For a moment, I thought my heart had stopped.

I hastily turned my head to pull up the hood I’d just let slip off, but Hillstain grabbed my arm.

He lowered his head and brought his face right up to mine.

His fox-like upturned eyes curved into crescent moons, and his gaze met mine precisely through his narrow eyelids.

“A new priestess, you say?”

Kk— Hillstain chuckled softly. The holy knight standing beside him, bewildered and clueless, asked,

“Director Hillstain, do you know this person?”

“Of course. Very well, in fact.”

“That’s… wait! Her face is perfectly fine…!”

Just as the holy knight leaned in to inspect me, Hillstain seized me with unmistakable force—as if he absolutely refused to let me slip away again.

“L-Let go…!”

I didn’t even have time to resist. My body staggered helplessly as he yanked me forward.

His rough, unrestrained steps up the stairs dragged my feet along the ground. When I glanced back, Maxim’s face had gone pale.

“W-Wait a moment! Director Hillstain…!”

The instant I’d just reached the top step, Maxim sprinted up and swiftly blocked my path to prevent me from being pulled any further.

“Priestess…”

“P-Please let go.”

At Maxim’s words, Hillstain’s smile vanished. Slowly, he turned his body around.

His sharp, predator-like gaze slid past me and locked onto Maxim, who stood trembling yet resolute in front of me.

“I see. So this woman was brought here by you, Priest?”

“Y-Yes. So please…”

Hillstain released my hand and instead seized Maxim by the collar.

Maxim’s priestly robe lifted as his feet dangled into the air.

“G-Guh!”

Maxim kicked his legs desperately in midair, choking. Hillstain sneered at him, as if handling a ragdoll.

“Priest. Isn’t it forbidden to lie in a sacred place?”

His voice carried such weight that even replying felt impossible.

“A new priestess? Don’t make me laugh.”

Ignoring Maxim’s obvious distress, Hillstain twisted his head to look down at me.

“You’re spying for the Duke, aren’t you?”

He’d struck the bullseye. No wonder he’d been so hostile toward us—if it involved Edan, he automatically hated it.

I’d sensed it before: Hillstain was a man ruled entirely by instinct, impossible to reason with.

Did he think talking would cause some kind of problem?

“Let go of the priestess!”

“And if I refuse?”

Furious, I shouted at him savagely—but of course, it had no effect.

“Then I won’t go to Ivy.”

“What?”

“You said Ivy was looking for me. That’s why I came. Is it okay to treat me like this?”

“You came to see the Grand Saintess?”

“…Yes.”

For the first time, curiosity flickered in his eyes. I quickly nodded. Hillstain must have assumed I’d infiltrated the temple with ulterior motives. He paused for several seconds, seemingly pondering my words, then—thud—he released Maxim.

“C-Cough! Cough!”

Maxim gasped and coughed violently as air rushed back into his lungs.

“Priestess! Are you alright?”

I patted his back, and he nodded a few times. Thank goodness. Damn it! This man nearly died because of me! That silver-haired fox dares not move a muscle against Edan, yet shows zero mercy to anyone weaker than himself!

“That’s even more suspicious.”

“…”

“Didn’t you tell me you had no desire to come to the temple? I distinctly recall your rebelliousness.”

Hillstain grinned slyly again. I had to steel my mind to keep my true thoughts hidden.

“I’ve grown eager to see Ivy. You yourself intended to bring me to her, didn’t you? So treat me respectfully. I don’t deserve this treatment.”

Hillstain laughed, clearly amused.

Though he might be enjoying himself, for Maxim and me, it felt like suffocating terror. I’d come to see Ivy and had no intention of leaving until I did—but running into Hillstain? Worst possible scenario.

“Well then. Lucky break for you. Fortune just rolled right in.”

I worried what he might do next, but thankfully, Hillstain simply nodded.

“Walk.”

I’m going insane. In the end, I followed Hillstain toward Ivy’s room.

As I trailed behind him, I pulled my priestly hood back over my head.

After all, I had no intention of staying at the temple like this. I didn’t want anyone to realize I was Ivy’s runaway friend—and a Saintess candidate.

Holy knights stood guard in the corridors on every floor, but fortunately, none cast suspicious glances—likely because I was following Hillstain.

Ivy’s room was on the highest floor. As we neared our destination, Maxim quietly whispered in a low voice,

“Lady Latieana… are you truly alright?”

I subtly nodded.

“I’m fine.”

Before I could add anything else, Hillstain abruptly seized my wrist and flung open the large door without even knocking. Truly, this man had zero consideration. Then again, he’d never shown any intention of being considerate toward me—not from the very beginning.

