Episode 76

【 The Reinhardt who will stand by my side 】

As the carriage arrived at the temple, a solemn atmosphere filled the surroundings.

The temple had deliberately planted cinnamon trees and other fragrant trees, their scents spreading eerily through the air whenever the wind blew.

“It is truly an honor to have you here.”

As soon as news of Chris’s arrival spread, the archbishop rushed out to greet him.

Watching the archbishop bow excessively, I quietly swallowed a sigh.

It was obvious that he was acting this way because he had something to feel guilty about.

‘He must still be haunted by the fact that Chris almost got poisoned during the Eucharistic ceremony.’

By principle, the temple was not supposed to take anyone’s side—not even the emperor of the empire.

However, just as many people chose not to invite priests to their engagement ceremonies despite the tradition, the temple often pretended to be neutral while secretly taking sides…

And no one ever openly pointed it out or accused them.

‘Because everyone was benefitting from it in one way or another.’

The temple would align itself with whichever noble house could bring them the most benefits at any given moment. At times, they even colluded with the imperial family.

Even in the original story, it had been the same.

Toward the end, Duke Reinhardt made an enormous donation to the temple in hopes of bestowing Aria with the title of a saint.

The temple gladly accepted the duke’s money and bestowed their blessing upon Aria.

Though Aria had never performed an actual miracle as a saint, they justified it by claiming that she had spread kindness and compassion throughout the empire.

Thus, Aria was treated almost as a saint and eventually married the crown prince.

There was no need to think that far ahead this time.

‘During the Eucharistic ceremony, they sided with the imperial family and Duke Reinhardt while pretending to remain impartial.’

Even now, most of the donations to the temple likely came from the duke’s pockets.

But disregarding the Grand Duke entirely was out of the question. The name Elzerian was not one to be ignored so easily.

“I heard you require a priest,” the archbishop said.

“Yes. I need an official witness,” Chris responded.

“Before that, Your Grace, if I may… Would it be possible to discuss the recruitment of military chaplains in the North?”

Both Chris and I raised an eyebrow at the same time.

Chris met my eyes, as if asking what I thought.

‘A classic mix of a bribe and surveillance.’

Chris seemed to have the same thought.

The military chaplain corps consisted of priests possessing divine healing powers. They also supported the temple’s knightly orders.

‘They’re an extremely valuable force.’

Considering what happened during the Eucharistic ceremony…

By sending their valuable chaplains as a form of apology to the North, they were also likely aiming to monitor its movements.

“I would like to discuss this in private,” the archbishop said.

At that moment, I gently released Chris’s hand.

“Go ahead.”

“Will you be alright?”

“This is the temple. I’ll be fine.”

The issue of the military chaplains and the troops being sent to the North was something Chris should handle, not me.

My role was to support whatever decision he made and ensure that the duke’s household wouldn’t use it against him.

With a calm expression, Chris left with the archbishop. Meanwhile, other priests guided me to the temple’s inner garden.

“Please rest here while you wait.”

The garden was surprisingly spacious and extravagant, resembling a worldly palace more than a religious institution.

Despite the season, various flowering trees were in full bloom, their unnatural vitality likely the result of the priests’ healing and growth magic.

“Haa…”

I let out a quiet sigh as I slowly walked between the heavily scented flowers.

It wasn’t so bad to take a break from overthinking and focus solely on my upcoming engagement.

Thud.

Something lightly brushed against my elbow.

Turning around, I saw that my elbow had barely touched the head of a young priest who had been bowing.

“My apologies,” I said.

At that moment, the young priest lifted his head.

I recognized him immediately.

“You are…”

It was the same apprentice priest I had met during the Eucharistic ceremony.

Still blindfolded, the boy slightly bowed his head and slowly smiled.

“Would it be rude of me to say it is an honor to be touched by you?”

“…I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

I had heard this before.

The one who has been touched.

For some reason, it didn’t sound like a purely good thing. And the fact that a priest—an agent of the gods—was saying it made it even more unsettling.

Could it have something to do with the fact that I’ve died and come back multiple times?

I was lost in thought when, from a distance, another priest called out to the boy. It was a familiar face.

The same priest who had healed me during the Eucharistic ceremony and greeted me at Aria’s debutante.

“You’ve arrived.”

The young priest smiled at me benevolently, as if he had expected me to be here. Feeling cautious, I carefully asked him a question.

“Priest, could it be that…?”

“I cannot tell you just yet.”

What?

