TVDWL - Chapter 186 < Even in the pouring rain >

Karina's eyebrows twitched. The fact that she had no feelings for Jeremiah was no reason for her to be friends with the Saintess. She didn't understand why David kept saying such things. At that time...

"If Karina won't go, I won't go either."

Jeremiah, who had always been reserved, spoke in a clear voice. Hearing his words, David raised the corners of his lips and smiled, then added a word to Karina in a subtle voice.

"Even if you're not the Grand Duchess, doesn't the Grand Duke seem to be full of foolishness?"

"...You misunderstood."

"Then let's go out together. There's no need for the two of you to stay in the dorm alone, right?"

"..."

Karina's sigh deepened. They eventually left the inn together to go see the dance ritual held in the village. 

***

The sky, which had been stained blue, turned red as the sunset faded. The darkness that sensed its time had come gradually expanded its territory.

The night and sunset blended together at the foot of the mountain, creating a fantastic sight of purple and blue. The dark clouds scattered here and there made the contrast of colors stand out even more.

"That's cool."

David said, leisurely looking up at the sky. Karina agreed. It was a sight she had never seen in the capital.

'In the first place, the sky wasn't even visible in the capital.'

It occurred to her that there had been a lot going on in the capital. At that moment, she heard people's voices. She turned her head and saw people in strangely dressed dance costumes lighting fires on the altar.

"The weather is cloudy..."

"Is it going to rain..."

Their voices were filled with worry and concern as they looked up at the sky and prayed. Karina looked up at the sky again. The air was humid and the weather was cloudy compared to yesterday, but it wasn't enough to worry about rain.

"Is it a problem if it rains?"

"You can't have fun."

"Yes?"

"Even though it is a ritual, it is a festival-like event where people pray for stability and happiness in the village, so they say everyone eats and drinks together like a night market."

Lucia explained with sparkling eyes.

"They say they sell a variety of foods at the stall, so let's go over there!"

The Saintess could not hide her excitement and anticipation as if she had never participated in such an event before.

"Let's go where the Saintess wants."

With Lucia in the lead, the group entered a narrow street lined with stalls. The narrow alley was full of life with vendors selling goods and pedestrians.

"Welcome!"

"Go and take a look!"

On the stalls where the merchants were soliciting customers, various things were displayed. From children's toys to delicately carved wooden sculptures, cute ornaments, skewers of meat and vegetables, grilled chicken skewers, candied fruits, crispy fried donuts, colorful candies, deliciously baked cookies, and cool and sweet fruit drinks. There were fewer items than in the capital, but it was still nice to be able to feel the local flavor. Saintess Lucia was also very popular here.

"Saintess! Here, try this."

"These are freshly fried donuts. Eat them now so they're warm and chewy."

"If you eat that, your throat will get blocked. Here, have a cold drink."

"Of course, you have to eat something sweet at a festival. It's apple candy. It's delicious because it has a thin sugar coating."

The overly friendly merchants eagerly offered her their wares as if they were courting her. Lucia had only passed one alley, but her hands were already full of food. The children were no exception.

"Saintess!"

"Did you come to see us?"

"Yes. I promised you last time that I would come see you guys."

Lucia treated the children with affection.

"Did the Saintess come to see the festival too?"

"After singing and dancing, will the Saintess pray today too?"

The children gathered around the Saintess, chattering, and the crowd around them followed suit.

"Saintess, how have you been?"

"It seems like you've lost a lot of weight since last time..."

"We are truly honored that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Grand Duke have stopped by our village."

"The ceremony being held today will be quite something to see. We have prepared very hard for it."

Some of them also spoke to David and Jeremiah. But no one paid any attention to Karina. On the contrary, there was a strange sense of wariness in the way they glanced at her.

'What?'

Although the strange stares from people were uncomfortable, it wasn't like she was being visibly rude or anything.

'Is it because I'm in a good mood?'

Soon, the dance ritual began. The ceremony, held in a solemn atmosphere, began with a prayer to worship the gods. Lucia, who had been told in advance, went to the white altar and lightly prayed. Then, she stretched out her hands as if dancing in an orphaned manner and radiated sacred power to the surroundings. White energy spread out and scattered into small pieces.

'It looks like it's snowing.'

It seemed like snow was falling, or like pure white flower petals were fluttering. Lucia's appearance, covered in scattered holy power like fog, looked truly sublime. 

While Karina was watching Lucia, people wearing costumes fluttering like butterflies surrounded the brightly lit altar. Lively and exciting songs filled with prayers and wonderful dances followed. They prayed earnestly to God while dancing to the song. Even those who did not pray danced and played around them happily. The laughter of children ran excitedly between them. It really felt like a night festival.

"Shall we go and dance too?"

Lucia, who had come closer, made a proposal to the group. She had a bright smile. A pure smile without any greed or Intention. Karina thought it was amazing that she was so happy without any pretense. However, David also expressed his intention to refuse the saint's proposal this time.

"We'll be here, so come and dance as much as you want."

Karina also turned her gaze to show her refusal. Karina showed no sign of responding. Then, the Saintess looked at Jeremiah, who had a more determined expression than her and nodded with a slightly regretful expression. Lucia naturally blended in with the dancers. As a Saintess, she usually wore white, wide-fitting clothes. Every time she spun around, the hem of her skirt spread out like flower petals. That sight matched the lively yet elegant dance very well.

