Chapter 25
“Then, if that lady isn't here, you'll leave?”
“Yes.”
“Even if she tells you to go?”
“Yes.”
The priest shuddered at the compliant responses. He'd thought the nightmare painting gone meant relief at last, but they'd merely switched blind devotion to a new target. At least now it was a person capable of conversation instead of a scrap of paper?
Plus, with holy knights nearby, she seemed connected to Sir Gabriel—and if it was Sir Gabriel, even the bishop would obey his command.
The priest hurried to Javania Bishop to relay this. Javania Bishop praised the priest's keen observation.
“It seems Rahel has rewarded your faith.”
“No, Bishop.”
Getting noticed by the bishop like this was immensely satisfying. Javania Bishop thanked the useful priest and tossed out an opener to approach Evangeline naturally.
“Come to think of it, I haven't thanked the lady who quelled the fire yet.”
“Bishop, I'll handle the rest.”
A quick-witted priest chimed in promptly. Javania Bishop left the remaining tasks to him and headed toward Evangeline. As the priest said, everyone was truly staring at the lady. It was bizarre he hadn't noticed those intense, fervent gazes until now.
Javania Bishop realized why as his own gaze was drawn to Evangeline. Her presence was so vivid it was only natural to look her way. Staring at her felt as right and obvious as breathing—that's why it took so long to notice.
The bishop smiled kindly and bowed his head in greeting. Bishops rarely bowed, but Javania was the type who could humble himself for his public image.
Under his composed face, he was calculating rapidly. What was her name again? Raphaella had mentioned… right, Rohanson.
“Lady Rohanson, we are truly grateful for saving our temple knight. We'll compensate you for the Holy Water used to extinguish the flames.”
“I'll gladly accept.”
Rohanson Count's family? He'd never heard of them until recently with the Donau incident. The employer of the woman Donau Blue kidnapped? And now tangled with Donau's painting again. Just like last time, it caught fire.
Javania Bishop hid his suspicions and got to the point.
“The other devotees seem shocked, so we're escorting them to a rest area.”
He raised his voice deliberately so those inside could hear. Evangeline nodded indifferently, as if uninterested why he was telling her.
With Evangeline's tacit approval, they finally began to move. People unmoved by the bishop's earnest pleas became docile lambs at a mere nod from a count's lady.
Javania Bishop watched the scene with keen interest—only Raphaella felt uneasy about it.
‘How much has he figured out?’
Last time reporting Donau's death, they'd included a brief on Evangeline Rohanson. Fortunately, they hadn't revealed everything. Only the commander and Raphaella knew Evangeline owned the sorcery circle, the note from Donau's remains, and the rumor of her revival.
Javania Bishop knew little, but anyone facing Evangeline would sense she was no ordinary person despite the lack of info. Guessing he planned to probe her connection to the events, he approached Raphaella and whispered.
“Did the entire painting burn?”
“Yes. Completely.”
“Why did it catch fire?”
As expected. With it being a fire incident and the same people involved again, he naturally found it suspicious.
“No idea? Surely not those people.”
“And Lady Rohanson?”
“She was with me.”
“I'll gladly take your word for it.”
Is the old man thinking we orchestrated this? He knows she's lying but is letting it slide for now. He suspects some link to Evangeline Rohanson.
“There were devotees too—ask them.”
“Good. Let's hear from those fools first. I'm curious what useful tales they'll spill. Though in that state, I doubt it'll be the truth.”
Fair enough. People mad as zealots over the painting were now Evangeline's docile flock—who wouldn't wonder what happened? Even if they spoke truth, he'd suspect lies to defend her. But really, Evangeline did nothing.
“And Sir Michel arrived after me.”
This meant interrogate him separately. No need to push the exhausted man, and… in the state he was in right before fainting, a solo talk with Javania Bishop would yield nothing good. He'd likely be no different from the others.
“Bishop, may I take my leave first? Best to lay Sir Michel down soon. Sir Uriel must be tired too.”