Before I could ask again, the priest continued speaking.

“But as time passes, no one can predict what will happen.”

“……”

“No one knows what the touch desires. It only pulls us toward it.”

It was a cryptic remark. Before I could say anything, the priest slowly walked away.

“Wait!”

“Please, do not let go of the hand you’re holding so easily.”

“What do you mean…?”

“You might lose the flow.”

Whose hand?

But I already knew. The moment I heard those words, I thought of Chris.

His large hand—solid, with strong, pronounced knuckles.

For some reason, a deep fear struck me.

“Priest!”

I called out, turning the corner—

But the priest had already vanished.

* * *

“Welcome, Lady Aria.”

Upon arriving at the temple, Aria momentarily stiffened at the bishop’s greeting before forcing a smile.

It wasn’t just the casual way he called her name that bothered her. In occasions like this, she had always been addressed as Lady Reinhardt.

At some point, that had changed. Now, people either called her by her full name—Aria Reinhardt—or simply Aria.

She knew the reason well. To avoid confusion with another lady of the same family.

But everyone said I was the real lady of Reinhardt.

The thought scratched at Aria’s nerves.

She had only just reclaimed her rightful place. Only now had she finally gained something that was truly hers.

But that wasn’t the most important thing at the moment.

Forcing a bright smile, Aria looked at the bishop. The man, ever composed, returned the smile as he gazed down at her.

“You are as beautiful as ever. It makes me wish you were our saint.”

“Oh my, you shouldn’t say such things.”

“Haha. But how can I deny the truth?”

The bishop standing before her was someone who received direct financial support from Duke Reinhardt. Because of this, he had no reservations about openly flattering the duke or showering Aria with praise.

In the past, she had enjoyed it. But today, it was somewhat bothersome.

She was here for something important.

Skipping the pleasantries, Aria got straight to the point.

“Please bless these wines.”

“Oh? Are they meant for someone special?”

The bishop looked down at the crates of wine with a curious expression.

How peculiar.

To his eyes, the wine was not of the highest quality.

Duke Reinhardt had deliberately selected wines that were only of decent quality to be sent to the Grand Duke. Just enough to maintain appearances.

Still, even such wines would increase in value with a priest’s blessing. A temple’s blessing wasn’t given to just anyone, after all, making it all the more valuable.

Because of this, blessings weren’t granted lightly.

The bishop hesitated.

“It would be difficult to bless all these bottles…”

“Is it really impossible?”

Aria clasped her hands together, her eyes sparkling as she looked up at him.

Behind her, her maid silently opened a purse, revealing several gold coins.

“I wanted to give them to His Grace, the Grand Duke.”

“Hoho, ahem, ahem!”

The bishop’s eyes darted around.

Since he was already reliant on noble patronage, he was more sensitive to social gossip than other priests.

So the rumors were true?

There had been whispers that Aria Reinhardt and Chris Elzerian were secretly exchanging letters.

He recalled a noblewoman who had confidently claimed to have seen the proof herself—a love letter from Aria.

And now, the Grand Duke of Elzerian was here at the temple for the official engagement confirmation with Mindia Reinhardt.

To think that cold, composed man would actually be two-timing.

There had already been plenty of scandalous rumors about Chris being entangled in a fated love with the daughter of his enemy’s household.

It seems everyone is two-faced.

The bishop smirked to himself. He wasn’t the only one with dirty secrets. The entire world was full of people hiding their own filth.

“Well, in that case, I would be more than happy to do so.”

He uttered a brief blessing—a superficial one, barely qualifying as a true sanctification.

Aria handed the cart of blessed wine to her servants but took one of the better-looking bottles into her own hands.

“I’ll go ahead. Follow at your own pace.”

This was the bottle she had chosen from the start.

She wanted to personally hand it to the Grand Duke.

To congratulate him on his return from the border city.

And, more importantly, to see if his feelings had changed while he was away.

After all, while he had been gone, the social circles had openly speculated that she would soon become the crown princess.

If His Grace intends to choose a daughter from the Reinhardt family…

Then there was no reason it couldn’t be her.

She was certain of it.

She had vowed never to lose what was hers again. It was time to step forward and seize it.

As she lightly ran her fingers over the wine bottle, deep in thought—

“…!”

Someone was walking toward her from the opposite end of the corridor.

It was almost as if fate itself had arranged this moment.

Aria’s heart swelled with excitement.

“…Lady Aria Reinhardt.”

It was Grand Duke Elzerian.