Episode 9

After the reading, Rosanna couldn’t stop snapping at Vlad whenever she saw him. This continued even in the clubhouse ballroom where they were hosting a charity auction.

“Leaving in the middle without a word? You’re such an ill-mannered jerk.”

“You’re still not over that? I told you—I just wanted to go home and hold my wife. That book’s content really put me in a bad mood.”

Vlad, as if to prove his point, pulled Tanesia into an embrace. Watching this, Rosanna’s blood boiled.

“You could have at least told me before you left. You’re no gentleman. You’re a terrible person!”

“Terrible person!”

Henry, who was in Rosanna’s arms, echoed her words.

“He left Henry behind. Didn’t take me with him!”

“No, Henry! Daddy just….”

“Shut up, Vlad. You have nothing to say.”

Henry was still sulking about not being taken to the reading. He seemed to think his father had gone off to have fun without him. Rosanna saw no need to correct this misconception.

“Henry, did you want to go?”

“Yes.”

“Did it make you sad that you couldn’t?”

“Yes…!”

“Bad daddy, right?”

“Yeah, I hate him….”

Henry burrowed deeper into Rosanna’s arms, whining softly as if the many people they’d met at the charity auction had exhausted him.

“My sweet little one. You’re so cute, I could just eat you up.”

She nuzzled his cheek and pretended to nibble on his chubby cheek, eliciting a giggle from the sleepy child.

“Rosanna, I told you not to do that.”

It happened in an instant. Henry was suddenly in Tanesia’s arms, and Vlad had taken a step forward.

With his red eyes flashing with anger, Vlad looked every bit the wild beast, radiating hostility.

“Why are you overreacting? You two play games like that with him all the time.”

“We’re his parents.”

“…….”

“Don’t play dangerous games with Henry. I’m asking you. Please, understand?”

“Vlad. Are you saying you can do it, but I can’t? Do you think I’m some rookie who can’t control her strength?”

“I’m just saying we need to be careful. We have to protect our family.”

A tense silence followed. The distant chatter of guests outside the window faintly filled the air.

Rosanna let out a bitter laugh.

“It sounds like you’re saying I’m not part of the family.”

“Don’t take it the wrong way. I’m just asking you to be mindful since Tanesia and Henry are more vulnerable.”

“Oh, really? Sorry, I guess I misunderstood.”

There was a sharp crack as the chair back under Rosanna’s hand splintered.

Their red eyes locked, the tension between them palpable and ready to explode at any moment.

“Calm down, both of you. Emotions are running high; it’s better to discuss this later,” Tanesia interjected as the mediator.

“There are guests outside. The charity auction may be over, but the evening reception is about to start. Rosanna, you should go. It wouldn’t reflect well on you if the host is absent.”

“…I’ll go. Henry looks sleepy, so you should take him home first.”

“I trust you, Rosanna. I don’t think you’d ever harm Henry. Please, let’s just move past this.”

“Thank you.”

Rosanna walked past Vlad without another word. She could hear Tanesia softly scolding and comforting him as she went.

She paused and turned to look back. Tanesia was gently patting Vlad’s back as he rested his head on her shoulder, holding Henry in her arms. Seeing her brother’s family, who provided solace and support for each other, Rosanna placed a hand over her chest, feeling a deep, aching pang inside.

* * *

For the first time since coming to Britna, Rosanna attended a communion service.

She had only intended to deliver the proceeds from the charity auction and then leave Ingdberry Cathedral, but her plans were disrupted when she came face-to-face with Bishop Johan.

“As a major donor, it would be proper to meet and greet you in person.”

The Countess of Haywood, who had encouraged Rosanna to host the charity auction, had mentioned that it was customary for the host to contribute an additional sum to the donations, so she had followed suit without much thought. She hadn’t anticipated that her contribution would make her a major donor.

“Viscountess Dacia, you seem troubled. We have a communion service soon. Perhaps you would care to join? Prayer can often bring peace of mind.”

She couldn’t bring herself to refuse his offer.

Rosanna, thinking she would just blend in and follow the others until it was over, was surprised to find that the service actually had an effect on her.

The sacred atmosphere helped soothe her troubled thoughts, and she left the chapel feeling much more at peace.

“The sky is so clear. It feels nice.”

Rosanna walked slowly to a bench and sat down. She planned to stay just a little while longer.

“I probably won’t come here often anymore.”

It was a beautiful place, but there was a risk of running into Kyle Mason. Having decided to put her feelings aside, she knew she had to eliminate the possibility of seeing him again. If they met, she would be tempted.

To rid herself of any lingering attachment, she had even given the handkerchief back to Bishop Johan, claiming she had found it. Now, she was truly…

“Sister?”

With a thud, her heart sank. It was a voice she could never forget.

