Chapter 32
Arsen took a moment to reflect, then knelt and offered a prayer to the god Leberta. Brilliant light spread around him, radiating outward. Even with his eyes closed, a sacred aura emanated from him.
He focused on his prayers for a long while, until a faint knock reached his ears. Finishing, he gathered his divine power and opened his eyes.
Straightening his attire, he opened the door to see a servant bowing politely.
“Lady Juren is concerned that you skipped lunch, so she invited you for afternoon tea. If it’s acceptable, would you join her in an hour?”
Arsen didn’t hesitate and immediately smiled.
“I will.”
“Lady Juren will be pleased. I shall take my leave, then.”
The servant, who had perhaps expected a refusal, beamed before giving a brief farewell and disappearing. Closing the door, Arsen steadied himself.
“This time, I will finally uncover your true nature.”
He wondered what she was hiding in her heart.
Harna felt relieved when the servant said Arsen would attend tea, and she began preparations. Although she had invited him to lunch earlier, he had politely declined, leaving her a little uneasy.
‘Why make things complicated?’
She almost let it go, but the formal duty of properly hosting a guest of the marquis house justified inviting him to tea.
Her maids stood ready like knights awaiting orders, their determined expressions making Harna smile as she gave directions.
The tea party preparations went smoothly.
Transparent vases on a white tablecloth, matching Arsen’s priestly attire, were decorated with protea flowers, a symbol of Leberta. Various teas were arranged, along with warm milk and sweet cocoa powder. A selection of bread and cookies completed the spread.
“Everyone, thank you for your hard work!”
She thanked the maids, changed into a simple patterned dress, and sat down to wait for Arsen.
Soon, a servant announced his arrival.
Gone was the disheveled look from breakfast. Arsen stood with the polite, composed smile he had shown the first time he visited the marquis house. Harna rose to greet him.
“Thank you for coming. I heard you skipped lunch, so I prepared tea and snacks. Please, let’s enjoy them together.”
“Thank you.”
Arsen sat down, choosing a seat slightly distant from Harna, his expression indicating he appreciated the space. He examined the table: sweet cookies, bread, the teacups, the teapot—and then the protea flowers, which made him smile softly. Harna caught his glance and nodded subtly to Vera, who placed a pretty cup in front of him and poured warm milk.
“Milk?”
“Yes, but it will become sweet milk.”
Arsen opened his mouth to question her, but it closed in surprise. Vera stirred a black powder into the milk, filling it with a sweet aroma, turning it magically into cocoa.
“This cocoa powder was specially requested from my father. Please taste it, and if it’s not to your liking, I can prepare another tea. Today, I’ll have cocoa as well.”
Harna smiled at Arsen as he watched Vera prepare the cocoa beside her.
Taking a sip of the warm cocoa, she felt her body relax. Arsen, glancing at her, raised his cup and tried it himself. His eyes widened in surprise at the taste.
“Is it to your liking? I thought cocoa would be better than tea on an empty stomach. Please try some bread as well.”
“Thank you.”
He seemed like he wanted to say something but quietly began eating instead. Harna worried he might dislike sweet foods, but he seemed to enjoy them. Seeing him eat cocoa, bread, and cookies so earnestly, she picked up a cookie herself.
Their tea time remained quiet. Harna didn’t speak much, concerned he might feel uncomfortable. She was simply grateful he was enjoying himself.
Why had she been afraid of him before? He looked so young, small even, and harmless—almost like seeing a friend of her brother Seungwoo.
“Lady Juren.”
Arsen’s calm voice called her. Perhaps he noticed her observing him with a satisfied smile.
“What is it you desire from me?”
“Desire?”
He spoke suddenly, and Harna stared at him. He continued, expressionless:
“There is no such thing as kindness without a return in this world.”
Harsh words for someone so young made her heart sink.
“I do have a wish.”
“Of course. What is it?”
His piercing blue eyes fixed on her as if anticipating her answer.
