Saving My Childhood Friend Through... Questionable Means... - Chapter 3
At that moment, Lucas’s eyelids trembled, and his piercingly blue eyes appeared beneath them. He glanced at Seria with a gaze that seemed on the verge of death, then furrowed his brow.
Seria, overjoyed, grinned brightly and held his hand tightly.
“Lucas, you’re awake!”
“I heard everything. Ha! A paladin like me has to survive by such an obscene method? I’d rather return to God’s embrace like this!”
Of course, he would say that. After returning from several years of study at the capital’s academy, he suddenly decided, out of nowhere, that he wanted to become a paladin—and eventually became one. The temple had enthusiastically welcomed the idea of a duchy’s heir becoming a knight of the holy order, practically bowing to his decision.
As it turned out, becoming a paladin was a trend among the young noblemen of the time. Noblemen who became paladins would gather at the temple and collectively swear vows of chastity before marriage. They formed exclusive groups, priding themselves as sacred beings different from others, enjoying the pomp and circumstance of it all.
Ever since Lucas became a paladin, he had devoted himself fervently to serving God for years, and even after inheriting the title of duke, his enthusiasm had not waned. Of course, that’s how it seemed to Seria—the man himself took it all very seriously.
Participating in the war against the demonic beings beyond the borders was partly to solidify his position as a duke, but Seria believed the other reason was a tragic consequence of the youthful zeal he had for his role as a paladin.
‘Otherwise, why would he knowingly march toward death? He’s lucky he returned safely. It’s not like the emperor hadn’t already silenced the baseless chatter from distant relatives, so why bother joining the war?’
At the time, Seria had clung to the hem of his trousers, tearfully begging him not to go, but Lucas had firmly brushed her off, stating she should not block the path of a man heading toward his fate. He had left resolutely.
Fortunately, he didn’t seem destined to die just yet. Though he returned utterly exhausted, he was alive, and the capital celebrated his grand return with a magnificent banquet. For a while, everything was fine.
But in the end, he got caught up in this wretched curse. It was truly a headache-inducing situation.
‘This is such nonsense.’
Looking at Lucas’s serious expression, Seria felt her mouth go dry. To her, it all seemed pointless, but paladins were the height of fashion among noblemen. Without joining in, one risked being ostracized from high society, so Lucas probably hadn’t had much choice. However, his zeal seemed far too extreme to merely be following a trend.
She’d heard that others called themselves paladins in name only, living quite freely, but Lucas, as far as she’d seen, was genuinely earnest about it. Watching him for years, avoiding any semblance of debauchery as if suffering from some form of compulsive cleanliness, praying seriously every day—it wouldn’t have surprised her if he announced he was joining the temple as a priest.
‘What’s the point of convictions and principles if you die because of them? You’re going to have s*x once you’re married anyway. It’s not like it’ll wear out.’
Stifling a laugh that threatened to escape, Seria tried to persuade Lucas in a serious tone.
“Saying it’s better to go to God’s embrace is just absurd. What’s the big deal about being a paladin? You can’t die like this, so we need to do something about it. If something happens to you, the duchy will end!”
Not only would the ducal house come to an end, but Seria herself would lose her place. Swallowing her unspoken words, she stiffened her expression.
Her serious plea caused Duke Lucas to sigh. He weakly raised himself and leaned against the headboard of the bed. Suddenly, he started coughing uncontrollably, covering his mouth with the back of his hand. When Seria quickly handed him a handkerchief, he cleaned the corners of his mouth and sighed deeply.
“Ha… to think, after knowing a woman for ten years, I’m now supposed to… have relations with her. Who am I even supposed to do this with? Do you think I’ve had my eye on anyone?”
“You haven’t?”
Lucas responded instantly, as if the idea didn’t even require consideration, and Seria hesitated before cautiously offering her thoughts.
“Well… if we look among the people working in the castle, there might be someone suitable. You could offer them a fortune they could live on for the rest of their life and ask them for help. Maybe someone would volunteer…”
“Stop it! You’re asking me to sully myself. How could I have a relationship with someone I don’t love? Could you do that?”
“You’d only know after trying—”
Before she could finish, Lucas cut her off with a desperate cry.
“Why?! Why must I, a paladin who must always keep pure thoughts… ha, oh dear God in heaven, why have You given me this trial? Please, just take me instead! Let me leave this world without pain!”
Lucas furrowed his brows and lifted his head, clasping his hands together. He was praying. While he did so, Seria stood by idly, watching.
From her perspective as someone who didn’t follow any religion, the idea of breaking the curse by laying with a woman seemed hardly worth praying over, but to him, it was apparently a matter of utmost gravity.
