This is another secret of the main church. In the main hall for prayer, there is a secret room. By staying in this room, you can see and hear everything inside the main hall for prayer. Therefore, you must always be cautious when using the main hall. You must always check this room and close it when supervising a confession or discussing any sensitive topic in the main hall for prayer.

  The moment Bishop Theo purposely led Aria to the main hall for prayer, I immediately understood his intention. when I stared at him, he acted as if he did not notice. Yet, your mother was ignorant about it as usual.

  The moment we arrived at the entrance, we separated from Aria. Then we secretly went to that secret room. There were many people already sitting inside it.

  We were reserved for the special seat. They even brought drinks and snacks. They were treating it as a play.

  While we were uncomfortably observing those around us, they began their session.

  They began with Sir Ramond kneeling in front of Aria. “I wish to make a confession.”

  “In place of the goddess, I shall listen to it.” Then, standing at the altar, with he back facing the goddess, she extended her hand and placed her palm on his forehead.

  With his hands crossed, he solemnly said.

  “I am a liar.”

  “I lie to the people.”

  “I lie to my friend, my colleagues.”

  Then he lifted his head and looked at Aria.

  “I lie to a person I admire.”

  Still oblivious of his intention, with her hand still placed on his forehead, Aria gently responded to him.

  “Is your lie for your benefit? Does your lie cause harm to others?”

  “It is for my selfish reasons. I betrayed their trust. I trampled on their kindness.” He answered without taking his eyes off her.

  “Did they feel hurt?” she softly asked him in concern.

  “They would, if they knew about it.”

  Then she lowered herself to his level and asked another question. “Why do you think like that?”

  I could see that Paul lost his cold for a bit. I could also see someone gasp.

  “I lied that I was like them. They befriend me because they think I am like them. I built my friendship based on deception.”

  “Why do you think it was the deception?” Her tone became like that of a mother. It was like the time she spoke to you when you were crying.

  “I lied to you, Lady Aria, I lied to you.”

  As he said that, everyone stopped drinking and eating. Their attention was drawn to his next word.

  “I was told about you. I made my prejudice about you based on others’ words. And I told you that you are my friend.”

  When he reached that part, I held Paul’s hand to calm him down, as Paul was about to run out to stop him. I could also sense that someone shifted their gaze at us. But I decided to ignore them and looked at the main hall for prayer again.

  “I lied to you. You enchanted me. And I told you it was my duty.” He decided to be straightforward with Aria. Then he added. “I lied to you about my mission. I told you it was my mission.”

  So, it was true. At that point, I could understand Paul’s high evaluation of him. However, did he refer to their first meeting when he said she enhanced him? Aria was too young at that time? If so, we had to question his character. However, we could accept that he was an honest person. At least, he understood what was right and what was wrong.

  “Yet, you never doubt me.” He moved his hand to hold Aria’s hand on his head. “My guilt built up. My burden increased. Yet, you keep looking at me with those kind eyes.”

  Then he gently held it in a submissive pose. “I can no longer live with this guilt while you still think of me as your friend.”

  He placed his left hand under her right palm. “I found it greedy that I want something more………… I want something more, more genuine than these relationships built upon deception.”

  “I seek your forgiveness.” He placed his forehead on the back of her hand.

  Upon seeing this, some people let out a soft moan. Then Bishop Theo began walking up to those who let out that soft moan and demanded something from them.

  As for Aria, would you happen to know her response? It really left me no word. I really pity those poor souls. With a smile on her face, she used her free hand to touch his cheek and slowly lifted his head.

  I could see hope in his eyes. Everyone was holding their breath. I could see that Bishop Theo also stopped his activities. As for Paul, he tightly grabbed my hand to the point it was sore.

  Then, Aria softly spoke.

  “If these are the guilt you speak of, then you are not guilty at all. Everyone has their masks. I, too, also wear a mask. The me you see may not be the real me. The same can be said for others. Yet, I found it admirable that you recognize your shortcomings. You have not sinned. I can vouch for it.”

