It Seems Like The Infamous Trash Can is Right Here! - Chapter 52

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“At all times, I shall remain a faithful servant of our Lord. Even after leaving this sacred order, I will continue to spread His love through good deeds.”

I recited my final vow, and with that, the formalities were complete.

“Thank you for all your hard work. It is regretful to see you go, but we must trust in His divine will.”

I exchanged parting pleasantries with the elder priest who assisted me throughout the process, then stepped out of the temple. A sleek carriage bearing the emblem of House Luanax rolled up before me, its pace steady and deliberate.

The knight Lionel had stationed to shadow my every move stepped forward to open the door.

“Your Grace, I’m back.”

Lionel smiled at me, his expression soft.

“Welcome back. Everything went smoothly?”

I settled into the seat across from him, adjusting my skirts.

“Of course. It didn’t take long, did it?”

I had barely managed to convince him not to accompany me inside, leaving him behind in the carriage.

“They still need to process the documents at my assigned diocese. It will take a few days to finalize, but they promised to send a notice of confirmation as soon as it’s done.”

Thanks to the massive donation Lionel had arranged, the process would be expedited.

As he gazed at me in silence, he tilted his head and spoke.

“I should feel guilty for luring you away from the temple… but it seems I have no conscience.”

Uh… If anyone here lacked a conscience, wouldn’t it be me—the one planning to claim the duchess’s seat soon?

“Do you resent me for it?”

Lionel asked, and I shook my head.

“I don’t think much will change.”

I could still help those in need, just as I always had.

Since I had never been formally ordained as a priestess, I was never trained to officiate mass or carry out other ecclesiastical duties.

As long as I continued using my divine power for healing, I could still serve as a faithful disciple.

“If I set aside a portion of my earnings for offerings, wouldn’t it amount to the same thing?”

“Hmm… That’s one way to look at it.”

He nodded slowly, and I turned my gaze toward the window.

‘This is bad.’

I was trying to act normal, but after last night’s kiss, facing Lionel as I always had was proving to be impossible.

‘Why am I so nervous?’

From the moment I woke at dawn and saw him sitting at the edge of the bed, I knew something had gone terribly wrong.

My heart had started pounding like a broken drum.

So this was the power of a first kiss.

I was radiating inexperience.

“Priestess.”

A warm touch settled over my hand, his fingers carefully enclosing mine.

Lionel held my gaze with quiet intensity.

“If you’re feeling unwell, we can return for today. There’s no rush to visit the information guild.”

“N-No, let’s go today.”

“Are you certain?”

“Of course.”

I smiled at him—only to feel my lips tremble uncontrollably.

…This was a disaster.

There was no way he hadn’t noticed, yet Lionel said nothing and simply gave the order for the carriage to depart.

Trapped in the enclosed space, with only the sound of wheels grinding against the cobblestone, I became hyper-aware of my own heartbeat.

It felt so loud—I wondered if he could hear it, too.

“By any chance…”

“Yes?”

“Is it because you’re worried about last night?”

“……”

Lionel hit the nail on the head.

I thought he had been graciously pretending not to notice… but I was wrong.

“If I crossed the line and made you uncomfortable—”

“No! That’s not it at all!”

…That was way too loud. And why did my voice have to crack like that?

I sounded like I was scolding him.

Lionel’s brows shot up in mild surprise, and I frantically bit my lip, wondering how to salvage the situation. Then, without warning, he moved to sit beside me.

“Then…May I do it again?”

‘Ah. It was a good life. Farewell, Father. Farewell, Brother.’

Serenia Solen, age 21. Cause of death: Cardiac arrest upon facing her first kiss partner.