Adelia leaned against the window frame and quietly looked at the panorama of the Holy Land.
It’s bright even though it’s night.
It must be because of the city’s white exterior. This strange beauty was somehow familiar. She felt the same way when she first stepped in here.
I’m used to it for some reason.
But she didn’t know the cause of this familiarity.
“Can I come in for a while?”
Adelia turned her head to the voice heard over the door.
“Come in.”
Click~
When permission fell, Demalo, who looked fresh, came into the room. Adelia smirked at Demalo’s neatly shaved face.
“You looked bright.”
I can’t believe he was covering that decent face with a shaggy beard. I don’t quite understand.
“Ah, It’s a little awkward, but….”
“Hmm, it’s a little awkward because your atmosphere is a little different from usual. And that white robe is pretty unbecoming.”
Adelia’s straightforward assessment made the corners of Demalo’s eye droop. He asked in a brooding voice.
“Should I change?”
“…when you come to the Holy Land, you have to follow the rules of the Holy Land.”
“…yes.”
Demalo nodded as if he agreed with Adelia with a sigh. Adelia, who was looking at the figure, spoke comfortably.
“Hang in there for a week. You can wear your own clothes after your shift.”
“…thank you for saying that. You’ve become so sweet.”
You mean she wasn’t friendly until then. Adelia’s eyebrows furrowed wildly. Seeing her displeased expression, Demalo quickly added:
“Of course, you were always kind.”
Haha. The awkward laughter rang hollow in the lonely room. Adelia stared at Demalo with her eye’s squinted. A drop of cold sweat trickled down the side of Demalo’s face.
Adelia clicked her tongue short and turned her head. Demalo breathed a sigh of relief in his mind, thinking, ‘Did I pass it well?’
“I heard an apology from someone I hated today.”
Adelia, who fixed her gaze out of the window, recited. It was a very small sound, but Demalo didn’t miss it. He erased his mischief and spoke in a serious voice.
“But you don’t look so refreshed.”
“…it’s a little complicated. I never thought I’d get an apology from her, and I used to be… a mean person.”
“Oh, it must have been a serious situation.”
Adelia frowned and turned her head and looked at Demalo again. He looked down with a stiffened expression. Soon after, he raised his head and met her. There was seriousness in his eyes.
“When you were a kid, you know, I’ve been through a lot.”
Demalo smiled softly and recalled the memories of the past.
It was just a cute prank to me, but it could be a nightmare for others.
Demalo felt guilty because he felt it was his fault that Adelia had gone the wrong way. If he had explained the situation even a little bit and left, this might not have happened.
“There’s no point in regretting it now.”
Seeing Demalo’s expression darkened, Adelia slowly opened her mouth.
“Of course, I apologized.”
“Apologizing doesn’t solve everything.”
“…that’s right. She became even more frightened when I apologized.”
“Probably because things have been built up.”
“She accepted my apology only today. And then she apologized to me, too. She’s sorry that she didn’t recognize my sincerity back then.”
Demalo silently examined Adelia’s expression. He realized that Adelia had an unsolved problem. He doesn’t know what it is, but there was only one thing he could say.
“Do what your heart tells you.”
Adelia almost burst into laughter at Demalo’s advice.
“I knew you’d say that.”
“You know me well.”
Adelia moved away from the window and fixed her dress.
For now, she should focus on Selcred and Holy Relic rather than on Hestine’s apology.
“I should go to bed.”
“Sleep comfortably. I’ll protect you.”
Adelia smiled softly and laid herself on the bed. So, the second night in the holy land passed.
***
The morning in the Holy Land begins early. At a time when the sun had not yet risen, Adelia had to endure sleepiness and start her routine.
“Let’s start with the bath.”
The priests led Adelia to the depths of the holy land. Adelia soon reached a small lake after moving for a long time.
The lake of life.
This was the place in the legend where Vishna and other supreme gods created the world. It’s a sacred place for those who serve Vishna.
Adelia changed into a thin white gown with the help of female priests.
“Get in this lake. It’s a little cold, so please be careful.”
Adelia slowly stepped into the lake under the guidance of the priests.
