Chapter 2 – Part 6 

“What did you pray for?”

Rachel’s expression twisted slightly at her question.

“Why are you asking that… What would you do knowing someone else’s prayers?“

“Why not? When we were kids, we secretly shared our prayers with each other, remember?”

Eliana continued.

“We talked about everything, from the gifts we wanted for our birthdays to wishing for a kinder tutor instead of a strict one. We were always so happy when even one of our prayers was answered, believing our prayers reached the heavens.“

‘That’s such a long time ago.’

Rachel felt displeased.

“Yeah, now that you mention it, I remember something.”

Rachel responded.

“What is it?”

Eliana asked.

“You prayed Countess Matilda would treat you kindly and stop hitting you.”

At Rachel’s words, Eliana quietly lifted one corner of her mouth. She doubted that Rachel, cheating with her fiancé, would bring this up for her sake; it felt more like a jab at her weakness.

“Yes, it was such a childlike wish. Back then, I didn’t dare to speak up directly, so I tried to solve it through prayers. God must have been very tired from listening to me. If it were now, I’d tell the guards straight away.“

“No, God doesn’t think it’s tiring.”

Rachel refuted Eliana’s words.

“Really?”

Eliana asked, her eyes calm and composed.

“Of course. My prayers are precious to Him.“

Rachel’s tone suggested that she believed God would listen only to her prayers and disregard the wishes of others.

“Your prayers? You’re so confident that I’m curious about what you prayed for.”

“…”

Eliana stared intently into Rachel’s green eyes. It felt as if she knew and was asking on purpose.

‘I didn’t say my prayer, so how could she know?‘

However, Rachel felt uneasy, as if Eliana could see through her. Eliana’s sudden appearance at the temple made everything feel out of place, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere between them.

Rachel no longer wanted to talk to Eliana. Just as she was about to walk away, she heard familiar voices.

“It doesn’t matter since I didn’t come here for that purpose today, so you don’t need to report it.“

“Yes, Your Highness.”

It was Cedric and Noah’s voices. The high ceiling made their conversation echo through the temple. Realizing Cedric had arrived awkwardly, Rachel’s face showed a distressed expression.

‘They planned to meet here. How bold of them to have a rendezvous in the same place where I’m engaged.’

Indeed, if they could act like that even at crowded parties, this temple would be the perfect place for a secret meeting under the guise of prayer. But it was never a suitable place for betraying a friend and laughing with someone else’s fiancé while believing God would hear your prayers.

Cedric approached quickly with confident strides, but his pace slowed as he neared the two women. When he was right in front of them, his displeasure was evident.

“Your Highness, hello.”

Eliana greeted first.

“…Greetings, Your Highness Cedric.”

Rachel followed with her greeting.

“I didn’t know you both were here.”

Cedric looked them over, and then his golden eyes filled with suspicion focused on Eliana.

“Eliana, what brings you here?“

“What do you mean by that?“

“Did you come to pray, Eliana?”

“Yes.“

“To match my timing?”

Cedric seemed to think Eliana had purposely followed him.

“No, I just stopped by on my way back from the city. What about you, Your Highness?“

“What other purpose would I have for coming here?”

Cedric replied curtly, looking annoyed that their date plans had been disrupted. Noah glanced around nervously. Whenever Cedric got irritated with Eliana, Noah seemed even more at a loss.

There was no need to feel sorry for Noah. He was practically aiding Cedric and Rachel’s meetings.

“What a remarkable coincidence that all three of us came to pray simultaneously, Your Highness. It seems everyone’s faith is overflowing.“

Eliana’s words had an edge to them.

“Is it a coincidence?”

Cedric frowned deeply and questioned her, treating Eliana like a stalker.

“It is a coincidence. I had no idea you’d be here, Your Highness. It’s hard enough for the two of us to coordinate our schedules. So please, don’t take out your frustration on me.“

Eliana’s firm reply made Cedric narrow his eyes. He tilted his chin up arrogantly as if in disbelief.

“Noah, did you inform her without my knowledge?“

“Excuse me? What are you talking about, Your Highness?“

“I’m asking if you shared my schedule with Eliana.“

“Absolutely not, Your Highness. I would never.”

Noah waved his hands in denial and looked to Eliana for support.

“I haven’t contacted Lord Noah. Please don’t misunderstand.“

“Then how do you always show up exactly where I am? It’s like you know my schedule.“

‘How would I know? I don’t want to see you or Rachel either.‘

“As it is, there are only a few places nobles like us can go.“

“Right, there are few places. But why do these coincidences always happen between you and me?”

His eyes filled with certainty as if his suspicion had become a conviction.

While the two argued, Rachel kept her mouth tightly shut.

Tired of looking at Cedric’s perpetually scowling face, Eliana shifted her gaze to Rachel. Though she seemed expressionless, there was a hint of satisfaction on her face.

She seemed to enjoy the argument between Cedric and Eliana.

“Well, I find it puzzling, too.“

“Hah… Eliana, you can’t claim it’s a coincidence when you’re always desperate to follow me to every event. Why not just be honest like before? Admit that you’re following me because you want to be with me. Now you’re lying to save face?”

Cedric made another arrogant assumption, accusing Eliana of lying.

“Your Highness.”

Eliana called him.

“Once again, I assure you it’s a coincidence today. Don’t misunderstand. And let me say one more thing.“

“What?“

“It’s also His Majesty’s order that I accompany you to events as your fiancée. It’s my duty. Are you saying I’m okay with neglecting my duties now?”

Eliana met Cedric’s golden eyes.

‘Come on, just say it here in the temple.’

Given that they were in the place where they got engaged, it was the perfect setting to hear him say she could neglect her duties.

‘Go ahead, refuse His Majesty’s orders to stay by your side. I’m ready to comply.’

Cedric glared at Eliana, his lips twitching. But he couldn’t say what she wanted him to.

‘If your love is so great, why can’t you declare you’d choose love over risking the emperor’s disfavor?’

Eliana mocked his cowardice. That was Cedric for you—someone who wanted both the throne and love without sacrificing, throwing tantrums at her because he feared the emperor’s disapproval.

‘I never hid my feelings, even when the world mocked me as a foolish count’s daughter.’

Neither Cedric nor Eliana averted their sharp gazes. Cedric was on the verge of saying it.

‘Forget those duties!’

But he couldn’t easily say it. Defying the emperor’s orders wasn’t that simple. That’s why Eliana’s way of steering the conversation irritated him.

“Eliana Leiberte. Who taught you to look at the Crown Prince with such insolent eyes?”

“…”

“Where did you learn it? Why aren’t you answering?”

Cedric raised his voice threateningly, trying to intimidate Eliana into submission.