Ines looked up and looked at him.
The great families still had priests as their doctors, but the other families often did not.
“I still can’t believe I met you here.”
“There’s a saying that priests used to heal people with their divine powers. I guess that’s why the process of becoming a doctor is in the temple.”
Many people still believed that divine powers healed their pain. That’s why those who were on the way to becoming doctors had to take the most basic indoctrination course that Ines took. At that time, they wore the priestly robes that cadets wore.
“You said this course is almost over now?”
The indoctrination course lasted a year. Marcus had arrived in Edmont five months earlier than her.
“Yes, but there’s a long time left.”
All those who wanted to become priests had to go through a ten-year training course. However, doctors had a shorter four-year course. After that, they either went to the academy to continue their training or became subordinates to those who were already doctors.
“Aren’t you frustrated?”
“Me?”
Ines nodded.
“Is it stuffy here, Young Lady?”
“I’m not Young Lasy.”
“But you’ll be restored to your noble status when this period is over.”
It was only natural that Marcus knew how she had come here. When Ines came to Edmont, she was already a famous person here. Ines smiled brightly and replied,
“But don’t call me that here. If the other maids come in, there might be a dead rat lying in my room tomorrow morning.”
At that moment, a maid with short, dark brown hair and freckles walked hurriedly next to Ines.
“Amy, where are you going?”
“Huh? Ines. I’m going to get water.”
“Be careful, my legs are almost underwater.”
“Really?”
Ines looked up at the sky. It was fine now, but she didn’t know when it would change its face and start pouring rain. Amy walked faster and waved.
“Okay, thanks, Ines.”
When she told her and turned her head, she felt Marcus staring at her.
“Is there something on my face?”
“No. It’s just... you look so bright.”
Ines felt a little embarrassed. Was it because she had sinned and yet found peace of mind?
“You asked me earlier if I was frustrated here?”
“Yes.”
“I’ve realized a lot since I came here.”
“What is it?”
Ines’ face, asking innocently, had a clearer glow than before.
“Did you get the railroad construction rights?”
“Thanks.”
Even in the midst of this, when she laughed incredulously, worrying about Carson, Ines laughed along with him.
“Are you laughing now?”
Ines didn’t stop smiling despite his criticism.
“How are you feeling? Are you okay? Is there anything that’s bothering you?”
“I don’t have... nightmares anymore.”
“Not a single one?”
He knew about her nightmares well. Except for the day when she was overcome by hallucinations and hurt the knight’s arm, Ines suffered from nightmares every night she slept at his house. That’s why he always had the knight standing in front of her room.
Every day she stayed at his mansion, he always received the same report. She was screaming and suffering all night.
“Yes, not a single one. Nothing bothers me anymore.”
“Nothing?”
“Yes, nothing.”
Ines smiled brighter than ever as she spoke. The moonlight illuminated her face whitely.
“I am whole now. I can feel joy, sadness, and clear anger.”
“...”
“It’s really amazing.”
Carson was breathless again because of Ines, who smiled and spoke softly.
The sense of responsibility that resembled guilt was already eating away at all his emotions. He thought he could teach her proper emotions. But he was learning from her countless emotions that he didn’t want to know.
When did it start?
The woman who shattered like a white mirage before his eyes became more important than anything he had?
“How should I explain what I feel right now?”
Carson shook his head.
“There’s no need to explain. I know everything.”
“I am now... perfectly safe.”
He finally closed his eyes, unable to bear it any longer. Like a wave crashing into the sand and breaking, Ines seemed like she would disappear without a single bubble if he held her in his hand.
“I will now live the rest of my life for you, my lord.”
But it didn’t matter. The waves that never showed the same appearance would crash down on him without rest.
“Is that your goal?”
“Yes, I am sure. So please wait for me for three years.”
It seemed that the woman like that wave had now figured it out. It had become harder for him not to wait for such a splendid woman.
One year later, in the fall.
Ines was taken to the temple of Edmont in Sanskria the following March after that year. It was a very late execution compared to the quick judgment. Six months had already passed since she had come here.
