Chapter 50

Was that why?

Unlike her original, firm decision to push Lisette away, Asla’s voice—her tone, her words—began to waver.

She had meant to show no weakness, but she ended up stumbling over her words.

At that, something flickered in Lisette’s eyes.

Asla grew terrified of the gaze that still seemed to see straight through her.

Gripped by intense fear, Asla clutched the hem of her skirt—then remembered the dress she wore today wasn’t white, but a deep green.

That’s right.

She was no longer the blank canvas Lisette could color however she liked.

“I can’t forgive you. And now’s not the time to discuss this, but—Lisette Grosset, promise me. Promise me you will never interfere in my life again.”

“Surely… You don’t mean… you’ll never see me again, Princess?”

“Never again. Let me make this clear. I will never, under any circumstances, take part in your plan to rebuild the Holy Kingdom.”

“Princess, this isn’t a decision to make so lightly!”

A shadow darkened Lisette’s face. Asla raised her chin and glared sharply, rebuking her with scathing clarity.

“If you want to build a new Holy Kingdom—then the two of you can do it yourselves.”

“Princess—”

“Don’t involve me. I’m warning you.”

Lisette bared her teeth, her face flushed red and blue in anger.

Though startled by the rage she’d never seen from her nanny, Asla didn’t back down—she held herself upright, meeting her eyes squarely.

The sound of Lisette’s harsh breathing, directed at her, felt unreal.

Just a month ago, this woman had been Asla’s only oasis. That they now stood in opposition made the whole thing feel hellish.

“High Priestess Grosset!”

Lisette advanced toward Asla with a contorted face.

Seeing this, Ian—who had been watching from behind—quickly stepped in front of her to block Lisette’s path.

“…Ian Hertha. So in the end, you betray me too?”

Betray? Asla looked at Ian’s back and dark hair with surprise.

“I never supported your plan, High Priestess.”

“Mark my words. You’ll regret this greatly.”

Though Lisette threatened Ian with a venomous glare, he didn’t budge an inch.

Asla took a deep breath. She had said all she needed to say.

Knowing that staying any longer would only make things worse, she turned toward Pope Brittas, who still sat motionless like a statue, and bowed.

“I’ll be taking my leave now, Your Holiness. I wish you good health.”

“Farewell, Princess.”

Pope Brittas nodded with a smile.

That he let her go so easily filled Asla with a sticky, revolting discomfort, like she had been coated in thick tar.

It would’ve been easier if he had attacked her like Lisette did.

A dark premonition crawled up her spine.

She glanced at Lisette—her expression was a mess of shock and humiliation, and her glare bounced between Asla and Ian.

Asla didn’t hesitate any longer. She turned on her heel and swiftly left the papal office.

She heard Ian’s footsteps behind her.

She could still feel Lisette’s piercing stare on the back of her head, but with all the strength she could gather, Asla managed to pass through the doors.

“Haa…”

Once she stepped into the quiet temple corridor, having dealt with the Pope and Lisette, a delayed wave of fatigue washed over her.

Her limbs lost strength, and she staggered slightly.

“Asla!”

“It was… hard.”

She admitted honestly, grabbing Ian’s arm for support and barely managing to stay on her feet.

Looking straight into Ian’s green eyes, Asla spoke.

“There’s much I want to ask you.”

“…”

“But for today…let’s go back.”

“Yes.”  Ian replied obediently.

Asla let go of his arm and glanced around.

“…Where are the guards and priests?”

“I don’t know. I have a bad feeling. We should leave quickly and return to the hotel.”

As Ian moved swiftly ahead, Asla followed.

Her heart thudded in tension, but they encountered no incidents on their way to the temple’s entrance.

“Duchess!”

At the entrance stood the guards hired by Enoch.

They explained that they had been waiting in front of the Pope’s office until one of his secretaries had asked them to wait outside instead.

Worried sick, the guards had feared for Asla’s safety. Seeing her safe and sound, they let out sighs of relief.

Asla, relieved to have exited the temple unscathed, descended the steps under the guards’ protection. She said to Ian: “Ian. I’m worried about my mother. Please escort her home safely. Tell her I’m sorry I couldn’t say goodbye—and that I’ll visit her soon.”

