Then, while we were ignorantly enjoying our small peace, another storm hit us unexpectedly.

  It was a weekend. As usual, Aria visited the sanctuary to inject the divinity for the first prince. It has been added to her schedule since that day.

  It came as a surprise to us. On that day, you went to take a nap so you could wake up and greet Aria when she returned. However, what made that day unusual was that Aria arrived earlier than expected. I could get to the main gate to meet her on time.

  However, according to the eyewitness, she came back while crying. Upon getting out of the carriage, she rushed into her room and locked herself in. I sent Anna to check on Aria. And I went to ask Paul. Yet, he also did not know the details.

  As you are aware, according to the rule, no one is permitted to enter the sanctuary without permission. The first prince could stay there because he was not considered a ‘Man’. He was just a boy.

  And the permission could only be granted to one person at a time. And Duke Raven was the one who held that pass. So, Paul could not enter. And Andres… because of his previous nature, he was barred from entering it. And it was also Aria’s request to enter it alone.

  He told me that he heard the voice of a boy. It could be the first prince. Apparently, he woke up at that time. Yet, upon seeing Aria, he may have said something hurtful to her. So, she came back while crying.

  Paul, when he saw Aria crying, did not ask Duke Raven for details. He hurriedly took Aria back.

  After she returned, Aria’s condition began to deteriorate. She… before, she would at least ensure that no excessive harm was done to her. However, after that… She disregarded her safety altogether. She began conducting a dangerous experiment. She came close to injuring herself gravely multiple times. It was thanks to Anna, Maria, and other Saintess candidates that she was saved on time.

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  Sometimes, she did not sleep for a whole week. The only time she could sleep was when we forced her to take a nap with you.

  Since that day, each night, Paul would stay with you and me, while Andres would silently remain at the entrance of the saintess candidate hall. It was done so they can inform us about any news about Aria. Do you know, Lucy? Your grandpa almost went to the sanctuary alone to demand an answer.

  Only after nearly a month since that accident, we received news from the emperor. He asked us about the details of that event. Upon hearing that, Paul was also about to storm the palace. It was thanks to Andres, who held him long enough for Aria to intervene.

  Then, we decided to ask her about what happened on that day. Yet, she refused to answer. She only told us that the first prince had woken up. So, she may no longer need to go there.

  When we heard that, Paul and I silently looked at each other. We felt relieved to hear that. However, we also felt uneasy about it.

  It was uncharacteristic for Aria. He might have hurt her. If it were another person, we could accept it. However, it was Aria. It was not the first time someone had hurt her. Each time someone hurt her, she would always find it in her heart to forgive them. She never gets angry or holds a grudge against others.

  Yet, this time, it was different. Aria explicitly refused to visit the first prince again.

  However, looking back at Aria's condition when she returned that day and her subsequent behavior, Paul and I tacitly agreed not to pursue it further.

  Then, when I informed the emperor about Aria’s decision, do you know what happened next?

  He broke all the protocol. He almost came to us in person immediately. At the end, the first princess came to use the middle of the night.

  Yet, Aria could not receive her. She went to the library with Andres that night. It was noon the next day that we could arrange their meeting.

  At that time, when we heard that Aria would not go to the sanctuary again and would send the Holy Water, the first princess immediately fell to her knees.

  It was only with our firm persuasion that she agreed to stand up. Ultimately, Aria settled it by delivering in person. She firmly refused to meet the first prince again.

  When we asked her about her reason, she just told us that it was not her place to go, with a weak smile. She refused to elaborate further.

  Yet, at the end, she still kept her reckless behavior. It has become our primary concern.

  Thus, although Paul strongly opposed it, I decided to take another mindless action.