Seemingly wanting to boast, Boswa straightened his shoulders. His expression was smug, as if he expected Hestia to shower him with grateful tears.

However, Hestia was busy suppressing the urge to press her hand to her forehead in frustration.

‘Why is Annetta so insistent on marrying me off?’ she wondered. I know she wants me dead, but… what’s the connection between my death and marriage? Why is she so intent on killing me?

It was utterly incomprehensible.

No matter how much she racked her brain, she couldn’t recall ever personally offending Annetta.

‘I met Annetta for the first time when she came to the temple.’

There had been no interaction before that. So why was she so bent on pushing Hestia towards death?

Deepening doubts creased Hestia’s forehead.

“Hestia, are you unwell?” Boswa’s voice snapped her back to reality.

“I’m fine. Just organizing my thoughts.”

Boswa nodded as if he understood everything and resumed his previously paused speech.

“Isn’t it fortunate?”

Hestia responded with a voice colder than she expected, even surprising herself.

“But no matter what method is used, my divine power cannot be saved. Merely preserving my life will be of no use to the temple.”

“How can you say that! Your mere existence is a great help to us.”

Unexpectedly, Boswa seemed unbothered, responding heartily.

“Hestia is a symbolic figure connecting the royal family and the temple.”

At Boswa’s description of her as a ‘symbol,’ Hestia swallowed a bitter smile. It was a word that accurately reflected her situation.

While she remained silent with only a smile, Boswa gulped down half of his now-cold tea.

After clearing his throat, he looked at Hestia with a more subtle gaze, his voice soft.

“But Hestia, why aren’t you curious about the method to extend your life?”

“Ahh.”

Hestia’s eyes narrowed slightly before looking away.

She replied calmly, with a natural smile.

“Well, I also know what that method is.”

Boswa looked as if he had been struck, his lips moving wordlessly for a moment before he raised his voice in disbelief.

“Then why haven’t you mentioned it until now?”

Despite his raised voice, Hestia remained unflinched.

“I didn’t think it was the right way. Why should the life of some poor man be used as collateral to save me?”

It was a logical argument.

Unable to refute, Boswa tried to persuade her.

“But think about it.”

Yes, what should I think about?

Inviting Boswa to continue with a gentle expression, Hestia watched him. Her gaze was emotionlessly cold, but Boswa, unaware, began to speak.

“If we forcibly pair a man with you, it would be problematic. But there could be someone willing to volunteer, right?”

What about my wishes?

What if I don’t like the volunteer?

What if that man is bribed by you or Annetta?

Although numerous counterarguments rose to her throat, Hestia wisely remained silent. After all, Boswa would surely try to change her mind with any sophistry he could muster.

‘I’m tired.’
Hestia just wanted to end this meeting as soon as possible, so she simply smiled.

“Let’s conclude our conversation here for today. I understand the temple’s position well. However, I am also firm in my decision, so I ask you to reconsider.”

Boswa’s face showed disappointment, as there was no significant outcome.

“Hmm. Yes, I will take your words back to the temple. Please also seriously consider our stance.”

“I will,” Hestia replied nonchalantly with a nod.

“And… soon your tragic story will be made public. The faithful need to be aware. So, don’t be too surprised or upset.”

“Upset? It’s the will of the gods. If I didn’t want it known, I wouldn’t have hidden the oracle in the first place.”

With these words, Hestia stood up, signaling the end of the meeting. Boswa, realizing he was being dismissed, reluctantly stood up too.

“We’ll meet again soon.”

“Travel safely.”

They exchanged brief farewells.

A few days later, as Boswa had warned, rumors about Hestia began to circulate.

Hestia to Annetta.

As the figure representing the temple was changing, it seemed a natural progression.

“This is outrageous!”

Angela, the maid, who heard the news late, sat down in front of Hestia and burst into tears.

“Ah… you heard.”

Hestia smiled awkwardly, finding the situation awkward.

“Marriage?”

“…What?”

Hestia looked at her maid in surprise, filled with confusion.

“Is that the only rumor going around?”

Angela, sniffling, asked in return, “Is there supposed to be another rumor?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

Hestia ambiguously brushed off the question.

Fortunately, Angela didn’t probe further, continuing to express her frustration.

“They took you to the temple so young! And now they want to marry you off! What about Annetta! Is there another saintess?”

So, they framed it that way.

It seemed that either the royal family or the temple, or both, were desperately trying to suppress the news of her impending death.

‘Two saintesses.’

Even with the favor tilting towards Annetta, there were still many who supported Hestia. So, there was no need to cause premature chaos with the news of her death.

Hestia agreed with that decision.

‘No need to reveal all my cards.’

Even if it wasn’t Aslan, keeping the fact that she was terminally ill hidden was better.

The potential suitors might seize her remaining life like a leash, diminishing her value.

‘So, let’s keep the terminal illness a secret.’

As long as the temple remained silent.

It wasn’t a bad situation for her.

While Hestia was sorting out her thoughts, Angela was still seething with anger.

“I didn’t think they were such bad people!”

Angela, seeming more infuriated upon reflection, fumed and punched the floor.

“So I went and gave those guys a piece of my mind.”

If she had heard the disrespectful comments directly, it might have hurt a bit.

‘But since I didn’t hear them myself…’
The impact was not as severe as expected.

However, Angela, having just heard the news, seemed to be deeply affected.

“How dare those men take advantage of the situation!”

“Calm down. It’s just talk.”

“That’s what makes me angry! People who wouldn’t dare even look at you normally now have the audacity!”

Angela raged furiously, as if she herself had been insulted, and her anger only seemed to grow, leaving Hestia struggling to soothe her maid.

“But Angela, about that rumor. Is it widespread?”

Angela nodded.

“Since it’s about finding a marriage partner for you, Princess, it’s spreading fast, as if the rumor had wings.”

After taking a breath, Angela continued.

“But it seems King Yorgos is trying to suppress it. He’s issued a decree that anyone spreading the rumor will not be spared.”

“I see.”

Hestia replied, holding her breath.

It was a relief. At least she wouldn’t become more of a laughingstock.

〈Keep quiet for now. There’s no need to give power to the temple side at the moment.〉

〈Yes, Your Majesty. I will follow your instructions.〉

It seemed that Yorgos, considering the possibility of her losing her divine power, found it best to suppress the rumors.

‘Then Aslan won’t hear about my loss of divine power and my impending death next year.’

Even if he sent people to gather information on her, there was a limit to what could be known, especially for someone without a base in the capital.

Even using information brokers would be impossible.

Hestia, being a saintess and a princess, lived in the most inaccessible places, meeting only a very select few.

While it was possible to hear various conjectures surrounding her, the real secrets she hid would remain inaccessible.

‘As long as I keep quiet, he won’t know.’

So, it was time to act diligently. For him.