Chapter 8
The carriage arrived near the temple. Several other carriages were already lined up around it. Belita stepped down from the carriage, feeling a faint headache. As always, she relaxed her expression more than before and looked around, hoping she could enter the temple without running into anyone she knew.
But that wish was shattered almost immediately.
“Belita!”
It was Hellin. She looked as though she had been waiting for Belita to arrive, recognizing her at once. More than that, Hellin’s face seemed brighter than yesterday. Belita had a bad feeling that something would happen here today, just as Tarchen had said.
Hellin approached them. Belita skillfully put on a smile.
“It’s good to see you, Hellin.”
Tarchen also greeted Hellin with a nod. Seeing the two of them, Hellin smiled warmly.
“It’s so nice to see you both again. By the way, I heard His Majesty the Emperor will be attending today.”
Belita was slightly surprised, but Tarchen showed no change in expression, as if he already knew. Of course. Belita gave a bitter laugh inwardly and kept her polite smile.
Hellin looked as though she was bursting with news. When Belita listened with a smile, Hellin quickly spoke.
“Belita, I was so surprised! Why didn’t you tell me yesterday that your family name was placed on the Wall of God?”
“The Wall of God?”
Belita’s expression faltered for a moment, but she barely managed to keep it composed. Her heart felt as though a stone had dropped into it—no, as though it had gone cold.
“Yes, your father’s name was there. Didn’t you know?”
Belita’s hand trembled slightly. Tarchen noticed and took her hand. She could not bring herself to pull away. Hellin was smiling brightly at her.
“I didn’t realize it at first, but it seems Tarchen used his influence.”
Belita immediately turned to Tarchen with a radiant smile. Tarchen met her gaze. To anyone watching, they would look like a happy couple, but inside Belita felt as though she were falling into an abyss.
“As expected. Since you’ve become head of the Noble Council, that makes sense. So now you’ll be praying for your father at the temple every day, won’t you? There’s no greater honor. Our family tried to have our name placed on the Wall of God too, but it didn’t work out.”
The Wall of God bore the names of families that had exerted influence over the Centreal Empire. It was considered sacred, and the requirements to have a name placed there were strict. What Tarchen had done was deception. Belita wanted to let go of his hand and slap his face right then and there.
But she could not. Countless people were glancing their way, and Hellin was right in front of her.
Just then, someone called for Hellin. It seemed her husband was looking for her. Hellin noticed and spoke quickly.
“I should go. I just came from checking the Wall of God and didn’t even tell my husband.”
“Alright, I’ll see you later.”
Belita spoke gently. Hellin smiled and gave a small wave before turning away. As soon as she did, Belita’s expression twisted slightly. Tarchen squeezed her hand and whispered in her ear.
“A surprise gift, Belita.”
His low laugh tickled her ear. Belita barely managed to take a deep breath. At times like this, she had to stay calm. Instead, she pinched his hand hard. Tarchen only laughed more, as if he found it amusing.
Belita spoke so only he could hear.
“Are you crazy?”
“Crazy? Isn’t that a bit much to say in front of the temple?”
“Do you even know what you’ve done? You’ve insulted my family.”
“No, I honored your family. I even put your family’s name on the Wall of God.”
“So now you want forgiveness? After everything you did?”
“Well, I don’t know about forgiveness. What matters is that now I can move further ahead.”
As expected, Tarchen only thought about his own future. Now that Belita’s family name was registered on the Wall of God, Tarchen, as her husband, would gain even greater power. Judging by the fact that he had already become head of the Noble Council, his goals were almost fully realized.
Belita tried to pull her hand away, but he gripped it even tighter.
“Smile, Belita. It wouldn’t do for you to be the only one with a gloomy face on such a good day.”
His voice was too close to her ear, irritating. His heavy perfume also assaulted her nose.
Belita felt dizzy for a moment. Until now, she had endured by his side in her own way. She had held her pride high and lived like the noble she once was. Even when things became difficult, she kept her expression steady and protected her former self.
But now, everything felt meaningless and out of place. And now, by placing her family’s name on the Wall of God, Tarchen was trying to erase everything he had done.
Only Belita knew what had happened that day.
Then Tarchen led her forward. Belita followed as if pulled along, her body devoid of strength.
“Congratulations. To have your family name placed on the Wall of God—after all your efforts, it finally seems to be rewarded.”
“Thank you.”
“But, Belita, are you alright?”
At that, Belita raised her head. Several people were standing before her; among them, the most noticeable was the Countess of Centrea. She looked at Belita with concern.
They had known each other since childhood and never missed tea parties or card games together. She was fairly close to Belita, and when Belita announced her marriage to Tarchen, she had been the only one truly shocked.
“I’m fi—”
Tarchen cut her off.
“My wife caught a mild cold this morning. I told her not to come, but she insisted that she must stay by my side on a day like this.”
With one hand, Tarchen gently cupped Belita’s cheek. Their eyes met. He deliberately examined her with concern and spoke in a soft voice.
“Belita, are you truly alright? I can call a carriage even now.”
Belita forced a smile and lowered her gaze. If she kept looking at him, her eyes would turn vicious.
“I’m fine.”
She barely kept her voice low. It trembled, but it suited the image of being ill and did not stand out. The Countess of Centrea still looked worried, but those around them praised Belita.
“You’re amazing. If it were me, I’d stay in bed all day.”
“Exactly. You must really love your husband. I came alone this time because I fought with mine.”
Laughter rang out. Judging by the way she spoke so casually, it must have been Atlin, who was infamous for her bad reputation. Belita simply lowered her head slightly, wishing they would all go away. At the same time, she dug her nails into Tarchen’s palm.
Tarchen turned his head. Belita glanced toward the temple. At least inside, she could escape from all these people. There, she could simply close her eyes and fold her hands in prayer.
But Tarchen only smiled and did not step forward. Only after greeting many people in front of the temple did he finally move.
From time to time, he pretended to worry about her.
“Madam, are you truly alright?”
Each time, Belita wanted to slap his face, but she endured and smiled. Since it was the weekend, there were many people in front of the temple: members of the Noble Council and even reporters with notebooks, hoping to gain something.
As this was a gathering of influential noble families, Belita could not act carelessly. Everyone regarded her as a good person, especially praising her natural noble etiquette.
Belita tried to meet their gazes as the woman she once was.
She was already skilled at wearing an elegant smile, so not a trace of filth could be seen on her face.
“How can she be so graceful?”
“Even when she’s sick, she looks paler and more dignified.”
Whispers like that reached her ears. Belita took comfort in them as she stood beside Tarchen. Then he took her hand. It seemed they were finally entering the temple.
Belita let out a faint sigh. All she wanted now was to sit down and rest.
Inside the temple, the soaring ceiling and vast prayer hall made even speaking feel improper. Everything was made of marble—Asterian marble, the most expensive kind. It did not look dull when light shone on it and had unique red patterns scattered throughout.
Every time she came to the temple, Belita thought of the mansion she had once lived in.
Even in the estate she lived in now, the same marble from the temple had been laid in the bathroom. At least spending Tarchen’s money on decorating the house felt somewhat worthwhile—especially when it reminded her of the estate from when her father was alive.
Breaking her thoughts, Tarchen whispered beside her,
“The Emperor has come, but the Crown Prince has not.”
Belita shot him a cold look. Since no one was in front of them, she could show it. Tarchen only smirked and said nothing more.
