Chapter 61
Although the temple was located near the village, it wasn’t what you’d call actually close.
Compared to temples in other towns, yes—it was nearer.
But since it still sat on the outskirts, it was that vague kind of distance that wasn’t far yet not near either.
If it were daytime, it wouldn’t be so bad.
But at this late hour, imagining an adult woman and a small child walking all the way out there along a lonely road—it was bound to be a little frightening.
“Then I’ll be counting on you.”
“I’ll take you right away. Ah, leave that wagon there. I’ll have someone bring it back to your home.”
Claude gestured with his chin toward the wagon.
After exchanging a few words with someone nearby, he turned back to us and motioned for us to follow.
Seeing that, I reached my hand toward Estelle.
“Shall we go too?”
“…Yes.”
Estelle slowly placed her hand in mine.
She sighed deeply as if going unwillingly, glaring at Claude in clear disapproval.
* * *
“We’ve arrived.”
“So we have.”
I nodded while gazing at the temple—the only place where light leaked out amid the still night.
As I’d expected, the walk there was terrifying.
The sun had set quickly, the surroundings were dim, and unlike the village, there were no street lamps.
And the number of trees—why were there so many?
Every time a shadow moved, I jumped—only to realize it was just another tree shadow.
…I can’t believe I’m showing this side of myself to the duke’s eldest son.
Not only did I shriek several times, but I also clung to him instinctively.
So much for avoiding any physical contact with him.
I’d just undone all that effort myself.
But can that even count as “skinship”?
It was just contact for the sake of survival—nothing more than unavoidable self-preservation!
Besides, it’s not like there was any romantic atmosphere at all.
All I did was scream.
I fervently brainwashed myself, rationalizing my already shameful actions.
…Still, not everything that happened was embarrassing.
Because—
Estelle had clung to me.
She jumped up and grabbed onto me like a cicada on an old tree trunk.
She must’ve been just as scared as I was.
Every time the wind brushed through the leaves, she’d shriek and latch onto me again.
Maybe that actually made it a bit less scary.
Since Estelle screamed and grabbed me first, I had to stay calm for her sake.
That sense of needing to protect her helped me pull myself together.
And thanks to that, the number of accidental contacts with Claude dropped drastically afterward.
But Estelle still didn’t seem completely fine.
Her brows were furrowed, as though she were forcing herself to endure something, and she was staring hard at Claude.
She must still have been frightened.
To comfort her, I lifted her into my arms again.
Patting her back, I smiled at Claude.
“Thank you, Mr. Claude, for escorting us this far. Thanks to you, we made it safely.”
“As I said before, it’s merely repayment. No need to thank me.”
Claude shook his head lightly.
Then he glanced toward the temple and continued,
“It seems someone from the temple has come to greet you. I’ll be taking my leave, then. Until next time.”
He gave a polite bow to me and Estelle before turning away.
And just as he disappeared into the dark—
“You’ve arrived.”
A gentle voice spoke.
“We’ve been waiting for you.”
Drawn by that kind voice, I turned my head.
“High Priest Welfion.”
Under the dark night sky, the temple was the only place emitting light.
As its great doors opened, a man stepped out—his figure framed by the glow behind him.
It was Welfion.
Perhaps it was because I was seeing him for the first time after sunset,
but something about him felt different tonight.
Though his eyes still carried their usual kindness and his smile remained gentle,
the air around him felt… heavier.
“The night air has turned quite chilly. Please, come inside first.”
Standing at the temple’s entrance, Welfion took a step aside.
The once-hidden doors were revealed—wide open.
As if to warmly welcome its visitors, the light spilling from within was bright and inviting.
Adjusting my hold on Estelle, I stepped toward that light and entered the temple.
* * *
“You can put me down now.”
Once we were inside, Estelle whispered softly.
She lightly pushed against my shoulder, looking up at me.
Her face was calmer now.
Bathed in the temple’s warm light, all the fear she’d shown earlier seemed to have melted away.
I gently set her down.
That was when—
“Can we… not see it next time?”
“…Hm?”
Before she was completely out of my arms, Estelle whispered—her voice small and restrained, as though holding something back.
Not see what?
I tilted my head, unsure what she meant.
“…It’s nothing.”
She let out a quiet sigh and released her arms from around my neck.
Then she took a step back, completely freeing herself from me.
“Um…”
Just as I was about to ask her what she meant—
“This way, please.”
Before I could get a word out, Welfion began leading the way.
I awkwardly lowered the hand I’d reached out to stop Estelle.
What was she talking about?
As we walked side by side, I glanced at Estelle.
She’d said it was nothing, but it still bothered me.
I blinked repeatedly, deep in thought, wondering what it was that we weren’t supposed to “see.”
What could she have meant by that?
No matter how hard I thought, nothing came to mind.
We hadn’t seen anything terrifying or grotesque.
The only thing we’d “seen” was an adorable little farm girl named Estelle.
But telling me not to look at this cute little thing again—that’s too cruel.
So surely that wasn’t it.
No—it couldn’t be.
Biting my lips, I stole glances at Estelle as we followed Welfion.
“By the way,” Welfion spoke as he walked ahead,
“did you enjoy the festival? I heard Sister Estelle participated in the Beautiful Harvest Competition. I was curious how it went.”
“Thanks to the Lord’s blessing, we had a wonderful time. Estelle even won first place.”
“Truly? Congratulations, Sister Estelle. A birthday victory on top of that—such a string of blessings.”
Welfion turned slightly, smiling warmly at Estelle.
His violet eyes curved gently, his expression radiating genuine joy.
Ha! I knew our Estelle was the best.
I wasn’t even the one being praised, yet I felt so proud my chest puffed up on its own.
Overwhelmed by the warmth swelling inside, I couldn’t stop my grin.
I placed both hands on Estelle’s shoulders and looked back at Welfion—
with the triumphant face of a parent whose kid just got into Seoul National University.
“But, how did you know Estelle joined the contest?”
“I happened to overhear one of the brothers talking about it.
And when I did, it gave me a rather curious feeling.”
Seeing my proud expression, Welfion chuckled—
a real laugh this time, not the gentle smile he usually wore.
Unfortunately, that laughter didn’t last long.
He quickly composed himself as we stopped before a small door.
With his usual serene expression, he reached for the handle.
“The story I wanted to share tonight happens to be related to farming as well.”
Then he turned the knob and opened the door.
What kind of gift will Welfion give Estelle, I wonder?
From the moment he’d invited her to visit the temple during the festival,
my heart had been fluttering in anticipation.
In Raise Your Daughter, there was always a special event on the child’s birthday.
Of course, it wasn’t anything spectacular—
just the parent buying a gift at the shop, and depending on the gift type, the child’s stats would increase or decrease.
Oh, and if you’d already met one of the romanceable characters,
they’d give you a birthday greeting and you’d unlock a new illustration.
But when I actually bought Estelle a present this time…
it felt—different from the game somehow.
