DSFL | Chapter 91

~Chapter 91~

…What did he just say?

Startled by Elai’s shocking comment, I looked at Cedric—but his expression didn’t change at all.

“I can’t seriously respond to a silly letter,” he said calmly.

“That’s kind of sad,” Elai replied, placing a hand over his heart as if he were truly heartbroken.
But he kept looking at me, and with all his dramatic behavior, it didn’t seem sincere.

Now that I think about it, Cedric had mentioned before—when we were with Ricardo—that someone had sent me a marriage proposal.

I didn’t hear anything after that, so I just ignored it!

If I’d known it was Elai, I would’ve asked more about it!

Even though I wasn’t sitting on thorns, I still felt extremely uncomfortable.

“Lord Glaster, is something wrong?”

Onyx, sensing the strange mood, asked Elai.

Elai smiled like nothing was wrong.

“Of course not. Let’s go.”

Only then did Cedric start walking again.

“Brother, I’ll be heading out for a bit…”

He nodded as if telling me to go ahead.

It was something I had planned even before coming to the temple—

Finding out about Brandon’s whereabouts through someone connected to him.

“I’ll be back before Leon arrives.”

“You can go home first if you want,” Cedric said firmly.

“And don’t get involved with Lord Glaster.”

“Of course. When have I ever gone against your words?”

I answered confidently, but Cedric still looked worried.

“He’s just a pretty face who knows how to sweet-talk. Sigh…”

“Why are you sighing all of a sudden…?”

Was he really worried that I’d fall for Elai?

It must be true—Cedric’s face looked visibly troubled.

“You have terrible taste in men.”

Seriously… what does Cedric think of me?

This conversation was going to drag on.

“Well, I’ll see you later—whether at home or back here!”

I quickly said goodbye and left in a hurry.

***

I headed straight to the prayer room.

Just as I was waiting for someone, a priestess who had just finished her prayer opened the door.

“Miss Bianca.”

“Hello. You must be Cassandra, right?”

She smiled and answered kindly.

“The guest before you took longer to pray than expected. I hope you’ll understand the delay.”

“That’s totally fine.”

“Thank you. Then shall we go in?”

With a gentle smile, she led me into the prayer room.

It was a small room. There was a glass window that let you see outside, and in front of it was the symbol of the temple. A bench sat in front of it—just enough for four people to sit tightly.

Cassandra sat comfortably and gestured for me to sit.

I swallowed nervously and sat beside her.

She gently took my hand.

“I’m here to help ease your worries.”

“…”

“Do you have something to confess? Or maybe a wish? Anything is fine.”

Then she closed her eyes. I followed and tried hard to calm my swirling thoughts.

But just as her prayer reached my ears, a single thought popped into my head:

‘Please let me go to my home!’

And please help my grandfather recover, too…

I was technically talking to the air, but I truly believed that someone would be listening.

“May your path be bright,” Cassandra whispered as she gently patted my hand.

“I hope your heart feels lighter now.”

“Thank you…”

She smiled and released my hand, then lit some incense on the table.

The prayer room was soon filled with the scent of herbs.

“I should thank you. You seemed to have someone specific in mind, but you weren’t upset at all.”

Even though I hadn’t mentioned Brandon, it felt like Cassandra could see right through me.

“You’re like a mind reader, Priestess.”

“Spending years at the temple, you meet many kinds of people. You get better at noticing things.”

“Hmm… Actually, I used to know someone. He said I could come anytime if I had questions…”

“What’s his name?”

“Brandon.”

She nodded right away.

“He’s well-known in the temple.”

And it didn’t seem like she meant it in a bad way.

“Though he still suffers from the aftereffects of an unfortunate accident, he still brings hope to those who visit the temple.”

“I think he’s amazing too.”

I touched the corner of my lips as I replied.

“After the accident, he started working at an orphanage connected to the temple. He often visited with children, and eventually, he was officially hired.”

When did he come to the Empire, hiding the fact that he’s a siren?

(Sorry for the mistake, readers, Siren was a man.)

And where did the rumor about the siren being alive come from?

I first heard the rumor when I visited the night market.

Even if the necklace had something to do with it, I doubted Brandon would reveal his identity himself.

Bang!

While I was lost in thought, the door suddenly opened.

“I-I’m sorry. I thought the room was empty…”

A flustered voice stammered out.

I gasped and turned to see Brandon standing near the door.

…So he was still here at the temple?

I had suspected it from Cassandra’s reaction, but I didn’t expect to see him so suddenly.

Cassandra noticed Brandon holding a broom and quickly tried to stop him.

“Oh my, Priest Brandon! You should leave cleaning to the junior priests.”

“No, I… I feel more comfortable doing it myself.”

He let out a soft chuckle and limped toward the doorknob.

“It’s been a long time.”

He greeted me casually, almost making me think the past events hadn’t really happened.

But I smiled without backing down.

“Right? If I’d known you were still here, I would’ve written you a letter.”

“A-Anytime. It’s been a while, so I’m sure we have a lot to catch up on.”

We definitely do.

But no matter what, I’m not meeting you alone.

Maybe he sensed my thoughts, because he calmly continued speaking.

“So… did you find your answer?”

He seemed to be talking about the path that Arkan had mentioned.

But I didn’t reply. I just stared at him quietly.

Then Brandon gave me a sarcastic smile and said again,

“Even if nothing’s changed, don’t let it trouble you too much.”

“Of course. One of a lady’s virtues is not being impatient.”

I stood up and gave Cassandra a polite nod.

“I’ll be heading back. I feel much better now, thanks to you.”

“Since Priest Brandon is here, you’re welcome to stay longer.”

“No, my brother is waiting for me.”

I quickly stopped her from following me out.

With a helpless look, she began picking up the incense on the table.

“…”

I looked up at Brandon, who was standing in front of the door.

“I-I didn’t mean to block the way,” he said.

He stepped aside and placed one hand over his chest as he gave a small bow.

It was the kind of polite gesture knights used when seeing off a lady.

But unlike a knight, his eyes stayed fixed on me the whole time—it didn’t feel respectful at all.

Still, I was about to give him a farewell greeting when—

“I won’t treat you like a lady again. This will be the last time I show you that kind of courtesy.”

His voice turned cold and threatening.

“Your luck ends here.”

So he thinks I’ve only survived this far thanks to luck?

Well, thanks for that.

Then maybe I’ll test just how far my luck can really go.

“The world doesn’t change, and everything follows its flow… Yet you threaten someone as weak as me. You must be very nervous.”

“…Me?”

“Or maybe something has already changed.”

At my words, Brandon pressed his tongue against the inside of his cheek.

 Then he muttered with irritation in his voice:

“Ugh, you really are an annoying woman.”