Chapter 72
Raindrops tapped against the glass like they were dancing.
Though the day had broken, the rain showed no signs of stopping.
Luisa stared blankly out the window at the falling rain until a faint sound behind her made her turn.
“The wind is cold.”
From who knows where, Raphael gently draped a blanket over her shoulders.
“Thank you.”
“It’s nothing.”
“……”
“……”
“Um…”
“Ah…”
They both spoke at once and their eyes met.
“Ah, please go ahead.”
“No, you first.”
It felt a bit ridiculous to keep insisting the other speak first. Luisa just nodded and picked up the box she had placed nearby.
“I brought this just in case, and here we are running into each other like this. I actually bought it to give to you during the festival but forgot—so I’m only giving it to you now.”
Raphael looked down at the box she handed him with a puzzled expression.
He seemed to recognize it. His blue eyes wavered slightly.
“This is…”
“A protective charm. I just wanted to thank you for spending the day with me back then.”
“Ah… I didn’t think you’d get one for me too.”
“I didn’t really plan to either. I was just buying them and one ended up being yours.”
“…Thank you.”
He hesitated as he reached out his hand.
As his fingertips touched the box, they brushed against Luisa’s.
It was brief, but the warmth that lingered on her skin stayed with her.
Startled, she withdrew her hand from the box.
Raphael’s eyes lingered on the spot where their hands had touched.
Though it was hard to tell what he was thinking, like the warmth from their brief contact, his ears were gradually turning red.
Carefully, Raphael opened the box and took out the protective charm he had seen once before.
He had been sure there wouldn’t be one for him, yet now, his chest felt oddly full.
He cradled the charm in both hands, handling it like it was a fragile piece of glass art.
‘…He looks happy.’
Luisa looked at him with a strange expression.
When had such emotions begun to show on his usually expressionless face?
She had thought it was just a passing moment when he said he was interested in her.
But after watching his actions all this time, she began to wonder if it was something she should take more seriously.
Raphael stared down at the charm in his hands like it was something precious, and eventually, his lips parted.
Though he had a strong physique, his features were so refined that at times, he looked almost pitifully beautiful—
And right now was one of those times.
Maybe it was the sound of the rain soaking into their hearts, or maybe the light shifting across his smooth features as the sun moved—
But the sunlight, falling on the bridge of his nose, lit up his glassy blue eyes in a stunning way.
“…I’m sorry.”
His softly colored lips let out an unexpected apology.
Luisa blinked rapidly, momentarily stunned by the sight of his face.
“Sorry for what?”
“For the rumors that spread about you. I apologize for not stopping them.”
“…What? Oh, you mean the terminal illness rumor?”
Raphael’s jaw clenched slightly.
“Yes.”
“Why would you apologize? Did you spread it?”
No way… Was he trying to take the blame for the Empress?
Surely he wasn’t going to do something that foolish? Luisa furrowed her brow in suspicion.
“No, I didn’t spread it. But since I failed to stop Her Majesty’s actions in advance, I take full responsibility.”
…Huh?
Her violet eyes flickered with surprise.
‘I didn’t expect him to just say it outright like that…’
She was relieved he wasn’t doing anything foolish, but she hadn’t expected him to come out with it so directly.
“And I also heard there are unsavory rumors regarding the Rosé wine.
Since word got out that you were the one who registered the patent, people are saying we might break off our engagement, and using that as an excuse to slander you.”
“Ah… Well, that’s just people trying to stay on the royal family’s good side. It won’t last long. As time passes, those who want it will buy it again…”
“It seems the one who copied your wine recipe is also one of the Empress’s close aides.”
…Wait, what?
He knows everything?
This was extremely unsettling.
And more confusing was his attitude—she had thought he’d be more affected by the Empress, but he showed no such signs.
“Is it okay for you to say all this so openly?”
She couldn’t help asking.
It amazed her how casually he said things he shouldn’t, as if he didn’t care whether she already knew or not.
“What’s the point of hiding things like this? If there’s wrongdoing, it’s best to expose it quickly. And I have no intention of covering for the Empress’s mistakes.”
…He’s not even calling her ‘Her Majesty’ anymore.
“I once thought she was a just and fair ruler, and so I kept my distance. But seeing how she treated you… I’ve changed my mind.”
“If you’ve changed your mind…”
“Then I won’t avoid my rightful position anymore. I won’t let her continue threatening you.”
