Chapter 07
Your Highness, the Princess. May the blessing of God be with you.
So this old man must be the High Priest.
“My deepest apologies for not greeting Your Highness in person. As you can see, many believers have come to receive blessings before the holy festival.”
The High Priest was sweating nervously as he offered his excuse.
I glanced around the main hall — there were barely ten visitors, even counting the priests near the entrance.
It was obvious. The High Priest had been hiding here, pretending to be busy, just to avoid seeing Eve.
Even now, he looked at me as if I were some kind of evil spirit.
‘He must have suffered a lot because of the original Eve.’
I smiled kindly.
“I’m glad to see you, High Priest. I asked to meet you because I have something to tell you personally.”
“What is it, Your Highness…?”
“Wait a moment. Bring it here.”
At my signal, the attendants from the palace carried in a large jewelry box.
The High Priest’s eyes widened when he saw the sparkling gems inside.
“I’d like to donate all of these to the temple.”
“A-all of these?”
His voice trembled.
“To… our temple?”
“Yes,” I replied calmly.
The High Priest blinked in confusion, unable to believe what he had just heard.
Even the priests and visitors around us stared in disbelief.
‘Well, I can’t blame them.’
Eve — donating her own possessions? Impossible.
The old Eve would never give away anything that belonged to her. She hoarded jewelry like a dragon guarding treasure, always trying to take from others — especially Sorel, the heroine of this world.
I looked down at the jewels again.
‘Good thing I already separated Sorel’s things.’
As soon as I woke up in this world, I had ordered the maids to collect every gem and ornament Eve had stolen from Sorel. One day, I’d return them to her.
“These are old things I’ve kept for years,” I said softly, my tone gentle and humble. “They’re not much, but please accept them for the temple.”
The gems glittered so brightly that my modest words almost sounded like a joke.
“Do you really mean to donate all of this, Your Highness?” the High Priest asked again.
“Yes. In truth, these jewels hold many memories for me. But before I marry, I’d like to use them for the good of the Empire — especially for the poor who suffer through the harsh winter.”
The two priests nearby exchanged looks, clearly wondering if they were seeing things.
“Is something wrong?” I asked.
“N-no, Your Highness,” the High Priest stammered. “Your generosity is truly divine. I… I don’t know what to say…”
“If it’s all right, may I ask you a favor?” I interrupted gently.
He froze, wary again. That look on his face — there it is.
“Of course, Your Highness. Please, tell me what you need.”
“I’d like to take a flower from the Sacred Tree.”
“The Sacred Tree…?”
The Sacred Tree was said to be blessed by the gods themselves. Its flowers could only be touched with the High Priest’s permission.
He looked troubled, clearly unsure why I wanted it.
“I’m sorry, Your Highness, but even I cannot freely pluck its flowers…”
‘No? But I need that flower.’
I frowned slightly. “Is it too much to ask?”
That one quiet question made the old man flinch as if struck by lightning.
“N-no, of course not! Please forgive me, Your Highness. You may take one immediately!”
Sweat trickled down his wrinkled forehead.
‘He misunderstood,’ I thought. ‘I wasn’t threatening him.’
But it was no surprise — the old Eve had a reputation for throwing teacups and cursing even at elderly ministers.
‘Well, her bad temper is working in my favor now.’
The High Priest quickly motioned to a nearby priest.
“The Sacred Tree is in the central garden. Please, show Her Highness the way.”
It was clear he just wanted to escape as fast as possible.
The junior priest turned pale as he realized he’d been left alone with me.
“Th-this way, Your Highness. I’ll guide you.”
I followed him toward the heart of the temple.
The Great Temple was truly enormous — fitting for the Empire’s holiest place.
To reach the central garden, we passed through three gates and two smaller sanctuaries.
At last, we arrived.
“Ah…”
In the middle of the snow-covered garden stood a white tree dusted with frost — the Sacred Tree.
As I stepped closer, the priest quickly blocked my way.
“P-please wait, Your Highness! I’ll call someone to clear the snow for you—”
I looked down. A thick layer of white snow filled the square flowerbed around the tree.
“It’s fine,” I said, stepping past him.
My shoes sank into the snow with a soft crunch. The cold bit at my skin, but I ignored it.
Right now, none of that mattered — because someone was supposed to appear here soon.
I reached out toward the tree.
“Y-your Highness! Your gloves—!” cried Nell, my maid, pulling them from her pocket.
“I said it’s fine.”
Without hesitation, I plucked one of the white blossoms from the branch.
Behind me, Nell gasped.
I brushed away the snowflakes that had landed on the petals. The sweet, faint fragrance of the flower drifted through the crisp air.
I picked three full blossoms and one unopened bud, tying them together with a thin ribbon.
A small, beautiful bouquet.
‘This should be enough.’
Holding it carefully so it wouldn’t crush, I turned around.
Nell and the priest stared at me as if I were a ghost.
Smiling gently, I asked, “Where is the eastern chapel?”
It was time to do what I really came here for—
to meet the Duke.
The setting sun dyed the marble corridors a deep red.
By the time we reached the eastern wing of the temple, it was already evening.
My footsteps echoed softly across the stone floor, my shadow trembling faintly on the wall beside me.
‘It should be around here…’
I recalled what I had read in the book.
The Duke was supposed to appear near this place before sunset.
“Your Highness,” Nell whispered carefully, “where are you going?”
“There’s somewhere I need to stop by.”
A few more steps, and a large garden came into view.
‘No one’s here… did I miss him?’
Just as I turned the corner, a group of men appeared at the far end of the corridor.
My heart skipped.
They were wearing the Duke’s knights’ uniforms.
It had to be him.
The Duke — and his attendants — were heading toward the exit.
Without thinking, I called out—
“Your Grace!”