Although it was close to the capital, Sanskria was very underdeveloped. There was a railway line from the capital, but few people visited. This place was merely a transit point to the next station that had not yet been built.
Occasionally, devout noblewomen would come to pray for their families for several days, but most of the time there were no visitors and the place passed quietly.
The work of a temple maid was different from that of other maids.
Although they did the same chores, the temple maids worked for the Gods, not the masters. So after they finished their breakfast, they had a time of prayer and repentance.
Today, Ines also had a time of prayer with a portrait of the Heclesia and a portrait of Carson’s face side by side.
This was also the time she loved the most.
“Ines, let’s go.”
At the end of the prayer time, Charlotte came to pick Ines up. She carefully kept the portrait in the Bible so that she could move with Charlotte.
All the maids had to take turns going to the well twice a day to draw water. The temple of Edmont was a castle built on a higher mountain than other places.
Naturally, there were no aqueducts that extended up to the high places.
At first glance, this place looked like it was built on a steep cliff, but it was said that it was a castle built for the Gods because of a prophecy made by a monk about 1,000 years ago.
Although the content of the prophecy was unknown, it was certain that this place was a place that preserved its natural beauty like a treasure.
“It’s slippery, be careful.”
As soon as Ines finished speaking, Charlotte’s body tilted. Ines quickly grabbed her body tightly.
“It’s amazing every time I see it. How does Ines never slip on a road like this?”
“Isn’t that natural?”
Ines playfully replied, swallowing a laugh inside. In fact, it was Charlotte who moved faster than her in Romfield.
It was beautiful to look at, but it was not a comfortable place to live, and the road to get water from the well was also rough.
Sanskria boasted mild weather as a territory located in the center of the empire. However, Edmont was surrounded by mountains like a fortress, so it rained a lot.
It was not uncommon to see dark clouds hanging over Edmont while the rest of the place was clear.
The hut with the well was across the bridge, where there was nowhere else to go. With only a wooden house, it seemed like a remote island built in the beginning of time.
“Look how much the water has risen.”
Ines also saw the water rippling beyond the bridge. She sighed, thinking that her skirt would definitely get wet again today.
“Let’s go get it.”
“Yeah, but it’ll be a little dangerous in the evening. If it rains even a little more here.”
“Let’s go and tell Amy.”
The two of them hurriedly drew water and returned to the temple more quickly than usual.
When Ines arrived at Edmont, she didn’t get to meet Charlotte right away. Since the temple maids were mostly confined to their own buildings, it was three months later that the two were assigned to the same place.
Charlotte immediately burst into tears when she saw her again after a long time. She didn’t offer any hasty words of comfort or advice. They just held each other and shared warmth.
When Ines first came to the temple, she was ostracized. Looking back, there was no particular reason. She guessed it was probably because if she lasted three years as a commoner, she would become a noble again.
Things like pretending to be a mistake and pouring water on her, giving her the wrong prayer time, or assigning Ines the hardest work in a row happened frequently.
All of those incidents that would have been quite difficult for others seemed funny to her.
However, time passed steadily, and when Ines did a better job than them, who had been doing odd jobs all their lives, the maids began to look at her again.
Now that Ines had naturally become one with them, they no longer bothered her. In addition, some believed in her and relied on her.
Most of the temple maids came here with many stories. Ines listened to their stories earnestly and did not neglect to comfort them.
Ines really liked living here.
After preparing lunch for the priests, the temple maids also had to take classes.
This process, called a kind of indoctrination, was the most basic stage of the priest training process.
And there, Ines was able to meet someone she was happy to meet.
“You are the first one here today, too?”
The man, whose hair was the same color as when the sun was at its reddest, always reminded Ines of the sunset.
“Yes, Sir Marcus.”
The priests also served as doctors. Those who did not want to become priests but wanted to become doctors also learned medicine at this temple.
Marcus Knight is a very pure man born into a knightly family who wanted to become a doctor.
He said that he resigned from his knighthood shortly after talking with Ines in the garden of the lord’s castle. In the past, only priests could become doctors, but these days, the job is gradually being divided.
