Many years ago, there were rumors among the people of the Holy City that the Pope had a lover.
Because from time to time, they would see that cold-faced and impartial Pope accompanied by another woman, and at those moments, the Holy Throne seemed like a completely different person—always gentle, elegant, and caring.
But in Sylvia’s understanding, her relationship with Lainie was far more than just that of lovers; she preferred to call it a soulmate connection.
Two souls that understood each other, supported one another, and cared for each other with deep empathy.
At that time, she was not yet the head of the prestigious Odeshu Fanke family, nor was she as strong as she is now—neither in body nor in spirit.
Young Sylvia also had a fragile and tender side, much like most noble ladies who could sometimes be unusually sensitive.
It was impossible to imagine what she would become once she ascended to the Holy Throne.
It was after meeting Lainie that Sylvia first felt the sensation of being truly ‘held.’
Her loneliness, her desires, everything about her—Lainie knew it all with perfect clarity.
When she was sad, Lainie comforted her; when happy, she shared in her joy.
It was with Lainie’s companionship that Sylvia gradually rose to become the head of the Odeshu Fanke family.
Later, she took an even greater step, emerging from the ranks of the Cardinals to become the Pope of the Holy Light Church.
She shed her former fragile shell and became a Holy Throne so resilient it was almost ruthless.
Yet with Lainie, she always maintained an appropriate distance, never overstepping boundaries.
But that did not mean she was without desire. In fact, in earlier days, she often found herself uncontrollably wanting to be close to Lainie.
Sylvia had already been a renowned beauty in her youth, but in Lainie’s presence, she was often captivated by the latter’s natural romantic aura.
Just facing her and speaking was enough to bring a refreshing peace of mind.
After becoming the Holy Throne, Sylvia gradually grew more composed, preferring the spiritual calm and joy she found with Lainie, while her physical desire slowly transformed into a deeper emotional dependence.
However, not long after, Sylvia discovered a truth as shocking as a thunderclap.
Lainie was pregnant.
She was a woman, and Lainie was a woman too; in this world, women could not conceive children with each other.
At least, it was impossible for them.
That meant only one thing: Lainie had conceived a child with another man.
Sylvia could neither accept nor understand it, for since they had met, Lainie had not even been close to a man.
But the fact remained: no matter how much Sylvia refused to comprehend, it had already happened.
Then, Lainie disappeared without a trace.
At first, Sylvia felt confused and heartbroken, but she respected Lainie’s choice and did not force her to return.
For some time, she even sent people to discreetly follow Lainie, fearing something might happen to her. But once she realized Lainie had become a Domain Transcendent, she quietly recalled her agents.
The reports she received said Lainie’s belly grew day by day, but there was never any sign of a man around her.
Sylvia pondered countless possibilities, but no matter how hard she thought, she couldn’t figure out the cause. So she forced herself not to dwell on it.
If Lainie wanted to leave her, then she would not hold her back.
Otherwise, how was she any different from those fanatics?
She had even once hoped for a chance to see Lainie again.
This wish had gradually become a hidden obsession.
So when she first heard news about Lainie’s child, she couldn’t suppress her excitement.
Yet when the truth finally arrived, she felt the fiery heat in her heart suddenly plunge to zero degrees.
And when she saw Lainie’s pale face, felt her heartbeat cease, and touched her ice-cold body, the chill inside Sylvia’s soul spread swiftly through her veins.
She couldn’t help but reach out to touch Lainie’s face, but fearing to disturb her ‘sleep,’ her hand froze mid-air, helpless and uncertain.
“Huff… huff…”
After several deep breaths, Sylvia forced herself to regain composure. Her dark eyes scanned Lainie’s entire body.
Who? Who? Who did this?!
There was no doubt: someone had killed Lainie.
But as her consciousness examined every detail, there was not a single sign of injury.
Even an internal check revealed no damage…
Five minutes later, the dark expression on Sylvia’s face shifted to one of bewildered disbelief.
All the signs indicated one thing: Lainie had died a natural death.
That was impossible!
Sylvia felt humiliated by unseen forces, and a burst of rage tore through the surrounding space, the dangerous temporal rift buzzing fiercely around her.
It was at this moment that Bianca finally arrived at the Cathedral.
“Your Holiness, please calm your anger!”
She said quickly, looking at Sylvia who was engulfed in overwhelming fury.
“Tell me.”
Sylvia slowly turned her head, and the temporal rifts around her restored to normal.
“It was the Spice that killed Lainie.”
Only then did Bianca step forward to explain.
“When I found Lady Lainie, she was already gone.”
“I had been investigating illegal Spice smuggling in the area. As you know, such things are dangerous—nobles might indulge without consequence, but if commoners get involved, it brings ruin and disaster.”
“And that’s how I ended up at Lady Lainie’s residence, where I stumbled upon this.”
Sylvia’s face darkened as she asked, “You’re saying Lainie was killed by that Spice?”
Preposterous, utterly laughable.
A Domain Transcendent wouldn’t be killed by something like that, especially Lainie, who was among the best healers.
“If it were a normal case, Lady Lainie wouldn’t have met with an accident,” Bianca continued.
“But at that time, Lady Lainie had just given birth.”
“Meaning, Lady Lainie was undoubtedly at her weakest.”
“There’s no such thing,” Sylvia shook her head.
“Lainie is a Transcendent; childbirth would have little effect on her.”
For most ordinary women, childbirth was extremely dangerous, but for Transcendents, it was hardly an issue.
Some female Knights even dared to undertake missions while pregnant during stable periods and could return to work immediately after delivery, completely unaffected.
“But Your Holiness,” Bianca shook her head, “If Lady Lainie was carrying the Holy Child blessed by Goddess Fara, then she couldn’t have escaped the effects.”
“And if at that very moment, someone with ill intent seized the opportunity—”