Bishop nodded without saying anything more. The Day of Divine Blessing was, after all, Bishop's busiest time. It seemed he had called Kenley over merely for matters concerning the nobles.
However, Kenley could tell that Bishop had more to say but chose to hold back. Even so, he was unwilling to linger in the cathedral with Tia, enduring the odd stares of others—especially since Tia was a vampire.
Tia's presence had already caught the attention of several nobles, and she had been accosted by some of the younger ones more than once.
By the time Kenley led Tia and Sylph out of the cathedral, it was already noon—the very peak of the Day of Divine Blessing celebrations.
"Sigh, Tia, time is like a stream that never stops. None of us can halt its flow. But I will cherish every second spent with you," Sylph said, holding Tia's hand.
Tia nodded, her eyes glistening with tears."I'll miss you, Sylph."
"I will too."
Kenley accompanied the two of them, walking slowly. Not far behind, Brook followed closely. As he watched the sky filled with flower petals and listened to their conversation, Kenley couldn't help but think of his original world.
"Well, I must be on my way, Tia," Sylph suddenly halted.
"Mm! Safe travels, Sylph."
At that moment, Sylph fixed her gaze on Kenley."Kenley!"
Kenley, who had been admiring the floral rain, was startled by her sudden call. What did Sylph want now?
"You wicked man! Once I leave, you better not bully Tia! Or I'll never forgive you!" Sylph pouted adorably, looking every bit like a spoiled young lady.
Kenley rolled his eyes."Rest assured, I promise—" He deliberately paused, drawing out his words,"—to bully Tia every day! That way, you'll never forgive me! Hahaha!"
"You! Y-You—!" Sylph raised a fist as if to punch him, her frustration evident.
"Alright, Sylph, I believe Master won't do anything unreasonable," Tia said with a playful wink.
Sylph's expression softened as she replied to Tia,"Tia, you trust him too much."
"Don't worry, Sylph," Tia chuckled softly, covering her mouth.
"Well then, I really must go now," Sylph sighed, taking a step back.
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"Mm, go quickly," Tia urged.
"You villain! I'm about to leave, and you don't even have anything to say?" Sylph complained, still unwilling to let Kenley off so easily.
Kenley shrugged deliberately."Sylph, don't forget you still owe me for that meal."
"It's just a meal! How petty. I'll have Uncle Brook pay you back, how about that? I'll call him right now—" Sylph truly believed Kenley was that stingy and made a move to call Brook over.
But Kenley interrupted her."Do I look like someone who needs money?"
"Then what do you want?" Sylph glared at him.
"I want you to owe me forever. That way, I'll always remember that a certain elven princess named Sylph owes me a debt," Kenley replied with a mischievous grin.
"Hah! You really are a greedy scoundrel!" Sylph huffed, failing to grasp the true meaning behind his words. Her tone grew colder.
Kenley sighed, rubbing his forehead."You're adorably naive! Forget it. If that's how you want to see it, I can't help it. Fine, I won't ask for the money anymore—consider it a gift. Oh, and by the way, Princess Sylph, travel safely." He chuckled mischievously.
That roguish attitude made Sylph want to punch him right then and there.
"Hmph! It's just a few filthy, stinking coins! How disgusting!" Sylph scoffed, seemingly taking Kenley's words at face value.
However, Tia, standing nearby, seemed to catch on to something. At first, she was confused, but after noticing Kenley's expression, she seemed to understand.
She simply chuckled to herself without revealing anything, watching the two bicker with great interest. In her heart, Tia believed that with Sylph's intelligence, she would eventually grasp the true meaning behind Kenley's words.
Kenley shrugged at Sylph's indignation, unbothered. The little princess was just too easy to fool… Well, she was still young, after all—no wonder she missed his point.
"Alright, alright. Look, your uncle is practically stomping his feet back there," Kenley said, nodding towards Brook, as if eager to see Sylph off.
"Hmph! Fine, I'm leaving!" With that, Sylph turned on her heel and strode off towards Brook without looking back.
"Owe you forever? Hah! As if! I'll go find Uncle Brook right now to pay you back and shut that greedy mouth of yours!" Sylph grumbled angrily as she walked, her heart brimming with frustration.
But as she walked, she suddenly recalled Kenley's sly grin and his words:"I want you to owe me forever…"
Wait—did he mean…?
Sylph spun around abruptly, only to find that the bustling crowd had already swallowed up Kenley and Tia's figures. They had vanished without a trace.
In that instant, an overwhelming emptiness struck her chest. She understood—she finally understood what Kenley had truly meant. But when she turned back, they were gone.
Tears slipped down her cheeks, and an indescribable sorrow welled up in her heart.
She stood amidst the crowd and shouted with all her might:"Kenley! I will remember you! Forever—! Forever—!"
Whether that scoundrel heard her or not, Sylph did not know. But as she cried out those words, her chest heaved violently with emotion.
Sylph knew that at this moment, a shadow of someone had firmly lodged itself in her heart. It seemed unlikely she would ever forget…
—---
"Master, are we really leaving just like that? Won't Sylph be sad…?" Tia looked back repeatedly with concern.
Kenley patted Tia's head gently."Don't worry. She's a very strong princess—just like you, Tia."
Tia's cheeks flushed."Master, if you praise me like that, Tia will feel shy."
At that moment, Kenley seemed to hear a voice calling out from the crowd. He stopped in his tracks, glancing back in the direction where Sylph had disappeared, a complicated look in his eyes.
Tia, who had also heard Sylph's voice, smiled softly."Master, it seems Sylph has figured it out."
Kenley looked into Tia's eyes and shrugged."See? She still can't forget I'm a scoundrel."
Tia couldn't help but giggle.