Harna sent the maids away, leaving just the two of them. She walked toward him and spoke earnestly:
“I hope the priest grows strong and healthy, reaching his full height.”
“What are you saying?”
“You already have remarkable looks, but as you grow, you’ll become an even more handsome and splendid priest!”
She patted his shoulder lightly, pretending to act like a mature adult.
She could sense it: Arsen must have grown up with very little genuine kindness in his life. Suddenly having her appear and wish him well must have startled him. And all she asked was that he grow properly.
But something felt odd when his face flushed bright red, and he stood abruptly.
“Lady Juren, I am twenty years old. I am fully grown, and I cannot grow any taller. Unfortunately, I cannot grant your wish!”
‘Huh?’
“Excuse me, but I shall take my leave. It’s time for evening prayers.”
With a stiff bow, he slammed the door. Harna froze, stunned.
“What… just happened?”
‘Did he just say he’s twenty?’
She dropped the cookie she had been holding, realizing the magnitude of her mistake.
Vera, waiting outside, rushed in, startled.
“Miss, what’s wrong? Why is the priest so upset?”
“I think I made a mistake.”
“Eh? Did he drink again? Could it be… cocoa intoxication?”
“No! Who gets drunk on cocoa? I just misspoke to him.”
‘And rudely, at that…’
She swallowed the words she wanted to say.
Arsen, at twenty years old, looked like a child—how could anyone believe he was an adult? Harna felt a pang of injustice. Anyone could mistake him for a boy.
‘Wait a minute…’
Harna realized something: just as she had underestimated him, others probably hadn’t treated him as his age either. Perhaps that had become a complex for him, causing stress and frustration.
She understood why he had gotten so angry. And she realized she was the cause. She had ruined the pleasant mood herself.
“Vera.”
“Yes?”
“I think we need to prepare a gift for the priest.”
“What kind of gift?”
“A gift of apology.”
With that, she sat at the table, buried her face in her hands, and let out a deep sigh. She wanted to smack her own foolish mouth for what she had said.
Arsen’s plump cheeks, large eyes, and height shorter than an average adult male meant he was often treated like a child. But it never failed to anger him.
Returning to his room, he slammed the door and locked it, ensuring no one could enter. He had assumed that since becoming a high priest, such things wouldn’t bother him anymore. Of course, he was mistaken. Harna’s perception of his youthful appearance remained a delicate trigger.
‘How much of a kid does she think I am? Just one year older than her…’
Recalling her age, he grew even more frustrated. He had no choice about his youthful appearance, but his height seemed unfair. If he had grown up in a well-off family, he would likely have been taller.
“Damn it!”
He muttered, gripping the cookie he had brought angrily, before stopping himself.
‘Why did I even bring this?’
Perhaps out of anger at Harna’s words, he had carried the cookie into his room. He stared at the fruit-studded cookie and muttered:
“A priest should not handle food carelessly.”
But the cookie was innocent. If there was blame, it lay with Harna Juren, who had insulted him. He set the cookie aside and calmed his mind.
At first, the tea had clearly shown Harna’s thoughtfulness. She had somehow known he liked sweet things, and the cocoa and snacks had been perfectly suited to him.
“Even the cocoa tasted good.”
Initially, seeing the milk turn black had made him suspicious of black magic, but the taste had been pure. The smoothness of the milk and the sweet cocoa powder relaxed his anger.
“Phew.”
Calm once more, he prepared to pray to Leberta for losing his temper, until a knock interrupted him.
“Who is it?”
Though he knew who it was, he asked sharply, the sting of humiliation still fresh.
“Priest, it’s me, Harna.”
As he had expected, it was Harna.
‘I must not let myself be provoked.’
He repeated it to himself as he opened the door.
“Priest.”
Harna’s voice was timid, and she looked at him with a subdued expression.
‘She seems to understand what remorse is.’
He thought her current expression far better than the condescending look she had given him before.
“Why have you come?”
“I have something to say.”
“What is it?”
“I am truly sorry. I was rude to you, Priest.”
