Church

“So this is the place…”

Before me stood a magnificent church—its white domed architecture exuding a serene warmth, yet the stained-glass windows and the cross upon its façade carried an air of holiness that discouraged even the faintest hint of irreverence.

I had seen churches in town during errands before, but none so grand as this one.

As expected of an institution sponsored by the Kingdom—its scale was truly awe-inspiring.

But strangely, within this sacred place, I sensed something… foul.

Lifting my gaze toward the massive doors, I took a deep breath.

I would have to go in and see for myself.

Just as I reached out to push the door open, someone called out behind me.

“Eh? Isn’t that Ailena?”

Turning around, I found a familiar face—it was Nino, my dorm-mate.

“Nino? Aren’t you supposed to be with your lady?”

…Not that I had any right to question her.

After all, my own lady had been avoiding me lately!

Unlike at the estate, here at the academy, she could disappear anytime—and I’d have no clue where she went.

“Lady Rebecca… she’s inside the church right now,” Nino explained.

“She said she wasn’t in the best mood and wanted to visit the confessional to clear her mind, so I’m waiting outside.”

“I see…”

So, it seemed I was the only one neglecting her duties as a maid today.

“Ailena, what about you? Are you here to confess too?”

“Well… something like that.”

i couldn’t exactly tell her that there might be a demonic presence inside.

No one would believe me without proof… except my lady, whose trust I’d already earned entirely.

“Eh~ I didn’t expect you to be a follower of the Goddess, Ailena~ I thought you weren’t into this sort of thing.”

“You’re not wrong… I’m really not into it.”

Creak.

As we chatted, the grand church doors opened, and a violet-haired girl stepped out.

It was Rebecca Miller.

“Milady!”

The joy on Nino’s face was radiant—if I squinted, I could almost see a wagging tail behind her.

“Nino… and this is?”

Rebecca’s calm eyes turned to me.

“Ah… she’s my dorm-mate, and also the Duke’s—”

“Oh! Hello, I’m Ailena.”

I curtsied politely, unwilling to let my lady’s maid appear discourteous.

“Mm.”

Rebecca said nothing more, merely nodding before glancing back at Nino.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. I feel much better now. Let’s go.”

“Of course… Ailena, see you later!”

“Mm… goodbye.”

I watched the two leave.

Now, it was truly time to head inside.

…Hmm?

That ominous presence—it was gone.

Thinking back, it had vanished right after Rebecca left the building.

Could it be…?

No. I needed to confirm.

“Excuse me…”

Pushing open the door, I stepped into the church.

The splendor took my breath away.

Golden tiles shimmered beneath the kaleidoscopic light refracted through the stained glass.

Vibrant murals decorated the walls, narrating fragments of divine history.

And at the center stood the Goddess herself—a stone statue with one hand raised, as if upholding the world.

Words alone could not describe the sheer grandeur of it.

“Welcome to the church… may I help you with something?”

Under the statue stood a nun with curly red ringlets and round glasses.
Her demeanor was gentle, her movements elegant—she embodied the sanctity of her title perfectly.

“I don’t really have any business here. I just wanted to look around.”

“I see.”

Her smile didn’t waver, but her half-lidded eyes opened slightly—just enough to make me feel as if she were peering straight into my heart.

“But recently… haven’t you been quite troubled?”

“Troubled? I wouldn’t say that…”

I stopped mid-sentence.

“…Really? Not at all?”

Her quiet question pierced deeper than I’d expected.

I searched my own heart for an answer—and in that instant, a golden-haired figure flashed across my mind.

That slight hesitation was all she needed to see through me.

“It’s all right,” the nun said softly.

“No matter how unspeakable your worries may be, or how unforgivable your sins might seem—you can share them inside the confessional. The Goddess forgives all.”

Without realizing it, I’d followed her into a small, enclosed room—the confessional.

It was completely sealed off, soundproofed.

Only in front of me was a small hole, covered by cloth, obscuring the other side from view.

“Go ahead,” her gentle voice came through the veil.

“Release the shadows in your heart. You’ll feel much lighter afterward.”

“I…”

Before I knew it, I was speaking—like something had possessed me.

“There’s someone I care for deeply. She’s the most important person in my life… bar none.

At first, I thought of her as a younger sister, someone to protect… but now I can’t see her that way anymore.

Maybe it’s pressure, or guilt… but I’ve had no one to confide in.

Even so, I still have to stand before my lady with a bright, cheerful face…”

In this quiet, sealed space, I finally let my emotions spill out freely.

It wasn’t surprising that I sank into the moment.

“But… she already has a fiancé.

We’re worlds apart.

As someone standing by her side, I should be offering blessings for her engagement.

And yet… I can’t.

Every time I see them together, my heart twists until it’s hard to breathe.

I don’t understand why.

Isn’t this… what people call jealousy?”

“Jealousy?” the voice from beyond repeated.

“From what you’ve said… it sounds like you love this person.

And because she’s close to someone else, that love has become envy.”

“Love… my lady?”

Her words sent a shock through me.
And yet… everything suddenly started to make sense.

“It’s all right,” she continued.

“Jealousy may be a sin, but love itself is not. It is pure.

The Goddess will forgive your sins.

As for your heart—perhaps a little courage is all you need.”

“A little… courage?”

Unconsciously, my hand rose to the ribbon that held my hair.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

I left the church with a heart tangled between turmoil and calm.

“Do come again,” the nun called out behind me.

“The Goddess’s grace will always welcome you.”

“My, my… such a sensitive child,” the nun murmured once I was gone.

“To think one with only half the bloodline could sense me so keenly…”

“I only came here to relax a little, but she detected me at once. A keen intuition indeed.”

A faint smile curved on her lips as she adjusted her glasses.

“Still… her awareness is incomplete.

Unable to hide her own presence—that’s a fatal flaw.

I erased my aura the moment she noticed me, and she actually bought it…

It’s not time to reveal myself just yet.”