Chapter 186: The Gap (11)
Even someone like Artiac, who was rather oblivious to worldly affairs, noticed the old man’s identity immediately.
‘This man is...’
He was none other than Cardinal Bruyant, known as one of the most hardline figures even within the Papacy.
“……What brings Your Eminence here at this hour of the night?”
Velita asked in a soft voice, still facing the window.
There wasn’t a hint of agitation in her voice.
As if she had already known he would visit, she remained utterly composed.
“I came to pay my respects for a moment.”
Bruyant spoke in a quiet, almost whispering tone.
“I heard Her Highness was working late into the night and worried I might disturb you... but I had something I truly wished to say, so I braved the discourtesy to come.”
“……Sir Artiac.”
At her call, Artiac stepped back and moved aside to let the visitor through.
“Oh, thank you.”
Wearing a gentle smile, Bruyant entered the room following Artiac’s lead.
His gaze lingered briefly on Artiac, then shifted to Velita, who was seated inside.
Only then did Velita slowly turn her head to face him.
A faint, familiar smile was already on her lips.
“Please, have a seat. Anette, would you bring us some tea?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
As Anette quietly withdrew to prepare the tea, Bruyant slowly took the seat Velita had offered.
Soon after, Anette returned carrying teacups.
Once the cups filled with clear tea were placed before them, a gentle fragrance wafted through the room.
The two lifted their cups without a word.
Only the soft clinking of porcelain broke the silence.
“……This year’s Departure Festival started off with a splendid atmosphere. Surely it’s all thanks to Your Highness’s efforts.”
“You flatter me, Your Eminence. It’s all due to the blessings of Lord Ilionel and His Majesty’s grace, not mine.”
“Haha, is that so? Even so, all of us at the Holy Sun Church are offering ceaseless prayers for the Empire’s peace and the well-being of all. Furthermore…”
At first, they exchanged brief pleasantries—nothing more than formalities.
By the time their teacups were half empty from that courteous exchange, Bruyant suddenly spoke.
“Come to think of it, I heard our people committed a discourtesy to Your Highness.”
“……”
His voice remained gentle.
Velita set her cup down quietly, smiling faintly.
“Those of the Holy Sun Church are always devoted to the Empire. I’ve always been grateful to them. Even the Crooks students attending the Academy now are the same.”
“Haha, but as young students, they can sometimes be overly spirited. That leads to the occasional unfortunate mistake. Why, I was no different in my youth.”
Bruyant gave a genial chuckle.
“Still, they are the precious workers who will lead this nation’s future, the seeds that will grow into towering trees, are they not?”
At his words, Velita smiled again.
“Indeed, just as Your Eminence says. Everyone here at the Academy is a valuable seed of the future.”
However—
She added quietly.
“To grow a seed into a great tree, one must also remove the weeds around it. And at times, thinning them out to prevent overcrowding is also necessary.”
“……”
“And sometimes, people in too much of a hurry overfeed them with fertilizer… which can end up killing even the healthiest trees. That’s why constant, careful attention is essential.”
Still wearing her serene smile, Velita nodded.
Bruyant murmured in admiration.
“Oh, how knowledgeable you are.”
“Ufufu, would you believe it—I do love tending to flowers. So much that I often engrave butterfly motifs on my brooches and hairpins.”
“Hahaha, no wonder they call Your Highness the Empire’s most beautiful flower.”
Hearing the exchange, Anette, who had been silently standing nearby, quietly held her breath.
“……”
She recalled the recent purging of certain individuals Velita had planted across the Academy dormitories.
It hadn’t merely been expulsion—some of them were officially recorded as missing.
And many among them had ties to the Holy Sun Church or were from Crooks, a fact she hadn’t forgotten.
Naturally so—because the one who had carried out Velita’s orders was Anette herself.
“……”
“……”
The two sat in silence for a moment, sipping their tea.
“To be honest, this wasn’t the topic I originally came to discuss…”
After a pause, Bruyant spoke again.
His expression was noticeably more serious than before.
“Oh? Is that so?”
“Yes, I came to discuss something a bit more... intimate.”
Velita tilted her head.
“Is it regarding the Departure Festival? If so, wouldn’t it be better to speak with my brother Gernot instead...?”
“No, no.”
Bruyant waved his hand.
“It wasn’t about something like the Departure Festival.”
He lightly tapped his teacup as he spoke.
“But thinking back, I realized I may have been too hasty. I haven’t yet earned Your Highness’s full trust and faith. So for now, I thought it best to strengthen our rapport little by little like this.”
“Oh my, I thought we already had plenty of closeness and trust between us.”
Velita muttered, sounding slightly surprised—and perhaps just a bit hurt.
“Was it just me who thought so? Or have I misunderstood something?”
