Hearing Aiwass's words, "Lulu's" body visibly relaxed a great deal.
She softly called out Aiwass's codename, but the moment she spoke, she hesitated again, "Are you really... Mr. Fox?"
For some reason, she sensed a faint sense of danger emanating from him.
It was as if she was about to be deceived or poisoned... yet she detected no malice or intent to kill.
"I've just used Illumination Art. I think that's proof enough of my identity."
"Ah, you're right..."
After calming down, Lulu quickly realized how foolish her question had been—it made her feel ashamed and regretful.
She was ashamed because she felt too nervous and likely couldn't be of much help, possibly even hindering her companions; she felt regret because such a simple deduction should have easily occurred to her normally, but now her mind felt blank.
Suddenly, Aiwass placed a finger to the lips of "his wife."
The unexpected physical contact from the opposite sex made her eyes widen, and the platinum-haired lady's gaze showed the innocence and shyness of a young girl.
Only then did she dare to look directly at her "husband," the father of her child, for the first time.
Never mind the opposite sex, she rarely even had friends of the same sex in her daily life. People might not fear her because of her status, but they would surely keep their distance because of her troublesome state, being close to the decline of the royal lineage and the possibility of being cursed to death at any moment—no one wants trouble, especially trouble they cannot afford.
She had not dared to look at him before because they were too close.
Lulu didn't even know what she looked like at this moment... but the young man in front of her with black curls and deep blue eyes reminiscent of the ocean was at most in his twenties, certainly young and handsome. His priest's robe gave him an aura of chaste reassurance and solemnity.
In that instant, Lulu subconsciously wanted to paint him.
It was not out of any special affection.
It was simply because her "aesthetic vision" sensed the inspiration of this moment—
Dressed in white priestly garb, the gold-rose embroidered collar stood tall, hiding his Adam's apple. A single strong arm effortlessly cradled a four-year-old child, while the other hand reached out, gesturing in front of her lips. The Cathedral of Candle Master provided the lighting around him... it was a dim yet brilliant paradoxical light. With profound features like those of a Mycenaean sculpture, his deep blue eyes reflected the flames rising from the candlestick behind Lulu, sparkling with the red brilliance of ocean-blue sapphires against the flame.
The man's face bore a compassionate solemnity, yet Lulu vaguely sensed a casual "mockery," much like his codename "Fox," suggesting inscrutability. But at the same time, she could feel no hostility from him, instead, a purely kind intention, and the strong sense of security that comes from a reliable adult male.
Watching Lulu suddenly fall silent, Aiwass said nothing more, simply glancing towards the front of the cathedral.
Following his gaze, Lulu realized her voice might have been too loud.
"...I'm sorry, Mr. Fox."
She was somewhat annoyed with herself, "I can't do anything right..."
Aiwass said casually.
If you did everything right, I wouldn't feel at ease.
Just be willing to follow orders.
The rest is mine to handle.
Lulu saw the man in front of her withdraw his right hand, gently stroking the back of their child's head. Once more, warm light spilled from between his fingers, with his fingertips seeming to light up with a golden outline. It was like golden sunlight passing through the stained-glass sculptures in the Hall of Silver and Tin, casting a circle of light on the wall full of runes.
It was not blinding, nor dazzling.
His fingertips pierced by that light seemed to become transparent, giving off a reddish-golden glow. It was like the setting sun about to go down, or the rising sun about to ascend.
This color... the color of "Illumination," I've remembered it.
As she was entranced, Aiwass suddenly said in a soft voice, "The curse has been dispelled by me."
"So powerful... wait, wait, the Illumination Art used by your right hand?"
Only then did Lulu realize something, "Have you already become so proficient?"
Being able to use Illumination Art with the right hand for ten seconds without interruption, steadily outputting two units of mana, is one of the graduation requirements of the Theological Seminary at the Royal Law Academy. The right hand is by nature more attuned to Darkness, and the output of Light attribute mana could be interrupted at any absent-minded moment.
