🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter : 41
Luciano rode hard for an entire day and finally reached the Temple of Helios.
The temple, located deep in the southern mountains, was notoriously difficult to find.
“We’ve been expecting you, Your Grace, Grand Duke Winfoste.”
The moment he stepped down from the carriage, a high priest was already waiting before the temple.
“Cardinal Chris is awaiting you.”
If High Priest Michael resided at the Temple of Gaia, then Cardinal Chris served the god at the Temple of Helios, and Cardinal Rachel did so at the Temple of Luna.
“Let’s go in.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Once he headed further inside, the statue of the Sun God Helios came into view, with the cardinal’s chamber located right beside it.
“Your Eminence Chris, His Grace the Grand Duke Winfoste has arrived.”
“Send him in.”
When he stepped inside, he saw Cardinal Chris.
“Welcome, Grand Duke Winfoste.”
“It’s an honor. Cardinal Chris.”
The cardinal gestured for Luciano to sit.
“Let us sit first. It’ll be easier to talk that way, Your Grace.”
Luciano nodded and took his seat.
“What brings you to me?”
“I wish to learn about the power of the sun.”
At those words, the cardinal’s expression froze for a moment.
“The power of the sun… What exactly do you wish to know, Your Grace?”
“I have heard that those who bear the sun’s power show certain symptoms before it manifests. I want to know what they are, in detail.”
“In that case, knowing the origin of the power is essential.”
Cardinal Chris guided Luciano toward the library within the temple.
“In the beginning, the Goddess Gaia granted life to three humans. Among them, the Goddess Luna bestowed the power of the moon upon one, and he became the founding ancestor of House Celedina.”
And so the tale of the beginning began.
“The remaining two humans received power from the God Helios. One of those two became the founding ancestor of the imperial family.”
As Luciano listened, a question arose and he interrupted.
“If two humans were granted power, why does only the imperial bloodline inherit it?”
“The power of the sun, unlike the power of the moon, is inherently offensive. Fearing that a human would recklessly unleash it and plunge the world into chaos, the God Helios granted the second of the two not the power itself—but the ability to awaken it.”
Cardinal Chris’s explanation was long.
“Thus, when someone with the sun’s power meets the one who can awaken it, the power manifests.”
“And the symptoms are simple. When the two meet, the bearer of the power feels heat. The longer they remain together, the stronger the heat becomes. And just before full awakening, the body paradoxically grows cold, accompanied by unbearable pain.”
Hearing this, Luciano’s suspicions hardened into certainty.
He was the one who possessed the power of the sun—and Rebecca was the one who awakened it.
“Has your question been answered?”
Luciano nodded.
By the time they left the library, night had fallen thick and dark outside.
He wished to return to the Grand Duchy immediately, but it was too late to cross the mountains, so he stayed the night at the temple.
The following morning, at dawn—
Luciano began his return to the ducal estate.
He rode without rest and reached home only late that night.
“You’re back, Luciano.”
As he stepped from the carriage, Estelline stood before him in a comfortable dress and a shawl.
“I’ve returned, my lady.”
Taking the jacket he carried, Estelline walked into the mansion with him.
“I heard you visited the Temple of Helios.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“May I ask why you went?”
She asked carefully.
“I had something I wished to learn about the power of the sun.”
At that, Luciano saw a shadow fall across her face.
While Luciano set out for the Temple of Helios, I went with my maids to a café in the capital district.
“Where shall we take you?”
“To the VIP room.”
My maids and I entered the VIP room.
My maids were all smiles, but I could not feel cheerful—not while thinking of Luciano and the power of the sun.
“My lady, are you troubled? You look so worried.”
Even the maids noticed, and began to worry.
I shook my head with a soft smile to reassure them.
“No, nothing at all. Don’t worry.”
Though I claimed nothing was wrong, they still watched me anxiously.
“Is it because His Grace couldn’t join you today?”
“If that’s it, please don’t worry! The Grand Duke cherishes you more than anyone!”
They tried to cheer me up with bright voices.
“Yes. Thank you.”
When I returned to the ducal estate, Luciano still had not come home.
“Ed.”
“Yes, my lady.”
I called for Ed, wondering when Luciano would return.
“Do you know when he’ll be back?”
“If he travels quickly, tomorrow. If slowly, the day after. It’s quite a distance from the capital to the Temple of Helios.”
“I see.”
I went up to my room.
With Luciano gone, the mansion was as quiet as when he’d ridden north for the subjugation campaign.
Through the window, I could see the estate grounds—half the usual number of knights, and none of the busy aides who normally trailed after him.
Something feels strange…
If I felt this lonely just because he was gone for a short while, how empty would it be after a divorce?
The next day, I waited all morning, but he did not return even by afternoon.
“My lady. Dinner is prepared.”
“…Yes.”
I had hoped we might dine together, but with no sign of him returning, I ate alone.
After dinner, while walking in the garden alone, I heard hoofbeats and wheels rolling over stone in the distance.
Hope surged in me and I hurried to the gate.
He’s here!
The servants and Ed must have heard it too, for they lined up smartly at the entrance.
The carriage stopped, Luciano stepped down, and everyone bowed.
“Welcome home, Your Grace.”
He nodded and then looked toward me.
I greeted him, took his jacket from his hands.
The maids offered to take it, but I smiled and carried it myself as I walked inside with him.
Should I ask why he went?
I hesitated, then asked.
Fortunately, he answered right away.
“I wished to learn more about the power of the sun.”
Of course. My prediction was never wrong. I could only smile bitterly.
Luciano must have realized it—
that he possessed the power of the sun.
And that it would soon awaken.
Everything was following the original story.
Everything… except me.
Events from the story unfolded exactly—only earlier than expected.
“My lady… are you feeling unwell?”
“Hmm? No, not at all…”
He stared intently, then placed a large hand against my forehead.
“You don’t seem to have a fever.”
Flustered by his sudden gesture, I stammered.
“I’m just a little tired, so don’t mind me. Luciano.”
But despite my insistence, he all but dragged me to bed, insisting I rest, and followed me into my bedroom.
“You don’t have to stay…”
“I’ll leave once you fall asleep.”
He sat in a chair pulled right up beside my bed.
How am I supposed to sleep like this?!
His dark eyes rested wholly on me—how could anyone sleep calmly under that gaze?
I gave up and rolled over to face him.
“You need rest to feel better, my lady.”
“You look tired too, Luciano.”
It was true.
After riding nonstop, exhaustion showed plainly on his face.
Not that a man with his stamina would be bothered much by it.
“I’m fine, my lady.”
“I’m truly fine as well, Luciano.”
We bickered—each insisting we were fine—and the absurdity of it made both of us laugh.
“Pfft.”
Smiling, Luciano tucked in the blanket around me.
Perhaps because being together in my room no longer felt awkward… or perhaps the warmth of the blanket… sleep began to creep in.
Sensing it, Luciano reached over and blew out the candle.
“Rest well, my lady.”
Even then, I turned toward him.
“My lady…?”
He seemed flustered that I was still staring.
“What is it, Luciano?”
“I believe you should sleep. You look tired.”
“Do I? I don’t think so…”
He shook his head.
“You look tired, my lady.”
“Then… will you sleep with me?”
