Chapter 57 – Kirika Who Knows Everything
Chapter 57 – Kirika Who Knows Everything
Kirika Who Knows Everything
“Lily. Whatever you do, don’t show this to anyone.”
Kirika spoke in an astonishingly low voice.
Somehow, it felt scary.
“You surprised that I’m the Saintess?”
I’d said it brightly on purpose, trying to dispel the heavy atmosphere, but Kirika shook his head with a serious expression.
“Lily. This isn’t the time for jokes. If word of this gets out, you’ll be sentenced to death.”
I’d heard that plenty of times from Dad.
That’s why I’d kept quiet about it all this time.
“Is this the blessing from the dead Marie? Don’t tell me… you killed Marie and took it?”
“Hey! No! What are you saying? Marie’s alive in the capital. I told you, the one in the parade was Marie!”
I was stunned by the outrageous misunderstanding.
Do I look like the kind of person who would do something like that?
“Marie was the Saintess in the parade? Sorry. But then whose blessing did you steal?”
“Even you think I stole it, Kirika?”
“What else could it be? It’s green affinity, but it shows as light. That’s why you can’t use magic anymore.”
A blessing mismatched to one’s affinity.
In fairy tales, it’s the taboo act of a demon child killing kids during blessing ceremonies and stealing theirs.
Only blessings matching your affinity can be used…
I’d plugged my ears, refusing to admit it, but if even Kirika said it, I couldn’t fool myself anymore.
“During Marie’s blessing ceremony, I saw a white light. I wanted it so bad, I lunged for it, and it came to me. Marie got mad and left home. She said she never wanted to see me again. Sniff. Deep down, I knew it all along. Waaah.”
I unleashed years of pent-up frustration at Kirika, and real tears started flowing.
Kirika hugged me tightly.
Even if I can’t use light magic, having the blessing of light makes me special.
Isn’t thinking that way good enough?
But Marie being able to use magic changes everything.
“I get the situation. It wasn’t on purpose, huh.”
“Yeah.”
“So that’s why you can’t use magic. Sorry for blaming you all this time.”
“Yeah.”
“I’ll take care of it somehow.”
“Yeah.”
Kirika gently stroked my head.
Only Kirika truly understands me.
———————
“…And that’s how it is. She’s genuinely sorry about it.”
“I see. Nice work, Kirika. No matter how much we tried to talk sense into her, she wouldn’t face reality. Thank you so much.”
My prideful husband was tearfully grasping Kirika’s hand in gratitude.
When Kirika said he had something to discuss, I’d worried it was about calling off the engagement, but this was a relief.
“So please, don’t bring up the blessing from now on. She seems to get defensive about it.”
Kirika gave a wry smile, adding, “Given her personality.”
“Got it. We won’t mention it. By the way, any idea when the wedding might be?”
My husband was always anxious to marry Lily off to Kirika as soon as possible.
He had his own circumstances, yet my husband was so impatient.
“My parents, grandpa, and relatives all insist she can’t until she can cook and sew properly. I think that’s a fair line to draw too.”
“Sorry about that. Even when I tell her to practice, she gets bored right away.”
My husband clutched his head, and as I made a troubled face, Kirika offered, “I’ll ask Mina to help.”
Lily’s so lucky to have such a wonderful future husband.
Kirika’s a hard worker and a good kid too.
“By the way, that parade Saintess in the capital was Marie, right? Not Lily who stole her blessing?”
Kirika eyed us suspiciously.
What on earth is going on?
“We asked the church to look after Marie. She grew up there, so maybe something special happened. We haven’t been in contact once, so I wouldn’t know…”
“Hold on, Aunt. You left her at the church… as an orphan?”
His words made me realize for the first time what I’d done.
My husband stared at me in disbelief.
“Wasn’t Marie supposed to be with your father-in-law? Attending school in the capital…?”
“No, that wasn’t my intention. I did ask the church to care for her until adulthood, but not like that…”
I never meant to take her freedom away…
I hadn’t thought deeply about what “church protection” really meant.
“What have I done…”
As I burst into tears, Kirika awkwardly looked down.
“Marie was living in the capital with your father-in-law, going to school, right? Forced into ten years of unpaid labor as a black priest? No wonder she hates you and hasn’t sent a single letter.”
My husband glared accusingly, but it couldn’t be helped.
I truly, truly never imagined it would turn out like that.
Grandpa’s letter did say, “The holy knights took her to the church. Demand her release soon.”
Back then, I’d been relieved thinking the church had her protected…
And the letters that came after? They scared me so much I threw them out without reading.
I was terrified of the death penalty, didn’t want anything to do with Marie, so I tossed them all.
Kirika said awkwardly, “You should just let Marie go. It’s cruel to keep her tied to your family.”
With no reply to give, I bowed to Kirika and said, “Please take good care of Lily,” to cover my shame.
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thanks for the chapter