* * *

Lowell suddenly recalled that the novel had never described Felix as having been in a relationship or intimate with anyone. He let out a heavy sigh.

‘I thought it was just left out because it wasn’t relevant, but… there really was no one?’

Lowell felt a pang of guilt toward the young duke.

No matter how consensual the encounter had been, experiencing one’s first time in such a manner was bound to be unpleasant.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t think about that.”

Fully dressed now, Felix glared at Lowell, clearly displeased with his apology.

But his expression soon returned to its usual cold neutrality.

Before Lowell could say another word, Felix headed for the door with swift steps.

“I hope we never have to meet again.”

With a loud slam, the door shut, cutting off any connection between them.

Staring at the closed door, Lowell muttered to himself, “Now what am I supposed to do…?”

‘If Felix turns into the Demon King like this, doesn’t that mean I’ll end up dead?’

Lowell lay down on the bed, racking his brain for ways to approach Felix again naturally.

His contemplation didn’t last long.

Three days later, circumstances brought Lowell and Felix face-to-face over a meal.

“Eat as much as you like.”

The moment Felix’s eyes met Lowell’s, his expression twisted into a scowl.

In response, Lowell offered a playful smile instead of matching his grimace.

“Let’s skip the theatrics. Why don’t you just tell me why you called me here?”

Felix’s words were directed sharply at the high priest, who sat across the table with an amiable smile.

No matter how much Felix might be despised by the emperor, he was still a war hero and a duke with immense power.

Yet, because he wielded dark magic, the temple often treated him with disdain, something Felix clearly found unbearable.

‘Right, there was that dark magic incident 50 years ago when someone destroyed an entire territory with forbidden spells. Ever since then, dark mages have been ostracized. But even treating a duke this way? They must really believe in those superstitions.’

Lowell glanced at Felix out of the corner of his eye.

‘I guess being seen with me just makes it worse.’

Avoiding Felix’s piercing gaze, which had been fixed on him for some time now, Lowell focused on his salad.

The fragrant greens and creamy dressing made for an excellent distraction.

‘Food isn’t to blame, after all.’

As Lowell busied himself with his fork, he observed the tension between Felix and the high priest.

He was also curious about why they’d been summoned together.

“My apologies,” the high priest finally spoke.

“I had hoped to discuss matters after you had finished your meal. Was it inappropriate to disturb you while you’re still recovering, Your Grace?”

“I don’t care for beating around the bush. Get to the point.”

Most people would have been cowed by Felix’s intensity, but the high priest wasn’t easily intimidated.

He smoothly launched into his prepared statement.

Lowell, who had been about to reach for a quail dish, paused mid-motion.

“A divine oracle has been received.”

“And what does your exalted oracle have to do with me?”

Felix’s tone dripped with venom as he emphasized the word “exalted.”

Every syllable carried deep-seated contempt.

It was almost surprising that he refrained from outright blasphemy.

Meanwhile, Lowell felt an unshakable sense of unease.

‘Wait, this doesn’t match the story I know. There wasn’t supposed to be any oracle around this time…’

If the oracle involved a significant character like Felix, there was no way Lowell wouldn’t have remembered it from the original novel.

“I’ve heard that the two of you spent a sacred night together recently.”

Lowell, who prided himself on keeping his composure, nearly choked on his food.

It was no surprise that Felix’s face twisted with fury.

“Did you summon me here just to insult me with such drivel?”

Felix looked ready to flip the table and draw his sword.

The high priest, who had been acting confidently moments ago, recoiled in alarm.

Lowell noticed Felix stealing a quick glance at him.

“Wait, please hear me out!” the high priest pleaded, clearly terrified.

“I would never dare insult Your Grace. I am merely a servant of the divine, relaying the will of the gods.”

“Keep flapping that tongue of yours and see what happens.”

Felix’s patience was wearing thin.

‘This is getting out of hand…’

Lowell rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

In the Halo Empire, the temple didn’t hold much real power.

However, if Felix, already on the emperor’s bad side, harmed the high priest, it could result in severe consequences.

‘Felix might not care if he loses his lands or titles, but I do.’

Sighing, Lowell decided to intervene.

“Your Grace, I’m sure the high priest has a good reason for this. Let’s hear him out.”

Felix turned his sharp gaze toward Lowell.

Unlike the murderous look he’d given the high priest, this one was tinged with restrained annoyance.

“And now you’re siding with him? Are you giving me orders too?”

The biting response almost made Lowell chuckle.

Felix reminded him of a bristling black cat, and Lowell had to hold back a smile.

‘Well, there goes my pleasant meal.’

Apologizing silently to the chef for not fully appreciating the meal, Lowell approached Felix.

Gently, he placed a hand on Felix’s forearm, which was tense as if ready to unsheath his sword at any moment.

That simple touch seemed to deflate some of the tension in the air.

Felix remained still, unable to step back or pull away.

“I have a right to hear what this is about too, since I was summoned here as well.”

Lowell turned to the high priest, signaling him to speak quickly.

The high priest, seemingly adept at seizing opportunities, didn’t miss a beat.

“The god Kael has taken an interest in you both. There is a divine path set before you, and it is my humble request that you do not resist this calling.”

Kael, one of the deities revered in the Halo Empire, was known as the god of love and marriage.

Lowell narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the high priest for any signs of deceit.

“Stop beating around the bush, go directly to the point.”

Felix gritted his teeth so hard that the veins on his face became visible as he spoke.

“Are you seriously suggesting I should marry him?”

Though he wanted to push Lowell away, who was still holding onto him, Felix couldn’t bring himself to do so.

Instead, his voice was filled with anger as he asked the question.

The High Priest observed the two with a peculiar expression.

The Felix he knew would have shoved Lowell aside with a single sweep of his arm, leaving Lowell sprawled on the ground without sparing him so much as a glance.

Yet now, Felix couldn’t even shake off such a weak attempt to hold him back.

It seemed odd—something about him was off.

“How could I dare meddle in His Grace’s marriage? I merely intended to convey that this is the will of the divine.”

“What utter nonsense. I don’t care how many people have been manipulated under the guise of ‘divine will,’ but don’t expect me to play along.”

Feeling a sense of futility over the entire situation, Felix grabbed Lowell by the shoulders and pushed him away.

He thought he’d used a moderate amount of strength, but Lowell’s frail body stumbled back several steps, nearly toppling over.

Felix flinched at the sight and quickly turned his back as though nothing had happened.

“Don’t summon me for something so absurd ever again.”

“Your Grace, the blessing of the divine has already been bestowed. Someday, you’ll come to understand that there are currents in the world that cannot be resisted.”

“A warrior’s job is to fight against such currents, no matter how irresistible they seem.”

Lowell gazed at Felix’s broad back.

Beneath his clothes were likely countless scars, remnants of battles fought since he was a child.

Felix hesitated for a moment as if he might turn around, but then strode out of the temple with firm steps.

Lowell quickly followed.

“Your Grace!”

But Lowell’s frail body couldn’t keep up.

* * *