“It’s really beautiful…”

“But—I was sure we’d taken care of everything eight years ago…!”

“It seems someone managed to escape divine judgment. We’ve only confirmed one heretic so far, but there could very well be more.”

Shed explained everything that had happened to Dietrich and the priests.

“So, the heretic made it all the way here—what exactly did they do?”

At the mention of heresy, Dietrich’s eyes lit up with a sharpness unlike anything seen before. The determined look behind his glasses was almost unsettling.

“They destroyed the west wing of the annexe and broke into one of the rooms. It looked like they tried to approach the maid they had previously attacked, but fortunately, nothing serious seems to have happened.”

“Nothing serious?!”

Dietrich, who had been hunched over, suddenly straightened at Shed’s words.

“That can’t be. There’s no way a heretic would come all this way and leave without doing anything.”

Dietrich shook his head vigorously.

“That maid! I have to see her.”

He began tapping the table with his fingertip, urging Shed on.

“But she hasn’t fully recovered yet. The doctor said she still needs rest. I don’t think this is the time to press her about what happened.”

“It’ll only take a moment. I just have a few questions.”

Dietrich replied, watching Shed nervously. But while his gaze was timid, he clearly had no intention of backing down.

‘This is exactly why I didn’t want him here.’

Dietrich was one of the high priests whom he had hoped would never come to Ideana. Eccentric and relentless, he had an extensive knowledge of heresy and black magic, and was uncomfortably persistent. Although his competence and tenacity could be valuable, his tendency to fixate on one thing to the exclusion of all else often made him difficult to work with. Reason and authority had no effect on him.

She hesitated for a moment. There was one reason why he didn’t want Dietrich anywhere near Liana. By all rights, she should have been dealt with by Dietrich eight years ago — she was a traitor, sentenced to death.

‘Of course, there’s no way the High Priest would recognize Liana…’

As far as he knew, Dietrich Lester had never had any dealings with the Ideana family. Felix Ideana, a practitioner of black magic, had always kept priests at arm’s length and never invited them into his home.

Therefore, Dietrich would not recognise Luise Ideana. Eight years ago, it was Dietrich who had signed off the report stating that all members of the Ideana family were dead. This accomplishment had earned him his title as High Priest. To him, Luise Ideana should be nothing more than a ghost.

“And—the wounds. If it’s from black magic, my holy power might be able to heal it.”

As Shed’s hesitation dragged on, Dietrich leaned in closer over the table, adding,

“Wounds inflicted by black magic—I might be able to heal them…!”

Dietrich adjusted his glasses again as he spoke. Shed fell silent, lowering his gaze.

‘…It should be fine.’

He couldn’t keep Dietrich Lester and her apart forever anyway. Insisting now would only deepen suspicion. Besides, there were things he wanted to ask Liana himself.

“Very well. Let’s go together.’

Shed said, rising from his seat and gently disentangling himself from Dietrich, who had leaned in a little too close.

Dietrich sprang up to follow him.

“Let’s go!”

For once, his voice was clear and free of stammers. It sounded excited.

🌺⟡───⟡🌺 🌺⟡───⟡🌺

Liana lay in bed, staring at the ceiling above her. Beautiful paintings and patterns had peeled away in places, revealing the bare, grey walls underneath. Where a small chandelier had once hung, there was now just a hollowed-out hole.

If only the walls had never been painted, they would have looked plain but clean and presentable. However, beautiful things turn ugly far more easily than plain ones.

Faced with that ugliness, she recalled memories of the room’s former beauty. Back when she was a child and knew nothing at all.

On days like today, when she was ill in bed, or on nights when nightmares left her trembling with fear, warmth had always been at her side.

“Are you all right, miss?”

She remembered the large, warm hands that had gently smoothed her sweaty hair, patted her back, and held her trembling hands. She also remembered the boy’s beautiful yet awkward eyes.

Now, all those memories remained only as hideous scars.

‘No.’

Liana buried her face in her hands. Memories rushed in, leaving her feeling nauseous. Her breathing became ragged, her heart racing as if something were pounding away at her very core. She had grown accustomed to physical pain, but the mental scars cut deep and refused to fade, no matter how much time passed. She pushed the memories away again and again as they tried to swallow her whole.

