CHAPTER 070
Lewis shrugged.
"I don't know since when."
Then he added.
"It's kind of sad that so many people dislike me. It's not just a few; I can't even count them all."
His tone wasn't sad at all, but it was true. Sometimes, people who targeted him even threatened him.
No matter how strong he was, there must be times when it was tough, even if he handled it easily.
"There are just too many people who dislike me."
"Please don't say that."
Why was he suddenly saying such gloomy things?
Though his tone wasn't gloomy at all, there must be a reason he was saying this in front of me.
Maybe he wanted to hear that it wasn't true?
"Not everyone dislikes you, Marquis. There are people who like you too, right?"
I tried to comfort him sincerely, and Lewis said,
"You?"
Oh, me?
I hesitated for a moment, and Lewis looked at me with a smile.
"No answer? Do you dislike me?"
"I don't dislike you!"
"Then do you like me?"
Like or dislike, that's too binary, isn't it?
"I don't dislike you, but..."
I really don't dislike him!
But saying, "I like you, Marquis," was just too embarrassing.
"Marquis, the flow of this conversation is a bit strange..."
We were talking about how Philip disliked Lewis, so why do I have to choose between liking or disliking him now?
Lewis's expression had a slight look of anticipation.
"I'm waiting for an answer."
He's even pressing me!
As someone who cares about Lewis, I had only one possible answer.
"Of course, I like you."
"What?"
You heard me!
Lewis pretended not to hear and asked again. Why does he want to hear this so much?
"I like you. I said I like you!"
After shouting it twice, Lewis burst into laughter.
"Hearing it like this makes me happy."
He's strange today.
I looked at Lewis in bewilderment.
My feelings were just as strange. I had never directly told anyone I liked them before.
No matter his intention, saying something like this was incredibly embarrassing.
I was observing and staying close, so why was I doing this?
As I tried to move towards the exit, Lewis spoke.
"Let's go now. We've seen enough."
"Have you seen everything?"
"Yes."
So fast. I left with Lewis.
When we returned to the main building, the High Priest, Philip, and the wizards were gathered, drinking tea and chatting.
"Did you see the magic circle thoroughly?"
"I saw it. It will take some time to figure it out, though."
Lewis answered Philip's question adequately.
Philip stood up a moment later, called away by his knight.
"Crown Prince, a moment please..."
"What is it?"
Philip followed the knight out.
While he was gone, Lewis conversed with the High Priest.
Of course, it wasn't small talk but deep discussions about how the temple and magic could intertwine.
Philip returned shortly after.
Was it my imagination?
It felt like Philip kept glancing back and forth between Lewis and me.
Did I have something on my face? He wasn't looking at us like this before we left.
Lewis seemed to notice the gaze too and asked Philip.
"Do you have something to say? You keep looking."
Philip smiled faintly.
"Oh, I'm sorry. It's just curious to see you two together."
It's not unusual for us to be together, is it? He's not looking out of mere curiosity.
He asked me where Lewis was last time. What's with this sudden gaze?
* * *
There was a reason Philip was looking at them.
It was because of what his knight had reported to him.
During the conversation, Schuster, who had asked for Philip's permission to speak, said,
"Your Highness. I heard something unusual from Sir Burke."
"What is it?"
What could be so important to call him out in the middle of a conversation?
Philip nodded, indicating he should speak.
The story that followed was indeed surprising.
"It's about the temple where we checked the magic circle. Sir Burke said he saw Marquis Bloomberg and Lady Elsner there."
"Didn't they leave later?"
If the knight had stayed around the main building, it wouldn't have been unusual to see those two.
Philip initially didn't think much of it.
But—
"They didn't seem like ordinary friends."
"Not ordinary? Do you mean they're lovers or something?"
Philip laughed as he asked, but Schuster didn't respond, which was a positive sign.
"Really?"
"Yes. He said he went back in to find his dropped pocket watch and heard them. They had a conversation that wouldn't be possible if they were just friends."
"What kind of conversation could they have that would make him think that?"
It was indeed a peculiar relationship.
A combination of an ordinary lady and the feared Tower Master.
When they first got close, Selina's story had been frequently mentioned in social circles.
Although it wasn't a surprise anymore with time.
"No, Your Highness. If you hear it, you might think differently."
"A conversation that couldn't be had just by being close friends?"
"It seems they're more than just friends."
"More?"
"Yes. The lady whispered words of love to the marquis."
Philip frowned at that.
"Love? Love?"
"Yes. Sir Burke said he heard it clearly."
"That's unusual. I didn't know they were like that."
Philip now understood why Schuster was suspicious of their relationship.
"Are they secret lovers or something?"
This seemed to cause a complication.
He had wanted to find a weakness in Lewis through Selina.
But if Selina was already Lewis's lover, would it all be in vain?
Unaware that Selina's affection for Lewis had already cooled, Philip thought.
"Anyway, understood. There's no need for you to concern yourself with their relationship anymore."
Philip whispered to Schuster so only he could hear.
"There are plenty of other ways."
### Chapter 11: The Secret of the Holy Power
While Lewis was examining the magic circle again, I had some free time.
I should know a bit about magic to be of help.
I spent my free time with the priest who had shown me around the temple last time.
"I'm glad the temple repairs finished quickly."
"We restored it as much as possible to its original form, and the work ended sooner than expected."
Still, because the temple was so old, the newly filled walls looked unnatural.
The middle of each wall was clean, in stark contrast to the weathered sections.
"Given some time, it will look more natural."
The priest, noticing I was staring at the walls, spoke.
Lewis had said he liked the new look, but I guess not everyone felt the same.
"I'm sorry about this again. It was because of me."
"Not at all, my lady. It was our side that caused the problem. If not for the temple's secret mechanism, that wouldn't have happened."
"At least he knows."
A blunt voice interrupted the peaceful conversation.
Marquis, why are you saying that?
I quickly gave Lewis a look, but it didn't seem to get through.
"Were you chatting with this fellow here?"
What a rough tone!
"The priest was keeping me company. Are you done?"
"I recorded it on a viewing stone to check later."
He planned to review it later. It seemed this wouldn't be resolved immediately.
"I'm done here, so let's go."
"Wait a moment. I have something to ask the priest."
The priest looked at me curiously.
"That is about checking the holy power. Are you still doing that?"
"Of course. I remember you did it last time as well."
"Can I do it again? I'm curious."
"Of course."
He didn't seem bothered at all. As expected of a priest, he was kind-hearted.
"You mentioned once a month, right? When is the next one?"
"On the first day of next week."
"That's soon."
We could find out quickly. Whether Charlotte could manifest her holy power or not.
* * *
As soon as the next week began, I visited the temple with Charlotte and Bella.
"I'm glad you suggested coming to the temple, Lady Elsner. I was going to tell you that the temple repairs were finished."
Charlotte said happily.
I nodded.
"I saw it. I visited the temple recently with the marquis."
Charlotte was still visiting the temple regularly every week.
Since the last incident, she probably hadn't suggested going to the temple to me.
"That day's accident was partly my fault too. I suggested going to the temple..."
"It's okay. Who could have known such a thing would happen?"
It seemed everyone except Lewis felt guilty.
Lewis had broken the wall.
"Bella, are you okay with this? You said the temple's energy feels stifling."
When I mentioned going to the temple with Charlotte, Bella insisted on accompanying me. She said she had to stay by my side.
"What if something happens again? This time I'll protect you."
Nothing will happen, Bella. You don't need to be so resolute...
I looked at Charlotte.
"Lady Yaniels, what do you think about doing that test again?"
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