Irene Decided to Die - Chapter 13
For days on end, the sun did not shine, and despite the clouds being full, no rain fell. The atmosphere seemed as if the world was about to end. It was hard to believe that all of this was because of her. Yet, she couldn’t disbelieve it either.
She stared blankly out the window for a long while before throwing out her words with a dry voice.
“Is there nothing you need to do?”
At her words, Burt showed her the pile of documents stacked on the desk he had set up in one corner.
“Does it look like that?”
“Do you really need to do it here?”
“It’s the minimum safety measure.”
At that, Irene slowly blinked.
“I promised you that I shall not die.”
“That is right.”
“Then, I can’t see the reason we need to stick together like this.”
“There could still be unforeseen circumstances.”
“Are you afraid of me being murdered?”
Irene lifted one corner of her lips in a sneer.
Even though the goddess had recognized her as a saint, there were those who did not believe in the oracle. Moreover, among the clergy were several who had contributed to her mistreatment.
They might be bowing their heads now, but they won’t stay quiet forever. Sooner or later, they would come seeking a confrontation.
They could either bow down and serve the saint, or try to erase her existence to cover up the sins they had committed.
She might not be killed, but she could end up living a life worse than death.
“There will be no such thing.”
Burt spoke firmly, but Irene did not believe him. She had been harassed since she was a candidate for sainthood, and now, there was no way she could trust them.
That must be why Burt kept staying by her side.
Irene sighed shortly and turned her gaze back to the window. The view from the room located on a high floor was still gloomy.
What she had only learned about in the temple was unfolding in reality.
‘What if.’
If she had died, what would the world look like now?
It was hard to imagine anything worse than the current state. But it was clear that others would have suffered more than they do now.
The lump in her heart, hard as stone, only grew larger with each passing day.
It seemed impossible to ever be happy while alive. She would rather break her vow and wish for death to be freed, if only she could.
However, that was not possible.
Burt was always by her side, and when he momentarily left, other clergy and physicians kept her company.
Among them, the faces of the clergymen who had tormented Irene were nowhere to be seen.
‘After all, they wouldn’t dare show themselves if they had any conscience.’
Irene voiced the thought she had been harboring all along.
“I need to meet the goddess.”
She needed to resolve the doubts still lingering in her heart.
‘Am I really the saint?’
She wanted to ask the goddess directly. However, Burt, with a serious face, dissuaded her once again.
“Now? It would be better to go after your body has recovered more.”
“No, I want to go now.”
It was better to go when she had made up her mind.
“You can hardly walk on your own.”
“That is for you to figure out. If you cannot, then I will crawl myself out of the room.”
Burt reluctantly nodded at her firm words. Then, standing up, he said,
“I will guide you. But you may speak informally to me.”
“This is more comfortable for me.”
“If you say so.”
But Burt had looked more at ease the last time Irene had spoken informally and given commands. That imperious yet passionate demeanor had left a deep impression on him.
Unwittingly, Burt smiled slightly.
“Why are you smiling?”
“Did I smile?”
“You did.”
“Did I?”
Burt stroked his mouth with his hand, tilting his head. Then, as if remembering something belatedly, he called out to the clergyman guarding the door.
“The saintess wishes to go to the prayer room.”
“Isn’t the saintess still unwell?”
“She insists on going, even if she has to crawl. How can I stop her?”
“…I shall prepare it.”
The clergy quickly moved and soon came back with a response.
“Everything is ready. You may use it right away.”
Since the prayer room was to be used by the saintess, everyone moved quickly to prepare. They checked if someone was inside the prayer room and looked for any hazards along the way.
“Let’s go then.”
Having said that, Burt immediately returned to Irene.
“Excuse me for a moment.”
Before Irene could say anything, Burt had already lifted her up in what is commonly known as the princess carry.
“What are you doing?”
“There’s no other way, is there? Would you prefer to be carried on my back?”
“Just supporting me would be enough!”
“That wouldn’t be sufficient.”
For Burt, who knew Irene’s physical condition best, it was an obvious choice, even if not ideal to her.
After struggling a few times but seeing that Burt did not budge, she eventually gave up.
In fact, Irene knew this was the best method. But why did it have to be a princess carry!
This was… too embarrassing.
