Episode 20
“Elly, here.”
“Saintess, here you go.”
Both of them handed me documents at the same time. I let out a quiet sigh. There was no avoiding it—what was happening now was a repeat of what I had experienced two years ago.
“Thanks, both of you.”
I forced a smile as I accepted the papers from Seria and Teron.
Ever since Teron had returned to the temple, he had followed me wherever I went. Because of that, Seria had also started sticking to me more closely.
Even now, while I was reviewing paperwork.
“This batch is done…”
The moment I finished checking the documents and set them aside on the desk, Seria and Teron immediately began organizing them. The problem, however, was…
“I’ll take care of the sorting, Acolyte Seria.”
“No, please allow me. Brother Teron.”
They were constantly trying to outdo each other.
“Brother Teron, you’re not an official member of the temple’s administrative staff. You really shouldn’t handle sensitive documents, you know? There’s a risk of information being leaked.”
Seria spoke gently as she organized the papers. Her face wore a smile, but her eyes were sharp. Teron, in turn, responded with a similarly composed expression.
“I would never let anything like that happen, especially for the sake of the Saintess. You don’t need to worry.”
Immediately, Seria turned her eyes to me. She seemed to realize that talking to Teron was pointless. Softening her gaze, she addressed me instead.
“Saintess, don’t you think it’s inappropriate for an outsider to be handling temple documents?”
Her words were basically a plea for me to take her side. But—
I let out a low sigh and replied.
“Seria has a point, but today’s paperwork isn’t particularly sensitive. Besides, Brother Teron has been helping us since even before the temple reopened.”
Not to mention, the Teron I remembered from the original story wasn’t the type to leak anything. In other words, he was trustworthy.
Still, Seria didn’t seem pleased with my response. Her expression made it clear that her frustration wasn’t directed at me—but at Teron.
Though she hid it well on the surface…
The way she looked at Teron left no room for doubt.
And from that moment on, just like two years ago, Seria and Teron started clashing again.
Even in the middle of work.
Which meant I ended up stuck between them, feeling constantly exhausted.
“I’ll deliver that to the Saintess.”
“Oh, that document? I’ll take it to the Saintess.”
“No need, Brother Teron. I’ll take care of it.”
They bickered over the smallest things. It was never anything important—just petty, constant squabbling.
Why haven’t these two changed? They’re both nine years old now… Right, still kids.
It was understandable, given their age.
Still… Geez, I wish they’d just hurry up and grow up already.
Caught between the two, I felt increasingly drained. Even during the busiest days, when I was buried in work, those two kept bickering nonstop.
From offering me food to sorting documents—everything turned into a competition.
But then, starting yesterday, Seria stopped arguing with Teron.
I don’t know why, but…
It wasn’t just Seria who’d changed. The whole temple’s atmosphere felt strange.
At first, I thought it was because she and Teron kept fighting. But today, I realized that wasn’t the case.
Clearly…
For some reason, everyone seemed to be avoiding me. Especially the temple staff—they would greet me and then immediately run off in a hurry.
What’s going on?
Even Seria was keeping more distance than usual.
Though it was odd, I didn’t mind too much. If the temple was quiet, that was a good thing.
It’s probably fine.
But a few days later, I found out why everyone had been avoiding me.
It wasn’t just me and Elias who noticed the sudden shift in the temple’s mood. Teron Piette, the young boy, had also picked up on the changes in Seria and the other staff.
Why is everyone avoiding the Saintess?
Even now, whenever Elias appeared at the end of the hallway, the other acolytes would turn around and vanish. If they happened to pass him, they’d offer a brief greeting and quickly slip away.
Don’t tell me they’re ostracizing her?
Teron frowned. But soon he realized that couldn’t be the case.
The temple of Lilith revolved entirely around the Saintess.
Besides…
It felt more like they were hiding something from Elias. The way they whispered among themselves, gathering in small groups—it looked like they were scheming. And Seria was among them.
