Kyle’s yellow eyes stared at me intently. My face reflected clearly in those round, marble-like eyes.

‘What could he possibly be thinking?’

I took in Kyle’s appearance too. Since this might be the last time, I looked more desperately. Then I squeezed my eyes shut.

If I could, I would have stayed with Kyle forever, but that was an impossible dream. Feeling that I wouldn’t be able to leave if I kept looking at him, I stood up.

Since I had hardly anything to pack, it didn’t take long to prepare my luggage. Just as I was about to close the bag filled with clothes, the door burst open and Richard rushed in.

“Cioranne!”

“Richard.”

I would have welcomed him at any other time, but I couldn’t in this situation where it felt like the Pope was trying to exclude me because of Richard’s proposal. I ended up shouting loudly:

“Why are you here?”

“How could I not come? I heard you’re suddenly leaving for pilgrimage today!”

“That’s what’s happening.”

At my answer, Richard’s face crumpled.

“The Pope ordered it?”

“Hey, someone might hear you.”

The Pope, he says. Not even using proper honorifics anymore.

But having already begun to doubt the Pope myself, I didn’t feel like criticizing or correcting his rudeness. I was only worried someone might hear and cause Richard more harm.

“There must be some meaning behind it. That’s what I want to believe.”

“Cioranne Letus!”

“Richard.”

I used holy power to block sound around my room. Then I warned Richard in a low voice, “You need to be careful. This sudden departure seems to be because of you.”

“Me?”

Richard blinked, looking completely confused. Then his face changed color and he asked coldly:

“…Are you saying someone was watching us?”

I neither confirmed nor denied it. Instead, I implored Richard:

“If anything happens, don’t try to resist—leave the temple immediately. Understood?”

“Cioranne!”

I slung the bag that had been on the floor over my shoulder. Then I grabbed Richard’s hand and made one final request:

“And please take care of Kyle. He needs to be taken to the cat daycare, but I don’t have time…”

“Cioranne!”

Richard gripped my hand tightly and pulled me toward him. When I faced him, Richard kissed the back of my hand and said:

“Forget that and just come with me.”

“Richard.”

“This is madness. All those starving people will rush at you.”

“If they rush, I’ll receive them.”

I shrugged my shoulders. My resolve on this matter hadn’t changed at all.

Helping those who are sick and struggling—that was my mission from God.

“You know that’s my duty.”

“I know! I do know! But I wish you valued yourself more! Just because you don’t get hurt doesn’t mean people should be allowed to take their frustrations out on you!”

I looked at Richard without answering. Perhaps realizing from my silence that I didn’t mind their outbursts either, Richard let go of my hand. He buried his face in his palms and muttered:

“Looking at you is like seeing someone who belongs in a fairy tale somehow existing in reality…”

I’m not that good a person.

I gave a bitter smile. I always felt sorry for not living up to Richard’s expectations.

I waved my hand at Richard, “See you again, Richard. Thank you for everything.”

Feeling that I’d be held back if I looked behind me, I turned away immediately and ran down the corridor.

‘Richard.’

Though I couldn’t answer you honestly, I truly appreciated both your proposal and your offer to run away together. When faced with your kindness, I too want to set everything aside and lean on you.

‘But that can’t happen.’

Taking Richard’s hand would create enormous discord not just for Richard personally, but for the Ferol household and even the Empire at large. I couldn’t make such a choice just for my own comfort.

‘And I have nothing to offer Richard in return.’

There was nothing I could do for Richard. I wasn’t even confident I could reciprocate his feelings with the same intensity he had for me.

‘I’ll talk with the Pope when I return.’

I bit my lip firmly. I couldn’t stand by and watch the temple head down the wrong path.

‘Whatever happens to me… if I appeal sincerely, there will be people who respond to my intentions.’

As I stepped into the temple courtyard thinking about what I needed to do, the holy knights, priests, and nuns waiting for me bowed their heads.

“Holy Maiden.”

“Hahaha, this is so sudden.”

“Only those who could prepare quickly have gathered. The rest will come later with food supplies.”

Everyone remained positive despite the frustrating situation. Since these were faces I had traveled with on pilgrimages many times before, seeing them softened my rigid heart. I clasped my hands together and said:

“I believe this journey will bring greater blessings from God precisely because it’s difficult. Now, let’s depart.”

“Yes, let’s go.”

And so the provincial pilgrimage began earlier than planned and with fewer people.

Two hours later.

As we left the capital and started on the mountain path, a nun following behind me called out cautiously:

“Excuse me, Holy Maiden.”

“Yes?”

“Your bag seems to be… wriggling.”

“What?”

What could possibly be making my bag wriggle? I tilted my head in confusion and opened the bag.

“Oh my goodness!”

A small bundle of fluff popped out of the bag with a soft “poof.” Round black ears, a tiny button nose, and jewel-like golden eyes.

It was Kyle!

‘Richard didn’t take him after all!?’

While I was talking with Richard, Kyle must have climbed into the open bag. And I had unknowingly carried him along!

‘We’ve walked too far to go back to the capital now!?’

And wouldn’t everyone be upset if I suggested turning back because of a cat?

But taking a cat all the way to the provinces?

‘What should I do? What am I supposed to do?’

I stood there with the bag in hand, looking miserable. My eyes were spinning.

Everyone was staring at me with puzzled expressions. After stammering for a moment, I finally spoke in a trembling voice:

“Um, well…”

Whether we turned back or took him along, I needed to explain the cat’s presence. Even though keeping pets was forbidden in the temple, and I, as the Holy Maiden, had broken the temple’s rules.

‘I have no choice but to tell them.’

I squeezed my eyes shut and opened my mouth.

“The truth is, I’ve been raising a cat, and I didn’t realize the cat was in my bag when I brought it…”

And that cat is right here.

I hesitated, unable to finish my sentence. Unexpectedly, the nun who heard my story clapped her hands and smiled brightly.

“Finally you’re talking about the cat! I’ve been waiting for you to mention it.”

Surprised by this unexpected response, I blinked blankly.

“…You knew I was keeping a cat?”

Lord Roman answered my question with a grin:

“Everyone who pays attention to you knows that you keep a cat, Holy Maiden.”

“What?!”

And here I thought I had kept it completely secret! Seeing my shocked expression, the nun whispered:

“Everyone started suspecting when you, who never showed interest in plants, suddenly began growing catnip. Some even saw you buying a cat fishing rod toy.”

“Oh my!”

I bought that cat toy fishing rod when I first decided to keep Kyle! How long had they known?

Though my face turned bright red with embarrassment, the others didn’t tease or mock me. Instead, they comforted me kindly:

“You can’t leave a pet alone for a month while you’re away from the capital. Fortunately, the cat seems well-behaved, so let’s keep carrying it in the bag like this. If it gets tiring, I can hold it for you.”

“The cat is really beautiful. I can see why you treasure it so much.”

“I have a cat allergy, so I’ll need to keep my distance.”

Hearing everyone’s kind and gentle words, I hung my head low. I felt like I might cry if I just sat there staring blankly.

‘I was the only one who didn’t know.’

Everyone had been watching over me and cherishing me like this, and I alone was unaware. If Kyle hadn’t followed me like this, I might never have realized it.

“Thank you, Kyle.”

I was ready to give you up and leave, but you followed me.

‘And you helped me realize things I didn’t know.’

I simply squeezed my eyes shut. My heart felt warm.