In the reception hall, only a few people were allowed to remain.
This was the first time for everyone in the room to meet the Saintess in person. This is the first time even for the King to witness the Hope of Humanity.
Whenever he heard from her, during his visit to the Cathedral, it was from behind curtains that he was able to talk to her.
And now, sitting across from her, the King couldn't help but feel great admiration for how noble and elegant the lady looked.
Before joining the Cathedral, Adolf never met Sasha. However, he had heard from his parents that she had always been a quiet and compassionate child.
"It is our honour that the Supreme Grace is joining the summit." Adolf spoke up, the respect in his voice making Christopher smile in satisfaction.
"I had to, Your Majesty. Before things turn out controllable, I must help my people in realising the necessity of things needed to be done."
Now what those 'things' were, made Aborne greatly interested. However, naturally, he didn't ask her right away.
Her eyes turned towards the man on the left before the Saintess smiled, "How have you been, father?"
Hades smiled in return before nodding, "I am well, um-"
"I am still your daughter before the Saintess. Please call me by name, father." Seeing his struggle she added.
Christopher frowned; he found it annoying that the Saintess was allowing someone to call her by her name.
Even he has never called her by her name!
Hades' lips stretched in a fond smile as he said, "Everything is fine, Sarah. What about you?"
The other one gave a faint nod, "I am in good health-ah. I heard Amanda is in the castle?" She looked at Devon when she said that.
Naturally, she was aware of the fact that her little sister was under the guidance of the Grandmaster.
Devon smiled wryly before saying, "I-ah, I asked if she wanted to come, but it seems she has a stomach ache so…"
The Saintess' smile turned a little sad; she was aware of how much she had hurt her family members. And even her father, who seemed to be still loving as ever, must be feeling a little aggrieved for how suddenly she left all those years ago.
She looked down at her hand, her thumb nail tracing the lines of her other hand softly. A habit she developed to distract her mind from focusing on a single point and letting her emotions get exposed.
"Ah, Cela. Come here." Adolf suddenly spotted his daughter walking inside the reception hall, guided by the maid.
He smilingly invited her near him and asked, "Where were you?"
Celestria glanced at the Saintess before uttering, "With Alex."
Devon smiled mischievously hearing that while the King had a very complicated reaction.
However, what they all missed to notice was the Saintess' reaction.
Her body turned stiff, her smile strained when she heard that.
Looking up, she gazed at the Princess from up to down before a thought came to her mind,
'Still not mature enough for his taste…'
"Is there something that matters, Supreme Grace?" Aborne asked as he felt her aura coming to life suddenly.
Christopher also noticed it, ushering him to ask, "Do you not feel well?"
The Saintess shook her head softly, "I am fine, but just curious. Tell me, child," Turning her gaze towards Celestria, the Saintess asked,
"Is Alex the same person who escorted me to the palace?"
Celestria nodded, "Yes, Your Holiness, Alex was a part of that group. He is strong enough to get such a significant responsibility." She smugly added the last part.
The Queen smiled upon seeing her daughter complimenting her beloved.
The smile on the Holy One's face widened as she said, "Yes, indeed. He is a very capable man. I admire him for his courage and strength."
Celestria's smile stiffened, "Riiight…many people admire Alex. And someone close to him I also feel proud when someone admires my Alex."
The soft smiles of the two ladies shared were almost the same. Although Celestria was smiling, her eyes suggested something else. And behind the veil, the Saintess was looking down at the little girl in disdain as well.
"Ah, the meal must be prepared. Why don't we continue the conversation at the table-" Devon's suggestion was interrupted,
"No, I would like to rest in my room." The Saintess suddenly got up, making the others panic as everyone else, minus Celestria, got up from their seats.
"Supreme Grace, did Celestria say something that offended you?" The Supreme Authority asked in concern.
Celestria looked provocatively at the lady, her eyes saying, 'Come on, tell them how you got provoked by a teenager~'
The Saintess smiled before assuring them, "Nothing of it, Your Majesty. I am feeling a little sick here. Might feel better if I lay down a little."
The nun spoke with her usual smile returning. She expertly controlled her aura.n
Adolf nodded before he asked the maid to guide her to the room.
Once she left, Adolf turned his eyes toward his daughter before asking, "What was that behavior just now, daughter?"
Everyone present in the hall could sense the displeasure the Saintess showed and how her demeanor shifted after Celestria entered.
Christopher was glaring daggers at the little girl as well to make the Saintess upset.
Celestria shrugged, "I just said the truth. And I don't think any of my words could have offended her in any way, Father."
Her words made sense. Why would the Saintess, the symbol of peace, get riled up because Celestria talked about Alex?
However, Devon, who was aware of the whole thing—the interest the Saintess had shown in Alex and the bond Celestria shares with the same boy—smiled in defeat.
'What a rascal to have two beauties fighting over him…'
—------***-------
A/N:- Thanks for reading. Drop a comment and add a review if you have been enjoying the story so far. See ya~