Marriage With A Suspiciously Demure Husband - Chapter 25
Translator and Editor: Nana and Nabi
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Chapter 25
“Madam?”
“Ah, it’s not an urgent outing, so take your time. You’ve been working hard since morning.”
I reassured the eager maid as if soothing her enthusiasm overflowing from the morning.
“No, if I can be of help to you, I’m always delighted!”
With her words, her already brimming enthusiasm surged even higher.
In various ways, it was a refreshing morning. After simple grooming and a meal at the hotel, I stepped outside. The destination I sought was none other than the temple.
“….”
“Boss? Why are we here…”
Even Nigella’s words trailed off in surprise.
Yes, of course. It was my first time visiting a temple as well. Temples were places where deities were revered and those who wielded divine powers gathered. Although they pursued the sacred, they didn’t prevent people like me, practitioners of dark magic or arcane arts, from coming.
Of course, under the assumption of making offerings. Clearly, in the face of money, both you and I become equal.
“Well, I came here to pray, I suppose.”
At this, Nigella’s expression grew even more unfamiliar. Truthfully, it was not that I was particularly pleased about coming to a temple.
As I mentioned earlier, it was not exactly delightful to be in a place so antithetical to my own abilities. However, perhaps due to feeling cornered, I found myself arriving at such places unconsciously. I thought that even saying a prayer might help clear my perplexed mind.
No matter how well I knew myself, now that I was separated from Noah, if I didn’t want to see him, it would be a blatant lie. I did want to see him, but perhaps he might find a respite from his usual act for a while.
That was what I hoped for, yet at the same time, it was something I didn’t wish for. It was because of this confusing sentiment that I ended up here.
In essence, I wished to dispel any lingering sentiments by engaging in prayer.
When I briefly responded, Nigella’s expression grew even more strange.
I understand. After all, I had never been to a temple since becoming my secretary. Raising the corners of my lips elegantly, I entered the temple, leaving her bemused.
Passing through the grand ten white pillars and entering inside, I felt a chill that could almost make one’s body shiver.
It was unavoidable.
Even if unintended, this body has been imbued with dark magic from the moment of entry.
A passing priest must have sensed the clash of his own sacred power with mine as he directed his gaze towards me. I greeted him with a serene smile and a nod, to which he responded in kind, greeting me with a smile as well.
Thus, after traversing the spacious corridor, I arrived at the grand prayer chamber that was open for anyone to enter.
Placing a handful of gold coins into the central offering receptacle, I heard a melodious clinking sound rather than the usual clamor of coins. With both hands clenched, I knelt down, indifferent to the potential of staining my dress.
Though Nigella whispered, “Boss!” from behind, I was already engrossed in invoking an unseen deity, my eyes tightly shut.
‘Oh, Divine One! Please heed my pleas! May you guide Annie to successfully transfer my possessions, grant strength to do Dylan’s trivial request, and ensure the safe conclusion of today’s guild association meeting? May my past actions of deceiving Kairos’ subordinates and siphoning from the villain be met with due retribution or a suitable offering in equal measure.’
Did I not elicit sympathy from you? Had I not defied fate by refusing to live for others and embracing a destiny changed through my struggle, only to now face such an unwavering path?
If the divine had any modicum of integrity… no, should they deign to measure my lament, this course couldn’t be sanctioned.
I implored you. Heed my prayers, my desires.
‘If you grant my prayers, I shall dedicate alms each quarter, no, annually. O divine presence, o divine presence, and furthermore… And furthermore, once I have safely escaped, Noah, the affection and attention of Kairos shall wane, wane…’
“Boss.”
Unconsciously, I gnawed at my lip before I concluded my prayer, regaining my composure.
‘Help me. Allow my feelings to fade away.’
My hands once again clenched tightly.
‘…Grant it, O divine presence.’
Before rising, I lifted my head to gaze at the towering statue before me.
