TVWRL Chapter 41

Chapter 41

After the sacred power test, Christian had been shut away in the prayer room for days.

“To think that something lower than a bug is clinging to Adeline.”

He slammed his fist onto the table where the scriptures lay.

“I should have gotten rid of him sooner.”

The image of Adeline and Ilias’s affectionate interactions haunted him relentlessly. In his current emotional state, he felt as though he might rush to kill Ilias on the spot, so he clung to prayer instead. No matter how obsessed he was with Adeline, he couldn’t afford to stain his hands with blood as a clergyman.

In truth, there were plenty of people who would act at his command. But the more urgent a matter like this was, the more likely it was to fail.

He had observed Adeline for a long time. She preferred to move by her own will rather than being forced. So, even if it took time, he needed to proceed methodically and naturally, leaving no room for her suspicion.

Christian had no intention of giving up on Adeline. Thus, Ilias, who was clinging to her like a parasite, had to disappear.

Ilias’s death. It was the perfect way to sway Adeline’s heart.

“Even something worthless can have its uses, it seems.”

When people are troubled, they tend to seek solace in religion. If Ilias were to die, Adeline would inevitably seek comfort somewhere. At that moment, he would step in.

By using Empress Sierra and Duke Crothos to execute his plan, he could also maintain his distance from Ilias’s death.

With his mind somewhat lighter, Christian left the prayer room. After taking a thorough shower and dressing in casual clothes, he prepared to go out.

Today was the day he had received a formal invitation from Adeline.

He left the temple and went to a flower shop to buy a gift for her.

“Welcome!”

As Christian pondered over which flowers to buy, the shopkeeper approached him.

“Are you, by any chance, buying flowers for your girlfriend?”

The word ‘girlfriend’ instantly lifted his mood.

“That’s right.”

“Then how about purple hydrangeas?”

The flowers matched the color of Adeline’s hair and seemed like a perfect choice. Just then, the shopkeeper leaned in as if sharing a secret.

“These are so popular that they sell out instantly these days.”

Christian looked at the shopkeeper with a puzzled expression.

“It’s because Prince Ilias gifts these flowers to Lady Adeline every time they go on a date. They’re a must-have flower for couples, you see.”

For someone like Christian, who was always composed, his expression twisted in an instant. He wanted to storm out of the shop right away, but he couldn’t show up empty-handed to Adeline, who loved flowers. Suppressing the fiery rage that flared within him, he spoke to the shopkeeper.

“I’ll take red roses instead.”

“Oh? Alright. I’ll wrap them beautifully for you.”

The shopkeeper carefully prepared the bouquet.

—

The Kingdom of Kinsteria had become unusually sensitive to trends.

In the past, there was no such culture. This phenomenon had only emerged after Adeline gained fame.

Previously, there hadn’t been anyone among the commoners who could be seen as a star figure. Moreover, in Kinsteria, with its deeply rooted class distinctions, noble culture rarely trickled down to the common people.

Even if trends did emerge, commoners often couldn’t afford to follow them due to financial constraints.

But Adeline was different. She was someone they could encounter if they visited the bustling marketplace, and the items that became trendy thanks to her were always sold in those very shops.

As a result, many people who admired Adeline began to emulate her, and before long, it turned into a widespread trend.

Because Christian spent most of his time at the temple, he wasn’t aware of the extent of Adeline’s influence and fame. Her growing prominence made him uneasy. She was becoming someone far too big to confine within his grasp.

Christian resolved to meet with Duke Crothos as soon as possible.

—

Christian arrived with a large bouquet of red roses, so big it was almost too much for him to carry in both arms.

“Thank you, Priest. You didn’t have to. It feels like I invited you just to get flowers!”

The new priest likely didn’t earn much of a salary.

Though I wasn’t old enough to start sentences with “Back in my day…”, I’d been through my own difficult years as a young adult just starting out, so I could understand his situation.

I even felt a little sorry for inviting him, thinking it might have been inconsiderate.

“This gift is hardly sufficient to express my gratitude,” he said.

“If there’s a next time, one flower is more than enough. Please, come in.”

I led him to the dining room.

—

“I prepared this meal to celebrate your becoming a priest. It would’ve been nice if Sarah could’ve joined us.”

“When will Lady Sarah arrive?”

“She’ll be here tomorrow.”

“Priest Chris…”

“Yes, Lady Adeline?”

Now that it was time to talk about something important, I looked at him seriously.

“The truth is, I made all this food myself, so I can’t guarantee how it tastes. But I cooked it with sincerity to celebrate you, so even if it doesn’t suit your palate, please don’t make it too obvious.”

Chris laughed heartily, catching me off guard. I’d never seen him laugh so openly before.

“To think Lady Adeline herself made this meal—it’s an honor. I’m sure it will be delicious no matter what.”

As we sat across from each other at the table, he bowed his head.