“Thanks.”
Even in the midst of this, when she laughed incredulously, worrying about Carson, Ines laughed along with him.
“Are you laughing now?”
Ines didn’t stop smiling despite his criticism.
“How are you feeling? Are you okay? Is there anything that’s bothering you?”
“I don’t have... nightmares anymore.”
“Not a single one?”
He knew about her nightmares well. Except for the day when she was overcome by hallucinations and hurt the knight’s arm, Ines suffered from nightmares every night she slept at his house. That’s why he always had the knight standing in front of her room.
Every day she stayed at his mansion, he always received the same report. She was screaming and suffering all night.
“Yes, not a single one. Nothing bothers me anymore.”
“Nothing?”
“Yes, nothing.”
Ines smiled brighter than ever as she spoke. The moonlight illuminated her face whitely.
“I am whole now. I can feel joy, sadness, and clear anger.”
“...”
“It’s really amazing.”
Carson was breathless again because of Ines, who smiled and spoke softly.
The sense of responsibility that resembled guilt was already eating away at all his emotions. He thought he could teach her proper emotions. But he was learning from her countless emotions that he didn’t want to know.
When did it start?
The woman who shattered like a white mirage before his eyes became more important than anything he had?
“How should I explain what I feel right now?”
Carson shook his head.
“There’s no need to explain. I know everything.”
“I am now... perfectly safe.”
He finally closed his eyes, unable to bear it any longer. Like a wave crashing into the sand and breaking, Ines seemed like she would disappear without a single bubble if he held her in his hand.
“I will now live the rest of my life for you, my lord.”
But it didn’t matter. The waves that never showed the same appearance would crash down on him without rest.
“Is that your goal?”
“Yes, I am sure. So please wait for me for three years.”
It seemed that the woman like that wave had now figured it out. It had become harder for him not to wait for such a splendid woman.
***
One year later, in the fall.
Ines was taken to the temple of Edmont in Sanskria the following March after that year. It was a very late execution compared to the quick judgment. Six months had already passed since she had come here.
Although it was close to the capital, Sanskria was very underdeveloped. There was a railway line from the capital, but few people visited. This place was merely a transit point to the next station that had not yet been built.
Occasionally, devout noblewomen would come to pray for their families for several days, but most of the time there were no visitors and the place passed quietly.
The work of a temple maid was different from that of other maids.
Although they did the same chores, the temple maids worked for the Gods, not the masters. So after they finished their breakfast, they had a time of prayer and repentance.
Today, Ines also had a time of prayer with a portrait of the Heclesia and a portrait of Carson’s face side by side.
This was also the time she loved the most.
“Ines, let’s go.”
At the end of the prayer time, Charlotte came to pick Ines up. She carefully kept the portrait in the Bible so that she could move with Charlotte.
All the maids had to take turns going to the well twice a day to draw water. The temple of Edmont was a castle built on a higher mountain than other places.
Naturally, there were no aqueducts that extended up to the high places.
At first glance, this place looked like it was built on a steep cliff, but it was said that it was a castle built for the Gods because of a prophecy made by a monk about 1,000 years ago.
Although the content of the prophecy was unknown, it was certain that this place was a place that preserved its natural beauty like a treasure.
“It’s slippery, be careful.”
As soon as Ines finished speaking, Charlotte’s body tilted. Ines quickly grabbed her body tightly.
“It’s amazing every time I see it. How does Ines never slip on a road like this?”
“Isn’t that natural?”
Ines playfully replied, swallowing a laugh inside. In fact, it was Charlotte who moved faster than her in Romfield.
It was beautiful to look at, but it was not a comfortable place to live, and the road to get water from the well was also rough.
Sanskria boasted mild weather as a territory located in the center of the empire. However, Edmont was surrounded by mountains like a fortress, so it rained a lot.
It was not uncommon to see dark clouds hanging over Edmont while the rest of the place was clear.
The hut with the well was across the bridge, where there was nowhere else to go. With only a wooden house, it seemed like a remote island built in the beginning of time.
