Chapter 56
It wasn’t exactly something that needed to be kept secret.
As long as Sir Nodin and Sir Ayer remained assigned as her personal guards, it was only a matter of time before the schedule came to light anyway.
And it’s been almost a month, too.
She was planning to stop by Morvena’s temple while she was at it.
But when she saw that curiosity-filled face, a sudden urge to tease him bubbled up.
“It’s a secret.”
Cecilia neatly sealed the explanation she’d been about to give, replied mischievously, and turned on her heel.
A pouty voice trailed after her as she began preparing to go out, but Cecilia simply smiled and left the room as if she hadn’t heard a thing.
By the time the carriage changed direction, Marcus—who had been trying every sweet word he knew to coax her into revealing her destination—caught on faster than expected.
“You’re heading to the temple.”
He lifted the curtain slightly to peer outside, then leaned back against the seat.
Outside, Dylan was escorting the carriage. Cecilia had suggested they switch positions, but Marcus had immediately started whining about whether she found him annoying, leaving her with no real choice.
Remembering the commotion, Cecilia shuddered briefly before nodding as she checked Marcus’s expression.
“You’re quick to notice.”
“I used to visit that place fairly often myself.”
Marcus replied with a smile, his face as neat and composed as ever—but for some reason, Cecilia felt as though he were hiding something.
Perhaps noticing the subtle shift in mood, Marcus immediately reverted to his usual cheeky demeanor and began chattering away.
“It does look kinda shabby—ah, sorry. I mean rustic. But the skills are legit, I swear~”
He made a show of tapping his lips, then cocked an eyebrow as if seeking her agreement.
And yes, the man’s abilities were undeniably real.
If they weren’t, I’d have stopped going long ago.
With a soft chuckle, Cecilia’s pale green eyes slowly traced Marcus’s refined features.
The fleeting expression she’d seen earlier was already gone without a trace.
It’s probably not about him… maybe something involving his family?
He looked perfectly healthy now.
Of course, it wasn’t unheard of for someone who’d been sickly as a child to recover fully as an adult—but her instincts told her this wasn’t his story.
As Cecilia considered digging deeper, she quietly withdrew her gaze.
…If he doesn’t want to talk about it, there’s no reason to pry.
If he ever felt ready, Marcus would likely tell her himself.
For now, she didn’t want to earn the dislike of the knight in front of her.
Partly because Marcus Nodin seemed kind and likable.
And more importantly—because he’s someone my husband assigned.
Having reached that conclusion, Cecilia smiled gently.
“You’re right. He’s very skilled. He told me to visit regularly, so I come once a month.”
“Wow. Most people would hesitate after hearing that. I mean, he kinda gives off scammer vibes, doesn’t he?”
Marcus covered his mouth with his hand and whispered loudly enough for anyone to hear.
“And the old man dresses all grimy too—ugh. I keep telling him to take better care of his clothes, but he never listens.”
“An old man? You know the priest as well?”
“Huh?”
Was that really so surprising?
Marcus stared blankly for a moment, then rolled his eyes as though sorting through his thoughts.
“Yes… the priest. Right.”
He let his words trail off awkwardly before breaking into a grin.
“You’re probably the only one who treats that old man like an actual priest, Your Grace.”
He shivered theatrically, saying it gave him goosebumps, and Cecilia laughed along with him.
Hmm.
Extremely suspicious.
Though Marcus soon steered the conversation elsewhere, Cecilia continued to mull over that lingering discomfort.
She had wanted to approach the issue carefully rather than interrogate him outright.
Had that been a misjudgment?
While she weighed the matter internally, the carriage continued rattling cheerfully down the road.
By the time they arrived at the temple, Cecilia still hadn’t reached a clear conclusion. Deciding to start with something she could resolve immediately, she spoke up.
“You’ve come a bit earlier than usual this month. Your condition is… a little worse.”
The old man seated across the table had barely begun speaking when—
“Wait. Before that, there’s something I want to ask.”
Cecilia raised a hand to stop him and met his gaze.
His silvery-gray eyes showed not the slightest hint of agitation. He looked straight back at her, utterly unbothered—as if there were nothing uncomfortable about the situation at all.
That confidence made her hesitate briefly, but—
“You have to answer honestly.”
When it came to clearing up doubts, direct questions were best.
As her expression turned serious, the old man’s face grew solemn as well.
After a short breath, Cecilia carefully asked,
“Is there… something you’ve been hiding from me? For example, your true status?”
“Huh?”
The tense atmosphere shattered instantly.
The old man’s bushy eyebrows shot upward. After blinking a few times, he burst out laughing.
His thick beard bounced as he cackled, shoulders shaking as though he couldn’t contain himself. Eventually, he wiped at the corner of his eyes with a stubby finger.
Then he reached out his hand toward her.
Unsure whether she should feel embarrassed or press further, Cecilia reflexively took it—and he shook her hand vigorously.
“Well now, that’s the funniest thing I’ve heard in a long time. Thank you for that.”
“…Please don’t tease me.”
Cecilia’s ears burned bright red.
“There were reasons to suspect it. If you heard them, you’d understand.”
“Who said such nonsense?”
“I’ll keep that confidential—for the informant’s safety.”
The old man snorted.
“Marcus, huh? Figures.”
“…I apologize for testing you.”
“That brat’s always been rude. You don’t need to take anything he says seriously. You already know that.”
Grumbling away regardless of her apology, the old man smacked his lips.
“So then—what about me made you believe something like that?”
“You look… approachable?”
“You’re not very good at lying, either.”
Delivering that blunt assessment, he let out a soft, airy sound and gently placed his hand atop Cecilia’s head.
That familiar presence enveloped her once more—warm, calming energy.
“It’s fascinating.”
“What is?”
“When I think of divine power, I imagine something sharp and overwhelming. But yours isn’t like that at all.”
As she spoke softly, the old man’s holy power slowly spread throughout her body.
Light reached the places tainted by illness, carrying with it a fervent wish for recovery.
“That’s because you’re particularly compatible with Morvena’s blessing.”
As Cecilia marveled, something she’d heard on her first visit to the temple surfaced in her mind.
“Oh, right. I was told Morvena’s touch is upon me.”
“Well… that’s one way to put it.”
The old priest’s divine power, which had been lingering near her fingertips, began to climb toward her heart.
Just as Cecilia frowned at the faint burning sensation—
“It’s a bit different from divine power, though—since it’s eating away at your lifespan.”
The words were tossed out casually.
