PRKE 40

CHAPTER 40……………………………………

Once excavation of a temple was complete, it might be opened to the public, but not all temples were like that.

Records considered important or sensitive were stored separately, so unpublished temples, whose classification work hadn’t yet been completed, were even more valuable.

“That also means that without the proper reason, even the entrance is hard to get a look at.”

I even considered nudging Princess Laratou in the side.

Although temple excavations were conducted privately, the areas weren’t so strictly restricted that only scholars could enter.

High-ranking nobles, curious or eager to explore special places, had often bragged about visiting unpublished temples.

One such trend died down after someone fell into a temple pit and fractured their limbs.

Hubert set down his teacup after taking a sip. Then he gave me a smile that looked almost drawn.

“Have you been well while I was away?”

“Yes.”

“Nothing unusual happened?”

“Same as always.”

“From what I hear, you haven’t been meeting the prince much lately.”

He spoke gently, his face kind as always.

“That’s right. I’ve explained everything that needed explaining. Now it seems he’s touring the cities outside the capital.”

Even though we had met just a few days ago, I feigned ignorance.

Hubert smiled with satisfaction.

“You did as I said. Well done.”

He muttered to himself that he should even give me a reward and tilted his head.

“Shall we go on a date this weekend?”

“…What?”

“Why the surprise? We used to spend time together often, didn’t we? Visiting the gardens, going to the market. I still remember your expression when you tried seafood skewers for the first time. That was really fun.”

He seemed sure that I’d like it. A date with Hubert? That’s not a reward—it’s a harsh punishment.

I forced a smile and said,

“I’d love to, but aren’t you busy?”

“I’m always busy. The research at the Western Temple isn’t finished yet.”

The mention of the Western Temple immediately caught my attention.

Hubert murmured regretfully.

“Since I inherited my title, it seems I’ve used being busy as an excuse not to spend time with you.”

“….”

“Sometimes, we need days like that. Forgetting what’s important could be a disaster.”

Seeing his gentle smile, I gripped my knees tightly.

‘Don’t speak as if you miss those times.’

You were the one who discarded me like a spent hunting dog.

I could have retorted to his reminiscing, but I stayed silent.

“Eg? Not really keen?”

“…Of course I am. I’m very happy.”

“Not too busy preparing for the rain-making ritual?”

“You’re taking time out for me. I can skip any schedule.”

I forced a soft, slightly shy expression.

Before, that expression would come naturally even if I wanted to hide it—but now I had to make it, and it was surprisingly difficult.

“What should we do?”

“I like anything.”

Giving such an obedient answer made me uneasy. The sad part was that in my previous life, I had said this countless times.

Anything’s fine. That’s fine too. Do as you like.

What’s “fine”? I had never once thought the place itself was enjoyable.

It was only tolerable because I was with Hubert. Nothing else mattered.

But this time was different.

‘I have somewhere I want to go.’

How could I guide him to answer without arousing suspicion?

I wracked my brain.

“I knew you’d say that.”

Hubert shook his head as if he couldn’t help it.

“But this time, I want to do what makes you happiest.”

“I said I like whatever we do together. But we don’t have much time, right? How long will you be at the mansion?”

When I asked naturally, he nodded.

“I have to return to the West in two days. I only came back briefly to report to His Majesty.”

“Not much time. What should we do? Tomorrow I’ll be busy with preparations for the rain-making ritual…”

When I put on a disappointed expression, Hubert looked troubled.

“Oh no, I have to meet His Majesty today.”

“I’m fine any time except tomorrow. Ah! Should I go with you when you leave?”

I tried to suggest what seemed the best option given the circumstances.

“When I leave?”

“Yes. The West is famous for its beautiful scenery. It’ll feel like a trip, and I think it’ll be nice.”

“Oh, that’s not bad. But there won’t be much else to see; it might get boring.”

“I’ll enjoy just watching you work.”

I smiled shyly.

Hubert, after a moment of thought, nodded.

“True, the recently excavated temple is quite beautiful inside. It’ll be worth seeing.”

I quietly cheered inside.

I had planned to sneak into the temple under the pretense of grabbing snacks or retrieving forgotten equipment—but now he suggested it himself!

I asked, feigning surprise,

“We can see the temple too?”

