Episode 88

As I slowly opened my eyes, the white ceiling I saw every morning filled my vision.

Light was gradually filtering into the room, indicating that morning was approaching.

“Ah…”

So, I was truly awake.

I had awakened of my own will, without wandering in a dream.

Feeling dazed, I lay still for a while.

I needed time to adjust to the dreamlike reality that I was no longer sick.

And as I became accustomed to it, I began to recall all the things I had deliberately put on hold because of my illness.

What should I do now?

There were so many places I wanted to go and things I wanted to do; where should I start?

As thoughts of excitement and anticipation kept flowing, I hesitated for a moment about whether to immediately inform my family that I had recovered.

Of course, I should tell them, and they would be the happiest to hear the news.

‘But if I do that…’

This marriage would end.

I had promised my family that I would return as soon as I recovered, so if I told them I was completely healthy, they would surely ask me to come back.

And the same would likely be true for Lloydin.

If I no longer had dreams, his tender embraces and gentle kisses would all come to an end.

‘Not yet.’

I couldn’t end this marriage yet.

It wasn’t because of the physical closeness with him.

Even aside from that, I had an important issue left to resolve.

The vow I made to myself when I decided to marry him.

I wanted to complete that mission, which had only just begun.

Preferably, while staying by his side for as long as possible.

Lost in thought for quite some time, I eventually rose from bed, feeling both newly born and determined.

‘This feeling is new to me.’

Somehow, my body felt lighter than it had yesterday.

Is this what it feels like to start the day when you’re not sick?

For a moment, I envied those people but quickly changed my mindset.

No, I’m no different from them now.

So, I should just enjoy it.

With that thought, I rang the bell to start my day.

“My lady, you seem to be in a good mood this morning.”

“Huh? Do I?”

Lia, who had been by my side every day since I was young, immediately noticed my change.

“Yes, you look radiant.”

“I must have slept well; that’s probably why.”

I answered evasively.

“I’m glad you slept well today. I’ve been worried because you seemed restless the past few nights.”

As Lia said, I hadn’t slept well for a while.

Worrying about Lloydin, who had gone to the north, kept me from falling asleep easily.

If I hadn’t fallen asleep, I probably would have stayed awake all night yesterday as well.

“No matter how much I worry and lose sleep, the Duke isn’t going to return any faster.”

Though my concern for Lloydin grew with each passing day, I tried to answer calmly.

“The Duke is stronger than anyone. He will come back safely.”

“Right. He will, won’t he?”

“Yes. So please eat well and get enough sleep. I’m very worried about your health deteriorating.”

“Oh, okay. I will.”

Feeling a pang of guilt at Lia’s concern for my health, I nodded.

‘Lia, I’m sorry.’

I’ll tell you everything once it’s all over.

And I kept apologizing silently.

* * *

A few days later, while I was deeply engrossed in work in the study, I heard a knock on the door.

“My lady, it’s William.”

“Come in.”

The butler entered the study.

“What is it?”

“A reply has arrived from the temple.”

“Give it to me.”

I took the letter from the butler and quickly opened it to read its contents.

‘Hmm.’

It was the reply to the letter I had sent requesting a visit to the temple for prayers. I had lost hope when the reply didn’t come promptly.

Unexpectedly, the letter contained permission for my visit.

Moreover, the name of the person who had replied was quite familiar.

‘Gabriel, the priest…’

He was the priest who had treated me regularly with divine power when I believed it was the way to cure my illness as a child.

I remembered my father mentioning that he was an old friend. I hadn’t expected someone I knew to respond, making it a surprising coincidence.

“I will depart for the temple immediately.”

“Yes, my lady. I will make the preparations at once.”

After the butler left to prepare, I finished getting ready and headed to the temple by carriage.

The distance from the Blighton estate to the temple was considerable.

During the journey, I organized my thoughts on what to discuss with Priest Gabriel.

The temple had forbidden our wedding simply because of my marriage to Lloydin. I was curious about why they permitted my visit now.

But more importantly, I hoped to learn how the imperial family and the temple controlled the Blighton family.

From what I knew, Priest Gabriel was one of the most esteemed figures in the temple and the empire, second only to the high priest.

I had high hopes that meeting him would yield significant information.

Lost in these thoughts, we finally arrived at the temple.

After showing the received letter and passing through the entrance, a grand building made of white pillars came into view.

As I got out of the carriage in front of it, a man around my father’s age approached me.

“Priest Gabriel.”

“Welcome. Ah, now it’s Lady Blighton, isn’t it?”

The priest greeted me with his characteristic gentle smile.

“Yes, I am Ayla Blighton.”

“It’s been a long time. The last time I saw you, you were just a young lady of the Duke’s house. It’s refreshing to see you grown up.”

“I am also delighted to see you again, Priest Gabriel.”

“Please follow me. There’s a place we need to stop by before going to the main temple.”

“Yes, of course.”

After exchanging brief pleasantries, I followed where Priest Gabriel led me.

“You seem much healthier. Your complexion looks good.”

“Oh, does it?”

It seemed that my appearance had indeed changed significantly.

Both Lia, who saw me every day, and Priest Gabriel, whom I hadn’t seen in a long time, noticed my transformation.

“It was an illness that couldn’t be cured by divine power. Did you find a way?”

Momentarily flustered by the priest’s question, I quickly regained my composure and answered in a calm voice.

“Perhaps it’s due to the blessing of the gods, but over time, I healed on my own.”

There was no need to mention that magic was the method of my treatment.

So, I gave the most plausible answer that anyone would agree with.

“Time does heal all things. It seems the same happened with your illness, Lady Blighton.”

“Yes, thankfully it did.”

“By the way, I was quite surprised when I heard you were marrying the Duke of Blighton. How did that come to be?”

“I fell for him at first sight.”

The priest suddenly stopped walking at my words.

He turned his head to look at me intently.

“Why do you ask?”

Puzzled by his sudden action, I asked, and he smiled slightly before continuing to walk.

“It’s nothing. Love at first sight… Yes, the heart cannot be controlled.”

Despite knowing that I married Lloydin, the priest seemed quite friendly towards me.

I had expected the temple to completely reject the Blighton family, so his attitude was a relief.

Soon, we arrived in front of a building a little distance away from the central white structure.

Following the priest inside, we entered a small prayer room.

“What is this place?”

“This is where we perform purification rituals.”

“Excuse me?”

At the mention of a purification ritual, a surge of displeasure welled up inside me.

Had I misunderstood the priest’s earlier attitude?

‘No, stay calm.’

If I get upset here, I won’t gain anything.

I tried to suppress my emotions and maintain a neutral expression as I replied.

“What do you mean by a purification ritual?”

“I should have explained this earlier, and I apologize for not doing so.”

The priest looked apologetic as he explained.

“As you know, members of the Blighton family cannot enter this temple. Therefore, you, as the Duchess, would typically not be allowed inside either.”

“But you granted me permission to visit.”

“That’s correct. I persuaded the High Priest and other priests to allow it. After all, you were from the Anaitz family, and I have known you since you were young.”

“Oh… I see.”

I replied reluctantly, feeling uneasy.

“I understand this must be unpleasant for you. But without the purification ritual, you cannot stay in the temple. What will you do?”

The priest left the decision to me.