ICTV - Chapter 76
I changed The Villain
“Woah, My Lady! What did you just say?!”
At the Temple of Harmonia, I made eye contact with Mouchet and asked.
“Would you like to attend my engagement ceremony with Priest Damian?”
“I knew that the Lady was engaged! But... but...!”
Mouchet, who could not speak for a while, shouted with his face turning bright red.
“I didn’t know you would invite me too! Is it really okay for someone like me to attend?!”
"Of course.”
Mouchet stamped his feet.
“Ugh, what if I go and make a mistake…”
“It’s okay. There are two other kids your age attending, so you won’t be nervous.”
“A kid my age?”
"Huh. See you then. Can you give me the key to the prayer room?”
Mouchet nodded vigorously.
“Yes! It’s prayer room number 1!”
Jinglang!
The key fell into my palm. After sending me off, Mouchet sat down on a chair and took a sip of sweet juice. He looked very comfortable. It seems like he has gained confidence in his work at the new building.
I felt hazy.
I opened the prayer room door with the key and went inside.
As always, the statue of Harmony smiled kindly and greeted me. I looked up at the statue helplessly, then put my hands together. The realizations I had gained so far came to mind one by one.
No matter how annoying or unpleasant it is to meet people, I can't live alone forever.
I took a step closer to the statue.
Even when I am hurt by people, I inevitably miss their warmth.
The statue got closer and closer.
This world is as fair as I think it is.
I finally stood in front of the statue.
Regardless of whether we have talent or not, we live fiercely in our respective positions.
I, who was trying to put my hands together, took a deep breath and lowered my arms.
And passed the statue. I could see the window behind the statue.
I opened the window wide with both hands.
Even at this moment, somewhere in the world, there will be people walking down a difficult thorny path.
I neatly folded my hands together. And although it may be cruel in some ways, I made a wish that was just as earnest.
To those who are sitting somewhere in this world.
It may be difficult, but I hope you can get through today. May you pass through the rough thorny path and walk along the soft flowery path.
My closed eyes slowly opened.
“There is an end to happiness, but there is also an end to unhappiness.”
The dazzling sunlight came in through the window. I smiled faintly, taking in the warm light.
***
“Is the cake ready?”
“Who did the decorations here? Do it again!"
“It’s a mess!”
“Bring Mera! She’s amazingly good at moving heavy things!”
The day of the long-awaited engagement ceremony dawned.
The Serenity family mansion, where everything was always in order and the silence was unbroken no matter what was noisy today.
A mix of maids from the Pale family and Serenity family were quickly conducting a final inspection of the engagement venue, and James was also busy reviewing the guest list one more time.
There were only three children doing nothing in this noisy space.
“I hope it starts quickly.”
Taksha bit his mouth full of cookies. Taksha quickly ate one cookie, being careful not to let any crumbs fall on the new clothes Beryl had made for him, and wiped his mouth with a napkin.
“Our master said that after the engagement ceremony, we will be able to eat a lot of delicious food that is incomparable to anything we have eaten so far.”
"..."
“Do you have a particular favorite food? For your information, I’m good at eating anything.”
But there was no answer. Cold sweat broke out on the forehead of Taksha, who had been trying to talk for 10 minutes. Sitting on either side of Taksha were Mouchet, dressed in priestly attire, and Iris, with a white flower in her hair.
Damien, who came with Mouchet, had gone to talk to Rose's parents, who were devout Harmonians, and Mouchet decided to come with Iris.
Edgar thought he would be late, so he sent Iris here first with the knights.
Mera gave the children a plate of cookies while telling them to play together and hurriedly ran to another place.
Taksha glanced at the children as she picked up another cookie. Iris was staring straight ahead with an expressionless face, and Mouchet was busy looking around to see what was so unsettling.
“We met last time, Taksha.”
“Uh, yes. It did."
It didn't end well, though. Taksha was still scratching his plump cheeks with his fingers. Iris stared intently at the ball.
“It’s nice to see that your cheeks still look like bread, or really strong.”
“...Thank you for the compliment.”
Iris also spoke to Mouchet.
“Muchet is also in a relationship with me, right? It’s nice to see you here after seeing you a few times at the temple.”
"Yes, yes."
The two people talking were overflowing with charm. Taksha felt an inexplicable sense of anxiety and instinctively spoke to Mouchet.
"Excuse me. I am a servant and not of noble status.”
“Before I was a priest, I was also a commoner. Ha, but Iris is a precious person-"
Iris looked back at Mouchet. Mouchet, who received silent pressure from the future Saint, hastily shook his head.
“Oh, it’s nothing.”
"Thank God. You were in a similar situation to us.”
Phew, he feels relieved now. Taksha tried to chew the cookie with a relaxed expression on his face but stopped. This is because Iris stared straight ahead again as if she had just spoken to him.
