His tone didn’t seem like he was just joking, and I nervously gripped the hem of my skirt tightly.

“Don’t keep threatening me like that.”

Sikar brushed back the hair that had fallen forward, then lowered his eyes to look down at me.

“A threat… You’re right. As you said, it started as a threat.”

“What does that mean?”

“But now, well, I’m not sure if this is still a threat.”

Sikar pushed me back against the wall.

“How about we just sleep together tonight?”

My face flushed under his blatant stare as he looked straight into my eyes.

It seemed this guy was somehow more decent when he had a sword at his waist and was in the duke’s mansion.

“What did you do with your sword?”

“It’s in the carriage. Why do you ask?”

“Bring it back and wear it again.”

“Why?”

Because you seemed more sane when you were wearing it!

“This is a temple, so you can’t wear a sword here. Of course, no one would be crazy enough to start a fight in a temple even if they carried one. Still, weapons aren’t allowed in this sacred place.”

Then how does the temple deal with crazy people if they don’t allow sword fights? I want to report one right here.

He was so reckless that if he set his mind to it, he’d probably take over my bed without hesitation.

I was completely trapped, like a mouse caught in a cat’s paws, unable to move.

“Then I’ll give up the bed. You can sleep in it.”

Only then did Sikar step back, as if releasing a captured mouse.

“Use the bed yourself. I’ll decide where I sleep.”

“…”

‘Every time you talk, I realize you’re impossible to reason with.’

Just then, I heard a loud commotion outside, like someone running and stumbling, and a priestess burst into the room.

Startled by the sudden intrusion, I froze, but Sikar just frowned and stared at the priestess.

She closed the door, panting heavily, then sank to the floor and raised a finger to her lips, signaling us to be quiet.

“Shh! Just for a moment, please hide me.”

‘Why is a priestess suddenly barging in and asking to be hidden?’

I nodded as if to say I understood.

When the noise outside finally died down, the priestess sighed in relief, stood up, dusted off her hips, and clasped her hands toward us.

“May you find peace in the embrace of the divine.”

After finishing the Leper-style greeting, she widened her eyes in surprise as she looked at us.

“Oh, you must be new devotees.”

“May you find peace in the embrace of the divine. Hello, Priestess. We’re staying here for a few days, so please take care of us.”

Unlike her calm appearance with her long hair tied back, she seemed quite lively. The priestess grinned broadly.

“I’m just a junior priestess, so even if you ask me to take care of you, I don’t have much authority. Anyway, thank you for hiding me.”

But why is a priestess hiding in the temple?

Before I could ask, she started pulling something out from her robes.

“These are breads I snuck out of the kitchen. They say they’re enchanted with permanent magic so they don’t go bad. Isn’t that amazing? When else would I get to see such rare bread? Since you hid me, I’ll share some with you.”

They were the pound bread and desserts we had brought.

‘A priestess sneaking bread…? I thought priestesses were supposed to be super holy.’

She took out a small muffin and placed it in front of us, saying,

“I tried one earlier, and it was to die for. So I nabbed a few. By the way, they say this bread will be served at lunch, but only a tiny bit. You’re lucky to get some thanks to hiding me well.”

“Oh… I see. Thank you. I’ll enjoy it.”

A priestess using the phrase “to die for”?

The high priestess was like this, and now this priestess too. They don’t exactly fit the holy, sacred image I had in mind. They seem more… innocent than anyone else, maybe.

The priestess stuffed a piece of bread into her mouth and spoke.

“Mmm… This bread is really delicious. I heard someone brought it. Oh! Right, that devilishly handsome duke, wasn’t it?”

So they call Sikar the devil duke around here.

‘The devil duke is right here, Priestess…’

I couldn’t say that, so I just gave an awkward smile.

When I glanced at Sikar, he showed no expression, but my heart was racing with nerves.

“Oh… Yes…”

“And don’t get me wrong. I wasn’t planning to eat all this bread by myself.”

“Then who were you going to share it with…?”

She grinned widely and answered.

“Yes, I was going to share it with someone.”

“Oh, I see. May I ask who you’re sharing it with?”

The priestess clapped her hands together, as if she’d been itching to talk about it.

“Of course! I was dying to tell someone about this.”

“Oh. Yes…”

She’s such a unique and fun person. Thanks to her, I was saved.

I was deliberately keeping the conversation going with the priestess.

If I stayed with her until evening prayers, I could avoid Sikar’s strange comments.

“I’m participating in the coming-of-age ceremony this time.”

“Oh, really? You must be turning twenty this year?”

“No, no. I’m turning twenty-two this year.”

“Oh, I see.”

The same age as Sikar.

“Then you must be going to watch the coming-of-age ceremony.”

“No way. I’ve seen enough of those every year.”

