Chapter 50
The priest’s face brightened.
“Do you have a great interest in theology?”
“Ah, not to that extent, but I was just suddenly curious while praying. I merely wondered if such a blessing was possible.”
“I see. Hmm.”
The priest tilted his head as if trying to recall.
“In ancient times, members of the families blessed by Adamant could hear the deity’s voice. The same was true for priests with strong divine power.”
“I see…”
“However, over time, that connection was severed. We can only speculate that it’s a punishment for straying from the path of God.”
“Um… I see.”
Freesia’s head drooped at the heavy words.
‘Now that I hear it, it’s quite a burden than I thought.’
She had expected it, but it was such an honor.
Yet, she was using this miraculous blessing merely for the sake of seeing Izar’s tears.
And at the thought of Izar, shame heated her from the pit of her stomach.
‘…Why did you do that during the farewell?’
Let’s say it was to maintain dignity in front of the Marquis’s family. But still, he touched her a bit too long for that.
To Izar, it might have been nothing, but Freesia herself was shaken inwardly.
The more she thought about it, the more resentful she felt towards him. However, Freesia swallowed a groan and resolved,
‘First, I’ll fulfill my wish… and make sure to succeed in other good deeds too.’
For example, saving Prince Regulus Betelgeuse.
‘It’s an act tainted with self-interest, but saving someone’s life should be in line with the divine will, right?’
Whether saving a life truly was the deity’s wish, she wasn’t sure. But for now, she rationalized it to herself and deeply bowed to the kind priest.
“Thank you for bestowing upon me your teachings, Reverend.”
“Not at all. If you need help, feel free to visit again.”
Knowing they might never meet again, Freesia maintained her courtesy to the end.
But just before leaving, she glanced at the priest through her veil.
‘It should be the first time seeing him.’
However, why did he seem strangely familiar the more she looked?
Nevertheless, Freesia shook her head.
No matter what had happened over three years, it was impossible to forget someone with such an appearance.
Upon stepping into the corridor, there was no one waiting except for the people who had come here with her.
“You’ve waited a long time, Sir Dike, Thea. Let’s head back now…”
But before Freesia could finish her sentence, she heard a man calling from behind her.
“…Madam! Madam!”
And Freesia did not turn around.
Thea whispered into Freesia’s ear.
“Madam, it seems like Sir Deneb is calling for you.”
“That doesn’t seem to be the case.”
“But he is calling for a madam.”
“Not every madam in the world is me.”
Surely he was calling for another noblewoman in this temple.
Though the corridor seemed empty, it was just because she was veiled.
It had to be that.
Her steps, steadfastly moving forward, quickened.
Yet, the voice calling her from behind persisted.
“Madam! Madam! Eeuuuh…!”
Albireo’s voice grew closer, but the corridor was so long that the distance did not close easily.
However, before Freesia could open the next door, Albireo shouted loudly.
“Pebble! Peeebblllle!”
“……”
“Look here, Pebble!”
Both Sir Dike and Thea looked at the woman between them.
And Freesia silently turned her head.
Even as her eyes flashed tiredly behind the veil, Albireo approached with a bright smile.
“Hahaha. Indeed, it is you, isn’t it, Duchess?”
“Sir Deneb… What exactly are you doing right now?”
“I called because I thought it’s you, Madam!”
Albireo chuckled flirtatiously.
He knew just by the back view, but teasing the duchess until she frowned was enjoyable for him.
Even though she was calmly questioning him, the sight of her trembling like an angry little bird was too delightful.
Albireo amiably followed, asking questions.
“Are you heading back to my family’s castle now?”
“…As you see. Sir Deneb, why are you here instead of dealing with the monsters?”
“The area assigned to me has been cleared already, so I came to the temple. It seems the Duke went a bit further away.”
Albireo pointed outside with a grin.
There were carriages and horses tied up outside.
“If you’re heading back, why not go together?”
“Now that I think about it, there’s something I need to buy from the town’s market. You go ahead, Sir Deneb.”
“Ah, Madam. You’re avoiding me, aren’t you?”
“……”
Freesia looked at Albireo politely yet with difficulty.
Her gaze seemed to challenge him to do something about it.
However, Albireo smiled even more broadly.
“Actually, I wanted to offer you a cup of tea. We kind of glossed over the incident in the spring, didn’t we?”
“That’s already been fully addressed, so it should be fine…”
“How about having a drink with the mindset of ‘just down this and leave’? Hm?”
“……”
Discussion
0 CommentsNo comments yet.