“Lizbeth, I…”

“I know your feelings very well, milady. Still… still, there’s something like that, you know? Hoping my friend meets a good person. Tedeel is… no, Mr. Tedeel is a good person.”

Once again, Lizbeth, who used to call him Tedeel comfortably, hesitated for a moment and then continued.

“Leaving aside being a noble, he’s just a good person. Our brother can’t compare.”

“That’s…”

“It’s a true statement, right? So… be happy.”

Seeing that sincere emotion, that genuine desire for her well-being, how could one say no? Sesenia just smiled.

“Ah… I’m not saying you’re my friend. It’s just that feeling.”

“No, we are friends. More precious than family, my friend. Even though the law of this country officially designated us as a lady and a servant, we don’t need to care about those things, even in unofficial places. Right?”

“Ah…”

“Then, let’s just exist as Tedeel, Lizbeth, and me when we’re together.”

There was no verbal response, but as if giving an answer in their own way, the three of them smiled and laughed.

‘My precious people.’

Those who always became a beacon whenever she lost her way.

Sesenia promised herself that she would repay them.

Shortly after, the carriage carrying them arrived at the temple.

As Sesenia stepped down from the carriage, an unexpected figure greeted her.

“Welcome!”

It was the High Priest. He approached her quickly and greeted her with a bright smile.

Since she had informed him through Sillian that she was coming, she expected someone to welcome her, but she never thought it would be the High Priest, so Sesenia’s complexion stiffened.

“No… High Priest?”

“Yes!”

“Since when have you been out here?”

The High Priest’s nose had turned red.

It was winter. Although spring was coming soon, the current weather was very cold.

Seeing his nose turn red like that meant it had been a while since he came out.

“I came out not long ago.”

“Older people like you might faint doing this.”

Sesenia stared at him with a worried expression.

“Still…”

At that moment, a senior priest, Ray, who was standing behind the High Priest, sighed deeply.

“Sesenia wanted to see you so badly that he insisted on doing this.”

“Ah…”

“Haha, I’m fine. Who met Sesenia first, if not me? Didn’t she give us the relic in the temple?”

Since the High Priest was outside, the curious eyes of the surrounding worshippers sparkled.
The saint who gifted the relic had spread rumors that she did not want to reveal her name voluntarily.

To be a saint who had presented a relic under such circumstances.

“So, it’s her.”

“Sesenia Saint? Unbelievable…”

As she was talking to the High Priest, Sesenia couldn’t directly approach him, but her modest footsteps were clearly audible.

“First… please come inside, High Priest.”

“Yes, yes. I brought such a precious person too far outside. There’s a prepared room upon hearing you were coming, so let’s go there.”

“Yes.”

The modesty grew louder.

She tried to ignore it, but the voices that did not respect her were burdensome to Sesenia.

Even when she lived the life of the former empress, there were no people who respected her like this.

Although the name of the empress was revered, there was no one who respected her.

So, this moment felt unfamiliar and strange. Like wearing someone else’s clothes.

Fortunately, the High Priest guided Sesenia to the corridor where only priests could enter and had prohibited approaching, so there was no bowing during the walk.

Only then did Sesenia speak.

“Did you do it on purpose?”

“What do you mean?”

“Due to the High Priest waiting for me there, and the fact that he revealed that I am the one who brought the relic. Thanks to that, didn’t you make me appear as a benefactor in the temple?”

In her calm words, the High Priest chuckled and nodded.

“That’s correct.”

“Ah.”

“At first, we deliberately kept it a secret. But still, since you, Saint Sesenia, who has exerted effort for us, wanted it. Even though you said you would overturn the toilet water and become the word of the temple, I didn’t want to do that.”

“So, you revealed that it was me.”

“Yes.”

“Ah.”

“At first, we deliberately kept it a secret. But still, when I think about it… it’s like this…”

He mumbled, looking at Sesenia next to him.

“Yes. When I think about it, there was no need for that.”

“What do you mean there was no need. What does that mean?”

Meanwhile, they arrived in front of a certain room.

“Please come in. Go inside and talk about the rest.”

It was a different place from the prayer room they visited last time.

“It’s a place used when there are important meetings in the temple. Perfect soundproofing, only one door, and besides the table and chairs, there is no furniture, so no one can come in and listen to the conversation… It’s the most complete secret room.”

Upon hearing this, Sesenia entered.

As the High Priest said, this place almost did not feel like a temple.

Except for the white color symbolizing the temple on the walls, ceiling, table, and furniture, there was hardly anything special.

“I see.”