PDHTFV 10

~Chapter 10~

I was finally done thinking and ready to move on.

“Did you find out who started the rumor?”

“No, sadly, nobody remembers anything.”

“Why?”

“I think the person mixed black magic into the rumor and then erased themselves from everyone’s memory.”

So I was even more sure Leana was the culprit.

“The person probably already left the temple, so I’ll go look for clues.”

“Okay, good luck.”

I needed to find my next place fast, so I just answered quickly and went toward the library.

Since I could be kicked out any minute, finding my next destination was the most important thing now.

But Yushen followed me. I really didn’t want him around while I searched for another temple.

I stopped and turned around to face him.

“Why are you following me?”

“I’m just doing my job.”

Is he really so free that he can watch me all day?

Is he ignoring orders just to keep an eye on me, or does he just have nothing to do?

“Are you going to keep watching me even after I get kicked out?”

“I won’t do that.”

He answered firmly, and for some reason, that made me feel a bit awkward.

“If I left the temple at the same time you did, it would just make the rumors stronger.”

As expected from a high-status noble—he knows how to judge a situation calmly.

If only he had used that brain to stop the rumors in the first place.

“And for the future, it’s better to end the rumor here.”

For once, we agreed. But the word “future” stuck in my head. What future? Did he mean the future where he catches me and kills me?

If that’s true… maybe it’s better if the rumor spreads everywhere so he gets in trouble with his dad!

‘…Is that too mean for someone with family trauma?’

I still don’t like Yushen after he chased me so much, but maybe I shouldn’t wish for his total ruin.

So let’s just hope he gets embarrassed at least once. That’s fair, right?

I nodded, pretending to agree with him.

“Right. You should have a bright future.”

He looked at me like he was trying to figure out what I meant.

“To help your future, you should stop chasing me.”

“What does that have to do with my future?”

“I’m just giving advice. You’re wasting your time chasing me.”

“It’s not a waste.”

“You still think I’m a witch?”

“……”

“Really? Still?”

“……”

Wow. Even after we figured out a third person added black magic to the rumor, he still thinks I’m Leana.

I was frustrated, but I would keep telling him I’m not Leana until he finally believes me.

But he just ignored my words.

“I’ll prepare a carriage. Go to the capital first.”

He’d said it so many times, I wasn’t even surprised anymore.

I could feel my own stubborn side waking up after all this time at the temple.

“No.”

“Let’s wait in the capital.”

“The capital is dangerous.”

“Any city is just as dangerous.”

This time, Yushen wouldn’t back down. Actually, he’s never backed down to me before.

Because he’s the male lead, I kept hoping maybe he’d end up liking me, like in other stories.

But reality is always different from fantasy.

I let out a deep sigh and tried again.

“Don’t you get it? The capital is full of people who want to catch Leana. Isn’t that even more dangerous for me?”

“……”

“Are you okay with me getting caught by someone else?”

“……”

Honestly, if I’m going to get caught, I’d rather it not be by Yushen.

But Yushen would want to be the one to catch me. That’s how his “story” works.

So I decided to use that setting to my advantage and escape him.

“And I don’t know anyone in the capital, so I’d have nowhere to stay.”

“……”

“If I can’t hide, I’ll get caught even faster.”

And maybe get some money out of this rich boy, too.

Yushen finally rubbed his forehead and sighed, as if giving up.

“…I’ll find you somewhere to stay for now.”

“Is it safe?”

“……”

He didn’t answer right away. Even he knew this conversation was strange.

He’s supposed to catch me, but now he’s finding me a place to hide. It was kind of funny.

But it felt good to be the one in control for once.

“…It’s safe.”

He sounded guilty and doubtful as he answered.

He still thought I was a witch, so helping me must have felt awkward.

But I hadn’t decided on my next destination yet, so maybe I could stay where he suggested.

There was no guarantee other temples would even let me in, and I wasn’t sure I could travel safely.

‘It worked coming here, but next time I might not be so lucky.’

So maybe hiding in a safe place until I had a better plan was a good idea.

The capital was crowded, so it’d be hard to find me quickly, even if Yushen tried.

I nodded.

“Alright, I’ll take your offer.”

“I’ll prepare the carriage quickly.”

“No need. I’ll leave tomorrow.”

“No, let’s leave quietly tonight.”

I looked at him, then nodded.

I almost refused, but it didn’t matter to me when I left.

I didn’t have much to pack, anyway. I was empty-handed from the day I came to this world.

Late at night, after the sun had set and darkness filled the sky.

I’d never seen the area outside the temple at this hour before. It was really quiet, since we were on the outskirts.

There were only a few birds making noise—it felt like no one lived here.

I didn’t want to leave right from the front of the temple, so I walked a bit. The mood changed completely.

I walked toward the dark red carriage where Yushen was talking to the driver.

When I came closer, Yushen finished his talk and opened the carriage door for me.

But I didn’t get in right away. There was something I was really curious about after talking to the assistant priest earlier.

“I have a question.”

“Yes.”

“Is there any way to really tell if someone used black magic?”

“Yes.”

He answered without any hesitation. Like a robot.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

I asked again, and he still said yes.

‘So there really is a way? Then why did they use that silly holy water trick on me?’

If there’s a real way, why didn’t Yushen use it to prove my innocence?

Did he avoid it just to make my life harder?

“If it’s that easy, why didn’t you use it on me?”

“I can’t.”

“Why? If we do it now, we could end all this trouble.”

“It needs a lot of holy power. I can’t do it alone.”

“Then can’t your subordinates help you? They’re all holy knights, right…?”

Then I realized: his knights would need to know my identity for that.

Yushen would never use other people’s power without explaining.

If I were him, I would have just made them do it.

“Get in. I can’t leave this spot for long.”

“Wait, one more thing!”

He closed his mouth, letting me ask another question.

“So, holy water alone can’t prove anything?”

“No, it’s useless.”

“Wow, that means the assistant priest was really fake.”

So that trick really was nonsense.

“Fake?”

“Forget it.”

I cut him off, then quickly climbed into the carriage.

As I tried to close the door, Yushen held it, looking like he had something more to say.

“What?”

“Don’t do anything stupid until I get there. Like you said, the capital is full of wolves.”

With that warning, he closed the door, and the carriage started to move.

Was that really a warning? Why did it sound like Yushen was… worried about me?

Maybe I was just imagining things because he’s the male lead. After all, Yushen still thinks I’m Leana—he wouldn’t worry about me.

Yeah, I shouldn’t get my hopes up.