Oh

Rishe gaped.

To be honest, the aftermath of the situation was quite perilous.

In any case, Myria fainted and the Archbishop was stunned.

Also, Arnold pointed his sword at the priest who attacked him and brought him to this point, knocking him into a coma.

He could have been discredited for trying to help Miss Myria and turned the Order against him. But thanks to you, Schneider-sama

The priests rushed over to restrain the archbishop.

Meanwhile, they looked up at Arnold and verbally expressed their gratitude.

Your Highness, Arnold Hein! Thanks to you, we were able to save Miss Myria.

How could we ever thank you

Arnold raised his eyebrows in genuine displeasure, then silently turned his gaze to Schneider.

Next to Schneider stood Leo. He had just slipped out of Rishes noose and was looking at them in a tangle.

Schneider was the one who assigned Leo as Myrias guard.

Rishe breathed a sigh of relief.

Then a bloodied man came tumbling in.

Myria!!!

Wait, Your Excellency Jonal.

Schneider grabbed the arm of the Duke, Myrias adoptive father.

The Archbishops minions may still be lurking somewhere. Ill take Miss Myria. You stay back

Im sorry, get off me!!

!!

The duke shook off Schneiders hand and ran to Myrias side.

He didnt even spare Arnold and Rishe a glance. He ran to Myria, whom the priests were carrying up and hugged her tightly.

Myria!!

Hmm, Papa?

Myria slowly awakened and blinked when she saw the Dukes face.

A few seconds later, her dazed eyes came into focus and she reached out to the Duke.

Papa!

Oh! You poor thing, you must have been scared. Do you feel any pain anywhere?

With Myria in his arms, the Duke repeatedly and tearfully apologized.

Im such a fool. I didnt even know who the real enemy was!! I believed the Archbishops words and handed you over to him as a result. Youre more important than life itself, and Im sorry I couldnt protect you!

Huh-huh-hmm

Im an incompetent fatherTheres no way Im ever going to be allowed to be with you again

Thats not true. No, no

The duke looked confused at Myria who was shaking her head.

After the Archbishop drugged me, I kept having dreams! I dreamed that I was in the Grand Shrine and that Papa saved me when a lot of dangerous things were falling from above.

Me?

You got sick because of it, but you always lied for me, saying it was because of an old illness. See? Even in my dreams, you were protecting me!

Myria clung to the Duke tightly as she sobbed.

I dreamed about Papa, so I knew you would certainly save me. So, please dont cry like this, Papa

Myria

Im sorry I have worried you. But, but

She spoke in an inaudible and delicate voice.

Ill behave, and youll be my Papa for a long time

Of course, I will!!

As if to drown out his daughters fears, the Duke shouted.

Keep in mind that no matter how bad you become, Papa will always love you and be there for you

Papa!

Myria cried, bawling.

Rishe, in her life as a maidservant, has worked hard to avoid hearing her cry. But at this moment, her cry gave her relief.

Then she looked up at Arnold next to her.

Theyre quite fussy, right?

Im sure the Duke and that Maiden Priestess are not even related.

He frowned upon the rest of Myrias blood relatives.

But why is he so concerned about the Maiden Priestesss safety? I dont understand it at all.

Oh, on the way to the Grand Shrine, didnt Your Highness Arnold tell me that blood ties have no effect on whether or not you can establish a good relationship?

Then he gave her a look that said, So what?

Arnold must have wanted to say at that time, Just because we are related by blood does not mean we can get along with each other. But Rishe took that line to heart in another direction.

In other words, Your Highness is right. Blood ties have absolutely nothing to do with whether people can get along.

It probably doesnt matter. Even though theyre not related by blood, theyre undeniably father and child.

After a few moments of reluctance, Arnold let a few seconds pass before sighing.

Oh, well, Oliver

Yes, Your Highness. Im ready to receive your scolding.

The silver-haired squire, Oliver walked towards them and smiled pleasantly. The only time Oliver called Arnold My Lord was basically when there was no third party present.

