Episode 6

“Wait…!”

Rosanna sprang to her feet, but it was too late. Black smoke burst from the book, shooting up to the ceiling as the only light in the room extinguished.

Rosanna kept her gaze fixed on the smoke in the darkness. It seemed almost sentient as it scanned the room, choosing its target before charging. Rosanna darted in front of Basilio faster than the smoke could reach him.

She bit her lip to stifle a groan.

The palm of her hand, which had blocked the black smoke, burned as if scalded. Yet, with the firm chest behind her supporting her back, she managed to stay in place, feeling as if someone was guarding her from behind.

“W-What’s happening?”

“The light! Turn on the light, quickly!”

“Where’s the door? We need to get out of here!”

Amid the panic, Rosanna exerted her strength. The malevolent spirit thrashed under the pressure of her superior presence before dissipating.

Rosanna sighed in relief but only then realized what had happened. In the moment she had fallen, she had braced herself not against the floor, but against the man’s chest. The firmness and heartbeat beneath her palm confirmed it. As her hand inadvertently brushed over him, a stifled groan escaped Basilio’s lips.

“Uh… excuse me…”

He tried to move, but his leg got tangled with Rosanna’s. As their lower bodies pressed together, she heard him gasp, the innocent reaction of someone inexperienced with women. Though she found it amusing, she knew she needed to resolve the situation first.

With a snap of her fingers, the candles around them flickered back to life, and the commotion quickly died down.

“What on earth… was that?”

“The black smoke is gone. I saw it with my own eyes!”

“Indeed. Viscountess Dacia, are you all… where did she go?”

All eyes turned to one spot.

Rosanna and the veiled man were sprawled halfway on the floor. A priest and an unmarried noblewoman from a foreign land—tangled together in a way that was ripe for misunderstanding.

“The two of you…”

Tsk, Rosanna clicked her tongue briefly.

Britna was a place where rumors spread like wildfire, despite its dull and stodgy populace. Hating to get caught up in troublesome matters, Rosanna quickly devised a plan.

“Oh dear, I was so startled that I felt dizzy… Thank you for catching me. And for exorcising that malevolent spirit—you’re our savior.”

“Pardon? Oh, no, not at all.”

Still leaning on him, Rosanna stood up. Her performance was convincing enough that it looked like she was truly being supported by him due to illness.

“This is quite a mess. I think we should call it a night. I apologize for what happened today,” the host bowed her head.

“It’s fine. No one got hurt, after all.”

“My heart is still racing. I feel like the hero of an adventure. When else would I ever experience something like this?”

“Let’s have tea tomorrow. I’ll bring some calming tea leaves.”

“Even so, we should hand over that necromancer to the police. He’s probably a fraud!”

The noblewomen, who had just been terrified, now looked as if nothing had happened. Watching them, Rosanna spoke softly, ensuring only the man could hear her.

“Basilio, right?”

She heard a sharp intake of breath. It was clear that the man was sending her a confused glance. He was likely trying to recall where they might have met, but he wouldn’t know. Just as Rosanna couldn’t see him through his veil, he couldn’t see her face through his mask.

Even if he could see her, he wouldn’t recognize her from their encounter at Ingdberry Cathedral since she was a stranger to him.

“How do you know my baptismal name…?”

“Are you a theology student?”

His Adam’s apple bobbed noticeably.

“How do you know that?”

His voice was strained, laced with suspicion. At first glance, she thought he was an easy mark, but now he was showing some wariness. Judging by his demeanor, he was clearly overwhelmed by her presence, yet he managed to ask her back. A human who could resist the fear of a predator was rare.

It seems he has more to him than just a pleasant scent.

Her interest in him grew.

“Tell me your name, and I’ll tell you.”

“…If you tell me what you did earlier, then I’ll tell you my name.”

Rosanna’s lips curled into a sly smile.

“Bold, aren’t you? Offering a trade.”

As she tilted her head to look up at him, the man hesitated. She could hear his breath tremble. Finding the sound delicious, she leaned closer and whispered.

“I saved you, didn’t I? Your life’s savior. That’s all you need to know.”

The conversation ended there. Just as the host called out to offer Basilio payment, he quickly distanced himself from Rosanna, as if guilty of some crime, and walked swiftly toward the voice.

Rosanna, left behind, spoke to his retreating back.

“Farewell. And until we meet again, my well-built theology student.”

She couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret, wishing she could have stayed wrapped in his arms a little longer.

* * *

Kyle stepped out of the general store after purchasing the last gift.

As usual, the marketplace was bustling. Merging into the crowd of pedestrians moving in both directions, Kyle began walking. As he moved along, he observed his surroundings, which were full of sights and sounds. Though he occasionally came to the marketplace to buy gifts for the children, each visit felt new. Being the capital, it was highly attuned to the latest trends, with many shops changing their merchandise or redecorating their interiors each season.

As he passed by a store, something in the display window caught his eye—a masquerade mask that only covered the area around the eyes. Decorated with lace, the mask seemed familiar, and it reminded him of a woman.

A woman who, with bold gestures, had shaken him to his core and left behind strange, cryptic words.

“It smells delicious.”

He was certain that’s what she had said. He had doubted his ears at the time, but he hadn’t misheard. To say someone smells delicious upon first meeting them… He wasn’t sure if she was teasing him or had some strange desires, but either way, he thought she was odd. Yet the way her red lips had moved kept replaying in his mind. The memory spun around in his head like a spell, and it took considerable effort to push it back into the recesses of his consciousness.

He found himself constantly pondering the meaning of her words whenever he let his guard down.

