"What are you thinking about, Father Lucian?" Theo's voice broke through Lucian's thoughts as he appeared at the door.

  Theo had been acting more casually since their last conversation.

  As Lucian had expected, Theo had used the opportunity to pry into his past when Marcus had stayed in the room with him.

  The young Paladin had discovered that Lucian had lost his memories after being near death, but beyond that, nothing had changed.

  Though Theo had returned to his usual demeanor, Lucian could still catch the occasional suspicious glint in his eyes.

  "Ah, you've returned," Lucian greeted, his tone light but calculating.

  "As you ordered," Theo replied with a nod, glancing back at the carriage he had brought with him.

  Lucian stepped closer to inspect it. The carriage was packed to the brim with stacks upon stacks of parchment, neatly bound and piled high.

  "Wow! How did a horse even manage to pull all of this?" Lucian asked with a raised eyebrow in awe.

  "It didn't," Theo answered, unfazed.

  Lucian's gaze shifted to the front of the carriage. No horse.

  "Oh… of course, the horse was a monster," Lucian teased, unable to suppress a grin.

  "A handsome monster," Theo smirked in return, clearly enjoying the banter.

  Lucian laughed softly.

  "What?! All of this parchment… this must've cost a fortune," Leo exclaimed, stepping forward to inspect the load.

  Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  Lucian raised an eyebrow.

  Given how rare books were in this world, it stood to reason that parchment would be just as much of a luxury.

  But Theo had claimed he would handle the cost, and Lucian hadn't thought too much about it since. Still, Leo's reaction made him curious.

  Theo shrugged nonchalantly. "I'm a Paladin."

  Of course. Lucian thought with a sly smile. The church pays you well.

  Before Lucian could respond, a child peered up from the corner, looking to Leo. "Teacher, may I ask a question?"

  "Well then, I'll go back to the children," Leo said, his focus already shifting to his students.

  Lucian looked around at the bustling scene.

  "Is something wrong?" Theo asked, raising an eyebrow at Lucian's distracted gaze.

  "Come with me." Lucian motioned for Theo to follow him, the tone of his voice leaving no room for argument.

  The two made their way toward the convent, the familiar creaking of the old wooden floors accompanying their steps. Lucian led Theo to a small, secluded room, closing the door behind them with a soft click.

  Theo smirked. "I didn't realize you were this bold, Father."

  "Sigh. Just follow me." Lucian sighed, not in the mood for Theo's teasing.

  They were alone.

  And Lucian's smile faded.

  "We can't, Lucian." Theo's voice dropped into a mock serious tone, his eyes widening as if he were the maiden in a romance novel about to be harassed.

  Lucian stared at him, appalled.

  Theo burst out laughing. "Just kidding… you have no sense of humor."

  Lucian raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

  "Anyway," Lucian continued, his grin fading into a more serious expression, "I see you're quite well off. Please, help me find a treasure."

  Theo couldn't help but smirk. "Hmm. Is this related to the rumors I've been hearing among the villagers? Did you know how surprised I was when they asked me about this 'diary' I supposedly discovered? As expected, it was your doing."

  Lucian didn't flinch. "Sorry. Yes. But that's beside the point. We'll get lynched at this rate. When they realize we've deceived them—"

  "Correction. You've deceived them," Theo interrupted, his eyes gleaming with mock reproach.

  Lucian gave him a sharp look. "I know. But I did it for the greater good. My people deserve to at least know how to read and write. If a lie is what they needed to be motivated to study, I won't hesitate to lie again and again."

  Besides, having citizens who can think logically for themselves will make my reign much easier.

  He paused for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly as he thought about the bigger picture.

  Theo sighed, his shoulders slumping in resignation. "I'll prepare for it."

  Lucian felt a surge of satisfaction.

  As expected. This goody two-shoes won't hesitate if it's for the people.

  "Really?!" Lucian's tone brightened, his smirk turning sly. "Thank you."

  "Also, since you're quite loaded, how about giving me some budget later?" Lucian suggested with a sly grin.

  Theo stared at him with a mix of disbelief and amusement. "You're quite shameless, don't you think?"

  Lucian shrugged. "Just think of it as rent."

  Theo sighed, rubbing his forehead. "What happened to you that changed you like this? I don't remember you being this greedy."

  Lucian sensed another probing question coming, the same sharp curiosity he'd felt earlier. He didn't want to entertain it.

  "Hmm. Come to think of it, it's already dark. Gotta cook now. Bye!" Lucian gave him a quick wave before disappearing around the corner, leaving Theo alone in the dimming room.

  "But— There will be a banquet tonight."

  Theo groaned, pressing his fingers to his temples. "Sigh. I already warned you, yet you still run."