~Chapter 4~
‘Does this even make sense?’
Today, like always, I went to the hallway at the same time and hid behind a column, staring at Yushen with empty eyes.
How could he not leave the temple for three whole days? He’s supposed to be looking for a criminal!
Of course, the criminal he’s looking for is actually hiding in this temple. But shouldn’t he be sweating and searching everywhere? Isn’t that what detectives do?
‘He’s not a detective, but holy knights do similar work…’
Anyway! Why are all the other holy knights walking around outside, but Yushen is stuck to the temple like glue?
‘Don’t tell me… he knows I’m here? Nah, he’s not that sharp.’
I shook my head and listened to the conversation between Yushen and a knight I didn’t know.
“Captain, when are you going to get married?”
“Married?”
Yushen jumped like a startled fish at the question.
“I told you, my little sister keeps going after you! You’re too good for her! Please get married to someone else before she catches you!”
“Why would she…”
He looked so clueless and innocent that I almost wanted to answer for him.
In the novel, this side of Yushen was actually a charm point.
People in the comments would say, “It’s nice that he isn’t the typical cruel male lead you see in these stories!”
But staring at those innocent eyes just made me frustrated.
“I keep telling you, Captain, you’re too handsome! Guys like me, with rough looks, are less popular.”
“Hmm… Winter, so if I looked like you, things would be easier?”
The knight’s face turned red at Yushen’s words.
Was Yushen really clueless, or just pretending?
‘Wait, so that guy is Winter?’
I looked closer at the tough, tan man.
Winter Hartwick was the vice-captain of Luche, and in the original novel, the female lead’s older brother.
That meant his little sister was the main heroine, Idellia the Saintess. In the early story, she confessed to Yushen all the time—so it must be that part now.
Definitely someone I should not get involved with. I didn’t like Idellia’s spoiled, childish personality.
While I was lost in thought, Winter’s face calmed down.
“…Captain, are you making fun of me?”
“What? N-no, I didn’t mean it that way…”
Yushen scrambled to explain as if he was afraid of making Winter angry.
To see the highest-ranked knight in Luche flustered by his own subordinate—it was kind of funny.
Then—
“Huh? Captain, are you crying again?”
Crying? Yushen? Really?
I couldn’t see his face well from this far, but I squinted and saw Yushen lowering his head.
He wiped his eyes with his gloved hand…
Was he really crying? Just from a little teasing?
“…I’m not crying.”
“Really? Then what’s this wet stuff on your face?”
Winter grinned, then burst out laughing.
“Pfft—!”
Even I could tell he was joking, so why didn’t Yushen?
Was this really the same Yushen who’d chased me before?
“Sigh… Our captain is so soft-hearted, but on the battlefield, he changes completely. Even after all this time, I still find it amazing.”
Yushen, listening quietly, scratched his cheek and asked,
“Winter, do people not like this side of me?”
“What? Did someone say something? Who? Was it those Imperial Knights?”
“N-no, it’s nothing like that!”
Yushen waved his hands, trying to calm Winter down.
“It’s just… sometimes I wonder. I really do act different when I’m working.”
“If anyone ever says something bad, bring them to me. I’ll make sure they never talk like that again.”
Winter shook his fist seriously, his whole body trembling.
I’d better be careful not to let Winter hear what I really think.
Soon, Winter let go of his fist and smiled gently.
“Captain, I like you just the way you are. You just work hard at your job. And…”
“And?”
“When I see you focused on work, you look perfect. But when you look a little silly like now, it reminds me you’re human, just like me.”
“…Is that a compliment?”
“Of course!”
Even though Winter said it was a compliment, Yushen still looked unsure.
I didn’t really like Yushen, but I kind of agreed with Winter.
The two opposite sides of Yushen’s personality made him seem more human.
The author probably did it on purpose for the readers.
‘And now I’m the one being chased by a guy like that…’
I sighed quietly and hid completely behind the column.
I had a reason for listening in on Yushen’s conversations.
I needed to know how the search for me was going.
If I knew, I could decide whether to run away or keep hiding.
As their conversation was ending, I got ready to leave to do what the assistant priest asked.
“Tia!”
I was so surprised by the sudden call, I opened my eyes wide and looked around. It was my roommate Lucy, coming out of the guesthouse.
She wasn’t far, but I worried Yushen might have heard. Luckily, he was still talking with Winter.
I ran quietly over to Lucy. She glanced at me and asked,
“What are you doing here? Are you playing hide-and-seek without me?”
“I was just taking a break.”
“Really~?”
Lucy looked at me with a sly smile.
I nervously bit the inside of my cheek.
‘Ugh, I’m in trouble.’
Lucy was way too quick-witted for someone living in a lazy temple. She’d figure out what I was doing in no time.
As I expected, after a moment of silence, Lucy realized I was watching someone.
“Whatever you were spying on, it must have been fun. Let me see too.”
“N-no way!”
I jumped in front of her to block her. Luckily, she was smaller than me.
I quickly changed the subject.
“Lucy! Why were you looking for me?”
“Oh, right! The priest said we need to gather for prayer.”
Thankfully, Lucy was simple—even if she was quick-witted. Otherwise, she might have figured out I was the criminal Luche was searching for.
I pushed Lucy’s back and headed for the chapel.
I fixed my clothes and stood at my spot just as the prayer began.
Unlike last week, I couldn’t relax during prayer. The Luche knights were praying with us today.
Before, I could stay far from Yushen, but today there were only two people between us.
So I kept my head down and stayed alert the whole time.
“With the power given by God…”
The assistant priest on the altar read the prayer with so much passion his face turned red, but I couldn’t focus.
All my senses were aimed at Yushen.
After about an hour, the prayer finally ended. My neck and eyes were sore from keeping my head down and peeking at Yushen.
‘I need to go back and rest.’
But today, the exit was blocked.
Other people seemed used to it, but as someone from fast-paced Korea, I felt frustrated.
Why weren’t people moving?
I tried to see over the crowd, standing on my toes.
“Found you.”
A familiar voice echoed in my ear. My body went stiff like a tree.
I slowly turned my head, and there was Yushen—not the gentle face, but the scary one I knew.
Red warning lights flashed in my head. I had to run!
But, as if he read my mind, a strong hand grabbed my shoulder.
“If you take one step, I’ll kill you.”
His cold voice made my hair stand on end.
I’m doomed. This time, I’m really screwed.
God, Buddha, anybody—please save me!
