Chapter 58

Time passed relentlessly. By the time they parted ways, it was already quite late.

The festival on the streets was nearing its end.

The cool night air helped cool down Shaterian’s flushed face, which had been heated by the stuffy indoor atmosphere.

Feeling the refreshing breeze, she nudged Eched, who had been unusually quiet for a while now.

“What’s with that face?”

To others, it might just look like his usual expressionless face, but Shaterian knew better. Eched seemed a bit troubled.

“Were you always that close with the former head of the Counseling Office?”

“Yes, we were close. We were comfortable with each other. It was actually because of Masetike that I joined the Grievance Counseling Office.”

It was about four years ago when Shaterian had been desperately looking for a job due to her sister’s absurd family motto.

Not wanting to lose her lazy, carefree lifestyle, she sought a job that wouldn’t disrupt her routine too much.

That’s when she met Masetike at the Imperial Palace.

‘I want a job where I can earn money while doing nothing.’

‘Then why not join our Grievance Counseling Office? You just need to sit there.’

‘I’m serious. I really don’t plan on working.’

‘That’s fine. Just sit there.’

She was tempted. The idea of getting paid just to sit there drew her in. Of course, it was a lie. There’s no such dream job in the world.

‘Looking back, I still don’t know why I fell for it.’

Perhaps it was his smooth-talking charm.

Masetike was a man who knew how to use his likable appearance and excellent speaking skills to his advantage.

“Shaterian, I…”

Eched suddenly started speaking but trailed off. His face twisted into an unreadable expression.

“Hm?”

“My heart… feels troubled.”

“What? Are you in pain?”

Startled by his sudden complaint, Shaterian grabbed his hand.

“Are you low on divine power?”

She couldn’t tell. He held her hand every day, claiming it was to replenish his divine power, but Shaterian wasn’t sure if he was actually absorbing any divine power or not.

“No, it’s not that.”

Eched gently shook his head at her fussing. Locking eyes with her, he slowly explained what he was feeling.

“When I see you with another man, my heart feels uneasy. What is this?”

“…You said before that you felt sad when I was with Eurell. Is it the same?”

He nodded quietly. That made her sigh.

Jealousy. 

Eched was clearly feeling jealous over her. Yet, he didn’t fully understand his own emotions.

Of course. Eched probably couldn’t even define the emotions he felt toward her.

Why? Because he was a Divine Beast who didn’t understand human emotions.

That’s why he would say things like, “I only need you,” or “I want to stay by your side,” simply expressing his desire to remain near her.

Shaterian herself was confused. 

Based on his actions, it was clear he had feelings for me. But was it really me he cared for, or was he seeing the Saintess from his past life through me?

Then again, the Saintess from his past life was me…

“This is so frustrating…”

“Frustrating?”

Eched looked puzzled at her muttering.

After a brief moment of thought, Shaterian decided not to explain.

“No, it’s my fault. A married woman shouldn’t be getting close to other men. I’ll be more careful from now on.”

She admitted her mistake and apologized cleanly. After all, what mattered was giving him an answer.

If Eched had pressed further, it would’ve been a tricky issue, but fortunately, their conversation was interrupted by a loud announcement.

“And now, we will begin the final ceremony of the festival!”

“Are you a couple? If so, please take one of these!”

Someone suddenly handed them a bottle of clear liquid. As they stared blankly at it, the person poured the liquid into prepared glasses and quickly explained.

“In the Astrea Imperial Territory, on the last day of the Water Festival, there’s a tradition where couples share a drink beneath the Saintess Statue and vow to be together forever. And amazingly, couples who make this vow always end up spending their lives together!”

With a bright smile, the person handed them a glass. Looking around, it didn’t seem like a lie—many affectionate couples were holding glasses.

“Just share a drink and vow to be together forever.”

“We don’t need to—”

“I saw you arguing earlier, but I hope this one drink will clear things up and bring you happiness. Have a wonderful trip!”

Before they could refuse, the person pushed the glasses into their hands and moved on to offer drinks to other couples.