In church work, not all situations permit the use of the left hand for casting spells. There are special circumstances where the left hand cannot be used, and it is in these moments that the proficiency of casting spells with the right hand is tested.
The man in front of her had even used Illumination Art with his right hand for fifteen seconds in a row, effortlessly. The Light did not extinguish nor dim even once, nor did he show any signs of strain or fatigue.
This was a continuous output of no less than three standard units of mana...
"...so Mr. Fox, you've actually already graduated, haven't you?"
She lowered her voice and leaned in to press further, "Have you joined the church yet?"
For some reason, the tension had vanished. In its place were curiosity and frustration.
Her own first semester of sophomore year was more than halfway over, and she hadn't completed her advancement... yet this possible "senior" had already achieved a standard that was difficult even for graduates to reach.
Aiwass spoke indifferently.
He really didn't see anything wrong with it. Although Bishop Mathers had reminded him when teaching the Sacred Arts, to mainly use his left hand until he could cast spells with his right hand effortlessly and without the need for focused visualization.
But Aiwass had managed to successfully cast a spell with his right hand and treat Yulia that very day—he hadn't even realized he was using his right hand, just instinctively extending his usual hand.
"It wasn't a complicated curse. Rather than intending to kill someone... it's more of a tracker. Now that I've destroyed the curse, it might stall the enemy for a while.
"Also," Aiwass extended a finger, flicking a glow towards Lulu's eyes which startled her into closing them, then he added nonchalantly, "Don't ask about real-life matters. Otherwise, don't blame me for coming after you."
Lulu nodded her head apologetically.
Aiwass smiled amiably as he spoke.
The worship service was drawing to a close, and he naturally took Lulu's hand in his. Lulu's fingers shrank back in fright for an instant, but quickly recalling the requirements of her mission, she pretended to grip his hand naturally.
Aiwass, taking an inch and wanting a mile, intertwined his fingers with hers. He then pulled her up directly from the bench.
As if leading a partner in a social dance.
"Don't be so stiff, and don't be afraid."
Aiwass said composedly, "You are now my wife."
"...Yes, that's right."
He carried the child and took Lulu's hand as they left the main hall of the Cathedral of Candle Master. However, he did not leave the cathedral. Instead, he found a small, unoccupied chapel and led his "wife" inside.
The moment he closed the door, Lulu felt her heart stop for a beat.
She suddenly opened her eyes wide.
...What is he going to do?
"Come, hold the child."
Aiwass's voice was low and gentle as he passed the baby boy into her arms.
Lulu instinctively, and very cautiously, took "Little Aiwass" into her arms.
"Little Aiwass," weary from having the curse lifted, now seemed tired. Just like taking a hot bath when exhausted. As the discomfort ebbed away, the sense of sleepiness and security flooded his consciousness.
He had been curled up in his father's fragrant arms, warm with scents of musk, sandalwood, and vanilla, listening to the long-winded worship. His eyes briefly opened only to close for much longer periods.
When handed over from his father to his mother, he momentarily awoke.
"There, good child..."
Lulu looked at the child's tender and lovely face, unable to resist a sincere, faint smile.
She spoke softly, holding the baby boy who still smelled of milk in her arms.
She had taken care of her own younger brother before, so she knew how to hold a baby. But even so, Lulu held him very carefully... as if she were holding someone else's child, fearing accidentally letting him slip and fall.
"Practice a bit for now. It won't do to go out on the street . People will think the baby is snatched by you."
Aiwass's hands were in his pockets as he leaned against the door, tilting his head with one ear pressed against it. His eyes half-closed as if he were napping.
At the same time, he opened his mouth to ask softly, "Do you know how to sing a lullaby, Lulu?"
This time Lulu's reply was firm, filled with confidence.
"First, lull the child to sleep, then we'll leave," Aiwass added. "Let the child sleep soundly... use all your strength."