Chapter 74
Chapter 74
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: Graypond Holiday
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"A good novel."
The man's plain voice, devoid of exaggeration or flourish, somehow felt like the highest praise.
Even someone who seemed so emotionally reserved thought it was good, which meant Rosemary truly was an excellent novel.
"Is that so? Could you tell me what you liked about it?"
Was that too abrupt?
But she was just too curious.
As a saintess, she couldn't openly admit to writing romance novels, so this was her first time meeting a reader face-to-face like this.
The editors had told her the reactions were positive, but Lucia wanted to hear a reader's opinion directly.
"The female protagonist's emotions were incredibly varied and rich. Especially the argument with Rachel in chapter three—it really surprised me."
He unpacked the novel's content as if he'd prepared for this, steadily sharing his opinions, even pointing out minor regrets.
Lucia committed it all to memory, thinking those regrets could be improvements.
She'd somehow ended up sitting with him naturally, but she didn't mind at all.
Coincidences piling up make fate.
Had the gods prepared this meeting for her today?
This time, the man across from her asked.
"What part impressed you the most, miss?"
"Oh, me?"
Asking the author herself about the most impressive parts felt like a mischievous prank, but Lucia pondered it seriously.
"The ending. The scene where Mary ultimately finds love, abandons everything, and leaves—it really stuck with me."
"......"
The man nodded with an understanding expression.
"It felt just like the author's wish. To sever all worldly ties and step toward the path your heart desires."
"Ah."
How had he grasped her intent so precisely?
To Lucia, the protagonist Mary of Rosemary was a projection of her own inner ideals.
Feeling exposed, she turned her head away in embarrassment.
Just then, the coffee she'd ordered at the counter arrived at the table. The server glanced at the table—now a stage for their encounter—winked playfully, and left.
"It's not like that......"
Worried she'd sparked a misunderstanding, she gripped her coffee cup with both hands and brought it to her lips.
She stole glances at the man's face while pretending to sip.
The gauze on his cheek covered a wound, but aside from that, his skin was smooth and fair.
Northerners often had pale white skin, so he was probably from there.
The more she looked, the more he seemed like someone who'd broken many women's hearts. As a saintess, she'd received courtship from many handsome men, but they were all bright and radiant types.
He was the opposite.
If anything, moonlight.
Abstract as it was, the image that came to mind upon seeing him was pale bluish moonlight softly shining down on a quiet night sky.
"Ah, hot!"
Too focused on his face, she'd forgotten the coffee was hot.
Startled as it scalded her tongue, Lucia flinched.
Normally, she'd heal it instantly with holy power, but she was hiding her identity now.
For some reason, she didn't want to reveal her name to this man.
Not as the saintess.
Not as the author.
Just as one person to another.
So Lucia endured the sting and wiped the spilled coffee.
As she stuck out her slightly burned tongue, the man cautiously extended his hand.
"Eh?"
The situation was so sudden she couldn't react. His hand, paused before her face, was remarkably graceful.
A chill like frost flowed from his fingertips, gently enveloping her burned tongue.
The stinging pain vanished naturally.
'He's a mage.'
He withdrew his hand and calmly sipped his coffee, as if nothing had happened. His thoughtful consideration touched her.
Sticking out her tongue had been a bit embarrassing, though.
From there, their conversation stretched on quite long. A cozy, warm time.
When throats grew dry, they refilled their coffee; when stomachs rumbled, they ordered bread and cake.
Watching him pour out interpretations of the author's heart reflected through Rosemary felt like meeting a kindred spirit no one else knew.
She marveled at his wisdom in naturally unpacking the desires and ideals she'd woven into the book while understanding them broadly.
The book talk soon expanded beyond personal matters to thoughts on Graypond itself.
Topics never ran dry, conversation flowed endlessly, and Lucia was surprised by his unexpectedly vast knowledge.
Despite the long talk, neither revealed their names.
It felt like an unspoken rule between them, proof their hearts aligned without words.
Why did such enjoyable time pass so quickly?
Outside was already dark, and as saintess, she couldn't waste more time.
Truth be told, she'd already stayed until the line was perilously thin.
"I think I should head out now."