“Hahaha, not at all, Your Highness. I assure you, we do share a wonderful and close relationship.”
Bruyant nodded with a smile.
“However, what I wish to speak of today requires an even deeper, firmer trust than what we have now.”
At last, he spoke in a low, hushed tone.
“Because… I came here today to speak to Your Highness about miracles.”
“Miracles… you say?”
Even Velita looked slightly flustered for a moment, narrowing her eyes as she asked.
Bruyant nodded.
“Yes, a miracle that even Your Highness will have no choice but to believe once you see it with your own eyes.”
He paused briefly, then murmured softly, almost as if chanting a hymn.
“Blessed are those who believe, for a miracle shall come to them…”
Bruyant’s gaze seemed distant—so vacant it was almost trance-like.
In his eyes swirled blind faith, fear and dread directed at something, reverence...
They were filled with emotions so tangled it was hard to name just one.
“……”
Velita fell silent for a moment, then asked with an expression that seemed to carry genuine curiosity.
“……I must admit, I’m ashamed to say I don’t know much about the doctrine of the Holy Sun Church.”
“That’s something Your Highness can begin to learn from now on.”
“There’s something I’ve been curious about.”
“Please, ask. I’ll answer as sincerely as I can.”
“The Holy Sun Church teaches that only those who believe in the merciful Ilionel can be saved in the afterlife, correct?”
“That is correct.”
Velita asked,
“Then would the merciful Ilionel... would He simply abandon those who don’t believe in Him, offering no salvation?”
To this, Bruyant responded with the same gentle smile.
“No, Your Highness. In truth, Lord Ilionel’s mercy and salvation are bestowed equally upon both believers and non-believers.”
“Ah, is that so?”
“Yes, it’s only that… there is an order to things, so for some, it simply arrives a bit later.”
Then he added in a hushed voice.
“And for insignificant beings like us, even that brief delay can feel overwhelmingly long.”
Apparently having said all he intended to say, Bruyant slowly rose from his seat.
“……It was truly a pleasant time today, Your Highness. I’ll be sure to call on you again soon.”
“Oh my, are you leaving already?”
“Yes, I feel I’ve overstayed my welcome, coming so late and unannounced. Haha!”
Bruyant bowed respectfully, then quietly exited the room.
Once the door closed, silence settled once more.
“……Hmm.”
Velita sat still, gently running her fingers along the cooled teacup.
Her expression remained as serene as before, but her eyes were steeped in deep thought.
“……”
How much time had passed?
Velita suddenly lifted her head and called to the one silently standing by her side.
“Anette?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Anette bowed her head and said,
“I will carry out your will.”
“Mm, I’m counting on you.”
Though few words were exchanged, it seemed the two understood each other perfectly.
Without delay, Anette turned and left.
“Sir Artiac.”
Now only two remained in the room.
Velita addressed Artiac, who had been standing quietly.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“If you don’t mind, would you have a cup of tea with me?”
Artiac responded without the slightest hesitation.
“I must decline, Your Highness. I am currently on duty.”
“And if having tea with me is part of your duty now?”
“……My apologies, Your Highness.”
Velita let out a soft sigh and smiled.
“You’re so principled.”
“I’ve been told that from time to time.”
“Mm, I think I can understand why my eldest brother places so much trust in you.”
She chuckled briefly and continued.
“Then at least stay and chat with me for a bit, if that’s all right?”
At her continued request, Artiac finally gave a nod.
“……As you command.”
“Thank you.”
Smiling contentedly, Velita poured herself a cup of warm tea and asked,
“How many siblings do you have?”
“Three, including myself. I’m the second son.”
“Hmm, are you married?”
“Not yet, but I am engaged.”
“Oh my, who is she?”
Velita’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Artiac hesitated for a moment, then replied calmly.
“She is currently attending the Academy and enjoys horseback riding as a hobby.”
“What’s her name?”
“……She is the Lady of Count Raidche.”
“Ah, I’ve definitely heard of her. They say she’s an exceptional rider. I’ve heard she’s won several competitions.”
“So they say.”
Velita smiled faintly and asked,
“Then, are all your siblings unmarried?”
“My elder brother married last year, and my younger brother is still single.”
“Your younger brother… You mean Lian Gwendil, correct?”
“……Yes.”
Artiac nodded quietly.
“Hmm, does he have a fiancée as well?”
Even though she already knew the answer, Velita asked as if she didn’t.
Artiac shook his head.
“He does not.”
Velita nodded slightly, seemingly satisfied.
Instead of asking more questions, she took a small sip of her tea.
Then, as if she had just remembered something, she turned to Artiac again.
“Sir Artiac.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Would you tell me more about your younger brother—what you know of him?”
A delicate smile spread across Velita’s lips.
“Lately… I’ve found myself a little interested in him.”