I Just Wanted to Avoid Death - Chapter 40
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Though those persistent golden eyes seemed intent on breaking Yeshion down to extract his inner thoughts, for now, Eldis was holding back.
Yeshion didn’t know what Eldis’s intentions were.
Why Eldis had wanted to discover Yeshion’s weakness or heal him, Yeshion couldn’t say.
But from that alone, it was clear that Eldis had no intention of harming him—at least, not yet.
“…Yeah. Not listening might actually be more dangerous than listening.”
Looking at it that way, Eldis might seem like a good person, but in the end, he was one of those who would imprison the saintess.
Even though it was said that the saintess was imprisoned because she tried to escape after not following Eldis’s commands, Yeshion couldn’t believe he’d be an exception.
‘Why does it feel like my standards for normal behavior have dropped?’
Yeshion muttered bitterly to himself.
So how should he act in front of Eldis from now on? Nothing in particular came to mind.
Just act normal.
Not more, not less. Just behave like a completely ordinary person.
The best strategy was to make Eldis lose interest in him as quickly as possible. Then, when the time was right, Yeshion could formally quit being a priest.
Yes, that would be the cleanest way to do it.
“I’m so tired…”
Too many things had happened in a short amount of time. Eventually, Yeshion pulled the blanket up and covered himself.
The broken doorknob rattled whenever the wind blew, but that wasn’t Yeshion’s concern. For now, he just wanted to sleep without thinking about anything.
As Yeshion closed his eyes, someone not far away was watching his room.
* * *
The next day.
Yeshion woke up early and was sweeping the area in front of the temple with a broom. Some priests still regarded him with caution as they passed by, but a few nodded at him in greeting.
“…If it were always this peaceful, life in the temple wouldn’t be so bad.”
The air was nice and freshh, and the white buildings looked like something straight out of mythological art. If it weren’t for his current situation, Yeshion might have enjoyed this peaceful scene, as if he were living in a serene movie.
‘…The situation is the problem.’
Leaning on the broom, Yeshion let out a long sigh.
Just then, a familiar voice came from behind.
“You’ll sink into the ground if you keep sighing like that.”
Turning around, Yeshion saw Rosaline standing there with his arms crossed. He walked over to him, grabbing his chin as he looked him over from head to toe, then nodded in approval.
“Good, no visible injuries. How did you end up getting dragged to the palace? You said you were fine!”
Rosaline shouted, clearly frustrated.
Since they had been together right before Yeshion disappeared, it was no surprise Rosaline thought Adelio had dragged him off to the palace.
“It was just an unexpected situation,” Yeshion replied calmly.
Rosaline scanned him up and down. After only a few days, his appearance was a mess.
“I don’t like that crown prince.”
“…What?”
“He treats people like they don’t matter. I hate people like that.”
“You hate… Wait, no, you can’t—”
Yeshion muttered, but Rosaline interrupted, asking why not, his arms still crossed.
Yeshion was naturally troubled.
In the original story, Rosaline liked Adelio. She pitied his circumstances and extended a hand to help him.
But now, she was saying she hated him.
“Well, maybe there’s a reason for his behavior…”
“A reason to just drag people around? You nearly died there, didn’t you? What would’ve happened if Eldis hadn’t shown up?”
What would have happened? He’d be dead, obviously. But saying that aloud would surely earn him another lecture.
“Anyway, I don’t like him. If the crown prince comes looking for you again, I’ll tell him I don’t know where you are.”
“That’s actually… a relief.”
“Really? You’re okay with that?”
Rosaline’s eyes sparkled with curiosity, and when Yeshion nodded, he cheered excitedly.
Yeshion stared at Rosaline, feeling strangely touched by his kindness.
In truth, if Rosaline helped sever his connection with Adelio, it would be a blessing. Though that would mean Rosaline would interact with Adelio more… and eventually…
‘…Things would follow the original plot.’
That’s how it should be.
He was just an impurity in this story. If he quietly left and disappeared, things would go back to normal.
But a strange unease gnawed at him.
Was it really right to leave this angelic person between those who trampled on others’ opinions and treated people carelessly?
If only he didn’t know Adelio’s or Eldis’s true personalities. If only he believed Rosaline disliked him.
Then, he wouldn’t feel the urge to meddle like this.
“Saintess.”
“Hmm?”
“What’s your ideal type?”
If someone completely different from Adelio or Eldis showed up, maybe he could try intervening just a little. But not to the point of disrupting the original story. If he made a mistake, he might end up dead.
Though, even if he did die, he’d just come back to life. But who knows what would happen after that.
“My ideal type?”
“Yes.”
“If I had to pick… it’d be you?”
“Let’s pretend I didn’t hear that.”
…Maybe it was best to just step back.
