Chapter 14
“Ansen!!”
Ansen was startled by the sudden shout and jumped up.
But in doing so, he bumped his head on the bookshelf in front of him, letting out a “Ugh…” and collapsing back down.
“I’m here!”
Ansen pressed his forehead, looking up at Selenea, who was smiling brightly right in front of him.
She tilted her head.
“What’s with that look, as if you’re really unhappy that I came?”
“…Unhappy? No, it’s just that I’m so glad to see you.”
Glad? What a lie.
She had been coming to the library like it was her own home for three days straight.
And Ansen found it extremely annoying.
Not only that, but two days ago, she even brought along two girls he had never seen before.
“How is it? Isn’t the cake at our house really good?”
“Yeah, it’s really delicious. Why didn’t I try it before?”
“Be quiet, Martina. We came here to train, not to eat.”
“Rozetin, don’t kill Martina’s mood. I finally let her try something tasty, and now you’re annoyed again.”
“W-What?! When did I! I just…!”
“Ah, forget it, just eat.”
Their conversation, which could not decide if it was chatting or arguing, went on for over three hours.
By the time the empty cake plates piled up by the door, Ansen couldn’t help but ask,
“Why are you doing this here instead of the dining hall?”
And the brazen answer came back.
“This is the most comfortable place for me, sorry!”
So… what?
Selenea giggled devilishly after saying that, and Ansen shook his head.
But, as always, Selenea was right there in front of him today too.
She must have come straight after waking up because she was still in her pajamas—and seemed to be in a very good mood. Scary.
She bounced over to Ansen through the scattered books.
“When will I get to use the vacation I arranged?”
“I plan to use it tomorrow. I’m going to get some proper sleep.”
“Sleep during your precious vacation?”
“Because, my lady, you never lack sleep, so you can say that.”
Selenea shrugged.
“Alright then, whatever.”
Then, as if she had something to hand over, she reached her hand out toward Ansen.
“The thing I asked for should be ready, right?”
Ansen sighed deeply as he looked at Selenea’s meaningful smile. Reluctantly, he handed her something.
A small vial, about 5 centimeters long, with a clear potion sloshing inside.
Selenea’s face lit up.
“Wow! How did you finish it so quickly?”
“It’s not hard; I’ve made it before.”
“See, I knew I could rely on you.” She tapped his shoulder. Ansen staggered slightly as his legs weakened.
He managed to regain his balance and glared at her with a sullen expression.
Then, this time, he reached his hand toward her.
“You have to give me what you promised.”
“Of course! What did you think I’d do?”
Selenea took two gold coins from the small cloth pouch she held and placed them on Ansen’s palm with a grin.
As the coins clinked together, a faint smile appeared on Ansen’s face. He muttered,
“Even if I don’t want to admit it, you are generous.”
“Don’t act all reluctant, Ansen. You get paid quite well, don’t you?”
“Well… the more money, the better.”
Selenea nodded as if acknowledging it. Ansen, watching her, asked,
“By the way, why did you suddenly ask me to make this potion?”
“I have a use for it.”
“You, a non-manifestor, using the potion?”
Selenea just raised the corner of her mouth without answering.
Seeing her mischievous expression, Ansen flinched and shrank back, pale-faced.
“…You do realize you’re very different from your first impression, right?”
“What do you mean?”
“You seemed like an innocent noble girl at first, but now…”
He shook his head.
Selenea glared at him, clearly annoyed, and muttered shortly,
“Fine. Sorry for not acting like a proper noble. Happy now?”
Ansen silently turned his head.
Selenea examined the potion vial from every angle, then turned toward the door without hesitation, as if relieved to be done.
She waved to Ansen brightly.
“Alright, I’m off. See you again soon?”
Ansen deliberately stayed silent, waiting until Selenea left the library.
Only after the door was fully closed did he quietly mutter to himself.
“…I wish she would just stop coming.”
In the mansion’s reception room.
