Chapter 2: The Second Morning (2)

After regaining my memory, I was in a daze for two days straight. Even forcing food into my mouth made me want to vomit, and I couldn’t bear the thought of sleeping, fearing the nightmares that might come.

When I finally regained my senses, the first thing I reached for was my diary. I meticulously detailed everything to prevent memories from fading over time. Revisiting those horrifying memories that I wanted to forget was quite agonizing.

The half-opened window allowed a gentle breeze to sweep into the room, offering a respite from the stifling heat of late summer. With the Saintess quest looming half a year away, anxiety gnawed at me relentlessly. There had to be a way out of this cycle of inevitable death, but the solution remained elusive. Cutting off the Saintess’s distinctive features seemed futile; her hair would grow back, and tampering with her eyes was out of the question.

As I grappled with these thoughts, the maid entered with a tray of food.

“It’s time for your meal, Miss,”

she announced, her voice laced with concern.

Her assurance about the digestibility of the food offered a small comfort amidst my mounting worries.

Because I had no appetite, I didn’t think about food. I forced a spoonful of soup into my mouth. The watery soup went down my empty stomach frighteningly, almost making me gag.

“The person who used to enjoy beef stew so much suddenly…”

The maid patted my back worriedly. Yeah, before remembering, food used to go down quite well.

But since learning the truth, the nauseating smell of the underground dungeon lingered in my nostrils. The smell of death, boiling with pus, engulfed my whole body. So it was natural that I lost my appetite.

“Please eat slowly, bit by bit,” the maid said.

Following her advice, I slowly swallowed the soup. Rather than clicking the spoon, I asked the maid, who was standing still.

“If a situation arose where I had to escape due to unavoidable circumstances, where would you run away to?”

“You’ve been reading strange novels again, haven’t you?”

At the unexpected and oddly fitting question, her wrinkled eyes softened gently.

“Well, if it were me, I’d hide away in a monastery.”

“A monastery?”

“If it’s a secluded monastery, wouldn’t it distance you from the secular world? Priests don’t collect taxes, and they’re not obligated for conscription.”

Before the maid finished speaking, a vast view of the central temple unfolded before me. It was undoubtedly the remnants of that day when the selection process had taken place.

According to the interpretation of the selection, women with blonde hair and blue eyes were all gathered together, from elderly women over seventy to newborn babies, indiscriminately brought to the temple.

When a newborn baby began to cry loudly, a young priest who had been silently observing spoke up.

‘As per the doctrine of the scriptures, elderly men, underage girls, and … must be excluded from the selection process.’

Being brought forcibly and feeling disoriented, my memories of the temple were blurry. I struggled to focus on the voice of the young priest with silver hair.

“Are you not going to eat more?”

The flow of the maid’s voice was interrupted. The view of the central temple disappeared, and I found myself back in the nobleman’s bedroom.

I felt like I could remember it if I concentrated just a bit more! Nevertheless, it seemed like I had finally found a clue to solving the mystery. To confirm if my thoughts were correct, I needed to check if there were similar precedents in the past.

As soon as I became convinced, I hastened my steps towards Father’s study.

“Father, there’s a book I want to read.”

I had read almost every book available in stores. Therefore, these days, I paid attention to out-of-print books or new releases. If I wrote down the title of the book I wanted to read, Father would personally find and purchase it for me.

“Well, what book is it this time?”

“I want to read a theological book this time.”

“Father’s eyebrows twitched slightly at the mention of theological books. However, after a moment, he calmly asked for the title of the book, as usual.

“…A theological book, huh. Well, that’s fine. What’s the title of the book you want to read?”

“I need all the theological books available in stores.”

At the mention of needing all of them, Father’s face showed a hint of bewilderment. Was it really necessary to have all of them?

“…It’s quite unusual. Nevertheless, it’s a delightful thing to see you take interest in something new, despite being indifferent to everything else.”

Despite the absurd request, Father didn’t inquire further about the reason behind it.

