“Ah….”

Surprised by this unexpected request, I was unable to conceal my astonishment, but Lemon quickly added.

“Of course, it’s not a common ability you can use on a whim. You haven’t been up from the sick bed for long, and it could strain your body.”

He urgently spoke with hand gestures, but soon slowly lowered his hand.

“It doesn’t have to be now. If you could just let me dream one more time… see my mother’s face just one more time… I promise to return the favor.”

He bowed his head, waiting for an answer.

His platinum blond hair cascaded down.

I silently stared at him.

‘To think that he would be like this….’

I realized anew just how much his mother meant to him.

‘That’s why he traced clues of his mother even on the brink of death.’

I was aware of it but seeing him crumble so easily with just one dream made me feel strange.

It felt bittersweet, and I couldn’t help but pity him.

‘Well…’

Even I might plead like Lemon if I could dream of happy times with my father again.

‘Because it’s my ability, it’s impossible for me.’

Perhaps I should even envy him.

Feeling a bitter smile forming, I spoke to Lemon.

“I’m a bit conflicted.”

His shoulders visibly tensed at my words.

He seemed to hesitate, perhaps thinking I would refuse.

Before he could misunderstand, I quickly continued.

“In fact, the ability I used earlier was a bit flawed.”

“Flawed?”

I nodded.

“My ability isn’t meant to be used on those who are awake. I only minimally demonstrated it reluctantly to prove my ability to Lemon.”

“In that case…”

“Because of that…”

I smiled warmly at him.

“Would you like to sleep a little now?”

Surprise rushed over Lemon’s face.

* * *

Lemon surprisingly fell asleep quickly.

Come to think of it, this man was also burdened by his duties.

Unlike Cardien who struggled with sleep, Lemon could drift off anywhere, anytime.

I studied Lemon’s face as he dozed at his desk.

His platinum hair splayed across the table with a subtle shimmer, and his golden eyelashes, resting against pale skin, were longer than my own—despite me being a woman.

His nose was elegantly sculpted, his lips a delicate pink.

If there were fairies or elves, wouldn’t they look exactly like this?

Who would ever guess this ethereal-looking man was the master of the formidable Rune information guild?

’I didn’t expect things to turn out like this.’

When I first went to him, it was simply because I needed help.

But now that I knew him, his story seemed even more pitiful.

“How can there be no purely happy person in this novel?”

I grumbled inwardly as I gently lowered my hand onto his forehead.

After a moment’s hesitation, I softly spoke.

“…Dream of the happiest moment with your mother.”

Then, a light burst out, much brighter than before.

***

I quietly slipped out of the library, leaving Lemon asleep.

‘I originally planned to stay by his side until he woke up, but…‘

Seeing tears welling up in Lemon’s eyes as he dreamed of his mother, I decided to leave quietly. Even if he were to lower his head in gratitude, I didn’t want to see him like that.

And I had things to do as well.

‘I should hurry back and interpret the diary.‘

After hearing Lemon’s story, it occurred to me that there might be more clues hidden in this diary.

Just as I quickly crossed the tree-lined street and arrived at the mansion, I spotted a carriage parked in front of the entrance and paused.

The white carriage was unmistakably not Mercedes’ carriage.

‘That is…’

I slowly approached the carriage.

Approaching slowly, I examined the carriage. Normally, one could tell the origin of a carriage by the family crest displayed on it.

But when I checked the emblem on this carriage, I froze in place.

Instead of a family crest, there was an emblem of a temple.

* * *

On the opposite side, Cardien stared with a disdainful posture.

Facing him was a man dressed in a white temple gown, smiling brightly.

Those temple folks were already insufferable enough, and now they were even being smug about it. It couldn’t get any worse.

“I apologize for appearing so suddenly, Duke Mercedes.”

“So, you know who I am.”

Cardien replied with a mocking tone, but the man didn’t even flinch.

Instead, he nodded slightly and spoke.

“First, allow me to introduce myself. I am Veros, the assistant priest to the High Priest Kalbinur. It’s an honor to meet you, Your Grace.”

Veros spoke with confidence, his tone reflecting his high status as the assistant to the High Priest, who, in imperial terms, was akin to the right-hand man of the emperor. In fact, within the temple, the role held even greater significance than that of the emperor.

The High Priest, aside from the Saintess, was considered the closest to the divine among the priests. As such, being the assistant to such a figure marked Veros as holding a prestigious position.

Ordinary people, upon hearing of his position, would typically be in awe and make an effort to show respect. However, Cardien remained unfazed, his gaze cold and indifferent. Most priests would find it challenging to withstand such a gaze, accustomed as they were to a lifetime of reverence and admiration.

That’s why they can’t stand the way Cardien looks at them, the way he treats them like they’re nothing.

Yet Veros, unfazed by Cardien’s demeanor, continued speaking without hesitation.

“Has the patient’s condition improved? The Duke of Mercedes personally selected individuals with strong sanctity to attend to her.”

He addressed Cardien directly, maintaining a warm smile despite Cardien’s unenthusiastic response.

Cardien, meeting Veros’s smile with a disapproving look, replied nonchalantly, “It wasn’t as satisfying as you make it sound.”

“I see. I’ll take note to be more attentive next time.”

“Do you really think there will be a next time?”

“The doors of the temple are always open.”

“It’s difficult to guarantee that I’ll make use of those doors.”

“Waiting can be enjoyable as well.”

Veros responded calmly to every cold remark Cardien threw his way.

’Very determined.’

They said they sent the carefully selected one, and it seemed that the selected one was Veros in front.

Cardien sensed that Veros was different from the mediocre priests he had encountered before.

‘He won’t back down easily this time, then.’

Cardien’s eyes became even colder.

At that moment, Veros spoke.

“By the way, I noticed it’s not here. Ah, I mean…”

As if struggling to recall, Veros hesitated before finally exclaiming, “The pipe! I’ve heard so much about it. The duke’s silver pipe is said to be exquisite. If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, could you show it to me?”

“The pipe?”

“Yes!”

Veros nodded eagerly with an innocent expression.

To which Cardien responded icily, “That’s a pity. I’ve already disposed of it.”

“Disposed of it?”

“Yeah. I had no use for it anymore.”

“What? But……”

Without a calming herb, you’re subject to madness.

Veros’s gaze seemed to convey just that.

As he was about to inquire further, Cardien cut him off.

“And so, you’ve come here without even the courtesy of a promise, just to see a mere pipe?”

“……..”

“Now, let’s get to the point. My patience is wearing thin.”

“Ah…”

Veros’s eyes widened slightly.

Then, he quickly nodded his head.

“Yes, of course. The reason I hurriedly sought you out is because of this.”

He reached out his hand towards Cardien.

Cardien’s indifferent gaze fell to the small white card in Veros’s hand.

It was no bigger than the palm of his hand.

“It’s an invitation to the baptism ceremony.”

“The baptism ceremony?”

“Yes! The baptism ceremony!”

Veros smiled brightly and nodded his head.

However, Cardien’s gaze grew colder with each passing moment.

“So, you’re telling me to come to the baptism now?”

Even in the face of Cardien’s chilling tone, Veros remained undaunted and replied enthusiastically.

“Yes! That’s right.”

As Veros spoke, his eyelids, which had been closed all along, lifted slightly, revealing orange irises.

“Don’t you think it’s surprising that you reached out to us first?”