"Excuse me. Did you say Iris and Mouchet?”
Let's try talking one more time. Taksha, who became uncomfortable with the silence while hanging out with the cheerful maids, did not give up and spoke.
“Are you guys also here to congratulate Lady Rose on her engagement?”
"Yes, that's right."
"Yes."
“How did you meet Miss Rose?”
Both gave similar answers.
“We first met in the dressing room.”
“I’m at the temple. She helped me when I was having a hard time.”
“I see! The Young Lady is so kind, so she will definitely treat you warmly too."
“She must have done it.”
Taksha, who finally found something in common with the children, offered them a plate of cookies.
“Come on, you guys eat too.”
The two gave similar answers this time.
“I heard that we will have lunch right after the engagement ceremony. I don’t want to lose my appetite, so I’ll decline.”
“Me, too... I’m worried that cookie crumbs will fall on my clothes and get them dirty. Because today is a really important day."
“...I’m excited. Then, all the cookies are mine. There’s nothing else to say. Even if you ask for them, I will never give them to you.”
Taksha spoke soullessly and put down the plate of cookies again. And then asked another question.
“Hey, what are your hobbies?”
They both answered at the same time.
“Discussing the future of humanity with priests.”
“Reviewing whether any mistakes were made...?”
This is really strange. The two of them have been giving answers consistently since before, but they can't continue the conversation at all. It's easy to become friends if you have at least one thing in common, but there's no overlap whatsoever between those two.
Taksha scratched his cheek and clenched his fist. Okay, then this time...!
“What do you guys like? I like eating delicious food!”
“When I heard that Ed looked like me.”
“When I received praise from Priest Damian.”
Taksha looked at the two intently and said.
“You both have someone you respect?”
The two's expressions brightened slightly. They both nodded at the same time.
“I have so much respect for him. My dream is to become someone like Edgar someday.”
"Me too. I will become a kind priest like Damian.”
He finally found it. Something in common. Taksha grinned.
“I also have someone I respect.”
“I know. You mean the one who is having an engagement ceremony today?”
"That's right!"
They respect her too, but these kids don't know her yet. For now, let's focus more on continuing the conversation. Taksha clicked his leg.
“Miss Rose is a very nice person."
“Lady Pale may seem indifferent, but in fact, Edgar often praises her for being kinder than anyone else.”
“I have also received direct help from her.”
“Mouchet, you too? As expected, the Young Lady is kind.”
The conversation quickly became lively. No matter how mature he is, he can't help but be happy because he meets kids his age that he doesn't have much opportunity to meet. Taksha again offered cookies to the two.
“Now, let’s eat this one at a time and talk."
"Let's do it."
"Is it so. One would be fine.”
“But the crumbs?"
“This is okay!”
Taksha got a large cloth and placed it on Mouchet's lap. Only then did Mouchet feel relieved and touch the cookie. The three sat side by side and chewed the cookies. They were so cute, the maids passing by looked at the three with warm eyes.
“Miss Rose, I was worried because you looked sick, but these days you don’t look sick at all, so I’m really happy.”
“Priest Damian also had a cold a while ago, but after taking medicine and sleeping well, he got better. That’s very fortunate.”
“Both would be nice. I can't stand it these days because I'm worried about Edgar."
Huh?
Taksha and Mouchet looked at Iris with puzzled eyes. Iris lowered her arm holding the half-eaten cookie.
“Edgar seems to be thinking a lot more these days.”
“Hey, what else can I say?”
Taksha threw up his hand.
“I heard he is a person who does a lot of good things? He does a lot of good things, so he can’t help but think a lot.”
“What does that mean?”
“Miss Rose said that. You can do bad things without thinking, and it’s not difficult at all.”
Taksha cleared away the empty plate and continued speaking.
“Good things take a lot of thought and a lot of effort.”
Iris and Mouchet's eyes widened.
“So, the more good things you do, the more diligent and strong you are. Iris, you certainly did that. Edgar has done a lot of good things throughout his life. If it says what My Lady said, Edgar is a really, really great person, so soon he will do it. He'll be okay."
The children all exclaimed in exclamation.
“Wow, that’s a really cool word!”
“I will remember it well and discuss it later. I need to use it sometime. These are words that priests must live within their hearts.”
"Hi-Hi."
Taksha was so embarrassed that he scratched the back of his head. But Iris's expression was still dark. Taksha and Mouchet exchanged glances for a moment and then asked Iris thoughtfully.
“Still worried?”
"Are you okay?"
Iris nodded her head weakly.
“Yes. I tried my best to comfort you, but I’m sorry..."
Iris immediately thought of Edgar, whom she had seen yesterday. Instead of answering her own question about what clothes she was going to wear, Edgar stared blankly out the window.
Iris has seen Edgar worry countless times. But what can she say, something is different this time. Iris said to him without thinking.
“It’s really not like you, Edgar.”
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