Chapter 8 (Part 2)

“Cecilia, you’ve received a letter.”

“Thank you for delivering it.”

The person who handed over the letter was the Countess Beaut. She had brought two letters—one from the royal family and the other from Rasilia.

The letter from the royal family was to congratulate her on becoming the Countess of Rozes. It had been sent because Cecilia had recently inherited the title of Countess.

After escaping from the Viscount Bucklew’s household, Cecilia immediately went to Earl Beaut. They quickly completed the paperwork to officially recognize Cecilia as the head of the Rozes family before Viscount Bucklew could arrive.

All that was left was to receive confirmation from the Chancellor handling the matter, so it didn’t take long.

Although the title succession ceremony took place a week later, the paperwork had already been finalized. Even if Viscount Bucklew had came, he could no longer forcibly take her away.

‘What? You’ve become the Countess of Rozes?’

At first, Viscount Bucklew shouted furiously, vowing not to let Cecilia go. However, upon learning that she had become the Countess of Rozes, his attitude changed.

‘Cecilia, please help me. Haven’t I taken care of you all this time?’

As soon as he heard that Cecilia had become the head of the Rozes family, he begged for her help. Naturally, she refused to help him, and as a result, he ended up being pursued by Baron Huntley.

If Rasilia had stayed, she too would have had to repay the debt. However, since she had married Dein and was no longer part of the Bucklew family, and had become a citizen of a neighboring kingdom, she had no obligation to repay it.

According to recent news, the Bucklew couple had separated. Regardless, Viscount Bucklew still had to repay his debts. It was said that he had been captured by Baron Huntley and was now forced to perform labor to repay the amount owed.

It was a disgraceful situation for a noble, but with money involved, no one was willing to help Viscount Bucklew.

He shouldn’t have forced that marriage in the first place.

Cecilia thought it was his own doing. If he had listened to the opinions of Cecilia and Rasilia, Rasilia wouldn’t have left, nor would he have ended up bankrupt.

Such thoughts left a bitter taste in her mouth.

“Are you alright?”

The voice of Countess Beaut brought Cecilia back to reality from her thoughts.

Although the issue with Viscount Bucklew had been resolved, Cecilia remained at the Beaut estate to receive assistance until her debut in high society. Having never even participated in a debutante ball, Cecilia was unfamiliar with the world of social gatherings.

“I’m fine.”

Cecilia gave her a gentle smile and turned her attention to the letter from Rasilia. Just seeing the envelope with Rasilia’s name on it made her smile.

A week after Cecilia arrived at the Beaut estate, she received a letter from Rasilia. It said that she was doing well after marrying Dein in the neighboring kingdom. Although they hadn’t had a wedding ceremony, only registering their marriage, she wrote that she was happy.

Since then, Rasilia had been sending letters describing the fascinating experiences she was having.

Cecilia enjoyed reading Rasilia’s letters, as they reassured her that Rasilia was doing well.

“Have you finished reading the letter? How about we go look at dresses for the ball now?”

As Cecilia placed the letter on the table, the Countess Beaut, who had been sitting beside her, stood up as if she had been waiting for this moment.

“Isn’t there still time before the ball?”

The mention of the ball immediately made Cecilia tense.

It was her first time attending a ball, and instead of feeling excited, she was filled with fear. Even though the ball was still several days away, her hands and feet were already trembling.

Rumors had spread about a new female head of the Rozes family, but no one yet knew that it was Cecilia.

She would have to reveal this at the upcoming ball, but the thought of introducing herself in front of many unfamiliar nobles made her quite nervous.

“You seem very anxious about your first ball. Let’s start preparing now and try to enjoy it. That way, you’ll feel less nervous.”

The Countess Beaut winked and smiled brightly.

To help Cecilia ease her nerves, she suggested they go out to the plaza together. She explained that staying inside the estate would only make her anxiety worse, and that getting some fresh air would be better.

“How about this dress? This one seems to suit you as well….”

At the dress shop, the Countess Beaut excitedly held up various dresses against Cecilia’s body. At this rate, it seemed like she might try on every dress in the shop.

“I’ll go with this one.”

“I think this one looks better on you, though.”

Cecilia chose the simplest option, but the Countess kept recommending more extravagant dresses.

“Alright, I’ll go with that one.”

At first, Cecilia refused, but the Countess insisted so much that she eventually gave in.

“Shall we head over there next?”

“If you’re going to buy this much, why not have the shop come to the estate instead?”

“Don’t you find choosing dresses fun? I certainly do!”

Even though they had already shopped enough, the Countess showed no signs of exhaustion. Instead, she looked like there was still plenty left to buy as she headed toward the next dress shop. Cecilia, dragging her tired feet, followed behind.

Just as they were about to enter, it happened.

Huh?

Cecilia spotted a familiar silhouette in the distance and immediately ran toward it. Her heart was pounding.

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

She ran until she was out of breath, but when she realized it wasn’t the man she was looking for, her face fell with disappointment.

Why am I acting like this?

He was a man she had already let go of in her life. She thought she had erased him from her mind, knowing she wouldn’t see him again.

But that wasn’t the case. Cecilia unconsciously kept searching for a man who had no connection to her anymore. Strangely, she kept seeing visions of the man who had come to the Bucklew household and told her he needed her.

She thought she had moved on before giving him her heart, but her eyes kept searching for him. Just like how she had mistaken a completely different man for him moments ago.

Whenever she heard a man’s voice, it felt like Ian was speaking. Whenever she saw a man with black hair wearing a black priest’s robe, she thought it was Ian passing by.

Even if she saw a temple that wasn’t the Atheon Temple, she felt like he might be there. It was as if all her senses were connected to him.

Because of this, Cecilia had no choice but to admit her feelings. She was already in love with Ian.

She didn’t know when it had started. Was it the day she sneaked into his room? Or the day they met again at the temple? Or perhaps the day she was lured into his room by Lady Pirus?

She wasn’t sure which day it was, but one thing was clear: she had loved him even before realizing it.

I want to see him again.

The moment she recognized her feelings as love, Cecilia desperately wanted to see Ian.

She didn’t want to keep chasing after men who weren’t him, mistaking them for him. She didn’t want to keep thinking that other men were him.

So instead of waiting for him to appear before her, Cecilia decided that she would go to him first.

If she went to the Atheon Temple, Ian would surely be there. However, meeting him wouldn’t be easy. She would have to wait in the long line for the confessional.

But if she could meet him, she didn’t mind. Cecilia resolved to endure it all and meet Ian.

* * *

The temple she visited after a long time was quiet. It was the first time she had seen it so empty, as it was usually bustling with people.

As she looked around the temple with a puzzled expression, she overheard the conversation of two young ladies passing by.

“The temple feels so empty without Priest Ian.”

“Exactly. I don’t come as often as I used to anymore.”

What does that mean? He’s not at the temple?

Cecilia wanted to hear more of their conversation, but they had already moved too far away. Still, she could guess what they meant.

Did he leave the priesthood in the meantime?

With a faint hope, she stopped a passing priest to ask.

“Can I meet Priest Ian?”

“Priest Ian has left the priesthood.”