161 [161]

When Isela, who arrived at the cathedral, came out of the room of the priest in charge after a long argument, Karen knew she had succeeded.

"Whoa, how much bother you are with the old man, even if you don't get it."

"I, I, I, I, I, I, I... I can hear you."

"Ah."

Isela covered her mouth, but it was too late.

"Hmm, Hmm."

In a slightly open room, the priest in charge stared at Isela, but that was it. Isela said to Karen, closing the door firmly.

"Well, that's all right. I'm staying here for a while. I hope you can help me for a while. In the meantime, I'll write to my father about business and ask him to stop it. I'm more interested in other places than Haier's territory. This is good, right?

"Yes…."

Actually, it was a bigger goal to be friends with Isella than that. Karen tried to say thank you more to Isella, but Isela immediately turned around and started walking.

Even though it was night, the corridor heard a gentle practice. Isela explained as she dragged her bag.

Sion, who did not stay officially, could not come in at night, so Isela had to listen to it herself. If it were before, I would have thrown it to Karen, but now the situation is different.

"I've paid enough, so I don't mind staying for more than a year."

"One year."

"I don't want to stay that long."

You won't give me a refund, will you? Karen began to wonder how much she would have given her when she saw her disappointment in Isela's voice.

You must have given me a lot.’

The temple received fugitives and travelers, but most of them demanded some money in return. Otherwise, all the temples will be crowded with homeless people trying to replace their homes.

There was always a shortage of money in a place so large as a cathedral. Karen did not know how much Isela had given, but she could have guessed that she would have put on a lump of gold.

I wonder if they gave us a lot more.’

Karen followed Isela through the corridor and arrived at the Byul-dong, where the accommodation was located. It was time to sleep again. Isela gave Karen a big key.

"We've made enough donations, so we can use our own room. It's better for you to use a separate room, right?”

"My room is next to Isela, right?”

"Are you dissatisfied?"

Karen added hastily next to Isella, who was trying to make a sudden expression.

"No, it's not. No way. I love it! Really! Good night, Miss Isela."

Karen unpacked her luggage.

The room wasn't that big, but it was neat. One bed, one desk, one closet. If there was any difference between rooms, there were properties and the Bible arranged here.

"Let's do theology in this life."’

I've thought about it in the past.

It deserves to be considered positive.

'…It's cold.'

But as he climbed up the stone wall, Karen couldn't take off her clothes and had to wear more blankets. Positive thoughts quickly disappeared.

Karen felt a sense of deja vu.

'... reminds me of when I was a woman in the past.’

No. This is not Isela's mansion, but the cathedral. And this time, he was definitely accompanied by Isela as a helper, not a maid. I'm sure he'll make friends with her this time. And so far, it's not that bad, is it?

In addition, Isela cut off Raymond and the kite and came out of the house. And didn't they overcome adversity in their own way?

I'm sure you can be friends, not like a maid.

Maybe they will live the same life as the students in the girls' school. A girls' school was usually a place where middle-class women went to learn to get a job.

All of the women with Karen's family or Isella's wealth call their tutor home. But sometimes Karen wondered what it would be like to live in a girls' school that was completely independent of her home. It was hard to imagine what it would be like to live apart from women of their age.

"But the temple is different from Evans' residence, right? Maybe it's similar to school.’

Even if Daesungjeon received money, it had to be different from ordinary accommodations. This is because visitors are required to live as believers to a certain extent. There were to attend mass twice a day, to be satisfied with giving meals, to help various chores at the temple under the guise of volunteer work, etc.

This time, Karen will not be unilaterally taking care of Isela, but she will be able to have an equal relationship by spending time together.

Deng-deng.

I heard a bell at midnight.

Karen rolled her eyes to sleep.

How should I get along with Isella? I still couldn't figure it out. But it would be easier to get close to Isela if she lived with her. Didn't Raymond say so, too?

"How do you make friends?”

"Just…we get close when we're together."

"Oh, really. Please explain it more sincerely."

A hundred years without friends.

Karen carried a fountain pen and seriously asked Raymond how to be friends. But Raymond wandered for a long time not knowing how to explain to her.

He was always popular. Not only for the opposite sex but also for the same sex. But it wasn't just words that matched. People usually approached him first. So I didn't know what to say to Karen, who asked me how to make friends.

"…when it comes to the length of time I was with Isela, I would be longer than you…?”

Raymond groaned and rubbed his temples.

"Because I was a group. If we live together, we end up more congenial there."

Raymond took Karen by the shoulder and said again.

"I'm sure everyone will like you if we stay together."

***

Why did you believe that?

Karen avoided the bishop's gaze, looking down at her sternly. His eyes were not very good. In fact, this is not because of Karen. She attended the morning mass.

"Didn't Miss Icela Evans come out again today?”

This is because Isela had no intention of attending the temple's activities.

Isela didn't come out today. After a few days like a shot, Isela has never lived an ordinary believer.

Then it should be Isela who should be looked at, but she didn't even come out at all, so she had to look at herself every time. Karen made an excuse for Isela today as well.

"…I'm not feeling well."

