ILOIML 24

Chapter 24

Cassia’s tone and attitude didn’t seem like someone asking for a favor.

“What kind of favor is it?”

“If it’s okay with you, may I use the Grand Duchess’s bedroom first?”

Cassia asked such a difficult favor without any hesitation.

The one who was flustered by her bold request was the High Priest of Esta Temple.

“Saint! That’s not something we can allow. We’ll prepare another bedroom for you right away.”

“No, I would really like to stay in the Grand Duchess’s room. I’m sure Her Highness will understand.”

I couldn’t hide my shocked expression as I looked at her.

Cassia met my eyes calmly and raised her eyebrows as if nothing was wrong.

Why? Why is she making such a rude request?

And why does she act like I’ll agree without question?

‘Is she trying to blackmail me using the holy sword?’

Suddenly, the holy sword Aisar came to mind.

Right now, that was the only weakness she could use against me.

‘Ugh, if I hadn’t taken that money, I would’ve given it back to you right now.’

Whether I was the rightful owner or not, I hated being cornered by Cassia like this.

But sadly, the only thing I could say now was,

“Of course! I’ll switch rooms with you.”

The High Priest gasped and looked at me in shock.

Cassia curled up one side of her lips as if she expected this.

“I’m very devoted, you see. She’s the first saint to appear in hundreds of years, right?”

I barely held back saying, “Of course we should treat her like royalty,”

And placed my hands over my heart.

Covering my weakness with ‘devotion’ was the last bit of pride I had left.

“I’m touched. I guess you can’t trust rumors after all.”

The High Priest looked at both Cassia and me with a touched face.

Clearly, the rumors about me weren’t very good.

“Saint, if Her Highness is okay with it, would you like to have dinner together?”

The High Priest looked excited as he spoke to me.

I had no idea about this dinner plan.

But under silent pressure, I forced a smile and nodded.

“I’m sorry. I’m currently fasting and praying.”

“Oh my!”

That was a relief, but I made a loud disappointed sound on purpose.

Still, I was jealous of her.

I didn’t want to have dinner with the High Priest either.

Why do they make plans involving me without asking first?

“Then you two should talk. I’m tired from the long journey and would like to rest. Could someone guide me?”

“Ah, of course.”

The High Priest called over a priest.

Cassia gave us a small nod and followed the priest out.

There was a faint smile on her face as she left.

When I saw that smile, I suddenly had a bad feeling.

‘Could it be… is Cassia also looking for the sacred relic?

Is that why she wanted to use my bedroom, because she thinks I’ll search for it there like in Aster Temple?’

That sounded like a good guess.

I became sure that Cassia came here knowing a relic was hidden.

‘Does she know exactly where the relic is?

Could it really be in my bedroom?’

If my guess was true, then just like at Aster Temple and Esta Temple,

The relic was in my room again by chance.

I let out a deep sigh, disappointed that I couldn’t use my original room.

“Your Highness must be tired from the long trip.”

The High Priest watched me sigh and asked carefully.

“I am, but I’m more curious about the temple.

Can I look around while my bedroom is being prepared?”

“Yes, of course. I’ll call a priest to guide you.”

“No, it’s okay. That might actually make me more uncomfortable.”

The High Priest paused to think deeply.

He noticed my gaze on him and gave an awkward smile.

“Actually, we don’t usually allow ordinary people inside the temple.

There are restricted areas where only temple staff can go.”

Restricted areas? That made me more interested.

Important things were usually hidden in places like that.

“Then I’d prefer a priest who knows the temple well to guide me.”

I nodded as I spoke.

Hopefully, someone I could charm a little.

A priest entered the room after being called.

“Guide Her Highness well.”

“Yes, I will.”

A young-looking priest bowed to me.

I nodded slightly and followed him out of the room.

Amy and Mary quickly followed behind me.

I told the knights to stay outside so I wouldn’t be restricted in my actions.

Since the temple wasn’t open to the public yet, the knights agreed and stayed behind.

“My Lady, how was the Saint?

I just met her outside, and guess what? She remembered me!”

Amy said excitedly.

Calm Amy always became different in front of Cassia.

‘Probably because she remembers Amy as the maid of the girl who stole her relic.’

I couldn’t say that out loud, so I just nodded.

The priest guiding me was extremely quiet.

Unlike at Aster Temple, where the priest talked nonstop about history,

This one didn’t say much at all.

His name was Aaron.

Aaron only gave short answers when I asked something.

“You can’t go there. That’s a restricted area.”

That was the sentence he said the most.

This temple sure had a lot of restricted areas.

“Why is this area restricted? There’s nothing there.

Can’t I just take a look? Please?”

“No. You may not.”

He was very firm.

I asked a few more times but gave up because it hurt my pride.

“Enough. There’s nothing interesting here, and you act like a robot. I want to go back.”

“Robot?”

His dull eyes suddenly lit up.

‘His eyes changed… is he crazy?’

“What is it?”

“How do you know the word ‘robot’?”

Suddenly, he grabbed my shoulders and started shaking me.

“What are you doing?!”

Amy and Mary rushed in and tried to pull his arms away.

But he wouldn’t let go, shaking me hard like a crazy person.

The whole world seemed to shake.

Why do I know robots?

Because I just know, you crazy priest!!

“Let go!!” I yelled at him.

But he didn’t stop. He shook me even harder.

“Who sent you? Who sent you?!”

“I’m the Grand Duchess of Aster!!”

Who sent me? If I had to say someone, maybe Leon?

Or Lucas? Ugh, I didn’t know anymore.

My head hurt from all the shaking.

Other priests ran over and finally pulled him away from me.

“My Lady! Are you okay?”

Amy and Mary asked as they looked at me, worried.

My dress was already ruined from earlier, and now my hair was a mess.

I glared at Aaron.

So quiet before, but now I saw he was a total lunatic.

The priests escorted me back to the parlor.

When the knights saw me, they rushed over with wide eyes.

They asked Amy and Mary what had happened.

“I’ll explain later. They’re shocked too, so let them rest.”

At my order, the knights backed off with angry eyes.

But they didn’t stop trying to figure out what had happened.

Now they were asking the priests who brought me.

Amy and Mary started crying and apologized.

“I’m fine. What about you two?”

“We’re okay.”

The High Priest rushed into the room, panting.

He looked like he had aged more in just a few minutes.

“Your Highness, I am truly sorry.”