It’s warmer than I thought.
It looks cold on the surface, but it was not unbearable. Rather, it felt warm.
At that moment, the transparent lake began to glow blue. The blue enveloped Adelia. At the same time, exclamations poured out from the mouths of priests who were helping the bath.
“Oh!”
“This Selcred will be a success!”
“God Vishna seems to be very pleased with the guardian.”
Adelia wondered at the delighted priests. What makes them so happy?
A priest noticed Adelia’s curiosity, she smiled and explained kindly.
“Sometimes the lake of life turns blue. It means there will be happy events in the city. We think of this lake as Vishna’s eyes. When she wants to tell us the good news, she changes the color of the lake to blue.”
“…it’s like the holy stone.”
“Right.”
Hearing the statement, Adelia gathered her palms and looked at the green lake. Like the legend, it occurred to her that this lake might contain Vishna’s blessing. She just dipped herself into the lake, but I feel so peaceful.
You call this mysterious.
Adelia took her time and relaxed. Wherever Vishna’s blessing is, you should enjoy it properly.
***
After spending nearly three hours in the lake of life, Adelia returned to her room in a daze.
“Ivan?”
As soon as she entered the room, Adelia was able to see a welcome face.
“Did you finish your bath well?”
Adelia approached Ivan with a bright smile.
“It wasn’t bad. Rather, I feel relieved.”
“Relieved? It seems it was not just a rumor that Vishna’s blessing is in the lake.”
“You knew.”
Ivan replied with a shrug.
“It’s such a famous story.”
Adelia turned her gaze to look at the wad of paper Ivan was reading. Adelia clicked her tongue thinking he came here to work.
“You can rest a little during the festival.”
“Oh, this is not a document.”
“Then…”
“It’s a list.”
At the mention of the list, Adelia poked her chin and pondered. There’s only one list he’d look at a time like this.
“A list of prospective priests who will assist me?”
“You noticed it too quickly”
“It’s the only thing you need to see right now.”
Adelia smiled quietly and peeped at the paper lying on the table. However, even before checking the name written on the paper, a wide chest blocked the view, so she couldn’t see the paper.
Adelia looked up at her lover with a slight frown in discontent.
“…why?”
The corners of Ivan’s lips went up at the question of pure doubt. Adelia’s doubts grew even more with his meaningful smile.
“Who is coming…….”
“Oh. It’s already time. We have to go and meet the priests.”
He was obviously trying to change the subject. Adelia stared at Ivan with her eyes narrowed. However, Ivan had no intention of showing her the list, he grabbed Adelia’s shoulder and pushed her forward. Adelia had to leave the room like she was being dragged away.
What are you thinking?
Adelia could not quench her curiosity even as she was being led by Ivan. The more he hid it, the more curious she became, it was human nature.
“Are you ready?”
What should I be ready for?
Adelia murmured with a sulky face and headed to where Ivan is leading her.
And soon Adelia’s expression hardened.
Wheat-colored hair cut in a straight line over her shoulder. Green eyes shining brightly with tenderness.
“Emily?”
Adelia’s wide-open eyes showed a strong young look of surprise. It was the same with Emily.
Emily also looked incredulous when she saw Adelia in a white dress.
“Oh, my lady…, No, viscount!”
Emily found Adelia and rushed to her at once. Emily’s little body was wrapped in the width of Adelia’s skirt.
You’ve grown a lot…
Emily had grown tremendously compared to the last time she saw her. Seeing her, Adelia felt good. Emily, who took a step toward adulthood, was unfamiliar yet proud.
Adelia turned her head and looked at Ivan. He didn’t look very surprised.
He already saw the list, so he knew Emily was coming.
“You wanted to hide it.”
“It would be more dramatic if you don’t know.”
Ivan said, shrugging deftly. Adelia smiled quietly and shook her head.
It doesn’t matter.
I’m so glad to meet her.
Adelia smiled brightly and reached out to Emily.
“Please take good care of me, Priest-to-be.”
Emily blanked out for a moment and grabbed Adelia’s hand in a hurry.
“Yes…! Thank you!”
