Chapter 285

"Phew..."

A droplet of water plopped into the bath.

Wrapped in white steam, a beautiful woman was soaking in the bath alone.

The one in the open-air hot springs was a beautiful woman with silver hair wrapped in a towel.

A perfect beauty like a newborn goddess... she was Reina Laurel, the only Saint of this country.

Reina, soaking in the hot springs, was completely naked.

She was the only one bathing. No one had seen her pure beauty.

"Today was fun... I hope we can come to the snow festival again next year."

Reina looked back on the day and smiled softly.

After the snow festival ended, the group returned to their hotel.

After dinner, everyone had gone to their rooms to sleep... but in the middle of the night, she came alone to the open-air bath.

"Even so... it was so close. Just a little more and..."

Stroking her smooth cheek, Reina muttered in frustration.

At the end of the snow festival. In front of the illuminated snow sculptures, there had been a chance to kiss Clael.

And yet... at the very last moment, she failed to seize the chance.

"Well, it's fine... there's still plenty of time."

Stealing Clael's lips would be easy.

Very, very easy. She could ambush him while he slept, or even forcefully take them.

But... that would be meaningless. What Reina wanted was for Clael to kiss her of his own will.

"Absolutely, absolutely... you are definitely going to be mine! Prepare yourself, Lord Clael!"

As Reina made her vow to the moon shining in the sky, the door leading to the changing room creaked open.

The one who appeared in the open-air bath was a beautiful girl close to Reina's level.

White hair and red eyes, bearing the traits of an albino... it was the Songstress Shedelielya.

"Good evening... thank you for inviting me, Saint Reina Laurel."

"Likewise. I apologize for calling you to such a place, Songstress Shedelielya."

The reason Shedelielya was here... was because Reina had summoned her.

She had gone so far as to send an angel to fetch her and bring her to this place.

"Even so... why a bath, of all places?"

"I thought there might be things you didn't want overheard. But don't worry, no one can enter here. The angels are keeping watch."

"............"

At Reina's words, Shedelielya slightly lowered her gaze.

Following Reina, she entered the hot springs and fell silent for a while.

"Lady Reina..."

"What is it?"

"Do you know how to save my brother... how to save Shura?"

After a long silence, Shedelielya finally spoke.

"You may already know this... but the Saintly power I possess is fake. It was obtained in exchange for my brother bearing a curse."

Though Shedelielya possessed sacred power, it was something she had gained only because her brother, Shura Heizen, had taken on a curse.

The more misfortune Shura suffered, the stronger Shedelielya's power became. That's the nature of it.

"But... I never wanted this power. It was something my parents gave me on their own, wanting a Saint. If giving up this power could save my brother, I would gladly do so."

Just because someone is blessed doesn't mean they're happy.

Especially if they know their happiness is built on the sacrifice of their own family.

"If it's you, Lady Reina—the true Saint—couldn't you break the magic cast upon us? Couldn't you free my brother from the curse and save him?"

"It's possible."

Reina replied immediately.

Without hesitation, clearly and firmly.

"Then...!"

"However... that's only if he wishes for it. No matter how powerful a Saint may be, it's impossible to save someone who isn't seeking salvation. If he doesn't wish to be happy, he can never be saved."

Reina paused and wiped the sweat from her forehead with a towel.

"Right now, he desires revenge more than happiness. All he thinks about is killing you, the one who caused his misfortune. As long as he clings to revenge, the curse cannot be broken."

"No way... then, if I die...!"

"If you lose your life, he'll follow the same path. The two of you are bound by the curse."

"...Then, is there no way to save my brother?"

"I'm only saying that I can't do it. Don't give up hope."

"Huh...?"

Shedelielya blinked in confusion.

If even a Saint can't save someone, then who else possibly could?

"Saints are not omnipotent. There are those even the most powerful Healing Magic can't help, but who can be saved by the guidance of a compassionate adult."

"............"

"Sometimes, time is what brings resolution. He's already beyond our reach. For now, why not just wait and see?"

"...If you say so, Lady Reina."

Shedelielya didn't seem entirely convinced, but she nodded out of respect for Reina's opinion.

"If that man fails, he will appear before you again, Lady Shedelielya. For revenge. But... if one day, your Saintly power suddenly disappears, then that will mean..."

"My brother let go of revenge and was saved."

"Yes, that's what it would mean."

Hearing Reina's words, Shedelielya also looked up at the sky.

Soaking in the hot springs, the two of them gazed up at the night sky together.

"...Do you think the day will come when I can talk with my brother and smile again?"

"I hope so."

"Yes..."

The Saint and the Songstress.

For a while, the two silently enjoyed the hot springs and the starry sky.