Episode 55
“I’ll go ahead and order, then.”
Louisa nodded casually. She called over the server and ordered a mild tea and a slice of fresh cream cake—something easy to enjoy. Since they had quickly entered a private room to avoid any unwanted attention toward Bella, she belatedly added that Raphael should be directed to this room when he arrived.
‘The sun’s about to set.’
The sky was glowing orange. Louisa unconsciously reached for the gift bag beside her, gently fiddling with it.
If the sun set a little more, the sky would match the color of the protective stone inside. If it weren’t for Bella, she would’ve taken it out to look—but she held back, feeling a bit regretful.
Louisa’s gaze shifted across the table. Bella still wore a sullen expression, the same one she’d had ever since parting with Raphael.
‘He should hurry up and come get her.’
She really didn’t want to get involved with someone who already seemed like trouble.
Just as Louisa turned her head away, pretending not to notice Bella’s furtive glances, the tea arrived—perfect timing.
Louisa lowered her gaze and quietly savored the tea. She could feel Bella’s eyes on her face, but she simply pretended not to notice and focused on sipping.
Bella, however, had no intention of keeping the silence.
“It’s all so overwhelming being in a strange place… Everyone keeps talking about responsibility…”
A sudden lament. Louisa blinked, her expression still blank.
“Of course, I’m happy people are treating me kindly! It feels nice to be seen as important, too. But the temple is so stifling…”
Well, yes. The temple was full of uptight people. Considering they’d renounced worldly life to serve the gods, it was probably the farthest one could get from freedom.
Still…
‘Has she even been in the capital long enough to feel stifled?’
Louisa tilted her head ever so slightly.
“Oh, but I don’t mean I hate it! I just want to meet more people… There are so many cool people here—maybe because it’s the capital. Especially Sir Raphael! He’s the coolest! But…”
She was easy to deal with in some ways—she didn’t require a response and could talk endlessly on her own. Louisa preferred quiet, but as long as Bella didn’t expect answers, it wasn’t too bad.
“You must be really shy.”
“…Pardon?”
Louisa found herself responding without thinking. Not that it was a real answer—more like a stunned reaction.
‘Talk about extreme optimism… She says that even after seeing his cold expression?’
It was almost impressive how oblivious she was.
“Maybe if we got closer, you’d open up more? That means we should meet more often. Come to think of it, you were with Sir Raphael the other day too. Are you close?”
“Hm, you could say that.”
From an outsider’s perspective, at least.
Louisa lifted her teacup and added indifferently, “We’re engaged.”
Then she took a slow sip of tea, watching Bella’s emerald eyes waver.
“Saint, please return with us.”
“Everyone is extremely worried.”
The holy knights who entered the room with Raphael were pale-faced. From the way they anxiously glanced at him, it was clear they’d already received a scolding.
‘And yet she still won’t leave…’
Louisa glanced behind her at Bella, who was dragging her feet.
She was chewing her lip—clearly pretending not to understand what was going on. But Louisa couldn’t comprehend why she was being so stubborn.
“The knights who were assigned to protect the Saint will be disciplined.”
Raphael’s voice was laced with irritation, as if he’d finally had enough. He usually only mentioned consequences to himself, not others—so this was out of character.
If this story wasn’t supposed to begin as an enemies-to-lovers relationship, Louisa could only conclude: these two had no hope.
She’d joked that it seemed like a hate relationship, but Louisa distinctly remembered that the original plot involved Raphael falling for the female lead at first sight and demanding their engagement be broken off. Watching them now, any chance of them progressing seemed slim.
“They didn’t do anything wrong. I just wanted to take a walk alone, so they stepped aside…”
Now standing directly in front of Raphael, Bella hunched her shoulders.
“I see. But regardless of the reason, they failed to stay by your side. That’s still a breach of duty.”
“But…”
Bella’s brows drooped pathetically. Her teary eyes darted about like wet leaves trembling in the breeze.