As Lucia rose slowly, the man across from her stood calmly too.
He murmured with a hint of regret.
"More enjoyable than I thought; time flew by."
Had he, too, forcibly extended the time because he found talking with her pleasant?
Not bad at all.
Hiding a subtle smile, Lucia slowly offered a handshake.
For a moment, his lips twitched as impulses flitted through her mind.
She wanted to continue this novel-like encounter.
If they exchanged names, couldn't they set another time, make a promise?
She knew her position as saintess forbade it.
Not just romance—even spending private time with a man would spark huge gossip, damaging her saintess image.
'Haa.'
Lucia decided to admit it honestly. She was, albeit faintly, drawn to the man before her as a woman.
Not fallen in love, but the possibility was slyly emerging.
"It was a pleasant time."
But pretending not to notice her turmoil, the man shook her hand gently.
That was it.
It might feel disappointing, but it felt like he'd preemptively severed her dilemma.
"Someday, if the gods guide us, may we meet again."
His blunt words carried consideration, so Lucia smiled softly in return.
"Yes, the gods will guide us."
Right—if their bond was fate, if he was truly god-ordained for her, it wouldn't end like this.
Surely they'd meet again somewhere.
The two left the shop together and walked off in different directions.
No regrets lingered.
Lucia realized for the first time that even a brief encounter could be profoundly beautiful, and farewell not just wistful but expectant.
It felt like an experience every author must have. She wanted to grab her pen right away, but no time.
One of Graypond's largest churches, officially affiliated with the saintess.
A church worshiping Goddess Yustia of Justice, its statue of the goddess with scales and sword etched strongly in her mind.
And before it stood her longtime friend, unusually clad in a red hooded cloak.
"Huh? Gloria?"
"Lucia!"
Was it okay for the Royal Guard Captain to loiter before a church like this? But Gloria immediately pulled her into a tight hug and laughed.
"I waited all day since you said you'd come—what kept you?"
"Ahaha."
Until moments ago, she'd felt immersed in a novel, but seeing her old friend Gloria was like a cold splash of water.
Not that she minded.
She was glad to see Gloria after so long, too.
"Just met someone briefly. Taking a vacation?"
"Yeah, I slipped away for a day since you were coming."
Royal Guards rarely got vacations; her friend must have struggled to make it, only to wait so long.
"But I have something to do now......"
She'd come as saintess to confront the royal court's chosen necromancer.
Being seen with Gloria, the Royal Guard Captain, would look odd.
Knowing this, Gloria gave a wry smile and stepped back.
"I know. Just wanted to see you."
Their positions put them at odds, but their friendship remained unshaken.
"......Did you meet the necromancer?"
Was it okay to ask? But Gloria, unperturbed, answered with a strange expression.
"Hmm, I saw him, but...... Honestly, not sure. He's incredibly taciturn, but his abilities are top-notch."
"......"
"Honestly, without the black mage prejudice, he doesn't seem like a bad guy."
"I-is that so......"
Lucia fell into brief thought. Gloria waved casually in farewell.
"I'll head out now—good luck."
"Yeah, thanks."
Leaving her best friend behind with regret.
Lucia removed her glasses, tucked them away, pulled off her hood to reveal her silver hair, and entered the church.
"S-Saintess!"
"The saintess is here!"
Cheers erupted from all around.
The author and friend Lucia was gone.
Here remained only the noble saintess chosen by the gods to purify all evil in the Griffin Kingdom.
Lucia Saint.
* * *
[Pretty skilled, huh?]
"......"
[I didn't believe the rumors you were a playboy, but seeing this, maybe they were true.]
"......"
[Can't you be that nice to me too?]
The Black Necromancer had been grumbling since earlier, displeased that I'd spent time with Saintess Lucia.
To avoid getting caught, I'd kept her at a distance, but she'd somehow overheard the conversation.
[We're on opposing sides now anyway. Shouldn't you be kinder to your constant companion and mentor who teaches you, rather than the enemy?]
She seemed ready to complain all day, so I glanced at her.
A hopeful smile shone through the black cloth.
"Be quiet."
My irritated remark sent her sulking off somewhere immediately.