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Chapter 16
“I had my reasons. I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine.”
Rayke didn’t seem to mind. Whether he truly felt that way or was just pretending, I couldn’t tell.
After we wrapped up the situation with the guards, we entered a nearby accessory shop. When I said I had come into town to pick out a gift, the two of them insisted on tagging along.
“Still, I was surprised. That you were the one Olivia mentioned…”
Rayke trailed off mid-sentence when Olivia nudged him in the ribs with her elbow. She glared at her brother, eyes wide in warning.
Moments later, Olivia gave him a hard shove and all but forced him out of the shop.
Apparently, they had discussed me between themselves. It was obvious it had to do with Thane.
“To think I made a scene like that twice… How shameful.”
“No, not at all! I actually think you’re really amazing, my lady.”
Olivia’s eyes sparkled almost uncomfortably. Instead of replying, I simply smiled politely.
“Um… would it be alright to ask who the gift is for?”
As she asked, Olivia paused mid-sentence.
“Ah, I’m sorry if that’s a sensitive question.”
“It’s fine. It’s for His Highness, the Second Prince.”
At my answer, Olivia nodded knowingly and then darted over to the display case on the other side of the store. I walked slowly, glancing at the items in front of me.
‘Nothing here really stands out to me.’
More than that, the suffocating atmosphere with Olivia was unbearable. I wasn’t sure how things ended up like this.
“My lady, what about this one?”
Olivia had returned with a necklace in hand. It was black with a red jewel at the end.
‘…Doesn’t seem right.’
Maybe I was being biased, but I had a strong feeling it wouldn’t suit Rchel. Still, she had picked it out for me, so I couldn’t just say I didn’t like it.
“It’s beautiful. Thank you.”
I accepted the necklace. While I was paying at the counter, Olivia went back outside to talk to Rayke.
When I finished and stepped outside, I saw Rayke standing at a distance near the alley while Olivia waited in front of the shop alone.
I stared at Rayke for a moment, and he gave me a polite nod in greeting. It seemed Olivia had shooed him away again, not trusting what he might say to me.
“It was lovely meeting you, Miss Olivia.”
“Yes! It was an honor to meet you too, my lady!”
She answered enthusiastically. Then, after a short pause, she looked at me with a solemn expression.
“My lady, if it’s not too much to ask…”
Her serious tone made me tense up instinctively.
“I… I know it might be a bit much, but… could we maybe become… not quite friends, but someone who sees each other from time to time, maybe exchange greetings…?”
Her shy request left me frozen like a stone.
‘She’s probably just being polite, right?’
But judging by the hopeful look in her eyes, that didn’t seem to be the case.
‘We’ve only met twice—how did it come to this?’
No amount of reflection on my short life gave me an answer.
‘I should say no.’
But I couldn’t bring myself to say it.
I couldn’t bring myself to turn down someone so harmless and pure.
I could curse out brutes like Thane without hesitation, but somehow, rejecting someone kind and gentle like Olivia was too hard.
‘Wait… am I soft on the weak and hard on the strong?’
No, this isn’t right. Just say no!
“I’d like that.”
But my mouth answered differently from my mind.
“Really?!”
Olivia beamed with genuine joy. That made it all the harder to take it back.
“Thank you so much, my lady!”
She grabbed my hands tightly. Her bright smile was dazzling.
‘Well… it’s not like all friends keep in touch anyway.’
I tried to justify my decision. Maybe we could be like those old elementary school friends—you don’t even know if they’re dead or alive, but technically still “friends.”
“Then, I hope we meet again soon!”
I stood there, dazed, watching Olivia’s back as she skipped away like a child.
✦✦✦
The chapel located in the deepest part of Pallium could only be entered by those blessed by the gods.
Though there were no candles lit inside, the stained glass that covered the walls shimmered like a kaleidoscope, casting a brilliant glow. In that sacred space stood a man clad in pure white priestly robes.
