After Gabriel left, I was heading back to Misha to return the borrowed dress when I happened to run into Kanna, who had just returned from a walk. Her already round eyes widened even further, and her cheeks flushed red. One look at her face and I could tell she was smitten at first sight—this was exactly the kind of reaction Misha would have wanted from Gabriel.
"Is she a goddess? Why doesn't she have wings?"
Kanna covered her mouth in admiration. Why are my household staff so good at flattery? Misha's employees were pretty generous with compliments too—did they all attend some flattery workshop hosted by Misha while I was away? Then again, to survive next to a villainess, you need to perform tricks like a sycophant.
"No wonder Sir Gabriel was so out of sorts. Even I find myself wondering if the young lady isn't actually a goddess..."
"You met Gabriel?"
"Yes. He left looking completely drained."
Kanna mimicked him as she walked with slumped shoulders. My conscience pricked at me. I had been a bit harsh with my words.
Maybe I should have just accepted it? Or at least said thank you!
It wasn't like I was actually going to fall in love with him, and since my goal was to avoid the villainess's death flags, I could have just played along with Gabriel appropriately. That way, Gabriel would have actively protected me everywhere I went.
And I realized something belatedly—was it even a real confession? I was the one who jumped to conclusions and asked if he was confessing. When I asked "Do you like me?" Gabriel couldn't even say anything. Was this confession attempt #1? Did I just race ahead and reject him on my own? It's true that Gabriel likes me, but he never specifically asked me to date him.
Argh! Why did I do that? I seriously regret it now...
I thought I'd been holding it together well without emotional ups and downs since being possessed, but I ended up having an outburst in front of Gabriel. It wasn't even dawn, yet I got caught up in dawn-like sentiments and just vented my frustrations at the male lead who was doing his proper role. This is all because I woke up from sleep. This is why people need to get proper sleep.
Beating the ground in regret internally, I took Pudding from Kanna's arms. It's not even bedtime since he's nocturnal, yet his eyes are closed. When I scratched his chin, Pudding purred with pleasure. Heh. Now this is healing. Animal therapy is the best. All of today's fatigue melted away. If Pudding weren't a beast-person, I would have buried my face in his belly, which is a bit regrettable.
"Kanna, thank you for walking Pudding in my place."
"Not at all. The young lady was busy today, after all."
I had made plans with Gabriel today, so Kanna took care of the walk instead. Usually, Kanna handled these kinds of minor tasks. Kanna had the least seniority, so Hena and Daisy always handled external errands. Especially lately, I'd been bringing along the experienced Daisy more often. So I think I've been a bit neglectful of Kanna. I should reflect on that.
"Are you going to see Lady Shmitiana?"
"That's right. You come along too."
Daisy and Hena probably already had their measurements taken, so I just need to measure Kanna. It works out perfectly—I'll return the dress, and Kanna can get measured at the same time.
"Me too?"
"Yes. We need to make yours too."
"Mine?"
"I already asked for Hena's and Daisy's to be made. You heard terrible things because of me when we went to the temple last time."
Kanna nodded, seemingly recalling what happened at the Grand Temple, and then hugged me. Pudding, whose spot was being invaded, flailed his arms. No, Pudding. Kanna took care of you all day, so yield one side of my embrace at least.
"Young lady..."
I heard a teary voice from below. Is she seriously crying? Over getting one dress made?
When I scattered gold coins like that, Kanna just gave me a thumbs up saying "Our young lady is the best!" When I bought enough ready-made clothes to fill a carriage, she acted composed, saying "Choosing clothes must be a dilemma." That Kanna with the strong mental fortitude?
Was the answer custom-made clothing after all? Good. Let's go with employing Misha indefinitely.
"I'm yours until I die, young lady. You can use me however you like."
Kanna said with a sniffle. No... I won't use you. Saying things like that in a nasal voice isn't exactly cool, you know? Anyway, the heroine repaying kindness has quite the dedication range.
"Young lady, you like me, right?"
Kanna looked up at me while still in my embrace. Tears were welling in her eyes.
Actually, there's a different answer, considering Gabriel's history too. And I can't be cold to someone who's crying, so I just nodded.