“Oh… Then why are you going?”

The priestess took another bite of bread and said innocently,

“To find a man.”

But I couldn’t take it so innocently. I nearly spat out the bread she gave me.

‘A priestess going to the coming-of-age ceremony to find a man? I never imagined…’

Sikar, still expressionless, patted my back. The priestess looked at him and let out a low “Oh.”

“My colleagues cover my mouth when I choke and try to cough, but you’ve got a great companion.”

“He’s not my companion; he’s my husband.”

Hearing Sikar’s curt reply, the priestess let out another “Wow” and whispered so only I could hear.

“You look so young, and not just a boyfriend but such a handsome husband? I’m jealous.”

It’s not that I look young; it’s just that Easterners tend to look younger.

The priestess clasped her hands tightly and looked up with hopeful eyes.

“This time, I’m determined to find a man. I haven’t even had my first kiss yet.”

I nearly spat out my food again, and Sikar, with his impassive face, patted my back again.

“Not having my first kiss at twenty-two? It’s practically a disaster!”

There are two more people right here who haven’t had their first kiss. Well, in dreams, maybe.

“Anyway, my goal is to go for my first kiss.”

A priestess attending the coming-of-age ceremony for her first kiss? Not all priestesses are like this, right?

‘Still, I should cheer her on. First kisses are important, after all.’

I clenched my fists and cheered her on.

“Absolutely! I’m rooting for your first kiss!”

“Thank you! Just thinking about first kisses and first loves makes my heart pound and my chest flutter. I really hope I succeed this year.”

“Where there’s a will, there’s a way. You’ll definitely achieve it.”

“Wow! Thank you so much. My colleagues tell me to get a grip when I talk like this, but you understand me, maybe because you’re married!”

That’s not really why, but…

I forced a smile and went along with it.

“Yes, well… I suppose so…?”

“By the way, since you’re married, you’ve had your first kiss and your first night, right? I’m so jealous.”

What is she even saying?

My face flushed hot. Sikar’s slightly upturned smirk was oddly bothersome.

I wish someone would stop this priestess…

No, wait. Listening to her is way better than dealing with Sikar’s weird remarks.

I gave an awkward smile and laughed.

“I’m sure you’ll meet someone wonderful, Priestess.”

“That felt so sincere.”

“Because it was sincere.”

“Oh, I haven’t introduced myself! My name is Roen Lamut. Nice to meet you.”

Roen. That name sounds familiar. Who was it?

Sikar’s memory was definitely better than mine.

“Are you perhaps Roen Lamut, the singing healer?”

The singing healer Roen?!

Roen’s eyes widened as she stared at Sikar.

“Huh? It’s true I sing when I use my holy power, but I already have a title? Really? Are people calling me the singing healer?!”

Not yet, but they will.

If this is really the singing healer Roen…

Roen would later catch Reidox’s eye, become his ally, and teach Kian how to properly use holy power.

“Are you two coming to the village for the coming-of-age ceremony?”

“Well, we’re not sure yet.”

“If you’re free, you should come. It’s called a coming-of-age ceremony, but it’s like a big village festival with lots of delicious food. And you can dance!”

If it’s not too crowded, it might be fun.

“We’re not good at dancing, so I hope we don’t embarrass ourselves.”

“There’s no set dance at the village festival. You just dance however you feel. Everyone can join in. Even if romance isn’t your goal, it’s a day to eat until you’re stuffed, way better than the bland meals served at the temple.”

“Really? Then we might have to consider it.”

Roen picked up the crumbs she’d dropped and stood up.

“I have to prepare for evening prayers, so I’ll head out.”

“I’ll clean up the crumbs. Hand them over.”

The priestess didn’t hesitate and scattered the crumbs back on the table.

“Then can you do that? Hehe, thanks. Oh, I introduced myself, but I still don’t know the names of the kind people who hid me.”

She called Sikar the devil duke earlier. If we reveal our identities now, she might feel embarrassed.

Fearing Sikar might say, “I’m that devil duke, Sikar Blake,” I grabbed his hand tightly to signal him to stay quiet.

“Oh, I’m Yura Ble, and my husband is Sika Ble.”

“Your names are quite similar. I’ll definitely remember them. Thank you so much, Yura.”

“Thank you for the bread, Priestess.”

“Just call me Roen. I prefer Roen over Priestess.”

“Alright, Roen.”

Roen walked toward the door, looking reluctant.

“Ugh, it’s such a shame to leave when I finally met someone who listens to me. If you need help with anything while you’re at the temple, just let me know. If it’s something I can help with, I’ll help until my eyebrows fall off.”

She sure has a fun way with words. I smiled brightly and replied.

“Yes, Roen.”

“Let’s meet again later!”

After Roen left, my smiling face completely froze.

Because she was destined to die.