“I come to pay my respects to the Grand Saintess.”

He’d rudely burst in at this late hour, yet with just a slight nod from him, three or four maidservants—who seemed accustomed to this—quickly scurried out of the room.

I left Maxim, worry etched across his face, waiting alone in the corridor as I entered with Hillstain—the two of us alone.

Thud—the heavy door shut. A sweet raspberry fragrance wafted through the air, accompanied by a languid, melodic voice.

“Welcome, Lord Hillstain.”

I lifted my bowed head and saw Ivy smiling brightly at me.

The Ivy I hadn’t seen in so long was far more beautiful than when I’d first met her.

Her well-textured brown hair rippled softly like waves with the slightest gesture, and her peach-tinted lips were utterly charming.

Dressed in a light white silk gown and draped in a long, translucent cardigan, she resembled a goddess of the night.

‘But she’s way too revealing!’

My face flushed crimson without my realizing it.

She was breathtakingly beautiful, yet even as a woman, I felt my eyes had nowhere appropriate to rest—the outfit was that daring.

Perhaps she’d been having her hair combed by maids before bed; seated on her vanity chair, Ivy’s pose was seductively graceful, and the room was saturated with fragrance. Had I been a man, I doubt I could’ve kept my wits about me.

“You’ve come again like an unexpected gift. But…”

Ivy, who had been sweetly curving her eyes toward Hillstain, shifted her gaze to me.

“Why is that priestess behind you here with you?”

Hillstain answered gently, pulling me forward from behind him.

“Lady Ivy, do you remember our agreement last time?”

“Agreement…?”

“That you’d grant me a privilege if I brought my friend.”

“Ah, of course.”

Privilege? What was he talking about? When Hillstain stormed into the temple, he’d claimed he could “have Ivy” if he brought me. But apparently, he’d set additional conditions beyond that?

Now I was even more curious. Why exactly was Ivy searching for me so desperately?

As I frowned, wondering when to interrupt their conversation, Hillstain roughly yanked off my hood.

“Ah…!”

My cherry-blossom-pink hair spilled out fully, and my eyes met Ivy’s.

We were both equally startled—but unlike me, Ivy’s face also flickered with pure delight.

“…Good heavens! Latieana!”

The moment she saw me, Ivy sprinted over and threw her arms around me.

I’d assumed she had some reason for searching for me, no matter how things turned out. But this wasn’t just the warm welcome I’d imagined.

As if she’d found a precious friend she’d lost—or reunited with long-lost family—Ivy’s eyes instantly reddened, her voice choked with emotion as she called my name.

“Latieana! Is it really you? Truly? For real?”

“Mm. Long time no see, Ivy.”

“I’ve missed you so much!”

“Mm.”

I couldn’t bring myself to say, “Me too.” Because it would’ve been a lie.

For a long while, Ivy clung tightly to my neck, refusing to let go. Awkwardly, I patted her back.

My eyes met Hillstain’s.

Feeling uncomfortable, I thought it best for Ivy and me to talk alone—but as if reading my mind, Ivy turned to Hillstain first.

“Lord Hillstain, would you please step outside for a moment? I wish to speak with my friend alone.”

“As you wish. Gladly.”

Hah. Unbelievable. The domineering, rude demeanor he’d shown me? Completely vanished.

Without another word, Hillstain bowed his upper body slightly in a light salute, then turned and left.

Through the crack of the door as Hillstain exited, I glimpsed Maxim.

He looked restless and anxious, but merely knowing he hadn’t fled and was waiting outside brought me comfort.

“Latieana, come over here.”

Ivy led me toward the large French windows. Elegant gold-embossed curtains layered with chiffon created an atmosphere perfectly suited to Ivy.

She settled first onto the plush long-bed sofa and patted the spot beside her with her hand.

But I shook my head, refusing, and remained standing as I spoke.

“Ivy, I don’t have time.”

“Huh?”

“I’ll say what I came to say and leave.”

“Leave? What do you mean? Didn’t you come to the temple?”

I shook my head again.

“I think you’ve misunderstood something.”

Facing Ivy’s innocent, bewildered expression, I spoke firmly.

“That day, my falling from the carriage wasn’t an accident. I jumped on purpose—because I didn’t want to come to the temple.”

“What? What are you…”

Ivy’s face flushed with confusion.

“I was in a hurry, but I thought I’d properly said goodbye to you. I never expected you’d search for me so desperately. I’m sorry, Ivy. I have no intention of coming to the temple.”