knights. Skilled, with a brilliant future. And his looks? Beyond language.
Jerox was handsome too—but only by mortal standards.
This man transcended race, nation, and preference. A universal ideal of beauty.
Wait, calm down.
“…Forgive me, I haven’t even heard your name yet.”
The man’s gaze flickered slightly. After a pause, he finally spoke.
“Killian Setian.”
“…I see.”
Setian. A surname she’d never heard.
Noble, but unknown. Just the way she liked it.
Adel barely kept from squealing in joy. A man with skills but no powerful family was ideal.
How old is he?
She could handle a ten-year gap either way. Younger was better, but no jail time, please.
Just not frozen in that cave for 200 years, that’s all she asked.
“Thank you, Captain. You look younger than me, yet you’ve reached the rank of Knight-Captain—that’s incredible.”
“…Younger?”
That flicker of irritation in his expression had its own charm. Adel quickly shook her head.
“I’m twenty-one this year, so I thought you might be about my age. You certainly look it…”
“I’m six years older than you.”
“Ah… I apologize. I had no idea…”
Age? Check.
Feigning regret, she covered her mouth.
No jail time. No cryogenic ice-man worries.
Not a single flaw—she smiled sweetly.
“I’m not usually so forward. I must apologize to your future wife someday.”
“I’m unmarried.”
“…”
Oh my.
She lowered her gaze slightly to hide her thrill.
Thank you, Archbishop.
To think you set this man here just in time for my visit. Surely divine providence.
She almost believed in God now.
Don’t get excited yet. One more thing to check.
The most important question—something she couldn’t ask indirectly.
Adel looked him square in the eye.
“One last thing, Captain… Do you like blondes?”
“…Why?”
Those icy eyes narrowed, baffled.
He must’ve thought she was teasing—but Adel’s expression was too serious, too desperate.
“I don’t know why you’d need to know, but if you’re asking my personal taste… I dislike them.”
“What if they’re angelically beautiful…?”
“There are no angels.”
Pass.
Adel closed her eyes and exhaled deeply.
She didn’t care if a Holy Knight said there were no angels.
The only thing that mattered was that no matter what Noella tried, this man wouldn’t fall for it.
“…My lady, are you well?”
“Oh, of course.”
More than well. Thank you for staying frozen all this time.
If you’d come out any sooner and gotten noticed, I’d have missed my chance.
“You must be tired from your travels. But if this is a serious matter, it’s best discussed with the Archbishop directly. He’ll be back in two weeks—”
“No! That’s too late!”
“…Too late?”
Killian paused mid-step, turning back. Even that was picturesque in the sunlight.
“If it concerns your life, surely the Archbishop—”
“No. You can help me more than anyone else here.”
“…Me?”
“Yes. No one in this temple could help me more than you.”
Her earnest tone made him face her again.
A quiet silence settled between them as Killian stepped closer.
“…”
Those eyes. Transparent as ever.
Like uncut gemstones. Everything about him was controlled—except for those eyes, wild and unpolished.
His expression finally shifted.
“Very well. Then I have a question for you first.”
“…”
“What is it you really want to say to me?”
A voice as cool as his eyes. Not someone you could trick.
The solemnity in the air pressed down on her like a weight.
“Lady Adelaide.”
“Yes, Captain?”
The smile left her lips—not because of the pressure he gave off, but because he’d finally asked.
“I was wondering how to bring it up, but I’m glad you did. You may find this… surprising…”
“I don’t think I will.”
“In that case, I’m relieved.”
Adel’s clear pink eyes met his.
No matter what training he’d completed, or what insight he had—he’d never expect what she was about to say.
“As you know, there are certain major life events that every person must eventually—”
“Please keep it brief.”
“…Let’s get married.”