Wasn’t Seria always the one who refused to leave the Saintess’s side?
Until recently, she spent more time with Elias than any of the other acolytes. But now, she seemed to be actively hanging out with the others—and trying to hide something.
Even when Teron stayed close to Elias, it didn’t change. Seria’s gaze was still cold, but she no longer seemed desperate to pull him away.
They’re definitely plotting something.
One day, as Teron walked down the hallway, thinking about the temple’s sudden change…
“Brother Teron.”
He ran into Pelles. Now the high priest, Pelles was dressed in more formal and refined robes than the other staff.
“Oh, Sir Pelles.”
“It’s good to see you staying at the temple, Brother Teron. I was a bit sad when you left without saying goodbye last time.”
Pelles greeted him with his usual warm smile. In response, Teron also smiled softly—something he never would have done while living at House Piette.
“I didn’t mean to leave so suddenly that time. Sorry about that.”
“No need to apologize. I didn’t come to hear an apology anyway.”
Pelles’ smile had a way of putting others at ease.
Unlike when I look at the Saintess… she just makes my heart flutter.
Just then, Teron remembered something he’d been meaning to ask.
“Um, Sir Pelles… The temple feels kind of strange lately. Is something going on?”
“Hm? What do you mean by strange?”
“I mean… it seems like people are avoiding the Saintess.”
At that, Pelles blinked in surprise, then let out a soft laugh.
“Ah, I see. You must not know yet, Brother Teron.”
He leaned in and whispered to Teron.
“Tomorrow is the Saintess’s birthday. Everyone’s been secretly preparing a surprise party.”
“Oh… That’s what it was? Whose birthday did you say?”
“The Saintess’s. Please keep it a secret, Brother Teron.”
And with that, Pelles walked off, leaving Teron standing there in shock.
Ah. So that’s what it was.
But there was a problem.
Teron had nothing to give. When he left House Piette, he hadn’t brought anything with him.
If I’d known, I would’ve brought something…
After thinking for a moment, Teron made up his mind. He would make a gift himself.
Several days had passed since the temple staff began acting strangely. What was even more mysterious was that Teron had vanished during that time.
What the… Did he leave without a word again?
That thought crossed my mind, but according to Pelles, Teron had simply been caught up with something. He was still sleeping in the temple every night, at least.
What on earth is he doing?
For a moment, I even wondered if House Piette had already sent someone after him.
Thinking that, I headed to the dining hall for dinner. But as soon as I opened the door—
“Elly, happy birthday!”
“Happy birthday, Saintess!”
Seria and Pelles greeted me holding a cake, and the temple staff erupted in cheerful celebration.
Oh… Today’s my birthday, isn’t it?
I’d been so busy that I’d completely forgotten. So that’s why everyone had been acting strange and avoiding me—they were preparing a surprise.
That’s… kind of sweet.
Smiling brightly, I said to them all,
“Thank you, everyone.”
After blowing out the candles on the cake Seria and Pelles brought, each of them handed me a gift.
Seria’s gift was a handkerchief with embroidered patterns, and Pelles had brought my favorite kind of cake—a cinnamon cake he’d made himself.
“Thank you all so much.”
I kept thanking the staff for their thoughtful gifts and surprise celebration.
But even then, Teron was nowhere to be seen.
Where could he be hiding?
I had no clue—but for now, I simply enjoyed the party.
After the birthday party ended, the temple fell into quiet darkness.
It was lights-out, and everyone had gone to sleep. But I went out for a night walk.
I ate way too much.
My belly was slightly bloated, and I needed to walk it off before bed.
Tonight, instead of the usual garden, I headed to the rear courtyard. It was smaller than the garden, but it had a massive light tree.
Since it was spring, the cherry blossoms were in full bloom, petals fluttering beautifully in the moonlight.
I stood beneath the tree, watching the luminous blossoms dance in the night air.
That’s when I heard a familiar voice.
“Saintess, you’re still awake.”
I turned—and there was Teron.
To be continued…
