Chapter 50
The news that people had come from the Temple of Rianus ended my short birthday right away.
I looked at Leon, and Leon looked at me. His gaze sharpened. Just as he was about to open his mouth, I shook my head.
“I’m fine. I’ll go meet them alone.”
“No, I’ll go with you.”
Of course, in my heart I wished he would stay by my side. But I also knew it wasn’t good for Leon to show himself in front of people too much, so I firmly shook my head. Leon started biting his lips hard. He must have thought the same thing, because he didn’t insist on following me anymore.
I followed Mary down to the reception room where the temple people were waiting. As we got closer, my fingertips started trembling on their own.
When I entered, three priests wearing the robes marked with the symbol of Rianus stood up at once. They smiled warmly, but their eyes were not so warm, and bowed to me.
“Duchess Bella, greetings. We came from the Temple of Rianus. Forgive us for coming without notice.”
“I was surprised at your sudden visit, but fine. If you have questions, please ask quickly and leave.”
I sat on the sofa and watched them exchange glances as they also sat.
“We didn’t come to ask you questions, Your Grace. We came to escort you to the Temple of Rianus.”
“…What?”
Right now?
“We didn’t contact you beforehand because we thought you might hide yourself.”
It felt exactly like they were treating me as some kind of criminal.
“If I understand correctly, you mean to take me away now?”
“Not take you away—just accompany us to the temple for a short investigation.”
“Then let’s just do it here.”
One priest firmly shook his head.
“The temple has a device that can track traces of forbidden magic.”
“So you’re saying I used forbidden magic, summoned monsters, or something like that? Then why didn’t you just bring that device here?”
“It cannot be taken outside the temple.”
Why did I feel like I was heading toward yet another death, different from the original story? This time, it seemed I might be accused as a witch. But if the device truly worked, maybe I could clear my name easily—unless someone used tricks against me. Uneasiness grew inside me.
“So in the end, you’re saying you’re taking me.”
“That’s not what we mean…”
“Of course it is. That’s exactly what you mean.”
As our back-and-forth dragged on, one priest took out a shining golden card from his robe and carefully placed it on the table. Cassia had told me even the Emperor couldn’t refuse an investigation from the temple when that card was shown. It was a unique authority given to the temple by the Empire’s first Emperor, who had chosen Rianus as the empire’s chief god.
“…Fine. But at least let me greet the Duke before I go. He thinks I’ll only be checked here in the castle.”
“From this moment, Your Grace, you must do everything with us. We will go meet the Duke together.”
I shut my mouth and slowly looked at their faces before nodding.
“Mary!!”
I called loudly toward the door. Amy and Mary both came in.
“Please ask Leon to come here for a moment.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
They left the room. I sighed deeply, leaned back on the chair, and looked at the priests.
“What kind of person is the Saint?”
My sudden question made the priests’ faces stiffen. But none of them answered. I quietly watched their silence.
“Is it that hard to answer?”
I scratched my head lightly. One priest looked openly offended.
“The Saint is an object of worship, not something to be judged. How dare you…”
Another priest elbowed him hard and glanced at me nervously. Since the Saint was such a sacred figure, I didn’t really get angry at his rudeness.
At that moment, the door opened wide and Leon strode in.
“Leon.”
I called his name warmly. He gave me one hard look, then lowered his eyes. He closed them for a moment, then opened them again with a bright smile.
‘His control over emotions is amazing.’
I looked at him proudly, then quickly fixed my own expression. I had to match his acting.
“Bell-Bell!! Why’d you call me? Who are these old men?”
The priests stood and greeted Leon politely.
“Duke, we are priests from the Temple of Rianus.”
Leon’s sharp gaze went to the golden card on the table.
“Wow, gold! Gold!!”
He rushed forward with greedy eyes and stretched his hand toward the card, but one priest quickly snatched it away first. Leon clicked his tongue in disappointment.
“Leon, you know better than to touch other people’s things.”
I scolded him sternly.
“Waaah, Bell-Bell scolded me! Bell-Bell, you’re mean!!”
The priests frowned at our antics. I went over and patted Leon’s back.
‘Of course they know we’re acting, but still—we’re in perfect sync, aren’t we?’
I couldn’t help but smile. Leon looked up, saw my smile, and frowned.
‘Why’s he making that face?’
“Your Grace, the holy knights are waiting outside. We can’t give you much more time.”
One priest pressed me impatiently, as if he couldn’t stand our play anymore.
“Leon, I need to go to the Temple of Rianus. I’ll be back soon, and then we can finish the birthday party, alright?”
Leon stared at me silently. He opened his mouth, then closed it again, looking troubled. I gently smiled and held his hand as if to reassure him. He pulled away and walked to the priests.
“Bell-Bell, you better give me lots of meat later. If not, I’ll turn into a monster.”
He said jokingly. One priest laughed politely.
“Don’t worry. It’s just a short check. We’ll only test with the device to see if forbidden magic was used.”
At those words, Leon’s face turned blank.
“Magic? Who’s the magician?”
“It’s not that I am one—it’s just to check if I ever used magic,” I explained quickly.
“Wow, if Bell-Bell were a magician, that’d be great. She could use magic to make me a gold mine.”
That obsession with gold…
“Well, I’ll go now. If anything happens, I’ll send word.”
Leon nodded. I thought I saw his eyes tremble, but maybe it was just me. I left with the priests while Leon waved silently behind me.
“Why are there so many holy knights?”
I gaped at the large group waiting outside. It looked more like they had come to conquer the castle. If I had refused, they surely would’ve dragged me by force.
“Well… it’s just the necessary procedure…”
The priest couldn’t quite say they came for forced escort, but he stammered and avoided my eyes. I gave a bitter laugh and stepped into the carriage with them.
I glanced out the window, half-hoping Leon might have come out to see me off. But he didn’t.
‘What if something really happens to me? He won’t even come out to say goodbye? Hmph.’
I kept waiting for him until the carriage moved, but he never showed.
‘Well, maybe it’s fine. We already said goodbye inside.’
I tried to soothe my heart, but disappointment stayed with me. And as the carriage rolled forward, a strange uneasiness began to rise inside me.
