The next morning. I slung a carrotshaped bag over my shoulder and tightly held onto my father’s hand.

My father insisted that we had to go together to the Senoa temple because it could be dangerous.

Dangerous, my temple? I thought, but…

My father spoke logically.

“The temple and the Mirumod family are enemies, Cien. There might be people who are out to get you. I will somehow negotiate, no, persuade them to issue a permit in advance, so let’s go together.”

Convinced by my father’s seriousness, I had no choice but to come with him.

And, on second thought, it seemed better to have a guardian with me today. Of course, in reality, I was my father’s guardian, but still.

But as soon as I arrived at the Senoa temple with my father and Acid, I encountered a huge problem.

“Why did those scarylooking men come!”

Leaking inside the bucket, leaking outside too.

Scarylooking men wearing cute pins were surrounding the temple flawlessly as if guarding it.

It was strange enough that these scary men were wandering around,

but all of them were wearing floralpatterned outfits, with flowers in their hair and awkward smiles on their faces…

…literally creating an enormous sense of incongruity.

Last time I heard from the temple maids, the temple was indeed in a hostile relationship with the Mirumod family and couldn’t stay for long. Is this okay?

“Those men…”

“Yes.”

I saw men surrounding the temple walls, all of them at least 2 meters tall. Their menacing faces coupled with awkward smiles were impressive.

I whispered to my father.

“What’s with the pins in their hair? Phew…”

“…Weird?”

“No…”

“Weird.”

“It’s not weird…”

As if my father had heard my words, his expression hardened, and the awkward smiles of the men intensified.

Fortunately, those men could not enter the temple.

“Before those men pick a fight and find out I’m a pushover, let’s get the examination done quickly and leave with Ted.”

I followed my father briskly into the Senoa temple.

The atmosphere felt different since the temple maids were driven out.

As soon as we entered the temple, people greeted us. Their faces mostly looked solemn and serious.

But…

“Why isn’t Ted here? I thought he’d be here for sure.”

I cautiously licked my lips.

“Uhm, where is Knight Ted?”

As I blinked and asked, the priest swallowed as if regretful.

“Sir Ted has gone to the maids’ tea party. He will be out all day, so you won’t be able to meet him.”

It was odd. If Acid came, Ted would have dropped any schedule to come, he was that kind of person.

I tilted my head in doubt.

“Why the tea party?”

“He is escorting the temple maiden.”

For me, there could not be anyone more important to Ted than Acid.

Suddenly, I recalled the letter Ted had sent. The part about Gabrielle constantly having him as an escort.

“…Uh, is it Temple Maiden Gabrielle?”

The priest’s eyes widened.

“If it suits you, he went as an escort to Gabrielle. He will be out all day, so unfortunately, you’ll have to meet another time.”

Things were falling into place.

Gabrielle also seemed to want Ted as her knight and seemed hostile towards me.

‘Gabrielle must have noticed Ted’s talents too.’

I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, lost in thought.

Then, it happened.

Acid, standing on my left, cautiously opened his mouth.

“Um… Lord Cien.”

“Hm?”

I looked at Acid. Acid cautiously mumbled towards me.

“You wanted to, uh, meet your brother, right?”

“Yeah, I did.”

But if he’s not here today, he can come tomorrow, and if not tomorrow, the day after is fine too.
Every day spent here was enough.

‘I’m quite persistent!’

However, Acid, unaware of my feelings, seemed a bit disheartened. He cautiously asked me.

“So what now… I’ll come back tomorrow.”

“The baby?”

“…What?”

“Won’t you see your brother?”

“I, I will… after a divine power test. You can meet my brother later.”

Luckily, Acid’s will did not waver.

I consoled Acid, saying,

“It’s fine then. You’re here.”

He was right.

Today was not only the day to introduce Ted to Acid but also the day for Acid’s divine power test.

‘Maybe Acid also has divine power…!’

They say divine power is hereditary, so perhaps Acid has more than Ted.

I smiled broadly after concluding my thoughts.

However, Acid’s face, weak to compliments, flushed like a burning sweet potato as it did yesterday.

(This is a time separator.)

The sound of bells rang in Acid’s head, echoing my voice.

“It’s fine then. You’re here.”

“It’s fine then. You’re he…”

“It’s fine then. You’…”

I had… definitely said that.

Acid felt a buzzing noise in his ears.

Whether it was tinnitus, he didn’t know…

…but the sentence made his heart sink for sure.

A gentle spring breeze seemed to rustle in his heart. For the first time, Acid felt a wave of unknown sensation, his mouth slightly opening to let out a sigh.

“The baby?”

Until I called him in puzzlement, Acid had been too bewildered to hear me.

“The baby!”

Only when I blinked and brought my face closer did he find words to respond.

“…Yes, yes!”

It was strange.