Chapter 50
When things didn’t go according to his will, the Grand Duke looked at the High Priestess and then turned his gaze toward me.
“I suppose it can’t be helped. I came in just in case… but it seems this is as far as I can protect you.”
“Ah.”
Wasn’t he staying because he wanted to hear our conversation? His words were so unexpected that I only blinked in confusion.
“The High Priestess won’t do anything particular. So don’t worry. If she does anything unfair to you, tell me later.”
“Grand Duke Blair. I don’t harm people.”
“Even so, she’s just a child who doesn’t know anything yet.”
“How surprising. To think there is a child you worry about so much. You were a child who wasn’t kind even to your own blood relatives.”
“…Well. I just need this child a little, that’s all. There’s no other intention. And I already have children of my own… so please don’t speak as though I’m handling a toddler, High Priestess.”
“You still look like a child to me, Grand Duke Blair.”
She smiled softly while covering her mouth. Only then did the Grand Duke’s face redden, and he tried to leave through the door he had entered from.
Of course, Rohen stopped him.
“You’re just going to leave her— no, leave Aisha alone? No way.”
“Come on. There’s nothing to worry about.”
“Still. You absolutely can’t leave.”
Rohen shook his head firmly.
“Rohen.”
“I’m not leaving.”
“You have to listen.”
“I said I’m not leaving. No matter what you say, Father, I’m not leaving Aisha alone.”
Grinding his teeth, Rohen glared fiercely at the Grand Duke. The Grand Duke, who had been about to snap in irritation at Rohen’s stubbornness, instead let out a small laugh.
“As expected… the answer is Aisha.”
“What do you mean, Aisha?”
Rohen, once again completely unaware that he’d called him Father, snapped irritably.
“I understand how much you care about Aisha. But you don’t need to worry here. The High Priestess can’t move her body anyway. She poses no danger to Aisha.”
At that, both Rohen and I turned our gaze toward the High Priestess.
“It’s true. I’m older than I look, and my body doesn’t function properly anymore. So you don’t need to worry, Young Lord.”
Even so, Rohen continued staring at her.
Indeed, beneath her pure white robes, her legs looked unnaturally thin—as though all the flesh had withered away from years of immobility. Her eyes were covered as well. Someone who could never be a threat.
“Then… then you were trying to stay by Aisha’s side. All that talk about protection…”
“That was meant literally. The High Priestess is very direct and has no filter when she speaks. I was worried that Aisha might be hu—”
“Hu?”
“…Never mind. Anyway, now that you understand, we should leave. We shouldn’t take up any more of the High Priestess’s time.”
Looking quite pleased about being called Father, the Grand Duke bent slightly and took Rohen’s hand.
“But still. I said I’d protect her. Aisha!”
“Sometimes it’s okay to give her time alone. Aisha isn’t such a weak child.”
“She is. She’s weak.”
Rohen stubbornly refused to leave, as though he couldn’t bear to be separated from me.
“Rohen.”
“She’s stupid and never even says when she’s in pain. And then… and then if she collapses—”
“Ah.”
Only then did I understand why Rohen was so attached to me.
“It’s okay, Rohen. I’m totally fine today. If something happens, I’ll shout. Then you can come running. You’re better than anyone else, after all.”
Only after I said that did Rohen lower his head, looking dejected.
“…If you say so, I guess I have no choice.”
“You really are the only one who can stop Rohen.”
“It’s because Rohen is kind.”
Too kind, and too soft-hearted—just someone who doesn’t want anyone near him to get hurt or sick. That’s why I smiled awkwardly.
“I’m not kind! I’m leaving.”
And just like that, the Rohen who had stubbornly refused to leave until a moment ago quickly stormed out of the room.
‘I hope that heart of his stays the same. I wish he’d care a little more about his own benefit… but still, he’s such a warm child. Such an innocent child.’
My gaze followed Rohen for a long time.
Eventually, they all left, and the door closed, leaving only a small gap.
