The old priest placed his hands on Sion’s ankles.

Watching this, a small seed of anxiety sprouted in my heart.

‘Even though he’s said to be a high priest, he doesn’t look very devout. Will the treatment really work?’

But as if to dispel my needless worries, the priest placed his hands on Sion’s leg with a dignified and pious demeanor I hadn’t seen before.

Then, he closed his eyes quietly and began to infuse divine power into Sion’s leg with a faint smile.

Whoosh-

Along with a serene resonance enveloping the room, warm lights surrounded Sion’s feet.

“Oh Lord, who blesses this land and created all things, bestow blessings upon the poor and greater abundance upon the wealthy…”

As the light spread, the young priest beside us closed their eyes with reverent faces and began to recite a prayer.

Shhh-

As the sound of the young priest reciting the prayer grew louder, the light also grew to fill the entire room.

It was a bright light, but it didn’t hurt one’s eyes, and it was warm enough to heat the room but not burn skin. It was truly a sacred sight.

At some point, the light began to slowly be absorbed into Sion’s feet.

“…We thank You for all You have given and praise You here and now.”

As the long prayer ended, all the light surrounding us was quickly absorbed into Sion.

In the reverent silence enveloping us, the priest lifted his ankle.

The wound had disappeared. Cleanly, without even the smallest trace.

Amidst this situation, the old priest smiling benevolently looked almost like an incarnation of God.

I guess he’s not a complete quack after all.

Well, just because he’s greedy for money doesn’t mean he doesn’t believe in God.

Even after witnessing a miracle before my eyes, I had irreverent thoughts while putting on an act for the priest.

“You’ve truly shown us a miracle. As expected of you, priest. Sion, you should express your gratitude.”

When I called Sion, he sat up with a dazed expression, as if he couldn’t believe it.

“…Thank you.”

“Ho ho, would you like to try standing up?”

The elderly priest kindly suggested. Sion looked at me, and I gave him a nod of permission.

“Yes. Then…”

He took one step, then another, out of the sofa. The young priest beside him began to praise the high priest.

“Ohhh, as expected of the High Priest. To be able to walk so immediately.”

“Ho ho ho, it’s all by the grace of God.”

I couldn’t hide my bewildered expression at their self-congratulation.

‘What are they saying? He could walk fine originally.’

“Sion, do you think you can run?”

“I think I can.”

“Would it be embarrassing if I asked you to run now?”

“Not at all.”

He said with his characteristic smile on his lips.

“I’d like to try running after so long.”

“Then, try running lightly.”

The priests clearly looked tense, probably not expecting me to go this far in verifying.

I found it absurd that this was a normal procedure.

Tap-

Tap tap tap-

Sion ran through my drawing room in a pace somewhere between fast walking and running.

His speed gradually increased, and his face became more exhilarated.

At a glance, it might have looked funny, but none of us could laugh. He kept running.

“Sion, that’s enough. Don’t overdo it.”

Until I told him to stop.

Sion slowly came to a stop and turned to look at us.

He was crying silently but profusely.

“Thank you, thank you…”

As I could roughly guess his feelings, I decided to quickly send the priests away.

Sion seemed to need time alone to sort out his emotions.

“Alright. Priests, thank you once again. This is my small token of appreciation, please accept it.”

“Ho ho, God will be pleased as well.”

“Then you can exit this way. Please follow me.”

Demian, quick to read the situation, guided the priests to the door, and the priests, having checked their pockets, smiled with satisfaction.

“May the sun’s blessings and life follow you. We’ll meet again. Priest.”

“Yes. Please call us anytime, Sister.”

Thud-

After the priests and Demian left, I left him alone for a while and did other things.

Only when his crying had subsided did I turn around and call him.

“Sion.”

“Yes, Lady Lora.”

Sion answered with a hoarse voice, having stopped crying.

“Let’s pack.”

“Pardon?”

“We’re going home. Your leg is healed now.”

“Home, you say?”

“I mean our home in Eslina.”

“Yes, Lady Lora.”

He smiled brightly, his eyes crinkling.

The tears that had been clinging to the corners of his eyes fell to the floor with a soft plop.

***

After calming down Sion, who wanted to pack up and fly to Eslina right away, and giving him a warm cup of cocoa, it was soon time for dinner.

And my agony began.

“Hmm. Do I really have to go?”

“Go where, my lady?”

Sion said, sipping his cocoa. I smiled slightly at the sight.

A man over 190cm tall, built like a mountain, holding my tiny mug and sipping cocoa.

Well, it was kind of cute in its own way.

“The Count’s family has a tradition of having dinner together once a week.”

“It must have been a difficult time for you.”

“That’s right. And there are a few things I’ve done recently that make me really not want to go today.”

I stretched out on the sofa and closed my eyes.

Given the bombs I’ve been dropping lately, I was already feeling tired just thinking about what I might hear and how much of my energy they might drain if I went down.

So, I decided to try feigning illness first.

“…So because of various things today, I’m not feeling well. Tell them I won’t be able to come down for the family dinner today.”

Lying in bed with my eyes closed, I strongly expressed my fatigue to the maid who had come to dress me, in a weak voice.

I had instructed Sion beforehand to look worried beside me.

I slightly opened my eyes to look at Sion, and he had an expression like he was about to rush out to call the doctor.

Hmm, perfect.

“What? But today is the only day of the week for this.”

“It happens every week. There’s always next week.”

“Besides, the Madam said you absolutely must not miss today as she will be talking about the New Year’s party.”

“I’m going to leave the Count’s house before the New Year’s party anyway, so it shouldn’t matter, right?”

I was proud of myself for perfectly deflecting all her suggestions.

But the maid hesitated as if she had something more to say.

“Well, that is…”

She hesitated for a moment.

I had a strong feeling that if I ignored her, peace would come to me, but if I acknowledged her and let her speak, I would be dragged to the dining room.