“Hmm…”
My sister still looked doubtful.
Then Adrian gently reassured her.
“If you don’t want to go, you don’t have to. I’ll explain it well.”
“It’s fine. I mean, the Saint herself asked to see us.”
…Am I imagining things, or was there a thorn in her voice?
But my sister had already turned her gaze toward me.
“Don’t cause any trouble when we get there, okay?”
She reminded me again with extra emphasis.
Her lukewarm attitude made me feel a little uneasy, but still…
‘First, I need to deal with Dominique somehow.’
I quickly answered.
“Okay!”
But her expression still didn’t ease up.
As if she had deep mistrust toward the Grand Temple itself.
…And that really bothered me.
—
A few days later.
My sister Sabina, Adrian, and I all headed to the Grand Temple together.
And for the entire trip, I was half-dazed just staring at my sister’s beauty.
‘Wowww…’
Today, she looked completely different from usual.
Her apron stained with herbs and her practical skirt that cut off around the calves were nowhere to be seen.
She had light makeup on and wore a beautiful dress sponsored by the Duke’s house.
And I’m not saying this just because I’m her familiar—
Honestly, even a royal princess wouldn’t be as pretty as her!
“Hey, Sis.”
I scooted close beside her.
She leaned toward me slightly, as if asking if I had something to say.
I straightened my back and whispered into her ear.
“I really think you’re the prettiest in the whole world.”
I said it with the seriousness of someone sharing the world’s biggest secret, and she let out a small laugh.
“Really?”
“Our May’s got good taste.”
Right on cue, Adrian chimed in with a sincere tone.
“Sabina, you look really beautiful today.”
“What’s gotten into you? Saying sweet things like that won’t get you anything.”
My sister huffed and turned her head away.
But even with that response, Adrian didn’t flinch.
“I’m serious.”
He finished his words with unwavering calm.
“I’m not saying it as a friend—really.”
“Oh, stop it.”
Eventually, my sister turned her head sharply, blushing furiously.
It was rare to see her flustered by Adrian like that.
As I smiled secretly to myself—
The carriage came to a smooth stop.
We had arrived at the main building of the Grand Temple, where the high priests of the Legalis Order and the Saint resided.
Adrian got out first and gently lifted me down to the ground.
Then he extended a hand to Sabina.
“Come on, Sabina.”
“…”
She stared blankly at the offered hand before accepting his escort and stepping down.
What can I say?
She looked just like a noble lady from a prestigious household…
‘My sister is so cool!’
My eyes sparkled with admiration.
“Welcome, all three of you.”
Just then, a priest who had been waiting outside bowed respectfully toward us.
But unlike the warm eyes he showed Adrian, his gaze toward my sister and me was icy cold.
“The Saint is waiting. Please follow me.”
With that, the priest turned and led the way.
The atmosphere in the Grand Temple’s main building was solemn.
The statues and paintings displayed throughout seemed to look down on us with an overwhelming presence.
The heavy air pressed down on my shoulders.
Finally, we arrived at the Saint’s office.
Knock knock knock.
A neat knock echoed.
“Come in!”
A voice as sweet as a songbird answered.
The door opened.
Beyond it, someone looked at us with a bright smile.
“Oh my, Hero!”
Long, flowing chestnut hair.
Vivid scarlet eyes.
A flawless white priest’s robe that suited her all too perfectly—a beautiful woman with a gentle face.
‘It’s the Saint.’
My mouth went dry.
Rebecca.
The Saint of the Legalis Order, beloved by the entire Empire.
…And the very one who had led my sister’s execution.
‘I said I’d protect my sister.’
I can’t back down here.
I gripped my sister’s skirt tightly and stood firm.
Meanwhile, Rebecca approached us with a sweet smile.
“It’s been so long, Hero. Have you been well?”
Her scarlet eyes were fixed solely on Adrian.
“You should stop by the Grand Temple more often. I’m afraid I’ll forget your face at this rate.”
“…Saint?”
“I’m not the only one who wants to see you, you know. I feel a little hurt.”
Rebecca pouted playfully at Adrian.
‘What are we, invisible or something?’
Apparently, Adrian noticed that too.
His eyebrows twitched slightly as he formally introduced us, almost deliberately.
“This is Sabina, and her younger sister Mabel. They saved my life.”
For a split second, Rebecca’s eyes flickered.
“Saved… your life?”
“Yes. Thanks to them, I’ve already survived twice. Especially Sabina.”
Adrian glanced briefly at my sister and continued with a soft smile.
“If not for her, I wouldn’t have caught the side effects of the Terin herb in time.”
“…I see.”
Rebecca still wore a picture-perfect smile, but I saw it.
Her lips had stiffened.
‘Ha! Feeling bitter?’
I chuckled to myself.
To be honest, I was a bit surprised too.
There had been tension between the Duke’s house and the Grand Temple over the Terin herb lately.
For him to bring it up and defend Sabina so openly…
‘It must mean he really values my sister.’
Just as I was feeling pleased—
“Mabel, was it?”
Rebecca suddenly looked down at me.
Huh? Me?
I looked up at her, confused.
Then she leaned down slightly to meet my gaze.
“You’re such a cute little thing.”
Though that’s what she said… honestly?
Her eyes weren’t smiling at all.
“This might be a boring conversation for a child. Grown-ups have things to discuss.”
Her delicate hand patted my head.
It felt like a snake brushing past—I shivered all over.
Still bent over, Rebecca turned to Adrian and Sabina.
“How about sending the child outside for a moment?”
Her intentions were clear.
She wanted to change the subject now that Terin had been brought up.
‘Well, whatever.’
It actually worked out.
I’d been wondering how to sneak off and find Dominique anyway.
Just one thing…
Being separated from my sister still made me uneasy.
‘But Adrian is with her, so it’ll be fine.’
I glanced up at my sister and gave her a bright smile.
“It’s okay! I’ll wait outside.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yup!”
I nodded quickly.
My sister, still looking worried, spoke politely to the priest who had escorted us.
“Please look after Mabel.”
“Of course.”
Maybe because the Saint was standing right there, the priest’s previously cold attitude had vanished, and he nodded readily.
I took his hand and stepped outside.
Click.
The moment the door shut, the priest’s friendly expression vanished.
“Pfft, what am I, a babysitter…”
He didn’t treat me as roughly as Dominique had, probably because Adrian was around.
But it was obvious he found me annoying.
‘Hmph.’
I looked up at him with wide eyes and suddenly asked,
“Mister, I’m bothering you, aren’t I?”
