Chapter 10
Early in the morning, while I was zoning out in the garden, Ellie handed me a silver tray. On it were several luxurious-looking letters and a letter opener.
In most noble households, it was an unspoken rule to leave letters in the basket in the bedroom. The fact that she didn’t do that probably meant Ellie had started to feel more comfortable around me.
“Thanks.”
When I said that with a light smile, Ellie smiled back at me.
As expected, the letters were party invitations. I had a vague feeling it was about time something like this happened.
‘It’s about time I made a public appearance.’
After her coming-of-age ceremony in the original story, Lilith had attended every party she could—as if making up for the time she’d been confined to the imperial palace.
I suppose that hadn’t changed even before I possessed her body. That flow must have been interrupted because I kept turning down invitations and staying secluded.
The timing was good. After the noble lady had disappeared for almost two months, many people were likely curious about what had happened.
That made it the perfect moment to appear in public a few times, acting polite and completely normal. That alone would make the rumors spread like wildfire, wouldn’t it?
‘That, and… I want to make some friends!’
The springtime in the empire was far too lovely to spend cooped up inside a mansion. On days like this, I wanted to go on picnics, try boat rides, and sit down to enjoy tea and chatter with friends.
“House Grandel, huh…”
Among the many invitations, I picked one up. I had vaguely heard that they were a prestigious marquess family. If they were hosting, many high-ranking nobles would attend—it was the perfect chance to prove I was fine.
Moreover, the invitation—seemingly handwritten by the Marchioness of Grandel—was full of warmth and sincerity. It wasn’t just a formal courtesy. It clearly expressed that she genuinely wanted me to attend.
“Um, milady…”
“Yes?”
“Are you… really going to that party?”
“Of course. Why?”
Ellie hesitated at my response. Even the maids who had been cleaning the garden corridor nearby started glancing over nervously. The mood between them felt off.
“Ah, it’s nothing.”
The way she dodged the question like that left me with a strange feeling. I thought about pressing her, but worried it might scare her off instead.
It had taken a lot of effort to finally earn her trust—I didn’t want to lose it all in a moment.
Is something going on? I tried to rack my brain using the little knowledge I had about this world, but of course, no answer came.
It was my first time back at the temple for volunteer work in over a week. I’d almost given up going altogether, but in the end, I couldn’t pass up a golden opportunity sent by the gods themselves—a chance to get close to a holy knight.
‘I arrived a whole hour early.’
I had hurried, worried the roads might be blocked again like last time—but this was too early.
Despite Ellie’s fussing about how we should be more careful, we still had plenty of time left before the volunteer work actually started.
‘Maybe I’ll take a look around the temple…’
I thought about heading to the orphanage early but decided instead to explore the temple. I hadn’t had the chance to look around properly before, having been too focused on finding my way.
‘…Am I too careless?’
Suddenly reminded of the recent talk about all the accidents happening lately, I glanced around the temple’s exterior. It was still crowded with knights standing guard and believers offering prayers.
Magic circles—likely defense barriers—were drawn all over. Priests, known for healing even major injuries in an instant, walked calmly through the corridors.
Palium Temple truly was a place where anyone could feel safe.
I followed the crowd into the prayer room, where soft gray columns lined the interior. Above them rose arched ceilings so high it hurt to look up.
The room was dim and quiet, almost hard to believe it was morning. Only a few faint candles flickered here and there.
At the far end of the aisle, a stunning stained glass window added brilliance to the otherwise solemn space.
Most people were seated silently on the long benches, perhaps waiting for a priest. With nowhere else to be, I thought I might as well offer a prayer for fun and walked in that direction.
Then, in the last row, I saw someone familiar from behind. White hair wasn’t uncommon, but the build and atmosphere reminded me of the man I met at the village library.
Since we’d met in a dim room before, I wasn’t sure if it was really him. I casually walked past him to glance at his face.
A cold expression. Sky-blue eyes that didn’t gleam even in the light. It was definitely him.
“Librarian.”
Seeing a familiar face in such an unfamiliar place, I instinctively greeted him. But my voice rang out louder than expected, so I quickly covered my mouth with my hand. I looked around, but thankfully, it didn’t seem to bother anyone nearby.
“The book you recommended last time… they said it was good—no, really fun.”
