Chapter 2.1

Chapter 2.1

“Are you satisfied now, Priestess?”

She was the only one on this land with black hair and black eyes. Though she had shed the Escliffe surname, she bore the singular name Amelia. Even if Ivan had no interest in the temple, it wasn’t hard for him to recognize that the woman before him was Amelia, the Priestess.

“How…?”

But Amelia took a step back, startled that her identity had been discovered. It was an obvious fact, yet was it truly so surprising? Perhaps because she had lived her entire life protected within the temple, there was an innocent streak to her.

“Because the name Amelia is permitted only to you.”

At Ivan’s answer, Amelia finally let out a short, dazed gasp. “Ah.”

“That’s right…”

Amelia’s voice trailed off.

Meanwhile, Ivan meticulously scrutinized the woman’s face, which somehow looked forlorn. At the same time, he sharpened his senses, checking if anyone was nearby or if any footsteps were approaching.

No one. The moment that certainty settled, Ivan leaped nimbly from the wall.

“My goodness.”

Amelia’s red lips parted slightly in surprise. The wall was taller than Ivan, let alone Amelia. Yet, incredibly, his landing was as light as a cat’s.

“Why are you so wary of me?”

Amelia hesitated at Ivan’s question. Only then did she realize she had been subconsciously preparing to step back.

“I am a servant of the gods, so I am also your servant. Do not fear.”

It was a lie. Ivan smiled as he took one step closer to Amelia. His hand toyed with the hilt of the dagger hidden within his robes.

“I’m not wary…”

If he were to plunge the dagger into the heart of this seemingly fragile woman, he would know for sure whether she truly died or not. Of course, it would be even better if she died. Such was his thought.

“Just surprised.”

He was two or three steps away from striking distance. Amelia said this, then smiled. It was a soft smile, innocent enough to make her look like a child.

“……”

Ivan unconsciously halted the steps that had been bringing him closer to Amelia. Crackle. The aggression he had keenly honed shattered instantly.

“So, you went outside the temple today?”

As if sensing his change, Amelia spoke to him in a tone devoid of tension or fear.

“Yes.”

Amelia’s eyes sparkled at Ivan’s answer. This time, she fearlessly stepped towards him. It was a fleeting moment when Amelia stood in close proximity to Ivan. He unconsciously stopped himself from recoiling.

“What was it like outside?”

Amelia’s eyes shimmered. They were the color of dark wild grapes, but sparkling with anticipation, they looked like jewels. Though there were no such dark and bewitching jewels in the world.

“It was the same as usual.”

Ivan couldn’t ignore those eyes, that shimmering anticipation. He wasn’t captivated, yet he still couldn’t.

“What’s it usually like? Are there many people? Did you wander around a night market? What do they talk about?”

Hearing Ivan’s reply, Amelia barraged him with questions. Ivan, uncharacteristically, was a little flustered and fell silent. The Priestess was the most precious woman in Escliffe. She received even greater treatment than the Empress. So he hadn’t expected her to be curious about something so trivial.

“I went to a tavern.”

Amelia’s eyes widened at Ivan’s confession.

“A tavern?”

“……”

“A tavern?”

Then she let out a small laugh. Ivan blinked, unsure what was so strange about his answer.

“You’ve completely gone astray.”

Only then did a look of realization dawn on Ivan’s face. A temple member in a tavern? It was indeed proof of deviance. He hadn’t even thought it strange in the first place, as the tavern was where he had seized a novice priest’s identification tag.

“Ah, well…”

Ivan was opening his mouth, a look of confusion on his face.

“It’s fine. It’s just something I have to keep secret, right? Is that why you climbed over the wall and ran away here?”

Amelia spoke with an unconcerned expression. Her attitude truly suggested it didn’t matter. Thanks to her, Ivan’s momentary tension quickly became laughable.

“So, what is it like?”

Amelia subtly pressed Ivan for information about the outside world.

“Priestess!”

A voice calling Amelia was heard. Amelia’s eyes widened, and the rustling sound of footsteps on grass grew closer. Ivan hurriedly pulled his hood back over his head.

“Come here.”

At that moment, Amelia hastily snatched Ivan’s hand. She led him to the Prayer Room, where few people ever came.