~Chapter 90~
Ricardo finally managed to stop laughing and wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes.
“The wind is strong today, isn’t it?”
“Right? I think a storm might be coming later.”
I quickly agreed with his clumsy excuse, and he stared straight at me.
“W-Why are you looking at me like that…?”
I thought he would ask me why I had kicked the tree so suddenly, but surprisingly, he didn’t ask anything.
“I just felt like all the worrying I did was a waste of time.”
That’s all he said.
…Worry?
I didn’t really understand what he meant, but I just smiled awkwardly.
It was true that we were slowly getting to know each other better.
But there was also a clear line between us—one we would never cross.
Ricardo would never speak of his past—because I once told him I didn’t want to hear it.
And I…
I would never be able to tell him that I had a place to go back to.
***
A few days later.
Today was the day of the Cardiff social gathering.
And I would be attending with Cedric.
I was walking slowly, but the moment I saw Cedric already waiting outside the carriage, I ran to the front gate.
“…!”
He looked at me, panting from running, with a disapproving glare.
“You’re late.”
“You’re just too early!”
Today, I really felt wronged.
So I ended up complaining without thinking.
“Even if the roads are blocked, we’ll still get there thirty minutes early!”
“I like to be prepared for unexpected delays.”
“Even with that, we’re still too early.”
He completely ignored my point.
I quietly climbed into the carriage, muttering in my head all the things I couldn’t say to his face.
Then Cedric suddenly spoke up.
“Since we’re going to the temple today…”
“You mean, I should watch my behavior?”
“Exactly.”
I had finally figured out the perfect way to shut down his nagging—say it before he does!
I should’ve known this sooner!
“By the way, are Cardiff meetings usually held at temples?”
I didn’t know much about them, so everything felt unfamiliar.
“It’s common for people to have some kind of connection to the temple.”
“Oh, I see.”
“…You really don’t know even basic things.”
“Should I just get off here then?”
I smiled sweetly as I said it, and Cedric immediately fell silent.
But the look in his eyes became sharply annoyed.
“Oh? Does that mean I should get off—”
“It would be better if we traveled in silence.”
He shut his eyes and avoided further conversation.
Should’ve done that earlier.
After a long, quiet ride, the carriage stopped in front of the temple.
Stretching my stiff body, I got off the carriage.
A man was already waiting at the entrance and greeted us cheerfully.
“Thank you for coming such a long way!”
He had neatly styled hair and a kind-looking face. He seemed friendly at first glance.
But while I had a good first impression, Cedric didn’t seem to feel the same.
He frowned and rubbed his forehead like he was already getting a headache.
“…Sir Glaster, are you a Cardiff member?”
“I’m a temporary member! Lord Onyx granted me permission to stay, so I’ll be staying at the temple for a while.
He answered Cedric’s sharp words cheerfully and then turned to me, clearly expecting an introduction.
“I’m Bianca Roygin. Nice to meet you.”
“I’ve wanted to meet you properly for a while, but the Marquess hid you away so well! I’m Elai Glaster.”
I glanced at Cedric, but he didn’t even try to hide his sour expression.
…Is it really that bad?
He was usually great at keeping a straight face, so seeing this reaction was a surprise.
Whatever the reason, Elai Glaster was now at the top of my “Be Careful” list.
***
The Glaster family.
They were the ones who helped write the first sacred book alongside the first Holy King.
When the imperial power began to decline, Glaster proposed creating a new religion.
They dismissed the old gods as heresy and established a new faith that supported the empire.
A member of such a family being only a temporary member? That’s unusual.
I was lost in thought when a loud voice snapped me out of it.
“Oh, have you heard? They say the World Tree in the dead forest started growing again!”
“Yurian, maybe save that for later…”
I thought the meeting would be serious since it was temple-related, but Cardiff’s atmosphere was surprisingly relaxed.
The woman called Yurian looked embarrassed and glanced over at Cedric and me.
The man who stopped her, Onyx, smiled briefly and put a finger to his lips.
The leader of the Cardiff group: Onyx Finon.
He was born a commoner but was granted a baron title by the Emperor himself.
I heard even the Holy Pope likes him.
“Seeking knowledge beyond human understanding is truly a joy. I’m thrilled to be joined by new faces today.”
Without giving us a chance to reply, Onyx continued.
“Even the flowers blooming inside the temple are safely in full bloom thanks to divine grace. Please, take a look.”
…They’re just wildflowers.
That phrase almost slipped out, but I held back when I saw the strange gleam in his eyes.
“Y-Yeah! They do look a bit different somehow!”
Maybe my forced reaction pleased him, because Onyx’s eyes sparkled as he moved closer to me.
I stepped back instinctively, but he didn’t care and began explaining passionately.
“Everything that exists is born from the kindness of the gods. Even the most common wildflower! Though ignored in high society, its growth in the temple means—”
I see those on the roadside all the time…
He was giving extreme meaning to something very ordinary.
Cedric, who had somehow ended up beside me, stepped far away.
I looked at him with a desperate expression, but he completely avoided my eyes.
“Lady Roygin, would you allow me to give you a tour of the temple?”
Since I came at Cedric’s request, I looked to him for permission.
But before I could ask, Elai suddenly stepped beside me.
“Then I’d like to join you too!”
His sunny smile looked so pure, like a sunflower that had never seen a storm—just warm sunshine all the time.
His bright appearance was enough to make me lower my guard a little.
“Before that.”
Cedric’s firm voice cut through.
“Let’s get to the point first.”
“Ahem, my apologies.”
Onyx awkwardly cleared his throat.
“I let the conversation drift too far. Please, this way.”
Cedric sighed in relief and gestured for me to come over to him.
Sensing his intention, I quickly stepped away from Elai and moved to Cedric’s side.
“That was my mistake.”
“What was?”
I was pretty sure it had to do with Elai.
“I think it’s better if you leave—”
But he didn’t finish the sentence.
“Oh dear, it’s so hard to have a conversation with the Lady.”
Elai smoothly interrupted and came closer to me again.
Then he gave Cedric, standing firmly by my side, a sly smile.
“No wonder you’re so protective, Marquis. You even took Miss Bianca home early from the masquerade ball.”
“That was a minor thing. You still remember it?”
“Well, I remember you were quite firm with Viscount Owen at the time too. Or is my memory wrong?”
Ah—
That’s right. Leon had said he would leave with me that night, but Cedric sent me home alone.
I thought it was because he didn’t want to bother Leon…
Cedric’s eyebrow twitched.
“Oh dear, I didn’t mean to upset the Marquis. If I had such a lovely younger sister, I’d act the same.”
The atmosphere was getting strange.
It wasn’t just that Elai was annoying—Cedric’s expression wouldn’t have twisted this much over something small.
Was it something political…?
What I did know for sure was that Cedric didn’t like me being around Elai at all.
If you looked closely, you’d see that Cedric had positioned himself between us to stop us from getting closer.
“I didn’t think I ever did anything to offend you, Marquis.”
“That’s just your misunderstanding. Why would I be offended by you, Sir Glaster?”
“Aha, I see. So you have disliked me all this time.”
…I think I’m starting to see why Cedric doesn’t like Elai.
“But still—was it really okay to hide the fact that I sent a marriage proposal to Miss Bianca?”
Elai smiled lightly and waved at me.
“I’m starting to feel a little upset with you, Marquis.”