  After Aria finished speaking, the inside of the secret room erupted in chaos. Everyone stood up and threw money at Bishop Theo while cursing with bloodshot eyes. Observing their behavior at that point, I began to wonder whether they were truly part of the main church. With literally showering in money, Bishop Theo happily collected the money on the floor.

  This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

  It was only then that I realized they had also placed a bet on Aria. It made my blood boil with fury. Then I stood up and was about to scold them when we heard Sir Ramond speak.

  “Your kind words put me at ease. Then, can we build a genuine relationship together?” With a determined face, he said that with a smile.

  I was stunned by his resilience. While Paul silently shook his head, everyone just looked at him with a better smile. Bishop Theo and others halted their activities, looking at Aria with anticipation.

  As for Aria… I think his message did not reach her. “I genuinely think of you as a friend. And I will continue to do so until you get tired of it.”

  Bishop Theo dropped his money bag. For someone who loved money more than his own life to drop it, it may be too shocking for him, too. We all began to feel pity for him. Paul just murmured something, ‘another?’ with disbelief. I really wonder how many times she did it?

  However, his spirit was not broken. “Friend, huh? Friend for now, huh? Then, I shall…”

  “Mommy.” Yes, at that time, before he could finish, you rushed into the main hall for prayer and interrupted them.

  “Ah, Lucy, you should not barge in here.” As you knew, at that time, while receiving you in her embrace, Aria lightly scolded you.

  “Mommy took so long, so I came here to find Mommy.” At that point, you really did learn from me well. It was well executed, that guilt trap of yours. You shifted the blame to Aria.

  “Sorry, your holiness. Lucy kept insisting, and I could not stop her.” Shortly after your arrival, Andres slowly walked in.

  Oh, Lucy, do you want to know what happened inside the secret room at that time? Their roles were reversed. After seeing you enter with Andres, Bishop Theo began to curse out loud with a bloodshot eye. After he threw all his money bags on the floor, everyone rushed in to pick them up. Paul and I just let out a sigh, seeing them like that.

  When I turned to look at the main hall for prayer, we saw you pull Aria and speak. “Mommy, let's play, let's play.”

  Then Andres added in while looking at Sir Rowand with a sharp eye. “I believe the confession was concluded, right?”

  “Sir Rowand., I apologize for my daughter’s behavior. I hope you will forgive her. Is there any more sins you wish to confess?” After calming you down, Aria lowered her head to you while holding your hand. Yet, you did not follow her.

  So, pray tell me, Lucy. Was it you? Or was it Andres who gave those ideas of interrupting them?

  Did you do it on purpose? The time was too perfect for it to be a coincidence. Did you eavesdrop on them?

  Please tell your grandma, Lucy. My judgment of you and Andres depends on your honest answer.

  “Eh, ah, Lady Aria, I mean, I mean, you are a saintess candidate, right?” I think you still remember it. Sir Ramond was shuddering upon hearing Aria introducing you as her daughter. It made me wonder where the previously brave knight went.

  “Yes, I am.”

  “Your, your, your daughter. Are you married? How can a saintess candidate be married?” he began to look at Aria, you, and Andres alternatively.

  As for me, upon hearing that, I frown at him. I really wonder what made him raise that question. Did he really have a brain? Then I noticed that everyone began to snigger. Paul also turned away. Well, in his defense, I think Sir Ramond’s reaction was understandable. It was really shocking to hear a saintess candidate introduce someone as her daughter. On top of that, her daughter was almost as big as you were, Lucy.

  “Married? I am not married. I am not even engaged.” Yet, Aria cutely replied to him. Why did she have to title her head at that time?

  At that point, Sir Ramond began to lose control; “Then, then, your daughter….. Who? Who is it? Who is the father?” He looked at Andres. He came close to jumping on Andres. Yet, strangely enough, Andres responded to his hostility with a pitiful gaze. At first, I thought he was displaying his dominance. However, I immediately learn the truth behind his action. He just found another comrade.