'You look so happy.'

But after a while. 

Thud, thud. 

The sky seemed a bit cloudy, and eventually, raindrops started to fall one or two at a time.

"Ah, it's raining."

"Oh my God!"

As initially feared, it rained. The people who were raising their consciousness were confused.

"The fire on the altar must not go out."

"Bring something to cover it!"

Those who were running around heard the sound and hurriedly set up the tent. However, the already chaotic atmosphere was not easily fixed. The faces of those dancing showed a look of disappointment. The atmosphere that the ceremony had been ruined quickly spread among the people.

"It can't be helped since it's raining."

"I think I picked the wrong day."

"Shall we go in?"

Those dancing around the altar hesitated and looked around to see if they should just go inside. At that moment, Lucia as if ignoring the falling rain, began to dance with a bright smile like before.

"Uh?"

"Saintess?"

People looked at the Saintess dancing in bewilderment. Then Lucia said lightly as if it was nothing.

"Let's all dance! When else would we dance and pray on a rainy day if not now?"

Her expression was bright as if she was sincere. Even in the pouring rain, the Saintess's smile did not lose its brightness. Then, the expressions of those who had been hesitating and worrying around her brightened one by one.

"Yeah! I guess I could get a little wet!"

"The Saintess said it was okay!"

"Let's continue the ritual!"

In that way, Lucia instantly brightened the atmosphere around her. People's gazes toward her were filled with admiration and respect.

"Come this way."

Those who did not dance were forced to move to avoid getting rained on.

"I'm sorry. It suddenly started raining. We should have prepared in advance."

The one who appeared to be the host of the ceremony kept bowing his head to David and Jeremiah.

"I have prepared towels, so feel free to use them if you need them."

"If you would like, we have prepared a room for you to wash up."

The others also chimed in, apologizing one by one. They kindly guided David and Jeremiah to the room they had prepared. On the other hand.

"Follow me."

Their attitude towards Karina was very stiff and businesslike. It wasn't rude, but it gave off a strong feeling that they would only do what they were told.

'What?'

The gaze that was looking at her also seemed colder than before. It seemed like what she felt earlier wasn't just her imagination.

"You can wash up here and come out."

"..."

The person who led her to the room left after saying those words.

'I'm tired.'

Karina pressed her throbbing temples.

'Do I need to stay here and kill time?'

She thought maybe it would be better to just go back to the accommodation.

'It's better to go back to the hotel, wash up, and rest.'

Karina sneaked out of the room. As she headed toward the exit, none of the hosts stopped her even though they saw her leaving. Karina raised her hand to check how much rain was falling before she left the building. The rain had weakened a bit compared to before and was now just a drizzle.

'I think I can go at this level!'

Karina hurried her steps and headed toward her lodgings. As she did so, she found a group of people gathered at a corner of the road where the tents were, praising the Saintess as usual. They were wearing clothes similar to pure white priestly vestments, perhaps because they had prayed during the ceremony.

"I am so glad that the Saintess is here."

"I thought it was going to be a big problem because of the rain, but as expected, since the Saint was here, there was no problem."

"That's right. And I appreciate it when you stop by here every time you go to the temple to see the patients."

The friendly group discovered Karina alone. The atmosphere changed in an instant and they started talking one by one.

"Red hair..."

"It's ominous."

"Isn't it because the redhead attended the ceremony that it rained today?"

"I have to take it out now... If I get any negative feedback..."

It was very selfish. Karina couldn't help but laugh at the malicious remarks about red hair that she heard after such a long time. To Karina, that was nothing more than a joke.

However, their words didn't end with making fun of Karina's red hair. When they realized who she was, their conversation naturally turned to divorce.

"Why don't she divorce His Highness the Grand Duke?"

"I heard that she asked His Majesty to grant her a divorce first during the New Year's ceremony."

"I heard that the temple said that if His Highness the Grand Duke gets divorced, he will marry the Saintess right away. I heard that they are already preparing a blessing ceremony."

Maybe it was because it was a village close to the temple. They seemed to know everything about the temple's prayers, the situation, and the inside story. They had a great crush on Lucia, who stopped by every time she went to the temple to check on the villagers. But that's that.

"You're even preparing for the wedding? Then why aren't they getting a divorce yet?"

"I don't know about that either."

"Now that the Saintess said she would be connected to His Highness the Grand Duke, does she feel sorry about it?"

As she listened to their whispering, Karina suddenly felt resentful.

'Why do I have to hear that?'

She didn't care whether Lucia and Jeremiah were together or not. Rather, she voluntarily tried to get out of the relationship. She couldn't just get a divorce if she wanted to. She had to get permission from the Emperor, and she had done everything she could to get permission for the divorce. And yet, she was treated like this.

'You're talking as if it's all my fault, no matter what I did.'

She didn't want to just listen. She wanted to give them a room or something. Karina turned around and walked closer to them as she headed towards the dorm.

"Isn't that what I was talking about just now?"

"...!!"

Those who had been putting her down looked at Karina with startled eyes, perhaps not knowing that she would come and ask so openly.

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