Im sorry for letting Rishe-sama pass despite your order to keep her back. But, I think I made the right decision.

I never thought that Rishe-sama would use such a method to stop Your HighnessPfft, kekeke.

What a pity! I would have loved to have seen the expression on Your Highness face when you did thatOuch!

He kicked him!

Rishes eyes widened as Oliver crouched in front of her, rubbing his shins.

Arnold silently kicked Oliver in the shin. She has always thought that Arnolds behavior towards Oliver was more in line with his age of nineteen.

Are you okay, Oliver-sama?

Lets go, Rishe. Whatever it is, you should be resting right now.

Okay, but Oliver-sama is in pain.

Leave him alone. If you dont follow me, Ill pick you up and carry you.

Hie

Rishe internally apologized to Oliver and tried to walk away with Arnold.

However, she wobbled and her footing twisted. Seeing Rishe plopped on the floor, Arnold didnt hesitate to bend down.

Ah!

This situation was quite familiar.

Thus, Rishe shrieked in a panic.

Oh, please forgive me for carrying you like a princess!

Ho

She pointed her hand at Arnold and demanded that he remain still.

I can walk by myself. Im fine! Just take a break before goinghya!

Without warning, he gently lifted her up along with her exclamation.

And, and, Your Highness !!

Isnt it fine carrying you sideways?

She should be commended for restraining her scream.

He was carrying her vertically, unliked the way he carried her before. With her hips on Arnolds left arm and her back supported by his right arm, she put her arm around his shoulders.

By doing so, she was barely able to keep her balance.

How can you have so much arm strength when you seem to be on the slender side? I mean, this seems a lot more embarrassing than being carried princess-style, because were stuck together in many parts!

The priests were buzzing in agitation and then looked at them in astonishment. Rishes cheeks inevitably burned and she pleaded with Arnold.

Because she was carried up, it was quite novel to look down at Arnold, but it wasnt the time to enjoy it.

Your Highness! Im fine, so leave me here for the time being! Um

Im not letting you down.

Chuckle~~

Rishe was disconcerted, but she knew he would never let her down. She looked around for someone to help, but Oliver, the only one who seemed willing to speak up, remained crouched.

Had she known this would happen, she wouldnt have abandoned him.

While Rishe was regretting her actions, Arnold continued forward. In addition, he said somewhat grumpily, Its because youre moving around when you havent even regained your strength. Youre always reckless.

And whos to blame for this?!

Then Arnold snorted and let out something that hinted on self-ridicule.

Me.

She felt a sharp, faint pain in her left chest.

Then Bishop Schneider stepped forward.

Your Highness, Arnold, may I have a moment of your time?

As you can see, my wife has suddenly fallen ill. Well have to talk about the trouble later.

What do you mean, As you can see?

Arnold was heading straight for the exit of the hall. Perhaps realizing that he had no intention of stopping, Schneider did not follow.

Instead, he looked up at Rishe calmly.

Rishe remembered his warning once more.

You must not marry Arnold Hein.

Rishe hugged Arnold tightly around the neck.

She then looked straight at Schneider with an unyielding determination. Schneiders eyes widened as if truly surprised.

Then he bowed deeply to Rishe.

Whats wrong?

Arnold, whose face was no longer visible, asked, and Rishe answered in the same position.

If I dont hug Your Highness tightly, it will be dangerous if Your Highness loses balance on the stairs

Ha.

Did he see through the lie?

But Arnold sounded strangely happy. He patted Rishe on the back with the hand that was supporting her, as if he were caring for a child.

Dont worry, I wont let anything happen to you.

P-Please take care of yourself, too!

He countered her with a, I dont need you to tell me what to do.

She was unwilling to but she didnt think she could talk back too strongly in her posture. After all, her heart was pounding and her cheeks were forever on fire.

Feigning casualness, Rishe stroked Arnolds neck where she had bitten him earlier.

After that, she shut her eyes tightly and prayed that His Highness would let her down soon, in the middle of the endless staircase.