The Possessed Evil Woman Wreaks Havoc - Chapter 46

“Why shouldn’t I read it aloud?” I asked Jessie out of pure curiosity.

“Well… it’s just… ugh. It’s hard to explain, but it’s kind of embarrassing.”

“Are you embarrassed by the content of this book?”

Jessie mumbled in a small voice, “Now that I think about it, I guess I am…”

Really? I flipped through the book a few more times but couldn’t find anything particularly embarrassing.

Humans are strange. They are embarrassed by books they wrote for themselves.

Anyway.

“So what does this book have to do with demon worshippers?” I asked Jessie about what had been on my mind for a while.

“Well, it’s because the book portrays demons in a positive light.”

“This does?”

Depicting someone wounding their lover’s neck and sucking their blood like a mosquito was considered a positive portrayal?

“Oh, come on. But he’s the male protagonist, you know? There’s something… alluring about it.” Jessie twisted her body as she spoke.

I was at a loss for words. What kind of mindset do humans have?

If I kept listening, I felt like I’d learn things I didn’t want to know, so I decided to let it go.

“Fine, let’s say you’re right. But I still don’t understand why this book is related to demon worshippers.”

“Any book that describes demons in a somewhat positive way is banned by the temple. That book, for instance, is clearly banned. But there’s a rumor going around about it lately…”

Jessie lowered her voice and whispered to me, “The rumor is that the book is actually distributed by demon worshippers!”

Why? Why on earth?

I blinked blankly.

“Apparently, they’re trying to improve the perception of demons through books like this. There are several similar books, and, well, they’re more interesting than you’d expect.”

“Do you really think that could be effective?”

At my question, Jessie nodded. “Lately, more and more maids have been saying they want to have a romance with a demon. You know, like one last fling before marriage?”

The demon worshippers who once offered human sacrifices to gain favor with demons were now saying this after just a few centuries?

I was confused. And improving the perception of demons? What exactly were they trying to achieve with this?

Demons took pride in their infamy. No amount of perception improvement would win them over.

I shook my head. Those fanatics were hard to understand, both then and now.

“Um… Miss, should I bring you a few more books?”

“Bring them here.”

I might as well read them for research purposes.

That night, I skipped dinner and read the books until I went to bed.

***

The next day, an unexpected guest visited my room.

I looked at the high priest with a grim expression. He remained cheerful, either oblivious to my reaction or pretending not to notice.

“So, you’re saying this person is my escort knight?”

I pointed at the man in front of me with my chin. It was Kayden, the half-brother the crown prince had mentioned yesterday.

“No.”

I immediately rejected the idea of having him as my guard. The high priest, still smiling, began to persuade me.

“It’s for your safety, Saintess. You know that statues in the temple have been found shattered lately, right? We’ve concluded that this is a warning from demon worshippers targeting you.”

Who gave you the right to conclude that? And besides, the conclusion was completely wrong!

I swallowed my anger. There was no way I could admit now that I was the one breaking the statues. Besides, if I just showed my magic, those demon worshippers would fall to their knees before me.

Though recent revelations about demon worshippers had shaken that assumption a bit, still.

The high priest introduced Kayden to me. “This is Prince Kayden, captain of our Holy Knights. He spent his childhood at a temple near the border and recently returned to the capital. This must be the first time you’ve met.”

It wasn’t the first time, but I saw no reason to acknowledge that. It hadn’t exactly been a pleasant encounter.

And judging by the expressionless look on Kayden’s face, he didn’t seem to remember me either.

“Yes,” I answered briefly.

“Indeed.”

Kayden spoke for the first time since entering my room. His voice was as clear as his appearance—perfect for singing hymns, no doubt.

Anyway, I didn’t like everything about him.

“Isn’t he the captain of the Holy Knights? Such an important role shouldn’t be wasted guarding me. If you insist on assigning me a guard, I’ll choose a regular knight.”

I planned to pick an easygoing knight. I made this offer to the high priest, but he just smiled kindly and shook his head.

“You are the most precious person in our temple. How could we entrust your safety to a mere knight? Only the captain is suitable! Hahaha!”

The high priest seemed unusually cheerful today.

“Now that I see the two of you standing side by side, you make a perfect pair! Hahaha!”

The high priest laughed heartily again. Could he not see the disgusted expression on my face? Or was he just pretending not to notice?

His intentions were beyond transparent—they were practically see-through.

Though Isabella had a terrible reputation, she was still the daughter of a duke. And with the recent saintess fraud I pulled off, that bad reputation was soon to be restored.

Hadn’t the crown prince said that Kayden was the one the temple was supporting as the next emperor?

If Kayden married Isabella, it would certainly help secure the throne.

The high priest seemed to be hoping that something would spark between Kayden and me, but he was wasting his time.

Neither I nor Kayden seemed remotely interested in that.

I glanced at the man in front of me.

Come to think of it… There was no emotion on Kayden’s face. It was like looking at a doll, not a living person.

I frowned slightly. Humans brainwashed by Dantalion often had that exact look.

‘Could it be?’

The thought briefly crossed my mind, but I shook my head internally.

A human overflowing with divine power like him wouldn’t be susceptible to demonic brainwashing.

‘He’s probably just an odd one.’

I dismissed the thought.

***

I stormed out of the temple, fuming.

The high priest was a sly old fox. No matter how much I refused Kayden as my guard, he ignored me completely. In the end, I couldn’t stand it anymore and walked out first.

And now…

I listened to the footsteps behind me.

I took a step forward. At the same time, someone took a step behind me.

I began to run. The footsteps following me quickened as well.

When I turned around, Kayden was keeping pace with me.

Ever since the meeting with the high priest, this had been the situation.

Any escort knight would be annoying enough, but why him of all people? Silver hair, blue eyes—it was as if someone had chosen colors specifically to irritate me.

And not only did Kayden look like Zachary, but he was also his descendant.

I glared at him. “How long are you going to follow me?”

“The high priest ordered me to guard you, Saintess.”

“Hah. I don’t need your protection.”

“It is the high priest’s command. I must obey.”

His voice was devoid of any emotion. He didn’t seem to question the high priest’s orders at all.

It seemed I wouldn’t be able to shake him off on my own. Suddenly, I thought of someone who might be able to solve this problem.

“Fine. I’m going to meet Half-Pathetic, so don’t follow me.”

“Who is Half-Pathetic?”

“The crown prince. Surely you don’t think I need a guard in the palace, do you?”

“The palace isn’t entirely safe. However…”

For the first time, Kayden’s expression faltered. He hesitated briefly before speaking again, “Is ‘Half-Pathetic’ (반쪽이) short for ‘soulmate’ (영혼의 반쪽)? Is it a nickname you’ve given to my brother?”

I had only given him that name because he was half useless… This human had a surprisingly vivid imagination.

“What if it is a nickname?” I asked out of curiosity.

“Are you and my brother in a romantic relationship? If so, I must inform the high priest.”

“What…?”

“The high priest ordered me to report anything that happens between you and my brother.”

Kayden’s expression returned to its previous calm state as he spoke.

I blinked a few times. Did he really just say that…?

“Do you have no pride?”

Wasn’t he supposed to be a prince? Born of the most noble bloodline among humans, yet following the high priest’s words like some obedient servant.

No matter how powerful the temple might be in the empire, was that really normal?