🔊 TTS Settings
~Chapter 39~
Luche was really busy as the Day of Prayer event got closer.
I didn’t have any important job to do, so I spent my days doing odd chores.
Today, like usual, I was walking down the hallway to deliver some documents. But then I heard quiet voices coming from somewhere in the hallway, which was supposed to be silent.
Curious, I held my breath and moved toward the sound.
“Oh?”
It was the same trio I’d seen before in the training grounds, the ones who’d gossiped about me and Yushen.
I had a feeling they were talking about new rumors going around Luche again.
Luckily, this was the central temple, so there were lots of statues. I hid behind the nearest one and listened closely.
“I’m sure they’re secretly dating!”
…Wait. This felt dangerous.
“Do you really believe the captain sent the newbie to Aydin just because of the rumor?”
“It’s true!”
“I heard they haven’t seen each other much lately?”
“Because they know we’re watching!”
“…Maybe it’s just a rumor that’s been spread so much that people think it’s true?”
“No way. They just want to keep love and work separate. We should pretend not to know anything!”
Were they Cupids in their past life or something?
I figured their imaginations were wild, but it was even worse than I thought.
The two who disagreed kept arguing, until one of them, who had been quiet, spoke in a calm but serious tone.
“That couple is over.”
“What?!”
The one who always supported me and Yushen glared fiercely.
The other one didn’t care and kept going.
“Didn’t you know the real hot topic now is the newbie and Aydin?”
“What are you talking about?”
“It’s true, even if you don’t want to believe it. Have you ever seen how Aydin looks at the newbie?”
“……”
“Guess that’s why you still ship a couple that’s already over.”
“Hey! They’re not over! They’re still going strong!”
Their argument was honestly pathetic and ridiculous.
Why are these busy people so obsessed with rumors that aren’t even real? I really didn’t get it.
I started to wonder if these people were really from the temple, or just pretending to be.
Why weren’t the rumors dying down? Usually, people lose interest, but here, things just kept getting crazier.
‘Doesn’t everyone see that Yushen and I aren’t even close?’
Oh well. At least now that I was transferred to Aydin’s department, the rumor had turned into a love triangle story.
If there had to be a rumor, I’d rather it be about Aydin than Yushen.
I shivered and quickly delivered the documents, then went back to my department.
Luckily, Aydin gave me something to do today. It was a simple job, but at least I wasn’t just sitting around bored.
Bang!
Just as I started working, the door swung open loudly.
Everyone turned in surprise to see who had come in. Standing in the doorway was a woman so beautiful, I wasn’t even sure it was the same person who opened the door so roughly.
‘…Is she an angel?’
Even though sunlight wasn’t shining on her, her golden hair was dazzling, and her blue eyes sparkled like stars.
She was so breathtaking, I would’ve believed an angel had really come down.
But… why did our angel look so angry?
She frowned deeply and looked around the room, like she was searching for someone.
Who dared to upset our angel?
I was about to stand up to see what was going on when the member sitting next to me suddenly stood.
“…Miss Idelia?”
…Huh? Idelia?
Was that angel Idelia?
When someone called her name, Idelia turned her head sharply. When our eyes met, she stared even harder at me.
‘Ah… Was I the one who made her upset?’
It was obvious why she came here. She must’ve heard the weird rumors about me and Yushen and wanted to see if they were true.
Idelia started marching straight toward me, her movements rough but somehow still elegant.
“Is it you?”
Her voice was like jewels rolling, matching her beauty. Without meaning to, I covered my mouth with both hands, amazed.
Yeah, that’s how a heroine should be!
“It’s you.”
I was so stunned I couldn’t say anything, but Idelia was already sure I was the one from the rumors.
It made sense. I was still the only woman in all of Luche.
“Me? Hahaha…”
I tried to laugh it off awkwardly, but Idelia’s expression just got colder.
It was sad.
I didn’t hate her. In fact, I was happy to finally meet her. But Idelia looked at me with nothing but dislike.
I expected this, and I understood why she’d misunderstand, but it still hurt a bit that I was the only one wanting to be friends.
Idelia crossed her arms and spoke in a strict tone.
“I’ll say this nicely. Get out.”
“Huh? Where?”
“Where do you think? Out of Luche!”
I already knew Idelia wasn’t the type I’d normally like. But seeing her up close, she just seemed like the youngest in a family full of older brothers who spoiled her.
No matter what she said, I couldn’t hate her. Maybe I was just being foolish.
If anything, I was worried that yelling like that would hurt her pretty voice.
“You seem very upset. How about sitting down and having some tea to calm down?”
I was genuinely concerned.
But Idelia didn’t see it that way. She seemed to think I was mocking her, and I saw her bite her lip.
“Do I look like I came here to have tea with you?”
“I know you didn’t, but—”
“I don’t like you!”
Idelia yelled even louder.
At that moment, I remembered what Taila, my mentor, said on my first day in Luche:
“Everyone leaves. You’ll find out after a few days.”
Ah, so that’s why the few women in Luche quit. The original novel never explained it, so I was always curious—but now it made sense.
‘So Idelia was the reason people left?’
She probably scared them off with her attitude.
But honestly? It didn’t bother me at all.
I knew this wasn’t her real self.
The reason was simple: if someone really wanted to play the villain, they’d act the same way all the time. But Idelia, after shouting, kept glancing around, checking if anyone was watching.
‘…Maybe she really does dislike me a little. But that’s not the most important thing right now.’
I needed her. Idelia was the only one who could quiet the rumors that were getting bigger every day.
First, I had to show her I was on her side.
“How could you possibly get along with the captain… when I couldn’t?!”
Watching her pout and whine, I realized now wasn’t the right time to talk sense into her.
It was going to be tough from the start.
As she continued to grumble, I half-listened, trying to think of a way to win her over.
“…Saintess Idelia?”
Just as Idelia’s voice was fading, I heard a familiar voice.
At the same time, Idelia stopped talking and her face brightened up.
She turned quickly, and now I could see the person by the door.
Yushen was standing there, wearing a face that seemed to say, “Why are you here?”
He frowned and asked the member near the door,
“Where’s Aydin?”
“He stepped out for a bit.”
Yushen let out a soft sigh, unhappy about Aydin being away.
Then he looked at Idelia, and then glanced at me.
His face turned serious, as if he understood why Idelia was here.
But Idelia, seeing him, smiled brightly.
“Captain, what brings you here—”
“Miss Saintess, what brings you here?”
Unlike Idelia, who was happy to see him, Yushen was cold as ice. He even cut her off in the middle of her sentence.
It was easy to see he wasn’t welcoming her at all.
‘Tsk, Yushen, this isn’t helping! You don’t realize Idelia is your future wife!’
I wondered if Idelia was hurt, but instead, she blushed and started squirming in excitement.
‘Does she like it just because Yushen pays attention to her, even if he’s being cold…?’
I couldn’t compete with that kind of love.
“Captain, it’s been so long! You’re looking more handsome every day. Idelia is so happy to see you!”
Yushen said nothing.
“Oh! Since we’re all here, why don’t we have a little tea party? I just got some delicious tea leaves a few days ago!”
Watching Idelia talk like an excited child, I thought—who could ever say no to her?
If it were me, I’d say yes in a heartbeat. Not that she’d invite me.
“Miss Saintess.”
But Yushen clearly had other ideas. He called her, his voice cold.
At that, Idelia realized it wasn’t the right moment and stopped smiling.
“Do you really have time for a tea party?”
