Hearing Iver's words, "Lu Lu's" body visibly relaxed.
"...Mr. Fox!"
She softly called Iver by his code name, but the moment the words left her mouth, she hesitated. "Are you really... Mr. Fox?"
For some reason, she sensed a faint danger from him.
It was as if she were about to be deceived or poisoned... Yet she truly sensed neither hostility nor murderous intent.
"I already used Illumination Spell just now. I think that's enough to prove my identity."
"Ah, you're right..."
Once Lu Lu calmed down, she quickly realized how foolish her question had been, which filled her with shame and regret.
She felt ashamed because she had been far too nervous. She might not be able to help this time and could even hold her companions back. She regretted that such simple reasoning should normally have occurred to her with ease, yet now her mind felt completely blank.
"—Shh."
Iver suddenly raised a finger and held it before his "wife's" lips.
The sudden physical contact with a member of the opposite sex made her eyes fly open. In the platinum-haired woman's eyes was the innocent confusion and shyness of a pure young girl.
Only then did she look for the first time at the "husband" opposite her—the father of her child.
She had no friends of the opposite sex, let alone any of the same sex. People might not fear her because of her status, but they would certainly keep their distance because the royal family was on the verge of extinction and she might be cursed to death at any time. No one wanted to invite trouble, especially trouble they could not bear themselves.
She had been too afraid to look at him just now. They were simply too close.
Lu Lu did not even know what she looked like at that moment... But the young man before her, with black curly hair and deep-blue eyes like the sea, was at most in his twenties. He was clearly young and handsome. His priestly robes also gave him a sense of ascetic reassurance and solemnity.
In that instant, Lu Lu subconsciously wanted to draw him.
It was not because she harbored any particular feelings.
It was simply because her "Vision of Beauty" had sensed inspiration at that very moment—
Dressed in white priestly robes, with a collar inlaid with golden roses raised to conceal his Adam's apple. One sturdy arm easily cradled a four-year-old child, while his other hand reached out and shielded his lips. The Candle Holder Cathedral's light shone around him as well... It was a contradictory light, dim yet magnificent. His deep-set features resembled a Mycenaean sculpture. His deep-blue eyes reflected the flames burning on the candelabra behind Lu Lu, gleaming with a red radiance like aquamarines facing a fire.
There was a compassionate solemnity on the man's face, yet Lu Lu could faintly sense a careless "teasing" in him, just like his code name, "Fox." It gave him an inscrutable air. At the same time, she could sense that he held no hostility toward her. Instead, there was a pure kindness, as well as the powerful sense of security brought by a reliable adult man.
Seeing Lu Lu suddenly fall silent, Iver said nothing more. He merely glanced toward the front of the cathedral.
Following the man's gaze, Lu Lu realized that her voice had apparently been a little too loud.
"...I'm sorry, Mr. Fox."
She was somewhat frustrated. "I can't do anything right..."
"How could that be?"
Iver spoke carelessly.
If you could do everything right, I'd be worried.
As long as you're willing to follow orders, that's enough.
Leave the rest to me.
Lu Lu watched as the man before her withdrew his right hand and gently stroked the back of his child's head. Warm light once again spilled through the gaps between his fingers, and his fingers seemed to be outlined by a circle of gold. It was like golden sunlight passing through the stained-glass sculpture in the Silver and Tin Palace, casting a rune-covered halo onto the wall.
It was neither dazzling nor scorching.
The light pierced through his fingers, making them seem almost transparent as a reddish-gold radiance seeped from them. It was like the setting sun, or the Rising Sun that was about to emerge.
This color... the color of Illumination. I'll remember it.
"—There."
Just as she was absorbed in watching, Iver suddenly spoke softly. "The curse has been dispelled."
"That amazing... Wait, wait, you used Illumination Spell with your right hand?"
Only then did Lu Lu realize something. "You're already that proficient?"
Being able to use Illumination Spell with the right hand for ten uninterrupted seconds while steadily outputting two standard units of mana was one of the graduation requirements of the Royal Academy of Law's theology department. Because the right hand had an affinity for darkness, the slightest lapse in concentration while outputting Light Attribute mana could cause the spell to break on its own.