Three days later, nearly a thousand theological books were piled up in the bedroom.

“What on earth is going on here?”

Maid Mary exclaimed in shock as she saw the towering stack of books.

“They’re all theological books. Seems like Miss has taken up another peculiar hobby.”

Thanks to that, my bedroom looked like a library overnight. I read through the books diligently, scrutinizing every word without missing a single letter.

In less than ten days since they arrived in my room, I finally stumbled upon the passage I had been desperately searching for. It was about the Saint from 300 years ago, as mentioned in the prophecy.

“To find the Saint, all the women of the empire were gathered and drowned in the lake. As the prophecy stated, only one woman emerged from the lake.”

With trembling hands, I turned the page.

“The test of Saintliness was conducted fairly, regardless of one’s status. Both nobles and commoners were given equal opportunities. However, according to the rules of scripture, elderly men, underage girls, and…”

I read and reread the words reflected in my pupils several times over.

[The nuns who worshiped the gods were exempted from the selection for the Saint.]

Finally, I found the last puzzle piece.

****

Leaning against the creaking carriage, I let out a sigh. By now, perhaps, Father has discovered the letter I left on his desk. Would he think me heartless for leaving home with just a single letter?

“Father, please don’t resent me,” I whispered.

I’m only moving forward to avoid repeating the same mistake.

“This time, I wanted to protect you.”

Since I ascended the scaffold, I couldn’t bear to imagine what happened to the Duch of Sossilion. Did they brand Father, innocent of any crime, as a traitor? Perhaps they plunged a dagger into his neck as punishment for birthing a witch.

“I will protect you at all costs,”

I swore, pressing my lips to the butterfly brooch. The faint scent of blood lingered in my nostrils.

Before long, the carriage came to a halt. Though it seemed we still had a long way to go before reaching the outskirts of the empire.

“From here on, the carriage can’t navigate the mountain path, so we’ll have to continue on foot.”

“On foot?”

I had paid two hefty sums of gold to reach the outskirts of the empire, and now it seemed like a waste.

“How much farther do we have to go to reach the outskirts from here?”

“If we walk leisurely, it should take about a night’s journey.”

A whole night’s journey? I wasn’t sure if we would arrive safely.

“I guess there’s no choice.”

I wrapped my cloak tightly around me and quickened my pace. I had heard from the maid that there was a monastery crumbling away in the desolate eastern outskirts.

It was already a very remote and dilapidated place a decade ago. After the priest, who guarded the monastery well past his prime, passed away, only six nuns remained to protect it.

Yes, I trusted that they would kindly take in a helpless young girl like me.

As I walked for some time, the sun began to set. Was there really a monastery in such a dense forest?

I had to quickly escape the forest. With not a single proper lamp, if I stopped now, I would have to make do under a tree until dawn.

As I hurried on, my steps halted as damp droplets touched my cheek.

“Rain…”

Hopelessly looking up at the sky, I realized it was starting to pour unexpectedly.

Should I have rested in the nearby village? It was reckless to venture into the forest unprepared like this.

“I don’t have time to dawdle.”

The rain, which had been drizzling lightly, suddenly intensified into a relentless downpour. I was soaked through, becoming like a wet mouse with no chance to escape the rain.

Behind me, thunder rumbled fiercely, accompanied by flashes of lightning. My body shivered uncontrollably from the cold rain.

Continuing to walk through the downpour, my legs stumbled over rocks, causing me to fall disgracefully. My dress was now a mess, covered in mud.

“…There’s no time to waste like this.”

My soaked body felt heavy, sinking down. If I closed my eyes for just a moment, I felt like I would drift off to sleep.

Through my drooping eyelids, I saw the faint glow of a lamp, cutting through the darkness.

“It’s been a while since we’ve had visitors.”

The clear voice woke up my foggy mind, and I awkwardly struggled to sit up. The warmth of the lamp near my cheek was comforting.

“Was the reception too late?”

