Chapter 2 (Part 5)

Entering the study with a tense expression, she saw Viscount Bucklew looking at her with a cold gaze.  

“Was this your doing? Did you try to take advantage of this situation to secure a good match for yourself instead of Rasilia?”  

Before she could even greet him, he raised his voice. It was less of a question and more of an outburst, reflecting his inability to accept Earl Beaufort’s sudden change of heart.  

Ah, so it’s really over.  

Cecilia sighed in relief internally. It didn’t matter anymore whether the Viscount was angry or not. She could just think of his yelling as the barking of a dog and let it slide.  

Judging by his expression, it seemed like the priest hadn’t said anything about last night, so Cecilia feigned ignorance and asked.  

“What do you mean by that?”  

“Are you pretending not to know, or do you really not know?”  

Viscount Bucklew’s eyes narrowed even further.  

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I’ve never met with Earl Beaufort privately.”  

There was no need to lie. Cecilia simply explained that she had no personal connection with the Earl, and her confident demeanor reflected that.  

“Is that true?”  

“You can ask the maids or servants. If I had met with the Earl privately, someone would have seen it.”  

“If you say so, then it must not be a lie.”  

Seeing that Cecilia’s gaze didn’t waver in the slightest, the Viscount finally withdrew his suspicious glare.  

Only then did Cecilia realize for certain that Priest Ian hadn’t told the Viscount about what had happened the previous night.  

He really didn’t tell anyone.  

As Cecilia left after greeting Viscount Bucklew, she sighed in relief. Meanwhile, Rasilia, who had learned her engagement had been called off, ran toward her with a bright smile.  

“Did Father tell you?”  

“Yes. It’s all thanks to you, Sister. Thank you.”  

Rasilia whispered in a voice so low that no one else could hear. Just from her excited tone, it was clear how overjoyed she was.  

Seeing her radiant smile, Cecilia felt the embarrassment she had been holding onto begin to fade. She decided to completely forget about last night and smiled gently in return.  

***

After Earl Beaufort left, neither the next day nor the day after that did Viscount Bucklew call Cecilia.  

Was I worrying too much? Can I really relax now?  

For two days, Cecilia remained tense, but on the third day, she decided to let her guard down. After all, things had been quiet for two days; surely, Rasilia’s marriage issue was completely resolved by now.  

But that was only her misconception.  

After breakfast, Viscount Bucklew suddenly called for Cecilia. With a tense expression, she went to his study, where he greeted her with a deeply furrowed brow.  

“What is it that you called me for?”  

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”  

Instead of explaining, he immediately began scolding Cecilia again.  

“Tell you what?”  

“That you interfered with Rasilia’s marriage! I was wondering why Earl Beaufort’s attitude suddenly changed, and it turns out you meddled in the middle.”  

“What are you talking about?”  

Did he find out?  

Cecilia didn’t know why he had stayed quiet until now only to call her today, but she decided to feign ignorance for the time being. If Viscount Bucklew discovered the full truth, he wouldn’t let it slide.  

“I heard you spoke with the priest. What exactly did you talk about? I don’t recall introducing you to him.”  

It seemed the maid who had knocked on the door had finally reported to the Viscount that Cecilia and Priest Ian had met.  

“When they visited, I was hiding near the stairs and happened to see the Earl’s party. I think he noticed my face then, so he came to greet me.”  

Feeling guilty, Cecilia had no choice but to lie.  

“Why were you standing there that day?”  

“I was curious about the man Rasilia was going to marry.”  

“Is that true?”  

“It’s true.”  

The Viscount stared straight into Cecilia’s eyes, trying to discern whether she was lying. Her heart pounded violently, but Cecilia’s gaze remained unwavering.  

She didn’t blink. She kept her eyes wide open, maintaining a confident attitude that suggested she wasn’t lying.  

If she slipped up here, it could harm Rasilia as well. In the worst-case scenario, her father might even find out about Rasilia’s lover. If she fell into his interrogation, it would be disastrous.  

Eventually, the Viscount averted his sharp gaze. Tilting his head slightly, he still didn’t seem entirely convinced, but he appeared to think Cecilia wasn’t lying.  

Still, as if he couldn’t fully trust her, he glanced at her again out of the corner of his eye before letting out a deep sigh and speaking.  

“I still can’t trust you. So, until my suspicions are cleared, you will spend time reflecting.”  

“Reflecting?”  

“Yes, I’m sending you to the Atheon Temple for 100 days. I’ve been considering it for a while, and after seeing your behavior, I’ve made my decision.”  

What consideration? Clearly, he just didn’t want to see Cecilia’s face and had come up with an excuse to send her away to the temple.  

But after keeping her confined to the estate for so long, now he suddenly wanted her to go to a temple? How could that make any sense? And not just any nearby temple, but the Atheon Temple?  

“Why are you suddenly sending me to the Atheon Temple?”  

Cecilia looked at Viscount Bucklew with a puzzled expression, but his face remained calm as he delivered the absurd news.  

“The Atheon Temple is holding its 100th-anniversary celebration, and they’re looking for 100 nobles to pray for 100 days in preparation for the event. While high-ranking nobles will participate, they’re also accepting lesser nobles like us. They’re even providing room and board.”  

“You want me to stay at the temple for 100 days? You haven’t allowed me to leave the estate until now. Why the sudden change of heart?”  

“Didn’t I just tell you? It’s for you to reflect. I’ve already submitted your name. The priests from the Atheon Temple will come to interview you personally. If you fail, I won’t let it slide.”  

Hearing the word “Priest,” Cecilia immediately thought of Priest Ian. 

Surely, it couldn’t be him again, right?  

“Oh, and if you’re thinking that Priest Ian, who came with Earl Beaufort, will come again, you’re mistaken. You won’t receive any help from him.”  

As if reading her mind, Viscount Bucklew spoke firmly, his expression stern. He still seemed to believe that Cecilia and Priest Ian had secretly conspired together.  

“I’m not close enough with him to receive any help. So, I hope you will stop entertaining such strange suspicions, Father.”  

Normally, she wouldn’t have dared to speak back, but since she was going to be dragged to the temple regardless, Cecilia decided to say what she wanted.  

Viscount Bucklew frowned, clearly displeased with her defiant attitude. After giving him a simple bow, Cecilia left the study.  

“Ugh.”  

As soon as she closed the door, she let out a heavy sigh.  

The thought of staying in an unfamiliar place for 100 days, combined with the embarrassment of possibly encountering Priest Ian she had wronged, left her mind in turmoil.  

Perhaps this uneasy feeling would only disappear once the temple’s event was over.  

Letting out another deep sigh, Cecilia trudged back to her room.