When working for the Church, one could not use the left hand in every situation. There would always be special circumstances in which the left hand was unavailable, and that was when one's proficiency in casting with the right hand was tested.
The man before her had used his right hand to cast Illumination Spell for a full fifteen seconds, and with astonishing ease. The light had not gone out or even dimmed once, and he had shown no sign of strain or fatigue.
That was a sustained output of three full standard units of mana...
"...So you've actually graduated already, Mr. Fox, haven't you?"
She lowered her voice and leaned closer as she pressed him for an answer. "Have you already joined the Church?"
For some reason, her nervousness had vanished without a trace. In its place were curiosity and dejection.
More than half of her first semester of sophomore year had already passed, yet she still had not completed her advancement... Meanwhile, this possible "upperclassman" had already reached an excellent standard that even graduates found difficult to attain.
I'm so weak...
"There's nothing special about this."
Iver spoke blandly.
He genuinely did not think there was anything unusual about it. When Bishop Mathers had taught him Sacred Art, he had reminded Iver to use his left hand whenever possible, and only practice with his right once he had become proficient enough to use it without needing to concentrate on visualization.
But Iver had successfully cast with his right hand that very day, using it to treat Yulia. At the time, he had not even realized he was using his right hand. He had simply instinctively reached out with his dominant hand.
"It wasn't a complicated curse. Rather than trying to kill someone... it was more like a means of locating them. I've destroyed the curse now, so perhaps I can hold the enemy off for a while.
"And," Iver extended a finger and flicked a ray of light toward Lu Lu's eyes. She shut them in fright, and only then did he say nonchalantly, "Don't ask about matters in the real world. Otherwise, don't blame me for coming to find you."
"...I'm sorry."
Lu Lu obediently nodded and apologized.
"I forgive you."
Iver smiled warmly.
The service was nearing its end, and he naturally took Lu Lu's hand. Lu Lu flinched and drew her fingers back in fear for an instant, but she soon remembered the requirements of her mission and pretended to take his hand naturally.
Iver then went a step further, interlacing his fingers with hers. He pulled her directly up from the bench.
He guided his partner as if they were dancing a ballroom dance.
"Don't be so stiff, and don't be afraid."
Iver spoke calmly. "You're my wife now."
"...Y-yes."
Cradling the child and holding Lu Lu's hand, he left the main hall of Candle Holder Cathedral. But he did not leave the cathedral. Instead, he found an empty Small Chapel and led his wife inside.
The instant he closed the door, Lu Lu felt her heart abruptly miss a beat.
Her eyes widened.
"...H-He, what is he going to do?" "Come, hold the child."
Iver's voice was low and gentle as he handed over the boy in his arms.
Lu Lu instinctively and carefully took "Little Iver" from him.
"Little Iver" looked somewhat drowsy after the curse had just been lifted. It was like soaking in a hot bath while utterly exhausted. As the discomfort faded, sleepiness and a sense of security welled up within him.
He had remained curled up in the warm, fragrant embrace of his father, which smelled of musk, sandalwood, and herbs, listening to the long, rambling service. His eyes would open slightly for a moment, then remain shut for much longer.
When his father handed him to his mother, he briefly woke.
"Good boy, what a good child..."
Looking at the child's tender, adorable face, Lu Lu could not help but reveal a faint smile from the bottom of her heart.
She spoke softly as she held the milk-scented boy in her arms.
She had taken care of her younger brother before, so she knew how to hold a child. Even so, Lu Lu held him very carefully... as if he were someone else's child, afraid that she might accidentally drop him.
"You should practice a little first. You can't go out like this. People will think you kidnapped the child."
Iver tucked both hands into his pockets and leaned against the door, tilting his head slightly with one ear pressed against it. His eyes narrowed as if he were dozing.
At the same time, he asked softly, "Do you know any lullabies, Lu Lu?"
"Yes."
This time, Lu Lu answered firmly, her voice full of confidence.
"Put the child to sleep first, then we'll leave."
Iver added, "Make sure he sleeps deeply... Use all your strength."