Chapter 13
Outside, Mabel opened the carriage door. Rix acted polite, letting Ren go in first, but his face stayed serious.
The ride to the temple was cold and quiet, unlike before when the mood had been lighter. Rix didn’t speak and just looked out the window. Ren didn’t know what to say either.
Was he upset about something? She could only remember their friendly conversation before. Ren realized she didn’t know Rix well enough to understand him.
When they reached the temple, Rix got out first and opened the door. Ren held his hand as she stepped onto the ground. Fernandez, Tina, and Pani were waiting, and even Hatasha was there in the dark.
Before getting back into the carriage, Rix finally spoke. It was the first words he had said since leaving Count Mapla’s estate.
“Ren.”
Hearing her name from him still felt strange. Ren turned and Rix said seriously:
“Kiss. Never show it to anyone.”
Then he climbed into the carriage and left.
He left just like that? Still upset about Kiss? Not a three-year-old horse… Should she let him ride it later? Ren’s head hurt from thinking about it.
Tina, Pani, and Fernandez ran up excitedly. “Saint, you came back safely!” Finally, Ren relaxed a little.
Afterward, before even changing her clothes, Ren was taken to Hatasha’s room.
It felt like being called to the principal’s office in school after getting in fights, back when she was Minsuji. Those kids no longer cared about her after she was hurt, just like before.
Ren pushed away the bitter memories and entered Hatasha’s room.
The room was surprisingly simple. For someone in charge of such an important temple, it was almost plain.
The size was the same as Ren’s own room. No shiny marble, just a normal door, bed, and a worn-out blanket showing its age.
A warm fire burned in the fireplace. On the wall hung several simple priest robes. Ren realized Hatasha had more than one robe.
Hatasha led Ren to an old wooden table and touched its smooth surface. Without a word, she took out a plain teacup.
The cup was very different from the fancy dishes at Count Mapla’s house. It was plain, made of wood, without any decoration.
“Do you like tea?” Hatasha asked.
Ren shook her head.
“Not really.”
Even as Minsuji, Ren had never thought much about tea. Hatasha smiled, showing small wrinkles near her eyes.
“You do like tea, don’t you?”
“It’s nice when I want to think clearly.”
Hatasha put some fragrant leaves in the cup and poured hot water. A soft floral smell rose.
Ren sipped carefully. It felt hot and fresh, like mint candy.
“How is it?”
“Clean and smooth!” Ren said sincerely.
Hatasha drank slowly.
“If you need, I can give you some later.”
“Thank you.”
Ren said politely but wondered why Hatasha was suddenly so friendly. She kept her guard up.
After a few sips in silence, Hatasha spoke:
“Now that we’re warmed up, let’s get to the main topic.”
Ren held the cup with both hands, feeling a little nervous. She tried to stay calm.
“How is life here?”
A simple question. Ren smiled awkwardly. Was Hatasha asking about Minsuji or Ren?
“It’s good.”
“Just good?”
“Everyone is kind. Fernandez is cute, Tina and Pani treat me well.”
She mentioned all three, just in case. Hatasha nodded and drank tea.
Ren relaxed slightly, thinking it was a safe answer, when Hatasha suddenly asked:
“And before this life, how was it?”
“…Before?”
Minsuji? Or Ren? She hesitated.
“Better than now, of course—”
“I see. You misunderstood something.”
Hatasha put down her cup. Ren felt her expression stiffen.
“I mean, compared to your life before being Ren…”
“…!”
“Who were you then?”
She already knew. Everything. Ren felt Minsuji’s soul inside her shrink. She tried to smile, but couldn’t. Her heart beat loudly, drowning out everything.
“Don’t you want to speak?”
“…You want me to?”
Ren widened her eyes as Hatasha stared at her. Ren didn’t look away this time.
“You are not from here.”
“….”
“That doesn’t mean you belong to this ‘country’ either.”
Hatasha spoke slowly. Ren felt her heart swell.
“The child I knew… died in the world they lived in.”
Ren’s fingers twitched.
“After dying, they woke up here.”
Ren said nothing. Silence filled the room. She swallowed hard and whispered quietly:
“Are you doubting me for that reason?”
“Child, this isn’t doubt.”
Hatasha smiled slightly, shaking her head. Ren found it bitter somehow.
“I just want to help you.”
Ren gripped her cup tightly, almost breaking it. She wasn’t sure if revealing her past was wise. Hatasha’s offer felt kind, but she didn’t know her true intentions.
“You still don’t trust me.”
Hatasha nodded.
“The other child didn’t either.”
“The other child?”
“Someone, like you, from another world.”
“What kind of person?”
Who was she? Was she still in this world? Only one Saint could exist at a time. Then she must be dead.
Ren’s curiosity surged like a wave.
Hatasha set her cup down silently, brushing its edge with her thumb.
“She was good. Loved by everyone. Never wasted her power.”
Ren felt slightly relieved that she wasn’t alone in this experience. But Hatasha continued:
“But she went mad.”
A chill ran over Ren, from head to toe, like snakes curling inside the warm room.
“She thought this place was fake. She believed she could always return. But in the end…”
Hatasha trailed off. Ren stared at the cooling tea.
“I don’t plan to go back.”
Hatasha frowned slightly. Ren looked up.
Go back? She had no world to return to. She wouldn’t return to Minsuji’s past, when she lost her dreams.
She wouldn’t go to a world where she couldn’t hold a gun. This world was the one she loved—the world of her favorite story.
The main character hadn’t even appeared yet. She could act freely here.
Ren was not the person Hatasha remembered. She had already met people who laughed and stayed by her side.
Ren smiled with confidence.
“I like it here.”
“…Then that’s fine.”
Hatasha’s stiff expression softened. Ren sipped the slightly cool tea.
“Can I go now?”
“Yes.”
Ren stood. Hatasha didn’t escort her. Ren bowed slightly.
“Good night.”
“You must be tired. Sleep well. I’ll keep the morning free for you.”
“Thank you.”
It was polite, but Ren felt this distance was just right.
Just as she reached the door, she remembered something. She turned around. Hatasha raised her eyebrows.
“Did you think I would run away?”
“It’s natural to want to avoid something you don’t want.”
“Like ‘that person’?”
“Yes.”
Ren referred to someone who arrived here before her. Hatasha’s eyes darkened, but there was nothing she could do.
Ren paused, then smiled slightly. Her pink lips curved attractively.
“If you want to keep me here, I have a suggestion.”
“What?”
Hatasha seemed surprised.
Ren let go of the door, eyes sparkling, and sat back down. The room felt completely different from before.
Hatasha blinked, surprised, and stared at Ren.
Ren smiled. No one could stop her now.