“Lady Adeline, I sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

“It’s nothing. You’ve helped me so much whenever I was struggling. I’m just glad to have this chance to show my appreciation in a small way. Priest Chris, you’re like family to me. After all, I used to be one of the goddess’s people myself.”

For this meal, I had prepared the traditional dishes eaten upon becoming a priest: potato soup, rye bread, and roast chicken.

It was said that the goddess Aria had eaten these very foods as her final meal before leaving the mortal world. Thus, when someone became an official priest, these dishes were customarily prepared for a commemorative meal.

This meal symbolized the last shared meal between family by blood and family in name. Once bound to the temple, a priest prioritized the life of the faith above all else, leaving behind worldly ties in a ceremonial act.

“Let’s eat before it gets cold.”

Chris took a sip of the potato soup and smiled brightly.

“This is truly delicious.”

His expression was so bright and pure that I felt inviting him had been the right decision.

Though he didn’t show it, I could guess how he must’ve felt, having no family to share this meal with. After all, I had felt the same.

In my previous life, all I had inherited from my family was debt. After coming here, I had no family, but I had many people by my side.

I smiled warmly to make sure he wouldn’t feel lonely.

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Only then did I feel relieved enough to eat comfortably.

Cooking here wasn’t easy without modern seasonings, and I’d failed so many times preparing this meal that I felt exhausted just thinking about it.

Of course, the dishes on the table now were the least disastrous of the lot. The roast chicken, for instance, was so poorly seasoned that even I couldn’t bring myself to eat it.

Despite my best intentions, I kept reaching for the rye bread I’d bought instead of eating the chicken I’d cooked.

‘I should’ve gone with a smaller chicken. What a waste.’

To my surprise, the large roast chicken was completely devoured—by Chris alone. Thanks to his hearty appetite, the table was cleared of food.

For a brief moment, I wondered if he might have no sense of taste.

“Lady Adeline, I truly enjoyed the meal. Thank you again, sincerely.”

“If you ever have any family events in the future, please invite me. I’ll act as your sister or brother, whatever you need. Priest Chris, you’re like an older brother and a younger brother to me.”

“…”

Chris looked at me with a serious expression.

“I read an article recently…”

Ah, here it comes. I covered my cheeks with both hands and smiled shyly, ready to play the part of a woman in love.

Chris hesitated, his expression troubled.

“…Is it alright for me to ask about this?”

“Of course! We’re like family, after all.”

I answered boldly, hoping he would spread the word at the temple.

“When did you first meet His Highness?”

“It hasn’t been long, but the connection was so intense. Time hardly seemed to matter.”

“How did you two become involved? That’s not a relationship easily formed.”

I put on a shy expression, as though recalling our first meeting.

“It was when Ilias got caught up in a scuffle at a tavern. I helped him out.”

I decided to use the story of my actual first meeting with Ilias. No matter how meticulously I crafted a fake story, there was always the risk of slipping up.

We had agreed to twist the truth just slightly when speaking about our relationship. Lies rooted in truth were harder for others to detect and easier for the one telling them to keep consistent.

“When His Highness was being chased by more than a dozen men, I grabbed his hand and pulled him away. In a narrow alley, our eyes met, and I just knew. I knew he was my destiny. Though, at the time, I didn’t realize he felt the same.”

Feeling a twinge of guilt for lying so easily to someone close, I picked up my wine glass and took a sip. The alcohol felt like it was sanitizing my lips for the dishonesty spilling out of them. Then, I continued effortlessly spinning my tale.

“His Highness sought me out to thank me, and that’s how we met again. After that, he started visiting me often. Since I had feelings for him as well, we kept meeting. Honestly, I didn’t know he was royalty back then. As we spent more time together, we naturally grew closer.”

His expression didn’t look particularly pleased as he listened. He kept reaching for his wine glass, as if trying to quench a deep thirst.

“Priest Chris, are you feeling unwell?”

He looked startled for a moment, then quickly averted his eyes and replied.

“I just ate too much, so my stomach isn’t feeling great. Don’t worry about it; please continue your story.”

Was it because he had forced himself to eat the bland food? I was concerned and offered him some medicine, but he declined, insisting it wasn’t necessary. So, I resumed my story.

“On the day he confessed his feelings to me, he revealed his identity as a prince. I was so shocked that I initially refused him. But eventually, he managed to change my mind. To be honest, my feelings for him had already grown so overwhelming by then that I decided to be brave and give it a chance.”

Chris rubbed his temples and then covered his face with his hands, looking weary.

“I know there are many nobles who disapprove of me. But all my friends support us. You’re on my side too, right, Priest Chris?”

“Lady Adeline, I must apologize.”

“What?”

‘What’s this about? Is he a snob who can’t accept a commoner dating a prince?’

For a moment, I wondered if he couldn’t come to terms with my relationship with the prince. That thought left me feeling both worried and hurt, stirring a whirlwind of emotions within me.

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