ICOF 20

Chapter 20

Who else could it be? Just another one-sided crush.

I’ve always had a tendency to fall easily for people who treat me well.

In that sense, I’m pretty similar to Giselle.

But the difference is I’m less proactive than she is.

Yeah… Giselle was incredibly brave.

I could never do that!

And besides, the best thing about a one-sided crush is that you can quit anytime… as long as the other person never finds out.

I was planning to keep it a secret, but since everyone in this family is so obsessed with my marriage, I blurted it out without thinking.

They all smirked like it was completely impossible.

Why? Lurbihi is basically everything women could ever want!

He’s kind and gentle, has a beautiful smile, and has a warm heart. Honestly, you don’t find someone like that easily.

As I sat there smiling to myself, everyone stared at me like I’d lost my mind.

Rosa nudged my shoulder.

“Do you even know what a priest does? Sure, they can marry, but if he becomes a high-ranking priest, that might not be possible. And you’re a princess. If you marry a priest, it could even cause religious conflict. The temple already interferes, saying religion comes before royal power. Do you think that would go well?”

I pouted.

“I’m not even saying I’m going to marry him. Aren’t you getting ahead of yourself?”

“You should be realistic. Why like someone you won’t even marry?”

Judging by their expressions, they clearly thought I was being foolish.

Honestly… it’s just a crush. What’s the big deal?

If I actually said I wanted to marry him, they’d probably lose their minds.

“That’s true. Think of someone more realistic,” Lucas added.

Even him?

Ugh, I shouldn’t have said anything. I haven’t even started anything yet, and I already have opposition.

So I brushed it off, saying it was just a one-sided crush. Everyone went, “Ah, figures,” and the conversation ended surprisingly easily.

They were just excited listing candidates earlier—so why is Lurbihi suddenly “impossible”?

***

The next day, Lurbihi came out quickly to greet me when he heard I had arrived at the priest’s residence behind the grand chapel.

It looked like he had just finished mass—he was still wearing his golden vestments.

I smiled awkwardly.

“I think I came too early. You didn’t have to rush…”

“It’s alright. I was speaking with a believer about prayer and ended up being late myself.”

He gently guided me by the back into a rose-filled garden.

We sat and talked like last time.

“Did you return safely that day?”

That day…? Oh, the last time we met.

“Yes, of course.”

“Are you still seeing that person?”

“That person… you mean Sir Adrian?”

“…Yes.”

Ah, right. Adrian came to see me that day.

Well, everyone in the capital knows I got dumped by him, so of course he would know too.

Is he asking if we got back together?

Priests aren’t usually interested in people’s relationships, though.

I answered cheerfully,

“I don’t know if you heard, but we broke off our engagement.”

“I know.”

“Mm, yes. He came that day to argue about something.”

“To argue?”

“Yes. His personality is a bit… strange. Anyway!”

I shook my head, and the ribbon of my loose bonnet came undone, fluttering in the wind.

“By the way, did you hear that I predicted a murder case recently?”

“I read the article. I thought you might bring it up.”

As I tied the ribbon again, I spoke honestly.

“In my world… well, since you’ve seen my past, I’ll speak freely. Where I come from, if you recklessly predict someone’s fate or talk about life and death, you’re punished. I haven’t experienced that yet, but if I keep doing this, I probably will someday. When that happens… I don’t know what I should do.”

Lurbihi looked at me with sharp, thoughtful eyes.

“It is the same here. Interfering with fate is not our role. So do not say everything you see. If someone is destined to die, tell them to reconcile with their family. If someone will fall ill, tell them to take care of their health. That is all we can do. Just as you have been doing, continue to offer small guidance.”

His advice was simple, but it was exactly what I needed.

That I’m doing well.

That he supports what I do and watches over me.

That alone was enough.

I tapped my thigh lightly and smiled, feeling relieved.

“As expected, talking to you makes me feel much better.”

Lurbihi lowered his gaze and spoke quietly.

“When you rely on me like this… I don’t know what I should do.”

At that moment, the wind tousled his light brown hair, and his emerald eyes shimmered in the sunlight.

Holding my breath, I asked,

“What do you mean?”

“I feel guilty that you rely on me as if I were a pure and righteous priest.”

But you are pure and righteous… How much more could you be?

I cleared my throat, trying not to show my thoughts.

“Well… you are more upright and noble than anyone I know. I don’t understand why you put yourself down.”

He looked at me like it was the first time he had ever heard such words.

What? Why does he look so shocked?

…Wait, was I not supposed to say that to a priest?

His eyes held a faint sadness, but his lips were smiling—it was contradictory, yet somehow sacred.

What do I do? If a priest is this beautiful, the believers will be in trouble.

Lurbihi smiled more brightly.

“So that is the kind of person you are. Last time, you even cried after seeing my past…”

Huh? Did he just define me in his head?

What did you decide about me? I want to know too.

He placed his hand over mine and said quietly,

“I am not as pure as you think.”

“…?”

In what sense?

“I…”

He trailed off.

Why stop there?

I felt oddly impatient.

He looked straight into my eyes.

“I hope you do not get involved with him again.”

Huh? He means Adrian?

I looked around awkwardly, thinking about how to respond.

“Adrian is just… well, yes! He treated me like a younger sister. That’s why we broke off the engagement. It’s not like we’re involved or anything. He’s just Lucas’s friend, so we see each other sometimes. Haha …”

I ended up rambling unnecessarily, and my face suddenly felt hot.

He’s worried about Adrian? I didn’t expect that. Does that mean he’s at least a little interested in me …?

Lurbihi spoke firmly.

“I briefly saw your future. He is not your partner.”

That hit harder than expected.

He’s not my partner?

So… don’t waste energy on him?

Ah… so that’s what he meant. He’s just telling me that, not because he’s interested in me.

Looking at his expression, the soft, almost affectionate behavior from earlier felt like my imagination. He was just his usual kind self as a priest.

“So you’re saying I shouldn’t get close to him because he’s not my destined partner?”

Lurbihi frowned slightly.

“Was my explanation insufficient?”