I looked around and saw Charlotte kneeling before Hansen. When she finished the ritual, Hansen also returned the same to Charlotte.
Ines also approached him.
It was natural for a temple maid to show respect to him as a priest. Moreover, he was a person who was truly worthy of respect.
When he was in Edmont, Hansen was a person who did not discriminate against anyone. He was the first to get up and open the door to the prayer room, and he did not hesitate to extend a hand to anyone in need.
It was natural for a temple maid to show respect to a priest, but it was not easy for him to return that feeling to Charlotte.
That was the kind of person he was. He knew how to serve others from the very bottom.
So Hansen was a person who deserved Ines’ respect.
Unless something unexpected happens, he would definitely be a good King.
When Ines approached, he smiled awkwardly. Charlotte handed the earthenware she was holding to Ines.
“Am I worthy of your knees?”
Even amidst the crowd’s commotion, Hansen’s low voice was clearly audible.
“Of course.”
“I advised you to forget the past, and now I’m trying to go back to the past. Can I receive this water from you?”
Instead of answering, Ines smiled brightly and knelt before him. Then he put both his hands together and held them out in front of him.
“You deserve my respect. I support you, priest, more than anyone else, as you try to shake off your fears and face the past.”
Ines, who had no other vessel to scoop up the water, lifted the entire netium and tilted it over his hand. As the cold water flowed down, he smiled brightly, holding it in place.
Ines also quickly placed her hand under his hand and pulled him toward her, gently touching her lips. The cold water went down her throat, cooling down the hot air that had risen up.
“It’s my turn now.”
When Ines got up, Hansen naturally knelt before her.
“Can I receive the priest’s water?”
“Of course.”
“Is it okay for someone as shameless as me to stand before the priest’s knees?”
“It is a proper offering to the brave woman who went before me on the path I am about to take.”
He poured water on his hand as Ines had done. He drank the water sweetly.
Charlotte also watched the moment when the two paid respect to each other with pleasure.
However, at that moment, she felt a strange atmosphere behind her and looked around.
And when she reached a certain point, her gaze naturally stopped.
A man was walking from afar. As he walked briskly with a rather ominous demeanor, the crowd around him retreated to either side as if making a path.
The people could not bear to look at his face and just bent down. When the noise around them died down, Ines, who felt a strange aura, and Hansen, who was holding her hand, looked around.
When they turned around, Carson was standing just far enough that his shadow could touch hers.
“Your Highness?”
She called out in surprise, but he did not answer and just looked at the two of them.
However, that silence did not last long. Before her eyes, wide with surprise at Carson’s appearance, could even close, he approached her without hesitation and knelt before her.
Everyone nearby held their breath, but Ines was caught up in Carson’s gaze and did not realize that the surroundings had become as quiet as a mouse.
Hansen was also unable to keep up with the situation. He looked at the man kneeling next to him, still holding Ines's hand.
Carson snatched her hand away from him. At that sight, a sigh-like inhalation could be heard here and there.
Only then did Hansen come to his senses, get up from his seat, and step away.
“What are you doing? Get up quickly.”
At Ines’ flustered words, Carson looked at her with strange eyes.
“Why?”
“Of course...”
“Of course what? Because I showed up before your consciousness was even finished?”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“I’m jealous.”
Ines was speechless at the words she couldn’t hear.
Ines froze in place because of the man with his jet-black hair soaking wet, his golden eyes sparkling, and his wicked grin.
“I’m so angry and irritated.”
Despite his words, his face still had a relaxed expression.
“My chest felt tight all the way here as if someone had grabbed my throat.”
“...”
“But it doesn’t matter.”
He shrugged and lifted his lips like a charming villain.
He grabbed Ines’s arms and brought them in front of him. He shaped them into a shape that would be good for receiving water and gently kissed her hands. All the sensations in her palms suddenly arose.
Watching her fingertips tremble without mercy, he slowly raised his eyes and looked at Ines. As if a flash of light had flashed in their golden eyes, Ines’s eyes darkened for a moment.
As he held out his hand while looking at her, Noah approached her with a bowl of water.
“I’ll be the one to show respect.”
“No... You can’t.”
