Treat the Second Male Lead Like a Stone

……What did you just say?

Startled by Eli’s bombshell declaration, I looked at Cedric, who replied with an expressionless face.

“I can’t respond seriously to a joking letter.”

“This is a little sad.”

Eli placed a hand over his heart and made a sorrowful expression. Even so, he kept looking at me, but his exaggerated gesture didn’t seem sincere.

Come to think of it, Cedric once said in front of Ricardo that I’d received a marriage proposal.

‘I let it slide because nothing more was said afterward!’

If I had known, I should’ve asked more about it.

Even though I wasn’t sitting, my heart felt as if it were on a bed of thorns.

“Lord Glaster, is something wrong?”

Perhaps sensing the strange atmosphere between us, Onyx called out to Eli. Then, with a face that said nothing was wrong, he answered.

“Of course not. Let’s go.”

Only then did Cedric finally start walking again.

“Brother, I’ll be going now…….”

At my words, he gave a slight nod, as if to tell me to go ahead.

It was the matter I had told him about before coming to the temple.

Brandon.

To find out his whereabouts through those around him.

“I’ll be back before Brother Leon arrives.”

“No, you can go back first.”

Cedric replied firmly.

“And don’t get involved with Lord Glaster under any circumstances.”

“Of course. When have I ever disobeyed you?”

I answered confidently, but he still seemed uneasy and warned me again.

“He lives off that pretty face and smooth talk. Hah.”

“Why are you sighing all of a sudden…….”

Was he seriously worried I’d fall for Eli?

I must’ve been right.

Cedric’s face turned complicated in an instant.

“You have no eye for men.”

Unbelievable. What did Cedric even think of me?

This was definitely going to turn into a long conversation.

“Well then, whether I see you at home or here again, see you later!”

I quickly said goodbye and hurriedly left.

* * *

The place I headed to next was the prayer room. While I waited for my appointment, a priestess who had just finished praying opened the door and stepped out.

“Believer Bianca.”

“Hello, you must be Cassandra, right?”

She replied with a smile.

“The guest who arrived earlier has been praying longer than expected. Would you be kind enough to understand the delay?”

“I understand completely.”

“Thank you. Shall we go in then?”

With a gentle expression, Cassandra led me into the prayer room.

The room was small. In front of a window that showed the view outside was the emblem of the temple, and chairs were arranged so that it could be seen. It was the kind of seat that would be full with about four people.

Cassandra sat down as if used to it. I swallowed dryly and carefully took a seat beside her.

In that moment, Cassandra gently held my hand.

“I’m here to ease your worries.”

“……”

“Do you have a sin to confess? Or is there something you wish for? Anything is fine.”

Then she closed her eyes. I also closed mine, trying hard to quiet my complicated thoughts.

But only for a moment—when I heard Cassandra’s prayer for me whispered near my ear, one thought suddenly popped into my head.

‘Please let me go home!’

And please cure Grandpa’s illness too……

Technically, it was no different from shouting into the void, but I believed with all my heart that someone would hear me.

“May your path shine bright, Believer.”

Finally, Cassandra gently patted the back of my hand.

“I hope your heart feels lighter now.”

“……Thank you.”

She smiled and released my hand. Then she lit the incense on the table. The prayer room quickly filled with the scent of herbs.

“I’m the one who should thank you. It seemed like you were hoping to meet a specific priest, but you weren’t upset at all.”

Though I hadn’t mentioned the name Brandon, it felt like Cassandra saw right through me.

“Are you sure you’re not a mind reader?”

“After spending so much time at the temple, I’ve come across all kinds of people. It’s made me quite perceptive.”

“Hmm, actually, there’s someone I used to know. He told me to come whenever I had something to ask……”

“His name?”

“Brandon.”

At my answer, Cassandra nodded.

“He’s quite well-known even within the temple.”

There wasn’t a negative tone to her voice.

“Though he still suffers aftereffects from a tragic accident, he brings hope to the believers who come here.”

“I think he’s amazing too.”

I replied, touching my lips.

“After the accident, he worked at the orphanage connected to the temple. He often brought the children here, and that good bond led him to work formally with us.”

Just when did he come to the Empire hiding the fact that he was Seiren?

‘And come to think of it, where did the rumors that Seiren was still alive even start?’

I first heard the rumors when I visited the Night Shop.

The necklace was one thing, but I didn’t think he would spread word about his true identity himself.

Bang!

Just as my thoughts were running wild, the prayer room door opened.

“I-I’m sorry. I-I thought the prayer room was empty.”

The voice stammered along. I swallowed dryly and looked at Brandon, who stood near the door.

……He was still in the temple?

I had vaguely suspected it from Cassandra’s reaction, but I hadn’t expected to face him this easily.

When she saw Brandon holding a broom, she hurriedly tried to stop him.

“Oh dear, Priest Brandon! You could’ve left the cleaning to a junior priest.”

“No, I-I feel more comfortable doing it myself.”

Letting out a sheepish laugh, he gripped the doorknob with a limp in his step.

“Anyway, it’s b-been a while.”

Seeing Brandon greet me so casually, I almost mistook the past incident for something that had never happened.

But I didn’t back down and smiled.

“Indeed! If I’d known you were still at the temple, I might’ve sent you a letter.”

“A-Anytime. It’s b-been a long time since we saw each other, so I’m sure we have a l-lot to talk about.”

We do, indeed.

But I would never meet him alone no matter what.

Maybe he noticed my thoughts—Brandon continued speaking nonchalantly.

“So, did you find the a-answer?”

He seemed to be referring to the path Arkan mentioned.

But when I didn’t answer and just kept staring at him, Brandon repeated with a faint smirk.

“Even if nothing has changed, p-please don’t worry too much.”

“Of course. Patience is one of a lady’s virtues, after all.”

I stood and greeted Cassandra.

“I’ll be heading back now. Thanks to you, I feel much lighter, and my steps feel easier.”

“Since Priest Brandon is here as well, you’re welcome to stay a bit longer.”

“No, it’s fine. My brother is waiting for me.”

I quickly stopped Cassandra, who looked like she was about to follow me out. With a resigned look, she began clearing the incense from the table.

“……”

I quietly looked up at Brandon, who was blocking the door.

“I-I seem to be unintentionally blocking the door.”

He stepped aside slightly and placed a hand over his chest, bowing lightly.

It was the kind of courtesy knights showed when seeing off a lady.

But there was one difference—his gaze was fixed on me, and it didn’t feel like courtesy at all.

Still, I was about to return his gesture with a farewell.

“This will be the last time I treat you like a lady, as a knight.”

A chilling voice warned me.

“Your luck ends here.”

So surviving until now was my luck, huh.

Well, thanks for thinking that.

Then I might as well test how far my luck goes.

“The world changes nothing and simply follows its flow, yet you’re threatening someone as weak as me. You must be really nervous.”

“……Me?”

“Or maybe something has already changed.”

At my words, Brandon pressed his tongue firmly against the inside of his cheek. Then he spoke in a sharp, irritated voice.

“Ah, you really are an infuriating woman.”