94

“How about the Workplace counselling booth by Cornelia, the youngest Grade 1 Secretary?”

I nearly gagged. A public Those Who Can’t Resign booth—what would happen if we got found out?

“No.”

People still showed interest. I refused and told them not to say such nonsense.

“Who wants career counseling from a twenty-one-year-old? Ugh.”

Lukan didn’t give up easily. I put up with him for a long time and finally went back to my lodgings. Why did I have to do side gigs even here, and for free?

‘Those Who Can’t Resign. It’s not even the place for it.’

At least it let me return without blatantly avoiding the Duke, so it looked natural.

Elysia insisted that even if divine power had healed me, there could be aftereffects, so I should lie still all day. Because I had ignored others and felt conspicuous in the council chamber, I obediently climbed into bed.

“The Supreme Justice was watching with a very sharp gaze, too.”

I remembered that look from the brief moment in the council chamber. It was the expression that said, you really don’t listen. He watched my face so insistently while I spoke that keeping my expression controlled wasn’t easy. He was so blatant that I felt stupid for not understanding his feelings sooner. Lying in bed like a well-behaved child only let troubling thoughts surface.

I’ll be honest: I could only think of the Duke in the rain yesterday. He called it love at first sight, but I couldn’t believe him—his words, with that face and in that situation, felt like a scam.

“I should at least move my body a bit.”

When the memory grew too absorbing, my conversation with Olgard at the temple drifted back. Since this kept happening, I forced myself to get up.

“Nice.”

I walked slowly through the garden we’d used for the outdoor lunch. Moving a little eased my mind, and an elderly priest in clerical robes up ahead nodded as if he recognized me.

“Aren’t you Olgard’s younger sister?”

Apparently, in Yuno I’m known as Olgard’s sister. The man was the High Priest who had stood in the front row at the banquet—reputedly the most powerful among the High Priests.

“Hello, High Priest.”

I greeted him politely. He was probably the one who had noticed Olgard’s talent and brought him to Yuno. Would he know about the oracle? I wanted to ask but held back, wary that something trivial to me might be important here.

“I came after presenting the Queen with a candle imbued with a prayer that calms the heart.”

The High Priest broke the silence to ease the awkwardness.

“Those in high positions must carry many worries. Now that you brought this, she should find some peace.”

“Thank you for saying that.”

“You’re welcome. However… lately my disciple and his sister don’t look well either. Apart from gladness, it seems they carry many worries. I hope you won’t resent him too much.”

I didn’t exactly deny it and gave a wry smile.

“…It’ll be okay, right?”

“Hmm. If this would help, please accept it.”

The High Priest opened the box he was holding and handed me the single remaining candle. Anyone could tell it was what remained after the others had been given to the Queen.

“Oh no, I couldn’t possibly accept this. It’s fine.”

“Please accept it. Seeing exactly one left like this, I believe this too is the will of the gods.”

He gripped my hand with surprising strength for an old man and placed the candle in it. The small goddess statue Olgard had shown was delicately engraved on the wax—clearly not something bought at an ordinary shop.

“I already felt uneasy today, as if I’d forgotten something, but after distributing these candles I feel completely at ease. It seems this one is meant for you.”

I lowered my head and stared at the candle. The High Priest smiled contentedly and turned away.

“I feel like I’ve done my duty for today. If there’s a chance later, we’ll meet again.”

He left with that odd remark and hurried off.

“A prayer that calms the heart, huh….”

Maybe it was exactly what I needed.

Once the council ended without incident, Aidan began insisting on what he wanted.

“Let’s, go, pla, y, Coco!”

His gaze was too intense to ignore. A day had passed and I had fully recovered, so I agreed to get some fresh air. While I was getting ready, Lukan and Elysia asked to join, saying they wanted to look around the harbor.

“No. It’s just me and Coco going.”

“Ay, why so? Come along and let’s have fun together!”

Aidan tried to hold firm, but Lukan’s affable charm gently overpowered him. The four of us ended up touring Yuno’s harbor. I hadn’t been eager to go out, but having others around made it much easier.

“The weather is killer!”

Lukan shaded his eyes. The blue sky and puffy clouds framed the docked ships perfectly—I could even see the Empire ship we had arrived on.

“Coco, look over there!”

Elysia pointed toward a ship where a fisherman proudly held a slab of meat half the size of a person. Aidan and Lukan gasped—used to the capital, they seemed fascinated.

We wandered the harbor and nearby market until we lost track of time and finally grew hungry.

“There’s an outdoor restaurant over there!”

Following Lukan’s lead, we sat at a scenic outdoor place and ordered a spread of Yuno’s famous seafood. The freshness far outmatched anything from the Empire. The walk and the new tastes were a welcome change of pace.

“Do you feel a bit better now?”

As the food arrived, Elysia and Lukan slipped away to buy souvenirs they’d been eyeing, and Aidan asked, seeming to read my mood despite his outward oddness.

“Thanks to you. How did you know?”

Aidan propped his chin on one hand and raised an eyebrow. “Just. When I watch you, I just know.” He let out a small sigh. “I’ve come to know things I didn’t need to know, though.”

“Huh?”

He conjured a small orb of light and sent it gently toward my chest.

“…!”

The orb vanished before it could sink into me.

“It’s sad that I’m not the one who comforts Coco, but I want Coco to be happy. Because Coco is most wonderful when she’s confident in her work.”

“Aidan….”

“It annoys me a bit. But I hate Coco being sad more.”

Lately Aidan’s words had been vague and puzzling, but I could feel his desire to comfort me. I wanted to respond as best I could.

“Who knows when we’ll have another chance like this. For today at least, I’ll let everything go and have fun with you, Aidan.”

“Really? Truly? Can we stay out late?”

“Yes.”

Just as Lukan and Elysia returned, Aidan shared the news. They were excited and vowed to make the most of the evening. Lukan, in particular, tossed out topics Aidan liked at just the right moments—his charm worked even on the heir of the Magic Tower.

“Ugh~ I’m tired.”

We returned to the palace near midnight. After washing, Elysia and I collapsed onto our beds; she fell asleep and started snoring almost immediately. I was exhausted too. Olgard’s treatment had healed my body, but my mind remained weary. I remembered the candle the High Priest had given me, lit it, and set it on the small bedside table.

‘Now that I think about it, I got help from two Yuno clergy members.’

Maybe the oracle’s message to ‘help me’ had meant this. As the delicately carved candle burned, the cozy scent from the Yuno temple drifted through the room and soothed me. That alone was enough. Hoping Elysia wouldn’t wake me too early, I closed my eyes.

“Cornelia.”

Someone called my name.

“Cornelia.”

“Coco.”

I opened my eyes. I was in my home—the house from my previous life.

‘When did I get here? Until just now I was in the Kingdom of Yuno.’

But the scene was too vivid to be a dream.

“Coco.”

It was the voice I’d heard. When I turned, I couldn’t help but be surprised.

‘Me…?’

Across from me stood Cornelia—the body that should’ve been mine.

“Hello.”

Cornelia greeted me. I froze and realized I was on the bed; the original me, Kim Won-young, lay asleep with closed eyes.

What on earth was happening? I instinctively braced myself against the Cornelia in front of me.

“You don’t need to be afraid. I won’t harm you.”

“Who are you?”

When the figure smiled gently, a realization struck me: it was the most perfectly fitting expression I had ever seen on this body.

“You… are the real Cornelia.”