Chapter 4.1

Twice a week, I found myself going to the temple to care for the children and help out. It wasn’t a formal apprenticeship, but more like volunteering.

I even set a deadline: only until I enrolled in Haiola Academy.

Old man Mason just chuckled and said that was fine. I got the feeling he never really needed an apprentice priestess in the first place, but I quickly pushed that thought out of my head.

‘Well, what could I do? I already said I’d do it.’

There were a total of eight children living in the temple. The first day I came, two were out running errands. In contrast, there was only one adult: old man Mason. It was a structure that couldn’t help but suffer from a labor shortage.

Thankfully, because of magic, they were spared the worst situations. At the very least, the children didn’t have to chop firewood. They did have to fetch water, though.

“Anyone who wants a toy, line up in front of me. Good. Hey, no cutting in line! You’ll be in trouble.”

“Sister! Give me a sword. A sword!”

“Okay, okay. If you hit other kids with it, I’m taking it back immediately. Got it?”

“Can I have the dollhouse?”

“Wow, there’s a carriage set too! I’ll take that one!”

“I was here first!”

The children ran up and clamored for toys. But it was cute how they didn’t break their lines and stood neatly. They were such little angels.

“Sister, sister.”

“Yeah? What is it?”

“If we get back in line, can we get another one? Since you have a lot of toys.”

Thomas, the second oldest among the children, grinned. I’ll rephrase. Children are contradictory beings in whom both angels and demons coexist.

After much tribulation, I was completely exhausted after handing out all the toys I had brought. The children, who had each received three toys fairly, were so engrossed that no one paid attention to me.

Thanks to that, I was able to grab a chair and sprawl out in a corner, like a well-fermented green onion kimchi.

“Aren’t children just so innocent?”

Gasp. ‘When did this old man get here?’ I lifted my head at the sudden voice.

Old man Mason, with his hands behind his back, was smiling as he watched the children. I just nodded without answering.

“Being able to be so happy about such small things is also a blessing. I am very envious of the children.”

“Hmm, that’s a nice thought, but maybe they aren’t so small. The toys were pretty expensive, you know?”

“No matter how expensive they are, they must be small to you, My Lady, so let’s call them small things.”

“I also bought clothes and food besides the toys…”

“Those must also be small to you, My Lady.”

‘Ugh,’ what he said was true, but I felt wronged somehow.

I had never spent my own money on personal things before. I had everything I needed at the mansion, including dresses and accessories.

I had made up my mind and even got permission from the Grand Duchess after much deliberation, so it was a bit disappointing to hear that they were “small things.” It was more disappointment than feeling wronged.

“Of course, the heart you put into them, My Lady, is more precious than any price. The children are happy because they felt your sincerity.”

“Ahem, ahem, you’re complimenting me so suddenly, it’s a little embarrassing. I’m just happy that the children like them, that’s enough for me.”

Old man Mason looked at me intently and smiled softly. Then, as if he were sharing a secret, he lowered his voice.

“As a token of my gratitude, I will teach you a simple divine magic, My Lady.”

‘What was he talking about? It’s my fault for having expectations even though I’ve been fooled every time.’ I asked a question listlessly.

“I’m not even an apprentice priestess, is it okay for me to learn?”

“According to the rules, no, but as long as you don’t get caught, it’s fine. If you do get caught, just say you’re a priestess. If you have a god in your heart and can use divine power, aren’t you a priestess?”

‘Is it really okay for this old man to act like this? Is the future of this religion really okay?’

Come to think of it, I should have known from the moment he was on friendly terms with Jeras.

As I remember, this delinquent priest is Jeras’s personal healer. Jeras, who periodically went on demon hunts, received treatment from excellent priests. Among them, this old man was very skilled at purifying curses and getting rid of side effects. Jeras had been helped by him many times in the original story.

There was a reason Jeras had thrown me here.

Anyway, I didn’t want to be arrested for impersonating a priest. And most importantly, I don’t have a god inside me.

“Are you sure you should be saying that, Sir?”

I was so dumbfounded that I couldn’t help but make a stunned expression. The delinquent old priest just chuckled and continued to speak.

“Whether it’s mana-based magic or divine magic, the basic principle is similar. It’s about materializing the mana or divine power inside your body and sending it outside. It’s easier to think of it as the effect changing according to the method of materialization.”

There are always traps in these “basic principles.” They sound easy when you hear them, but they are incredibly difficult to actually apply. The bitter tears I’ve shed from being deceived by the phrase “if you know the basics, you can apply them in various ways” would be enough to fill a bucket.

The old man took my silence as a sign of understanding and continued his explanation.

“Your divine power has already been awakened, so all you have to do is materialize it. The method of materialization is simple. All you have to do is ask the source of your power, Goddess Aletheia, for help. With a reverent heart.”

“…What does that mean?”

“With a reverent and sacred heart, think of God. Your affection for God is the shortest path to manifesting divine power.”

“So, how do I…?”

I was scared of the old man, whose eyes suddenly changed and who started shouting about God. I fidgeted my bottom and moved away from him.