Ines, who had suddenly come to her senses, tried to take her hands off Carson. But he wouldn’t allow it.
“No, I can. So don’t move. I’ll get really angry if you do.”
His face had grown cold as if the laughter he had just had was a lie.
While she was wondering, Carson took out a delicately crafted crystal cup from a rough earthenware bowl. He turned the cup once with his wrist and poured the water inside little by little onto Ines’ palm.
When a little water leaked out, he grabbed her hand with one hand as if he were holding it. And he drank all the water in her palm without leaving a single drop.
When he stuck his tongue out and licked the inside of her palm, Ines felt her legs sink into the ground. However, his actions were almost pious as if he was receiving holy water from the hand of a goddess.
After licking all the water, he stood up.
Ines, who quickly came to her senses, hurried to kneel before him. But this time, he did not allow it.
“Don’t kneel to me. I don’t want to.”
As he approached her threateningly, her neck naturally bent back. He tilted his head and whispered so that only Ines could hear.
“Why do you always change other men’s lives?”
“That....”
“What are you talking about?”
Ines also approached him.
It was natural for a temple maid to show respect to him as a priest. Moreover, he was a person who was truly worthy of respect.
When he was in Edmont, Hansen was a person who did not discriminate against anyone. He was the first to get up and open the door to the prayer room, and he did not hesitate to extend a hand to anyone in need.
It was natural for a temple maid to show respect to a priest, but it was not easy for him to return that feeling to Charlotte.
That was the kind of person he was. He knew how to serve others from the very bottom.
So Hansen was a person who deserved Ines’ respect.
Unless something unexpected happens, he would definitely be a good King.
When Ines approached, he smiled awkwardly. Charlotte handed the earthenware she was holding to Ines.
“Am I worthy of your knees?”
Even amidst the crowd’s commotion, Hansen’s low voice was clearly audible.
“Of course.”
“I advised you to forget the past, and now I’m trying to go back to the past. Can I receive this water from you?”
Instead of answering, Ines smiled brightly and knelt before him. Then he put both his hands together and held them out in front of him.
“You deserve my respect. I support you, priest, more than anyone else, as you try to shake off your fears and face the past.”
Ines, who had no other vessel to scoop up the water, lifted the entire netium and tilted it over his hand. As the cold water flowed down, he smiled brightly, holding it in place.
Ines also quickly placed her hand under his hand and pulled him toward her, gently touching her lips. The cold water went down her throat, cooling down the hot air that had risen up.
“It’s my turn now.”
When Ines got up, Hansen naturally knelt before her.
“Can I receive the priest’s water?”
“Of course.”
“Is it okay for someone as shameless as me to stand before the priest’s knees?”
“It is a proper offering to the brave woman who went before me on the path I am about to take.”
He poured water on his hand as Ines had done. He drank the water sweetly.
Charlotte also watched the moment when the two paid respect to each other with pleasure.
However, at that moment, she felt a strange atmosphere behind her and looked around.
And when she reached a certain point, her gaze naturally stopped.
A man was walking from afar. As he walked briskly with a rather ominous demeanor, the crowd around him retreated to either side as if making a path.
The people could not bear to look at his face and just bent down. When the noise around them died down, Ines, who felt a strange aura, and Hansen, who was holding her hand, looked around.
When they turned around, Carson was standing just far enough that his shadow could touch hers.
“Your Highness?”
She called out in surprise, but he did not answer and just looked at the two of them.
However, that silence did not last long. Before her eyes, wide with surprise at Carson’s appearance, could even close, he approached her without hesitation and knelt before her.
Everyone nearby held their breath, but Ines was caught up in Carson’s gaze and did not realize that the surroundings had become as quiet as a mouse.
Hansen was also unable to keep up with the situation. He looked at the man kneeling next to him, still holding Ines's hand.
Carson snatched her hand away from him. At that sight, a sigh-like inhalation could be heard here and there.
Only then did Hansen come to his senses, get up from his seat, and step away.
“What are you doing? Get up quickly.”
At Ines’ flustered words, Carson looked at her with strange eyes.
“Why?”
“Of course...”
“Of course what? Because I showed up before your consciousness was even finished?”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“I’m jealous.”
