Chapter 33: Apostle of Love

“She is coming.”

Renee’s body stiffened when Vera said those words. At the main gate of the Grand Hall, they were waiting for the Apostle of Love to return. Renee was nervous, curious about the two Apostles she had never met.

Vera was also on edge, but for different reasons. Hoping for a normal person, he squinted, trying to make out the approaching figure. He wanted to describe her to Renee.

“...She looks like an old woman,” he said, the first thing he noticed was her age, visible from a distance.

He continued, describing her features. “Her hair is white and tied back, and her waist is slightly bent. Her robes don’t have a single wrinkle, so she must like to be neat.” Renee nodded, taking in every detail.

“Do I look alright?” she asked, a sudden wave of self-consciousness hitting her.

Vera glanced at her. “You look beautiful.”

Renee’s body trembled. “Th-thank you…”

“I’m just stating the truth.”

She went silent, her cheeks burning. His words, though likely said without much thought, struck her differently. Her mind was in a whirl. She had hoped coming to the Holy Kingdom would calm her racing heart, but it was only getting worse.

Thoughts of Vera filled her mind even when they weren't together. His voice, the warmth of his hand, their conversations—they replayed constantly. She couldn't focus on her training in divine art or law.

‘Why am I like this?’ she wondered, her head bowed in confusion.

“Welcome.”

Vargo’s voice cut through her thoughts. Renee looked up. The Apostle of Love had arrived. Renee bit her lip, the tension returning.

“Yes, Your Holiness seems to be getting old,” a new voice said.

“You’re one to talk.”

“Hehe, I’m not as old as Your Holiness. Take that back.”

A friendly, teasing exchange. Vera, holding Renee’s hand, widened his eyes in surprise. He couldn't believe Vargo, a man who respected no one, was tolerating this. He wondered what the Apostle had done to earn such respect.

The Apostle of Love, in the middle of a playful argument with Vargo, glanced past him and saw the look on Vera’s face. She narrowed her eyes.

Vargo turned. “Ah,” he said, then spoke to Renee. “Saint, this is Theresa, the Apostle of Love. Please greet her.”

“Ah, hello!” Renee bowed. She was as shocked as Vera at Vargo's respectful tone.

Theresa stepped forward, took Renee’s hand, and gently straightened her. “Nice to meet you, Saint. No need to be so polite.”

She smiled warmly at Renee. “You really are a sweet girl. When you grow up a little, you’ll win the hearts of all the men in the world.” She chuckled.

Renee let out an awkward laugh and, without thinking, looked at Vera.

Theresa’s eyes flickered from Renee to Vera. “Ah,” she said, seeing him. “You must be the Apostle of Oath. I’ve heard quite a bit about you. You’ve been a troublemaker, haven't you?”

“That’s ridiculous,” Vera replied, his brows furrowed. He bowed. “I’m Vera. It's a pleasure to meet you.”

“Yes, you too.”

He heard her laugh lightly. He wondered why she would say such a thing upon their first meeting.

Theresa looked at Vera, then back at Renee, her eyes sparkling. “You’re quite handsome for an Apostle,” she said mischievously.

“I’m flattered.”

“Well, what do you think?” Theresa asked Renee, watching her for a reaction.

Renee flinched, focusing her attention on Vera. Theresa saw this immediately, and the smile on her face widened.

‘This vacation is going to be fun,’ she thought.

---

After the introductions, Renee and Vera went into the Grand Hall’s conference room. Theresa was still with Vargo. In the quiet room, Renee thought about what Theresa had said.

“You look quite handsome.”

The words echoed in her mind. It was a simple description of Vera’s looks, but it made Renee realize something. She didn’t know what Vera looked like.

It was natural since she was blind, but she knew what everyone else looked like from Vera’s detailed descriptions. He was the only person she couldn’t picture.

A groan escaped her lips. ‘How do I ask this?’ she thought, her mind racing. It was a simple question, but her nervousness around Vera made her unable to just ask it. She worried he might think it was strange or that there was something wrong with her. She couldn’t think rationally when he was near.

Renee didn’t know it yet, but this strange feeling was a crush. She had never felt this way about anyone before, so she didn't know how to handle it. She closed her eyes tightly, her face growing hot.

“Lady Saint? What’s wrong?” Vera’s voice startled her.

She shot her head up. “Nothing!” she squeaked, her movements stiff. She fidgeted with her fingers, then decided to just ask it, no matter how awkward.

“Sir Knight.”

“Yes?”

“What do you… look like?”

Vera froze. He finally realized his mistake. How uncomfortable it must have been for her to spend every day with a person whose face she couldn't imagine.

“I apologize,” he said, full of regret. “I was so careless.”

“Y-yes?” Renee was flustered. She was just asking a question; why was he apologizing?

Before she could say anything else, Vera took her hand and placed it on his cheek.

“EH!” She was so surprised she couldn't move.

“Lady Saint?”

“E-E-Eh…” Her mind was blank for a moment, but then she slowly began to calm down, feeling the warmth of his skin.

Vera tilted his head slightly. “You can touch my face however you like. I’ll answer any questions you have.” He remembered how she had done this in his past life.

But for Renee, the words were like a spark. ‘Touch my face however you like.’ It was a very intense thing to say to a girl her age.

She gritted her teeth, her body feeling like a broken machine. Finally, she managed a small nod.

“Y-Yes!”

‘However I like. However I like. However I like.’ The words repeated in her head as she swallowed.

Vera moved his hand, and Renee’s hand slid from his cheek. She slowly stroked his face. His skin was a little rough but also soft and warm.

“So, um… what’s your skin color?” she whispered.

“I’m paler than most people. It’s probably because I spent my childhood in a place with little sunlight.”

His voice vibrated under her palm. She felt a shiver down her spine as she imagined a person with soft, fair skin.

“I see.” She moved her palm up, her thumb lightly touching his eyelashes.

“Oh, sorry.”

“It’s fine,” he said, closing his eyes. His eyelashes tickled her thumb as she traced his eyelids.

Renee’s body trembled. She swallowed hard. “What color are your eyes?”

“They’re the color of ashes. I’m sorry I can’t be more precise; I’ve never looked closely. I’ll check when I get back.”

“Oh, no! You don’t have to do that!”

‘Ashen color… so, gray.’ In her mind, she began to draw a picture. Sharp, gray eyes, fitting with the image of a delinquent she had in her head.

Her thumb moved to his eyebrows, which were straight, and then to his bangs.

“What color is your hair?”

“Black.”

‘Black hair. I thought it would be blonde.’ The picture in her mind was getting clearer.

She swept her hand down, tracing the high bridge of his nose and his jawline. As she got to his chin, her hand froze.

The last thing she hadn’t touched.

‘H-his lips…’

Her heart began to race. Her throat, which had been dry, now felt normal. Slowly, her thumb moved down his cheek. Her palm felt like it was on fire. She couldn’t tell if the heat was from his skin or from her own embarrassment.

Then, her thumb slipped. It pressed directly against his lips.

Renee gasped, pulling her hand away as if she had been burned. “Th-that should be enough!” she said loudly.

“Was it helpful?”

“Y-Yes! Yes! I think I get it now! Thank you!”

She said it all in a rush, then clenched her fists and sat up straight, her body stiff.

Vera tilted his head, confused by her sudden behavior. He leaned closer and gently adjusted her posture.

Badump. Badump.

Renee stayed perfectly still, terrified he would hear her heart pounding.