CHAPTER 025
Just as I started to feel wary, Lewis produced a small seed.
"Take it."
A seed? What's this for?
As I accepted it with both hands, the seed swiftly transformed into a bouquet of tulips in my palm.
"Wow… it's a flower?"
"You like flowers, don't you?"
Do I?
"Not that much-"
Before I could finish, a conversation I'd had with Lewis came to mind. That time I bragged to Philip about receiving flowers.
"It's even better because it's from someone as wonderful as you, Marquis!"
"Isn't it?"
Of course, this is what he wanted to hear.
Receiving flowers is nice, but receiving them from a wonderful person is even better.
When I said this about Philip, Lewis didn't seem to like it much, but he was beaming now that I'd said it about him.
"There are so many flowers! Last time it was just one."
"Yeah. One flower isn't enough to be proud of."
"What's this, Lewis? Why don't I get one?"
"You didn't do anything to deserve one."
As Bella chimed in, Lewis turned his gaze towards her.
"You two get along well."
Michael, watching us, smiled, seemingly unsure if he was being sarcastic or not.
I buried my nose in the bouquet, taking in the surprisingly fresh fragrance. I thought the flowers wouldn't smell since they were created by magic.
"Is this good enough?"
"Perfect."
Meanwhile, Lewis was creating a flower for Bella in exchange for something.
"Thank you for the flower, Marquis!"
When I thanked Lewis again, he looked at me.
Though he had grimaced at Bella earlier, he now smiled brightly at me.
* * *
Finding a way to completely eliminate Lewis's noise was still on my mind.
Was it because I'd read the original story? My thoughts kept drifting in one direction.
However, the original method involved Charlotte's divine power.
So, isn't that the only way?
However, Charlotte and Lewis were currently not on good terms.
Moreover, I needed to verify the extent of Charlotte's divine power.
"How did Charlotte develop her divine power again?"
Lately, I'd been spending a lot of time pondering as if I were studying.
Today, Charlotte was visiting the mansion for tea time.
As soon as Charlotte arrived at the drawing room, she shared the news she had heard.
"They say the Tower has returned to normal."
Of course, because Lewis had stopped his stressful research. Though the exact details weren't public knowledge!
"A friend of mine visited the Tower recently and said the Marquis was less intimidating."
She added that previously, people were too scared to want to visit the Tower again.
Of course. I smiled awkwardly.
"The Marquis can be quite intimidating. I used to think so too…"
"Lady Elsner, aren't you close to the Marquis?"
"Um… not really close, just exchanging gifts."
Charlotte looked at me curiously.
"Exchanging gifts sounds pretty special. Not everyone does that, right?"
"You could be like that too, Lady Yanil."
I asserted.
In the original story, they were very close. Though it seemed difficult now.
When Charlotte first met Lewis, she boldly stared him down.
But now she tilted her head and smiled at my words.
"I'm not so sure. He's such a beautiful person that I might be content just watching from afar…"
Wow, that's a huge distance…!
Charlotte referred to Lewis as someone she couldn't get close to.
Even if they weren't romantically involved, shouldn't they at least be friends?
Yet, my intuition told me that Lewis and Charlotte wouldn't easily become close.
Bella seemed to know this would happen and changed the subject.
"By the way, are you free the day after tomorrow? Let's go shopping with Selina."
"Ah, I have to go to the temple that day…"
One of Charlotte's many activities was visiting the temple.
'At first, she was just a devout believer.'
She had been diligently attending the temple with her parents since her childhood in the countryside.
Then, after moving to the capital, she had her divine power tested and confirmed.
'She probably doesn't know she has divine power yet, right?'
Charlotte likely had no idea she possessed divine power.
"Would you like to go to the temple with me that day?"
Charlotte suggested, asking if I'd like to join her.
I couldn't force them to get along just for Lewis's sake, so I could do one thing for now.
Test Charlotte's divine power!
Checking her divine power should be fine.
"Sounds good."
"Selina?"
