In the temple’s library, Rarien was deep in serious contemplation.

What is s*x?

Rarien tapped the desk with a quill and inked a question in her notebook.

Of course, to engage in s*xual intercourse, one must first understand what s*xual intercourse is. She knew it involved inserting a man’s p*nis into a woman’s v*gina.

Rarien was ignorant of the series of processes leading to that union. All she vaguely heard in childhood was that when a man and woman loved each other and slept together, a baby would naturally be born.

So s*x was a matter of the procedures and methods of that love. She needed practical knowledge, not conceptual, something like techniques she could use immediately.

Rarien tried to make her question more specific.

What is s*x? (X)

How does one perform s*x? (O)

Rarien was a very studious type. Above all, she loved books.

Whenever she became curious, she first came to the library to find related books. Of course, it was no different this time.

She took on the bothersome chores that the librarian found tedious and used that as an excuse to obtain the library key. She searched secretly but sadly found no book detailing specific s*x methods.

She knew there was knowledge that couldn’t be found in books.

When such things arose, Rarien would first ask Sister Agatha, the head of the temple.

Sister Agatha was the wisest person Rarien knew, but at the same time, she was someone who could never answer that question.

It seemed disrespectful to ask Sister Agatha, who had lived a celibate life walking the path of God, about it.

This was a monastery that valued purity and chastity. There was no one to impart knowledge of such worldly matters. Rarien scratched her neck in frustration.

‘What should I do?’

Having decided to engage in s*xual intercourse, she had to find the method herself.

Challenge, seize, and savor.

Rarien mulled over Nicholas’s sermon again.

That didn’t mean she could say, ‘I wish to have s*x with you before I die, so please insert your p*nis into my v*gina.’

Feeling like she might get a headache, she closed her notebook but then opened the last page again. Rarien gazed absentmindedly at the beautiful subject in her notebook.

It was a portrait of Nicholas Reinhart she had drawn herself. It even had a title: ‘Portrait of the Intellectual Nicholas Focused on the Scriptures.’

Rarien liked the intense gaze he had when concentrating on something.

Though she had never formally learned, she seemed to have inherited her grandfather’s talent, who was an imperial painter, as Rarien also had a knack for drawing.

Thanks to this trivial skill, she could see Nicholas whenever she wanted, which was nice.

‘Your Excellency, how should I challenge, seize, and savor you?’

Rarien asked the Nicholas in her notebook. Of course, the man in the drawing couldn’t answer.

Just as she had drawn Nicholas’s portrait because she wanted to see him, she had to find out how to perform s*xual intercourse herself.

At that moment, Rarien was startled by the sound of nuns giggling as they entered, and she quickly closed her notebook.

No one had seen it, but she hugged the notebook tightly to her chest, afraid that her embarrassing thoughts might be discovered.

“Is she really such a troublemaker?”

“You mean Lady Evotte?”

“Yes. They say she came here to reflect after causing trouble outside.”

“Reflect? More like she’s here to rest quietly until things calm down. They say she’s worse than Madam Rosalie. She made a fuss demanding wine and even threw a candlestick at Sister Dahlia last time.”

Rarien also knew about Lady Evotte. She was a well-known figure in the temple, so it would be stranger not to know about her.

Lady Evotte was the only daughter of the Marquis of Evotte, who sponsored the temple, and she had been staying in the temple’s guest room for some time.

“Can she really act so outrageously without consequences? Are the priests just letting it slide?”

“Oh, come on. Money talks louder than God. Who would dare say anything to the sponsor’s daughter?”

“I don’t want to be on duty. Hearing your story makes me even more scared.”

One of the nuns sighed deeply with worry.

…Indeed.

It must be truly frightening and daunting.

Rarien empathized, recalling when she was assigned to take care of the infamous Madam Rosalie.

“Why not talk to Rarien about it?”

At the mention of her name, Rarien held her breath.

Why are they bringing me up here? For what reason?

“Rarien?”

“Oh, she’s good at enduring those things. She took care of Madam Rosalie until her death.”

It’s true that she was good at enduring. It was also true that she took care of that difficult Madam Rosalie until her death.

And because of that, she was now troubled with this strange curse.

“Would she agree if you asked her?”

“Still, give it a try. She’s such a pushover that she can’t refuse those things.”

Pushover.

