Chapter 22
“So, that’s why I came to see you so urgently today.”
Rixion Luhanes added, “I assume your body hasn’t fully recovered yet, so I know it’s improper…” with a slightly apologetic expression.
Finally, the main point. I hid my inner tension and replied calmly with a neutral expression.
“Please, go ahead.”
Rixion Luhanes removed the smile he had been holding at his lips and paused for a moment.
The piercing blue eyes staring straight at me made me swallow nervously.
“You said earlier that the children seemed to have recovered when you last saw them,” he began.
“Yes,” I replied.
“That statement implies that you personally confirmed their recovery, correct?”
“That’s correct.”
“After they drank the holy water?”
“Yes.”
I nodded expressionlessly at his questions, which felt more like an interrogation. Fortunately, they were within the range of what I had anticipated, so they weren’t difficult to answer.
Still, the blue eyes staring at me as if they could see right through my thoughts were a little frightening. I tried not to look away, even nervously wondering whether he had some kind of mind-reading magic.
I had intentionally used the holy water to make it seem like it cured the children’s illness. Since he had already deduced that on his own, I was oddly relieved.
“I see… as I thought,” he said.
Rixion Luhanes looked thoughtful. After hearing my answer, his gaze dropped and his eyes cooled.
He was clever enough that just this information would let him infer the connection between the red mouse, the holy water, and the temple.
And in the original story, Rixion Luhanes was always the first to notice this anyway, so that wasn’t a problem. The issue was that he had noticed it too early.
Jieunha hadn’t even appeared yet, so leaving Rixion Luhanes to run rampant against the temple alone was dangerous.
He could easily ruin the original plot—or worse, completely destroy it.
“May I ask you one thing?” I said, hesitating for a moment before raising one hand like a model student. He smiled and nodded, as if telling me to speak.
“Will you announce that the children were cured after drinking the holy water?”
Rixion Luhanes’ expression changed subtly at my question. His gaze, which had been observing my face and reactions, was quickly hidden behind a smile.
“Right now, only I and Miss Christener know this fact.”
He lifted his teacup and took a sip. Perhaps the tea had cooled, because his expression didn’t seem fully satisfied as he set the cup down.
“I haven’t decided what to do with this card yet either,” he added.
Ah, so that’s why he didn’t tell our elder brother either. That was fortunate from my point of view.
Whether he silenced people deliberately or used some other method, it seemed he hadn’t let anyone else present, including Sir Rachel and the other knights, find out.
Well, that wasn’t surprising. He could have magically put everyone there to sleep, erased their memories, or… no, no, that was going too far. Anyway, it was fortunate for me in many ways.
‘If only I could strike the temple while they’re off guard… but that would completely ruin the original story and my future.’
I shook my head. Regardless of wanting the temple to collapse soon, I didn’t want to unnecessarily risk altering the original plot further.
“Perhaps it’s better to keep this a secret for now?” I suggested.
“And why do you think that?”
Rixion Luhanes tilted his head as he asked, causing a strange sense of discomfort despite the normalcy of the gesture. His sharp blue eyes, still observing my expression and behavior, were unnerving.
‘Maybe I shouldn’t have spoken.’
The situation felt awkward. He still seemed suspicious of me; earlier he had asked why I suddenly wanted the holy water with a doubtful look.
Ah, I remembered someone saying that talkative people rarely succeed. I internally sighed but tried to act nonchalant.
“I asked Jade to secretly take the holy water, so I’m worried it might cause trouble for him,” I explained.
“Ah.”
Rixion Luhanes’ expression briefly became indifferent, and somehow a little annoyed. He leaned back in his chair, avoiding the gaze he had kept fixed on me.
“There’s no need to worry about that priest at all,” he said.
His tone had a subtle edge, so I stared at him, a clear question on my face.
What’s going on? I thought, staring at him, and in a fleeting instant, a hint of emotion passed through his blue eyes. It was so brief that it would have been missed if I hadn’t noticed carefully.
“……”
“……”
A brief silence followed. Rixion Luhanes awkwardly avoided my gaze, and I had nothing to say, so I just observed his expression.
“One last question,” he finally spoke after what felt like a long time.
“You said the reason you gave the children holy water was simply because it seemed effective… was that really the only reason?”
I had expected this question. I clicked my tongue inside my mouth. Even if I were Rixion Luhanes, I would still be suspicious at this point.
I had failed in acting during the matchmaking meeting, but here I needed to demonstrate my acting skills again. I shrugged innocently.
“Yes. I honestly didn’t know it would work. I’m a bit simple-minded and tend to charge ahead. My elder brother has told me countless times to change this trait, but it’s hard to change a natural personality. Ha ha ha.”
The forced laugh at the end felt a little artificial, but I judged it acceptable.
Rixion Luhanes watched me quietly, then curved his eyes slightly and smiled.
“I see. Thank you for your answer.”
I was momentarily captivated by the man’s unexpectedly charming smile, then snapped back to reality. My lie must have seemed a little clumsy, as his reaction didn’t feel like complete belief. I resolved to be more careful from now on.
“If it’s alright, I’ll continue to take care of the children. And we’ll keep their condition a secret until the appropriate time. Miss Christener, I’d appreciate your cooperation.”
In the original story, it was correct that Rixion Luhanes would take care of the children. In the story, it happened at Jieunha’s request, so the result was consistent with the original plot.
Besides, I planned to leave this land before the year ended, so I couldn’t take care of the children myself.
I had no objections and quickly responded.
“Yes, I’ll keep my mouth shut.”
“And…”
What? Didn’t you say it was the last question? There’s more? I gave him a discontented look, and Rixion Luhanes turned his head sideways and smiled faintly.
Despite the serious matter, he smiled. My frown deepened, so he coughed to cover it, then faced me again, giving a charming, almost hypnotic smile.
“Are you free today?”
Time? What time? I looked at him, puzzled, then nodded.
“Yes… I’m free.”
My hesitant tone seemed to make his smile even brighter.
Ah, I knew something was wrong.
“I was wondering if I could try asking you on a date again.”
“Yes?”
I involuntarily raised my voice. Reflexively shouting, I continued, flustered.
“No, I mean… didn’t we agree to stop showing interest in each other?”
“Ah, yes, we did.”
Yes? We did? Did we? Seeing him react as if it was someone else’s story, I immediately glared at him.
“Then why…?”
Why now?! I swallowed the words rising in my throat and glared at Rixion Luhanes.
“I also have something to say about that promise.”
He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. His stance of dissatisfaction left me slightly dumbfounded.
“Because Miss Christener also lied.”
