~ Chapter : 10 ~
That evening.
Ritia attended dinner with Duke Mont.
“You seem to be in much better health. The physician said the same,” he said.
Ritia, lightly picking at her food with a fork, offered a gentle smile.
“Yes, I’m much better now. I’m sorry for causing you concern.”
“It’s fine. Let the past stay buried. What matters is how you move forward. Then all the rumors will naturally die down.”
To hear him speak like this was like seeing a father genuinely worried about his child. But Duke Mont was also a man who placed great importance on reputation.
After checking the newspapers, Ritia found out that the donation and volunteer schedules she had set up before had long since fallen apart.
After all, while other young ladies were busy attending their duties, she had not only failed to participate but had even caused a scene with her attempted suicide.
Ritia, who had been admired for her beauty and strength thanks to her innate Teos power, had almost fallen out of favor—not only with Duke Mont but even with the temple.
“Yes, I will do that.”
“Tia, since we’re talking about it…”
“Yes?”
Ritia looked up again.
“Why not visit the temple tomorrow? His Highness has been concerned about you, and a little fresh air might do you good.”
Duke Mont said this casually, as if this were the very purpose of the dinner.
“The temple?”
Ritia hesitated, and Duke Mont set down his knife, lifting his wine glass.
“Yes. Taking a bit of fresh air can help with recovery. Since His Highness cherishes you, receiving his blessing there will also bring you peace of mind.”
After a moment of consideration, Ritia spoke.
“Alright. I was planning to slowly resume my donation and volunteer activities anyway.”
At that, Duke Mont’s expression lit up in an almost unbelievable way.
“…Really?”
“Yes. I can’t stay a child forever. I’ll work harder to be a daughter who, if not admirable, at least is not a source of shame.”
At her words, Duke Mont almost beamed with joy.
“Good, that’s a wise decision. I knew you’d understand your father’s heart. Take your time. What does the time matter? What matters is doing it. Try everything.”
“Everything…?”
“Yes. Since you’ve decided this, your father will support you as much as he can. If you need anything, just ask.”
Huh…? Just like that?
Ritia had expected to gradually regain her freedom, step by step, by appeasing him. But now he said he would provide anything, leaving no reason to refuse.
“Thank you, Father.”
Duke Mont’s lips curved into an even more satisfied smile at her words.
The next day, Ritia prepared and set out for the temple as promised. The carriage was filled with boxes of gold and jewels for donations, packed by Duke Mont since morning.
“Miss, please let me know if you feel unwell or dizzy,” Emilia said, offering a handkerchief and fretting endlessly.
“I’m fine,” Ritia replied.
Despite appearing fragile to Emilia, Ritia was actually in good health, feeling almost like she could fly. She leaned back in the carriage and massaged her left shoulder, which now only felt occasional pain rather than feverish. The pain came in sharp bursts, sometimes like a deep ache, sometimes like stiffness from sleeping awkwardly, and sometimes vanished as if it had never existed.
If she could endure today, the rest of the week would pass quickly.
No matter what, Ritia felt confident she could prevail. Even if her pride was at stake, there was no urgent matter that required her attention in such a short time. Perhaps the man had suggested keeping things casual outwardly but wanted it resolved in a single night internally.
“Seems I was worrying for nothing.”
“Pardon? What did you say, Miss?”
“Nothing. I just meant I’m glad to be out again.”
“Oh, me too!”
Watching Emilia’s bright smile, Ritia looked out the window as the carriage hurried toward the temple.
“May the blessing of Ates be upon you. It’s been a while, Lady Mont. Welcome,” greeted the chief priest.
“Blessings of the Light. Your Highness, I hope you have been well,” Ritia replied, bowing politely.
The chief priest, who had been known to favor her, had come to meet her personally. He was younger than Ritia had imagined.
With neatly tied long hair under a cap, he appeared to be around forty, possibly close in age to Duke Mont.
Besides the chief priest and other clerics, many people were coming and going for prayer. Expecting Ritia to feel burdened by the nobles approaching to greet her, the chief priest led her away from the crowd and asked:
“You look well. I’ve prepared some refreshments you enjoy. Shall we chat a bit in the garden?”
His smile made his eyes curve so that his pupils were barely visible, and his tone reminded Ritia of a caring uncle. Expecting a more rigid, sacred atmosphere, she was pleasantly surprised and nodded.
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
The garden was closed to outsiders, feeling like a private sanctuary for the priests.
On the table, covered with a white cloth, were the colorful cupcakes and cookies the chief priest had mentioned. It looked more like a small tea party for young ladies than a temple setting.
“You used to play here when you were younger. Do you remember?”
He smiled, inviting her to sit.
“Well… not really…”
His smile deepened.
“You were a bit of a tomboy back then. Now, you are closer to Ates, which makes me proud. Yet I also feel time is cruel since I can’t see that spirited side of you anymore.”
Ritia could only smile softly.
She had no idea her relationship with the temple was so close. Until her death, she had been a frontrunner for the next Tenia, surpassing other candidates.
Originally, she shouldn’t even have been allowed to visit the temple, but then how would Kamya, who arrived late, be regarded? In the original, Kamya was treated like a pearl found in the mud, breaking the usual rules for Tenia candidates and making bold moves among the nobility.
‘She won’t appear immediately, though.’
Unlike the tense atmosphere in the carriage, the conversation with the chief priest was casual and comforting. He acknowledged how hard things must have been for her, offered comfort, and did not press on sensitive matters.
But the problem began afterward.
She donated the gold and jewels she had brought and planned to offer Teos power blessings to the mortals who had come to the temple.
Teos’ power could purify bodies and minds, heal the sick, or reduce their pain depending on its strength. Many commoners waited to receive such blessings.
The priests called this act “bestowing blessings.”
Following the chief priest, Ritia practiced beforehand and had no issues before appearing before the people.
“Thank you for your generosity, Lady Mont,” said a young lady near the donation activity.
However, when Ritia tried to give blessings to the arriving people, the power she had practiced did not manifest.
She was flustered.
“…Miss?”
After some time, a girl kneeling in wait looked up.
“Ah… just a moment.”
Why is this happening?
Ritia stepped back hesitantly. She tried again, but a burning sensation in her shoulder coupled with pain prevented her from producing any power. Turning her head, she realized everyone around was staring only at her.
This couldn’t be happening…
The pain worsened. Ritia pressed her shoulder and staggered. A priest stepped forward.
“Miss, may I offer a blessing on your behalf?”
“…Yes?”
Startled, Ritia turned. It was Emor, the priest who had been by the chief priest during her greeting.
“His Highness said he hopes you do not overexert yourself.”
He spoke softly and winked.
The kneeling girl continued to watch her expectantly. Knowing she could not do it herself, Ritia stepped back and asked the priest to perform the blessing.
“Can… can I take a short rest?”
“Of course.”
With another priest’s help, Ritia moved to a rest area in the temple.
“No… it definitely worked before.”
She had prepared herself, yet suddenly she could do nothing. She could barely speak. She had told Duke Mont not to worry and promised to donate, yet now this.
Ritia tried multiple times in the rest area, but the power she had emitted earlier was gone. The refreshing feeling Emilia had taught her was gone too. Only the shoulder pain intensified.
Suddenly, she realized something and searched for a mirror in the room.
Luckily, she found a full-length antique mirror against one wall.
Ritia lifted the cloth covering her shoulder to inspect the area burning with pain.
“Ah… what is this?”
