The Emperor Is My Brother's Best Friend
Ch. 91

Kate kept silent, unable to pretend ignorance any longer.

She sighed and rubbed her forehead.

"You want to know the truth? Maybe it's Tristan's future. Actually, both the High Priestess and I have been experiencing ominous precognitive dreams not too long ago."

Kate surprisingly confessed.

"Is that so..."

Rose's expression darkened, and seeing this, Kate continued.

Kate loved the empire deeply.

The Tristan Empire was her birthplace and where she grew up. It was a land where the hand and breath of the gods touched every corner, even if people didn't fully comprehend it.

"I— Rose…"

Kate began. God had instructed her to remain silent and passive until the roses bloomed. However, today, for the first time, she decided to defy God's will.

"God has spoken to me. He wishes for Rose Honeywell to become Tristan's Gloria."

"God...? Why?"

"He didn't tell me why."

The Gloria of Tristan. God's desire for me to assume that role was not solely God's will. Nina West also desired it.

Rose clenched her fists.

"What in the world is Tristan's Gloria? Why does it have to be me?"

"I don't know either. Do you, Lady Rose? Do you know the cause of Tristan's sea of fire?"

Rose remained silent.

The truth about Abaddon, passed down in folklore, was knowledge restricted to the royal family, the Proud family, and the Honeywell family.

Rose hesitated.

Could I reveal the Imperial Family's and two noble families' closely guarded secrets to Kate, even though she possessed knowledge of the future?

"Kate, I think such a future may come to pass once the seal on the monster is broken."

"The seal of the monster?"

Rose delved into the tale of Abaddon, explaining the presence of the soul within her body and someone's apparent intent to resurrect the monster by targeting that very soul.

After their lengthy conversation, Kate arrived at a conclusion.

"Lady Rose, I've come here today to inform you that I've deemed you qualified as Tristan's Gloria."

"Is that why you rejected the previous candidates for their lack of qualifications?"

"That was my initial thought, but my judgment was sincere. It appeared to me that their souls were clouded... like..."

"Like?"

Rose pressed for an explanation.

While she awaited further explanation, Kate merely shook her head, keeping her silence.

"It's nothing. Anyway, I will inform the High Priestess that Tristan's Gloria has been chosen this year."

Kate had made her decision, causing Rose to suppress a chuckle within herself.

Among the candidates, she was undoubtedly the most unexpected choice, despite likely having other candidates with purer minds and bodies.

It felt as though external forces had conspired to make her Tristan's Gloria.

However, Rose decided to view the situation differently.

Okay, maybe it worked out. I can use this opportunity to inquire about Ilya Titonsser's whereabouts from Nina West.

Being Tristan's Gloria came with great honor, and not even Elliot would dare approach her. While he had gone to the Rosenberg marquisate, effectively preventing contact with her, she knew this arrangement was temporary.

It was only a matter of time before he returned to the capital.

Rose clutched the fabric of her dress near her chest and moved to exit the purification room. Her body still felt heavy, and the oppressive atmosphere within the room made it difficult to breathe, but she resolutely left the chamber on her own two legs.

Once Rose departed, Kate, left alone in the white-walled chamber, closed her eyes and clasped her hands.

"Oh God. Was the unsealing of Abaddon the dire future you were trying to warn me about? And to prevent it, Rose Honeywell had to become Tristan's Gloria."

Kate knew that God wouldn't provide a direct answer to her questions, yet a gust of wind seemed to carry an unexpected response.

As she absorbed the message carried by the wind, Kate's eyes widened, and her trembling hand, which had covered her mouth, betrayed her shock.

"Ah, I see, but... Rose Honeywell... Was it a fate with no other choice but this...?"

After exiting the purification room, the weight that had burdened Rose lifted.

Her breathing became clear, and the dizziness in her head vanished.

Standing in front of the purification room's door, she noticed the increased noise in her surroundings.

She realized that the priestess who should have been guarding the door was nowhere to be seen.

Rose made her way back to her original position, where Lady Dawson, without needing to ask any questions, quickly informed her of the situation.

"Lady Honeywell, His Majesty is here!"

Rose reacted with surprise, and Lady Dawson couldn't help but smile at her reaction.

"When Lady Honeywell entered the purification room, His Majesty briefly visited and then went to see the High Priestess."

Rose was puzzled.

"Why is His Majesty here?"

Lady Dawson shrugged.

"Well, I don't have all the details. Oh, but Duke Proud is here too."

The announcement of Russell's arrival had already set Rose's heart racing, but now Elliot's unexpected presence added to her anxiety.

Hadn't Elliot been sent to the Marquise of Rosenberg's estate to distance himself from me temporarily?

Was he here for Abaddon's soul?

Anxiety showed in Rose's trembling fingertips as she touched them.

Soon after, the High Priestess, who had been absent to check on Nina's condition, returned. She was accompanied by Russell and Elliot.

The High Priestess ascended a nearby podium with Russell, who took a seat.

After scanning the room briefly, the High Priestess began to speak.

"All the candidates nominated to become the incarnation of the goddess have worked diligently. I was informed by Priestess Kate inside that Tristan's Gloria has been chosen."

The High Priestess's gaze locked onto Rose, and all eyes followed her lead.

Rose felt her body freeze under the sudden scrutiny.

