Latvan walked down the corridor, suppressing any sign of anticipation. No one could enter the inner chamber of the saint when night fell, and he considered himself fortunate for that. After all, no one would witness him carrying the saint in his arms.

"So, this is my first time using the secret passage."

Latvan was aware of the hidden passageways that connected to the saint's chamber. The former commander had informed him about it when he was confirmed as the next leader of the knights.

"This is a secret known only to the commander. The saint probably thinks she's the only one who knows about it. So, make sure you never let it slip that you're aware of the existence of the secret passage, unless it's a truly desperate situation."

The former commander spoke these words as he led Latvan towards a wall and revealed how to open it.

"He also said not to use it or pretend to know about it unless it's an urgent situation."

However, now he was using this secret passage to bring the sleeping saint back to her chamber. His eyes, accustomed to darkness, navigated the path without stumbling. After walking for a while, he reached a place where the wind ceased.

With the saint in his arms, Latvan leaned against the wall. The blue light circled, causing the wall to vanish, revealing a small room on the other side.

"It's been a while since I used my power."

Like the high priests in the temple, the knights of the temple also possessed a certain level of power. However, they rarely used it except in battles against demons.

Latvan silently offered a prayer of atonement in his heart towards the departed former commander and continued on his way.

Latvan looked at the still-sleeping saint in his arms. Her body was trembling to such an extent that one would think she had died if not for her rhythmic breaths. It seemed that she had fallen into a deep sleep due to exhaustion from the recent events during the final ceremony of the prayer gathering.

As the corridor came to an end, the saint's bedroom came into view. Latvan carefully laid her down on the bed. Only then could he start to contemplate.

"What have I done?"

What possessed me to do such a thing?

To carry the sleeping saint and bring her to her bedroom using the secret passage. Unable to believe what he had done, Latvan repeatedly wiped his face with his hands.

"Let's go back."

It seemed that his mind was in a chaotic state. He needed to return quickly through the passage he had used earlier. Even if it was unlikely, the situation of being in her bedroom with the saint made him feel extremely awkward.

But just as he took a step back, he had to turn around again.

"Ha..."

The saint was still holding onto his cloak.

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Should I just forcefully remove her grip?

Even if she held on tightly, there was no way she wouldn't let go if he did that.

"..."

However, Latvan released the hand that held onto his cloak. Then, he quietly stood by the side of the bed. Though he could have forcefully removed her grip, he somehow disliked the idea.

By the time Latvan exited the saint's room using the secret passage, dawn was breaking in the sky. One side of his cloak was filled with creases, evidence of what had transpired.

***

That was the events of the previous night.

Latvan deliberately turned away from the maiden. Somehow, it was embarrassing to see her now. Even if he had no other thoughts, he had touched the maiden's body without permission, entered her bedroom, and stood by the side of the sleeping person for quite some time.

"What have I done?"

Latvan couldn't understand why he had done such a thing, even upon reflection. Above all, what bewildered him was the fact that the disgust he had felt towards the maiden until recently no longer remained.

"Why on earth?"

After falling down once and getting back up, the maiden is working like a different person. However, that doesn't mean the things the maiden had done have disappeared. Latvan somehow felt that the current maiden was not the person he used to know.

"It can't be true."

He shook his head. Just then, the officials approached him and spoke about the remaining schedule of the prayer meeting. In the meantime, the maiden had requested tea from the officials and received it. Latvan thought it was fortunate that there was no further need for conversation, so he engaged in a long discussion with the officials about work before turning away.

While conversing with the officials, he regained some composure from the confusion in his mind.

"Pull yourself together."

She is a maiden. If she suddenly does things she didn't do before, it is only right to be more cautious. Therefore, he must regain his composure and treat her at a distance, just as before.

At that moment, he made up his mind.

"Maiden!"

As he dropped the teacup, the maiden's body collapsed to the floor.

***

I awoke from my slumber, blinking my eyes open.

"How dark it is," I murmured.

The dense darkness enveloped me like black paper, devoid of any other hues. At first, I wondered if I was in a lightless room, but as I lifted my hand for confirmation, it appeared remarkably distinct. Gazing at my hand in the dimness, a sense of unease washed over me. This hand...

"It is my original body."

It was the body I had died in on the hospital bed. The emaciated wrist twisted grotesquely and the marks of injections covered my arm. Even the skin had become discolored in places due to the medication.

Perhaps it was because I had grown accustomed to Evelina's body. I never expected to feel awkwardness in the body I had inhabited for decades. I raised my head.

"Where am I?"

Where could this entirely black space be? As I surveyed my surroundings, I noticed someone standing behind me. Without intending to, I turned my body to see who it was and exclaimed aloud.

"Evelina!"

There she stood. Evelina. Perhaps it was due to seeing a familiar presence, but my heart swelled with joy as I approached her. For the past few weeks, whenever I looked in the mirror, it was her reflection that greeted me. Long, golden hair, fair and rosy skin. A slender neck and elongated limbs that accentuated the curves of a grown woman.

At that moment, I truly appreciated Evelina's beauty.

"Well, in the novel, no one denies Evelina's loveliness."

Then, our gazes met, her blue eyes locking onto mine.

Evelina stared straight at me.