Engaged in busier schedules than ever due to her engagement preparations, Viare finally found some time to step outside.

This was possible because her engagement to the crown prince had not yet become public knowledge.

Should this fact become known, it was certain that her freedom would be limited.

As the engagement preparations were kept highly confidential, both the royal palace and the duke’s retainers maintained absolute secrecy, discreetly carrying out their duties.

Leaving the duke’s residence and arriving at the cathedral, Viare confidently descended to the underground chapel.

There, she exchanged greetings with the members of Elmadar, and soon, Rosalyn approached her.

“Lady, how have you been lately?”

Despite their recent visit to the literary meeting, Rosalyn greeted her as if it had been a long time, bringing a smile to Viare’s face.

“Thanks to you, my lady. It’s been a while, Giuseppe.”

Viare greeted him with a soft smile, sitting next to Rosalyn.

“Yes, sister. It’s been a long time since we last met.”

Giuseppe, always gentle, greeted her with a bright expression.

Perhaps because they arrived at the same time, the two seemed to get along quite well.

“I wish my fiancé were even half as good as Lord Lysandro.”

Viare somewhat agreed with Rosalyn’s cute complaint.

Gaizen, her fiancé, lacked attentiveness, and despite Viare’s reminders, he scarcely improved, which worried her.

While they were still chatting, a familiar man signaled the start of the meeting.

As usual, Mateo initiated the conversation.

“I attended the recent centralization conference, and His Highness the Crown Prince seemed unusually cheerful.”

“Maybe it’s because he’s renowned in other empires these days. Could that be why?”

Viare’s expression hardened immediately at this, and she swallowed hard.

She anxiously wondered if they would notice, focusing on the subsequent conversation.

“But it’s unlike him to show emotions in the council hall.”

“Maybe he’s found love lately?”

One lady asked, her eyes sparkling, and the basement filled with murmurs.

‘Nonsense,’ thought Viare, astounded by their absurd conversation.

“Well, that would explain why he’s dismissed so many ladies from his chamber.”

“That seems likely. The rampant rumors have suddenly died down.”

Their conjectures suggested that soon enough, the gossip columns would be abuzz with articles titled ‘The Crown Prince in Love.’

Realizing her fears coming true, Viare sighed softly, and Rosalyn cautiously observed her.

Rosalyn didn’t know about Viare’s arranged engagement with Ivan, but seemed to vaguely sense her disinterest in him.

Given that Viare and he had been the talk of newspapers and gossip columns a few years ago, her reaction was not surprising.

Noticing others belatedly observing her, Viare responded indifferently and calmly.

“If His Highness has found someone special, we should congratulate him.”

Nodding in agreement, they quickly switched topics, with Rosalyn sharing new information to divert the conversation from the Crown Prince.

The information from the Elmadar social club was quite refreshing, and Viare, losing track of time, immersed herself in the conversation.

The meeting concluded in the late afternoon, and after exchanging farewells, she remained alone in the chapel.

She had stayed behind under the pretense of seeking solace, desiring to rest alone in the quiet place.

If anyone were to see her there, they might think of her as a devout believer.

With her hands clasped, Viare closed her eyes and was lost in thought.
Viare recalled the days when she had fervently prayed to the god Ekartho.

Now, she no longer prayed for wishes to the gods, intending to protect Dension with her own strength.

‘Please hold on until then, Zion.’

She was about to rise from her seat after spending the day as a devout believer.

The door to the chapel opened, and footsteps approached.

Initially, she thought they were believers come to worship Ekartho, but as the steps neared her, it seemed they were directed towards her.

‘Are they asking me to vacate the seat?’

Since believers had their own time for evening prayers, she was willing to give up her seat for them.

As Viare was about to rise, she glanced indifferently at the approaching believer, only to let out a short sigh.

“Zion…….”

“…….”

Raising an eyebrow quizzically, he looked at Viare silently.

Surprised to see him, she hesitated but then casually greeted him.

“It’s a pleasure to see you, Lord Verdium.”

Nodding in lieu of a greeting, Dension sat next to her, and Viare glanced at him curiously.

To her knowledge, Dension had been an atheist in the past, and she couldn’t understand why he was here.

Feeling her gaze, his clear eyes turned back to her, causing Viare to look away in embarrassment.

“I’m just here seeking advice from the archbishop.”

He informed her of his reasons for visiting the cathedral, even before she could ask.

Viare began to worry whether his visit to Ekartho’s prophet meant he was going through a difficult time.

Then, his emotionless voice came again.

“Who is Zion?”