“So, what must I do for you to trust me?”
Maria asked through gritted teeth.
“Mm…”
Roman lowered his head and hummed softly for a moment, then shook his head helplessly.
“To be honest, just thinking about Catherine Mama’s evaluation of you makes it hard for me to trust you completely.”
Tsk.
Maria couldn’t help but click her tongue inwardly, then forced a smile.
“So that means it’s a no?”
Roman examined Maria, fell silent again, then finally turned his gaze back to her and answered softly.
“Although you’re the one with a request, actually, I have a favor to ask of you as well.”
“Let’s do it this way. We can take things slowly. You grant me three Promises, and when I need them, I’ll call upon you. With my current position, if I ever need to cash in one of your Promises, it must be an extremely dangerous situation.”
“Once the three Promises are used up, by then our relationship will have deepened. If we talk about it again, I’ll most likely accept it.”
Roman pinched his own thumb, trying to appear calm.
After hearing Roman’s words, all of Maria’s previous expressions vanished, replaced by a faint smile.
“Little Highness, are you asking me to work for you unconditionally?”
“And according to you, even if I fulfill the three Promises, you still might not give yourself to me, right?”
“Naturally.”
Roman replied without backing down at all.
“I’m the Holy Child of the Church, Fara’s Holy Child, not one of those people on Flower Street with marked prices. I’m not bargaining with you as an equal; I’m simply giving you an opportunity to associate with me.”
“Who knows, if your skills are impressive, you might even win my favor before the three Promises are up.”
“After all… I’m actually very easy to fool.”
At the end, Roman curled his lips into a beautiful smile, causing Maria to stare in a daze for a moment.
After a while, she let out a soft laugh and responded.
“Easy to fool? You’re a little fox who’ll use any means, aren’t you… Protected by the Holy Throne, yet so insecure? Why don’t you come into big sister’s arms? I’ll take good care of you~”
By now, she was too lazy to hide anything, and spoke in a low, gentle voice.
“Putting all your eggs in one basket is a foolish act. Although the Holy Throne cares for and values me, I can’t rely entirely on her.”
Roman said quietly.
“So… I’m not your only basket, either?”
Maria asked.
Roman’s silence was an admission.
Maria nodded, feeling secretly impressed in her heart.
This child, not even of age yet, but already so calculating.
She glanced at Milis beside her and Rosetta in the distance, pondering for a moment before nodding.
“Do you agree?”
Ignoring Maria’s previous words, Roman asked again.
“Your Highness is willing to give me an opportunity to associate, so of course, I accept gratefully.”
Maria bowed slightly in respect.
On the surface, that was her response, but in reality, her actions were far from honest. She quietly took Roman’s right hand and pressed a light kiss upon it.
“My Princess, from now on, I will do everything in my power to protect you.”
Roman blushed, trying to withdraw his hand, but Maria held it tightly, rubbing it in her palm.
“If possible, I hope you can agree to a small request from me, too.”
Maria said boldly.
“Mm?”
Roman pretended not to hear.
Maria ignored him, pressing on.
“Since we’re associated, naturally I need some sweet rewards for my efforts. Will Your Highness agree?”
Roman immediately pretended to be shy, shook her hand free, and left without a word.
Watching Roman’s retreating figure, Maria recalled their earlier conversation, finding herself savoring it more and more.
“Your Highness, I haven’t given you the ‘Promise’ yet.”
She quickly caught up and placed something into Roman’s hand.
“When you want me, inject magic into this Necklace, and I’ll arrive as quickly as possible.”
At the same time, she added another sentence.
“Don’t underestimate the speed of a Sanctuary-level powerhouse. If I wish, no matter where you are in the world, I can reach you in time.”
Even at the end, she couldn’t resist teasing Roman one last time.
Watching Roman’s back as he walked away, she finally left the venue satisfied.
“He’s still just a sixteen-year-old child…”
In the end, she couldn’t help but sigh.
“Thank goodness, still just a sixteen-year-old child.”
Thinking of the embarrassed expression he’d shown under her pressure earlier, she smiled softly.
Clearly, she had suffered a slight loss in their earlier exchange, yet now Maria felt it was completely worth it.
Until now, she had always considered the Holy Child to be an unripe child.
Attractive, yes, but once their deal was done and the clouds parted, she’d pretend nothing had ever happened.
At most, she might indulge a little and try him a few more times.
As for emotions—honestly, Maria herself thought she was a cold-blooded person.
To develop feelings for someone at least twenty years younger?
The thought alone was ridiculous.
Yet now, she no longer felt that way.
She even thought that establishing such a connection with this Holy Child Highness was a more valuable long-term investment.
At least from the traits he displayed just now—the subtle way he manipulated her without pushing too hard—Maria found herself even more interested in him.
Not to mention what he said about the Holy Throne.
Maria had reached her current position not just by her own ability, but also by willingly acting as the Holy Throne’s hound, handling dirty work without ever daring to harbor any rebellious thoughts.
Yet this young man, who had just become the Holy Child under the protection of the Holy Throne and ascended to such a lofty position, not only hadn’t lost his head over the power he’d gained, but was already actively seeking to establish his own strength.
Tsk, tsk…
She’d lost count of how many times she’d sighed tonight.
All in all, now she felt she wasn’t the one being manipulated, but that she’d grabbed hold of an interesting opportunity.
With satisfaction, she walked out of the venue, gazed up at the countless stars, and waited for the day the seeds of cause and effect she’d sown tonight would take root and blossom.
Only after Maria’s figure completely disappeared from sight did Roman finally show a weary expression, leaning on the table for support.
Negotiating with someone whose strength was entirely beyond his own—even if his status was higher now—still left him feeling incredibly tense.
After all, he was relying on the Holy Throne, and if the Holy Throne learned about the terms he’d discussed with Maria…
Shaking his head, Roman didn’t dare think further.
Then, he lifted his head, his expression calm, as if nothing had happened at all.
Fortunately, in the end, he’d managed to establish a connection with this Sanctuary powerhouse.
Even if the bond was based on the Sacred Seal and flesh, for now, it was just talk.
But the three Promises she gave him were real.