PDHTFV 43

~Chapter 43~

“S-sorry…”

I quickly admitted my mistake and lowered my head. My ears felt hot with embarrassment.

It felt a bit unfair.

‘If I think about it, it was Idelia’s prank that caused the problem, not me… so why am I the one getting blamed?’

But in this situation, if I tried to explain, I would just get in trouble with important people I didn’t even know.

I looked to the side and saw Idelia covering her mouth, quietly laughing.

So this is what she wanted?

‘Well, it’s fine. If I can get closer to the heroine, I don’t mind this much.’

Watching Idelia laugh without worries made me feel a bit strange.

Maybe it was because I knew how hard her life was in the original story. She worked so hard as a saintess to save the world, but because of Henry, she suffered for a long time.

‘So Ria was more used to crying, getting angry, and feeling upset than smiling.’

Honestly, she’s a bit mean right now, but I still wish she could be happy in this life.

The day after the service, I sat on a sunny railing and waited for Idelia.

I wanted to give her Cupid.

This corridor is a place everyone uses to go from the central temple to the Luche building, so Idelia had to see me.

I planned to take her to a quiet spot after calling her over.

‘I can’t give Cupid to her where there are lots of people.’

I turned about five pages of my book, pretending to read.

I felt someone looking at me and looked up.

I saw blue eyes at the half-open temple door.

It was Idelia.

“What are you doing here?”

I called to her first, and Idelia was surprised. But soon she came over confidently and sat next to me.

But today, Idelia was quiet. Usually she would start complaining right away, but now she was silent.

I looked at her, confused. She was frowning and seemed complicated, not her usual bright self.

“Are you worried about something?”

“….”

“Idelia?”

She didn’t answer.

But I could guess the reason.

‘She’s probably wondering why I haven’t left Luche.’

She must think it’s strange I’m still here after everything she did to chase others out.

Her pranks are a little much, but to me, it’s like playing with a younger cousin.

But Idelia doesn’t know that, so she’s just more confused.

‘This is my chance!’

I closed my book and quickly grabbed her hand.

Her eyes went wide like she saw a ghost.

She tried to pull her hand away, but she was too weak. In the end, she just pouted.

She looked so cute that I almost pinched her cheek.

I held back my laugh and said what I prepared.

“I’m on your side, Saintess.”

“…What?”

“I’m not lying. I really mean it.”

“….”

“I really like you, Idelia.”

“….”

Even though I prepared these words yesterday, they were all true.

After I said this, Ria’s eyes shook a lot.

Her reaction was what I expected.

People think that, because she’s been hurt a lot, Idelia won’t trust anyone.

‘If I hadn’t read the original story, I’d think that too.’

But actually, Idelia wanted someone she could trust. She wanted someone to stay by her side.

That’s why Henry could get close to her in the original. I decided to try the same way.

First, I had to make her sure of me.

That I would never lie, and I would always be on her side.

“I’ll give you proof of my sincerity.”

“Proof?”

The suspicion in her blue eyes slowly changed to curiosity.

She pretended not to care, but I saw her interest.

I didn’t plan to give it here, but since the chance came, I took it.

I checked that no one was around, then pulled out a small box from my uniform and gave it to her.

Inside the white box with a pink ribbon was a rare Cupid that no one could find anymore.

Not knowing what was inside, Ria looked at me with suspicious eyes.

“What is this?”

“I told you. It’s proof of my sincerity.”

Her eyes narrowed, not satisfied.

“Why are you answering so vaguely?”

“It’s hard to say here.”

“If it’s difficult, I won’t take it.”

“Even if this proof will help you, Idelia?”

Her body trembled a little.

She was probably thinking hard. She didn’t know what was in the box or how it could help her.

This was only possible because I slowly built trust with her.

If I had given this at the start, she would never have accepted it.

“…Help me with what?”

“I believe what’s inside will help you get what you want most.”

I put the box into her confused hands. I didn’t have much time.

Then, holding her hand, I said clearly,

“You have to open it when you’re alone. Promise.”

“….”

“Promise! Okay?”

I made her promise again and again, and finally, she nodded.

Only then did I let go of her hand. There were white marks where I held her.

I felt a little sorry, but I had to be careful. No one else could know she had Cupid.

Just in case, I put a note inside explaining that the potion was Cupid and when to use it.

‘Phew, now my job is done.’

All I could do was hope Idelia would use the Cupid successfully.

I felt relaxed, but Idelia still looked worried.

She still didn’t understand my actions. Maybe she thought I had other motives.

But I didn’t want to help her more than this. She had to do some things on her own.

“Then I’ll go now. See you next time!”

I smiled at her and left.

‘In a few days, Idelia and Yushen will probably fall in love like the original story, right?’

I didn’t expect too much, but I hoped if their love happened like in the story, maybe I could go back to my world.

But… why do I feel uneasy?

Finally, the Day of Prayer came.

I woke up very early, tied my hair neatly, and put on my pressed uniform.

The event started at night, but because it was at the temple, we had to prepare a lot, so I went early.

And today…

‘It’s also the day I foresaw the cardinal’s murder.’

Since that day with Yushen and Aydin, I hadn’t seen either of them. They were so busy.

That made me worry more. Would they find a way to save Abrelshud in such a short time?

I couldn’t just sit and wait. So secretly, I prepared for the worst — if the cardinal died and Yushen was blamed, like the original story.

Time passed quickly, and suddenly it was two hours before the event.

I was helping in the healing unit when five people rushed toward me.

“Um, excuse us…!”

From their uniforms, I saw both Imperial Knights and Luche Knights. They usually don’t get along. Why are they together?

But their faces looked terrible. Pale, sweating, and biting their lips in worry.

“Are you hurt?”

They looked like they were in pain, so I walked closer.

But all five stayed silent, just looking around nervously.

“What’s wrong? Where are you hurt?”

Finally, a Luche knight whispered to me,

“No one can know about this.”

“What?”

“Please come with us quietly, just a few people.”

“What happened?”

“….”

I had a bad feeling. Something serious happened.

I grabbed my medical bag and ran. Even without directions, I could guess the place.

‘Please… please let it not be what I think…!’