"Really?"

No. Isela is probably sleeping by now. This is because I was drunk the day before when the opera ended and I met with opera singers. The heavy Icela came as Lord Zion almost lifted it to the front of the cathedral, but Karen had to support it before the front of the room.

"Miss Karen, is it true that Miss Isela is very sick? Then shouldn't you show yourself to the doctor?”

"Not to that extent....”

"Miss Haier."

It seems that he was caught coming in yesterday because he kept asking me questions. Gray eyes were shining under the bishop's eyebrows. It would be of little use to lie any more. He'll just make you angry.

"I was told to say so."

“…….”

Of course, Isela did not say so. Isela used the cathedral as her lodging, but Mass did not attend. And I used to break curfew.

Some of the priests gave him a look, but that was all they ignored. As Icela entered the cathedral, the gold she gave to the bishop was a weight to be reckoned with, and she was conscious of her father, Berdick Evans. Berdick was sure to shake off the new recruits if anything happened after he kicked her out of the way.

"Miss Karen Haier."

"Yes, Father Sharon."

"Just let Miss Icela Evans live her way. I don't recommend you to come to Mass anymore."

The bishop asked Karen with a tired face. He repeatedly rebuked or perceived Isela's idleness as an older religious person, but Isela listened to it in one ear and let it go in one ear with the spirit of the young man. In the end, it was the bishop who lost.

Even here, Isela was able to do whatever she wanted. And the direction was far from group life.

***

Karen was tired of being a maid beside Isela during the day. I knew what kind of clothes Isela liked, what kind of plays she liked, what kind of plays she made mistakes in front of people, who she hated and what she was doing.

Few would know at least this year's Isella better than Karen. Even her parents can't know so much detail.

So Karen was expecting this situation to some extent.

"Icella, this dress looks best on you. This is the best one here."

maybe

Karen and Isela were muzzling in Mrs. Dibenil's dressing room for a long time. Mrs. Devenil's dressing room was one of the best places in the capital, and it was a place where Icella loved the design that Karen chose in the past.

"But I don't like this dress."

"Doesn't it suit you? This dress would look best on Count Ruth's meeting. It's an auction, but the Golden Lion Hall has so many people that it should be fancy."

Karen added some decorations to her face, soothing Isela's grumbling. The skirt decoration with a fancy corsage-like design stood outstanding.

"It's heavy."

"You used to like things like this, what's wrong with you?"

"I don't like things like this."

“…….”

"I really like this dress."

In the past, Isela would twirl around the room in that peach-colored dress and show off in front of Karen. Karen was angry if she didn't join her hands and continue to admire them, so Karen had to blush over and over again to be envious.

"You really look good together.”

"Don't touch me. It's not something you can buy no matter how hard you work."

"Your clothes look so shabby!"

"Uh, uh, how could you make that noise on my clothes?!”

"Don't you have to give me clothes that are made properly? Bring something smaller and more delicate! And I don't like the color either. It's better to have another fabric around your neck.”

"Miss Icela Evans, for a sense of unity, I'd rather use this cloth as it is....”

"Is it because you're lazy?"

I'm just complaining.

Where else is he doing this because he's in so much pain? Karen turned her head and sighed quietly, and then she met with other wives in the dressing room.

You're going through a lot.’

'It's okay.'

They briefly share each other's feelings with their mouths and eyes.

Karen was amazed at the incredibly short interaction. I've never seen for the first time. And it was a moment that was not even a conversation. Nevertheless, it felt like a miracle that I could feel this familiarity in a moment.

In the end, Isela struggled for a long time and got five dresses.

After a long absence in front of Isela, Mrs. Divenil, who had been exhausted, paid the balance, wrote down when she would send the clothes, and said with a perplexed look at the news that the address was a big match.

"Sellers are not allowed in Daeseongjeon."

"I'm going to get what I need. Why not?"

"That's the regulation."

It bans luxury goods that can be seen as bribes.

"If you're carrying things with you, it's hard to get them from the store."

"How can I carry it heavy?"

"I'm sorry."

"Hey! I paid all the money...!”

Mrs. Divenil apologized with her head slightly down, but her face did not look so sorry. Rather, it was a slightly savory face that Isella was angry.

"I'm sorry, but there's nothing you can do but carry it with you."

"I have an appointment right away!"

Isela decided to meet Zion right away. Karen got a little tired as she watched the voices of Icella and Mrs. Divenil grow louder and louder behind her.

Somehow this gave Isela what she wanted. Even though Isela was grumpy right now, that dress was definitely her favorite, and Count Ruth was a little aristocrat who would welcome Isela in that dress in need of money. With this, Isela will surely be satisfied with today's choice.

Count Ruth's house had a pretty nice garden tulip. Do you think it bloomed by now? If you visit with Isela, you can see it. Did we get closer as friends today as friends?

Karen has also studied tulips very hard. You will be able to carry on a decent conversation. He clenched his fist.

"Well, Karen, you bring me that."

"What? Me?"

"Yes."

“…….”

I felt like I was getting a step closer to the maid's position than my friend.