‘What is this? I don’t know. I’m scared. I don’t want to do it.’

Only after seeing the look of disbelief in my eyes did the delinquent old priest give me a practical, condensed tip.

“Think of the most wicked being you know, My Lady. And think that you must defeat him to save this world.”

Why did Jeras naturally come to mind? The face of the scoundrel, who smiled as sweetly and wickedly as a devil, was so vivid in my mind.

At that moment, old man Mason clapped his hands.

“That’s it. That’s how you do it.”

My body was radiating a bright light like a brand-new light bulb. And to think this was divine power, not my condensed anger. The light seemed to be brighter than it was at the Grand Temple, too.

“…I can’t attack people with divine magic, can I?”

“No. Divine magic can only harm demons. You can only use it to purify and heal people.”

I asked just in case, but it was a shame. I looked down at my brightly glowing hands and clicked my tongue.

***

A familiar temple came into view. Jeras’s steps quickened. He hummed a tune. His dark blue formal attire, embroidered with gold thread, fit him perfectly. His firm body, sculpted by swordsmanship and frequent battles, was fully revealed. The eyes of passing women would occasionally linger on his sturdy chest.

The red cloak draped over his right shoulder was a deeper, more vibrant red than his eyes. Despite the dignified appearance befitting a successor to the throne, a mischievous, playful smile was on his face.

Having returned to the imperial palace after a long time, Jeras had been burdened with heavy work during the day and summoned to various events at night. The lazy emperor often shifted his political duties onto his reliable princes, using the excuse of letting them gain experience.

He had been so busy he hadn’t had time to check on Eloe, whom he’d left at the temple. Having just finished a meeting with the ministers, Jeras had come out in his formal attire.

‘The squirrel must be grinding her teeth by now.’

He couldn’t miss this great opportunity to both enjoy a fun sight and tease the squirrel. Just the thought of tormenting Eloe was enough to relieve his accumulated fatigue.

Jeras strode over the fence. Just then, he heard the cheerful laughter of children.

“Hmph, you insolent brats! I’ll wipe you all out. Take this, Super Ultra Water Breath!”

“Aaaaah!”

The voice spouting the childish attack name was clearly Eloe’s. It was coming from behind the temple.

Jeras quickly headed in that direction. Hiding behind a wall and peeking his head out, he held his breath for a moment.

In the empty lot behind the temple, there was a new well. A pulley was installed at the top of the well, which was made of stacked white stones. He could feel the condensed mana inside. It seemed to be a magic pulley that automatically fetched water.

But what surprised Jeras wasn’t the sudden appearance of the well; it was Eloe, who was surrounded by children.

Standing by the well, Eloe would grab the buckets as soon as they came up and splash the water on the children. Spouting a technique name like ‘Water Breath’ or whatever was a bonus. The children who were hit with the water laughed and jumped up and down. Sometimes, the children would snatch the bucket from her, and Eloe would get soaked.

The children, of course, and Eloe, too, were drenched from head to toe. Water droplets dripped from the ends of her hair.

Eloe, who was playing with the children with a bright laugh, seemed genuinely happy. She didn’t mind that her expensive dress was soaked and had lost its shape.

“It’s finally our turn!”

“Attack! Attack!”

“How does that taste!”

“Pfftt…! So, three of you are attacking at once, huh? Fine. Big sister is in serious mode now. You’re all dead.”

Eloe, who had been hit with a storm of water from the children’s combined attack, rolled up her sleeves and skirt. Her pure white bare feet, hidden by the dress, were revealed.

‘A lady of a ducal family has even taken off her shoes and is playing.’ Jeras let out a small, hollow laugh as he watched Eloe step fearlessly on the sandy ground with her bare feet.

A chase began between the children and Eloe. Eloe ran well despite her heavy, soaked dress. Water droplets bounced everywhere like laughter. Around Eloe, water droplets reflected the sunlight and sparkled like stars.

Eloe’s face bloomed like a flower. It was a bright and pure smile, like sunlight with no trace of a shadow. A small rainbow appeared and disappeared like a mirage above Eloe’s head.

‘She’s pretty.’

Jeras, who had thoughtlessly made this observation, scrunched up his face.

‘…Pretty? What’s pretty? What’s pretty about her? Ah, the rainbow. Right. The rainbow is very pretty. It seems even prettier since I haven’t seen one in a long time. Yeah, that’s it. It’s the rainbow. I thought the rainbow was pretty.’

Jeras hit his head with his hand. He must have lost his mind from being buried in work for the past few days.

“Got you, you little rascal!”

“Aaaaaah, save me! Save me!”

“No! I’m going to be a king and eat you up.”

Eloe pretended to bite the head of the boy she had caught. Jeras quickly reined in the corners of his mouth, which had already crept up.

‘I can’t keep watching this. I should go find the old man.’ Just as Jeras came to this conclusion and was about to turn away.

“Brother, save me!”

As soon as he turned around at the urgent cry, cold water struck his face. His cheek stung as if he had been slapped with water.

Jeras used one hand to brush his hair, which was plastered to his forehead. Eloe, holding an empty bucket, stared at him with her mouth agape.