Whether due to the filtering sunlight or as a sign of acquiescence, the temple seemed to shimmer with a luminous glow. Gently ruffling my dress, I stood up and decided to address another safety precaution that should be addressed within this temple.
A chance such as this should not be missed.
“Nigella.”
“Yes, Boss.”
“Would you mind waiting outside for a moment? I want to chat briefly with one of the priests before departing.”
Nigella paused momentarily, seemingly about to inquire further, but then nodded and retreated without further words.
“Very well, I shall wait outside.”
“It won’t take long.”
After her departure, I approached a priest who was tidying up in a corner of the prayer chamber.
“Excuse me, venerable priest. May I ask a question, if you’d allow it?”
The priest, who had been hurriedly arranging chairs and objects, straightened his stooped back. Upon seeing me, he seemed momentarily taken aback, but swiftly a gentle smile adorned his countenance.
“Ah, greetings, sister. What inquiry troubles your thoughts?”
“Well…”
Drawing closer to the priest, I noticed that he, too, inclined his ear as if to listen more intently.
Seizing the moment, I inquired further.
“In the temple… I heard that regular contributions can yield special benefits. Could you enlighten me?”
“Oh, are you referring to regular patronage? Indeed, there are several benefits. Depending on the duration of the contribution, one’s name can be inscribed upon the grand central monument, and access to a private meditation chamber can be granted. Furthermore, the main sanctuary is available at any time, and most significantly, the High Priest himself bestows a personal blessing on a monthly basis.”
“I see.”
It was a list of rather inconsequential privileges. As I offered an awkward smile, the priest’s eyes twinkled with fervor as he continued.
“Are you interested in the concept of regular patronage? If you so wish, I can present the relevant documents right away. The process is simplified, requiring merely a brief signature. If all goes well, the certificate of regular patronage shall reach you within a week. There are various methods of making contributions, such as presenting them in person every month or sending them from a bank-affiliated vault to the temple at specific intervals…”
The priest rattled on swiftly, akin to reciting the terms and conditions of an insurance policy.
“Excuse me, venerable priest? I understand your explanations. Thank you for the detailed insight. Are there any other offerings aside from these benefits? Perhaps something pertaining to security or similar concerns?”
At this, the priest’s eyes widened and, in an instant, a glint of concern crossed his gaze. His voice took on an unusually subdued tone.
“Might you be under some form of threat? I saw a shade of apprehension around you.”
After a cautious scan of my surroundings, I nodded subtly.
“Not as yet… It’s not to that extent, but there are lingering worries.”
“Indeed, that is true. Another benefit of regular patronage is the privilege to sojourn within the temple’s sanctuary at any time during the sponsorship period, thus enjoying the divine protection.”
Satisfactory answers had emerged.
If my memory served me right, this was the method Lily employed to safeguard Ginger from Kairos. This particular benefit was not widely known among those engaging in regular patronage.
Many were unaware of such periodic contributions involving document exchanges, as voluntary donations to the temple were more common. The temple’s impervious protection against even the Emperor’s meddling was a distinct advantage.
Of course, people guilty of heinous crimes or acts beyond a coup d’état were not granted the privilege of regular patronage. Still, the significant drawback was that once under the temple’s protection, one was required to lead a life akin to that of a priest, focused solely on prayers.
Despite this, it was better than the possibility of being beheaded in the streets!
In preparation for unforeseen circumstances, establishing a sanctuary seemed prudent. After all, the escape routes might become sealed over time.
In discreet consultation with the priest, and swiftly at that, I signed the sponsorship document and departed.
“Shall we go now?”
“Have you seen everything you needed to, Boss?”
As Nigella, who had been waiting for me, turned around with a beaming smile, I nodded and extended my hand to her. She responded by offering both her hands, her face a blend of bemusement and unfamiliarity.
Upon her palms, I placed a brooch, smaller than a thumbnail and silver in hue—a trinket handed to me by the priest as a memento a while ago.
With this exchange, I left the temple with a considerably lighter heart than when I had entered.
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