“Yes, Lady Asla. Don’t worry. Please return safely.”

“…I’m sorry I misjudged your sincerity. I’m sorry I didn’t believe you wanted to help me. And I’m also worried that your future at the temple might become difficult now.”

“Don’t concern yourself with me. If you live as you wish, that’s more than enough for me. I ask for nothing more.”

Ian’s response was the most sincere she had ever heard from him.

He stepped closer and, in a lowered voice, gave her a warning.

“They won’t give up easily. You should always stay alert.”

Asla nodded and gave him a faint smile.

Then, as if to show the watching priests and worshippers she wasn’t shaken, she put on her calmest expression and walked to the waiting carriage.

Once inside, she closed her eyes and rubbed her eyelids.

She was worried for Ian, who had openly taken her side—but she also figured that someone as promising as him wouldn’t be discarded so easily.

The Pope, eager to strengthen the temple’s authority, wouldn’t let go of a talent like Ian.

Just like how he tried to recruit High Priest Ralta Loite back to the temple—he’ll keep trying to sway him.

Asla had stated her stance clearly, but regret and doubt throbbed at her temples.

They were people who had spent years brainwashing her.

Was she truly free of Lisette?

Having faced her directly, Asla felt her confidence vanish.

She still needed time to sort through it all.

Confronting Lisette now was overwhelming—like staring straight into the foolishness of her past.

Compared to this, Margo’s bullying almost seemed cute.

Would the Pope and Lisette truly abandon their plans to rebuild the Holy Kingdom?

No.

Of course not.

Anxiety flooded her chest.

Asla bit her lower lip tightly.

Upon returning to the Ventus Hotel, she headed to her room, exhausted.

It had been a suffocating day.

Too weary to eat, she skipped dinner and collapsed onto her bed after bathing.

The room set up as a temporary studio entered her line of sight, but she had no mental energy left.

Even the scent of the thousands of roses gifted by Enoch felt suffocating today.

It was as though she might choke to death.

Asla slowly sat up, her limbs heavy like waterlogged cotton, and stared into the silent room.

Enoch hadn’t returned, likely still working late to clear his schedule for tomorrow.

May was also nowhere to be seen.

Wandering the empty suite in her slippers, she stepped onto the terrace and leaned against the railing.

Summer was ending.

A chill late-summer breeze brushed the back of her neck, and goosebumps rose on her skin.

She wrapped her hand around her neck and looked in the direction of the temple.

Those drunk on power.

Those who had betrayed her.

She thought about all the events that had unfolded while she was trapped in that metaphorical cave, torturing herself.

She had planned to return only after resolving everything—but had failed.

A mad world.

Asla lifted her gaze to the sky and muttered bitterly: “You’re insane too.”

Her hatred and resentment toward the gods swelled, too much to bear.

“What do you want from me? What do you expect me to do? Just because I was born a Sherita royal… must I wander your trials forever?”

Asla wished the gods would just strike her down with lightning then and there.

So everything could end.

If someone like her were gone, everything would be resolved.

With tear-filled eyes, she stared up at the sky.

Then slowly, her gaze dropped downward.

Her suite was on the 10th floor—a perfect view of the Ventus Hotel’s beautiful garden.

But a fall from here would be fatal.

Just two weeks ago, she had planned to take her life after divorcing Enoch.

But now, as she looked at the distant ground, she couldn’t even lift a finger.

She imagined Enoch standing down there.

If she threw herself from the hotel he had lovingly built, ugly rumors would spread.

She didn’t want to leave behind a wretched corpse for her husband to see.

It’s all so… human.

Asla let out a hollow laugh and brushed aside her windblown hair.

Yes—this so-called holy princess serving the gods was just another worldly woman…

One who didn’t want the man she loved to see her at her worst.

Asla barely collected her emotions and stepped away from the terrace, heading back into the room.

She remembered her promise to visit the new house in the capital with Enoch tomorrow.

They were to open up about their secrets to one another.

Recalling their conversation that morning was the only thing that pulled her back from despair.

“Yes… I still have—Enoch Ventus.”

Most of her life had been stolen by Lisette.

But there was one thing she had chosen for herself.

Loving Enoch.