Beyond her kind smile, the weathered walls of the ancient monastery came into view. Despite appearing like a street vagabond with no luggage, she opened the monastery door without any questions.

Exploring the worn interior of the monastery, I noticed cracks in the walls and buckets placed on the floor to catch leaking rainwater from the ceiling.

“It may be a humble old monastery, but it should suffice for a night’s rest.”

I was handed a steaming cup of milk tea. With each sip, the frozen stiffness of my body melted away, replaced by the soothing aroma and warmth of the milk tea.

“…I have a favor to ask of the nun.”

Before even uttering the words, I felt anxious, fearing rejection.

“If it’s something this old nun can assist with, I’m at your service.”

Empowered by her kind smile, I managed to voice my request.

“Is there any spare room available in the monastery?”

“This place is too old and remote for a young lady to stay.”

“It doesn’t matter. Even a storeroom would do. Can I stay here?”

I knelt on the rain-soaked floor, humbly pleading. Begging on my knees was something I had grown accustomed to. There was no pride left to uphold.

Seeing me like that, she seemed at a loss for words for a while before finally speaking up after some deliberation.

“…It seems there are undisclosed circumstances.”

She took out a handkerchief and gently wiped my rain-soaked cheek. Despite being a stranger’s touch, it radiated a warmth that put my heart at ease.

“Everyone has secrets they find difficult to share.”

I wanted to ask the nun. Secrets that neither the nun nor anyone else can disclose.

“Do you hold a secret? Is that why you can offer such warm comfort to others?”

“If you find solace in the creaking wooden bed overnight, you’re welcome to stay here as long as you’d like.”

With the awaited permission granted, tears welled up in my eyes with gratitude.

“I am Sister Dorothea. If it’s not too much to ask, may I inquire about your name?”

Reaching out to the wrinkled hand extended before me, it felt like grasping at a lifeline. With a trembling voice, I replied,

“I’m Alicia”

****.

At the Opherial Monastery, there hadn’t been a priest for a long time. Since Father Michael, who had guarded the monastery past his sixtieth birthday, passed away sixteen years ago, only six nuns remained to tend to the monastery.

For anyone other than lost travelers, the worn monastery saw perhaps one visitor a year. Whether it was visited during the summer monsoons or in the midst of winter’s frost, the face would pale, and the lips would chap.

The full moon rose, illuminating the night sky outside the old monastery window. Slipping off the nightgown and exposing the back to the moonlight, the hoof-shaped scar on the smooth skin was revealed.

‘You still haven’t disappeared, have you?’

Despite feeling saved under the warm care of the nuns during the past seasons, Victor’s traces still lingered on my body. He might not remember me, but I couldn’t forget even a single day.

‘How could I forget? It’s the gift you gave me.’

I traced the glimmering hoof-shaped scar with my fingertips. It hadn’t been long since I realized that under the moonlight, the scar revealed itself distinctly.

Since being dragged to the underground prison for regicide, it seemed like I was slowly fading away from their memories.

But for some reason, that day was different. Victor personally escorted me to the dank underground prison.

‘Victor, do you remember that today is my birthday?’

 ‘Yeah, I remember. I’ve prepared a gift for you.’

If it was a gift from him, I would have gratefully accepted even a common stone from the street. But the gift he had prepared was far too extravagant for me.

I knelt down like a beast, supporting myself with all fours. From a distance, Sua watched me with pity in her eyes. Victor pressed the red-hot branding iron, leaving the hoof-shaped mark on my skin.

‘Victor, please stop this.’

As soon as I uttered his name, the emperor’s knights mercilessly twisted my arms behind my back. They were once the ones who protected me, my sword and shield.

‘Isn’t it impolite to refuse a birthday gift, dear sister?’

The mocking words stung more than the searing brand. Victor sneered as he looked at my trembling body, twisted in fear.

The scalding branding iron came down harshly on my pristine white skin.

‘Aaah, Aaaahhh!’

‘A mark befitting a dog like you, a beast like a pig.’