"Congratulations, Lady Rose Honeywell. Come this way."

As the High Priestess gestured towards her, Rose began to move forward.

The gap between her and the High Priestess closed, as did the distance between her and Russell.

Five steps.

Four steps.

Only then did Rose raise her head, her gaze locking onto Russell as the distance between them narrowed.

It had only been six days since she last saw him, but even that short absence had left her yearning for him.

"Lady Honeywell, please bend your knees and kneel here."

A priestess instructed Rose as she stood before the High Priestess.

Obediently, she knelt on the cushion placed in front of her.

The priestess beside the High Priestess held a velvet-covered chest, atop which rested a leaf-shaped tiara.

The High Priestess carefully lifted the tiara, and Rose instinctively bowed her head, ready to receive it.

As the lightweight tiara touched her head, she felt a warm and comforting sensation wash over her.

Perhaps it was the craftsmanship from the temple, but the tiara seemed to imbue her with an aura of sacred elegance.

She exuded a presence so divine that it could rival even that of a true goddess.

At that moment, Russell was awestruck by her radiance.

Trying to keep his eyes open, he rose from his chair, preparing to deliver a congratulatory message as the emperor.

As he took a step forward, however, Rose's body suddenly staggered.

The gleaming tiara slipped from her head and made a clear, delicate sound as it hit the ground.

Before the High Priestess and the other priestesses could react, Russell had already lunged forward to catch her.

"Rose!"

Russell called out her name, rushing to hold her small frame in his arms as they both tumbled to the floor.

Rose, now cradled in Russell's embrace, gasped for breath, her face etched with distress.

"High Priestess Heilman! What's happening to her?"

Russell demanded an explanation, his brow furrowing in concern. The High Priestess hurriedly kneeled in front of him, her gaze shifting between the two of them.

"This... this..."

The High Priestess appeared flustered, her discomfort evident.

As the other candidates, Elliot, knights, and priestesses below the podium watched intently, they waited for the High Priestess's explanation.

"First, let's move Lady Honeywell to a safer place."

The High Priestess finally decided how to go about the situation when she was interrupted.

The person who spoke in place of the High Priestess was Kate, who had just emerged from the Purification Room.

Sensing the current situation, she swiftly recommended relocating Rose without any hesitation.

As Russell rose to his feet, still holding Rose in his arms, the High Priestess hesitantly stood up as well.

She addressed Russell with uncertainty.

"Your Majesty, it might be better to entrust Lady Rose Honeywell to the priests."

Someone called for a stretcher to be brought, and Russell waited to lay Rose down when they arrived.

"Your Majesty…"

A soft voice caught his attention, along with a gentle tug on his clothing.

"Rose, are you well? Have you regained your senses?"

Russell asked, his concern evident.

With her face glistening with sweat, Rose looked up at him.

Tears welled in her red eyes as she spoke.

"Your Majesty, it hurts so much."

"Please be patient. The priestesses are coming."

Russell began to reassure her.

"Please…"

Rose's grip on Russell's clothes tightened. She buried her face in his chest, her voice filled with anguish.

"High Priestess Heilman, take us to the room."

Russell instructed firmly.

"Your Majesty…! The stretcher, now…!"

But the High Priestess insisted on laying Rose down before they could treat her.

As Russell attempted to walk while carrying Rose, the High Priestess blocked his path.

How could the emperor be carrying someone in his arms?

The High Priestess's face grew pale as she turned her head, contemplating asking for assistance from the knights nearby.

Elliot, the commander-in-chief of the Imperial Knights, was also present, making him a potential aid.

However, the High Priestess couldn't bring herself to request help from Elliot.

"Heilman, didn't you hear me? Take us to the room immediately."

Russell's voice took on a dangerous edge, hinting at his diminishing patience.

The High Priestess, unaware of the depth of Russell's concern for Rose, found herself in a quandary and was at a loss for how to handle the situation.

Kate stepped in on her behalf.

"Your Majesty, this way. Priestess, please guide us to the room."

Russell followed the priestess who had turned to provide guidance, and as Kate began to move, she whispered something to the High Priestess.

"High Priestess, it seems that His Majesty and Lady Rose share a special bond."

"What?!"

The High Priestess was taken aback by this revelation.

"I will check on Lady Rose's condition. Please conclude the matters here."

Kate responded, feigning ignorance to the High Priestess's question before swiftly moving on.

Inside Kate's room, located near the Purification room, only Russell, Rose, and Kate remained after the priestess who had guided them took her leave.

"Why did Rose's condition suddenly change like that?"

Russell inquired, clearly puzzled by the sudden turn of events.

Kate observed Rose, who lay on the bed, her thoughts racing.

The reason behind Rose's sudden collapse was foreseeable.

Kate gently smoothed Rose's disheveled hair and wiped the sweat from her face, offering reassurance.

"Relax, and you'll be fine."

"Why did Rose suddenly collapse?"

Russell pressed for answers, forcing Kate to begin to explain.

"The tiara given to the Gloria of Tristan contains incredibly potent divine power. Inside Rose, there resides the soul of Abaddon, pure evil itself. When she came into contact with the tiara's divine power, it caused her to go into shock."

Russell's gaze sharpened as he looked at Kate, who appeared to be aware of why he reacted so strongly.

"I heard a brief account with Rose. We discussed the soul of Abaddon."

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