In the depth of winter, they had parted, and three seasons had already passed since.

The two briefly leaned on each other’s warmth and caught their breath. Even the laundry flapping around them in the wind seemed to bless their reunion.

“Is this a dream?”

Ines spoke, panting. Carson chuckled softly in response.

“Would that dream you speak of be a nightmare?”

Ines shook her head. Every time she did, her soft cheek lightly brushed against his neck and moved away, back and forth. She felt Carson take a deep breath and envelop her back with his arms.

Moments later, they walked side by side on the cobblestone path inside the temple. Ines still couldn’t believe it and stole glances at him.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I still can’t believe it.”

“It’s definitely not a dream. Want me to pinch your cheek?”

She rubbed her cheek as if it had been pinched.

“When did you get here?”

He only smiled, not answering. So Ines asked again.

“Why did you come?”

At that question, Carson momentarily furrowed his brow.

“What?”

“Are you on your way to the royal palace?”

He chuckled softly, now also shaking his head.

“Let’s say so.”

“When will you leave?”

“Tomorrow…”

“Tomorrow?”

Echoing his words, Ines flushed. She knew she looked excited to him, but she couldn’t help her face from heating up.

“Why are you so excited?”

“I thought you were just stopping by. If you’re leaving tomorrow…it feels like we’ll be together all day.”

Just the thought of him being close filled Ines with a joyous wind in her chest. Then she saw maids lining up at the door of a building across the way.

“Ah…”

“Why?”

“I have to go to the prayer room now. After prayers, I have to prepare lunch, and… well, I have classes in the afternoon.”

“Classes?”

Even though he knew her schedule, he feigned ignorance.

“Yes, it’s a kind of socialization class. Apart from the priests, everyone has to attend. Then I have to fetch water from the well.”

Carson’s forehead momentarily crinkled at the memory of last night. Ines seemed not to talk about what happened last night.

It meant he might not know about any dangers that could happen to her in the future.

“Anyway, today I don’t have to fetch water from the well. So, I’ll have some free time. Could we meet then, if you’re not busy?”

“If you have to go to the well…”

“Huh?”

“When do you get to rest if you have to go to the well?”

“Maids don’t have leisure time. We steal moments to rest.”

Ines laughed as if she heard something she shouldn’t have.

“Usually, after morning prayers, I have some time. But today, many maids are sick. We’ll be short-handed for preparing lunch.”

“You?”

“Huh?”

“Aren’t you sick?”

“No, I’m not sick.”

“Nothing happened…?”

“Nothing, life here is very monotonous. Time goes by quickly.”

“That’s really a relief.” Ines spoke without a wrinkle on her face, yet Carson had to ask again.

“Are you really okay? No injuries?”

Ines tapped the ground lightly with her foot.

“If you’re asking if life here is okay, it might sound strange, but I’m very happy. You probably can’t even imagine how I feel here.”

She was truly thankful for each day.

Life here wasn’t easy, but the temple was peaceful. She didn’t have to exist as something less than human in front of anyone.

Then, the bell ringing for prayer time was heard from afar.

“I really have to go now. Will you be… available then?”

Carson pretended to think for a moment, rolling his eyes.

“It seems I’ll have some free time around then.”

“Then let’s meet then. I’ll wait right here. Right when the bell rings eight times.”
With a bright smile on her face, Ines waved at Carson as she ran in the direction the maids had gone.

She kept looking back at him as she flew away, leaving him behind. Now all he could do was wait until Ines had time to spare.

Feeling even more stifled than yesterday as he watched her disappear from sight, he was surprised by how vibrant she was, given that he expected her to be more worn down from her life here.

Her words had increased, her expression had brightened. She blushed easily and showed her emotions to him. Her beauty tempted him to touch every blushing part of her.

Yet what was the weight of this stifling emotion that came upon him in those moments? It was a different shade than the suffocating sense of responsibility he felt toward her.

Noah had always been by his side, but now he was away, executing Carson’s orders. Carson had ordered a thorough inspection around the well and other potential hazards. After what happened yesterday, even the High Priest actively followed Carson’s orders.

Having nothing else to do but wait, Carson slowly headed in the direction Ines had gone.

Finding the prayer room she had mentioned was not difficult.

Among the uniformly grey brick buildings, one stood out with a notably high spire. It seemed as though everyone had to gather there to pray at a designated time, as all the maids were entering that place.