“Then… may we speak alone now?”
With a gentle smile, she raised her hand and beckoned me closer.
“Ah… yes.”
I approached her slowly.
High Priestess Levellia. Seeing her up close, she was truly unusual. I had thought she was beautiful even from afar, but her features were even more striking up close.
Though her eyes were covered, her high nose bridge, sharp jawline, and skin so translucent you could almost see the veins beneath it…
“I am High Priestess Levellia. Your name was Aisha, wasn’t it?”
Her voice, using polite speech even toward me, was incredibly gentle.
“Yes.”
“I don’t like speaking in circles. So I’ll be direct. Do you have any idea why I summoned you here, Aisha?”
Her firm tone made me shake my head quickly.
“No… I had no idea at all.”
“You’re very considerate. You’re only saying it because you think I can’t see, aren’t you?”
“Yes.”
“You don’t need to be so cautious. Even if I can’t see, I can perceive other things. In any case, I asked to see you after hearing about you from the priest who first examined you.”
What was it? What could have moved her like this?
“He said something about me? Is there… something seriously wrong with me?”
“I’ve been searching for someone. And I believe you might be that child, Aisha.”
“Me? I’m… nothing special…”
Just an ordinary child. The only thing special was that I knew this world was from a novel—and even then, I knew very little about it. I barely knew anything about High Priestess Levellia at all. She and the female lead had no connection, and for some reason, the female lead—who sided with the Crown Prince—seemed to dislike Levellia.
“…Aisha.”
“Yes.”
“There is no such thing as a child who is nothing. Just as everyone looks different, everyone carries their own story. And you, Aisha, possess a very special power.”
“What?”
That couldn’t be. I was a character who should have died long ago. Just because I changed my fate, was she saying this?
“You seem completely unaware. That power is extremely precious. Normally, I would want to bring you directly to the temple because it is that special.”
Levellia’s face looked sad when she said that. It was hard to be certain since she couldn’t see—but that’s how it felt.
“Are you… sad?”
“Hm?”
“You just look sad.”
“Sad… and also happy.”
Her hand reached toward me. Even with her eyes covered, her hand moved unerringly to where I stood.
I leaned my cheek into her palm. Her hand was so warm it made me feel strange. Was this what a mother’s touch felt like…?
“Anyway… the strange thing is that you’re sealing that power yourself, Aisha.”
“Sealing it?”
“You possess divine power. And that divine power has a strong tendency to protect its owner. Exceptional healing ability is one of the ways it protects you.”
I had divine power? It felt strange. Usually, they’d say you were born with it—but she said I possessed it, very deliberately.
Was it just my imagination, or did it feel like she meant this power originally didn’t belong to me?
‘If I really have divine power… and divine power can heal others… does that mean I could help Lari? Is that why I’m not suffering the same way Lari is, even though I do the same things?’
“High Priestess.”
“Yes.”
“Then does that mean I can help others too? Without them being in pain…?”
“Yes. But your divine power itself is currently sealed.”
My heart started pounding. If I could help them—if I could help Lari and Rohen—then maybe that alone would be enough for me.
“What should I do?”
“There is nothing I can do for you. You must break the seal yourself.”
“Ah…”
“Aisha. Do you wish to help someone? So they won’t suffer?”
Her finger gently traced my cheek.
“Yes…”
“Helping others is not an easy path. Are you still okay with that?”
“Yes!”
“But you can’t do it right away. Even if you break the seal and begin training, it will take over ten years.”
The hope that had filled my chest burst like a popped balloon.
“Ah… I see…”
“If you want, I can help you.”
“Really?”
“But I cannot help you without reason.”
“I’ll do anything. If you’ll just help me… I… I…”
For their sake, I could do anything. Strangely, it felt like I had to.
A voice deep inside my chest screamed that I had to save them somehow. That I had to give them a different future.
When the High Priestess’s hand rested against my cheek, those thoughts filled my head even more strongly.
As if… someone else were speaking through me.
