Episode 11| Saving Countess Marilyn
The temple corridors were unusually quiet that afternoon.
Riley had just finished organizing a stack of charity ledgers when a soft, desperate voice echoed from the main hall.
"Please... there must be something you can do!"
Riley paused.
Curiosity—and habit—made her step closer to the doorway.
In the center of the hall stood a young noble girl, perhaps sixteen or seventeen, her eyes red from crying. Across from her were two high-ranking priests, their expressions solemn but clearly dismissive.
"We have already told you," one priest said with practiced patience. "If even the High Priest could not cure your aunt's illness, there is nothing more the temple can offer."
The girl clenched her fists.
"But she's Countess Marilyn White! She has supported the temple for years!"
The priests exchanged glances.
"That may be so," the other priest replied calmly, "but miracles are not guaranteed."
Riley leaned against the wall quietly, listening.
Countess...
High-ranking noble...
Her green eyes glinted slightly.
That sounds expensive.
The girl lowered her head, defeated.
"...I understand."
She turned and walked out of the temple slowly.
Riley waited a moment.
Then she followed.
Outside, the girl wiped her tears as she stepped onto the stone steps leading down into the capital streets.
"Excuse me," Riley called gently.
The girl turned.
For a moment, she forgot to breathe.
Standing before her was a young priest with golden hair and vivid green eyes, his calm expression almost radiant under the afternoon sunlight.
He's... unbelievably handsome.
She shook her head quickly, embarrassed by the thought.
"Yes?" she asked cautiously.
Riley offered a gentle smile.
"I couldn't help overhearing your conversation inside. Your aunt... Countess Marilyn... is very ill, correct?"
The girl stiffened slightly.
"Yes."
"And the High Priest was unable to heal her?"
"...Yes."
Riley extended her hand calmly.
"Allow me to try."
The girl stared at him in disbelief.
"You?"
Riley nodded.
She immediately shook her head.
"No. I'm sorry, but I cannot trust a low-ranking priest with my aunt's life."
Her voice wasn't cruel—just realistic.
"If the High Priest himself failed... how could you possibly succeed?"
Riley tilted her head slightly.
"That may be true."
Then she smiled again.
"But what do you lose by trying?"
The girl hesitated.
Riley continued gently.
"If your aunt is already beyond the temple's help... then one last attempt changes nothing."
Silence lingered between them.
Finally, the girl sighed.
"...Fine."
Her voice was reluctant.
"But if anything happens to her—"
"You may blame me entirely," Riley said calmly.
The girl studied him for a moment longer.
"...Follow me."
The White Estate was enormous.
Servants rushed through the halls with anxious expressions as Riley followed the young lady toward the Countess's chambers.
The moment they entered the room, Riley's smile faded.
Countess Marilyn lay on the bed, pale and barely breathing.
Her body looked weak, her skin almost grey.
Even someone with minimal knowledge of healing magic could see that she was near death.
The young lady looked at Riley anxiously.
"Well?"
Riley stepped forward quietly.
"...Please step back."
The girl did as told.
Riley placed her hand gently over the Countess's chest.
Then—
She released her power.
Golden light erupted from her body.
The entire room filled with a warm, radiant glow as high-ranking holy magic flowed freely through Riley's hands.
The girl gasped.
"I–Impossible..."
The light grew brighter.
Stronger.
Almost blinding.
This was not the magic of a simple priest.
This was something far beyond what the temple usually displayed.
The Countess's pale skin slowly regained color.
Her breathing steadied.
Moments later—
Her eyes opened.
"...Where am I?"
The girl burst into tears.
"Aunt Marilyn!"
She rushed forward and hugged the Countess carefully.
The Countess blinked weakly.
"I... I feel... better?"
Riley stepped back quietly, letting the golden light fade.
The girl turned toward him in absolute shock.
"How... how did you...?"
Riley placed a finger gently against her lips.
"Please."
His voice was calm.
"Do not tell the temple what you saw."
Both women looked confused.
"If it becomes known that I can perform magic like this... it would create unnecessary chaos."
Riley smiled softly.
"You may simply say that fortune smiled upon your family."
The Countess slowly sat up, studying Ryan carefully.
"You saved my life."
Riley bowed politely.
"I simply did what I could."
The Countess chuckled weakly.
"Such humility."
Her eyes sharpened slightly.
"But I refuse to let such a miracle go unnoticed."
Riley opened her mouth to object—
But she continued.
"I will not reveal your power. However..."
She smiled knowingly.
"I have significant influence within the temple. They owe me many favors."
Riley's ears perked up slightly.
"I will make sure your rank is raised."
Riley paused.
Then smiled modestly.
"That would be... unnecessary."
The Countess waved her hand.
"Nonsense."
She gestured toward a servant.
"Bring him a proper reward."
Moments later, a heavy pouch of coins was placed in Riley's hands.
Riley hesitated dramatically.
"...This is far too generous."
Inside, however—
Excellent.
Later that evening, the temple announced new appointments.
Priest Ryan had been officially promoted.
From a low-ranking priest...
To a Mid-Level Priest.
Exactly the progression Riley had planned.
As she walked through the temple courtyard that night, Riley tossed the coin pouch lightly in her hand.
"Progress," she murmured happily.
But she failed to notice something important.
Someone else had witnessed the miracle.
From the balcony of the White Estate earlier that day—
A tall man had watched the entire scene unfold.
His sharp silver eyes followed Ryan's figure with quiet fascination.
The older brother of Countess Marilyn.
And the third male lead of the original story.
Edward leaned slightly against the balcony railing, replaying the image in his mind.
Golden light.
Divine power.
And the handsome priest standing calmly in the center of it all.
"...Interesting," he murmured.
For the first time in years...
The cold Duke felt something stir in his chest.
Meanwhile, far away in the temple—
Riley suddenly sneezed.
She rubbed her nose suspiciously.
"...Why do I feel like my life just got more complicated again?"