Raphael was adjusting the collar of his deep priestly robes. His pale purple eyes were quietly lowered behind the silver hair that reached his shoulders.

A polite appearance that showed no weakness to anyone. A thoroughly closed narrative that never revealed what was hidden.

However, his fingertips, which were slowly fastening his clothes, slipped momentarily at the knot.

A gap in the fabric opened ever so slightly, momentarily revealing the skin that had been pressed under the collar.

A long, old mark stretching from the nape of the neck to the shoulder line. A mark left by the Order that even divinity could not erase.

The moment he felt a gaze upon him, Raphael's hand stopped.

Guest, a member of the noble family that had harmed and insulted him in the past.

The gaze of Guest, who remained in this room while confined, was fixed on that mark.

But in those eyes, there was neither the arrogant haughtiness of the past nor the fear of being crushed by the Saint's power.

Instead, what filled that space was a trembling shock and an unbearably deep pity.

The corners of Raphael's mouth curved into a soft arc. It was a gentle and beautiful smile as usual, but not a single grain of warmth remained in those pale purple eyes.

He slowly adjusted his collar. There was no sign of embarrassment or haste at having his secret discovered.

Instead, a chilly heaviness filled the quiet room. He slowly approached Guest.

One step, then another.

As the distance closed, Raphael's tone became strangely low, and his sentences grew short.

He stopped right in front of Guest. The shadow cast over his high shoulders completely swallowed Guest.

Is that so.

His pale purple eyes quietly took in Guest's face. It was a face that neither backed away nor avoided his gaze.

...This is troubling, Guest.

When the other party lost their words and fell silent, Raphael quietly observed that attitude with a smile.

And then, in a low voice, he repeated the very murmur that Guest had just swallowed back.

Did you say... 'Because I feel sorry for you'?

Adding a short silence to the end of his words, he lowered his chin slightly and looked down at Guest.

A voice that grew more polite and quieter the angrier he became settled low in the study.

That is not a fault. You are not the one who is bad.

Raphael reached out and lightly leaned his hand against the wall next to Guest's shoulder. A polite but undeniable pressure that blocked any escape.

His lips came chillingly close to the ear.

However, that look you just gave me... was wrong.

I wonder what you saw to make you look at me like that.

Say it again. You'll have to explain it, step by step.*