MPO

CHAPTER LXV-66

Lucas now escorted Leila with practiced ease. He wrapped his arm around her waist, guiding her slowly and lifting her gently whenever there was danger. Leila’s face gradually turned red from his actions, lifting and setting her down with one arm. It reminded her of their nights together and made her feel like a child, filling her with embarrassment.

Yet, she also felt immense joy. Until now, Anna had been the only one she could comfortably rely on, but Lucas was someone she could entrust herself to even more deeply and intimately than Anna.

“Don’t worry, your head won’t hit anything.”

His careful attention as she got into the carriage made Leila’s heart flutter. She wondered daily why this man treated her so well but couldn’t bring herself to ask.

With mixed feelings of joy and anxiety, she felt the carriage start to move. They hadn’t traveled long before the carriage stopped. As she prepared to get out, he whispered to her.

“I’d like you to cover your eyes with your hand from here.”

Although she had said she could see light, it wasn’t the same as seeing clearly, yet he made this request. Feeling a strange sensation, Leila covered her eyes with her hand. He then wrapped one arm around her shoulder and supported her elbow with the other.

Walking almost in his embrace, Leila soon realized they had arrived at a temple.

“Duke Bavenberg! What brings you here so suddenly?”

A very welcoming voice called out. Several footsteps followed. Leila was curious but couldn’t lower her hand because he was holding her elbow.

“I apologize for the sudden visit, Your Holiness.”

However, his next words made Leila lower her hand involuntarily.

“Oh dear… It seems my fiancée is startled by Your Holiness’s presence.”

“What? Have you become engaged already?”

Leila was so shocked she almost yelped. She wanted to correct him, but no words came out due to her surprise.

“We are in the process of preparing, but I cannot lie before Your Holiness.”

“Haha, you are ever faithful, Your Grace.”

“It’s not yet publicly known, so I would be grateful if you could keep it a secret for the time being.”

“Well, of course, I’d do anything for Your Grace, but…”

Leila thought she understood why the Pope was speaking this way. There were more sounds around them, indicating that others were likely watching.

She tried to say it wasn’t true, but Lucas quietly took her arm and made her cover her eyes again, as if telling her not to say anything.

“In fact, I’ve come to make a donation in anticipation of our engagement. And as a son of the church, I couldn’t proceed without Your Holiness’s blessing, which is why I came without prior notice.”

“Of course, Your Grace.”

“I apologize, but as I wish to offer a humble yet sincere prayer, could you ask the others to leave?”

“Yes, I understand. Everyone, withdraw!”

At the Pope’s command, the priests who had been trying to catch Lucas’s eye silently dispersed.

“Shall I guide you to the waiting room?”

In response to the Pope’s question, Lucas whispered in a very low voice so that others could not hear.