I felt strange. This is because the Pope in front of me seemed so sincere. The old man’s face was filled with many emotions, but only deep longing stood out.

“Stay in the temple as my granddaughter, even if you are not a saint.”

“…….”

I thought for a moment and shook my head.

“No, I’m going to leave.”

“Is it because you can’t trust the elderly who have a lot of plans?”

“It’s not because of that…….”

“You don’t deny that you think so.”

Oops, I didn’t know he’d know I cursed him so much inside. I smiled vaguely and frowned. The Pope said it again.

“Do you intend to marry that man?”

“…….”

As expected, the Pope is also uncomfortable. On the one hand, it was quite embarrassing to talk about my love affairs in front of my grandfather. Furthermore, having kissed Heath so extensively a week ago, it was really uncomfortable.

I felt like I was talking to my grandfather, who was strict and stiff, but worried about me.

I told the Pope about my future plans. The Pope eventually nodded, even though he didn’t like it.

Did I seem bored because I was alone in my room? Visitors came one after another as if they had decided on some order. Next was Jeremy and Dale. Jeremy and Dale stayed as ambassadors for the peace agreement and guests of the temple. I haven’t decided what to do in the future, and I said I’d stay in the temple for now until I heal up completely.

So many people came to see me, but there was only one person who didn’t show his face.

It’s Heath.

I remember Heath hugging me right next to me while I was suffering from a fever. But when I woke up, Heath was nowhere to be seen. He used to look uncomfortable when I tried to talk to Jeremy up close.

“Where is Heath, Jeremy?”

“Didn’t you meet him?”

“Uh-huh…”

Heath also said he would stay in the temple as an ambassador for the agreement. Did he leave first? But Jeremy said he absolutely did not, and he just asked him about my condition.

Is there something he needs to do? It is possible that there might be something to worry about even if the agreement has been fully concluded……… However, we will see each other soon. Thinking so, I blurred out my thoughts.

A few days later, I started to get angry.

My body is completely healed. Now I finally got out of bed and got permission to take a light walk. In the meantime, Heath did not show his face at all. At first, I thought it was a coincidence. He may be uncomfortable because the temple is a little too small for him.

However, the fact that everyone except me, even the Pope, met Heath, but I was the only one who didn’t, was simple.

Heath was avoiding me.

Why the hell?

I had no idea. Don’t tell me he’s been out of touch with me for a week and does not want to propose to me. No, it can’t be. I didn’t doubt Heath’s feelings for me. I just don’t understand his behavior.

After all, I was walking around the hallways of the temple, thinking that I should see Heath today no matter what.

As I was walking down the hallway and looking around, I suddenly felt a gaze from my back. I turned around, but at first glance, there was only a black shadow, and Heath was not seen. But my gut whispered that Heath was near me.

I ran down the hall looking for Heath. Dale was seen at the end of the corridor. He was exercising in the courtyard, feeling bored with his temple life.

“Dale, have you seen Heath?”

“Huh? Someone just passed by over there…….”

“Thank you!”

But I couldn’t see him. I searched every corner of the empty rooms, hallway, and under the railing, but the man with black hair and purple eyes was nowhere to be found. Eventually, I gave up chasing Heath and leaned against the corridor railing. Then I spoke loudly.

“Oh, my wound is open and bleeding. It hurts so much….”

It was a stiff performance like reading a book, but it worked well for Heath. As I crouched down as if I was sick, a shadow immediately appeared over my head. I kept pretending to be sick, then reached out my hand and grabbed him.

“Heath!”

Heath knew I was acting, so he tried to pull himself out, but it was too late. Eventually, I caught him and confronted him. The face I hadn’t seen in a long time looked perplexed.

“Heath, why are you avoiding me?”

“I wasn’t avoiding you. It’s just….”

“Just?”

“…….”

There were no words to follow. I quickly became distressed. I guessed he’d avoid me, but I didn’t expect him to be this troubled.

“You don’t like me anymore?”

His heart fluttered.

“No! That can’t be…….”

“Don’t you like me anymore?”

“That’s not true.”

“Then why are you avoiding me? Why?”

“…….”

Heath, who was hesitating while chewing his lips, saw me. Behind him was the end of the corridor. Heath slowly opened his mouth when he knew there was no way to escape.

“I didn’t do you any good.”

Huh? I heard something unexpected.

“I couldn’t do anything for Julia while she was fighting Grand Duke Keith. Besides, I couldn’t cure Julia. On the contrary… you even got seriously hurt when you came to the Demon Realm. I only gave Julia a hard time.”

“Heath, what are you talking about?”

“The Pope seems to care about Julia very much, and I thought about it when I saw Julia being treated and looking comfortable here. Maybe it’s better to pretend that the proposal didn’t happen and stay here like this…….”

“……Heath!”

Oh, what should I do with this poor, vulnerable man? When he saw my injury and imagined that he would have been thinking about this alone, I smiled bitterly.

Who would think such a sweet and kind man was the incarnation of evil? He was lovely.

But that didn’t mean I wasn’t angry. I took a step closer to Heath.

He was nervous but didn’t back down. I raised my hand, wrapped his cheek, and tapped it lightly. His eyes are in confusion.

“I’ll forgive you for saying nonsense.”

“Julia?”

“All right, I’ll answer your proposal now.”

“……Yes.”

“But before that, I have a favor to ask of you.”

“Say anything. I’ll listen to anything.”

“I wanted to run away from the temple. So when I first saw Heath, I followed you. On the Demon Realm… Actually, I tried to steal the ransom and escaped. Now there’s no reason to run away, because I want to be with Heath. I mean….”

“…….”

Heath looked at me. His attention is focused on me. The light of the corridor poured over Heath’s face, and my figure was reflected in his clear purple eyes. I love him.

“Take me out of here, Heath.”

꧁ FIN ꧂

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