ICTV - Chapter 17

ICTV - Chapter 17

I Changed The Villain

“I want to go to that temple.”

Belial's hand that was cutting the steak stopped. Belial raised his head. I sat across from him and continued cutting steak.

“A temple?”

“Can’t I go to the temple?”

The meat is not cutting well today. I thought calmly and added more strength to the knife.

"No. I was just a little surprised. Because you’ve never suggested anything like that before.”

“That’s true too.”

I shoved a piece of meat with a tattered cross-section into my mouth.

“This restaurant makes really good steaks. I almost want to ask the chef to learn to cook it.”

“I'm glad you like it. So why do you suddenly want to go to the temple?”

“I have something to pray for.”

I wiped my lips with a napkin.

“I’d like to go there after dinner if I don’t have any other plans. Is that okay?”

"Sure. I’m happy to be anywhere with you.”

“Thank you, my baby wolf.”

The two, who were satisfied with their stomachs, put down their dishes. The waiter cleared away the empty plates and brought out a small cake topped with fruit syrup. I cut the cake with a fork and put it in my mouth.

“It’s moderately sweet and soft.”

This restaurant’s cakes are also delicious. As my expression softened, Belial smiled slightly.

“I envy the cake in your mouth.."

"Why?"

“I can make you laugh like that, right?”

I ate the cake in an instant and took a sip of tea.

“Belial you can make me laugh too."

Belial was genuinely curious.

“How?”

“Please call the waiter and order another cake.”

“You don’t have to do that. Now, girl..."

“There is a spirit.”

Belial put the plate in front of him down in front of me.

“I don’t want to eat anyway.”

“Still, try one bite.”

“You don’t need a single bite of that.”

Belial rested his chin and gently rolled the corners of his eyes.

“Why would I need dessert when my time with you is so happy and sweet?”

"..."

I felt sick. That doesn't mean I'll give up cake, though. I also ate the cake that Belial gave me. 

The two got up from their seats. Belial wrapped his arm around my shoulders.

“I want to walk like this.”

“You can just walk.”

The temple isn't far from here anyway. Belial winked at the guard knights following behind him. The escort knights retreated without a sound. We know how strong Belial is as we train at the same training ground. And Belial hated having his time with me interrupted more than anything else. I also ordered the maids.

“Stay with the knights.”

“Yes, Miss.”

“Have a good time.”

The maids also disappeared along with the knights. Belial walked leisurely with me.

“I think the Pale family also believed in Harmonia, the God of Harmony, is that correct?”

"Yes, that's right. My parents still go to the temple dedicated to Harmonia every weekend to pray.”

Primrose and Charles tried to take their two children to the temple, but they quickly gave up. Beryl ran away, saying he would pray in the forest, and I became completely one with the bed, making it difficult to separate me.

“You have great faith.”

“But it’s not as bad as it used to be. When they had us, they came and went until the temple threshold was worn out.”

“My parent's prayer is to let the child be born safely."

“There are things like that, too.”

I shrugged.

"When mother had Beryl, she asked for a trustworthy child who could lead the family, and when she had me, she asked for a wise child who could help her brother overcome the crisis."

“He prayed for a good child.”

However, I, who was thinking about the terrible outcome, realized.

“It’s no wonder my parents’ faith has diminished.”

“Your brother is fully capable of leading the family. And you too."

Belial smoothed my hair.

“Smart enough...”

I lowered my gaze to the floor.

"And suitable for the Serenity Dukedom?"

“You are so wise. Even now, you and your mother are in charge of the Pale family’s housekeeping, right?”

“It’s so small that it can’t even be compared to the Serenity duchy. Above all…”

I just do it because I'm bored. If I don't do that, all I have to do is go shopping and buy books. Belial whispered into my ear.

“You will do well in our family.”

Belial loves me, but because of that, he is not a stupid man who can't even distinguish between construction. When I say that Belial can do well, I mean that I can do really well. 

“You don’t know me either,” 

I said, patting my chest. My heart became frustrated again.

"..."

I'm always the problem. Why can't I live like others? A shadow fell over my face.

The reason I came to the temple today in the first place was to pray for death. People say that when you are cornered, you find God. That was true. For reference, I was still looking for God.

“There are too many stairs.”

“Can I help you, Rose?”

“No, it’s not enough to support me."

I don't know why all temples have so many stairs. To meet God, you must have this level of stamina and patience. Was it made with that intention? If it was made with that intention, it is a great choice. Because nothing tests a person more than stairs.

“Hold on a little longer, Rose.”

“Don’t worry, baby wolf. I will definitely go up.”

I resolutely looked up at the temple located very high up. The golden temple supported by four pillars was shining in a unique rainbow color. It was natural since it was made of Regenbogen, a gemstone symbolizing Harmonia.