“Look how much the water has risen.”
Ines also saw the water rippling beyond the bridge. She sighed, thinking that her skirt would definitely get wet again today.
“Let’s go get it.”
“Yeah, but it’ll be a little dangerous in the evening. If it rains even a little more here.”
“Let’s go and tell Amy.”
The two of them hurriedly drew water and returned to the temple more quickly than usual.
When Ines arrived at Edmont, she didn’t get to meet Charlotte right away. Since the temple maids were mostly confined to their own buildings, it was three months later that the two were assigned to the same place.
Charlotte immediately burst into tears when she saw her again after a long time. She didn’t offer any hasty words of comfort or advice. They just held each other and shared warmth.
When Ines first came to the temple, she was ostracized. Looking back, there was no particular reason. She guessed it was probably because if she lasted three years as a commoner, she would become a noble again.
Things like pretending to be a mistake and pouring water on her, giving her the wrong prayer time, or assigning Ines the hardest work in a row happened frequently.
All of those incidents that would have been quite difficult for others seemed funny to her.
However, time passed steadily, and when Ines did a better job than them, who had been doing odd jobs all their lives, the maids began to look at her again.
Now that Ines had naturally become one with them, they no longer bothered her. In addition, some believed in her and relied on her.
Most of the temple maids came here with many stories. Ines listened to their stories earnestly and did not neglect to comfort them.
Ines really liked living here.
After preparing lunch for the priests, the temple maids also had to take classes.
This process, called a kind of indoctrination, was the most basic stage of the priest training process.
And there, Ines was able to meet someone she was happy to meet.
“You are the first one here today, too?”
The man, whose hair was the same color as when the sun was at its reddest, always reminded Ines of the sunset.
“Yes, Sir Marcus.”
The priests also served as doctors. Those who did not want to become priests but wanted to become doctors also learned medicine at this temple.
Marcus Knight is a very pure man born into a knightly family who wanted to become a doctor.
He said that he resigned from his knighthood shortly after talking with Ines in the garden of the lord’s castle. In the past, only priests could become doctors, but these days, the job is gradually being divided.
The great families still had priests as their doctors, but the other families often did not.
“I still can’t believe I met you here.”
“There’s a saying that priests used to heal people with their divine powers. I guess that’s why the process of becoming a doctor is in the temple.”
Many people still believed that divine powers healed their pain. That’s why those who were on the way to becoming doctors had to take the most basic indoctrination course that Ines took. At that time, they wore the priestly robes that cadets wore.
“You said this course is almost over now?”
The indoctrination course lasted a year. Marcus had arrived in Edmont five months earlier than her.
“Yes, but there’s a long time left.”
All those who wanted to become priests had to go through a ten-year training course. However, doctors had a shorter four-year course. After that, they either went to the academy to continue their training or became subordinates to those who were already doctors.
“Aren’t you frustrated?”
“Me?”
Ines nodded.
“Is it stuffy here, Young Lady?”
“I’m not Young Lasy.”
“But you’ll be restored to your noble status when this period is over.”
It was only natural that Marcus knew how she had come here. When Ines came to Edmont, she was already a famous person here. Ines smiled brightly and replied,
“But don’t call me that here. If the other maids come in, there might be a dead rat lying in my room tomorrow morning.”
At that moment, a maid with short, dark brown hair and freckles walked hurriedly next to Ines.
“Amy, where are you going?”
“Huh? Ines. I’m going to get water.”
“Be careful, my legs are almost underwater.”
“Really?”
Ines looked up at the sky. It was fine now, but she didn’t know when it would change its face and start pouring rain. Amy walked faster and waved.
“Okay, thanks, Ines.”
When she told her and turned her head, she felt Marcus staring at her.
“Is there something on my face?”
“No. It’s just... you look so bright.”
Ines felt a little embarrassed. Was it because she had sinned and yet found peace of mind?
“You asked me earlier if I was frustrated here?”
“Yes.”
“I’ve realized a lot since I came here.”
“What is it?”
Ines’ face, asking innocently, had a clearer glow than before.
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