Ines was speechless at the words she couldn’t hear.
Ines froze in place because of the man with his jet-black hair soaking wet, his golden eyes sparkling, and his wicked grin.
“I’m so angry and irritated.”
Despite his words, his face still had a relaxed expression.
“My chest felt tight all the way here as if someone had grabbed my throat.”
“...”
“But it doesn’t matter.”
He shrugged and lifted his lips like a charming villain.
He grabbed Ines’s arms and brought them in front of him. He shaped them into a shape that would be good for receiving water and gently kissed her hands. All the sensations in her palms suddenly arose.
Watching her fingertips tremble without mercy, he slowly raised his eyes and looked at Ines. As if a flash of light had flashed in their golden eyes, Ines’s eyes darkened for a moment.
As he held out his hand while looking at her, Noah approached her with a bowl of water.
“I’ll be the one to show respect.”
“No... You can’t.”
Ines, who had suddenly come to her senses, tried to take her hands off Carson. But he wouldn’t allow it.
“No, I can. So don’t move. I’ll get really angry if you do.”
His face had grown cold as if the laughter he had just had was a lie.
While she was wondering, Carson took out a delicately crafted crystal cup from a rough earthenware bowl. He turned the cup once with his wrist and poured the water inside little by little onto Ines’ palm.
When a little water leaked out, he grabbed her hand with one hand as if he were holding it. And he drank all the water in her palm without leaving a single drop.
When he stuck his tongue out and licked the inside of her palm, Ines felt her legs sink into the ground. However, his actions were almost pious as if he was receiving holy water from the hand of a goddess.
After licking all the water, he stood up.
Ines, who quickly came to her senses, hurried to kneel before him. But this time, he did not allow it.
“Don’t kneel to me. I don’t want to.”
As he approached her threateningly, her neck naturally bent back. He tilted his head and whispered so that only Ines could hear.
“Why do you always change other men’s lives?”
“That....”
“What are you talking about?”
He continued without letting her ask.
“Don’t do that either. I don’t want to.”
Carson came a little closer, but Ines did not dare to step back. His hot breath lingered in Ines’s cold, wet ears.
“Don’t respect other men. No, don’t have any feelings for anyone other than me. That’s what I hate the most.”
Contrary to his dry words, he quickly moved away from her.
And he laughed like a God who was jealous of another God stealing human love.
“I know I’m being unreasonable. But I’m going far away today. So just say you understand.”
“...”
“Come on.”
It was a tone that made it hard to tell if it was an order or a request.
Ines nodded without even remembering what he had asked. Then he looked satisfied. As the two people who were still holding hands faced each other with heated gazes, Noah sent a signal to the knights standing far away.
Soon, a cool stream of water rose up again over the plaza.
Ines tilted her head up to the sky at the sudden drop of water. At that moment, a metallic substance clanked and touched her palm.
“There’s nowhere to hang it.”
It was the gusset that Ines had made for him. Her eyes grew wide.
“Why are you giving me this? I’m not the one going to war.”
Only after holding the cold object in her hand did she realize that he was leaving. For some reason, the lump of iron that had fallen into her hand made Ines feel uneasy.
“I’m just going. I’m not interested in war, let alone hunting. So there’s no danger.”
“But...”
Carson squeezed the hand containing the gusset tighter and tilted his head to meet her eyes.
“Wherever I’m not there, it’ll always be a battlefield for you...”
Ines bit her lower lip and shut her eyes tightly. As he had said, Ines’ life without Carson would be a battle every moment.
“You have it. Stay safe until I come back. Don’t cause trouble.”
Then he reached out and gently pulled the handkerchief that tied her hair. The wet cloth came loose, and her gorgeous blond hair fell over her shoulders.
“I’ll borrow this. It has my name written on it.”
Ines suddenly felt something welling up in her chest. She hadn’t shed many tears since she had gone back in time. Too many things had happened without time to feel sad.
But what was this feeling now? Her heart was breaking because she didn’t want to let go of the man who held her hand.
But in front of Carson, Ines always said what she had to say, not what she wanted to say.
“Have a good trip.”