My arms, already weakened from supporting my body, collapsed under the strain. Mercilessly, salt water poured over the swollen, hoof-shaped scar.

The brand, reserved only for those who committed grave sins, was a mark of being less than human, of being nothing more than livestock.

‘As long as the mark remains, I will never forget you.’

It was the proof that God had resurrected me, the eternal burden of living with sin.

“Cough, cough!”

“Sister Dorothea, here’s some warm tea. Take it slowly.”

As the cold wind intensified, Sister Dorothea succumbed to fever. Even for me, enduring the harsh winter with the frail body of an old woman was overwhelming.

“Thank you, Alicia.”

“No need for thanks. You’ve always taken care of me when I was sick.”

Her suddenly sunken cheeks in just a few days were deeply concerning.

“Just wait a little longer; spring will come soon. Haven’t you remembered our plan to go on a picnic with the sisters once the weather clears?”

I gently held her hand, now covered in dewy mushrooms. After coughing painfully for a while, she finally spoke.

“Of course, I haven’t forgotten. We have to make lots of sandwiches for our youngest sister to enjoy when we go. But whether my body can hold on until then…”

I didn’t want to hear the rest. I pulled her hand to my cheek, pressing it gently against the white, dewy skin, and found tears welling up in my eyes, just like a child.

“Please don’t say such things. You’re like a mother to me, Sister. I want to live happily with you for a long, long time.”

She was the one who found me lying in the forest and gladly accepted me as part of the convent. She offered me the only salvation and gave meaning to my life when I was suffering from the pain of being abandoned by my beloved.

“Alicia, would you like me to tell you a secret I’ve never told anyone?”

“A secret?”

She smiled kindly as she stroked my hair.

“In fact, I had a daughter, just as lovely and beautiful as you, Alicia. Unfortunately, due to her ugly mother, she couldn’t overcome her illness and left this world before me.”

Gasping for breath, Sister Dorothea struggled to continue speaking.

“Since I was young, I’ve done things I’m not proud of to afford medicine for that child. I’ve stolen, and I’ve accepted money for turning a blind eye to crimes.”

“Sister…”

“Alicia, our youngest sister. Why do your tender eyes hold the same gaze as an old woman who has experienced all the trials and tribulations? You must have lived a journey as rough as mine.”

Her words stirred up emotions I had been suppressing.

“I lived in hiding on the outskirts of the empire, fearing that my past sins would catch up with me. But in that life, there were moments of pride too. Like the day it started pouring rain, and I found a lost girl in the woods…”

As I nestled into Sister Dorothea’s embrace, her weathered hands gently patted my back, soothingly.

“I want to give a gift to our youngest sister.”

She unclasped the cross necklace from around her neck and placed it around mine.

“This is…”

It was the sacred symbol that only ordained clergy could possess.

“When you’re weary or tired, find solace in touching this symbol. May it become a source of strength in our youngest sister’s life.”

“Can I think that Sister Dorothea is watching over me when I wear this necklace?”

“Of course, I’ll protect our youngest sister forever.”

It was a solemn oath, just like the one Victor had offered, destined not to vanish overnight. Tears streamed endlessly down my cheeks, while my lips quivered like a fool’s.

***

Yesterday’s blizzard feels like it was just here, but now the weather has turned cool.

Everything. A face without any makeup reflected in the mirror. However, the dull face looked livelier than ever.

It was Sister Dorothea’s turn for breakfast duty. Concerned about Sister Dorothea’s deteriorating condition, I decided to help with meal preparation.

“Sister?”

I entered the dining hall, but there was no sign of anyone. It was the time when everyone should be busy preparing breakfast, but Sister Dorothea and the other sisters were nowhere to be seen.

Were they all gone out, leaving me behind…?

I decided to search for the sisters. The six sisters of the Opherial Convent were never in a hurry. It was only me who frantically ran through the narrow corridors of the old monastery. Today, I followed their footsteps slowly, with narrow steps.