Wait a minute—weren’t you going to devote yourself to the temple?
Luisa blinked in disbelief.
Was his faith really that weak?
He had made it sound like he was going to bury himself in the temple, and now this?
It’s not like he fell for Bella or anything…
Wait—could it be?
“It wasn’t just ‘interest.’ Now I’m certain.”
Luisa lowered her head and squeezed her eyes shut, then opened them again.
“I’m not trying to burden you by asking for your heart.
I just… want to protect you, no matter what.”
How could he say something so shameless without even blushing?
Luisa looked up and met his gaze.
“I’ll confess properly… when I can see that your heart is ready.”
Raphael ran a restless hand down his face.
Though he had seemed so composed before, now he breathed shallowly, as if crushed by emotion, struggling to finish his words.
Luisa stared at his deep blue eyes—like turbulent waves—and found herself strangely drawn in.
The rain stopped by the afternoon.
Surprisingly, Bella didn’t show up at all—even though everyone thought she’d throw a fit the moment she heard Raphael was leaving for the capital.
Maybe she hadn’t heard yet.
Regardless, it made things easier.
Without any unnecessary drama, Luisa prepared to leave.
She was gazing blankly up at the clearing sky when a knock on the carriage startled her, her eyelashes trembling.
“We’ve arrived at the portal.”
“Tired?”
Demian reached out a hand to help her up, his tone full of concern.
“No, I’m fine.”
“How about resting at the townhouse before going straight to the High Temple? There’s no rush, right?”
His suggestion tempted her.
She was feeling quite mentally drained from everything earlier that morning.
It didn’t seem like she’d absorb much even if she went now.
“…Then I’ll go to the High Temple tomorrow.”
“Good idea.”
Demian smiled gently.
The Duke, who had already gotten off the carriage, nodded silently in agreement and moved ahead toward the portal station.
Luisa glanced at the Duke, then made eye contact with Raphael, who was waiting by the carriage.
Had he been watching the whole time?
The moment their eyes met, as if he’d been waiting, she quickly averted her gaze without thinking.
There was a subtle tension in the air.
If it had just been mild curiosity, she wouldn’t have minded.
But now that his feelings were clearly serious, it was hard to ignore—even things she hadn’t thought much about before were starting to bother her.
Trying not to react to his gaze, Luisa made her way to the portal platform.
“Welcome. Those departing, please line up in order over here.”
Oh, it looks like we can depart right away.
Usually there’s a short wait, but the timing was perfect.
Their group followed the attendant’s instructions and stepped onto the portal’s central circle.
Once everyone was in place, the attendants and priests each placed their palms on the orb in the center and began channeling divine energy into it.
Wuuuung—
The space hummed as white light enveloped them from all directions.
Even after using portals several times, Luisa still wasn’t used to them.
She looked around restlessly as the light intensified and finally shut her eyes against the blinding flash.
Fwoosh—
A gust of wind hit, and she could feel the air change around her.
Luisa slowly opened her eyes.
‘…Why are there so many people here?’
More specifically, there were a lot of priests.
While priests were usually stationed around portals since they operated on divine power, seeing over a dozen was definitely unusual.
And they weren’t even working—they were just staring at the portal platform, as if they’d been waiting.
Sensing something was off, Luisa’s group instinctively positioned themselves around her and remained on alert.
One of the priests, who had been standing at the front, slowly approached.
“May the blessings of the heavens shine upon you.”
Without wasting a breath after greeting them, he got straight to the point.
“The Archbishop is waiting.”
Clearly, there would be no time to rest.
‘So much for going tomorrow…’
What wishful thinking.
Luisa let out a sigh, not bothering to hide her irritation.
She had only ever been to the Grand Cathedral up to the main sanctuary before—this was her first time going deeper inside.
Unlike the ornate worship hall, the corridors inside were simple and serene, made entirely of beige marble.
Following behind the priest, Luisa glanced around the quiet hall.
“…Why didn’t you ask to go with the Duke?”
Raphael, who had been staring holes into her cheek, finally asked in a low voice.
She had told him he could accompany her, but clearly, he hadn’t expected her to so easily separate from the Duke and Demian to meet the Archbishop alone.
Admittedly, it was a rare and difficult audience to arrange—but it wasn’t something the Duke of Blake couldn’t have requested if he wanted.
Luisa finally turned her eyes toward him, slow and steady.
“Because I’m going to ask for a private audience anyway.”
