Chapter 157 – The Female Lead of the Original Story

The person who had called out to her was a young woman with soft chestnut hair, dressed in the robes of a novice priestess.

‘I’m certain I’ve never seen her before.’

Though tension stirred within her, Evelyn carefully concealed her wariness as she asked.

“Who are you?

As if realizing her mistake, the young woman hurriedly introduced herself.

“My name is Isabel Magnolia.”

Evelyn gave a small nod. From the unfamiliar name, she guessed Isabel must be of a provincial noble house with no ties to the capital. Moreover, the fact that she failed to recognize Khalid, despite his lack of disguise, suggested she had been born and raised in Rowendel.

While Evelyn assessed her silently, Isabel ventured a cautious question.

“Are you a noble from the capital?”

“….”

Evelyn hesitated, uncertain whether it was okay to reveal her identity. Still, there was something she needed to confirm here, and so she quietly asked in return.

“Yes, is there something you need from me?”

The young woman’s words tumbled out in a hurry.

“It’s about my close friend. I’ve been unable to reach her.”

Isabel explained that her friend, not long after her divine power had manifested, had been sent to live under the care of a distant branch of her family.

Could that friend possibly be…?

A name surfaced in Evelyn’s mind, and she struggled to keep her voice calm as she asked.

“Might I ask what her name is?”

“Dahlia. She now uses the Lorenheim surname, so it’s Dahlia Lorenheim.”

Just as I thought.

The young woman’s reply didn’t stray from her suspicions, and her heart began to pound all the faster. To encounter Dahlia’s closest friend here, in the cathedral of Rowendel, was an unexpected stroke of luck.

Swallowing the tension that rose to her throat, Evelyn answered evenly.

“I see.”

Then, excusing herself for a moment, she moved toward her subordinate who stood a short distance away.

Gideon had previously investigated Rowendel, establishing contact with those connected to Dahlia. Because of this, she couldn’t let her guard down and dismiss the possibility that there was a chance the woman had noticed something and approached them intentionally.

“Sir, by any chance, was that young lady among those you met last time?”

When Evelyn whispered, low enough for only Gideon to hear, he slowly shook his head.

“No, my lady. This is the first I’ve seen her.”

Only then did she feel relieved and turned to face the woman again.

“Might there be a place where we can talk?”

Catching on that her request had been accepted, Isabel’s lips curved into a faint smile.

“There’s a lounge reserved for the clergy. If you don’t mind, I can take you there.”

At that, Evelyn turned her head slightly, her gaze searching for Khalid.

“I think I need to speak with her for a while before we go…”

“Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.”  

He explained that his visit to the cathedral was but a part of his schedule and that he would soon be heading elsewhere. Before departing, he promised to arrange for a private carriage to return her to the station, then quietly excused himself.

Resolving that she would properly repay Khalid once she returned to the capital, Evelyn turned her gaze back to the young woman.

“Then, could you please show me to the lounge?”

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ཐི༏ཋྀ ໒꒱ ˚₊ ୧‿︵

When they entered the lounge, it seemed the priests had left to prepare for Mass.

‘Sir Gideon is waiting outside, but still…’

Just as Evelyn was glancing around, worried someone might overhear their conversation, Isabel seemed to guess her concern as her lips curved in a reassuring smile.

“There’s no need for concern. No one will overhear us here.”

Evelyn nodded her head calmly, then began to speak, choosing the words she thought the young woman might want to hear.

“Lady Lorenheim is doing well.”

“I’m so glad to hear that!”

Isabel’s face brightened visibly at the news of her friend.

Watching her quietly, Evelyn cautiously asked a question.

“It seems you were very close with Lady Lorenheim.”  

Isabel, who seemed lost in thought for a moment, offered a faintly bitter smile for some reason.  

“I thought so too, but it seems Dahlia didn’t feel the same.”

“Pardon…?”