Chapter 43

Lloyd, who had been following Fernan, spoke quietly.

They were now lurking near the temple, as the temple was the only clue to finding Julia's whereabouts.

However, they were not putting any direct pressure on the temple.

It was to make them not notice that they were under Fernan’s surveillance.

If the missing priest was truly related to Julia, the more reliable way was to find out who was behind it secretly.

“So, please, be patient a little longer.”

Lloyd continued to talk, looking at the back of Fernan’s hand with blood vessels popping up.

Fernan was now struggling to suppress the urge to turn the temple upside down.

It was the first time in six months that he had a clue about Julia. It was natural that he wanted to find her right away.

But there was no way the priests would be honest enough to tell him about her if he tried to visit the temple recklessly.

“…Yes, I know.”

Fernand's empty eyes lit up with a faint glow as he recited in a low voice.

He had been out of his mind all this time, and now he was showing his human face.

He held his trembling hands harder.

Julia's trail was approaching. Julia must be alive…

***

In the meantime, Cedric arrived safely at the Temple of Ilion.

This was the first time he had been away from his position for such a long period of time during his time at the Temple. 

"It's also been a very long time since I've seen myself like this.” 

Before stepping out of the carriage, Cedric used his power and changed his appearance. As the green light faintly spread, he quickly transformed into a ten years old boy. 

Prior to his stay in the Holy Land, Cedric had always lived in his child form unless there was something special. This was because it was only by reducing his outward age and minimizing his bodily functions that he would be able to maintain his power in the most stable manner.

"Cedric, are you not changing into a child anymore?”

As he dismounted from the carriage and walked up the stairs, Cedric remembered what Julia had asked him sometime ago. It seemed that the memory of the first time they had met was very strong in her mind. Julia was alone in her conviction before he could make any reply.

Look again at the children attached to her, and look at him again.

"Hmmm, sure… it would be a bit troubling if you turned into a child here."

A gentle smile spread across his face as he thought of Julia’s face as she laughed while muttering. It wasn't actually because he was embarrassed or troubled as she thought.

He just didn't want to spend the rest of his time in front of her as a child. Smiling subtly, Cedric crossed the yard and entered the hall. It was two days later when the High Priest decided to come.

Before that, Cedric intended to visit the study on the top floor of the temple first. In the library were numerous history books from ancient times to the present. 

Starting from the origins of the holy power, many information and examples of the existing holy power were recorded. If he searched through them one by one, he might be able to find a way to alleviate Julia's condition. Cedric walked along the corridor that led to the central staircase.

Along the way, he briefly exchanged greetings with a few priests who noticed him and greeted him. 

"Priest Cedric, you've come just in time for the day."

“Yes, it’s an important day so I can’t be absent.”

After a short conversation with the priests he hadn't seen in a while, Cedric took his steps again. Perhaps it was because of the news of the High Priest’s visit, but the temple hall was especially crowded with more people than usual.

After weaving his way through the crowds and up the stairs, Cedric eventually made his way to the study.

And a man who had been blending in with the crowd was watching Cedric carefully.

It was Fernan’s second-in-command, who had infiltrated the interior of the temple in place of the known face of Fernan. Pretending to be a visitor, the knight followed Cedric and observed him for a while. He was a young priest from outside. The way he talked with the existing priests without hesitation. Above all, his name was Cedric.

Surely, this priest was the one his lord was looking for.

***

"Julia, when will Cedric return?"

A small voice echoed in the front yard of the monastery.

Julia, who was inserting flowers into the wooden arch, lowered her head to Rosemary, who stood next to her.

"Well, he’ll be back soon. Do you miss Cedric?"

Julia asked affectionately, and Rosemary made a sulky face.

"Other priests are scary. Cedric is nice to us….”

The priests here were older and all very stern. It was just a little difficult for the children.

Cedric was the only one among them who would help her and play well with the children.

Rosemary seemed to miss him very much, because he was not there to play with her.

It had been exactly three weeks since he left the monastery. She knew that the day of the High Priest’s visit had already passed.

But it took a long time to come and go and she did not know exactly when he would return. 

Julia smiled and ruffled Rosemary's hair.

"Rose, isn't it boring to play with me?"

At her mischievous question, Rosemary shook her head.

“No! It's good to play with Julia. It's fun.”

Rosemary lagged behind, clinging to her arm and rubbing her cheek. Smiling brightly, Julia gently tugged at the child’s cheek.

The wedding was scheduled to take place at the monastery in the afternoon.

So Julia worked with the children to decorate the wedding arch with flowers.

The wedding arch, after finishing with care, was finely decorated with white flowers, making the garden glow.

When the noon sun went down in the afternoon, a wedding ceremony was held in the monastery.

Julia handed the bride the light pink rose bouquet that she had made with all her sincerity.

"Wow, what a surprise! I love it. Thank you very much!”

Seeing the bride smiling brightly with happiness filled Julia's heart with a little happiness as well.

The ceremony was officiated by the head priest of the monastery.

It was a simply decorated wedding, but the sight of the young couple smiling at each other was as beautiful as any gorgeous wedding.

Julia’s lips lifted faintly as she watched the bride and groom exchange rings.

Then, suddenly, she remembered her own wedding day.

That day was in early spring.

The ceremony, held at the Imperial Palace, was as glamorous as any royal family. The memories of exchanging vows and rings in front of the priest came to mind one after another. 

Blinking her eyes with an expressionless face, Julia suddenly looked down at her hand. Then she remembered her own wedding ring, which she had long forgotten. It was the only thing she had selfishly brought with her as a consolation prize.

“I’ve never seen a ring crafted with such precious gems before. Where did you get this?”

When she just arrived at the monastery, Julia went to a jeweler to sell the ring.

The merchant said the ring was worth a lot of money, but she returned without selling it.

She didn't need the money right away, but somehow she still didn't have the courage to sell it. 

She didn't know if maybe it was because it was the only thing that reminded her of her past. It was a past she wanted to forget, but perhaps she wasn't ready to let it go completely.

Deliberately brushing her thoughts away, Julia turned her gaze again.

As she smiled again, gazing at the bride and groom as they kissed each other, someone placed a light hand on her shoulder.

"Julia."

Julia looked back at the familiar voice. Cedric was standing behind her with a small smile on his face.

Julia looked up at him with a happy expression on her face.

"Cedric, when did you get here?"

She talked about him with Rosemary this morning, but she didn't expect him to be back so soon.

"I just arrived."

Cedric continued to speak as she came up beside her quietly.

"How have you been feeling?"

Julia's complexion was better than before. Smiling, Julia replied.

"I'm feeling much better."

She hadn't coughed up any more blood since that time. The pain that had been intermittently hitting her heart had also subsided.

Julia shrugged her shoulders faintly. Cedric finally smiled.

The end of that smile, however, was somewhat complicated and soaring.

So far, Cedric had searched all the ancient books that were outdated in the temple. But still he found nothing.

What upset him more than anything were the words Matheus had told him.

"I can feel that Julia's power is slowly returning to me.”

"You mean….”

"Yes… if this continues, Julia's health will be at risk.”

Julia's holy power originally belonged to Matheus.

Once the holy power that resided within her was gone, it was supposed to return to its original owner, Matheus.

It was presumed that Julia's throwing up blood was also because her power was disappearing. However, even Matheus said he could not guess why such symptoms happened.