Chapter 121: The Holy Son’s Attire

“Can you really… give me freedom?”

Roman still couldn’t quite believe it.

After all, in his impression, the Pope was always associated with solemnity, holiness, and being unapproachable.

Even a merciful Pope only showed mercy when their bottom line wasn’t crossed.

Letting the Holy Child leave the Holy City and be with a lowly Countess without a formal match probably counted as a line Sylvia couldn’t cross.

“Of course.”

Sylvia stroked Roman’s long hair affectionately, and at the same time, her body quietly leaned a little closer to him.

Roman hesitated for a moment but didn’t avoid her.

Sylvia gradually leaned over along the edge of the bed, placing her arm gently on his shoulder while touching his hair.

Because Roman was still undressed, when he felt Sylvia’s slightly cold palm on his shoulder, he couldn’t help but shift his body a little.

Sylvia’s lips curled into a barely noticeable smile.

Children are just children—stubborn, yet so cute when they can’t refuse others’ ‘kindness.’

He had no idea how to reject her.

To make a child trust you, the first step was to close the physical distance so they’d instinctively accept you as someone approachable.

Then, you could slowly break down the remaining defenses.

If she had sternly refused Roman’s request just now, he wouldn’t have let her get close, no matter what past she had with Lainie.

In that case, she’d be forced to use harsher means to make Roman submit, which would only push him further away.

It’d be mutual destruction.

In the end, Roman wouldn’t find happiness elsewhere, and if Sylvia really resorted to that, she’d have no face left to remember Lainie.

“Good child, you’ve suffered so much these years~”

Sylvia gently pulled Roman’s head to her shoulder, speaking with heartache.

In that moment, when Roman looked up, he saw the nostalgia and sorrow in Sylvia’s eyes and understood she was reminded of his mother.

So, he pretended not to notice, letting Sylvia hold him in a gentle embrace.

“Since I brought you here so suddenly, is there anything you want to do?”

Roman thought for a moment.

The most important thing about staying in the Lily Territory was the Curse of the Lady.

Last night, he had seen Sylvia personally destroy that thing called Lola’s Parasite Demon with a cruel Heart-Gouging Technique, but without a complete answer, he still felt uneasy.

“Is it Lady Catherine?”

Sylvia asked, as if she could read his mind.

“Mm.”

Roman replied softly.

“Hehe.”

Sylvia let out a gentle laugh.

“Last night could be said to be the most triumphant day of Lady’s life. The curse was lifted, the hidden danger removed, and thanks to your ‘help,’ she advanced to the Sanctuary in one stroke.”

At the mention of ‘help,’ Roman’s heart sped up, and he looked at Sylvia’s smiling face, feeling as if there was hidden meaning.

But one thing was certain—this time, Lady Catherine truly broke and rebuilt herself, emerging anew.

The troubles of the past faded away with the events of last night.

“Then I’m relieved…”

Roman nodded.

“Not only that.”

Sylvia suddenly added, making Roman look over curiously.

“Last night, I had a friendly chat with Catherine. She said after you become the Holy Child, she’ll make time to come see you and continue teaching you.”

At these words, Roman’s eyes couldn’t help but fill with excitement and joy.

“Really?”

He even took her arm on his own.

Sylvia watched silently, smiling on the surface but a little unhappy inside.

Just hearing Catherine would visit made you this happy?

She wondered if pushing all the blame onto Catherine last night had just been her wishful thinking.

After all, it takes two to make a sound.

If Roman truly had no feelings for Catherine, how could he have sacrificed himself to save her?

Even the most generous person couldn’t go that far…

A flicker of uncertainty flashed deep in Sylvia’s eyes.

Children starved for love are always easy to deceive.

She knew it, and surely Catherine did, too.

But if you offer a bit of light, he’ll feel warmth as if basking in the sun.

Catherine probably didn’t have to put in much effort to win Roman over in the end.

The Lily Countess was the same.

These two—one big, one small—really…

The more Sylvia thought about it, the more it felt like venomous snakes were coiling around her heart, hissing from time to time.

Lainie’s departure had never been something she could be at peace with.

Countless times, she wanted to slip away and find her, but in the end, various reasons made her give up.

If only she could have let go of her meager pride sooner, found Lainie, saved her, confessed her feelings, and accepted Roman…

Just thinking about it was a beautiful scene—more stirring than the moment she first held the Pope’s staff.

But the more beautiful the fantasy, the more painful reality becomes.

Sylvia closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them again, gazing at Roman.

At least for Roman, after being accepted by the Lily Territory, he lived happily, and that was already a good ending.

What she needed to do now was make him even happier—so happy he’d never want to leave, like an emperor lost in pleasure.

“By the way.”

Sylvia glanced out the window and stood up.

Roman looked at her, confused, and saw her open a wardrobe.

“For today’s ceremony, you need to wear something befitting your status.”

She took out a neatly folded set of clothes and brought them over.

Roman looked at the white robe embroidered with gold, and opened it curiously.

But when he saw the full outfit, he realized something was wrong.

“This…this is clearly a girl’s dress, isn’t it?!”

Roman instantly recalled his early days in the Lily Territory.

With no proper clothes, he had to endure the chilly touch and awkwardness, carefully supporting skirts for days.

From plain dresses to maid outfits to luxurious princess gowns—those days let Luo Xiya feast her eyes and hands…

In fact, Roman gradually adapted, even finding some joy in it.

But now, to wear a dress in front of the entire continent’s delegations…

Roman’s pale, cute face began to show signs of steaming, heating up rapidly.