I whispered just loudly enough for him to hear. Only then did he turn and look at me properly. He looked like he wanted to say something, but I gave him a small nod and turned away.
I was about to walk past him to take a seat in the front when—
He grabbed my wrist and sat me down next to him.
‘Did he just ask me to sit with him?’
I blinked in surprise, looking up at him. But he didn’t show much reaction.
He sat with his legs crossed and arms folded, looking bored. He didn’t look like someone who was here by choice. Leaning closer, I whispered.
“What brings you here?”
“…I come here every day.”
Really? I gave him a doubtful look, and he narrowed his eyes, clearly unimpressed by my reaction.
“You don’t seem very devout.”
“Neither do you.”
I let out a laugh at his quick reply. I didn’t think I looked intimidating like he did.
While we were whispering like that, a middle-aged priest entered the prayer room and cleared his throat in preparation. I stopped talking and straightened my posture.
The candelabras lit up, casting a brighter light, and the priest began solemnly reciting a prayer. I clasped my hands together and closed my eyes like everyone else. There was only one thing I could wish for here.
‘Dear god, please—let me have a happy ending this time.’
Three deaths were more than enough. A fourth would be excessive.
Dying hurt like hell every time. And please, for the love of everything—stop making me restart!
“What kind of prayer has you that absorbed?”
His voice in my ear made me snap open my eyes. I glanced around and saw that prayer time had ended; most people had already left.
“Oh, just praying for future happiness.”
I shrugged and answered vaguely.
We got up from our seats and walked out of the prayer room. Our conversation shifted to lighter topics—how business was going lately, thoughts about the books I’d borrowed, what I might check out next.
As we neared the temple entrance, I spotted a familiar face not far away.
“Sir Lake!”
Delighted to see him again, I called out brightly. But Lake’s cheerful smile froze the moment he saw me. The librarian beside me snorted.
‘Did I do something wrong?’
I quickly checked my outfit and neatly tied hair, but everything seemed fine.
“Um… I should get going now.”
Figuring it was about time to leave, I bid farewell to the librarian.
“Librarian?”
Lake’s expression shifted when I said that word.
“The priest still hasn’t dropped that habit of messing with people, I see.”
“A handsome young man like you, a holy knight? The standards here must be low.”
Their words were sharp as blades. The intensity of their eye contact was enough to start a fire.
Standing awkwardly between them without understanding a thing, I began to feel dizzy.
‘Young master’? Olivia was the daughter of a count, so calling him that made sense. But then—
“A priest?!”
I said it slowly, incredulously.
It had already shocked me that he was a librarian and came to the temple every day, but a priest? Really?
You mean like the kind who offers prayers, serves the temple and the people, uses holy power when needed—that kind of priest? Seriously?
“You didn’t know? This man is—”
“Let’s stop there.”
The librarian—no, the priest—cut Lake off. His voice made it clear he wouldn’t tolerate another word.
Even if Lake said more, I had the feeling this man really would do something. As the atmosphere grew more tense, I tugged twice on the priest’s sleeve. It was my signal to stop.
“Well then, I’ll see you again sometime.”
With that, the white-haired priest turned and walked out of the temple.
Once he was out of sight, Lake let out a long sigh. He rubbed his forehead and looked troubled, but then reached out a hand to me.
He had already returned to his usual demeanor. His eyes curved gently as he smiled warmly.
“Is his identity supposed to be a secret?”
As we descended the temple stairs together, I asked while resting my hand on his arm.
“It’s not exactly a secret.”
“Do you not get along with him normally?”
“We’re not particularly close, but… just now, it was more than that.”
Lake hesitated, unsure of how to answer.
I wasn’t going to push him if he didn’t want to talk, but I couldn’t help being curious. Lake didn’t seem like the kind of person anyone would hate. That made it even more puzzling.
“I think he got jealous because we looked close.”
“…Huh?”
Without thinking, I blurted out a dumb response. I mean, sure, that was just Lake’s guess, but…
“I only just met him not too long ago.”
“Hm…”
He thought for a moment before speaking again.
“Maybe you met a long time ago and just don’t remember?”
That… did make sense. If he had met Lilith and not me, then maybe. But I wasn’t really her—so I’d never know.
