DNCTFB 31

 <Episode 31> 

“Who… said I was dying…?”

Deonis was in such terrible pain that even as he saw the hand reaching toward him, he couldn’t move. If that light touched him, he knew it would only make things worse.

Should he kill her to stop it?

Just as darkness clouded his vision—

Pop!

There was a soft popping sound, like air escaping from a balloon. Right in front of Riheylin, a green slime exploded. Her eyes widened in shock.

“…So rude,” Deonis muttered.

For a brief moment, the pain eased. He barely managed to push himself up. Dust from the burnt-out magic core floated from his hand—it was one of Melody’s failed magic-nullifying devices she’d given him before leaving.

“Priestess”, he said coldly, “next time, show some respect for another’s pain… unless you want to lose your head.”

He left, and Riheylin stood there alone, wiping bits of slime off her face.

“Why did he refuse healing…?”

It had only been three months since she had gained divine power. Her life had changed overnight—relatives and strangers now surrounded her, treating her like someone precious, pushing her into the temple.

She was still clumsy with her power, but she had truly wanted to help.

“Did I do something wrong…?”

She bent down to pick up the basket she had dropped—then noticed black fragments scattered on the ground.

“…What are these?”

She knelt to collect the shards when a shadow fell over her.

“What are you doing here?” asked a calm voice.

“High Priest…”

The man had soft brown eyes, kind wrinkles at their corners, and white-streaked brown hair. He looked like an ordinary old man, the kind you’d pass on the street without a second glance.

“I was running an errand and saw someone who was hurt. I tried to help… but he got angry and refused.”

“That must’ve been upsetting,” the High Priest said gently, but his gaze shifted to the ground—his eyes fixed on the scattered black fragments.

“A magic core?” he muttered. His brow furrowed.

“Do you remember who that person was?”

“Um… he was very handsome. And his eyes—red…”

“Red eyes?” the High Priest repeated it, and for a moment, the warmth disappeared from his face.

“Or maybe… maybe they just looked red because he was sick. I think they were brown. I’m not sure.”

“I see… He must have been in great pain.”

His gentle tone returned, as if the coldness from before had never existed. Riheylin thought maybe she’d imagined it.

“Was it because I didn’t seem trustworthy?” she asked quietly. “Is that why he refused my help?”

“No,” the High Priest replied. “He probably envied your divine power. From the moment the Goddess chose you, you became someone worthy of respect.”

“…But I can’t even heal people properly.”

Riheylin thought of her failures at the temple—children who left sicker than before, and the old man who died while holding her hand. Each time, she felt more useless.

“Maybe my father was right,” she whispered. “Maybe I really am worthless. I don’t understand why the Goddess chose me.”

Her voice trembled. The fear she had buried deep inside was slipping out.

The High Priest gently interrupted her thoughts.

“Riheylin, never doubt the Goddess’s will. She chose you because you are capable of fulfilling her purpose.”

“But… what if I fail?”

“You won’t. The temple—and I—will help you. Even when you doubt yourself, even if trials come, we will be with you.”

Had anyone ever believed in her this strongly?

Warmth spread in her chest.

The High Priest pointed to the statue of the Goddess in the center of the garden.

“From the moment you entered the temple, you were never alone. The Goddess is always by your side.”

Riheylin looked at the statue—so gentle, the Goddess held light as if cradling a child.

“And the temple will stand with you too. You are now part of it. Believe in yourself.”

After her mother died, her home became cold and unfamiliar—an uncaring father, a cruel stepmother, and spiteful stepsiblings. She had always felt alone.

But now, staring at the statue with tears in her dark eyes, Riheylin felt something she had longed for:

A warm, safe place… finally, right in front of her.

“You’re back!”

As Melody returned to the manor, Anna ran to greet her. Melody handed her a small bundle.

“A gift for you.”

“You really bought me something? I’m so happy! But… it’s a book?!”

Anna’s excited face slowly fell as she looked at the contents.

“It’s a spellbook—but an easier one! You can’t buy this in regular shops. I was lucky to find it in the black market. It’s about the most basic fire spells—”

“Tell me later! You need to change and get ready.”

Melody raised the bundle of minerals she had brought back.

“You want me to rest? I was planning to spend the night in the workshop.”

“The Crown Prince is here.”

Melody sighed in disbelief. “He left the capital for just two days and couldn’t even wait that long?”

“Please don’t tell me he went to the Baroness’s room again.”

“No, he came here. To see you.”

“What?! Why?”

“He said… he wanted to apologize.”

Woof. A dog barked somewhere in the distance.

“No way.”

Ryan was not the type to apologize to anyone beneath him. Unless he had some hidden agenda.

“Here. The steward prepared this outfit. He said to answer politely and show proper manners.”

Melody looked at the neat, pale dress and shivered. Ryan was waiting in the drawing room, seated on a blue velvet chair. He was dressed like a royal peacock, and surprisingly, it suited him well.

His deep purple coat, embroidered with fine patterns, made his blue eyes and hair shine even more.

“At last, we meet face to face.”

As Melody entered, his icy blue eyes swept over her from head to toe.

“Your Highness,” she greeted.

“The wait was long, but for a woman like you, it was worth it.”

His voice was smooth, clearly trying to charm her. With an exaggeratedly polite gesture, he motioned to the seat across from him.

“Sit.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“No need to be nervous. I came only to apologize for the injury I caused you.”

Melody wasn’t nervous. Just annoyed. She already had a guess as to why he came.

‘He must’ve heard somewhere that a magic tool maker entered the duke’s estate.’

Ryan was the kind of man who always wanted whatever belonged to Deonis. Thankfully, Melody knew how to handle him—thanks to the novel.

‘Ryan only wants what he can’t easily have.’

So the best way to deal with him… was to let him think she was easy to get.

‘Even if I’m not great at acting…’

Melody forced a smile onto her twitching lips.

“It’s such an honor that Your Highness remembers someone like me!”