Come to think of it, when I read novels, I usually liked the heroine the most. So I guess liking Kanna makes sense.
---
Gabriel dreamed.
It was the familiar nightmare he always had. A carriage speeding along, a young child crushed beneath its wheels. The driver cursed at the near-accident involving a noble's carriage and drove on. Someone whispered that it was a bishop's carriage.
"That high-ranking one contributed greatly to catching those sorcerers. To get in the way of such a carriage—that child must be a sorcerer too!" "Don't go near. You'll be cursed." He heard people murmuring. Several who had stepped forward to help heard those words and turned away, pretending not to notice.
Gabriel begged the adults for help.
"Please save him! His leg—the bleeding won't stop."
But the people nearby only watched; no one dared help the child who had nearly overturned the carriage of God's beloved one.
Gabriel carried the child on his back. He promised to hold on just a little longer, that he would seek help from a priest. His body swayed under the weight of the child a head taller than himself.
Gabriel sought out a priest. One who occasionally performed miracles using holy water while visiting the slums. The priest uttered the same words Gabriel had heard over a hundred times. "I'm sorry, but I cannot help."
"Liar!"
Gabriel rushed at the priest but was immediately subdued. A higher-ranking official who appeared late clicked his tongue at the chaotic scene.
"What is going on here?"
"Father Javaniya..."
The priest explained the situation and was immediately reprimanded.
"You fool! It was holy water to be used for the poor anyway—you could have given it to this child!"
"That's... I used the remaining holy water for Harut, who was slightly injured yesterday."
"How could you..."
By then, the warmth on Gabriel's back had faded. The heart beat even more slowly. Gabriel felt a sense of déjà vu from the familiar heart rate. A heart beating very slowly. This was definitely hers...
"I'll help you."
Father Javaniya's voice changed into the cold, flat voice of Lady Evangeline.
Those were words he had wanted to hear his entire life. And since meeting Evangeline Rohanson, words he had occasionally heard. Gabriel expected the pale, cold hand extended toward him, but when he turned, nothing existed there.
Then, through his faintly awakening consciousness, voices drifted in.
"Captain? Are you sleeping? You used to be perfectly fine even when working through the night?"
"He never dozes off while reviewing documents normally, but I suppose he's tired today."
"He just returned from the Rohanson mansion."
"That's true. What should we do? Should we wake him?"
Familiar voices. Rapahella and Uriel? The dream grew increasingly hazy, and he saw his closed eyelids.
"Bishop Marik summoned Sir Michel... Shouldn't we inform the Captain?"
Gabriel's mind snapped to attention at the familiar name. Right, that was the name of the carriage owner back then.
"It's fine, I'm already awake."
"Captain!"
Rapahella greeted Gabriel. Bishop Marik's summons. Normally Rapahella would have woken Gabriel without hesitation, but he must have looked particularly exhausted today. Probably the effect of what happened at the Rohanson mansion. Gabriel frowned, shaking off the remnants of sleep.
So why did Bishop Marik summon Michel?
"Where's Michel? Did he leave first?"
"No. He told the Bishop he needed to inform the Captain first and stood his ground, puffing up with pride."
'You've got a good subordinate there.' Rapahella cracked a joke. Of course, it was also meant to be sarcastic, given that said subordinate was a troublemaker.
Gabriel rose from his seat and straightened his clothes. Rapahella helped by smoothing out the wrinkled parts.
"Father Javaniya probably told them everything about Michel, didn't he? That old man sided with Bishop Marik. A hypocrite with absolutely no loyalty."
The bishop who had witnessed Michel's situation back then was Javaniya alone. Surely Javaniya's influence was behind summoning Michel. He sends a spy disguised as a tutor to the Rohanson mansion—really scraping the bottom of the barrel. Rapahella was about to continue cursing when Gabriel stopped him.
"Father Javaniya isn't as heartless as you think."
"That old man who only acts nice when people are watching and looks out for his own interests?"
"Rapahella, I am indebted to Father Javaniya."
"I think the help you've given is far greater? Whose doing is it that the old man became a bishop?"
Thanks to Javaniya's help when he was young, Gabriel was able to leave the slums and grow up in the temple's orphanage. Not only that, he was also able to hold a funeral for his older brother who had lived with him.