Not long after, I found Sister Dorothea’s door wide open. It was evident that everyone had gathered in Sister Dorothea’s room, even though it was still cold outside, and the door was left open.

“Sister Dorothea?”

I hesitated for a moment in front of the open door, then entered.

“She’s asleep.”

Irene gently brought her index finger to her lips. As expected, all the sisters had gathered around. Sister Dorothea lay peacefully asleep on the worn bed.

“Sister Dorothea, where are you feeling pain?”

I approached quietly, ensuring my footsteps made no noise. The sisters made way for me to come closer to the sleeping sister.

“Alicia, she has departed to a place where there is no more pain or hunger.”

Irene’s words made me lose focus as I looked down at the sleeping sister. She seemed to be dreaming peacefully, wearing a faint smile.

“Sister Dorothea.”

I knelt by the bedside, holding Sister Dorothea’s hand. Her always warm hand felt strangely cold today.

“You promised we would go on a picnic together when spring comes…”

I gently touched her motionless hand, remembering her fondly, knowing she would never return.

Her kind smile, the comforting wrinkles on her hands, her warm voice softly calling my name.

“Alicia, don’t cry. We are already old and frail… 16 years ago, when Father Michellando passed away, we made a promise. We vowed to stay here, helping those in need until our last moments…”

I struggled to contain my sadness, but eventually, I broke down. Trying to regain the cold composure that had overtaken me proved futile.

Oh, my cruel God. You leave me with no shred of happiness. Taking everything from me, are you satisfied now?

****

Her cheeks reddened in the late winter wind. Holding the letter given by the nuns and removing an old map, she walked alone down the mountain path. Sighs escaped her lips like wisps of smoke.

‘Alicia, I have a favor to ask. Please deliver this letter to Father Julio at the Archelio Monastery near the Imperial Palace.’

It was quite a distance from the Opherial Monastery in the eastern outskirts of the empire to the Archelio Monastery near the palace.

‘Please help organize the funeral as the last tribute to Sister Dorothea, who honored the Gods.’

Though she embarked on the journey alone, thinking of it as a duty for Sister Dorothea made her willing to rise again and again. However, despite her resolve, her legs were slowing down.

She needed to find a place to rest before the sun set. Despite hours of traveling alone, she couldn’t spot any suitable building for a break.

Not long after, she stopped in front of a low fence. Whether it was an animal or a person.

The fence seemed more like a boundary marker than a barrier to entry.

“It’s someone’s property.”

Without hesitation, she stepped inside the fence. Having endured harsh torture, she was numb to fear. She wasn’t afraid of a blade aimed at her throat. The only thing she feared was failing to keep her promise to the nuns.

In the distance, she spotted a mansion becoming clearer. Surrounding the mansion were people, as if they already knew of the unexpected visitor’s presence without an invitation.

“What business do you have at this hour?”

A middle-aged man with a thick beard approached and spoke first.

“I’m a nun from the Opherial Monastery. As it’s getting dark and there’s nowhere near to rest, I entered here. I’m sorry, but could I stay for just one night?”

“Unfortunately, this is a private estate, and there’s no one here who can grant permission at the moment.”

“Please, I beg you. Even a stable would suffice for a moment’s rest. I’ll leave as soon as the sun rises.”

Despite her earnest plea, she was met with the same cold rejection.

“Miss Alicia?”

Among the estate’s employees stood a freckled stable boy who scrutinized her face before calling out her name.

“Alicia! It’s me! Nelvin!”

“Nelvin?”

You’re Nelvin? Initially, he reached out to shake hands with the enthusiasm of a child, but then he hesitated and withdrew his hand.

“I’m sorry! I got too excited. But what brings you here?”

Nelvin was the son of the stable master of the Neberton Viscount’s estate. Though he was a commoner, they had once played together. They used to frolic together in their younger days.

The little boy had grown so robustly that it was hard to believe.

His cheeks were full of freckles, his hair a deep orange, and even his sun-kissed skin… Upon closer inspection, traces of his childhood innocence remained intact.

