Chapter 43
“How to Confirm Someone’s Feelings”
Until he finished eating the cookie, Roitz had no idea that the number he received was different from everyone else’s.
The next day at noon…
“Alright, senior knights, gather over here—”
At the Acrea Grand Temple, deep within the capital—
It was the largest temple devoted to Erenete, the god protecting the Empire.
‘Wow… this building is enormous.’
The noon bell echoed under the bright midday sun, drawing everyone’s gaze to the bell tower.
The silver-gray bricks of the temple’s tower made it one of the most beautiful buildings in the capital—second only to the imperial palace.
Today’s mission was to guard a major event at this temple.
“Riji, take your place behind the platform, and…”
In the courtyard of the temple grounds, Commander Winters assigned roles one by one.
New knights like me stood off to the side, waiting for our turn.
“Have you been to many temples, Serdin?”
It was Manon, whispering next to me.
I shook my head, admiring the white buildings and lush gardens of the temple.
“Other places, yes. But not this one.”
“Same here.”
We started chatting quietly, and then Manon said something intriguing:
“I wonder when the Fifth Saint will appear. I’m curious.”
In this holy empire, there were five chosen agents of the gods—people blessed with divine power.
While many priests had sacred power, the five agents possessed it on an entirely different level.
They proved their calling when they could make a sacred stone glow—only then were they recognized as a Saint, serving officially in the temple.
However, not all Saints lived near the temple. Some didn’t even know they were one.
Such was the current situation:
After the fifth Saint passed away decades ago, a successor had yet to appear.
‘And…’
I remembered the truth only I knew:
‘That Fifth Saint… is the heroine, Lucike.’
Excitement bubbled in my chest. No one here wanted to meet her more than me!
“Serdin, something making you happy? You’re smiling.”
“…You can tell?”
Come to think of it, Mina had said the same thing before:
“You always smile when someone brings up the Fifth Saint.”
“Do I?”
“That’s why I keep bringing it up—it’s fun to see.”
“To be honest… I just think today’s mission is going to be fun.”
It wasn’t entirely a lie.
This was a large-scale temple event, and about a third of Elche’s stationed knights had been assigned here.
‘Granted, we newbies are only patrolling outside, not doing close guarding…’
Still, it was exciting. This was my first big mission.
Everything about life at Elche still felt new and thrilling from a rookie’s point of view.
‘Even just standing where the senior knights stand used to be a dream.’
“Alright, everyone move out!”
Before the mission fully began, we had a quick meal.
In a room next to the temple dining hall, we sat down to eat and enjoy a short break afterward.
Roitz sat two seats down from me.
I sipped some tea while watching him.
Originally, Aaron had been between us, but he’d gotten up—probably to use the restroom.
‘Did he eat the cookie alone?’
When I gave Roitz that cookie, he seemed so out of it. Did he even understand what I said?
With Aaron’s seat empty, now was the perfect chance to ask.
“Senior.”
I slid into the seat next to him and leaned close to whisper:
“You did eat it alone, right?”
“……!”
Roitz suddenly grabbed my wrist.
He held it like I had just launched an attack. His grip was tight… then quickly loosened when he saw me frown slightly.
“…What?”
His eyes asked: Why would you ask that?
But then he gave a slight nod.
“I ate it alone.”
“Good.”
I was genuinely relieved.
“Why’d you say that though?”
“What do you mean?”
“Why did you tell me to eat it alone?”
“So you wouldn’t fight with anyone.”
If anyone found out he got more cookies, it might cause drama among peers or seniors.
I had considered buying enough for everyone to get two cookies, but my funds were tight.
I needed to save money for the informant, after all.
Roitz didn’t respond right away.
Instead, he stared directly into my eyes.
‘What now?’
I couldn’t tell what he meant.
But I didn’t look away—I held his gaze.
“So you wouldn’t fight with anyone.”
“…?”
Roitz recalled nearly lashing out at Deneb.
‘Did she already know I’d react like that?’
‘She expected I’d get emotional over the chocolate?’
‘She gave it to me knowing I’d read too deeply into it…?’
Then—wait.
‘But if she knew that, why did Deneb get one too…?’
‘No—stop. Don’t overthink it.’
Roitz forced the thoughts away and glared sideways at Serdin.
But she was still looking straight at him.
That clear gaze, so direct yet pure, always shattered his mental defenses.
It paralyzed him—and always stirred hope.
Hope that she looked at him more than others.
Hope that there might be more meaning behind her gaze.
‘Just another illusion.’
Normally, Roitz would cut off those thoughts like a blade, turning away.
But this time, he didn’t.
Because recently, he’d had a talk with Senior Terrian…
“Roitz, you look troubled.”
“No, sir.”
“You’ve got the same face you did two years ago.”
“…Is it that obvious?”
In the end, Roitz told him:
“I feel like someone keeps staring at me… every time I look, our eyes meet.”
Terrian had smiled gently and advised:
“Then try not looking away.”
“Me?”
“Yes. Stare back. If they look away first…”“…Then it means they have feelings for you.”
Now, Serdin was looking straight at him.
‘It’s time.’
Roitz braced himself and locked eyes with her.
“……”
But Serdin didn’t look away.
Her gaze held steady, unshaken, without a flicker of doubt.
Green eyes, wide and open like summer woods, unwavering.
Roitz realized this was the first time he’d ever wanted to look into someone’s eyes this long.
Before now, no one had made him feel that way.
And yet…
‘Why… aren’t you looking away…’
The longer they stared, the harder it became.
It wasn’t his eyes that hurt—it was something deeper.
“……”
Roitz’s eyes turned red.
Maybe it was the summer breeze stinging his eyes… or maybe not.
Eventually, he looked away first.
“Hehe.”
Serdin was smiling—softly, adorably.
Seeing that smile made even Roitz forget his brief disappointment.