She was an unforgettable presence. Even though she was likely a noblewoman who, according to convention, should have had a chaperone when meeting a man in an open park, she had pressed herself against him without hesitation. Her boldness, her attitude that seemed to play with Kyle as if he were a toy in her hand—it all fascinated him. Her free-spirited behavior was like that of a rebellious tomboy defying societal norms.

She was someone who could do things that would shock others, yet not a single person would resent her for it. In fact, she seemed like someone who could only receive love, not hatred. There was an innocent quality unique to people like her.

She was a woman who lived in a world Kyle didn’t belong to.

“Sigh… I’m thinking about her again. Focus on something else, focus.”

It was a world too distant to envy. And he was unlikely to cross paths with that woman again.

Kyle shook off the lingering silhouette of her figure from beneath his eyelids and refocused his mind. He reached the end of the marketplace and headed for the carriage stop. His timing was perfect, and he was able to board a stagecoach immediately.

Upon arriving at the orphanage, Kyle was greeted with overwhelming enthusiasm. The children couldn’t take their eyes off the bundle of gifts he had brought. They all had eager expressions, full of expectation.

“Have you all been listening to the sisters?”

“Yes!”

“Alright, here are the gifts. Make sure to share them fairly, okay?”

“Yes!”

He was certain that’s what she had said. He had doubted his ears at the time, but he hadn’t misheard. To say someone smells delicious upon first meeting them… He wasn’t sure if she was teasing him or had some strange desires, but either way, he thought she was odd. Yet the way her red lips had moved kept replaying in his mind. The memory spun around in his head like a spell, and it took considerable effort to push it back into the recesses of his consciousness.

He found himself constantly pondering the meaning of her words whenever he let his guard down.

She was an unforgettable presence. Even though she was likely a noblewoman who, according to convention, should have had a chaperone when meeting a man in an open park, she had pressed herself against him without hesitation. Her boldness, her attitude that seemed to play with Kyle as if he were a toy in her hand—it all fascinated him. Her free-spirited behavior was like that of a rebellious tomboy defying societal norms.

She was someone who could do things that would shock others, yet no one could resent her for it. In fact, she seemed like someone who could only receive love, not hate. There was an innocence unique to people like her.

She was a woman who lived in a world Kyle didn’t belong to.

“Sigh… I’m thinking about her again. Focus on something else, focus.”

It was a world too distant to envy. And he was unlikely to ever cross paths with that woman again.

Kyle shook off the lingering silhouette of her figure from beneath his eyelids and refocused his mind. He reached the end of the marketplace and headed for the carriage stop. His timing was perfect, and he was able to board a stagecoach immediately.

Upon arriving at the orphanage, Kyle was greeted with overwhelming enthusiasm. The children couldn’t take their eyes off the bundle of gifts he had brought. They all had eager expressions, full of expectation.

“Have you all been listening to the sisters?”

“Yes!”

“Alright, here are the gifts. Make sure to share them fairly, okay?”

“Yes!”

At times like these, they were all of one heart. Their unified excitement made Kyle forget his worries for a moment.

“Go ahead, open them up, one by one.”

“Yes!”

The children’s cheeks puffed with anticipation as they unwrapped the presents. They immediately began chattering among themselves, guessing what the contents were. It wasn’t so much the gift itself but the joy of having an adult’s attention that delighted them. Kyle understood this better than anyone, having spent his own childhood in this very place.

Kyle patted each child on the head in turn before heading to the director’s office. He knocked and entered to find the head nun there. Time had left its marks on her face since his memories, but her kindness was unchanged.

“I’m here.”

“Kyle! How have you been? Come, sit down.”

As soon as he sat, the head nun looked him over closely.

“You must be exhausted, preparing for your ordination exams and interviews. You’ve lost weight. Are you eating properly?”

“You know my best quality is my health. Don’t worry.”

“How can I not worry? All the children here are my children.”

Kyle’s throat tightened with emotion at her unconditional love.

“You’ve always been so responsible, so I never had to worry, but… that’s why I’m concerned. I wonder if you didn’t get enough care, if I should have hugged you more, let you be more of a child.”

All the nuns at the orphanage cared for the children with love. Even Bishop Johan, who visited only on special occasions like Christmas or Easter, treated them with affection.

They had become Kyle’s family after he was left an orphan the moment he first cried.

“…I received more than enough love. That’s why I’m always grateful. I want to be someone who gives more than they’ve received.”

“Kyle.”

The head nun extended her hand. Understanding the gesture, Kyle took her wrinkled hand in his. She clasped his hands in both of hers.

“Giving is good, but I hope you learn how to receive, too. You’ve always been a child who found it hard to accept things.”

“Mother Superior…”

“Don’t be burdened by kindness, just accept it. I know it’s not easy to change just because I say so, but… I hope you find someone who can break down the walls around your heart.”

Their warm conversation continued as they exchanged updates. Kyle was so engrossed in sharing every little detail with her that he lost track of time.

“And so, I met Matthew. It’s been a while…”

Suddenly, there was a commotion outside. The children’s excited shouts reached the director’s office.

“He said he’d come by if he had time. It must be Matthew. I’ll go bring him in.”

The head nun watched Kyle rise with a pleased expression.

“You’ve made a good friend at the seminary.”

“It’s the Lord’s grace.”

“I’m glad. You always played the role of the eldest here at the orphanage. I was grateful, but part of me regrets that you were at an age where you should have been cared for, too… I still feel that regret.”

“Please don’t say that. You became a mother to me.”

His eyes began to well up with tears.

Kyle deliberately turned his gaze to the window. Outside, the view of Ingdberry stretched before him—a world to which he did not belong.