Roen was the young lady of a count’s family, born with divine power. Though she could have married into a prestigious family instead of becoming a priestess, her romantic and free-spirited nature led her to choose the path of priesthood.

One day, while on pilgrimage, she crossed paths with Reidox. She judged Gillian Recador unfit to be a wise ruler and sided with Kian, but ultimately met a tragic end due to betrayal by Kaizel, the man she loved.

Kaizel, who betrayed this pure maiden dreaming of first love and longing for her first kiss!

“Where did Roen meet Kaizel again?”

While I was clutching my head, Sikar spoke, gazing at the door through which Roen had exited.

“This coming coming-of-age ceremony.”

“Huh?”

“I mean, Roen meets Kaizel during this very coming-of-age ceremony.”

It’s happening at this ceremony!

“Sikar! Let’s interfere! We must prevent Roen from meeting Kaizel!”

Sikar wiped crumbs off the table and dusted his hands briskly before replying.

“You’re meddling again, just like with Hersia.”

“But Roen will end up teaching Kian, and because Kaizel betrays Roen, Kian will face a dangerous moment!”

“Are you really helping her for that reason? I don’t think so.”

“Well, obviously—she’s important to Kian.”

“That’s meddling. Have you forgotten how you ended up here after rescuing a child?”

“Are you asking whether I now regret saving that child?”

“I’m saying you got yourself into trouble by helping someone unrelated to you.”

Even adults sometimes need help from other adults. Children, even more so, often require adult assistance.

But during my own childhood—when I was at my most vulnerable—I never received help from anyone. That’s why I want to be an adult who helps the weak, at least children.

Therefore, I do not regret coming here after saving that child.

“I don’t regret it.”

“I know. If you hadn’t saved that child back then, you’d have regretted not saving them instead. You’re that kind of fool.”

“Right. I’m a fool. So I must save Roen too. Roen’s misfortune made Kian cry so much. I hate the thought of our Kian losing someone again, and I can’t just stand by knowing that innocent, carefree Roen will meet the wrong man and be betrayed. Anyway, it’s simple—we just need to stop her from meeting Kaizel.”

“You’re exhausting.”

“Then at least don’t interfere—let me do it alone if I must.”

“Do I look like someone who’d allow you to go anywhere alone without me?”

Of course he wouldn’t easily allow it—I know that. But I’m stubborn too.

“You may call it meddling, but knowingly ignoring something bound to go wrong is called complicity! It’s fine if you won’t help me. I’ll make sure she doesn’t meet that bad guy—even alone. Just don’t interfere with my plans.”

“You can’t even go to crowded places—what exactly do you plan to do? You can’t go anywhere without me.”

“So you’re saying I should just stand by and watch? We just got free muffins from you—don’t you think that’s a bit heartless?”

Sikar, who had been scratching his face, suddenly narrowed his eyes sharply.

“I kept saying you were cute because you weren’t afraid of me…”

I was afraid—I just didn’t show it. Does that mean he’s found me cute all this time precisely because I never showed fear?

Sikar remained silent, staring fixedly at me, and cold sweat trickled down my spine.

“…You’re really troublesome.”

At that moment, I wondered—if he still carried a knife at his waist, would he have drawn it again to threaten me? Though of course, such threats wouldn’t work on me anymore.

“So you’re saying you’ll help?”

“What choice do I have? I can’t send my wife off alone.”

So again, you’ll end up agreeing with me—you’re just pretending to resist.

“But why can’t you let me go alone…?”

“No sane man sends his wife off alone like that. Now get up—it’s time for evening prayer. While we’re in the temple, we must observe prayer times properly.”

As we left, Sikar firmly held my hand. In the dormitory hallway, many priests and worshippers like us were heading to evening prayer.

Since we’re going to the small dormitory chapel, it shouldn’t be too crowded… though I didn’t take any anti-nausea medicine.

“Don’t worry too much. It’s not a crowded place.”

Sikar said this while gripping my hand tightly.

As I watched his hand holding mine, today of all days, our wedding ring on his finger caught my eye particularly.

Come to think of it, since marrying me, Sikar has never once removed that ring.

Even though this is just a sham marriage, he’s always granted my requests and looked after me even without me asking.

Whether it was holding a modest wedding ceremony or ordering milk tea when we met Reidox.

The Sikar I knew wasn’t someone overflowing with consideration—he reserved that only for his own family…

Good heavens. It’s clear now—Sikar truly thinks of me as his wife and likes me!

Yes. He definitely likes me. He’s just confusing his personality’s tendency to find me cute with actual romantic affection.

Because he’s never liked anyone before, he’s mixing up the feelings of liking someone and finding them cute.

This isn’t my imagination!

So I should just boldly ask for what I want now.

In situations like this, the one who cares less wins.

‘Then let’s test him.’

“Sikar.”

“This is a temple, not a duke’s manor. Unless we’re completely alone, use marital terms.”

“Oh, right. Sorry. My lord.”

“Didn’t you say you wanted to attend the coming-of-age festival? Then we mustn’t reveal we’re nobles. Better to call each other ‘darling.’ Go ahead—call me ‘darling.’”

“……”

It sounds like you’re using that as an excuse to hear me say ‘darling.’

“Da… r… ling…”

“Since when did you start speaking so slowly? Do you want to spread rumors around the temple that our marriage is fake?”