Yes, being a pushover led to this.

Hearing it from someone else’s mouth made her heart sting as if it was pinched.

Rarien was a pushover, but she wasn’t a fool.

She simply liked helping others and was a bit clumsy, but she wasn’t stupid. In fact, she was rather clever.

If they ask me, I’ll definitely refuse.

With the little time I have left, I’ll live decisively!

Rarien clenched her fist tightly as if making a vow.

‘Sorry, but no. I’m busy with my own matters and don’t have time for that. How about solving your problem on your own?’

She prepared herself mentally, imagining the words she would say if confronted. Though a bit nervous, it was a flawless, firm response, even in her own mind.

“Well, there’s no need to ask. If everyone else refuses, Rarien will end up doing it.”

“That’s true.”

The nuns laughed mockingly. Before their sneers, Rarien’s ambitious ‘refusal plan’ crumbled like a sandcastle.

She felt indignant. The pushover Rarien who received a curse with a terminal condition was dead. From now on, she wouldn’t just take it lying down.

I have to confidently tell them that I’m not a pushover anymore, that they underestimated me, and that they shouldn’t treat me lightly!

Just as she was about to step forward and clearly state her resolve, ignoring her trembling fists.

“But about Lady Evotte, I heard she smuggled in a bunch of indecent novels?”

Rarien paused at the new information.

“Indecent novels?”

“Erotic novels. You know, about men and women… doing it. Like ‘A Night at the Immoral Temple’? A friend told me about it during their last leave. They say the process is described in great detail.”

“…Are you crazy? You can’t talk about that in the temple. Apologize and pray quickly.”

The two nuns crossed themselves, repenting for bringing up such a lewd topic.

‘Erotic novels, huh. And the intercourse process is described in great detail?’

This is it. Rarien’s eyes widened as she finally discovered a breakthrough.

***

Rarien stood in front of the most lavish room in the temple, the guest accommodation.

Inside, the sponsor’s notorious daughter was resting, infamous for being a troublemaker in the temple. It felt like plucking the whiskers of a sleeping lion, but Rarien took a long, deep breath.

‘Challenge, seize, and savor.’

Recalling the aphorism Nicholas had preached, Rarien knocked on the door. Though there was no response, she had already confirmed that Lady Evotte was inside.

“Lady Evotte, may I come in for a moment?”

Entering the room cautiously, Rarien bowed her head to Lady Evotte, who was lying on the sofa looking at a catalog.

“Hello. I’m Rarien Claude, and I’ll be attending to you from today.”

“What are you plotting?”

Lady Evotte asked indifferently, her gaze still fixed on the catalog.

“Pardon?”

“I heard you volunteered to attend to me. Are you planning to pray for me or something, maybe even bless me?”

Her tone was clearly sarcastic. Although her wary and sharp demeanor was a bit intimidating, Rarien didn’t feel daunted. Handling difficult people and attending to them appropriately was one of Rarien’s specialties.

“If that’s what Lady Evotte wishes.”

“What?”

Lady Evotte’s eyebrows furrowed in irritation as she raised her head.

“But if you don’t wish for it, I won’t force it. Faith in God cannot be instilled by others.”

As Rarien calmly replied, Lady Evotte snapped the catalog shut with a loud sound. Then she stared intently at Rarien’s face.

Under her piercing gaze, Rarien froze.

“You may look innocent, but are you really lacking something?”

“Sorry?”

“I must have heard from the other nuns. Unless you’re mad, why would you volunteer for this? Is self-torture your hobby?”

Lady Evotte sat up and leaned against the sofa, crossing her long legs and folding her arms. Her expensive silk slippers dangled from her toes.

It was clearly a defensive posture. Rarien took another careful look at her as if to confirm.

Lady Evotte was a dazzling beauty with an innocent aura. Contrary to rumors of her being a troublemaker and an irrepressible brat, her appearance seemed as demure as a genteel young lady.

“What are you staring at?”

With her thick, luxuriant brown hair and striking green eyes, rosy cheeks, and a face like a doll…

Honestly, she was the prettiest woman Rarien had ever seen. Perhaps because she was raised in luxury, even when acting unruly, she exuded an air of elegance rather than frivolity.

Rarien, naturally weak to beautiful things, was momentarily entranced by Lady Evotte’s appearance.