“P-Philia, but…!”
Slam!
Artius tried to explain, but it was too late. Philemon had already left.
He looked at Elonia, hoping for support.
Elonia was also angry at him, but she hadn’t expected Philemon to be this furious. She was terrified.
“I’m done!”
A daughter always sided with her mother during a marital dispute.
Elonia quickly finished her meal and rushed out of the dining hall, hoping to appease Philemon.
Artius, left alone, was devastated.
“Why did I do that…?”
“Indeed, why did you do that?”
Aaron, appearing out of nowhere, added fuel to the fire. Artius, after a long moment of self-reproach, finally explained what had happened last night.
Meanwhile, Lucius, exhausted from lack of sleep, arrived at the temple. Valerian, seeing him, rushed over, his face filled with concern.
“Lucius, what happened to you?! You look terrible!”
“…High Priest Valerian.”
“Are you okay? You shouldn’t be working today! Lie down!”
Valerian fussed over him.
He was a truly compassionate High Priest, his concern extending to everyone equally. Lucius, touched by his kindness, shook his head, trying to downplay his exhaustion.
“I’m fine. I just slept in the carriage last night, so I’m a bit tired.”
“…Did I hear that correctly?”
Valerian frowned, his eyes narrowed in disbelief. Lucius shrugged.
“You did.”
Impossible. Valerian was stunned.
Lucius, who seemed like the type to only sleep in a proper bed, had slept in a carriage?
“Were you kicked out of your house?”
…He appreciated the concern, but that was a bit much. Lucius chuckled dryly and explained what had happened. Valerian, though relieved, was still worried.
“Her Highness must be furious.”
His concern had simply shifted from Lucius to Elonia.