Raphaella felt a prickling stare and cleared her throat hastily to change the subject. Evangeline Rohanson was glaring fiercely their way.
“Oh dear. I didn't think of that. Leave the cleanup to me and go. Lady Rohanson needs the Holy Water, so if you'd join me….”
“Ah. The lady should go too. She has business with the commander. I'll handle the Holy Water before you leave. No need for the bishop to trouble himself—just pass the word ahead, and I'll be grateful.”
This venomous old snake! Trying to separate Evangeline Rohanson to whisper who-knows-what?
At least Evangeline wouldn't fall for his schemes. How many had let their guard down at that kindly face only to be devoured?
Fortunately, her escort was going with the bishop.
“Then let's go, my lady.”
Sir Uriel hoisted the unconscious Michel onto his back. Raphaella stared thoughtfully at the fainted man before speaking cautiously.
“…Sorry for the late greeting. Thank you for saving Michel. He lost consciousness, but thanks to the Holy Water, he's unharmed. We truly appreciate it.”
“Thank you, my lady.”
Suspicious is suspicious, but the help was real. Wonder how many bottles of Holy Water she used. Do you know how much that costs?
Evangeline looked puzzled, as if unprepared for thanks. The novel reaction excited Raphaella a bit. Raphaella, snap out of it? Getting thrilled over Evangeline Rohanson widening her eyes once?
Raphaella cleared her throat and changed the subject.
“But is it alright sending Mr. Jelly alone?”
“Jelly's fine.”
“My lady, you did well sending Je… your escort instead. Best not to get too close to the bishop. He may look like that, but he has a rather nasty personality.”
Raphaella tamped down her excitement.
It didn't take long to reach the knights' order. Sir Uriel had such stamina he could run with an adult man on his back—no need to slow down.
Once inside, Uriel paused before the stairs. The reception room was upstairs, but the infirmary was on the first floor.
“I'll drop Sir Michel at the infirmary then.”
“Uriel… could you treat Michel like a person, not luggage?”
“Ah. I'll take him and return.”
What to do with that guy? Raphaella clutched her head watching Uriel stroll off leisurely.
***
Finally at the reception room door. Just open it and Gabriel will be there. I took deep breaths beforehand.
Self-hypnosis time. Alright, from now on, I'm a fish pond girl.
I have to manage Gabriel's pond diligently to retract the villainess image Daisy mentioned.
Never imagined I'd be pond-managing while plotting villainess escape. Think positive. Not just anyone ponds—it's what protagonists do. I've just veered slightly from the villainess fate. Blame the genre: possessed villainess story, unavoidable.
“Commander, I've brought Lady Rohanson.”
Raphaella knocked and opened the door. Inside sat not just Gabriel, but two knights, Kanna, and Hena.
“Lady Rohanson.”
“Miss!”
Gabriel rose and bowed in greeting, then Kanna jumped up and hugged me. Whoa, surprise!
“It's dangerous.”
“Sorry….”
Almost fell backward together. I scolded her lightly, then stroked the dejected Kanna's head.
Oddly, Hena—who should've stopped her—was silently still. Hands clenched on her knees, head bowed.
“Hena?”
“Yes, my lady.”
She replied promptly, so not lost in thought…? Did you two fight? Puzzled, I glanced at Kanna; she whispered quietly.
“Sis heard something weird earlier.”
“What?”
“I didn't hear it, but she's been like that since that Daisy person spoke.”
Daisy? That Daisy I just met? Daisy spoke to Hena too, not just Gabriel? Something so shocking it left sharp-minded Hena dazed?
I shifted my gaze from Hena.
Gabriel must've heard from Daisy too, but thankfully seemed fine. Surely told him about villainess Evangeline… just not showing it?
Ah! Never expected Daisy to pop up as an obstacle in my not-perfect-but-rolling villainess escape. Wait, obstacle? Sudden character appearance? Then this is….
