CHAPTER 40………………………………………………………..
I took another sip of tea and carefully placed the teacup back on the table.
The soft clinking of glass barely echoed once, then fell silent.
All that could be heard now was the faint noise of life drifting through the wide-open window.
Tamitarte let out a heavy sigh, closed his eyes tightly for a moment, then opened them again.
He too set his teacup down carefully and regarded me with a serious gaze.
“I must ask you honestly. Please tell me about the priest who healed Your Highness, or, if it wasn’t a priest, tell me about that person.”
“…”
“I just want the chance to meet them once.”
If he asked me to kneel and beg, I could almost see him doing that. His desperation was palpable, and I had to remain composed.
“I am asking Your Highness because it might be the person I am looking for.”
“That is a difficult request to grant—if the one who healed me isn’t a priest.”
“…”
“Wouldn’t it make the ducal house a family that broke imperial law?”
Though the dukes’ influence was strong enough to avoid serious trouble, I had no desire to give Rozian any reason to find fault with them.
“You can just think that it was the priest who left the temple who healed me…”
“They didn’t leave.”
Tamitarte cut me off sharply and squeezed his eyes shut.
“They ran away because they no longer wanted to be used by the temple.”
“…”
“They escaped.”
Not for service, not for a mission—just ran away? I hadn’t expected to hear a secret that the temple would have hidden so tightly, spoken so openly.
“I am asking this and telling you this so the temple can no longer find them.”
I had no idea who he was searching for to beg this way.
It also likely had nothing to do with me.
The person he knew as my biological mother had no sacred powers at all.
“Do you know their name?”
Tamitarte rose from the sofa, knelt on one knee, and grasped my hand tightly.
“The name of the one who healed Your Highness…”
His lips, faintly red, hesitated, muttering the words.
If someone unaware of the situation had looked, it would seem less like asking a name and more like speaking a curse.
The pale-blue eyes that had wavered now hardened with determination.
“Daniel?”
Hearing the name of my father immediately after my mother’s, I couldn’t maintain my composure.
I thought that, having lived as a noble, I could control my expression, but now I couldn’t.
Who was this priest to know both my parents’ names?
My father’s words before he passed—and before I entered the ducal house—“I’m a fugitive,” flashed through my mind. By the time I had regained my composure, it was already too late.
This handsome man with such a pure appearance seemed convinced that it was my father who had healed me.
“Please, let me meet him just once, Your Highness.”
Since hiding it was already too late, I had no choice but to speak truthfully.
“And why should I trust a priest? Tamitarte, you’re Rozian’s associate, after all.”
He was mainly responsible for Rozian’s care.
“From what you’ve told me of even the temple’s small secrets, don’t you understand? The moment I leave this room, I will forget every conversation we’ve had.”
He squeezed my hand tightly.
“Please, I beg you.”
The thought that I might learn something about my father and mother gripped me.
I tried to think calmly, holding my breath, but in this situation, maintaining composure and thinking clearly was nearly impossible.
I couldn’t predict the butterfly effect that my words or this moment might trigger.
Even if today’s events became a variable… it wouldn’t be bad to owe a priest of some standing.
He likely couldn’t locate my deceased parents, and if I didn’t voluntarily step forward, he wouldn’t be able to meet the one who had healed me.
“I don’t know the name of the one who healed me.”
I continued, seeing the momentary despair in his eyes.
“I’ve never even heard it before.”
“…”
“But I can arrange a meeting. Whether the person who appears is the right one or not is for Priest Tamitarte to confirm.”
I gently covered his hand with my free one, still holding onto his pleading grip.
Even if I went as Bernice Devin, it wouldn’t matter to Tamitarte. I was also curious what he knew about my parents.
I didn’t have many memories of my mother. She had worked outside to support our livelihood and passed away suddenly; that was all I knew.
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Tamitarte’s face brightened, and I smiled softly.
“On one condition, if I arrange this meeting.”
His delicate, pure face made his Adam’s apple move noticeably, reminding me that he was indeed a man.
“What can you do for me, Priest?”
“Whatever I can grant, I will.”
“Very well. Having a debt like this isn’t bad. Stand, Tamitarte.”
I took his hand, helping him rise, and he cautiously stood, his pale-lavender hair flowing over his white uniform.
Seeing the relief on his face, I smiled in return.
I still wondered what kind of connection he had with my parents to elicit such an expression.
“Thank you, Your Highness. Truly, thank you.”
“It’s a fair exchange. I trust you won’t go back on your word.”
“I will never do that.”
I never fully trusted “never.” Glancing past him at the commotion outside, I opened the reception room door.
There was no need to linger any longer.
“When would be a suitable time for the meeting?”
“Meet at midnight in two days at Daril Village square. I will contact the person who healed me separately.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
He seemed visibly relieved, rubbing his chest. As I left the room alone, I saw Lian and Sir Cliff rushing into the mansion, showing obvious urgency.
Lian looked particularly amusing—his otherwise handsome face marred with blood.
Had something happened outside? Thinking about how they’d been missing since early morning, I tilted my head slightly, making eye contact with Lian.
“…Th-This… April.”
His voice, muddy and heavy like quicksand, trembled.
Meeting my eyes, he looked as if he might burst into tears. If I so much as spoke—or even poked him—tears would surely fall from his eyes.
I doubted his expression was purely from guilt.
Glancing behind him, I saw Sir Cliff, holding back his emotions while also looking at me, his brows slightly furrowed.
He forced a smile as if trying to hide that something outside involved me.
“I’m going to see Father.”
“Go ahead.”
I stepped aside, and Lian hurried off. Sir Cliff, bowing slightly, followed after him. I returned to escort Tamitarte, walking slowly.
At the door, I spoke softly.
“Midnight in two days, at Daril Village square.”
Tamitarte nodded slightly, eyes still glistening with lingering tears, clearly grateful.
I still wondered what connection he had with my parents to know them. Unlike my mother, always busy earning a living, my father had never come to the capital except once.
“Thank you for helping me, Your Highness.”
His watery eyes made his gentle features seem even more fragile.
He lightly kissed the back of my hand, expressing reverence and gratitude. I carefully withdrew my hand in return.
“I hope what you said—that this has nothing to do with Rozian—is true.”
“You may trust me.”
I licked my dry lips, observing the sincerity on his face.
I had agreed to arrange the meeting out of my desire to know about my parents, but I wasn’t sure if it was the right choice.