“Nelvin, what on earth are you doing here?”

Nelvin tilted his head in confusion.

“Of course, I work here! What brings you to Lord Neberton’s estate? Lord Jaylon isn’t here.”

Lord Neberton’s estate…?

The flag of Neberton’s estate, hidden in the darkness, fluttered quietly under the moonlight. It was unmistakably the emblem of Lord Neberton.

Lord Neberton was a longtime friend of her father. She had grown up alongside his son, Jaylon, like siblings.

“You troublemaker! What business do you have with the little nun?!”

A middle-aged man with a scruffy beard slapped Nelvin across the forehead. Nelvin, who had grown tall but still had a boyish innocence, winced in pain.

“W-What do you mean? This lady is the daughter of Duke Sossilion.”

The man looked at me skeptically as Nelvin spoke. Slowly, he removed the nun’s veil from my head and nodded. Her golden hair, stained with sweat from the long journey, fluttered in the winter wind.

“My father, Duke Sossilion, and Lord Neberton are close friends. As a guest of the duke’s family, she should be allowed to rest for a while, shouldn’t she?”

For the sake of keeping her promise to the nuns, she was willing to risk everything she had. Even her identity as a noblewoman, which she had desperately wanted to keep hidden.

“No matter how noble she may be, she can’t just enter the master’s mansion when he’s not here.”

The middle-aged man seemed unyielding in his suspicions.

“Then let’s do this. I’ll send a message to the duke’s mansion. They could arrive as early as tomorrow morning.”

As Nelvin reached out, a single eagle flew down and perched nearby. A scar across its right eye was noticeable. It was undoubtedly the same eagle I had seen long ago, back when it was just a fledgling.

With a c*ck of its head, the eagle hopped onto my shoulder, occasionally nuzzling my cheek as if recognizing me.

“Well, well. If there’s a trespasser to deal with, I suppose it’s worth the effort to ruffle some feathers…”

“Then, is that permission?”

Nelvin’s eyes sparkled, and the man sighed heavily before turning away.

“Do as you please.”

****

“Last night, I slept on a soft, feather-filled bed for the first time in ages. Yet, until the dawn broke, I longed for the hard wooden bed of the Opherial Abbey.

I greeted the early morning with a face soaked with tears, dampening the pillow.

Standing in front of the large vanity, I carefully wiped the cross necklace, a memento of Sister Dorothea, with a handkerchief before placing it around my neck.

‘When I wear this necklace, can I think that Sister Dorothea is by my side?’

‘Of course, I will forever protect our youngest nun.’

Lost in tender reminiscence, I felt a presence behind me.

“Alicia…!”

Before confirming the owner of the voice, I was pulled back by a sudden embrace. Even without seeing his face, I knew who it was just by the captivating scent.

“Jaylon?”

“Uttering his name in confusion, I tried to push him away, but the more I resisted, the tighter his embrace became, as if my ribs were about to crack.

“Jaylon, I can’t breathe.”

“’Just a little…! Just a little longer.”

Truly, there was no other like him. As I petted his long hair, he playfully rubbed his face against mine, just like a child.

Jaylon, the eldest son of the Neberton Viscount, was my one-of-a-kind childhood friend, despite our starkly different social circles.

With his long brown hair cascading down to his chest, he used to look like a sister walking beside me, but now he exuded a distinctly masculine aura.

“Jaylon, what brings you to the estate?“

“I was out in the outskirts for some business when I saw a bald man being pecked by an eagle. I was curious about the lunatic bird, but it turned out to be Nelvin’s eagle… Although I had to compensate for the damages.”

He looked like he hadn’t slept a wink. Judging by his condition, I thought I should lay him down on a bed and let him rest, but at this moment, his assistance was valuable.

“Jaylon, I need your help.”

“If we could borrow the Viscount’s carriage, we could arrive at the Archelio Monastery much faster.

“Even if you hadn’t asked, I would have gladly helped.”

