NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 177.1
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Even as the play continued, Marianne didn’t appear. The same was true for the inquisitor who was on an errand for Cedric.
“Huh?”
I almost jumped out of my seat.
It was because Marianne had appeared in the opposite box seat.
‘Ah, that’s right, the opposite box is the Duke’s family seat?’
Our family rarely comes to the theater, so I had forgotten.
Marianne disappeared from the box seat. I quickly went out into the hallway and met her.
“Marianne! I thought you weren’t coming.”
“I had urgent business and was packing. I’m on my way to the train station but wanted to see you before I left. I’m really sorry for breaking our theater promise.”
“I see…”
I nodded.
“Do you want to escort me to the train station?”
It takes about 30 minutes round trip to walk to the train station, meaning it’s very close.
If I rode Marianne’s carriage, I could return before the play ends.
“Yes, I’d like that.”
I followed Marianne onto her carriage.
“Marianne, is there an issue at the temple?”
“Uh… at the main temple.”
Did something urgent happen?
“The high priests are having a big meeting, so I was going to participate.”
Marianne again?
“Poker?”
“Yes. This time, I’m going to clean up. Hehe.”
Marianne had a consistently charming personality.
“Is that all? I thought something happened because you were late.”
“Ah, I had a wild dream last night.”
“A nightmare?”
“No.”
Marianne laughed innocently.
“I received a divine message.”
Are you talking about a divine message right after gambling?
‘Isn’t a divine message more important no matter how you think about it?’
Marianne added with a bubbly tone:
“Right! It’s a message about you.”
“Me?”
Is it my divine message?
“Yes. It’s nothing major. They asked why you don’t come to the main temple?”
“Ah… did they?”
“Yes. They even said they wanted to see you today. They’re very whimsical. Did you decide to get another prophecy?”
“Ah… Yes. You wouldn’t know because you were unconscious during the ritual… Ugh. But I think receiving two messages is…”
The first time I went to the main temple, the goddess said I would have the worst first love.
‘But that prophecy was wrong, wasn’t it?’
My romantic era began after meeting Cedric.
‘I’m still curious about my existence.’
I, who had memories of my past life and knew some of this world through a book. If anyone could provide an answer, it would be the goddess.
“What are you thinking?”
“Um… Just pondering. Wondering what kind of prophecy I’ll hear this time.”
“By the way, although it’s not as significant as a divine message, I have a gift for you.”
“What is it?”
Marianne pulled out a small locket pendant.
It was a cute pendant that opened with a button, revealing my portrait inside.
“Wow! Is this me? Did you draw this, Marianne?”
“Yes. Before I became the Saintess, I dreamed of being a painter. Pretty good, right?”
“The drawing is so small, but it has all the features of my face.”
“It’s a trend nowadays for lovers to exchange lockets with each other’s portraits. Give it to Cedric.”
I almost choked with surprise.
“How did you know about Cedric and me?”
“You’re a smart girl… Did you really think I wouldn’t know?”
“You’re very perceptive, Marianne.”
Marianne seemed to have a lot to say.
“Anyway, I’ll keep it a secret from Collen.”
I nodded, blushing.
“Then, the pendant in your possession must be for your boyfriend.”
“Did you see it?”
Marianne pulled a string from inside her coat, revealing an identical locket.
“But you’re wrong this time. We already exchanged lockets. Usually, the girl’s is silver, and the boy’s is black.”
True to her words, Marianne’s locket was a beautiful black metal.
I suddenly became curious about the portrait inside the locket.
‘Considering it’s Marianne’s boyfriend, he must be extremely handsome.’
She’s a knowledgeable sister, after all.
“Marianne… You’ll come back, right?”
Suddenly, I said, looking at Marianne.
“What do you mean?”
Marianne froze.
“You’re not going to the temple right now.”
“How did you know?”
“It’s too easy. You can gamble even in the capital, but using that as an excuse, Marianne is hastily leaving the capital. And there’s no train departing today that goes near the main temple. The eastbound train only departs twice in the morning.”
“…”
“Moreover… it’s faster to use the gate, but if you’re insisting on the train, it means it’s an impulsive trip, right? For the gate, you have to book in advance. Plus, people usually don’t take such impulsive trips alone. The correct answer is your boyfriend is waiting for you at the train station, isn’t it?”
“Ahh, really. Day by day, our little baby becomes a genius.”
Marianne gently touched my head.
“I’m just going for a break.”
“Is that so?”
I had a feeling that Marianne might just disappear like this.
Sometimes, Marianne gave off that vibe.