I looked at the man in front of me with interest.
‘His name was Mayer, right?’
He looked much younger than expected.
Under his brown hair were bright, intelligent eyes, and his expression was kind.
‘He certainly looks like a man of the church.’
With a sunny smile, Mayer bowed slightly to me.
The pendant with a mysterious symbol around his neck swayed.
“May the glory of Prater remain with you, my lady.”
His voice was gentle, like it could melt a thousand-year-old boundary. I nodded lightly.
Prater.
It was the most prosperous religion in this world.
Most of the empire, including nobles, worshipped Prater, even Empress Grace, called the greatest mother in history.
And she was very devout.
I knew she ran multiple relief projects in the name of Prater, most of which were funded from her own pocket.
‘She must be very devout to fund that much herself.’
I silently nodded.
‘No wonder the number of followers increased so much.’
It made sense—the people would not dislike the god served by a wise and kind empress.
I watched Mayer carefully.
I had practically gone through every religion-related book in the library to prepare for today.
From that, I learned many things.
Prater temples and churches were common throughout the empire, and the church’s influence was growing daily.
And Mayer, responsible for my “education,” was a priest at the largest Prater temple.
Of course, that was why he could teach me.
I, the only daughter and heir of Duke Tigris, could personally call a high-ranking temple priest to the mansion.
‘Basically, I’m getting private lessons that would cost a fortune.’
Meeting my gaze, Mayer returned a calm smile.
“How have you been?”
There was nothing suspicious in his innocent, straightforward smile.
‘He may look like that, but there’s probably something off.’
I smiled back cautiously.
I had a reason to be suspicious.
‘Suspicious conversation in the mansion… talking about strengthening my education…’
Having overheard it, I couldn’t ignore it. My instincts told me something unknown was happening here that wasn’t in the novel.
To find out, I needed to understand what Mayer’s “education” really was.
Mayer moved to the side table and sat down.
I tilted my head.
Even as a priest, here he was just a tutor hired by my father.
At least here, between us, I was clearly the superior.
Even in our conversation, he used polite language toward me.
‘But he sits first?’
Odd, but I took a seat across from him. Mayer spoke first.
“I’ve been busy with temple matters, so I arrived a bit late.”
I calmly lifted the teacup in front of me.
“Was it more important than my education?”
His eyes widened slightly. Then, with a look of mild embarrassment, he said apologetically,
“How could you say such things? The greatest achievement of my life is teaching you, my lady.”
‘Oh, so you’re going to play it that way?’
I smiled back.
“I’m glad to hear that.”
It was a silent, tense battle.
We exchanged smiles without revealing our true intentions.
After a brief silence, Mayer clasped his hands together and spoke calmly.
“Actually, there have been some interesting discussions at the palace recently.”
“Really? What kind of discussions?”
“About elevating the Prater religion to the state religion.”
I had already read the gossip, but I pretended to be surprised and clapped.
“Wow, that’s great. You’ll have even more work now, Mayer.”
He smiled brightly.
“It’s true. Being able to guide more people under God’s guidance is the greatest joy as a priest.”
I studied his cheerful smile, quietly thinking,
‘…He does seem like a priest.’
Looking into his kind eyes, my doubts slowly faded.
I cleared my throat and stirred my tea with a teaspoon. He smiled gently.
“Now, let’s stop the small talk and start today’s lesson.”
He pushed a book and a sheet of parchment toward me.
I glanced at the thick cover and froze.
41 Ways to Overcome Emotional Wounds – Family Edition
I stared at the cover, stunned.
‘…What is this?’
A book that seemed like it belonged in a counseling center? And the family edition?
Mayer spoke in a kind voice.
“Today, start from page 75. Let’s read aloud as usual.”
I glanced at him and opened the leather cover to page 75, finding densely written black text on aged, yellowed paper.
“…Sometimes, you don’t need to forgive the one who hurt you. That’s why what’s necessary is… revenge.”
Revenge… what?
