ILOIML 47

Chapter 47

“Cassia?”

Amy’s mouth dropped open when I said the name.

“My lady! Are you close enough with the Saintess to call her by name?”

Amy asked while even stomping her feet in excitement.

“No, I just call her that secretly.”

Amy and Mary’s eyes, which had been full of anticipation, instantly turned cold.

I went back to my room with the letter Amy had given me, sat in front of the desk, and slowly opened it.

[I urgently need to see you and speak with you. As it concerns the Temple, I will take the liberty of visiting this afternoon.]

If it was that urgent, she could’ve brought the letter herself. Why bother saying she’ll come in the afternoon? Morning or afternoon, it’s all the same.

“There will be an unofficial visit from the Saintess this afternoon. Get ready.”

“What? Really?”

“You’ve been fooled by me all along?”

At my annoyed words, Mary and Amy shut their mouths and began to move around busily. But I could see the joy on their faces.

I rested my chin in my hand and stared into space.

‘Will Leon be okay?’

Judging by their reactions so far, the story hadn’t really begun yet, so maybe that’s why—there didn’t seem to be any feelings between them. Of course, the romance in tragic novels always begins after the hardships start.

‘Love that blooms through hardship…’

I shook my head and let out a deep sigh.

“I hate it.”

Muttering to myself, I stood up from the desk and began pacing around the bedroom. Everyone else was excited about the Saintess’s visit, but I was the only one who wasn’t.

Time passed quickly before I knew it.

Mary came running in a panic. Just by her face, I could tell that Cassia had arrived.

I went downstairs and greeted Cassia with the most polite, fake smile I could manage.

Cassia came in, blowing into her cold hands. Her skin looked even paler, and her cheeks were red and swollen from the cold.

“Duchess, have you been well?”

“Welcome. It’s really cold today, isn’t it? I’m still not used to Aster’s weather either.”

“Yes. I’ve never felt such cold before.”

She shivered slightly as she spoke.

“Let’s go to the drawing room.”

“Is the Duke not at the estate?”

Cassia looked at the empty seat beside me and tilted her head.

Her words hit me like a slap on the back of the head. Was she finally starting to take an interest in Leon?

I frowned slightly and couldn’t answer right away, just staring at her.

“I told His Grace that the Saintess would be visiting, but he hasn’t finished today’s assignment yet, so he’s still working on it. Shall I send someone to bring him?”

I barely got the words out because of Cassia’s hopeful expression.

“No, it’s fine. I actually came to speak with you, Duchess.”

I nodded and entered the drawing room with Cassia.

“My lady, shall I bring the tea now?”

Mary asked in an excited tone while sneaking glances at the Saintess.

“Yes.”

Once it was just the two of us in the drawing room, I couldn’t hold back and asked quickly.

“What’s the urgent matter that brought you here so suddenly?”

Cassia looked troubled. I could count on one hand the number of times I’d seen her like this—except when she was caught sneaking snacks. I instantly knew something serious was going on.

‘Is this about Aesar?’

She had said it was related to the Temple. Could the higher-ups in the Temple have found out I took Aesar?

But if Cassia didn’t say anything, how would they know?

“You’ve heard about the recent monster sightings, haven’t you?”

But what Cassia said was completely unexpected.

“Yes, I know.”

“Monsters have even come down to attack the towns in Aster, right?”

Just then, Amy and Mary knocked and entered with the tea. Cassia stopped talking when she saw them.

The two maids couldn’t take their eyes off Cassia and looked at her as if honey was dripping from their eyes. After pouring the tea, they left the room.

Once they were gone, I spoke first.

“It was lucky that there wasn’t much damage.”

“But… did you also know there were monster sightings in Palanuvo recently?”

“Yes.”

“Of course—you were in Palanuvo.”

“Wait, how do you know that, Saintess?”

“Well, since I’m with the Temple, I went to Palanuvo with the high priests to investigate. We recorded who was harmed and those who evacuated.”

I raised an eyebrow and slowly nodded.

“But…”

Cassia stopped mid-sentence and stared at me.

Her gaze had grown sharper. I unconsciously swallowed hard.

“But what?”

“There’s something strange. A common point where the monsters appeared.”

“What is it?”

I had a really bad feeling. Dread slowly spread through me.

“It’s you, Duchess.”

“……Are you saying I was at every place where monsters showed up?”

“Yes.”

Cassia answered confidently.

Maybe someone happened to be where monsters appeared too. Maybe I was just the most well-known person there.

“My maids were with me too. Why are you only talking to me? Should I call Amy and Mary in too?”

“No, I’m here to tell you what the Temple’s higher-ups have been discussing. Also… I have a personal question for you.”

“Oh, this is ridiculous. I almost died in Palanuvo, you know? What’s the personal question?”

Okay, I didn’t almost die. I was hiding in the castle with the others. But still—it was a little white lie to protect myself. My question came out more aggressively than I meant. Cassia’s expression stiffened a little.

“This question will help me decide whether to stand by your side when I speak to the Temple. Did you… hide Aesar on purpose?”

“You’ve got to be kidding me.”

I blurted it out without thinking.

Cassia frowned deeply this time, not just stiffening.

I quickly waved my hands and tried to explain. That was a close one.

“No, Saintess, I swear I’m innocent! Why is the Temple trying to link me with the monsters? Someone’s clearly framing me. Who was it? Who dared do this to me?”

“…Honestly, I just said it offhand, but… everyone agreed with me…”

Damn it. I couldn’t say the curse out loud, but it circled in my mind.

She linked me to the monsters and then came here acting like she’s on my side?

I even turned a blind eye when she lied about fasting just to eat in her room!

This isn’t how the female lead should act!

“Get out!”

I stood up and shouted.

“Duchess, what are you saying?!”

“Oh, I don’t need to hear this. So you’re saying I summoned the monsters or something? What’s next? You think I hid Aesar? Fine. I sold it. So what?”

Cassia’s eyes twitched, and her lips trembled. Her face turned pale.

“Is that the truth?”

“Why does no one believe me? Yes, I sold it. So what?”