Chapter 120
When we crossed the plaza and reached the front of the main hall, his demeanor became even more pronounced. Danel’s speech had completely diminished. His lips moved minutely as if muttering something, then stopped.
While we were looking around at the two open doors and one closed door in turn, Danel maintained a deep silence. Eventually, I stared intently at Danel.
If it were the usual Danel, he would have explained various things to me. Just as he had every day since we arrived in the capital. But now, my husband seems to have no such leisure. Rather, he seemed uncomfortable.
Somehow… he seemed reluctant to enter the main hall.
‘Is it normal to be this uncomfortable?’
No matter how I looked at it, it didn’t seem like a typical reaction. It might be awkward since he had hastily left the clergy after even being ordained, but it wasn’t as if he had converted to another religion. Why was he so uneasy about the Grand Cathedral?
Perhaps because my mind was preoccupied by his unusually strained attitude. I stumbled heavily, missing a step on the stone stairs.
“Ah…!”
I gripped Danel’s arm, which was linked with mine, tightly. Hanging onto his arm like that kept me from falling.
Only then did Danel seem to snap out of it. He supported me and turned to look at me.
“Are you alright, Laurea?”
“Yes, I think I’m a bit tired and misstepped.”
I answered, consciously stamping my foot. My legs were a bit sore from walking for dozens of minutes on hard pavement instead of a dirt path. I should have listened when Danel suggested the carriage.
While he looked at me, Danel’s expression softened slightly. He clasped my hand and whispered quietly.
“There are many places to sit inside the chapel. Since it’s a nice day, the ceiling paintings and murals will be clearly visible, so let’s find a spot to sit and rest there right away.”
“Is it okay for a non-believer to enter the main hall?”
“Of course.”
Saying that, Danel headed towards one of the three doors. Seeing that everyone was entering through that one, it seemed to be the entrance.
Passing through the massive door and stepping inside, sunlight streamed in, scattered through the glass windows. The high, soaring arched ceiling stretched dizzyingly overhead, and pillars lined along the walls supported the lofty ceiling.
Entering inside, we followed the other people towards the holy water font. With each step, a small echo transmitted from the marble floor.
I followed Danel, who familiarly dipped his fingers in the holy water, and washed my own hands. Truthfully, everything about this place was unfamiliar to me. I had hardly ever been to the family chapel, let alone a grand cathedral.
In contrast, Danel, as if familiar with it all, led me to an area much further inside than the entrance.
Unlike the sparsely populated main gate plaza, there were quite a few people inside the main hall. Some were sitting on the long benches praying, and several others seemed to be visiting as tourists.
Danel led me to the left side of the altar. It was a position from which I could only see a part of the massive chapel, but in return, it was quiet and peaceful with few people around.
I sat down side by side with Danel on a long pew in the chapel. Wherever my eyes fell, religious paintings and sculptures were densely placed. The painting visible between the enormous arches, in particular, was incredibly intricate even at a glance.
As I was taking in each and every sight, I looked beside me.
My husband was looking straight ahead with an impassive face. But I noticed the subtle tension remaining on his face. Those delicate, massive religious paintings seemed to feel oppressive to him.
The light streaming through the stained glass fell upon Danel’s head. As the sunlight scattered in the wind, it dyed his blond hair in various changing colors.
I quietly watched the flow of that light. And when the people around us seemed to have all disappeared, I asked in a lowered voice.
“Are you still uncomfortable in places like this?”
Danel met my eyes.
He thought for a moment before answering in a quiet voice.
“No. It’s just that memories of the past keep coming to mind. It just puts me in a strange mood.”
“Memories of the past?”
His purple eyes stared intently at my face.
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