historical

Chapter 145 - GOOD REASON OR PUNISHMENT

'Didn't I have something to ask him about the temple?' The moment she recalled that, she pushed his chest. 'It's not time for pleasure. I have things to talk about.'

"Mnn.." Arthur moaned as he wasn't ready to let go of her lips. He was too addicted to her small, sweet, juicy lips. He hadn't had enough.

"Wait.." Veronica barely freed her lips and breathlessly said, "I have something to ask."

Arthur gave her one last peck on her swollen lips before remarking, "It better be good." It was a warning. If it wasn't something more important than their sweet time, then she had to prepare herself for his punishment.

Veronica hugged his shoulders and uttered, "You were saying something about gathering information on the temple. Why does the Magic Organization need any information regarding the Holy Temple?"

Arthur answered in a roundabout way, "There is something that caught my eyes. So, I decided to investigate it."

"Why couldn't you send spies?" Veronica inquired. She noticed that most of the time he intended for Felix or Sebastian to work for him if he needed to gather some information. She wanted to know why he took things into his own hands.

Arthur noted that she wasn't suspicious of his behavior. She trusted him completely. The only reason she was questioning him was because of her curiosity. He never imagined that someone's trust in him could give him that much energy. Everything felt new to him when he was with her.

He patiently explained, "The only people who can work there are orphans or poor children who grew up there. Other people from aristocratic families can only become Senior Priests after going through three years of training. It was impossible to place a spy in such a strict place where everybody knew everyone. Outside the temple, it's not easy to get close to priests and other workers either. They don't chat freely if it's something regarding the temple. I tried multiple times but it never worked out. Then, I met you."

She commented, "At that time, you had no idea who I was."

Arthur shook his head. "No, I didn't. I even thought; from where did this different kind of species pop out?"

"Hey!" Veronica retorted. She playfully punched his chest. She earned a chuckle from him.

Arthur caught her hand and kissed it. "I'm not joking. I'm being truthful. You are the most different and unique person I have ever met in my life. You opened my eyes. For someone to know so little about the worldly ways is unheard of, especially when they had a commoner background. Only princesses act like this."

"That's the reason for you to call me princess," she remarked. Now she knew his reason behind calling her that.

"Yes. However, most princesses are arrogant and ignorant. Thankfully, you are humble and kind. Furthermore, you learn rather quickly and smartly."

He added, "Not to mention, I never saw any woman taking off their kidnapper's pants to catch them off guard before."

"That.. I was trying to protect myself," she defended herself.

He assured her by saying, "I'm not criticizing. I just think it's marvelous."

"Really?" Veronica gave him a doubtful stare.

Arthur nuzzled his nose against hers. His reply was, "Absolutely."

"So, what interested you in the temple? What do you want to know?" She went back to the main topic.

He inquired, "Will you tell me if I want to know?"

Veronica thoughtfully replied, "It depends on whether you are on the good side or the bad side. No matter what the situation is, you can't expect me to do any harm to anyone for your own interest. Got that?"

"Yes, princess." He pecked on her cheek and continued, "We have a crystal stone that can see the future. Two years ago, the transparent stone suddenly turned dark. As the Master of the Magic Tower, only I could feel the dark energy coming from it. I realized that the situation was grave. I must investigate the matter. I immediately did so. The crystal stone showed me the Holy Temple of Utahill."

He looked at her. His expression was serious. He declared, "I believe something sinister is going on inside that temple."

Veronica was shocked. She instantly denied his claim, "What? Impossible! How can that be? We don't allow evil to prevail in the temple. We can't stand evilness."

Arthur calmly pointed out, "Even so, Felix's lover died. Whether it was a suicide or a murder, there was no clue left."

After Arthur brought up Sister Ruth's incident, Veronica looked down. She couldn't refute. "Yes, sin after sin. We never realized. Then.. is our faith toward Goddess Juvena no more? She must be angry. What should we do?"

He shared his opinion, "That is the reason the Goddess might have sent you to the earth. To protect everyone and show them the truth. However, it's just my speculation. I don't actually believe in religion. Even if you try, you cannot make me believe that your Goddess is for good. If She truly loved humans, she wouldn't have let the innocent people suffer and turn them into villains."

Veronica stared at him. She tried to find excuses, "This is Her way to test us. She wants to see if we can endure or not."

Arthur frowned. "What's the point of doing that? I think She is bored and playing with our lives."

Veronica gave him a worried look and questioned him, "Arthur, did you have a harsh childhood? I heard other teen apprentices would bully you a lot and you had to endure everything."

Arthur cursed Darius in his mind and said, "Darius told you too much in an hour. I promise I will tell you everything in due time."

Veronica told him, "I'm not going anywhere. Take your time."

He gazed into her eyes and asked her, "Why are you willing to delay? If it was other women, they would pester day and night to know about the men they love. For you, you want to delay as if you have all the patience in the world. I don't mind telling you everything. I have things to prepare before I tell you everything. But you seem more reluctant than I am. Why is that?"