"Let's go to the temple. We can go shopping in the afternoon!"
The plan was quickly set.
* * *
The temple was bustling with people coming to pray.
"Hello, madam."
"Back again, Lady Yanil?"
While Charlotte greeted familiar faces, I looked around.
How do you test for divine power?
Excusing myself to the restroom, I wandered around the temple alone. I saw several people in similar clothing, presumably priests, scattered about.
Should I ask one of them?
I approached one of the priests sweeping the floor and smiled.
"Excuse me, I have a question-"
"Yes?"
"Is there a way to check for divine power here?"
"Are you asking for yourself…?"
The priest cautiously inquired.
I answered as politely as I could.
"I'd like to, but I also want to introduce my friend who respects the divine above all else."
I'm really curious. Please tell me!
Fortunately, it wasn't a secret, and the priest quickly replied.
"To have divine power checked, you need a high priest's recommendation to meet the High Priest."
"The High Priest?"
The High Priest wasn't an easy person to meet…
Feeling the barrier, the priest offered another solution.
"Or there's a monthly ceremony held by the high priests for the congregation. It only determines if there's a possibility of divine power."
"Is that so?"
Perfect. There's a way!
"When is it?"
Excitedly, I asked, and the priest responded with a bright face.
"Today, actually. You came at the right time."
What luck!
I could confirm Charlotte's power sooner than expected.
I returned to Charlotte and Bella with excitement, and Bella asked,
"Why did you take so long?"
"I got a bit lost."
Smiling, I glossed over it and got to the point.
"I heard about a ceremony that checks for divine power."
I explained what the priest had told me, and Charlotte responded,
"Oh, it's an event for the congregation."
"You knew about it, Lady Yanil?"
"Yes. I've never participated, though."
"Why don't we try it out?"
"Me? The ceremony?"
Charlotte seemed taken aback.
"Yes. I'm curious. It might be fun if we all do it together!"
"If it's your first time, I suppose it could be intriguing."
Charlotte didn't doubt my words. She quickly made a decision.
"Shall we go then?"
Shortly after, the bells rang for noon.
Those who had finished their business left, and a few people gathered in one place.
"That must be it."
It seemed like more of an event.
Among the crowd were children and adults who were curious to see if they had any divine power.
As suggested, I led Bella and Charlotte to the gathering.
"I think Lady Yanil has the highest chance among us."
"Because I attend the temple?"
"It's just a feeling. I might be right."
Though I couldn't explain how I was certain.
With not many people in line, it was soon our turn.
Of course, none of those in line before us showed any signs of divine power.
This was why the event was considered a minor affair.
The first to be tested was Bella.
"Priest, what if I don't believe in the divine and still have divine power?"
Bella, there's no need to worry…
As expected, Bella had no divine power.
"Congratulations. There's no sign of divine power."
Is that something to celebrate…?
As Bella whispered to me that her worry was unnecessary, Charlotte stepped forward.
The priest dropped a single drop of holy water onto her wrist.
If the water remained clear, she was ordinary. If it changed color, there was potential.
It should change, right?
I waited quietly for the reaction.
Soon, the priest spoke the unexpected.
"No special reaction from you either, Lady."
Huh? Is this really holy water?
Charlotte had the same result as me.
No potential for divine power!
What was going on? I left the temple, puzzled.
"This is normal. I've never seen anyone with a different result."
"Then why hold this ceremony?"
As Charlotte and Bella chatted, my mind raced.
Why?
There should have been some reaction from Charlotte, but why wasn't there any?
"I never thought I'd have divine power."
Charlotte continued to dismiss her potential.
I groaned softly.
What could be the reason?
* * *
How could the heroine lose her only special trait?
After that, I couldn't do much for Lewis. Charlotte, my only hope, had no potential for divine power.
'No, maybe it's just not the right time.'
"What are you thinking about?"
Lewis suddenly asked.
We were spending time together at the mansion.
"Just… thinking about you, Marquis."
"Me?"
Lewis raised an eyebrow, puzzled.
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