It was an excessively polite attitude. Unlike me, awkwardly pulling up my lips to smile, Maximum was extremely serious.

“Lady Latieana, you are the true Great Saintess.”

I know.

“Ivy, I’ll take responsibility to confirm that woman is a fake! If we bring her down, you won’t have to face any more threats. The temple will take responsibility to protect you. Or, if you show them this right now…”

Maximum seemed to misunderstand that I would go to the temple. From his perspective, it was a natural assumption, but I shook my head.

“Maximum.”

“Yes.”

“I’m not going to the temple.”

“…What?”

As if struck by lightning, Maximum’s eyes lost focus, looking foolish. He seemed unable to comprehend.

The position of Great Saintess is the highest in the empire.

It’s a position where, after the emperor, empress, and crown prince, you can do almost anything you desire.

Though it holds no direct power, it’s a position where you can have everything if you wish. It’s a seat envied by nobles, offering wealth and honor.

As long as you heal the gifted ones, that is.

“B-But… why? Isn’t Lady Latieana the real one? I’m certain. That woman is not a saintess. I admit I had some doubts about you, but I just confirmed it. This radiant light can only belong to the healing power of the Great Saintess.”

“I know. Me too.”

“Then…”

I know better than anyone that my healing power is real.

I turned my head to look at Edan.

Edan was quietly gazing at me.

As if waiting to see what I would say, how I would act.

“Maximum, I can’t heal others the way I did for Ivy.”

Maximum’s pupils trembled rapidly.

Like someone hearing an unexpected answer.

“Making potions is fine, but direct healing makes me feel so sick I could vomit just thinking about it.”

Maximum furrowed his brow, deep in thought. He seemed to still not understand, despite his efforts. That was understandable, as past Great Saintesses had done such things as a matter of course.

“B-But we can’t keep letting that woman hold the position of Great Saintess. If this continues, she might turn all the saintess candidates into mummies…”

“I know.”

“I understand that healing is difficult and you don’t want to go. But once it’s revealed that woman is a fake and the temple learns your true identity, they won’t leave you alone. One way or another, you’ll end up at the temple.”

Maximum was genuinely worried about me. His expression showed a mix of two emotions.

The hope that I would fulfill my duty as the Great Saintess and the wish that I could avoid going to the temple if that’s what I wanted.

That complex sentiment was clearly visible on his face.

“Thank you for worrying about me, Maximum. That’s why I’ll find a way.”

“A way?”

“A way to avoid going to the temple.”

“There’s no such way.”

“No, there will be.”

Ivy used the Spell of Eternity to steal my power. She used it in a different way.

So, there must be a solution for me too.

I carefully observed every detail of the Archmage’s secret chamber.

The empire’s greatest Archmage. His secretly hidden spellbooks.

With so many spells, there’s no way there isn’t a solution.

I’ll find it.

A way to heal the gifted ones without going to the temple.

Because…

If I stay by his side, Edan won’t go mad.

So both of us can survive.

We grabbed a few books that seemed immediately useful and left the secret chamber.

On the way out, Ruben fiddled with the bookshelf and found another entrance.

It was an entrance you had to crouch to pass through, connected to an unused fireplace in the reception room.

“Huh?”

It seemed there wasn’t just one entrance.

When we approached the exit again, it led directly back to the secret chamber.

“This must be the real entrance.”

It appeared the Archmage used this one, but I had opened the most difficult route.

In any case, we survived and found the books we wanted, so it was a success for now.

After Maximum and Ruben left, only Edan and I remained in the old castle.

While I was organizing the books, Edan stood by the window, bathed in moonlight.

He held a glass bottle in his hand.

Inside was a single round blue pill.

Did he take it from the Archmage’s secret chamber?

Edan stood still for a long time, his face serious.

I couldn’t take my eyes off him as he stared intently at the bottle, so I quietly watched him.

Then, suddenly, Edan tore off the note with the contents’ name. He shredded it into pieces, making it impossible for anyone to read.

What could it be?

The corners of his lips, closed under his sharp nose, slowly curved upward. Edan opened the bottle and popped the pill into his mouth.

Good heavens! Is it okay to recklessly swallow something unknown like that?

