Episode 8
Erica quietly watched the surface of the liquid ripple in the glass.
“Each of you must drink half, then exchange cups and finish the rest.”
It was a ceremonial wedding drink.
Of course, since both Sebastian and Erica were still minors, the contents had been replaced with holy water instead of alcohol. It still held symbolic meaning.
Sebastian moved first, followed by Erica, as they reached out and took their glasses.
‘After I drink this… I’ll have to leave the capital.’
With that realization, it felt as if her heart had grown heavier, beating more sluggishly.
Then, Erica accidentally locked eyes with the elder priest.
She didn’t know what he thought of her hesitation, but the elder priest gave a gentle smile and nodded, as if reassuring her it was okay to drink.
It felt like he was giving her courage.
Erica tightened her grip around the glass.
‘Let’s drink.’
Only then did she finally resolve herself. She brought the glass to her lips and carefully took in the holy water.
After drinking about half, she set the cup back down. Sebastian immediately reached out and took her glass without hesitation, downing the contents in one go.
Erica, in contrast, sipped slowly. But when Sebastian set the cup down with a firm clack, she hurried to finish hers as well.
The elder priest smiled warmly.
“You both did very well. That concludes the ceremony.”
Sebastian gave a nod.
“Then we’ll take our leave.”
His firm tone brought a hint of disappointment to the elder priest’s face.
“It’s a shame we can’t even share a cup of tea, especially after meeting again after so long.”
“Please understand. The situation at the border is not good. We must head back immediately.”
“I understand. Think of it as an old man being a bit sentimental, Grand Duke’s heir.”
With a chuckle, the elder priest turned his gaze to Erica.
Though dressed in fine clothes and adorned with pretty accessories, the girl’s nervousness was too evident to hide—and it had been tugging at his heart from the beginning.
‘She’s only ten… she must be terrified.’
That was why—
He couldn’t help but say just one more thing.
“Just a moment.”
Erica stopped in her tracks as she turned to follow Sebastian.
“Yes? What is it, High Priest?”
Sebastian also looked puzzled.
“May I ask for just a little more time? I’d like to offer a blessing to this young lady.”
“A… blessing?”
Erica’s lips parted slightly in surprise.
She knew well how rare it was to receive a blessing from a High Priest—not just for commoners, but even for most nobles with minor titles.
Such blessings were reserved almost exclusively for the royal family and the Archduke’s household.
Most people couldn’t even dream of it.
‘Can I really receive such a blessing?’
As she pondered, Sebastian readily accepted the priest’s offer.
“Thank you for your generosity.”
“Ah…?”
Erica looked at him in surprise.
Sebastian met her gaze with a look that seemed to ask, Is something wrong?
“No… it’s nothing.”
Erica knew. Just like Sebastian, the proper response was to bow her head and say thank you—without question.
But given her peculiar status, she couldn’t help but feel nervous.
The elder priest smiled kindly and spoke again.
“Is something troubling you, my lady? Please, tell this old man what is holding you back.”
“Ah, well… that is…”
Erica trailed off, unable to answer directly. She secretly glanced around.
She was checking Bonfiz’s expression.
As expected, the head maid looked displeased.
‘She must be upset that someone like me is receiving a blessing not even the real Erica Blanche ever received.’
A mix of emotions churned within her. It wasn’t like she had begged for this. It had been offered out of kindness.
‘Yet here I am, being glared at and judged for something I didn’t even ask for.’
If not for her mother, Erica would’ve stormed out rather than endure such looks.
She lowered her gaze, pressing her lips together tightly to suppress her resentment.
Sebastian, meanwhile, raised an eyebrow as if he found Erica’s behavior odd.
“What’s there to hesitate about?”
He couldn’t understand why she was hesitating so much over something as rare as a blessing, freely given.
But the elder priest’s response was different.
“She is still young and may not fully understand.”
His voice softened even more, as if he understood Erica’s hesitation.
“Ah! Is it perhaps because you’re afraid it might hurt?”
It wasn’t exactly that, but Erica couldn’t explain everything. So she simply nodded.
“Haha, I see. There are some who feel discomfort from receiving divine power for the first time, since it’s unfamiliar.”
“…”
“But there’s no need to worry. Isn’t that right, Grand Duke’s heir?”
Sebastian nodded slightly, seemingly having experienced it before.
“Adults may resist it, but children tend to accept divine energy more naturally.”
“Exactly. Their souls are pure, which makes them more receptive.”
Sebastian gave a half-hearted nod. He seemed eager to leave the temple.
Erica realized that dragging this out any longer would only make things worse.
“Then… I will gratefully accept it.”
She added quietly with a small nod,
“But… High Priest, may I ask that the blessing be for me, not for the marriage?”
She wanted to be a little selfish—for once.
‘Since this marriage… isn’t real anyway.’
To be honest, she wasn’t sure she even believed in the power of blessings.
Erica just wanted someone to tell her, “Everything will be okay.”
The elder priest’s eyes briefly widened in surprise, then he chuckled warmly and nodded.
“How wise you are.”
He rolled up his right sleeve slightly.
“Now then, my lady, could you bring your forehead a little closer?”
Erica clasped her hands tightly and took a small step forward.
As she lowered her eyes, the priest’s hand gently approached without hesitation.
“Life is a mix of joy and sorrow, good and bad. At times, you’ll face challenges that feel beyond your control. Those moments may exhaust and burden you.”
Erica stood still, hands clasped like in prayer, listening intently.
“But I hope you’ll always find laughter in the end, and become truly happy. This power will awaken your hidden potential and support you, in the way you need, when you need it.”
“Ah…”
“That is the blessing I bestow upon you.”
At the touch of the priest’s fingers, a cool sensation spread across her forehead, followed by a gentle warmth.
Erica slowly opened her eyes.
The elder priest had already taken a few steps back.
“Are you alright?”
Nothing had really changed.
Only her chest felt a little warm and full.
“Yes. Thank you, High Priest.”
Erica nodded slowly, whispering her reply.
The elder priest turned to Sebastian.
“Shall I bestow one upon you as well, Grand Duke’s heir?”
“I’m fine.”
Sebastian declined bluntly.
“Haha. Seems this old man has taken up enough of your time.”
“Then we’ll be on our way.”
After a courteous bow, Sebastian turned to Erica.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes, my lord.”
They couldn’t be delayed any longer. The elder priest nodded, then followed the two of them out.
While the short ceremony had taken place, the Grand Duke’s knights had replaced the tired horses and completed preparations for departure.
“How much longer?”
“We’re ready to leave at once, my lord!”
They were transferring Erica’s belongings from the marquis’ carriage to the Grand Duke’s.
Sebastian scowled and pointed with his chin.
“Is that all the luggage from the Blanche Marquisate?”
