Chapter 59: Simultaneous
Ina marched toward Barlia’s branch cathedral, ignoring curious stares.
At the locked door, she pushed hard, muttering, “Celia! It’s been ages… huh? Why won’t this budge?”
Frustrated, she stepped back for another try.
As her hand neared, the door creaked open, and a soft voice called out.
“Someone calling me—?”
“W-Watch out!”
Ina’s momentum carried her forward, crashing through the door and tumbling onto the figure behind it.
A loud thud echoed, drawing nuns to the scene.
“Miss Saint! Are you okay?!”
“I’m fine…”
“It hurts…”
Ina rubbed her shoulder, realizing she was sprawled atop a pink-haired girl—Celia.
“Celia?!” she gasped, eyes wide.
“Why were you behind the door?”
“I was helping open it… then you barreled in,” Celia said, smiling despite being pinned.
“Can I get up, Miss Ina?”
“Oh! Sorry!”
Ina’s face reddened as she scrambled off, pulling Celia up.
“I thought the door was open…”
Locked. Of course.
“Haha, still as fun as ever,” Celia teased, waving off the nuns.
“Why’re you here?”
“Uh… reasons?” Ina mumbled, scratching her head.
“Representing Borus?” Celia asked, her pink eyes sharp.
“Just… tourism,” Ina dodged.
She couldn’t spill everything—her escape, capture by vampires, or Cynthia’s mission to probe the Church.
Oh, right. The mission.
“Tourism?” Celia laughed.
“So you. Come inside, tell me about your trip~”
She took Ina’s hand, leading her into the cathedral with a sweet smile.
Outside the capital, Lustia shook her head frantically.
“No way! I’m not going back!”
Escape the capital just to return? That’s a trap!
Cynthia sighed, exasperated.
Lustia’s stubbornness rivaled Ina’s, but without the gullibility.
Ina would’ve folded by now.
The secret passage’s location, known only to Lustia and Prim, forced Cynthia to keep coaxing.
“I can’t decide…” Lustia whimpered.
“Lustia?”
A soft voice interrupted.
Prim stirred, eyes fluttering open.
“Your Highness!”
Lustia flung herself at Prim, sobbing.
“If anything happened to you, how would I face His Majesty?!”
“I’m fine,” Prim said, sitting up against the tree, patting Lustia’s head.
“Thank you~”
She glanced at Cynthia, confused.
“Who’s this?”
“This is Miss Cynthia from Kalmoz,” Lustia sniffled, standing.
“She saved us.”
“Thank you, Miss Cynthia,” Prim said, then hesitated.
“I… have nothing to repay you with now.”
“Repay?”
Cynthia smirked, glancing at Lustia’s frantic waving.
“I’ve got a plan. Interested, Your Highness?”
“I’d like to hear it,” Prim said calmly.
“If we can help, we won’t refuse.”
“Your Highness?!” Lustia squeaked.
“See? No comparison, no harm,” Cynthia taunted, then turned to Prim.
“Ever wonder why the king suddenly exiled you two?”