After a long silence, Eloe’s lips parted.

“…Wa, Water Breeaath…!”

***

“Well, what were you doing hiding in the corner so gloomily? You could’ve come out and played with us.”

“I can’t use Water Breath like some people.”

“Stop teasing me! I told you I did that on purpose to play with the kids.”

“You looked like you were having the most fun.”

I had nothing to say. It was true that I was having a blast.

I pouted my lips and wiped the altar. In this harsh world, you have to have days like this, where you can go back to being a child and play. Don’t you agree?

“Here. You missed a spot.”

“Your Highness, can you please go over there? I’ll handle it. I have a plan, you know.”

I glared at Jeras, who was tapping a corner of the altar with his long finger.

Even though he was wearing the worn-out shirt and pants we had managed to find at the temple, he didn’t look shabby at all. He looked even more calm and neat than usual. Maybe it was because his hair, which was usually slicked back, was now down.

I was so surprised when Jeras, in his splendid formal attire, appeared. I almost fainted when I realized I had just splashed water on him. I was about to pretend to faint, but I missed the timing.

Surprisingly, Jeras didn’t say much. I expected him to be mean, stubborn, or demand that I pay for his clothes, but he was unexpectedly quiet. The formal attire, which had gotten soaked because of me, was now drying outside.

‘Well, he did look a bit cool in that formal attire.’

While Jeras changed into the clothes the children had found for him, I also changed and began to clean the temple.

Old man Mason had asked me to do it before he went out, and “cleaning” wasn’t much; it was just dusting. The floor was cleaned by the children, who took turns on a daily basis.

Jeras, now in more comfortable clothes, was lying on a chair and then started following me around.

‘Why can’t he just stay put? Why does he have to follow me around? It’s so annoying.’

I put all my strength into wiping the spot Jeras had pointed to, making a squeaking sound.

It’s all clean. Cleaning is over!

As soon as I put down the dry rag, Jeras’s gentle voice reached me.

“Are you done?”

“Yes, well… Why?”

“If you’re done, you need to get it inspected. Since the old man isn’t here, I’ll do it.”

“I’ve never had to get an inspection.”

“You can start today.”

Jeras grinned and pulled a white glove out of his pocket. ‘Hey, you son of a gun! Where did he get that from? He’s completely set on doing this.’

“Isn’t that a bit much?”

“If you did a good job, it should be fine, right? Why? Not confident?”

Every time he opened his mouth, something obnoxious came out. Jeras put on the glove and strode toward the window. Then, he stretched his long arm all the way up.

I quickly followed behind him to stop him.

The tall, narrow temple windows were divided into upper and lower sections by a central frame. The top part of the window was out of my reach… so I didn’t wipe it!

“My Lady, you should try to control your facial expressions. It’s obvious you didn’t wipe here.”

Jeras’s hand hovered at a precarious distance, almost touching the window frame. His face, which was staring at me, was radiating a mischievous delight.

I didn’t want to lose to a guy like him. I forced the corners of my mouth up, but my lips just twitched instead of forming a smile.

“Should I stop teasing you?”

After all that?

I just gave him a speechless, exasperated look. For some reason, Jeras silently lowered his arm. Then he put the tip of his finger in his mouth and took off the glove.

His eyelashes cast a shadow over his slightly lowered red eyes. My eyes were drawn to his lips, which were holding the glove. His lips, a little pinkish compared to his blood-red eyes, and the mole below them gave off a dangerous vibe. His lips curved into a beautiful smile, as if he already knew where my eyes were and was enjoying it.

Jeras very slowly pulled the glove off. Was it because his deep, languid eyes and his slow movements were so synchronized? The air between us felt strange.

As soon as I had that thought, my face flushed.

‘Are you crazy, Han Seha! Get a hold of yourself!’

I quickly turned my head away from Jeras. It was so quiet around us that I could hear Jeras’s chuckle as if he were right next to me.

I furiously rubbed my ear with one hand. This was an unstoppable force. It wasn’t because I liked Jeras, but because of that face! It was all because of that outrageously handsome face!

I don’t think I can stay here any longer.

Just as I was about to leave the temple, Jeras’s voice stopped me from behind.

“Before you run away like a squirrel, take a look at this.”

‘What now! What is it this time!’ I turned my body around as if in a fit of pique. And what I saw was… a dusty black glove.

The glove was plain black, so the hazy layer of dust stood out even more. The white glove was a fake, and this was Jeras’s real intention.

And I, not knowing that, was so mesmerized by his face and the atmosphere. Ha.

“My heart aches to think that the children who will be the future of the Empire lived breathing this air. How about you, My Lady?”

‘At least put some saliva on your mouth before you lie, you jerk.’ Is a person whose heart is “aching” smiling so widely?

I picked up the dry rag and threw it at the hateful Jeras. Of course, it was no match for him. The rag fluttered and fell to the ground without even touching Jeras.

“Aren’t you going to wipe it?”

“I’ll wipe it! I will! I have to wipe it, yes! Of course!”

I really hate him. I seriously hate him more than anyone in the world!