Everything in that place was strange. There couldn’t be anything normal.

“Edan!”

Edan, swallowing the pill deeply, turned to look at me.

“Lati.”

A radiant smile was directed at me.

“Come here.”

Without hesitation, I approached Edan.

Our gazes locked, deeply entwined with each other.

“What did you swallow?”

“A pill to make me smarter.”

“Was there such a thing?”

“There was.”

I stared intently at Edan as he gently stroked my hair.

Again, it felt fine. Even though he touched me so casually, I felt no discomfort—only warmth in my heart.

The dazzling moonlight softly settled along Edan’s golden hair, cheeks, and neckline.

“Aren’t you sleepy?”

A gentle, languid voice.

“Shall we sleep together?”

Edan playfully squinted his eyes and smiled softly.

Slower than usual—Edan, who had never hesitated before, seemed a bit off. Today, he hesitated, lingering with his fingertips on mine.

His thumb, index finger, and nails slowly traced my hand. When I didn’t pull away, he gradually entwined his fingers with mine.

The natural touch of his fingers felt pleasant. The warmth was just right.

I wished this moment could last a little longer.

The moment that thought crossed my mind, my chest burned with a fiery sensation.

Ah…

I like Edan. I must like him. I do.

The moment I acknowledged my undeniable feelings, my heart raced. It felt like the world echoed with the sound of my heartbeat.

I like this man. I like everything about him. Even every single strand of hair before my eyes—I love it all.

I know that what Edan likes and needs isn’t me, but my healing power.

I know that this gentle gaze and touch are only to gain my healing power.

It’s disappointing, a bit scary, and my heart stings, but that’s just how it is.

I met Edan, and Edan protected me.

And I like Edan.

“Lati?”

When I didn’t respond, Edan tilted his head and brought his face closer.

A faint scent of soap brushed my nose.

Without thinking, I reached to touch his cheek but gripped my skirt tightly instead.

No matter what, I can’t let Edan die.

So if Edan wants my healing power and is obsessed with me for it, I’m okay with that. I’ll stay by Edan’s side.

“Hey, Edan.”

“Yeah.”

“Shall we hold hands and sleep?”

Edan’s eyes widened slightly before softening.

“Do I seem like a gentleman who’d allow that?”

“You did before.”

“You don’t think I let it slide because I was in pain that day?”

“If you don’t want to, I’ll sleep alone.”

I turned away sharply, and Edan grabbed my arm.

“Lati.”

“Yeah.”

I spoke a bit sulkily, and Edan let out a wry laugh, as if he were truly going crazy.

“Don’t do something you’ll regret later.”

“I won’t.”

“Even if you end up crying beneath me, I won’t let it slide.”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Cheeky.”

Even so, Edan held my hand tightly.

He indulged my childish sulking.

His kindness and the scent of soap filled the air around me.

‘I’m glad I met Edan.’

If possible, I hope one day Edan will love me for who I am, not just my healing power.

That thought crossed my mind.

—

The garden of the Ribeden Temple.

Wearing a white dress adorned with rare, multicolored gemstones, Ivy was strolling when a maid approached her.

“Lady Ivy, Duke Dante Ian has arrived.”

“Oh, please bring him here quickly.”

Ivy smiled brightly and stood at the garden pergola, waiting for Dante.

Soon, Dante appeared, a white cloth draped diagonally across his body.

With his tall frame and long legs, Dante strode forward and stopped a few steps away from Ivy.

“I greet the Great Saintess.”

A gentle, soft tone came from his strong body. It felt as though the warmth of the sun radiated more strongly around Dante.

Ivy’s lips curved into a soft smile as she observed Dante’s tanned skin, bowing his head.

Even his scars seemed charming, and every time she saw his sturdy body, she couldn’t help but feel drawn to it.

As always, Ivy stepped closer to place her hand on Dante’s arm.

But unlike usual, Dante subtly stepped back.

“I’m sorry. I’m not feeling well.”

Ivy, looking at Dante curiously, smiled prettily.

“Then you need my touch even more. Let me bless you.”

But Dante stepped back again, answering by changing the subject quickly.

“By the way, I’d like to retract the proposal I mentioned last time.”