“Yes. It’s still unpublished, so not fully organized—but that gives it an even more mysterious corner. Why? Don’t you want to? You were jealous when Aris went to an unpublished temple before.”

I certainly didn’t want to!

Worried he might change his mind, I quickly said,

“I’m worried I might get in your way. If I accompany you and it harms your reputation…”

Hubert smiled as if he admired me.

“Don’t worry about that. I hope it will be a fun trip.”

“Now that’s no problem. Who am I going with?”

I crossed my legs ‘shyly’. It felt strangely satisfying, like I was fully back in my past life.

Unlike the uneasy feeling I expected, this extremely obedient act worked in my favor.

Seeing Hubert’s satisfied face, I smirked inwardly.

The temple date went perfectly, flowing smoothly. I followed Hubert with smiles or exclamations, and he spoke to me more warmly than usual.

“I’m worried Aris seems upset.”

“Aris has spent a lot of time with me before. Don’t worry.”

This felt like it was my turn in some kind of unspoken cycle.

‘Has my manipulation worked?’

Whatever the reason, Hubert’s attention to Aris was clearly not the same as before.

‘It won’t be easy to completely ruin their relationship.’

The more obedient I acted, the more reassured he seemed. I had to stifle laughter multiple times.

“Careful, Eg.”

Hubert held my hand.

The old temple had broken floors in many places, so we had to move closely together.

Aside from these minor annoyances, not a moment was wasted.

There wasn’t much of interest in terms of temple artifacts. I had hoped, like in Leo’s time, for spirit-infused stones, but had to let that hope go.

However, the murals throughout the temple captured my attention. I instinctively etched the ancient, hard-to-date paintings into my memory.

As soon as we left the temple, I rushed to the carriage under the pretext of changing clothes.

Thud.

I closed the carriage door, pulled out the notebook I had tucked in my lap instead of changing, and began scribbling frantically.

‘I need to record everything while it’s vivid. Ah, the mural in the second chamber! What did it look like?’

The blank space in my notebook quickly filled.

Rustle.

The sound of pages turning seemed unusually loud.

Giovanni’s gaze never left my notebook.

After examining to the last page, he finally looked at me.

“Is this all?”

“There were minor notes, but I couldn’t recall them. If I said I wanted to see the temple again, it might arouse suspicion. So I only recorded the important parts.”

“Pretty well done.”

“I put effort into it.”

Giovanni opened to the first page again. He studied my copies of the murals seriously.

I said nothing, not wanting to interrupt his thoughts.

“This is much more detailed than the other drawings.”

Giovanni pointed at the portion of the notebook spread before him.

The black ink of the fountain pen drew careful lines.

It depicted a lying figure.

“It was a painting on the central wall of the temple,” I said.

I recalled the strange feeling when I first saw it and gazed at my notebook. The temple mural overlaid my rough sketch.

“It was painted blue.”

“….”

“The meaning of the painting…”

Was my interpretation correct?

After a brief hesitation, Giovanni spoke first.

“Cannibalism, perhaps.”

My face stiffened.

“…Yes.”

That was why this painting was more striking than the others.

Our eyes simultaneously returned to the notebook.

It depicted a giant and a small figure painted in blue. The small figure knelt, bowing to the giant.

At a glance, it seemed like mourning a death—if there weren’t blood on the lips or torn flesh.

“Perhaps a human sacrifice. Not the kind of record the royal family would like.”

“They’ll probably remove it before publication.”

I muttered confidently. Ordinary citizens would never see this mural in their lifetime.

I thought of Hubert not wanting to show me the mural, and stared at the drawing again. I specifically saw the giant being eaten by the small figure. There was a dot on the forehead.

‘In the mural, it looked like a blue droplet.’

I pretended indifference to avoid Hubert’s suspicion, but the moment I saw the mural, I was shocked.

A blue droplet on the giant’s forehead.

It reminded me of the blue tattoo that appeared whenever the priests used their power.

[The kingdom holds the secrets of water.]

I glanced at Giovanni. He furrowed his brows, trying to understand the notebook drawing.

‘Could it be related?’

Only after a long moment did Giovanni nod.

“We’d need a sorcerer’s interpretation for accuracy, but this seems to represent an ancient tribe.”