18. Exploration (5)
It hadn't been long since the door closed when a creaking sound came from behind Rohan's back—someone descending the stairs. He tensed reflexively.
The one who emerged from the secret door connected to the bookshelf was a woman draped in a silk gown embroidered with ornate patterns. Cecilia, the head of the Gray Merchant Guild. She brushed her short, light purple hair behind her ear and asked, "The guest... gone?"
Rohan shrugged. "Yeah. Seemed pretty busy with work."
Cecilia arched an eyebrow slightly. Her already sharp, upturned eyes narrowed even more, giving her a fierce, tiger-like impression. Rohan gave a wry smile. "Don't look at me like that. You'll ruin that pretty face of yours."
Just as Rohan's finger neared her cheek, Cecilia snatched his wrist. "Rohan. How many times have I told you..."
"Shh." Rohan pressed a finger to his lips and shook his head. "That's all in the past."
"..."
Rohan smiled brightly even as she gripped his wrist. Cecilia stared piercingly at him for a long moment, then let out a short sigh in defeat and released his hand.
She glanced down at the two teacups on the table. One was half-empty, the other already drained. Cecilia picked up the half-full one and took a sip of the remaining tea.
"...I'll send word to the palace. Better than you moving alone."
"As expected from my love. That's why I fell for you." Rohan pulled Cecilia into a waist-hug and planted a light kiss on her cheek. She made a disgusted face but didn't push him away.
"All talk. If this goes wrong, you and that friend of yours will die by my hand."
Rohan grinned. He tightened his arm around her waist, pulling her close, and whispered softly, "To see your face even one more day, I won't die. I won't make my wife a widow, so don't worry."
Lien strode down the corridor at a brisk pace. Her footsteps echoed loudly through the hall, even though she wasn't wearing hard-soled shoes.
Her public image as a saintess? She couldn't care less about such trivialities right now. She had far more important and urgent matters on her mind.
A deep shadow hung over Lien's face. Normally, it would be from her saintess duties, but not today. She simply hadn't slept a wink all night.
Elijah's words telling her to leave, his finger pointing at the door. His face that hadn't looked at her until the very end. They haunted her thoughts relentlessly.
Lien bit her lip. She couldn't understand it. She'd told him everything—how hard she'd struggled, how long she'd waited. Even the things she'd done for him.
Yet Elijah had pushed her away. 'Oppa must be misunderstanding something.' Otherwise, he wouldn't act so coldly.
That she saved him out of selfishness? No. Lien didn't think she'd betrayed Elijah.
Yes, her testimony had caused him pain... but wasn't it better than death? She thought if she explained why, he'd understand. He'd always been like that.
When she'd stolen bread out of hunger and got caught at thirteen, he'd taken the beating for her. When a man tried to touch her, he'd beaten him senseless. Elijah, with his bruised and battered face, had held the terrified her and smiled, telling her not to do it again.
So this time, she'd thought she'd saved him... But why had Elijah looked at her with those eyes?
"Ow..."
Lien clutched her chest. Recalling Elijah's gaze made her heart throb painfully.
She leaned against the wall, panting for a few minutes until her racing heart calmed. Then she started walking again.
She had to clear up the misunderstanding with Oppa somehow. Fortunately, she had someone who could help.
The person who'd taught her from the day she became a saintess at just thirteen. One of the few who knew about her and Elijah's relationship.
Finally, she reached a large white door. Lien knocked softly.
"Come in."
A deep, resonant voice replied. Lien opened the door and entered.
The room was as quiet as ever. The high ceiling bore a sacred painting praising the goddess, and multicolored light filtered through stained glass, softly illuminating the desk.
The elderly man seated there, reviewing documents, slowly looked up. He gave Lien a kindly smile. "Lien. What brings you here?"
"Your Holiness..." Lien's lips trembled. "Oppa... Elijah oppa... he hates me."
The Pope set down his pen and looked at her. With her head bowed, Lien continued, "I went to see him last night... I explained everything... but he told me to leave, that he didn't want to talk..."
The Pope gazed at her silently for a moment, then rose slowly from his seat. He approached and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Your Holiness... What did I do wrong...? How much more do I have to try...? I did everything just as you said... I don't know what to do..."
"Lien."
She looked up. "...Yes."
"Give Elijah a little more time."
His voice was low and firm. "Five years is a long time. Think about how much he must have been hurt during that period. Hurt people push others away. It's not because he dislikes you."
"Then why..."
"He's still afraid. Of being hurt again."
Tears welled in Lien's eyes. "But Your Holiness... waiting is so hard for me. Oppa feels so distant... and that girl too..."
"You mean Seraphina."
The Pope's voice remained steady. "...Don't worry about her. Elijah is overwhelmed with his own issues right now. He has no room to accept anyone else. Being impatient will only backfire."
"...Do you really think so? Will Oppa look at me like he used to?"
"Of course. You two are bound by fate, aren't you? A brief storm won't uproot your bond."
The Pope smiled gently. "You've already waited five years. Just a little longer. Everything will fall into place."
Lien hesitated, then nodded. His words made sense. If Oppa was still scared, if she'd pushed too hard... she could wait a bit more.
She wiped her eyes. "...I understand, Your Holiness."
"Good. Wise choice."
The Pope patted her shoulder. Lien bowed and turned to leave. Just before opening the door, his voice came from behind.
"Lien."
"Yes, Your Holiness."
"How goes the task I gave you?"
"...Yes. Almost done."
The Pope stared at her intently, then smiled kindly. "Good. Only when that's finished can Elijah return. Hang in there a bit longer."
"...Yes, Your Holiness."
Lien closed the door and stepped into the corridor. Talking to the Pope lightened her heart.
'Yeah, Oppa's just hurting right now.' Pushing her away like a sulky child in pain. So she had to try harder. Then he'd come back to her arms.
With that thought, Lien walked on.
A few days later, the day of Sera's ordination ceremony.
"Phew... Don't get nervous, don't get nervous..."
Sera muttered with a stiff expression. The ceremonial robes she wore were so ornate they looked heavy. Over the pure white vestments, golden threads and purple embellishments were lavishly embroidered, and a sparkling tiara crowned her elegantly pinned-up hair.
Gazing in the mirror, she saw the glittering cross earrings and the large rosary around her neck. All made just for her, but to Sera—who'd never worn such flashy accessories—they were simply uncomfortable.
She fiddled with the silver hairpin at her temple. 'I miss oppa...'
Sera wanted to finish the ordination as soon as possible and go see Elijah. Once it was over, she'd be officially recognized as a saintess. Not as powerful as Lien, but surely she could do some things her way.
First, she'd bring delicious food and feed him. If he was secretly drinking, she'd scold him.
A smile crept onto her lips. 'He's doing okay, right?'
He'd looked a bit tired last time. The saintess said she'd look after him, so probably fine... but.
Spending days with Lien had shown her the woman was unpredictable. One day she'd dash off like something urgent came up, the next she skipped meditation without a word. Then the day after, she'd appear perfect again with a benevolent smile. Definitely odd.
'What exactly is her relationship with oppa...?'
Her eyes always gleamed strangely when Elijah came up. There had to be history. ...I'll ask oppa casually later.
"Sigh..."
Sera took a slow deep breath in front of the mirror. At that moment, a knock sounded at the door.
"Saintess, it's time to enter."
"Y-Yes!"
Sera bit her tongue mid-reply. Grimacing slightly, she stood.
Priests and a few attendants waited outside. One bowed slowly.
"Then, shall we go?"