Chapter 10
That evening.
Litia attended dinner with Duke Mont.
“You look much better. The physician in charge said you’re fine too.”
Litia, who had been poking at her food with her fork, gave a gentle smile.
“Yes, I’m much better now. I’m sorry for causing you worry.”
“It’s fine. Let’s put the past behind us. What matters is doing well from now on. Then all those rumors will naturally die down.”
To anyone listening, he looked exactly like a father worried about his child. But he was a man who cared deeply about reputation.
After checking the newspaper articles, Litia looked into things herself and found that the donation and volunteer schedules that had been arranged earlier had already fallen apart long ago.
When other young ladies had been busy moving around, she hadn’t joined them at all—instead, there had even been that suicide incident.
Litia, who had been loved for being born strong thanks to the power of Theos, was now on the verge of being disliked not only by Duke Mont but also by the temple.
“Yes, I’ll do that.”
“Tia, since we’re on the topic.”
“Yes?”
Litia raised her head again.
“Why don’t you stop by the temple tomorrow? His Holiness was asking after you, so it might be good to get some fresh air as well.”
Duke Mont spoke calmly, as if that had been the purpose of this dinner all along.
“The temple?”
When Litia hesitated, Duke Mont put down his knife and picked up his wine glass.
“Yes. They say getting some air is good for recovery. Go and visit. His Holiness cares for you, so if you receive a blessing there, wouldn’t it put your mind at ease?”
After thinking for a moment, Litia spoke.
“Alright. I was actually planning to prepare myself and slowly start donating and volunteering again.”
At that, Duke Mont’s expression brightened unbelievably.
“…Really?”
“Yes. I don’t think I can keep living like a child forever. I’ll work harder from now on, and even if I can’t be a daughter you’re proud of, I’ll at least be one you’re not ashamed of.”
At those words, Duke Mont almost broke into a broad smile.
“Good. You’ve thought well. I knew you’d understand your father’s feelings. Yes, take it slowly. What does a little time matter? What matters is doing it. Try whatever you want.”
“Whatever…?”
“Of course. Since you’ve made up your mind, I’ll support you in every way I can. If you need anything, just say the word.”
Huh…? Just like that?
She had thought he would try to keep her tightly controlled, so she planned to placate him and gradually regain her freedom step by step.
If he was offering “anything,” there was no reason to refuse.
“Thank you, Father.”
At Litia’s words, the corners of Duke Mont’s mouth lifted in clear satisfaction.
The next day, Litia finished her preparations and headed to the temple as promised to Duke Mont. Inside the carriage were chests filled with gold coins and jewels to be used as donations. Duke Mont had personally packed them in from early that morning.
“Miss, if you feel unwell or dizzy, please tell me right away.”
Emilia kept offering her a handkerchief, unable to stop worrying even before they departed.
“I’m fine.”
Though she looked endlessly fragile to Emilia, unlike her original sickly body, Litia was actually in very good condition—so much so that she felt like she could fly.
Leaning back against the seat, Litia kept massaging her left shoulder. The fever was gone now, and the shoulder pain came only intermittently. Sometimes it stabbed sharply, other times it ached like she had slept wrong. Sometimes it even felt itchy, and at other times the pain disappeared as if nothing had happened.
If I just get through today, a week will pass in no time.
No matter how she thought about it, Litia felt she would win. Even out of pride alone, what could he be so desperate to seek in such a short time? Maybe that man only said he wanted to continue on the surface, but deep down he might have wanted to end it with just one night.
“See? I was worried for nothing.”
“Pardon? Miss, what did you say?”
“Hm? Nothing. I was just saying it’s nice to be out after so long.”
“Oh, me too!”
Watching Emilia smile brightly, Litia turned her gaze to the window. The carriage hurried toward the temple.
“May the blessing of Ates be upon you. It has been a while, Lady Mont. Welcome.”
“Blessings of light. Your Holiness, have you been well?”
Litia bowed politely.
It seemed true that the High Priest cherished her, because as soon as she arrived at the temple, she was greeted personally by the High Priest himself.
He was younger than Litia had expected.
She had thought he would be much older than Duke Mont, so it surprised her.
With his long hair neatly gathered under his headwear, the High Priest looked to be around his forties at most—perhaps about the same age as Duke Mont.
