CHAPTER 27
“Princess, are you unwell? Your face is ashen.”
“I need to check… but please leave for a moment. It’s better not to reveal my divine ability in front of others.”
“Can we…?”
Brown, sensing urgency, withdrew at once. He bowed and quietly exited—the soft click of the door resonated unexpectedly loud for Louisa.
Cough… cough…!
Priest Yoran rushed to her side, offering a handkerchief. But Louisa’s sudden wet cough sprayed bright red blood. Though not as much as earlier, it pooled scarlet on the floor.
Yoran placed a hand on her forehead and channeled divine energy. A dull purple light flickered under her eyelids. The discomfort at her throat faded—pain didn’t vanish entirely, but relief washed over her briefly.
She sighed deeply, mind-numbingly aware of the hellish pain in her stomach that came with coughing up blood—unbearable.
This was why she had come to Eanna Manor to avoid the miasma, only to be afflicted again by something worse.
“Are you alright?”
Yoran’s tone was calm, though laced with concern. He seemed unfazed—perhaps he’d anticipated this.
“…Thank you.”
“It would be best for you to lie down for a while. I’ll alert those waiting that treatment may take time.”
Her eyelids fluttered. Their gazes locked briefly.
“It seems conversation may be delayed further…”
Exhausted, Louisa closed her heavy eyes.
Soon after, the commotion subsided. She’d tried to conceal her healing ability, but it had become known. Priest Yoran seemed surprised but not overly so.
Louisa watched him as he delicately lifted the lid of the silver-gray box.
Inside gleamed what appeared to be a freshly blossomed Sacred Bloom—petals pure white, restored.
“The color changed… yes?”
Louisa scrutinized it carefully. She couldn’t purify anything directly, only internal miasma. The flower returning to its original form made her realize her ability might absorb external miasma indirectly.
Perhaps… I’ll end up even more burdened. How bothersome…
Priest Yoran spoke gently, picking up her train of thought: “Unless your holy energy expands significantly, your purification ability won’t be in demand.”
“Holy energy?”
“Yes. I sense faint divine energy. But in your current state, if you continue absorbing miasma, even holy water wouldn’t be enough.”
She looked up, surprised.
“You must keep your ability hidden. Please be very careful.”
“…Will you keep this secret?”
Yoran smiled sadly and closed the box.
“I serve the gods, but I have no authority over gifts they bestow. I act as a steward of life.”
“Thank you.”
“While you stay here, I will help with healing. Extended time in the temple, where divine energy is present, may strengthen your own holy power.”
“That means… my holy energy will grow?”
“Yes. The stronger it becomes, the more effective your purification ability. You should stay close to divine power.”
“Thank you. That’s good to know.”
“However, the temple will soon become crowded,” he continued. “Reinforcements—holy knights—are coming to aid in a monster purge. Expect many visitors.”
“Holy knights?”
Louisa grimaced, uneasy at the thought of more knights—especially Raphael, who held high rank and would not come lightly. She maintained a polite smile as Yoran added:
“They are expected soon, though due to limited space, some may lodge at the duke’s estate.”
…Something feels off about this.
She sensed that trouble lay ahead.
Later that day:
Louisa found herself stopped in mid-step by a tall, imposing figure with platinum hair and pale eyes.
“Lady Blake, long time no see.”
Am I dreaming? she wondered as she rubbed her eyes.
“I’ve been sent here and will be staying at the ducal estate.”
“When will you be staying?”
The figure—Raphael—responded, voice low: “Until the monster purge is satisfactorily completed.”
How long is “satisfactorily”? she thought, exasperated.
She’d hoped to keep her distance, but here he was, following her to breakfast.
As they entered the dining hall, the Duke and young Duke Damian looked surprised.
“Did you know Lady Blake was visiting too?” they asked Raphael.
Raphael offered a resigned reply, “I saw her on the stairs.”
Louisa calmly took her seat, resigned to the fact that this uncomfortable encounter would continue—whether she liked it or not.
A high ranking priest who’s actually helping? 🫢