“It is said that even small temples located in the countryside are raising donations to make the roof at least a regenbogen.”

“I heard it too.”

“They say that because of that, they sometimes lose believers.”

Belial pointed to the roof.

“When I see I shining like that, I understand. There is nothing that can symbolize Harmonia as much as that gemstone.'

It is said that Harmonia was the first to spread her wings when she descended to earth. So dazzling, rainbow-colored wings. When people see those wings, they realize that Harmonia is not a human but a god.

It is said that he realized.

“The God of Harmony led the two here.”

Thanks to this, rainbow colors could be seen in the temple of Harmonia. The same was true of the clothes worn by the priest who immediately greeted the two. The priest was wearing an ivory-colored robe with separate tops and bottoms, and it was designed with rainbow-colored fabric added to the ends of the sleeves.

“May the wings of Harmonia surround you. Thank you for visiting our temple.”

The priest put his hands together.

“Duke Serenity and Lady Pale, what brought you here?”

I stood in front of the priest.

“I want to pray.”

“Oh, would you like to use the common prayer room? Or would you like to rent a private prayer room?"

“Is there an empty private prayer room?"

Harmonia was the God with the largest number of followers in the Avalon Empire. It's hard to get a prayer room unless you make a reservation a day in advance.

“Two people who made reservations passed away during prayer due to personal reasons.”

We're lucky. Because a private prayer room would be more comfortable than a communal prayer room. It was the moment when I was about to reserve a prayer room.

“Then let’s rent both places.”

“Yes, then I will rent it to you right away.”

I looked up at Belial.

“Now that I’m here, I want to pray.”

“What prayer?”

“Don’t you know that I only have one wish?”

“Is that your wish for me to be happy?”

Belial nodded. A happy smile appeared on the priest's lips as he looked at the two.

“The rumor that the Duke cares very much for Lady Rose Pale is true. They say you are planning to get engaged soon. How about holding an engagement ceremony at the Harmonia Temple?”

"..."

“Oh, of course, I recommend it as a wedding venue as well. If it were the two of you, would the High Priest be willing to bless you?"

In the past, this would have been unimaginable. The priest must have stiffened as soon as Belial arrived and was unable to speak to him.

“Then I will guide you to the prayer room.”

Belial held out his arms. I placed my hand on it.

 The private prayer room was located in the ‘Hall of Silence’, which is said to be the most soundproof in the temple. This hall was a place where priests were restricted from entering as much as possible. If possible, I would tell them at the front of the hall how many times we would go to the prayer room and then we would leave. Considering that most people who rented prayer rooms were nobles, it was natural. 

Aristocrats make fun of even the smallest things.

“Mouchet.”

The child who was checking the list in front of the hall was startled.

“Yes, Priest Dedemian.”

Mouchet's eyes moved from Damien's temple to the two. Mouchet hastily put his hands together.

“Go, the God of Ha Ha Harmony guided you two to this place.”

The two looked at Mouchet blankly. Mouchet's face turned pale even though he hadn't looked at him for that long. Damian asked as if to comfort him.

“Did you organize the list well?”

Mouchet hastily presented the list. 

“I reviewed it three times just in case, but I’m not sure.”

Damian shook his head and looked down the list. He pushed it away.

“I wish I had reviewed it three times. It’s time for you to be confident too.”

"Nut..."

“Shh, it’s okay. Mouchet.”

Damien comforted Mouchet and asked for their understanding.

"Sorry. This kid is very shy  He was the most brilliant among the trainee priests and was the first to enter the temple. I wore it, but..."

Damian trailed off. Mouchet secretly hid behind Damian.

“I couldn’t get used to young people, so I gave them the job of organizing the list. I don’t know if things will be okay in the future.”

“It’ll be okay.”

Damian's eyes widened. I continued.

“If there are people in the world who are not shy, then of course there are also people who are shy.”

Mouchet was sticking his nose into the hem of Damian's clothes.

Damian, who was watching, burst into laughter.

“Haha, the Lady is right. How about being a little more shy? It’s innate.”

Damian stroked Mouchet's head warmly.

“Since he has a good memory, I will write a list of reservations like I am doing now. So, Mouchet, how many times has the prayer room been empty because the person who made the reservation left midway?”

You can work in the field of mountain management. Mouchet spoke in a very quiet voice.

“If I wrote it down correctly, it would be numbers 3 and 5.”

“You must have recorded it correctly. You have never been wrong before.”

“Okay, thank you.”

“Relax, Mouchet. If you’re that nervous, you’ll end up making mistakes you shouldn’t have made.”

After giving this instruction to Mouchet, the priest handed over the key to the prayer room that was hanging on the wall.

“I would like you two to go to prayer room number 3 and prayer room number 5.

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