ICTV - Chapter 18

ICTV - Chapter 18

I Changed The Villain

Belial nodded and handed the key with '3' written on it to me.

“I will go to prayer room number 5, Rose."

"All right."

“See you later, Rose.”

Come to think of it, Belial doesn't wonder what my wish is. I look at Belial's back heading to prayer room number 5.

I looked at it.

“Well, I guess you’re curious.”

I passed it on without any hesitation and put the key in the keyhole. The door opened with a soft click. I was greeted by a statue of Harmonia, one placed in each private prayer room.

"..."

The statue of Harmonia was smiling benevolently with its arms outstretched. Like she already knows everything. I muttered as I walked in front of the statue.

“That’s right, everyone has an innate nature."

If there are active people, there are calm people, and if there are people who like to lead, there are also people who like to follow. If you are too biased to one side, it will be unbalanced. I lifted my skirt and approached the statue.

“I’m sure it’s the same thing that there are geniuses.”

My hand holding the hem of my skirt was shaking slightly.

"However…."

If we truly wanted harmony, shouldn't we have created a sense of deprivation among ordinary people? The moment that thought occurred to me, I could no longer walk and collapsed. I looked at my palms. The tremors were getting worse. It was obvious at what point it started to be like this.

It must have been from the time I heard from Damian that it was ‘innate nature.’ The word nature was not important. What was important was the word ‘innate’. The tremors became increasingly severe. 

I froze.

“I’ve been suppressing it well until now… Why?"

Why on earth? 

I no longer had control of my body. Starting with my hands and legs, my face was also becoming distorted. Uglier and clearer than ever. It was for nothing that my face was distorted in front of Taksha. I covered my face with both palms. I felt something wet on my fingers.

“It’s so boring.”

I couldn't control my mouth anymore.

“It’s so boring.”

My voice grew louder. 

“I’m so upset… !"

A comfortable life? Rich life? What is the use of all that? I can never get what I want...! 

I recalled that time in front of the statue. That time when I lost the will to live and lost my dreams.

'Do you think you're special?'

As the exercise book was torn up, disdainful gazes were directed at me.

‘Don’t be mistaken. On a topic that only ordinary writing can do.'

Why was I born as a criminal? Why am I not a genius? Why do I keep craving their territory when I can't reach it? Even though I wasn't born with any talent, I could not hold back any longer and shouted my wish out loud.

“Kill me. There is no point in living anymore...!"

I looked up at the statue. Harmonia, the God of Harmony, was still smiling benevolently. 

I continued to scream.

“If there is a God, please kill me…! What's the point of life if I can't get what I want...!"

Even though I screamed at the top of my lungs for over 20 minutes, there was no answer. It was natural. Because statues cannot speak. But that obvious fact brought tears to my eyes again. I couldn't let go of the thought that it was cruel. I muttered.

“After all, nothing will change even if I pray to God.”

I said, my fingers still shaking. It was when I wiped away my tears.

“Excuse me, Lady.”

Squeak. 

The door opened. I later remembered that I had forgotten to lock the door again. In the gap in the door, a man with black hair contrasted with Bel Real stood.

“This is prayer room number 3, which I reserved.”

The man, who trailed off as if he was troubled, tilted his head.

“Who are you, Lady?”

Red eyes are as vivid as rubies. It was shining warmly. The man tilted his head.

“That’s strange, I was sure I had reserved prayer room number 3.”

"..."

“Either I was mistaken, or the priest made a mistake.”

I immediately stood up as the man muttered to himself.

"I am sorry. I’ll leave right away.”

"No. Again, I may be mistaken. I will go to the priest.”

The man smiled kindly. 

“Lady, at least wiping away your tears. Here's my handkerchief... … .”

Have you already cleaned it? The man who put his hand into his chest was embarrassed. My face had suddenly cleared up.

“Well, then, at least fix your clothes…”

Even his clothes were already neat. Where on earth did you trim it? Whether the man was embarrassed or not, I walked quickly past him.

If the maids had seen what I was doing now, they would have begged me to act so quickly on a regular basis. But I couldn't help it. Because I only become agile in emergency situations.

"Lady? Lady??"

"Have a good time."

I politely closed the door gently. I guess I'll just have to wait until Belial comes out at the entrance to the hall. I looked around to see if there was anywhere to sit.

“Tomorrow, there will be one-morning reservation in prayer room 1, and there will be one reservation in the afternoon in prayer room 5."

I heard someone muttering non-stop. I took steps to find the source of the sound.

“And the next day, the next day…!”

Mouchet was sitting by the sunny window. There was a mountain of documents piled up next to Mouchet. Mouchet, who had been leafing through documents non-stop, mussed his hair.

“Ugh, I have no idea!!”