Much time had passed since then, and Javaniya's goodness may have faded considerably, but to the Gabriel of that time, Javaniya had bestowed a great kindness he could never forget.
Of course, that was only from Gabriel's perspective.
Rapahella considered it nothing special. Born as a young lord of a ducal house, kindness was理所当然 to him, and he thought sending a child to an orphanage rather than providing holy water was merely the obvious course of action.
Since then, Gabriel had joined the knight order at a young age and now served as Captain, being used as Javaniya's hands and feet, so he had more than repaid the debt.
Since their opinions always diverged when Javaniya came up, Gabriel decided to focus on the urgent matters rather than arguing.
Gabriel called over Michel, who had been waiting nearby, watching the Captain's quarters.
"Captain."
"Michel, did they tell you why Bishop Marik summoned you?"
"No. I didn't hear the reason, but I can guess—he summoned me only because of the painting."
Gabriel thought so too. The only reason to summon Michel was that, but what was strange was that considerable time had passed since the day the painting burned.
Ever since Father Berg was captured at the monastery where Daisy had stayed, opinions about the painting had flipped, and everyone was hush-hush as if they had never praised it. There was also worry that the painting might spread further and create more cases like Father Berg.
That was why Gabriel had asked Evangeline to be his partner at the ball. To erase the influence of the painting that had enthralled people, a being with even greater influence was needed.
That was Lady Evangeline. Indeed, those who had stood before the painting day and night returned to normal after facing the lady who had stood before the burning painting.
One strange thing was that everyone couldn't properly remember Evangeline, recalling her only as a remarkably beautiful young lady. The only one who remembered Evangeline clearly was Michel.
Those who primarily saw the painting, frequenting the Grand Temple, were mainly nobles and wealthy merchants. Quite a few had even come to see it when rumors spread.
They couldn't check each person who had been enthralled and visit where they lived, so they had no choice but to go where they gathered most. That was high society. The temple had a visitor log, so they planned to attend the same parties as Evangeline.
They needed to utilize Evangeline's influence, but the young lady's bizarre rumors held them back. For someone who had never once shown her face in society, the rumors were so rampant that it seemed like someone might have deliberately spread them.
To attend as many parties as possible and quell the negative rumors about the young lady, accompanying Gabriel was the best solution. Gabriel's public reputation was flawless without a single blemish, and as she would be seen accompanying a holy knight, the rumors about Evangeline would dilute and settle.
Worried she might reject him, Evangeline accepted the proposal after hearing the explanation. She wanted to behave like an ordinary noble of her age, so it wasn't a bad option.
Gabriel snapped to attention, realizing his thoughts were flowing toward Evangeline like water. Now was the time to focus on Michel and Bishop Marik.
Come to think of it...
Gabriel looked at Michel.
Kanna had said she was the only one to survive that horrific sight, but Gabriel knew of one other person. The subordinate who had become a fervent zealot.
"Michel."
Of course Kanna wouldn't know. He hadn't informed Evangeline about Michel's strange symptoms, and Michel tended to restrain himself, acting demure before the young lady.
"I have something to ask."
"Then should I prepare a shovel?"
"I'm not joking. That time, when Lady Rohanson sprinkled water on you."
"Ah, yes. That time?"
"What did you see then?"
Did Michel see the same extraordinary red world as Gabriel? Michel had an enraptured look, perhaps recalling that moment.
"Something white."
If something white, then pure white could only describe one existence. Michel continued speaking as if dreaming.
"The world was covered in fire, but only that one was pure white. As if already burned to ash. Yes, like Donau. Ah, of course I know well that such things and Lady Rohanson aren't on the same level now."
Unfortunately, what they saw was different. From the description, it seemed like his body was on fire with flames wavering in his vision, and he simply saw Lady Rohanson at that moment. Evangeline favored white clothes, and she had worn a white dress when visiting the Grand Temple too.
"Ah, and I saw eyes too. Not the eye pattern depicted in the painting, but real eyes. Perhaps it was a halo?"
That was new. Eyes? Could they be the same eyes Gabriel saw?
"Why didn't you say anything?"
"Well, everyone thinks I'm strange. Except for you, Captain!"