Rosanna slowly turned her stiff neck to confirm the owner of the voice.

“Weren’t you the one who attended the communion service just now?”

Her expression remained rigid, showing no signs of softening. Why was she trembling at the sight of Kyle?

To think she was nervous about merely seeing a human’s face—a situation her past self would have scoffed at.

“Are you from out of town, by any chance? You seem unfamiliar.”

The man, dressed in his theology student robes, approached with a kind smile. He was tall, with broad shoulders and a solid build—a physique more suited to a soldier than a clergyman.

Was someone like him really becoming a priest? What a waste.

Rosanna finally managed to speak.

“I’m from Lumanó.”

“Oh, you’re a foreigner. Are you here on a trip?”

As he drew nearer, his face emerged from the shadows. Shining flaxen hair, gray eyes, smooth skin, and gentle features—all framed by strong, defined lines that gave him a striking, yet harmonious appearance.

“Why don’t you sit down?”

Rosanna, forgetting her earlier resolve, tapped the seat beside her. The man, smiling shyly, took the seat next to her.

“I came to Britna with my brother and his wife. They were exiled after their marriage wasn’t blessed.”

“That’s unfortunate.”

“I’ll stay only until they’re settled.”

“It may be a difficult time, but I’m sure they’ll get through it with you by their side. Family… they’re a source of strength.”

Rosanna was certain now.

This man didn’t recognize her. He couldn’t connect the woman in front of him with the one he had met twice before.

“You… or rather, are you a priest?”

“Not yet. I’m still a theology student. My name is Kyle.”

Rosanna couldn’t help but smile as she mirrored his expression. His smile was contagious.

“Do you have family who support you, Kyle?”

Now that his guard was down, she decided to probe him a bit.

“My family… Well, the Lord, the children I grew up with at the orphanage, and the people of the Ingdberry parish. Since we’re all children of the Lord, in a way, you could say you’re part of my family too.”

He maintained eye contact as he spoke.

Kyle kept smiling, and Rosanna couldn’t help but think that such a disarming smile was almost criminal.

“My name is Rosanna.”

“Ah, Sister Rosanna. You have a beautiful name.”

She hadn’t planned on sharing her name.

The resolve to keep her distance crumbled in the face of that smile.

She had heard countless praises of beauty over her long life, words that had long lost their value. And yet, why did these simple words, spoken with genuine kindness, stir something within her?

She stopped herself from dwelling on it. It felt as if she were peeking into a door that should remain closed.

“Sister? Did I… perhaps offend you? I’m sorry if I did. I meant it in a good way. It may sound like an excuse, but it really wasn’t a judgment or a flirtation. If I upset you…”

Rosanna looked at Kyle, who was now fidgeting nervously. She had been silent for just a moment, but he was already worried he had upset her, sweating like a guilty puppy awaiting its master’s reaction.

“I know it was a compliment.”

“Still, I was thoughtless.”

Rosanna broke the tense atmosphere with a light-hearted comment.

“By the way, Kyle, there’s a mistake in what you said. I’m not a member of the Britna state church, so I’m not really your sister in faith.”

“But you do believe in God, right? You attended the service. You’re a member of the Lumanó state church, aren’t you?”

Rosanna nodded slightly. To avoid arousing suspicion, it was best to align with a state-recognized religion. The Enache family had all been baptized for this reason.

“Ultimately, we share the same roots. There are many similarities.”

“Can priests get married there?”

“You’re well-informed.”

“Do you plan on getting married?”

The question slipped out impulsively. Rosanna had to focus hard to keep herself from biting her lip.

“Well, I’m not sure yet. First, I need to get through the ordination.”

Kyle let out a small sigh.

“I’m afraid I’ve been talking too much about myself and taking up your time. If you’re busy…”

“No. I’m free.”

Kyle exhaled in relief, his eyes crinkling warmly. His smile was more comforting than sunlight on a spring day.

“Then, Sister Rosanna, are you enjoying your time in Britna?”

Every time he said her name, it felt as though the moment lifted her out of reality. The slow way his lips shaped the words, the echo of his voice, the slight movement of his eyebrows—all these details of Kyle became etched in her mind.

Rosanna felt a pleasant sense of foreboding.

“I’m not sure. It might be more enjoyable if you were to keep me company.”

Her rational mind faded into a dreamlike state, and her lips spoke on their own. The restrictions that had once bound Rosanna Enache were now forgotten.

“Haha, you’re quite the character.”

“…I’m not joking.”

There was no longer any reason to hold back.

Everything Rosanna had ever desired had always become hers, and this man before her would be no exception.

Goodbye, Kyle.

Welcome, my beloved attachment toy.

TL/N: He isn’t calling her “sister” in the sense of a biological sibling, but rather as a term of endearment and respect within the religious community.