Knock, knock.

The sound of someone knocking on the door pulled her away from her pain, if only temporarily. The noise pushed back the turmoil in her mind, creating a small breathing space. Pressing a hand to her chest, Liana forced herself to calm down, summoning the courage to speak.

“Come in.”

The door opened slowly. Shed stood on the other side.

“Your Grace.”

Liana composed herself and respectfully bowed her head towards Shed.

When she looked up again, she saw the people who had followed him into the room. They wore robes so white that they seemed to glow, even indoors — the garb of priests. Liana’s heart plummeted.

Right behind Shed stood a silver-haired man wearing a cape embroidered with the sacred star, an honour reserved only for high priests. Every muscle in her body tensed.

‘Why is a High Priest here…?’

They were known as the pillars of the temple. She had always managed to hide her powers from ordinary priests. But the holy force possessed by a High Priest was on another level entirely.

With that kind of power, he could see through her in an instant and discover that she was a heretic capable of wielding black magic.

As if he could read her unease, the High Priest fixed his gaze on her the moment he entered, his blue eyes blinking once behind his glasses.

“Th-that woman?”

His voice was timid and hesitant, but he never wavered, keeping his eyes fixed on Liana. When she nodded, the silver-haired high priest strode briskly towards her.

Liana pressed herself against the headboard as he drew nearer, her whole body tense. The heart that she had only just managed to steady began to pound like a drum.

“Pay your respects. This is High Priest Dietrich Lester.”

Another priest announced solemnly. Her heart skipped a beat at the name.

Dietrich Lester. She had heard it many times before. He was the man who had passed judgement on the Ideana rebellion. He was the world’s leading expert on black magic, as well as the most merciless inquisitor of heretics who dared to use forbidden arts.

Of all the High Priests, he was the last person she ever wanted to meet. And now he was standing right in front of her, looking down at her.

“…May the Lord be with you, High Priest.”

Liana bowed her head as respectfully as possible, her voice trembling. But the High Priest didn’t return the greeting. Instead, he stared at her, his blue eyes boring into her.

They were strikingly beautiful, yet to her they felt colder and sharper than ice. She thought she might freeze on the spot. Unable to withstand his crystalline gaze, Liana dropped her eyes to the floor.

Her heartbeat grew so loud that she feared the High Priest could hear it. She bit her lip.

Yes, there had been a time when she had stood before the temple, hesitating for a long time. She wished she could be freed from a life crushed by curses and judged by the High Priest.

If only someone could end her hellish guilt, which never seemed to end, no matter how hard she tried to overcome it. Maybe it was for the best.

But…

Liana raised her frightened eyes to the man standing at the far end of the room. He watched her with cool, violet eyes. Beneath the blanket, her hands were clenched tightly together and trembling.

If the whole world were to discover her secret, she would want nothing more than for him to never find out.

If he ever found out about her secrets… The memories she had struggled so hard to suppress surfaced again, gnawing at her like maggots:

Her father, heresy, the sins she had committed against him. Memories of the past closed around her throat, choking her.

“A-are you all right?”

Flustered, the High Priest reached out a hand to her, noticing the cold sweat on her brow. The moment his fingers brushed her skin, however, Liana shuddered violently and looked up.

She saw that she was surrounded by priests. No, not here. Not in front of him — please…

“I’m all right.”

Liana forced a shaky smile and tried to sound composed. But the High Priest’s gaze remained fixed on her, unblinking. She felt trapped by his inescapable stare and her head spun.

Just then—

“High Priest Dietrich.”

It was Liana who broke the High Priest’s gaze. Liana’s heart was beating so loudly that she could hear it in her ears.

“Is there a problem?”

His expression darkened as he met Dietrich’s relentless stare. Realising how long he had been staring, Dietrich awkwardly drew back.

“N-no, it’s not that, it’s just…”

He trailed off, fumbling for words.

Shed’s eyes narrowed sharply.

“Is there a problem?”

“It’s, um… It’s just, she’s…”

“She’s what?”

Dietrich’s voice shrank to a whisper, his head bowed.

“She’s… really beautiful.”

Dietrich’s voice was barely louder than a whisper, and as he lowered his head, his ears turned bright red.