“Can’t you let it go just for today? I probably won’t be allowed out again… You said I’ll be traveling far soon, too…”
She couldn’t bring herself to meet Raphael’s eyes, so her hazy emerald gaze turned to Louisa instead.
“And! You said it was okay if I stayed with you, right? Lady Louisa?”
Bella suddenly grabbed Louisa’s arm.
Huh? Louisa raised an eyebrow and calmly looked down at the hands clutching her.
“Is that true?”
Louisa’s gaze drifted slowly toward Raphael. At the same time, Bella’s grip tightened.
“No. I never said that. This is quite surprising.”
“Lady Louisa?”
Bella’s voice trembled with confusion.
Why had she assumed Louisa would cover for her? Did she think Louisa would play along just to maintain a gentle image? Maybe other noble ladies would, but…
‘Why should I? It’s not like I have a reputation to protect.’
Bella picked the wrong person. Louisa pried her arm loose and slowly pushed Bella’s hand away.
“I’d like to support you, really—but wouldn’t it be better to return before more knights get punished?”
If the two showed any signs of getting closer, Louisa might’ve endured the hassle and let her stay. But with Bella showing one-sided interest, she could already see herself being the only one inconvenienced.
She had briefly debated whether she should worry about breaking off the engagement, but watching all this confirmed it—there was no point. Better to stay out of trouble.
“H-Hurt others? I just… I just…”
“Well, I think that’s something better discussed at the temple. I’m an outsider here, after all.”
“Lady Louisa!”
Bella reached out with tear-filled eyes, seemingly ready to grab Louisa’s arm again. Louisa clicked her tongue and stepped aside.
Raphael moved instinctively, half-shielding Louisa with his body.
“And I never gave you permission to use my name. Please address me more formally as Lady Blake from now on.”
Louisa didn’t particularly care how people addressed her—but if someone was blatantly trying to use her, that was a different matter. A faint smile played on her lips.
In that moment, Bella’s eyes filled with resentment, but Raphael firmly pushed her toward the knights, and she soon vanished from view.
By then, the sunset had passed. Though the fireworks hadn’t started yet, Louisa felt drained enough to want to go home. She followed behind Raphael, half-dazed, just wanting to rest.
Mary had told her earlier where the best viewing spots were, but now she didn’t care. She just wanted to lie down. Why did it feel like they were going uphill? Even walking on flat ground felt tiring—today had been rough.
“Are you alright?”
She was just about to say, “Can’t we just watch from here?” when Raphael matched her pace beside her and asked gently.
“…A bit tired. Is it still far?”
“We need to climb a bit more. Most of the good spots are crowded, so I looked for a more secluded one.”
“Ah…”
Even if it was nearby, she would’ve called it quits. But more climbing? Maybe they should just watch from here or go back. Louisa was debating whether to say something when she turned to look at Raphael.
He seemed to be on the verge of saying something. Just as she decided to take a short break…
“How about I carry you?”
“Carry me?”
“If you’re okay with it, of course…”
Wait. Did he mean like… a princess carry? Sure, she was wearing a dress, so a piggyback might be awkward, but still…
“I’m fine with that.”
Comfort took priority. It’s not like anyone was watching anyway. If she couldn’t turn back, she might as well get there with less effort.
Louisa shamelessly folded her hands over her chest and blinked up at him.
“Is this the right pose?”
His blue eyes blinked, expression dazed. He didn’t even move his eyelids, just stared at her with slightly parted lips.
“Sir Raphael?”
“Ah… Yes. Pardon me for a moment.”
“Okay.”
“You can rest your hands on my shoulders, or keep them as is if that’s more comfortable.”
“Hmm… In that case, just a moment.”
As Raphael gently lifted her, Louisa reached her left arm behind his neck, wrapping it loosely to stabilize herself. Only then did she notice how close their faces were.
“…!”
The cool night breeze mingled with the warmth of his breath as it brushed her cheek.
Their eyes locked, their breaths shallow, his body heat pressed against her.
Suddenly, she became hyper-aware of everything—so unlike the nonchalance she’d shown just seconds before.