I looks at Mouchet in pain. I thought, I want that seat. Even before being possessed, I, who had always coveted any good position, looked at Mouchet with passionate eyes.

“I made it through today, but what about tomorrow?! I’m sorry to see Priest Damian!”

It's in front of the window, so it's perfect for photosynthesis, and it's in a corner so people won't notice it. Mouchet turned his head as my gaze became more and more passionate.

“Lady Papapapapale?”

Did you notice

Don't be overly greedy girl. I walked away from the pillar. Mouchet hugged the documents as fast as he could.

“Lady Pale, Why did you come out of the prayer room? Is there any problem?"

“Not the Pale Lady, but the Pale Young baby."

“I’m so sorry. My tongue has become hard…!”

Mouchet shouted, bending his back to 90 degrees.

I thought about correcting him one more time but stopped. It was clear that this was Mouchet's best.

“Was there dust on the floor? Or even a stain on the statue? Oh my, I had to do another review in the morning! Sorry! I'll clean it right away."

I placed my finger on Mouchet's mouth. Mouchet, who had been talking without taking a breath, reflexively closed his mouth. I counted to 3 in that position and then withdrew my fingers.

“Take a breath.”

"Yes?"

“Take a breath.”

Mouchet took a deep breath as the atmosphere seemed somehow irresistible. I counted to 3 again.

“Now exhale.”

Phew. Mouchet's stomach was so bloated when he exhaled.

“Repeat 3 times.”

"Yes."

Why is he doing what I'm told? 

Even though Mouchet thought so, he faithfully followed my orders. After finishing his breathing, Mouchet wiped his forehead. His heart, which had been pounding non-stop, became calm again. Mouchet looked up at me.

“You’ve calmed down now, right?”

It's a face that knows everything. Mouchet nodded his head weakly.

“… Yes. Thank you."

I bent my knees. Dropped by Mouchet when he was confused, rolled-up documents were rolling around on the floor.

"I will do it, Lady Pale."

"It's okay."

I picked up all the documents and handed them to Mouchet.

"Sorry. It looks ugly."

“It wasn’t that ugly, so what?”

"..."

“But can I sit over there?” 

At the tips of my fingers, to the place where Mouchet sits. I was pointing to the window where he was.

“Of course. Wait, I’ll clean up the space for you.”

Mouchet rushed over, but I shook my head.

“It doesn’t matter if you leave it alone.”

"Still… .”

Before Mouchet finished speaking, I sat down by the window. The warm sunlight made me feel drowsy.

“As expected, my insight is not wrong.”

This is truly the best place. My eyes closed of their own accord. Mouchet, who was standing in front of me, just crumpled the documents in his hands. I, who sitting by the window looked really relaxed. 

Why, even though he was sitting there, he couldn't relax. Mouchet hesitated and then asked.

“Can I sit next to you too?”

I responded with my eyes still closed.

“That’s where you were originally sitting. You don’t need permission.”

Mouchet sat down next to me. Mouchet instinctively tried to look at the documents first but ended up doing so. Mouchet sighed and opened the documents. He put it down.

“Lady Pale.”

"Huh."

“I hope you don’t tell Priest Damian about me just now.”

“Don’t say anything.”

Wow, without even thinking for a second, Mouchet's trust in me grew.

“Thank you, Young Lady.”

“What is this?”

“Oh, me and… .”

I opened one eye and looked at Mouchet. Mouchet gaped and just turned his head.

"It's nothing."

“If you have anything to say, you can say it.”

I opened my other eye and faced Mouchet. Mouchet was embarrassed and surprised.

“Huh, how did you know?”

“That’s right.”

Because I have experienced it. The moment I wanted to hold onto and tell someone. But I didn't want to be honest. 

I looked around roughly.

“It’s all on your face.”

"Really?!"

Mouchet groped his face and bowed.

“I can’t believe I can’t even manage my facial expressions properly at this age. I'm so pathetic."

“How old are you?”

“Twelve years old.”

I'm the same age as Taksha. By now, I thought of Taksha walking around collecting arrows. Just because I fell like yesterday, I shouldn't have to come back with Beryl on my back. 

I nodded.

“You're doing very well considering you're only been alive for 12 years."

"Still… Just now,  I am only showing a bad side to My Lady.”

I had no idea.

“The priests have asked me to do this several times. Be especially careful when dealing with people of high status like you."

I really didn't think anything of it.

“I’m so afraid that I’ll see you like this next time. I’m sure the Young Lady will be angry at that time.”

I, swear to Harmonia, had no idea. I was confident that I wouldn't care even if Mouchet made a hundred mistakes in front of me. However, if it was left alone, it would dig deep into the basement, so I asked a question.

“Are you afraid of making mistakes?”

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