Jaylon’s eyes elongated like crescent moons.

“And while we’re at it, tell me why you’re wearing that old nun’s habit.”

As we rode in the Viscount’s carriage, I recounted everything that had happened—the escape from the Sossilion Viscount’s estate to the journey to the Opherial Monastery. I spoke of the peaceful life at the monastery and the death of Sister Dorotea.

“I still can’t tell you why I had to flee. I’m sorry, Jaylon.”

“It’s okay. I have things I can’t tell you too…”

His words seemed tinged with a hint of bitterness.

“So, you became a nun. The Viscount said you were too sick to leave. Even when I went to visit, you never came out… It’s like you weren’t even there. You really weren’t there.”

“Did Father really say that?”

Jaylon nodded somberly.

“I’m sorry, but I won’t be returning to the Viscount’s estate anytime soon.”

“But you have to come back, right? The Viscount will be waiting for you. You can’t spend your whole life as a nun.”

“Living as a nun isn’t so bad.”

I recalled Sister Dorotea’s final moments. She was surrounded by her loving sisters until her last breath. Her death didn’t seem pitiful or insignificant.

As a Saint revered by the empire and a former empress, my own fate was a stark contrast. It was a miserable end, buried in the midst of glamorous parties surrounded by haughty nobles.

“You fool! Imperial nuns can’t get married.”

“I know. But what does that have to do with you?”

As I drew the line coolly, he quickly backed off.

“Just like that…”

We continued our leisurely conversation for a while, and soon I leaned against the window of the carriage, closing my eyes. Wrapped in the comforting embrace of solitude, my tired body drifted into reverie.

A warm, tender sensation settled on the back of my hand. I peeked through my eyelids to find Jaylon gently kissing the back of my hand.

“I’ll never leave you alone…”

Despite Jaylon’s long brown hair tickling my hand, I couldn’t say I had been asleep all along.

*** 

“Alicia… wake up, I think we’ve arrived.”

I slowly lifted my eyelids at Jaylon’s words. Before long, the carriage came to a halt with a jolt. Peering outside, it was already dark as the sun had set.

“I must have dozed off. Sorry for not waking you up.”

His lips lightly touched my hand, as if he noticed my feigned sleep. I had actually fallen asleep.

“I was deeply asleep, that’s why you couldn’t wake me.”

“Thanks for bringing me, Jaylon. I’ll manage the rest on my own.”

As I prepared to descend alone, Jaylon grasped my wrist firmly.

“Going alone? I mean, shouldn’t we go together?”

“From here on, as a nun, it’s my duty. I have to accompany the priest and return to the Opherial Monastery.”

“Then let’s bring this priest with us. I’ll drive you there in the carriage.”

“No, I need to prepare for the funeral… I appreciate your kindness. We’ll meet again, later.”

“Then I want to come with you too. Who knows when we’ll see each other again if you leave now. Alicia, I don’t like waiting without certainty.”

As Jaylon persisted, I pushed away his touch and decisively placed my hand on the carriage door handle. At that moment, the door swung open abruptly from the outside, not by my hand.

“What disturbance is happening in front of this sacred monastery?”

Under the moonlight, I met the irritated gaze of gold eyes filled with annoyance. I involuntarily felt a shiver down my spine from the sharp gaze.

“Yes, you’re a nun, and you are… what?”

The silver-haired man recognized the cross necklace around my neck and roughly pulled me out of the carriage. With a bewildered expression, Jaylon finally spoke up.

“I am…”

“Bang!”

Before I could hear the answer, the carriage door slammed shut. The silver-haired man snapped at the coachman in annoyance.

“Take your esteemed master and leave. Don’t make any more noise.”

With a flick of his hand, he gestured towards the carriage. Then, he pushed me against the monastery wall and bared his teeth menacingly like a beast.

“So, what is the matter? What urgent business prompts such disturbance on this quiet dawn, nun?”

His determination to not let me off without a convincing reason was evident.