Instead of saying that she respected and admired only him, that she wanted to bow down at his feet and offer him the whole world, that she was heartbroken every day with that feeling,
“Please don’t get hurt.”
She could only express her wish for his safety.
At the water festival where everything was soaking wet, the man took the water from the woman’s hand and drank it, then left for the battlefield. The moment his figure finally disappeared, Ines collapsed on the spot.
She held the gusset in her hand and squeezed it so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Then she had to grit her teeth and forcefully swallow something that was pouring out.
Three days after Carson left, at the departure ceremony, it rained in Monstera as if it were a lie.
It was said that it was the first time in 40 years that it had rained in August. It wasn’t much, but there were some who had never seen rain before.
People came out and got rained on like it was the day of the water festival.
Everyone was talking about how this war was almost a victory. Ines, too, was receiving rain like God’s consolation and firmly believed that he would soon return with a triumphant cry.
Although the war was raging outside, Charlotte and Ines’ lives did not change.
They spent the morning with Louis, and after lunch, when the girl’s class started, they each did their own thing.
“Don’t do that either. I don’t want to.”
Carson came a little closer, but Ines did not dare to step back. His hot breath lingered in Ines’s cold, wet ears.
“Don’t respect other men. No, don’t have any feelings for anyone other than me. That’s what I hate the most.”
Contrary to his dry words, he quickly moved away from her.
And he laughed like a God who was jealous of another God stealing human love.
“I know I’m being unreasonable. But I’m going far away today. So just say you understand.”
“...”
“Come on.”
It was a tone that made it hard to tell if it was an order or a request.
Ines nodded without even remembering what he had asked. Then he looked satisfied. As the two people who were still holding hands faced each other with heated gazes, Noah sent a signal to the knights standing far away.
Soon, a cool stream of water rose up again over the plaza.
Ines tilted her head up to the sky at the sudden drop of water. At that moment, a metallic substance clanked and touched her palm.
“There’s nowhere to hang it.”
It was the gusset that Ines had made for him. Her eyes grew wide.
“Why are you giving me this? I’m not the one going to war.”
Only after holding the cold object in her hand did she realize that he was leaving. For some reason, the lump of iron that had fallen into her hand made Ines feel uneasy.
“I’m just going. I’m not interested in war, let alone hunting. So there’s no danger.”
“But...”
Carson squeezed the hand containing the gusset tighter and tilted his head to meet her eyes.
“Wherever I’m not there, it’ll always be a battlefield for you...”
Ines bit her lower lip and shut her eyes tightly. As he had said, Ines’ life without Carson would be a battle every moment.
“You have it. Stay safe until I come back. Don’t cause trouble.”
Then he reached out and gently pulled the handkerchief that tied her hair. The wet cloth came loose, and her gorgeous blond hair fell over her shoulders.
“I’ll borrow this. It has my name written on it.”
Ines suddenly felt something welling up in her chest. She hadn’t shed many tears since she had gone back in time. Too many things had happened without time to feel sad.
But what was this feeling now? Her heart was breaking because she didn’t want to let go of the man who held her hand.
But in front of Carson, Ines always said what she had to say, not what she wanted to say.
“Have a good trip.”
Instead of saying that she respected and admired only him, that she wanted to bow down at his feet and offer him the whole world, that she was heartbroken every day with that feeling,
“Please don’t get hurt.”
She could only express her wish for his safety.
At the water festival where everything was soaking wet, the man took the water from the woman’s hand and drank it, then left for the battlefield. The moment his figure finally disappeared, Ines collapsed on the spot.
She held the gusset in her hand and squeezed it so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Then she had to grit her teeth and forcefully swallow something that was pouring out.
***
Three days after Carson left, at the departure ceremony, it rained in Monstera as if it were a lie.
It was said that it was the first time in 40 years that it had rained in August. It wasn’t much, but there were some who had never seen rain before.
People came out and got rained on like it was the day of the water festival.
Everyone was talking about how this war was almost a victory. Ines, too, was receiving rain like God’s consolation and firmly believed that he would soon return with a triumphant cry.
Although the war was raging outside, Charlotte and Ines’ lives did not change.
They spent the morning with Louis, and after lunch, when the girl’s class started, they each did their own thing.
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