Chapter 25
“Well…”
“But rules are rules, aren’t they?”
‘Wow, this old man is unbelievable.’ He acted all benevolent, but now, in front of the victim of this forced ordeal, he’s rigidly talking about rules.
My face flushed, and I fumed. The High Priest chuckled.
“Don’t misunderstand. I’m not expelling you from the temple, just removing your clerical status. You weren’t planning on staying here anyway, were you? I know you’ve been preparing to leave the priesthood.”
The High Priest’s casual remark made me gasp. ‘Did it show that much? I thought I was being discreet.’
“The only difference is that you can no longer use your room in the priests’ quarters. You’re welcome to visit the temple anytime. However, your room will be for guests.”
“High Priest…”
Touched, I held his hand, which still rested on mine. He nodded knowingly.
“You’ve amassed quite a fortune in secret, haven’t you? The doors of the temple are always open to generous donations.”
My face hardened, and I released his hand. He burst into hearty laughter at my prickly demeanor.
***
Returning from my not-so-secret meeting with the High Priest, I struggled to calm my racing heart.
I’d always held onto Plan B, but I’d hoped the day to enact it would never come.
I’d only wished to be the lubricant that helped the story flow a little faster.
I’d planned to happily exit the stage after witnessing their “happily ever after.”
‘My will…’
My interference had caused this world to deviate from its original course. Now, it seemed the will of the original protagonists was too strong to revert things.
I curled up on the bed.
I’d been complacent, thinking they’d fall in love with Hestia the moment they saw her. I’d assumed my meddling wouldn’t affect their love.
‘I wanted to change the story to survive, yet I believed it wouldn’t change at all. What a contradiction.’
I mocked my own foolishness.
The bitter self-derision lingered until Hestia returned.
She quietly observed me curled up on the bed, then cautiously spoke.
“Asleep?”
“.…”
When I didn’t answer, she hesitantly snuggled up beside me. Her warmth and sweet fragrance enveloped me like a cozy blanket.
“Remember the day we first met, Adelina?”
My first encounter with Hestia was right before she was sold to the slave traders.
Of course, I couldn’t forget. It was one of the biggest turning points in my life.
“When I saw you standing before those men with swords, arms outstretched, the light overlapping your shadow looked like angel wings.”
“Pfft.”
‘She thought that?’ It was a very childish thought.
I laughed, and Hestia hugged me tightly from behind, clearly relieved.
“Do you dislike my brother?”
“….”
‘I do dislike him,’ but saying it outright in front of his family was difficult for someone who hadn’t yet completely abandoned Confucian ideals.
“If you truly hate seeing him, I’ll stop it somehow. If you don’t even want to see his face, I’ll make sure you don’t have to. So, Adelina…”
Her slender arms tightened around me.
“I like you the most.”
Her words felt like a plea not to leave her. I hesitated for a moment, then turned and embraced her.
“Me too. I like you the most, Hestia.”
‘I approached you to survive, but how could I not like you? You’re so beautiful and you love me so much.’
I had hoped she would have a happier, more joyful ending than the harsh one she was destined for in the original story.
‘But I ruined everything, didn’t I?’
‘I’m sorry. I really didn’t know your men would act like that.’
I stroked Hestia’s silky, luscious golden hair. Reassured by my words, she smiled and closed her eyes.
Soon, she fell asleep. She must have been exhausted from staying by my side while I was unconscious.
I, too awake to sleep, continued to stroke her hair, waiting for the night to deepen.
‘Hestia, I truly like you a lot. But I don’t think I have to be right next to you to cherish these feelings.’
‘I’ll continue to wish for your happiness, even from afar.’
***
It was a moonless night.
I carefully slipped out from beside the sleeping Hestia. Two knights stood guard outside the door.
“Where are you going?”
Sleepiness filled their eyes.
“The Princess seems thirsty. The water pitcher in her room is empty.”
“Is that so? Then I’ll fetch some right away.”
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