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Chapter 37
The Princess Only Handles the Real Things
“The Stolen… Relic?”
“Yes. If you like, you can appraise it. Ah, not in the usual way. Actually, I also have something to tell you about the relic…”
“No, that’s not necessary.”
The priest glanced first at me, then at the snow globe.
He seemed genuinely surprised.
Could he not believe that this old snow globe was a relic?
“The snow globe is indeed a relic that the temple has kept.”
Then why…?
I was puzzled.
“But why do you have it, Sister? This was clearly just today…”
Today?
Could it be that the temple didn’t even realize it was missing?
‘Crescent… how skilled that guy must be.’
Maybe I should have just locked him up in the hall’s prison first.
As I opened my mouth to explain the situation to the stunned priest, he suddenly jumped up.
“Guards!”
“Eh?”
“Don’t let this person escape!”
“Eh… what?”
“And… oh my, Your Eminence the Cardinal?!”
He acted as if he had seen someone rise from the dead, then ran off at full speed.
As I turned to look, guards quickly approached and blocked my view.
They looked ready to drag me away at any moment.
Let’s see… it seems this situation is:
‘They think I stole this snow globe, right now? And now they’re suspiciously pretending to return it?’
Well, how impatient.
I was dumbfounded but not really angry.
After all, if I bring Crescent, who’s probably lying around somewhere in the pawnshop now, the misunderstanding would be cleared quickly.
Compared to the neglect I experienced in my previous life, this level of disregard was nothing.
The bigger problem was:
‘If they don’t listen to anyone, should I even tell them that the crystal art piece is a fake relic?’
What if it had been displayed knowing it was fake?
That scenario might even be more convincing—better than the temple failing to verify its authenticity and exhibiting a fake.
In the worst case, they might even try to silence me.
While lost in thought, I sensed a presence.
‘Hmm?’
Someone approached, draped in a pure white robe covering their head completely.
By their height and build, it was a man, and as he gestured, the guards parted like a river.
Who is this? What’s happening? Can he even see in front of him?
Before I could think more, this mysterious person sat in the priest’s seat.
I suddenly caught the scent of lilacs from him.
“Hello.”
When he greeted me, his lips curved slightly in a visible smile.
Is he an important person? He doesn’t even respond to greetings, so he must be high-ranking.
As I tilted my head in curiosity, a piece of paper was handed to me.
[Yes. Nice to meet you, Sister. Meeting you like this is even more delightful.]
‘Ah, I almost misunderstood.’
He must be either on a silent retreat or unable to speak.
[First, I apologize for the earlier rudeness. You came to return a relic, correct?]
“Yes, this snow globe. It was with some thief…”
At that, the man in front of me burst into laughter.
His sense of humor is unusual. Is it okay for a priest to find a stolen relic amusing…?
Anyway, instead of questioning his twisted humor, I continued.
“I thought it would be best to return it, so I brought it. After all, it is a relic.”
[Interesting. How did you know it was a relic? Did the thief say so?]
“No, he insisted he didn’t know it was a relic. In any case, he never revealed anything. I work at a pawnshop, so I know a little about appraisals.”
The man paused, then slowly wrote on the paper.
[Intriguing. How were you able to accurately appraise it as a relic?]
I hesitated briefly.
Did I notice it from the color of its light? But everyone would know that.
‘I just have a bit better intuition.’
What I could sense came from subtle color tones, the aura, and my experience distinguishing objects.
Saying “I have good intuition and observation” would be too boastful.
“One must always be careful when appraising. But sometimes, one must trust their own intuition.”
My answer was clear.
“My grandfather taught me a lot.”
It was also an answer that defined me.
I had learned everything from my grandfather.
The man in front of me seemed to contemplate my words for a moment.
[Very well. You wanted to borrow the relic, correct? Well, since you returned the stolen… hmm, relic, I appreciate that and can allow you to borrow it for a certain period.]
“Really? Thank you!”
[However, there is still something left unsaid, isn’t there? I heard you had something to say about the relic.]
This was what I had been pondering all along.
I made my decision.
“The bird-shaped crystal relic in the exhibition… I think it should be appraised again. In my opinion, it’s probably not a true relic.”
If they try to silence me?
Then I’ll deal with it then.
Even if they don’t know, once you realize the truth, it should be shared. That’s my principle.
I waited tensely for his response, and the priest slowly nodded.
[Very well. Thank you for your advice.]
He’s a priest with an open mind.
That’s a relief. I bowed slightly.
When he gestured, the priest who had run off earlier returned.
He apologized for the misunderstanding and suggested preparing the relic loan documents.
[Personally, I might need your help at some point. Soon, I’ll send someone to where you work.]
Well, if he’s a client, there’s no reason to refuse.
And if he’s a priest, even better. Maybe I can get some holy water at a cheaper price through him.
I said they were welcome anytime, and the priest added:
[Welcome them. But this time, be a bit ordinary.]
A bit ordinary this time?
Hmm. Could that mean…?
‘Some priests tend to overdo ceremony or act burdensome, huh?’
I’m not a follower, so it’s no problem.
“Well, that’s not difficult. Then, I’ll be going!”
It felt good to have done something right.
I followed the priest with a cheerful heart.
After Elisha disappeared,
The guards bowed deeply to Crescent, who had lowered his hood.
“I apologize, Your Eminence the Cardinal. My hasty suspicion made you uncomfortable.”
“It’s alright. Why are you apologizing to me?”
“Then perhaps to the Sister…”
“Yes, in fact, the apology is owed to them. But our Sister was very composed. A delayed apology might only make her feel more uncomfortable.”
Crescent smiled faintly and removed his robe.
The cardinal’s attire was revealed, and he gestured.
“Now, you know what you must do, correct?”
Seeing the guards with confused expressions, Crescent chuckled broadly.
“The bird-shaped crystal craft—take it. Quickly.”
“Yes, sir!”
“And the appraiser who inspected it.”
The guards flinched at Crescent’s expressionless face.
“Bring them to me.”
“Yes, sir! Understood!”
Watching the guards leave, Crescent muttered softly:
“With this, the appraisal fee is covered, I suppose?”
For some reason, even though he hadn’t gotten the information he wanted, he was happy.
Crescent added in a whisper:
“So, let’s meet again, shall we?”
His light green eyes sparkled.
Filling out dense paperwork, I received a small ring in return.
Though the light was faint, a relic is a relic.
Of course, precious relics couldn’t be lent to ordinary believers.
This alone was satisfying.
‘This is the sanctuary.’
On the way out, I caught a pleasant scent and saw a sanctuary where prayers were being offered.
Though it was my first time, it didn’t feel unfamiliar. Perhaps because of the calm atmosphere?
Standing in front of the empty sanctuary adorned with blooming lilacs, I clasped my hands.
“Thank you, World Tree.”
Though influenced by my grandfather, I didn’t believe in gods.
Yet I had been granted a second life.
I didn’t know why, but if it was by the mercy of the World Tree…
“I will live doing good things. Truly.”
Impertinent as it may be, I made one small additional wish.
Any trial, any challenge, it’s fine. So please…
“…Grandfather…”
My throat tightened.
I whispered so softly it could barely be heard:
“Please don’t let me be forgotten.”
Drip… drip…
When I opened my eyes at the sound, I realized I had been crying without noticing.