  “Oh, I believe Lucy’s father is dead.” Yes, your mother was always like that.

  Therefore, you should not follow her in this aspect. Could you promise me, Lucy?

  After hearing her reply, yes, Sir Ramond really lost it. “That bast-”

  Yet, he was stopped by a shout from Archbishop Henry. “What is this commission?”

  On that part, everyone was practically rolling on the floor. Oh, the dignity of the main church, I lament it.

  While everyone was laughing around me, I looked at Paul. “You said he is a decent guy, right?”

  However, he did not reply; instead, he looked away.

  Then I shifted my gaze to those around me. They told me with incredible difficulty. Apparently, it was not the first time someone had shown this kind of reaction when introduced to Lucy.

  On that part, Paul tried to defend himself: “Normally, he was not like that.”

  “Ummm, even a wise man would become a fool in front of love.” Seeing that he was embarrassed about it, I decided to tease him a bit.

  “Perhaps.” He shyly replied.

  Seeing him like that, I laughed at him. “I hope you won’t become like them when the time comes.” He just looked away. Huhu, he was acting cute for his age. Do you think so, Lucy?

  I wonder if Paul, too, will become like them when we find someone he loves. He always looks reliable. I hope he won’t make a fool of himself when the time comes.

  So, Lucy, if you want to find someone, you should find someone like Paul. Mature, strong, reliable, and understanding. Someone who can take care of you. Fufufu, it may be challenging to find someone like that. However, do not give up.

  Back to Aria, it seems Archbishop Henry was scolding them for causing a commotion. But he always showed his soft side to you. What happened to his virtue, I wonder.

  “You are in the presence of the goddess, so you should behave yourself. And Lucy, you cannot venture to any places as you please. Come here.” He practically pulled you to him.

  Then he held you up and looked at Aria. “Aria, I know you are always busy, but you should also pay more attention to Lucy.”

  Then he shifted his gaze to Andres, “You, too, boy. You are her holiness’s guard. And what are you doing here, instead of guarding her holiness? And where is Paul? He is your guard, so he should behave as one. I don’t know who is whose guard anymore.”

  “If you all are too busy to take care of Lucy, I can help you from time to time. Lucy, let’s play with grandpa, alright?” I believe you still remember it. He bribed you with a cookie as he said that.

  Then he also turned to look at Sir Ramond with an evaluative gaze. “And you, young sir. This is the church. It is the place to dedicate yourself to the goddess. Do not use it for other purpose.” Yet, he never stopped feeding you, Lucy, when he said that. It felt like he was forcing you to eat. Was it legal? How can you devoice those cookies so fast?

  “If you do not have anything else, you should leave now. Aria is a busy person.” He just dismissed him lightly, “And you, boy, if you can’t take care of Lucy, I will do it.” Yes, he always calls you ‘brother’ boy.

  “I dare not trouble you. Archbishop.”

  At that time, he just smiled when he saw Andres bow to him. “I am free. After all, I only have to supervise the Soul Vow. But nowadays, no one seems to use it.”

  “I apologize.” Yet, it was Aria who apologized to him. I thought she felt guilt about using Soul Vow.

  Then, after feeding you a cookie, he spoke to Aria in a gentle voice, “I am not saying it in a bad way. Everyone always tried to abuse it. So, it is a good thing that fewer and fewer people want to use it. Let’s go play with grandpa, ok?”

  Then, he added while stealing a glance at Sir Ramond. “You, Aria, you should clear up that misunderstanding. I know you always think that Lucy is your daughter. It is a good thing. But sometimes you have to make it clear to others.”

  “I apologize.”

  I could feel it. Ignoring Aria’s apology, he looked at Sir Ramond with hostility. “Young sir. Aria is a pure girl. So, do not have any funny ideas. That’s all. Everyone should leave.”

  Ultimately, it was Paul who cleared up the misunderstanding. Still reliable as always.

  And you know, Lucy?

  In the end, Archbishop Henry kidnapped you, Lucy, for a whole day. It was only at the time you were supposed to sleep that he brought you to me.