CHAPTER 4 – Escape at Night (Part 3)

However, when she returned to the capital, Lillian’s dreams were completely shattered. Even as a noble, she was still a nameless orphan from the slums.

She had sought out a famous fortune teller, paying a large sum to receive the name ‘Primrose’ as her family name. However, it was still a family name with no history. Compared to the Edelgard Duchy, or any other family in the capital, it was lacking. 

The Primrose family, if it could even be called that, didn’t have the status of a real family.

‘Even Jeremy, who became a viscount, has some honor as a knight.…’

A knight is perceived to have served his country honorably, so at least he’s not called a parvenu aristocrat.

On the other hand, priests were perceived as “commoners who happened to win the lottery.” Even Priest Tyrion, who had received grace when he was young and had now grown old, still heard comments like “just a brat with unnaturally good luck.”

‘If I were a real aristocratic lady, would it have been different?’

She had decided not to harbor regret for things she couldn’t have, but today was different. 

She felt that news of Cedric’s engagement, or even marriage, would come as soon as tomorrow.

Whether it was to a viscountess or a princess.

He would marry into a house as grand as the Edelgard Duchy, and the entire capital would erupt into celebration.

Unable to bear witnessing such a spectacle, Lillian wished to leave the capital immediately. If possible, she wanted to leave the empire altogether and seek refuge in an independent nation.

“I’m back……”

Her superior called as she returned to the priest’s quarters with her shoulders slumped.

“You were summoned…”

Entering Priest Tyrion’s office like a lifeless corpse, Lillian was greeted by him with a serious gaze.

“Priestess Lillian.”

“Yes……?”

“You applied for a transfer to Turin some time ago, didn’t you?”

“Yes……”

Nodding her head, he motioned for her to sit on the sofa, offering refreshments. Somehow, there was a premonition that the conversation would be lengthy.

“Well, Turin is far from the capital and quite rural. Is there a particular reason you wanted to transfer to Turin?”

“Just……”

She heard it passingly from the foreigner she met on the battlefield.

“I heard the flowers are beautiful.”

There was no particular reason. She, who had never lived outside the capital, knew little about rural areas like Turin.

“Life in the capital is hard after spending so much time on the battlefield.”

Lillian recalled the stories she heard from Felix.

“I want to be somewhere quiet, where I can relax.”

Priest Tyrion nodded in understanding. He took a sip of tea, then spoke quietly.

“I may not be sure about everything, but I’ve come to appreciate you a lot, Priestess Lillian. You have a great understanding of divine magic. I’ve seen you on the battlefield as well, you’ve shown remarkable intelligence despite your age.”

“….”

The words questioning whether she had been taken advantage of by someone who said he cared about her came to the tip of her tongue. Sensing her gaze, Priest Tyrion awkwardly cleared his throat.

“Well, I promise you. If you stay in the capital, you’ll be promoted to a higher rank within seven years.”

It was quite a bold proposal from Priest Tyrion, a clergyman directly under the rank of the head priest, to promise rank promotion himself.

“Still, are you really going to that rural place?”

“Yes.”

If she had heard these words two days ago, her answer might have been different. However, everyone has their own timing for decisions.

“I no longer want to stay in the capital.”

“…Hmm, understood.”

As she firmly stated, Priest Tyrion realized he couldn’t hold her back anymore.

“You are being transferred to Turin, Priestess Lillian. Starting next month, you’ll be reporting to the estate of the Lord of Turin.”

* * *

Priest Tyrion was generous in giving her a month’s notice, but Lillian went straight down the road to Turin. All of her luggage was packed by servants.

It was a hasty departure.

She came down so quickly because she didn’t trust herself. Afraid that she might change her mind about giving him up. Afraid that she might encounter Cedric by chance and develop unreasonable desires.

It bothered her that she didn’t even leave a farewell. However, when she picked up the quill, she couldn’t write anything because her eyes were filled with tears.

The two of them hadn’t made any promises anyway.

All that had happened between them was a playful one-night stand, a mere insignificant happening that occurred countless times at masked balls.

A night where everything was an illusion.

She remembered Cedric’s pleading face, asking her to never disappear from his sight, and the desperation she felt at that moment was real.

‘I wonder if he was surprised by my absence.’

Realizing her sudden absence, Cedric probably was at least a little surprised. She hoped he felt that way.

If he regretted the impulsive night he spent just before his marriage and found solace in knowing she had left the capital, Lillian would be too sad.

That was part of the reason she hadn’t been able to tell Cedric to his face that she was leaving.

If he couldn’t contain his joy at the thought of eternal separation from her, Lillian might have hanged herself in the mansion that day.

‘Why did I sleep with him right before his engagement…’

It was definitely not Cedric-like behavior. However, on that day, the fact that he didn’t make any promises was also very Cedric-like.

‘He’s not the kind of person who leaves unfulfilled promises.’

It was bittersweet, but she was somewhat grateful.

He didn’t leave her with any hopes of becoming his mistress or marrying her. How easily aristocratic men could spout such words. Lillian knew the lies and hypocrisy of men for whom honor was important.

Anyway, thanks to Cedric not leaving any room, Lillian felt no regret despite the sadness.