He had been standing still for a long time, yet not a muscle in his body moved. In the silence, not even the sound of his breath could be heard.
His gray eyes, fixed on the wall, seemed not to be seeing this world, but something far beyond it. His presence evoked awe and reverence—almost unsettling in its distant, otherworldly stillness.
Eventually, the door to the chapel opened. The High Priest of Pallium entered, his face grim, as if being chased by something.
After confirming they were alone, the High Priest approached the man and spoke.
“The imperial palace has given us one month. If we fail to resolve the Ponz case within that time, they will intervene directly.”
The serial murders in Ponz that always occurred on rainy days. Until now, the temple had taken charge of the investigation, but with the rising number of victims, the royal family could no longer sit idle.
“Please, resolve it before then.”
The High Priest’s voice trembled as he pleaded. The man looked at him and responded with a faint smile.
“There’s no need to rush.”
His voice was calm and unhurried. But beneath it ran a chilling coldness. He slowly approached the High Priest and patted his shoulder lightly.
“According to the will of the gods.”
The gentle whisper pierced the High Priest’s ear like a blade.
“To set the fate of this world right.”
It was a voice devoid of mercy or compassion—hardly godlike. And yet, that only made it more divine.
“Divine punishment to those who defy the sacred will.”
The High Priest knelt before him and murmured a prayer. He clasped his hands together, raising them to his chin.
“I have come to aid the blind of the lower world.”
There should be no such thing as divine radiance in this world. Yet the man standing before the High Priest undeniably possessed it.
No magic, no power—only the sacred light gifted by the heavens.
He was the first and last messenger of the gods sent to this chaotic, disjointed world.
“Fear not.”
At those final words, tears spilled from the High Priest’s eyes. Tears of repentance that washed away the lingering doubt he had struggled to abandon.
✦✦✦
Sigh…
I spent the entire morning sighing as if I could collapse the earth beneath me. I felt like throwing my whole body in front of a moving carriage to stop it.
‘Heading to the slaughterhouse… again.’
The only difference this time was that I was walking in by my own choice.
Today was the first time I was appearing before people since the Grandel banquet. Well, not a grand event—just a simple tea party.
But a tea party wasn’t just about sipping tea. It was a social battleground where noble ladies gossiped and subtly played their cards beneath the surface.
I had chosen one hosted by a family with no prior conflicts with the Crescent Duchy. But the issue wasn’t limited to noble houses.
‘There might be ladies who had run-ins with the old Lilith too…’
With so many young ladies gathered in one place, it was almost guaranteed there would be at least one who didn’t like me.
Plus, after showing up at that banquet I didn’t even fit into, I probably earned the title of “the clueless young lady.” And if even one person saw my messed-up appearance there?
‘This is already feeling like a disaster waiting to happen.’
I squeezed my eyes shut. I could vividly picture how all those unfamiliar ladies would look at me.
But I had to go. If I didn’t want to live in hiding forever, society was unavoidable.
“Today, I am a normal person…”
I had to be polite and friendly no matter what. Even if someone picked a fight, I’d respond calmly. I had to prove I was different from how I used to be! I pumped myself up.
“My lady!”
“Lady Crescent!”
As I entered the garden of the Hyacinth estate where the tea party was being held, everyone stood up to greet me. Their unexpected welcome left me stunned for a moment.
‘This isn’t what I was expecting at all.’
It was the first warm reception I’d received since falling into this world.
‘Is this… sarcasm?’
I scanned their faces carefully.
“We were so worried you wouldn’t accept the invitation. I’m so glad you came.”
“I’ve really been hoping to meet you, my lady.”
“You’re even more beautiful than the rumors said.”
Once the Hyacinth young lady spoke, the others quickly chimed in with praise.
“Thank you all for the warm welcome.”
I gave a strained smile and took a seat.
“Even your voice is so lovely.”
“You’re so delicate… it’s hard to believe you’re the one in those rumors.”
The one in those rumors.
So it finally came. My body flinched reflexively.
