Chapter 14.2

“We’ll escort you to the temple.”

Without responding, Livi walked past them. Just walking in a straight line took all her strength. She had no energy to care about their stares.

Only when she settled inside the carriage did she finally catch her breath. The short descent from the third floor had felt like a journey of a thousand miles, leaving her body weak and her head throbbing.

Fortunately, the temple was located within the fortress walls. The ride lasted just over ten minutes before the carriage came to a stop.

The moment she stepped out, she dismissed the knights and maids.

“I’ll go in alone.”

“But—”

“Is the temple of Celsion a dangerous place?”

“Well… no, but—”

“Then I’m going in alone. Don’t follow me.”

Ignoring the knights’ anxious glances, Livi entered the temple. The conversation she was about to have with the bishop was not one they needed to hear.

Despite being inside the fortress, the temple was surprisingly large, rivaling the Grand Temple of the eastern Joseph Marquisate. Perhaps it was a lingering reminder of the days when this land had served as the capital of a small kingdom before Sevarium was founded.

As she stepped into the chapel, a veiled priestess approached her.

“Greetings, Sister. How may we assist you?”

“Summon the bishop.”

The priestess took one glance at Livi’s elegant attire before nodding. While she waited, Livi sat on a bench near the altar.

Behind the familiar statue of the goddess, a large stained-glass window divided into three panels stretched toward the ceiling. Sunlight filtered through, casting shimmering, colorful patterns that danced softly across the floor.

Livi stared blankly at the swirling colors.

Her younger brother, Haier, had spent much of his life in the temple’s care. He had always been frail, catching colds at the slightest trigger. Once he started coughing, he wouldn’t stop without the aid of a healing mage or priest. She could still picture him standing inside the temple, just as he had many times before.

The candlelight flickered softly, and the stained glass cast halos of color around her feet. Somewhere beyond those shimmering lights, she could almost hear his voice.

Sister, sister!

The faint call grew louder until it felt like it was whispering in her ear. Livi squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head, trying to dispel the vision of Haier as he began to approach. Her desperation, however, was futile.

Sister, you have to try this! Zehnya gave me this candy earlier. It’s so sweet!

Sister, sister, sis…!

“My lady?”

“Ah—”

Startled, Livi shot to her feet, and the phantom of Haier vanished into mist.

Even after she stood, the emotions lingering from the vision didn’t fade right away. She looked in the direction of the voice, still feeling slightly dazed. The bishop stood before her, being the first to break the silence.

“I was told you wished to see me. My apologies if I startled you.”

“No, it’s quite alright,” She offered a respectful bow before meeting his gaze.

The bishop looked every bit the part of his station, with neatly cropped hair and pristine robes. When he smiled, the wrinkles etched by the years creased gently across his cheeks.

Livi took a seat across from him and formally introduced herself.

“It’s an honor to meet you. My name is Livadonia… Celsion.”

The bishop studied her for a long moment before offering a slow nod, as if he already knew everything about her.

“I heard you were unwell. The temple sent a healing priest not long ago. Are you certain you should be up and about already?”

“I appreciate your concern, Bishop, but I didn’t want to delay this any longer.”

“What is it you wish to discuss?”

“There’s a request I’d like to make.”

Livi faltered, her hesitation betraying how difficult this request truly was. The words should have been easy to say, yet they refused to come out.

As she stayed silent, the bishop offered her a patient nod, encouraging her to continue. The warm smile never left his face, and his gentle reassurance gave her a glimmer of hope. Perhaps he wouldn’t turn her away.

Taking a slow breath, Livi finally spoke.

“Would you write a eulogy for me?”

“A eulogy…”

“For my parents and my brother.”

The bishop’s ever-kind smile flickered. His lips pressed into a thin line, and his brows knitted together. An uneasy silence followed, stretching longer with each passing moment.

Livi swallowed hard, her eyes pleading as she searched his gaze. Her desperation was plain as day, yet the bishop did not speak.

His silence said enough.

Understanding his answer, Livi rose from her seat without another word.

“I apologize for making such a difficult request.”

“…If you have any other requests, I’ll be glad to listen.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

Her hands trembled as she clasped them together. Without looking back, she left.

As Livi stepped out of the temple, having made no progress, her feet felt heavier with each step. Her chest ached, the pain spreading through her body like poison. She slowed her pace, pausing again and again. But going back wouldn’t change anything.

‘I’m not even allowed to mourn them.’

Even the poorest of the poor could receive a eulogy from the temple if they offered just a few coins to show sincerity. Yet Livi hadn’t been able to secure one for her family. It felt like someone had dropped a crushing weight on her heart.

Livi trudged forward. What had become of their bodies?

They hadn’t been given a proper burial. She already knew that much. If they hadn’t been strung up on the city walls to be scavenged by birds, that alone would have been a mercy.

As she stepped out from the temple’s shade and into the glaring sunlight, an overwhelming fear struck her—the terror that the scorching sun itself would burn her alive.

There isn’t a single place beneath this sky where I belong. I can’t even breathe without having to beg for mercy from the very man who destroyed my life.