Refusing Your Ex-Husband’s Obsession: A Guide - Chapter 196

Chapter 196

Translator: Yonnee

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He had concluded after much thought that the false saintess must have a duty only she could fulfill.

Like instruments, he believed people also had roles to play. The high priest saw his role as waiting quietly, ready to assist the true saintess when the time came.

“Thank you for your efforts, Vice Captain.”

“It’s my duty, High Priest.”

“Ah, there’s one more thing I want to ask.”

The high priest stopped the vice captain who was about to leave.

“Yes, please go ahead.”

“During her journey, did the Saintess claim to hear the voice of the god?”

“Yes, she did.”

“And every time, did she check that strange object afterward?”

“I hadn’t made the connection, but it seems she did.”

“Yes… You may go now. Thank you for your hard work.”

“Yes. May the grace of the Goddess be with you…”

After the vice captain left, the high priest knelt in front of the stained-glass window and prayed, asking for a response from the Goddess.

He fervently prayed for the ability to help the true saintess.

He then remembered what the duke had said earlier—what if the true saintess were to refuse her duty?

As this thought crossed his mind, a voice echoed in his head.

It was the long-awaited voice of the god.

[ A guest shall come to relieve your weariness. ]

Though brief, the high priest knew exactly who the guest would be. He hurriedly got up and headed towards the temple’s main gate.

The vice captain and the waiting paladins followed him with curious glances. The head priests, finishing their prayers, also followed the high priest, driven by a sense of curiosity.

Worried he might arrive late, the high priest hastened his steps. Just as the vice captain and the priests began to feel doubtful, the high priest stopped.

A carriage bearing the coat of arms of a certain ducal household had just pulled up in front of the temple.

The high priest sensed something different.

Watching the carriage door open, a woman in knight’s armor stepped out first, followed by the Young Duke Leopardt.

The woman in armor extended her hand towards the carriage.

The young lady of the baron household, whom he had briefly seen at the palace, took the female knight’s hand and stepped down from the carriage.

Her hair, a mix of pink and scarlet, fluttered in the wind. With a casual gesture, she brushed her hair back with her gloved hand, revealing her green eyes.

The high priest couldn’t take his eyes off the noble lady. There was something about her that’s different from the first time he met her.

* * *

“Welcome.”

I was puzzled to see the high priest greeting us with a warm smile. Why was the high priest here? Could Aiden have contacted him first?

I glanced at Aiden, but he too seemed taken aback, so I turned my attention back to the high priest and his entourage.

“Hello, it’s good to see you. I came to offer prayers.”

“Yes, please come in.”

The high priest approached us with overwhelming kindness. As he moved, the others followed him.

Feeling the pressure, I unknowingly took a step back, causing the high priest’s expression to change to one of surprise.

“…I will lead you this way.”

Hearing the high priest’s offer to lead us, one of the priests stepped forward.

“Your Holiness, you needn’t do this yourself. I will lead them.”

That eased some of the pressure I was feeling.

Was the temple always like this?

It was my first time here, so it felt unfamiliar, yet there was a sense of calm.

We followed the priest, though the high priest and his group was still also trailing behind us. The procession was still overwhelming, but I couldn’t help admiring a large statue I saw.

At the entrance to the prayer room, there was a statue of the Goddess Asteras, surrounded by various roses brought by followers. Seeing the roses reminded me of the noble family records I had just been examining.

Having roughly identified those with names of roses or stars from the noble records, it was time to set out and find them.

But first, I wanted to offer prayers at the temple.

Since you brought me here, won’t you answer my questions?

With a vague sense of hope, I entered the prayer room. The moment I stepped in, I felt the warmth inside. The air here seemed different from the outside.

“…May I pray there at the front?”

At my question, the priest, who had been staring at me, jumped in surprise and replied,

“Yes…”

“Is there any particular rule I should follow?”

“No… You may pray to the Goddess comfortably.”

“Yes, thank you.”

I stood in front of the large stained-glass window. There was a statue of the Goddess Asteras, different from the one at the door, smiling benevolently as if looking down at me.

I knelt down in front of it and silently asked the Goddess,

Why have you brought me here?

Is what I am about to do what you want?

Then please tell me clearly.

What should I do next?