The temple was filled with people coming and going to pray, in addition to the High Priest and the priests. Thinking that the stares of nobles approaching to greet him might burden Litia, the High Priest accepted their greetings briefly, then spoke to her.
“I’m glad to see you looking well. I’ve prepared some refreshments you like. Shall we talk lightly in the garden?”
The High Priest smiled so warmly that his eyes nearly disappeared, speaking as if to a dearly loved niece. Litia, who had expected a more rigid and sacred atmosphere, nodded, caught off guard by the unexpected mood.
“Thank you, Your Holiness.”
The garden was closed to outsiders, feeling like a small private resting place for the priests.
On the table covered with a white cloth were colorful cupcakes and cookies—apparently the refreshments he had mentioned.
Judging by the surroundings, she had expected something quiet with only clear, simple tea, but what was prepared looked more like a small tea party for young ladies.
“When you were younger, you used to run around here sometimes. Do you remember?”
The High Priest smiled and gestured for her to sit.
“Well, I’m not really sure…”
His smile deepened.
“You used to be more of a tomboy back then. Now you’ve grown closer to the god Ates, which makes me proud—but I can’t see that old 모습 anymore, and time feels a bit cruel.”
At that, Litia could only smile softly.
To think she had been this close to the temple. She could truly feel how, before her death, she had been all but chosen as the next Tenia, surpassing other candidates.
Originally, she shouldn’t even have been able to make this visit—but then what would happen to Kamiya, who appeared so late?
In the original story, Kamiya was treated like a pearl found in the mud, breaking the long-standing rule that Tenia candidates were chosen only among nobles, and she continued making one shocking move after another.
“She won’t appear right away, though.”
Unlike the tension she had felt in the carriage, her conversation with the High Priest was simple and comfortable. He apologized for not realizing how hard things must have been for her, told her she could come anytime if she was struggling, but did not pry into any sensitive matters.
The problem started after that.
Litia donated the gold coins and jewels she had brought, and also decided to donate holy power for the Theoris who had come to the temple that day.
The power of Theos, even when simply released, could cleanse the body and mind, and depending on its strength, could heal the sick or at least ease their pain. That was why many commoners waited in the temple, hoping to receive the power of Theos from priests or donors.
They called this act “granting blessings.”
She followed the High Priest, practiced, and everything was fine right up until she stood in front of the people.
“Thank you for your kindness, Lady Mont.”
Standing near other young ladies who were already donating, Litia tried to give blessings to those who had come—but no matter what she did, she couldn’t feel the power she had practiced with.
Litia panicked.
“…My lady?”
When no blessing came even after some time, the woman who had been kneeling raised her head.
“Ah… just a moment, please.”
What’s wrong with me?
Litia took a hesitant step back. She tried again, but a hot sensation and pain surged through her shoulder at the same time, and no power came out at all. When she turned her head, she realized everyone around was staring at her.
This can’t be happening…
The pain grew worse. As Litia staggered, pressing one shoulder, a nearby priest stepped forward.
“My lady, may I grant this person the blessing instead?”
“…What?”
Startled, Litia turned her head. It was the priest Emor, who had been nearby when she greeted the High Priest earlier.
“His Holiness said he hopes you won’t push yourself too hard.”
He spoke quietly and gave a small wink.
The woman kneeling for the blessing kept looking up at her. Litia could feel the glances from all around.
She tried one more time, but when nothing came out again, she asked the priest to take over and stepped back.
“C-could I rest for a moment?”
“Of course.”
With the help of another priest, Litia went to a small rest room prepared inside the temple.
“No, it definitely worked earlier…”
She had prepared carefully for this, but suddenly being unable to do anything left her so flustered that her words wouldn’t come out properly. She had already told Duke Mont not to worry and said she would donate—this couldn’t happen.
Litia practiced again and again in the rest room, but despite how strongly the power had burst out earlier, not even a trace of light appeared now.
She couldn’t feel the refreshing sensation Emilia had taught her at all. Instead, only the shoulder pain intensified. Suddenly realizing something, Litia looked around the room for a mirror.
Fortunately, there was an antique full-length mirror against one wall.
With pain that felt like a burn, Litia slightly pulled back the clothing covering her shoulder.
“Ah…”
What… is this?