They didn't think he was strange—he really had become strange compared to before. Originally Michel was very shy, spoke little, and was calm. Comparing just his personality, he had transformed completely.
Right. So Michel also saw those eyes. Gabriel completely forgot he had decided to set aside thoughts of Evangeline Rohanson and threw a question at Michel.
"Michel, you... after seeing that, how did you come to worship Lady Rohanson?"
"If you endure, you can be loved. You envy me, don't you?"
Kanna's words lingered in his mind. The words that if you endure, you can be loved. As he struggled to shake off the thoughts of the young lady that kept forcing their way into his mind, Michel spoke in a voice like someone entranced.
"Actually, that wasn't the important part."
"What?"
"Lady Rohanson simply saved me, didn't she? That's why I revere her."
Contrary to thinking Michel was unconditionally praising Evangeline while entranced, it was a rather worldly and understandable reason.
Come to think of it, Kanna was the same. She said Evangeline saved her when she was kidnapped by Donau Blue. Daisy, who was initially hostile toward the young lady, was too.
'Then what about me?'
Gabriel had missed his chance to be saved. Even if Evangeline helped in his dreams, the dead child wouldn't return to life, and reality wouldn't change.
Was that why Gabriel couldn't accept Evangeline?
His contemplation was brief; Gabriel forcefully shook off his thoughts. Even if a tidal wave comes and eventually submerges everything, now was the time to watch the beast before his eyes.
When he headed to where Bishop Marik resided, his aides welcomed Gabriel.
"Sir Gabriel. The Bishop has been waiting. Please, come inside."
"Didn't you summon Sir Michel?"
When Gabriel asked with a slight frown, the priest lowered his eyes at the imposing presence. When the priest faltered without making any excuse, another man beside him answered while grumbling.
"Perhaps there was some misunderstanding. The Bishop did summon Sir Michel, but that's for the post-incident review. That's our duty, not the Bishop's."
Michel sensed the situation turning strange and watched Gabriel's reaction. Just holding back his respected superior—truly a remarkable subordinate, as Rapahella said.
"Haha. The Captain of the Knights is surely aware that post-incident reviews are mandatory procedure."
"Indeed."
The intimidated priest now chimed in enthusiastically.
It had apparently been a month since Nofedi's painting burned. As the priest said, major incidents did undergo post-incident reviews after a month's interval. Losing track of time was Gabriel's error in not recognizing the purpose of Bishop Marik's summons.
Bishop Marik summoning Michel was bait.
When Bishop Marik had summoned Gabriel, he had delayed meeting him with all manner of excuses, so this was a strategy. That's why he hadn't revealed the reason for summoning Michel. If he said it was a post-incident review, Gabriel obviously wouldn't accompany him.
And by using such tactics, he could also avoid criticism for summoning Gabriel without proper grounds.
"Since you've come together, how about having a conversation with the Bishop while Sir Michel's investigation concludes?"
"It's late at night. I cannot commit a breach of etiquette."
"Breach of etiquette? It's my kindness. The Captain must have things he wants to hear from me, doesn't he?"
When Gabriel refused, another voice interjected. Bishop Marik himself had come out upon hearing the commotion outside. He was wearing a veil again today.
"Is there no time to share tea and conversation with me? I always have tea before bed. It's a tea that relieves fatigue and greatly aids restful sleep. The Captain, so busy with official duties, looks like he needs sleep—tea will help."
It was very gentle coercion. The priests beside him looked at Gabriel with envy, as if about to enjoy the glory of sharing refreshments with the Bishop. Gabriel ultimately couldn't refuse the persistent invitation and reluctantly agreed.
"Thank you for your kindness. I have been accumulating fatigue lately."
Gabriel exchanged a glance with Michel and parted from him. He had explained before how much to reveal to outsiders, so he wouldn't have forgotten.
Rapahella said Michel's brain had gone rotten, but to Gabriel, it seemed his blind faith had simply shifted from Lord Rahel to Evangeline. As evident from their earlier conversation, Michel was quite rational. So he would never say anything harmful to Evangeline. He could be trusted in that regard.
"It's humble, but please enter."
Gabriel stepped into the office.
