Chapter 130
“Lift Your Head”
“Um…”
By the time my remaining breath completely disappeared and I felt faint, I pushed against Roitz’s chest with both hands.
I think I wanted to say something. Maybe that I was out of breath?
But somehow my mind went blank, and I couldn’t remember.
Roitz slowly held my hands, which had only been moving slightly near his lips.
“What’s wrong, Serdin?”
His low murmur was so close it made my whole body tense.
I couldn’t even lift my face, just breathing heavily.
“Lift your head, Serdin.”
“….”
“Hmm?”
His voice, with a hint of a smile, sounded like a plea in my ear.
That seductive voice seemed to tickle every part of me, making my face hot.
Was this okay? Was I going to die from this feeling?
And it seemed I was the only one feeling it.
Unlike me, who couldn’t even speak properly, Roitz had been calling my name, touching my cheek, and gently nudging me the whole time.
“Serdin.”
The voice calling me sounded so kind.
It was truly unfair.
Love is supposed to be mutual, right? But only I felt like this…
‘Ah.’
Yet the moment I looked up at Roitz, meeting his deep blue eyes filled with me and seeing his cheeks flushed red,
I realized I wasn’t the only one feeling this.
The man in front of me, the one calling me constantly, was just as nervous as I was.
The only difference was that he had the strong drive to make me lift my head, and the courage to meet my eyes and show his true feelings.
“I really like you…”
So I muttered it.
I didn’t know how to form proper words; my mind was completely blank.
All I could do was express the courage I had in front of him in the most direct way.
“….”
Roitz’s expression hardened when he heard my confession.
But it wasn’t because he disliked my words—it was clear he was so happy he couldn’t even show it.
He rested his face against my neck, breathing warmly.
Then he murmured softly:
“Really… this isn’t a dream, right?”
“Yes.”
“Do you really like me?”
After that, Roitz kept calling my name, wanting to confirm again and again.
Through his soft lips on mine, his hands brushing my cheeks, and his strong hold around my waist, he sought reassurance.
Like someone who had just regained something precious, afraid of losing it again.
Even though work was busy and many tasks awaited, at this moment, I just wanted to sink into the sensations and emotions that only this moment could give.
And knowing that he, the person making me feel this way, felt the same… was such a comfort.
No, it was thrilling and heart-pounding.
I was learning that for the first time.
The next day.
“Greetings, Lord Velkirente, Lady Vivi.”
The receptionist at the entrance greeted us.
I nodded slightly and followed Roitz inside.
“Let’s start with Bishop Arwin.”
“Yes.”
We started the day busily, busier than usual.
By late afternoon, we were entering the temple.
Usually, the accompanying aide at the temple was either Senior Alter or occasionally Senior Deneb.
But this time, I accompanied Roitz.
The purpose wasn’t simply to guard the temple event or make decisions.
‘If a person with strong holy power truly believes in their faith… I can’t guarantee they couldn’t steal a sword aura.’
We were here to confirm whether that speculation was true and to solve the case.
I didn’t want to believe it, but it was the most plausible guess.
‘Could it really be someone from the temple?’
Could someone in the temple really make others wear masks and commit such acts?
‘But this place is so sacred… it doesn’t match at all.’
I looked around the cathedral hallways.
I think it was my first time walking through the cathedral without getting lost.
We reached the reception room and met Bishop Arwin.
“Greetings. And you are…?”
“I’m Serdin Vivi. I’m here as Velkirente Commander’s aide instead of Lord Alter.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Russell Arwin.”
“Bishop Arwin is the temple’s third saint. You must have heard of him, Serdin.”
“Of course. Who in the empire hasn’t?”
Arwin smiled awkwardly.
As we sat, I noticed a flash of blonde hair behind him.
‘Blonde.’
That was why we were here.
Among people with that much holy power, someone with blonde hair.
The same shade as the cut robe at the Eona mansion.
‘Not many. And the first ones to investigate are…’
Arwin and Lusicé. Among blondes in the empire, they had the strongest holy power.
We spoke while seated across from Arwin.
Because he was the person he was, raising suspicion too quickly could make things worse.
Even suspecting the temple without evidence was dangerous.
So we disguised our questions as normal work talk and casual chat.
“By the way, that day, why did you arrive late to the full meeting?”
When I left Eona mansion, Roitz was at the temple.
I remembered the conversation I had with him.
‘There was a fairly large meeting at the temple that day.’
“Excuse me? Wasn’t it just you and Bishop Lusicé?”
“No, thirty people were there.”
“Thirty?”
“Yes. Lusicé and four saints, plus priests and knight office staff.”
From the rough timeline, it seemed Arwin arrived near the end of the meeting, just as I was leaving Eona.
“Ah, I had urgent matters.”
“The High Priest seemed worried. They said you’re usually not late.”
“Is that so? I didn’t know.”
Arwin looked troubled.
Roitz looked concerned as if sharing the worry.
“Was something wrong?”
“It’s embarrassing that Commander Elche worries about me,” Arwin replied.
“Not coming to such a large meeting isn’t normal. It’s natural to be concerned.”
Roitz’s careful words prompted Arwin to speak.
“Actually…”
It was just that his cat at home was sick. The temple’s priest was looking after it, but it was very ill, so he hurried home.
‘Right. A sick cat can’t be ignored.’
I understood without thinking.
Roitz nodded sympathetically.
Arwin even gave unexpected cat-health advice.
“Thank you.”
Arwin expressed gratitude, and Roitz smiled reassuringly.
“Shall we go, Bishop Arwin?”
“Yes. Please proceed.”
So maybe it wasn’t Arwin… Roitz seemed convinced.
But as soon as we left, Roitz’s smile disappeared.
“Commander?”
“Serdin. Check if what Arwin said really happened at that time.”
“…Yes.”
“Also, meet the Centa priest who was there. Assume everything is a lie for now and investigate.”
I nodded.
The person who stole the sword aura was scary…
But Roitz seemed just as intimidating.
“Let’s go.”
He hurried forward, showing no fatigue after hiding his expression all day in front of Arwin.
I stretched my stiff body and followed him.
The next destination was already decided.
“You came? I’m so glad and grateful you wanted to see me, Lady Vivi.”
“Yes. Since we came to the temple, I thought it’d be good to meet you.”
Lusicé’s eyes sparkled as she looked at us.
Her clear blue gaze made even the observer feel refreshed.
‘Ugh.’
It hurt to have to suspect Lusicé.
‘There’s no way Lusicé would do such a thing.’
Did we really have to question her?
She was the heroine, after all.
Even if the original story changed, her personality wouldn’t suddenly reverse.
‘Roitz has seen her more often than me. He should know she’s not that kind of person.’
But Roitz walked toward the reception with no hesitation.
“Bishop, you said you hurt your hand in the last meeting?”
“Yes. But it’s almost healed now.”
Lusicé showed the injured hand. Among many scars, a small new wound remained.
“How did you hurt it?”
Honestly, I asked out of concern, but her answer could also serve as a basis for investigation.
She hesitated briefly.