Caught off guard, Shaterian and Eched found themselves participating in the event amidst the excited crowd.

“Do you think sharing one drink will really bind people together forever?”

“Humans seem to like these kinds of superstitions.”

“Well, baseless beliefs can be amusing.”

It seemed they were the only ones who didn’t fully buy into the superstition. Everyone else appeared to believe in it, at least to some extent.

“If it were Sir Taltos, he might’ve brought a fake wife just to get free drinks.”

“With Taltos, that’s entirely possible.”

Their eyes met, and they both chuckled. The earlier tension quickly dissipated.

“Well, since we’ve got it, we might as well drink. You first?”

When Eched shook his head, Shaterian took the first sip. She then handed the glass to him, and he drank from the exact spot where her lips had touched.

She resisted the urge to ask if he really had to drink from that spot.

The person who had handed them the drinks had mentioned vowing eternal togetherness beneath the Saintess Statue.

But instead of making any promises or exchanging words, they simply looked at each other.

Even if they didn’t want to, their souls were already bound.

Unless Eched’s punishment ended, they would likely be tied together in the next life as well.

Judging by the Goddess’s words, it would be as eternal adversaries.

Thinking about Eched waiting endlessly for the reincarnation of her soul made her chest ache.

“Ah…”

“Let’s head back. It’s getting late.”

Eched placed their glasses at the return station and gently took her hand. Following his lead, Shaterian walked slowly beside him.

The lanterns hanging sparsely along the streets passed by. In the shifting light and shadow, she found herself staring blankly at his face.

His large frame made it easy to cut through the crowd. Even if they got separated, his head stood tall above others, making him easy to spot.

Most of all, his unwavering gaze, always fixed forward, was so resolute. He was the kind of man who could carve a path where none existed.

Eched didn’t need someone like her. He could live perfectly fine on his own. He could easily shake off his punishment and move on.

‘Really?’

No, that’s not it. That’s not what I mean…

A wave of melancholy washed over her. The realization of her feelings should’ve been exhilarating, but all she felt was sadness.

Her selfishness screamed at her not to let go of the warmth of the large hand holding hers.

This selfishness clashed with the sorrow of wishing he wouldn’t wait for her.

Despite her resolve not to grow attached, she had already fallen for Eched.

For this clueless Divine Beast who couldn’t even define his own emotions.

It was both infuriating and wonderful, leaving her with a mix of pride and frustration.

Her eyes grew red from the rising emotions, but she suppressed them.

Why did he have to stir my heart like this? Why did he have to mess with my feelings so much?

She bit her lip. As much as she wanted to deny it, she couldn’t ignore the fact that she had fallen for Eched.

Lost in thought, they arrived at their lodging.

Shaterian immediately retreated to the bathroom, not wanting to face him.

After washing up, she climbed into bed, turned her back to him, and pulled the blanket over her head.

Eched lingered by the bedside for a while before washing up and turning off the lights. Then he lay down beside her.

The dark room was silent. He didn’t even hold her hand tonight, and the strange stillness felt unsettling.

“Let’s catch the dark sorcerer soon.”

Her thoughts had settled. She blurted out what had been on her mind for a while. First, they needed to deal with the most pressing matter.

Lying on her side made her shoulder ache, so she turned over and found herself face-to-face with Eched, who had been lying on his side facing her.

Caught off guard, she froze. Turning away now would only make things more awkward, so she stayed still, swallowing nervously.

“Once we catch the dark sorcerer… where will you go?”

“…”

“Will you leave me?”

Eched’s expression darkened again.

“I won’t leave. If I do, I’ll tell you first. I promised.”

“Yes, you did. Don’t forget that.”

It sounded like both a warning and a reminder.

“I won’t forget. Don’t worry.”

So don’t make that face.

“And…”

Now came the important part. After a deep breath, Shaterian quietly voiced what she had been thinking.

“You should end your punishment.”

It was time to bring his long, long punishment to an end.