True to his word, the interior was sparse for a bishop receiving such reverence. Even Father Javaniya's office, known for being frugal, had several ornate decorations, but Bishop Marik's office was extremely barren. It felt exactly like being in a monastery.
Bishop Marik had originally been a nun, so it seemed to be a habit from those days. After Gabriel sat down, Bishop Marik personally brewed and poured tea.
"This is the first time I've spoken alone with the Captain like this."
Bishop Marik filled his own cup and sat across from Gabriel.
Bishop Marik slightly lifted his veil to drink the tea. On his partially revealed lower face were burn scars with melted flesh.
"Is it unsightly?"
"Not at all."
"You don't need to say empty words. I myself am reluctant to look at my face, so I cover it with cloth."
It was a well-known fact among temple people that Bishop Marik covered his face due to burns. That Bishop Marik disliked showing his face too. That was why Bishop Marik rarely ate meals with others.
Gabriel didn't know he would be included among those rare occasions. Following Bishop Marik's lead, Gabriel brought the tea to his lips. It was lukewarm, not particularly hot.
"So what did you wish to discuss with me?"
"One should have composure in dealing with people."
When Gabriel pressed him, Bishop Marik scolded him not to rush. Bishop Marik finished his tea, covered his face with the veil again, and only then brought up the main topic.
"It seems there's something to congratulate the Captain on."
"Me?"
"Haha. You look like you don't have a clue. There's much talk about you being Lady Rohanson's debutante partner."
"Yes, that's correct."
So that was why he summoned Gabriel—to obtain information about Evangeline? Gabriel nodded. While obtaining an invitation to the Crown Prince's birthday celebration, rumors had spread.
"Twenty years old for a debutante..."
"Lady Rohanson was frail, so I thought it best to have one even if late, now that her health has recovered."
"So the Captain took special care for the lady he admires? Indeed. The only one Lady Rohanson can rely on is the Captain."
Bishop Marik seemed to praise Gabriel's thoughtfulness, but in reality, he was mocking Evangeline's circumstances.
"Lady Rohanson has no mother, so she has no one to rely on. She's had no interaction with other nobles and is estranged from her maternal family too, isn't she?"
That was also a famous rumor. Moreover, with her own father, Count Rohanson, making all sorts of excuses to avoid coming home, even more rumors clung to Evangeline.
"I didn't know the Bishop paid attention to circulating rumors."
"When eyes are dim, ears become sharp."
Gabriel examined Bishop Marik, pretending to be composed. With the veil covering his face, he couldn't read his eyes.
"So Madam Toten agreed to be the chaperone?"
That Madam Toten had agreed to be chaperone was a story known only to the parties involved. Where could the information have leaked from?
The Doliné Ponor side had been kept quiet, and the story shouldn't have leaked from the Rohanson mansion's staff. Perhaps he couldn't trust only Father Javaniya, whom he used as his hands and feet, and assigned additional surveillance? He might have monitored the Rohanson mansion's carriage. Or conversely, it leaked from the relatively lax Toten side.
"But something seems to have gone wrong. Since the young lady visited the marquessate, Madam Toten has been secluding herself. She hasn't come to the temple either, so I doubt she'll accept contact from the Captain."
How much did he know? Surely he didn't know about the deal between Gabriel and Madam Toten? And why was he deliberately revealing this to Gabriel?
"Shall I be that chaperone instead?"
Gabriel stopped moving in surprise. Bishop Marik sat upright, proper. He didn't have any particular habits, nor was he exhibiting any strange behavior now, making it impossible to guess what he was thinking.
"It's just that Lady Rohanson's situation is so pitiful."
Bishop Marik's voice was very gentle.
"But doesn't the Bishop dislike participating in society? I cannot impose such trouble on you."
"I'm offering as it serves dual purposes. It's a celebration for His Highness the Crown Prince, the future glory—surely the temple should pay its respects? I too received an invitation and have decided to attend."
Future glory. Was there any imperial citizen who didn't know the Emperor, reluctant to pass the throne to his son, still remained in his position? Yet Bishop Marik had a talent for speaking falsehoods as if they were truth.
"If not Madam Toten, then I shall be the chaperone."
Gabriel imagined eyes flashing beneath the veiled covering.