I'm a Villainess, Can I Die?-Chapter 92

“No, no. It’s not that. I apologize. You’ve lost your memory, so it’s understandable.”

But despite the words, it seemed like his expression had frozen a bit.

As soon as I thought this, it was as if he had read my mind, and a soft smile appeared on the face of the high priest.

Oh my, it turns out our high priest is quite the expert at hiding his expressions.

He managed to conceal his expression very naturally, but... having met all kinds of actors in musicals, theater, drama, and service industries since coming to this world, even the slightest awkwardness stood out to me.

Ah, I haven’t thought of Mia in a while.

I wonder how she’s doing.

I wasn’t sure how my subconscious had let that stray thought of Mia’s well-being slip in, but I gave up on thinking and simply offered a word of thanks.

“Thank you for your consideration.”

With my expression of gratitude, silence swirled between us.

As I closed my mouth, lost in thought, the two of them, for some reason, also fell silent. An unintended moment of quiet.

Well, they could talk if they wanted to.

I tried to convey this thought by meeting their eyes in turn, but neither seemed inclined to open their tightly pressed lips.

Well... silence isn’t so bad. It’s not like I forced anyone to be quiet; they just chose to stay silent on their own.

With that conclusion in mind, I turned my attention away from the people in front of me and sank into my own thoughts.

What I was really thinking about was what to do from here on.

Honestly, there wasn’t anything I needed to decide right now.

There must already be plans in place for dealing with the monsters... I couldn’t just speak up about what could or couldn’t be done on my own whim.

That would be too irresponsible.

Of course, from what I gathered by my brother’s glance yesterday, he seemed quite positive about the temple’s help... but I couldn’t make decisions based solely on assumptions.

How frustrating. If things continue like this, the visit from the high priest will just end up being a wasted effort.

After coming all the way to the duke’s mansion, the only person they’ll meet is an incapable lady. If it were me, I’d be angry and restless all night.

I might even hit the blanket a few times in frustration.

As I imagined the high priest lying in bed, kicking at the air in frustration, the gaze of those around me started to feel heavier.

It was the feeling of becoming the shameless person I had denied being all this time.

Whether it was a stiffened face or a face with a gentle smile, both hid a secret expectation.

Still, there’s nothing I can do. I’m just like a bag of straw being moved around.

I couldn’t bring myself to say this aloud, so instead, I deliberately turned my head to the window to divert everyone’s attention.

They’d surely react to my movement.

And they did, of course.

I subtly rolled my eyes and scanned both Ian and the high priest. Both of them had turned their heads toward the window.

Good. Let’s think quickly while I have this chance. Should I call someone and send a letter to my brother? Or maybe just ask him or Father to come for a bit...?

“The sun is setting.”

Just as I began to think, a murmured voice came from beside me.

The sun is setting?

At the mention of the setting sun, I finally looked out the window at the scenery.

Just as Ian said, the sky was ablaze in a fiery yet beautiful hue, painting the entire world in red.

“You’re right. I guess it’s autumn after all, so the sun sets quickly.”

It didn’t feel like we had talked about anything important, yet {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} the sun was setting. Well, it was already an awkward time to meet—neither lunch nor dinner, just an inconvenient hour... Why did the high priest choose to visit at such an in-between time?

“Selina.”

My brief moment of wondering was interrupted by Ian calling my name. I turned my head from the window to look at the source of the voice.

Ian’s face was still stiff, but somehow... it felt different. Earlier, he had a tense look, but now there was a sense of resolve.

And I knew well what that expression of his meant.

He has a request, our priest.

I shrugged silently, signaling that he could speak comfortably.

Swallowing hard with a stiff face, Ian slowly opened his mouth.

“Would it be possible for the high priest to stay the night here at the mansion?”

“Ian.”

Before I could react, the high priest responded first.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

His voice, which called Ian’s name, had a tone that carried some weight, as though he were trying to admonish him for making an unreasonable request.

“But, high priest. The sun is setting. You know how dangerous it is outside these days. It’s dangerous to go out after dark.”

Ian spoke in a calm, pleading voice, trying to persuade the high priest.

I hadn’t even said that it was fine yet... if I refused, the mood would definitely get chilly.

Well, luckily, I didn’t intend to refuse. Ian was right. In these times, darkness is dangerous.

As the host, I couldn’t send my guest out into the dangerous night. And offering the high priest a guest room for the night was something I could easily do as a mere figurehead.

“Ian is right. Please stay for the night. You came with good intentions, and it would be uncomfortable for the Duke’s household if anything were to happen on your way.”

Convincing those who try to refuse by citing reasons of inconvenience is easy.

You just need to make them realize that rejecting it could cause an even greater inconvenience later.

As expected, the high priest paused for a moment, seemingly lost in thought. Ian and I both stopped moving, waiting for his answer.

After a brief silence, the high priest’s head slowly nodded up and down.

