Chapter 23
"My name is Reina. It's a pleasure to meet you."
""
Reina, who had just won over Carrot Laurel, her soon-to-be stepsister, at the entrance, proceeded to greet the head and heir of the Duke Laurel family.
Seeing Reina gracefully pinch her skirt and bow her head, the two men who would become her stepfather and stepbrother were left speechless.
"Ah, thank you for coming. I am Zeron't, the head of the Duke Laurel family. You may think of me as your real father if you wish."
(So this is the Saint... I see, what overwhelming beauty and presence...!)
The head of the Duke Laurel family, Zeron't Laurel, groaned inwardly.
He had heard that the newly discovered Saint came from a commoner background, but the moment he saw her, any thought of looking down on her vanished.
Reina was dazzlingly beautiful, and her manners were flawless.
Every single movement was so refined that it would be easy to believe she was a noble lady from a family of marquis or higher.
(To think we were fortunate enough to adopt this girl... If Carrot becomes queen and takes the center of the kingdom, and Reina reigns at the pinnacle of the shrine as the Saint, our family's power will be unmatched...)
"Yes. It's a pleasure to meet you... Father-in-law."
"Ugh...!"
Though Zeron't was burning with ambition inside, when Reina turned her radiant smile toward him, a wave of guilt suddenly washed over him.
(C-Can I really use this girl as a political tool? Why does it feel like I'm doing something terribly wrong...!?)
Though a worldly man like Zeron't couldn't see it, divine light—an ongoing miracle from the gods—was shining from Reina's back.
Bathed in that holy light, which burned away evil, Zeron't was slowly being purified.
""
Meanwhile, the other man present... Zabel Laurel, the heir of the Duke Laurel family, stood there, mouth agape, captivated by Reina.
Though Zabel was to be Reina's stepbrother, his eyes clearly reflected lust, and even the divine light couldn't purify his swelling carnal desire.
"Hey, Zabel. Shouldn't you introduce yourself too?"
""
"Zabel!"
"H-Huh, yes!?"
Called again by his father, Zabel straightened his back in a panic.
"I-I'm Zabel Laurel... the eldest son of the Duke Laurel family, which makes me your brother!"
"Yes. It's a pleasure to meet you, Brother-in-law Zabel."
"Ugh...!"
Seeing Reina greet him with a smile, Zabel snorted heavily through his nose.
(She's so beautiful...! I will make her my wife, no matter what...!)
With eyes gleaming, Zabel swore firmly in his heart.
This man, harboring lust that even a divine miracle couldn't purify... was actually one of the romanceable characters in 'Beyond the Rainbow Gleam'.
In the game, he was a gentlemanly nobleman, but Reina's beauty had completely ensnared him, turning him into a slave to desire.
"A-Anyway, please take your time today and rest from your journey... We didn't have time to prepare a room, so please use the guest room for tonight."
Zeron't said after clearing his throat.
In truth, he had never intended to keep a commoner-born Saint in the house for long and had planned to send her to the Grand Shrine immediately, so no room had been prepared.
"We'll have your room ready by tomorrow. Please make yourself at home as if it were your own house."
"Thank you very much, Father-in-law... However, that won't be necessary."
"Hm?"
"I plan to go to the Grand Shrine as early as tomorrow. I wish to begin my training right away."
"Y-You don't have to rush so much! This is your home. Please stay and relax!"
Zabel said in a flustered tone.
He had finally met a woman surpassing even his ideals, and now they were already saying goodbye—it was unbearable.
Once she began training at the Grand Shrine, there was no telling when she might return... and with her beauty, there was a very real chance other suitors would appear.
"I've heard you've already mastered the basics of Holy Arts. There's no need to rush to the Grand Shrine!"
"...As Zabel said, why not stay here at least until you enter the academy?"
Zeron't also pleaded, but Reina simply shook her head without losing her gentle smile.
"No... As the Saint, I wish to fulfill my duty as soon as possible."
"Mmm... but still..."
"There's someone I wish to catch up to, even if only a little. That's why I can't afford to stand still."
""
"I deeply apologize to everyone at the Duke Laurel family who agreed to support me..."
"No... If you feel that strongly, then it can't be helped."
Sensing something unshakable in Reina's firm tone, Zeron't nodded.
"If anything happens, please rely on the Duke family anytime. Don't hold back, understand?"
"Yes, thank you very much! Father-in-law!"
""
Reina and Zeron't exchanged smiles, but only Zabel wore a darkened expression, looking deeply troubled.
Zabel Laurel, one of the romanceable characters... Neither of the smiling pair noticed the desire smoldering in his heart.