Side Story ~ 17
“Lady Duchess!”
At the voice calling from behind, the couple’s gaze turned in unison.
“…Johan?”
Lexion’s expression was somewhat peculiar as he watched Johan running towards them, panting.
“Are you alright? You don’t seem any different than usual…”
Now standing close to Lexion, Johan looked up at him with a worried face.
“I haven’t regained my memory yet, but I’m fine,” Lexion replied.
Seriniel whispered softly into Johan’s ear, “The doctor said his memory will return soon, so there’s no need to worry. Besides, he’s not as confused as we thought he’d be.”
“I sent someone earlier because of the donation amount this morning.”
Johan, who had been looking at Lexion, turned to Seriniel and continued, “But I was so shocked when I heard about the accident at the mansion…”
Johan had heard a rough explanation. He knew there were no health issues, but it was still a surprise. He was worried and even considered visiting the Rosenvester estate himself, only to find out that the Duke and Duchess had gone out.
After all, there were only a few places Lexion and Seriniel frequented: the Verdellette Count’s residence or Paul’s shop. So, he followed them here.
“To my eyes, it doesn’t seem serious either, which is a relief… But are you alright, Duchess? You must have been quite shocked.”
“I was, but I’m okay now. Was there an issue with the donation?” Seriniel asked.
“No, it’s just that the amount was much larger than last time, so I sent someone to inquire,” Johan explained.
“Ah, that,” Seriniel laughed. “We had a large mining of magic stones recently. Our profits increased by several times. Since we had more to hold onto, we could give more. It’s something to be thankful for, isn’t it?”
“Even so…”
“And besides, I haven’t been able to visit the children lately. I promised to read them stories… Please read to them in my stead, High Priest. With that amount, you can also renovate the orphanage and buy lots of new storybooks.”
At Seriniel’s words, Johan made a face indicating he couldn’t argue any further.
The amount was so large that he had wondered if he should accept it, but with such reasoning, he had no excuse to refuse.
“High Priest…?”
Lexion, who had been quietly listening to Seriniel and Johan’s conversation, muttered to himself.
“Ah, Duke…”
“Shouldn’t you be on the battlefield?”
Lexion’s reaction made Johan realize that he truly had reverted to the past. Though he seemed unchanged on the outside, hearing Lexion speak like this was somewhat disconcerting.
But Johan smiled brightly and explained, “I no longer go to the battlefield because I’ve become a priest.”
“…”
“Isn’t that wonderful?”
Lexion remained silent for a moment. He seemed lost in thought, and after a while, he finally spoke in a somewhat hoarse voice, “So instead of taking lives, you’ll be saving them? Praying to God to save those in pain?”
“Exactly, but I also pray for those who are not suffering. I ask for everyone to be happy under God’s grace.”
“You take care of children who lost their parents to the war and comfort those who lost their children?”
“Of course,” Johan replied with a big smile. “I’m quite a capable priest, not just any priest, but a High Priest.”
“What’s the difference between a High Priest and a regular priest? Is there any distinction?”
“There isn’t. I just lead prayers when needed and do so more earnestly than anyone else, if possible.”
“I see…”
“…”
“That’s truly wonderful.”
Finally, Lexion smiled faintly. “It suits you better.”
Seriniel thought she knew why Lexion was reacting this way.
[“I first met him on the battlefield, and he kept saying he was in pain. He talked about things I couldn’t easily understand…”]
It was because of what he had said the day he first spoke about Johan.
Lexion’s eyes held a myriad of emotions as he looked at Johan.
Sadness and regret for his comrade who had suffered from the burden of killing, feelings of guilt and remorse even though it wasn’t his fault…
But the most prominent emotion in his dark eyes was relief.
Feeling relieved about his one and only friend who was paving and living a life that truly suited him…
“…”
Johan, sensing Lexion’s feelings, couldn’t speak for a moment. With eyes slightly reddened, he simply gazed at Lexion with an expression that was neither a smile nor a frown.
“Since we’ve met, shall we have dinner together?” Seriniel spoke with a gentle voice.
“We were just about to head back to the manor. If the High Priest doesn’t mind…”
“I would love to,” Johan replied quickly.
“The Duke doesn’t know much about my life as a High Priest. I have so much to tell. So many things happened after I joined the temple.”
In fact, Johan had already shared most of those “many things” with Lexion. Lexion valued Johan, and Johan was well aware of that. There were numerous stories, and repeating them was somewhat tedious for Johan.
But even so, Johan was willing to recount them as many times as needed. Lexion was a very dear friend, almost like family, both then and now.
“Kina will have prepared some delicious food. She’ll be thrilled to see you, as will Vain.”
“I’m also looking forward to seeing the chatty maid and the fussy butler again.”
“Shall we head off then?”
Lexion silently observed Seriniel, who was holding his hand affectionately, and Johan, who was smiling at him. Then he nodded with a faint smile.
***
The meal was very enjoyable.
As promised, Johan recounted memorable events from the temple to Lexion. Some stories were from shortly after Johan had joined the temple, while others took place after Lexion and Seriniel became a couple.
For example, there was the story of a child from the orphanage, who was fond of the couple and close to Elsie, visiting the Rosenvester estate without telling Johan.
Everyone, including Seriniel, Johan, Kina, and Vain, knew the stories well, but they laughed and chatted joyfully.
Throughout the conversation, Lexion only made brief replies, often lost in thought. Whenever Lexion had such a contemplative look, Seriniel would squeeze his hand under the table. Though not used to such physical affection, Lexion did not push her away.
“I should be going now,” Johan said, standing up about an hour after dinner had ended.
“Please, don’t come outside. If the Duchess catches a cold, I’ll be scolded for sure.”
Johan spoke playfully to the couple who had followed him to the door to see him off.
“I’ll visit again, Duke.”
Lexion nodded in response, and Johan slowly turned around.
“The life at the temple must be…”
But Lexion’s next words made Johan stop.
“Very fulfilling, right, Johan?”
“Of course,” Johan replied, turning back to Lexion. “But it’s not just temple life that’s fulfilling. The most enjoyable thing is seeing you happy every day. Days like today.”
Johan smiled brightly at Lexion, who looked slightly dazed.
“Have good dreams. Sleep peacefully and wake up peacefully in the morning, as always.”
“…”
“From what I know, it’s been a long time since your days became so peaceful. Tomorrow will be no different.”
With his final farewell, Johan slowly left the manor, leaving only Seriniel and Lexion standing at the door.
“Duke, shall we go in?”
It seemed best to let him rest now. They had been out all day, and he hadn’t even slept the night before.
“Kina will have prepared the bath. Wash up and go to bed. I’ll stay with you tonight.”
…Okay.
Lexion nodded slowly and followed Seriniel’s lead, like an obedient puppy.