“I’m truly sorry. I came to help, but it seems like I’ve become a burden instead.”

“No, it’s not a burden at all.”

Leaning back lazily against the chair, I tried to recall the layout of the guest rooms on the first floor.

Let me think... How many guest rooms were there on the first floor?

Hah, what’s the point of thinking about it? Honestly, how would I know? If I just mention it to the butler or the head maid, they’ll prepare something.

With that in mind, I figured I should tell them to prepare a room in advance. They’ll need things like pajamas and bedding.

I reached for the long cord behind me to call a servant.

However, before my hand even touched the cord... knock knock.

At the perfect timing, someone knocked on the door.

“Miss, the young master has arrived.”

My brother?

“Come in.”

The door opened, and it was indeed my brother. He wore a smooth smile on his face, probably trying to hide his exhaustion.

His appearance was unexpected, and I stood up from my seat in slight surprise to greet him.

It wasn’t just me who seemed taken aback by his arrival. Ian and the high priest also quickly stood up, looking at my brother.

Oh no, they’ll hurt their knees if they get up like that.

As I worried about the high priest’s joints unnecessarily, the two of them exchanged pleasantries.

“It’s an honor to meet you, young master. Thank you so much for accepting our invitation today.”

“No, it’s I who should be thanking you. You’ve come all the way here to help the estate, high priest.”

After greeting each other, my brother naturally sat next to me.

Thanks to that, I had to move back a little, and Ian, who had been sitting next to me, had to sit beside the high priest across from me.

“Brother? What about work?”

After everyone sat down, I quietly asked in a small voice.

“I’m just taking a break during mealtime, so it’s fine.”

His response was just as quiet, like a soft whisper.

My brother, who gave me a small smile, turned his head and straightened up. Despite clearly being tired, there was a noble dignity in his upright posture.

As I silently admired him, I subconsciously straightened my own posture.

“So, what exactly is it that you want to do?”

“Heh, it’s such a small matter that I feel embarrassed to even mention it. I just want to take care of the people who have been affected, help with the restoration of facilities, and offer prayers to the will of the Chief God Ariana for those in distress.”

High priest, it seems like you’ve gone into more detail than you mentioned to me.

Ah, is this the sorrow of being a figurehead? I blinked a few times, lamenting the cruel logic of the human world.

“Oh, that’s really a good cause. It will definitely help stabilize the situation. However, one thing that concerns me is safety... it won’t be easy to carry out such activities without proper accommodation these days.”

“Yes... I suppose that’s true... but...”

The high priest fell silent at my brother’s point. It seemed like he was worried his plans to help people might be hindered.

Goodness, how kind-hearted he is.

I glanced at my brother, wondering what he was thinking.

When I relayed the high priest’s request earlier, he seemed positive about it, but now that they were face to face, did he start doubting it?

But even so, my brother’s face, just like when he entered the room, kept a smile on it.

“We’ll handle that part from the Duke’s side.”

With a smile, my brother made an extraordinary suggestion.

Providing accommodation for so many priests would be something unimaginable for an ordinary person.

The evidence of that was clear in the wide-eyed expressions of the two people looking at my brother.

Still, my brother remained unflustered.

“No, no. I don’t want to impose. We’ll take extra care with safety ourselves...”

“There’s no need to worry about imposing. We’ll just use an empty house or a guesthouse that the Duke’s household operates. Besides, what’s more valuable than human life? If you’re offering help, we should at least provide this level of support.”

“But...”

“It’s really no problem.”

My brother’s voice was firm, as if he wouldn’t listen to any further objections.

“Oh, and high priest, you’ll be staying at the Duke’s mansion for now. We’ve prepared a guest room for you.”

“No! I’ll stay with the other priests.”

“For now, it will be difficult to find proper accommodations. I’ll need to contact the inns and check vacant houses, which will take at least a week. During that time, the priests will have to stay together in one place... How painful would it be for the priests to watch you struggle? So, please stay at the Duke’s mansion for the next few days, while we make arrangements. What do you think, Ian?”

As my brother smiled leisurely after finishing his sentence, someone’s face briefly crossed my mind. It was strange.

He was doing a good thing, but... why did Lucas’s face come to mind?

They say friends resemble each other, so maybe that’s why.

Suddenly, the arrow of a question returned to me, and Ian slowly nodded.

“...Yes, I also think the young master’s suggestion is right.”

“Ian.”

Once again, the high priest murmured Ian’s name as if trying to admonish him like a child.

However, Ian didn’t back down and met the high priest’s gaze. After a long time, the first to give in was the high priest.

They say no child can defeat their parent.

Of course, they weren’t actually parent and child.

“Yes, then. I will do so. Thank you for your consideration and kindness, Duke White.”

Satisfied with the response, my brother nodded.

“Then, as for the details...”

This chapt𝓮r is updat𝒆d by ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom.

My brother stopped there, his face, which had been relaxed the whole time, suddenly stiffened.