You’re the one making unreasonable demands—that’s why I’m speaking slowly!

Hmm…

I silently rehearsed “darling” several times, swallowed hard a few times, and finally managed to say:

“Da… rling…”

“Still too slow.”

“Darling!”

“Now you’re shouting too harshly. Can’t you say it gently, without sounding awkward?”

Seriously, now you’re pushing it.

“Fine. You show me how it’s done first.”

The moment I finished speaking, Sikar replied as if he’d been waiting:

“Darling.”

Sikar—who I thought would never say such a word even with a knife to his throat—said “darling” so readily that I was the one flustered.

Too startled, I followed him like I was being pulled along. Sikar stopped, turned to me, and leaned his head in close.

“What’s wrong? Darling.”

Why is this crazy man acting like this again?

“That’s how you say ‘darling.’ If we’re going to pretend, we must do it properly—not half-heartedly. So you act properly too. Otherwise, you’ll have to share a bed with me from now on.”

“What does that term have to do with sharing a bed?”

“If you share a bed, ‘darling’ will naturally come out.”

Ah…

“Okay, I get it. Da… rling.”

I really can’t get used to this.

On the way to the chapel, I had to exchange that cursed “darling” several times with Sikar.

The chapel was located a short distance from the dormitory—about the size of a small temple in a rural village.

Still, it was large enough to hold over a hundred people.

At least everyone wore the same clothing, which offered slight comfort—but with so many people, I still couldn’t easily step forward.

Occasionally, on the way in, I felt dizzy and disoriented.

Then Sikar placed something over my head. When I flinched, he pulled my shoulder firmly and said:

“It’s just a short shawl with a hood. Keep it on. You’ll feel much better if you close your eyes. Tell me if you still can’t bear it.”

When did he prepare this?

I couldn’t see anything, but the bustling sounds made me imagine many people surrounding me.

It was like closing my eyes made me imagine ghosts staring at me—the fear gradually overwhelmed me.

So I simply couldn’t enter the chapel.

I thought there’d be only dozens since they said it wouldn’t be crowded—but of course, a gathering of over a hundred people was still overwhelming.

I could sit quietly in a corner, but in such a confined space, even staying still was difficult.

Eventually, I retched several times. Sikar immediately scooped me up.

“It’s better to pray in our room. Judging by how you look, we’ll eat dinner in the room too.”

I felt like I might vomit again—I couldn’t even answer. My limbs were weak, I had no energy, and I was nearly fainting.

After a while, the surroundings grew quiet again, and I could only hear Sikar’s footsteps.

I peeked out from under the hood—only Sikar was visible. Relief washed over me, like a breath of fresh air. I exhaled a long sigh.

“I’m alive…”

“And you think you can really attend the coming-of-age ceremony like this?”

“At least it’s outdoors—it’ll be much better.”

Suddenly, Sikar stopped walking.

“Sikar. What’s wrong?”

“I see a familiar face.”

Following Sikar’s gaze, I indeed saw a familiar face walking toward us.

“Uh, who’s that…?”

Before I could recall, he waved his hand high and ran toward us.

“Wow! Who is this?! Isn’t it the Duke and Duchess?!”

Bounding cheerfully toward us was Jeremi.

“Wow! Even on temple grounds, you’re still carrying the Duchess—I truly feel the greatness of your love again, my lord.”

“Stop fooling around, Jeremi.”

Ah, right—I’m currently being carried by Sikar.

Once my agoraphobia receded, I finally regained my senses—and felt terribly embarrassed.

The moment I whispered for him to put me down, Sikar gently set me on my feet.

“May you rest peacefully in God’s embrace. Jeremi, I’m so happy to see you here!”

“I’m delighted too, Duchess. What brings you here?”

“My grandmother resides here—we came to visit her.”

“Ah, I see. People here tend not to reveal their identities, so I didn’t know.”

“And what brings you here, Jeremi?”

Jeremi chuckled and scratched his head.

“I came to work. The lanterns and streetlights here lost their magic—I came to relight them. Since it’s a temple, I won’t earn a penny, but I’ll receive holy water instead.”

“Oh, I see. How long will you be staying?”

“About a week more—I’ve got more than a few things to fix.”

Ah, that explains it. I noticed a mage wearing worshippers’ clothing—Jeremi must be staying a few more days, hence the outfit.

“But right now, isn’t it time to head to the chapel? Where are you two going?”

“My wife isn’t feeling well—we’re returning to our room.”

“Oh? What’s wrong?”

“Just a bit of nausea.”

Jeremi suddenly rummaged in his robe and handed me something.

“Take this—it’ll help a little.”

What Jeremi handed me was none other than holy water.

“Oh—isn’t this hard to obtain?”

“It’s best used by someone who needs it right now. But remember, good things come to those who do good—later, you must treat me to a meal! I’ll go now before I’m late for prayer. By the way, my room is on the second floor of Tai Yang Hall—if you need me, come there. See you later!”

After rattling off those words like a machine gun, Jeremi dashed off to avoid being late for prayer.

Sikar asked me, who stood motionless staring at the spot where Jeremi had passed:

“Why are you standing there staring?”

“I just had a really good idea.”

“What idea?”

“I’ve found a match for Roen.”