Hiding the Fact That We Are Dating From the Amnesiac Villain - Chapter 27

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 27
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The interior of the Grand Temple was far more expansive than it appeared from outside.
“…Please come this way, sister.”
As Decklin led Freena inside, the Priests could not hide their astonishment.
And with good reason. A Duke of such standing had brought a commoner woman and demanded a measurement. Freena found the situation equally awkward.
Still, the Priests maintained their composure, guiding them with unruffled expressions.
‘I suppose he really does intend to observe my measurement results up close…’
The presence of Decklin following behind her was truly overwhelming.
It was as they drew near the Measurement Chamber.
“Your Grace, might I trouble you for a moment before you enter?”
A Priest approached Decklin, bowing his head with an appropriately solemn expression. He appeared to be a high-ranking Priest.
“The Archbishop wishes most earnestly to see you. Therefore—”
“Ah, the Archbishop.”
A meaningless exclamation escaped between Decklin’s lips.
His tone was utterly devoid of emotion, as though he spoke of a pebble rolling along the roadside.
“I decline. I did not come here to humor an old man’s leisurely gathering.”
Decklin simply brushed past the Priest and stood tall behind Freena.
“I came for an important verification. Now, step aside.”
At this treatment of the Archbishop as nothing more than a doddering recluse, the Priest’s face drained of color, suffused with indignation.
The Priest withdrew, trembling fists clenched tight, his lips bitten in shame.
Witnessing this arrogant dismissal from beside him, Freena screamed inwardly.
‘…He just cast aside a meeting with the Archbishop like that, and now he insists on observing my measurement?’
This was deeply unsettling.
The gazes of the Priests directed at Decklin throughout the Temple were far too hostile.
Regardless, the man with an iron mask for a face led Freena into the Measurement Chamber.
‘…I need to complete the measurement and disappear quickly.’
I truly wished to vanish like a handful of ash. Freena stared at the measurement device placed in the center of the room with anxious urgency.
‘If this is a measurement device used in such a Grand Temple, it must be an exceptional instrument.’
Perhaps around 3rd grade?
Since a standard measurement device was around 5th grade, this would be a considerably high classification.
With something of that caliber, it could thoroughly expose my sanctity. It would only be a matter of time before the truth of being Orbannon’s illegitimate child came to light.
‘That absolutely cannot happen.’
There was exactly one method available.
Sacred Object Resonance.
This ability, which manifested in only a select few, harbored a most extraordinary power.
The first was the ability to read memories embedded within sacred objects.
And the true reason the world so coveted those with resonance ability lay in the second.
‘The ability to manipulate the grade of sacred objects.’
I could elevate a 5th grade sacred object to 4th grade, or conversely, demote it to 6th grade.
For instance, it meant I could transform even a trivial sacred vessel that merely filled an empty cup with water into something that poured forth rain like a deluge, or conversely, suppress it so that not a single drop could form.
‘The problem is how to manipulate this….’
I couldn’t very well resonate in front of Declin and the Priest.
“Ahem. I shall begin the measurement. Please come this way.”
It was then that the Priest called out to Freena. Perhaps due to what had transpired moments before, his voice carried an unmistakable note of displeasure.
Yet the Priest, knowing full well that his present counterpart was the Grand Duke of Caesar, maintained the most composed expression he could muster.
Declin observed this effort with what seemed like appreciation.
“Priest, I’ve heard that those undergoing sacred verification must approach the divine with a pure heart.”
“Indeed, but?”
The Priest’s eyebrows rose slightly.
“Forgive me, but since sacred registration is something one receives only once in a lifetime, I would like to prepare myself properly before undergoing it.”
….
“Would it be possible for the Temple to conduct a small purification ritual beforehand?”
Before measurement, there was a ritual in which the Priest would offer prayers to the divine in advance.
Of course, most of the time it was omitted, but when requested like this, the Priest would sometimes perform the ritual.
However, the Priest of the Grand Temple appeared most reluctant.
He, who had only ever conducted rituals for Nobles at the Grand Temple, was now being asked to perform one for a mere commoner….
“Please proceed, Priest.”
It was then that Declin spoke to the Priest as though granting him special permission.
“…Very well. I shall require a moment to prepare. Please wait.”
The Priest glanced once at Declin standing beside him before departing the room.
Only Freena and Declin remained in the chamber.
“I never took you for someone who would concern herself with such trivial Temple rituals.”
Trivial rituals, he said.
As though many others did the same.
“It’s my first and last verification, after all. I’m terribly nervous and frightened. Surely you’ll understand my feelings graciously?”
Freena posed the question to Declin with an innocent expression painted across her face.
“Of course.”
Declin, leaning against the doorframe, offered a gentle smile.
…Now the problem was Declin.
“But Your Grace, it seemed the Archbishop wished to see you earlier….”
“I’m fine, Freena. I promised to spend today with you, after all.”
Declin’s crimson gaze, reclining at an angle upon the sofa, slowly settled upon the measurement device.
…You should leave too.
‘I can’t resonate in front of Declin watching.’
Resonance was an ability possessed by only an extremely select few. Only those with the purest clarity could wield such power.
That’s why most resonance users were born in Orbannon. I couldn’t afford to have my ability discovered.
Even in the original work, Declin had shown interest in the resonance users of the Orbannon House.
However, through investigation, he had learned that among the current generation of Orbannon bloodline, there were no resonance users.
Centuries ago, every member of Orbannon’s bloodline was born with resonance ability.
Yet with each passing generation, the frequency of ability manifestation declined sharply, until now such gifts appeared only once in several generations—a rarity.
So Decklin, who had approached Freena before her memory loss, could never have known that she possessed resonance abilities.
Freena had kept that secret her entire life.
“Never reveal that you can use resonance abilities, Freena. If that truth is discovered… I will kill you myself.”
Her mother’s earnest warning from childhood remained vivid even now.
“You wouldn’t want to die by this mother’s hand, would you?”
“Then do well.”
Forgotten memories from those distant days threatened to surface once more.
“Miss Freena, you don’t look well.”
At his soft call, Decklin’s large finger suddenly reached out and touched Freena’s pale cheek.
Crack—!
A sharp friction sound echoed through the narrow Measurement Chamber.
Freena instinctively struck his hand away with force.
Decklin’s large hand, flung into empty air, froze mid-trajectory.
His head, which had been quietly gazing down at his defenseless hand, tilted slowly and awkwardly.
“Your Highness, I’m so, so sorry….”
My palm tingled where I had struck his hand.
But the physical pain mattered far less than the fact that I, a commoner, had just shoved away Caesar’s Grand Duke.
I held my breath and studied Decklin’s expression carefully.
“I was just so startled. I didn’t realize Your Highness was right behind me….”
“No. It was my fault for touching you without permission.”
Decklin calmly withdrew his hand.
Most nobles would never overlook such an act from a commoner.
I watched his expression again, but Decklin seemed to have no intention of doing anything to me.
…Was that fortunate?
‘Focus, Freena. What are you doing letting your mind wander like this?’
I needed to send Decklin away before the Priest arrived.
“Your Highness, I’m grateful for your concern. But… wouldn’t it be better for you to meet with the Archbishop instead?”
I urged Decklin once more.
“Does Miss Freena want me to leave?”
Why did my words come out that way?
“That’s not what I meant….”
“Then I’ll just stay here.”
Decklin settled himself diagonally across a long sofa placed to one side of the Measurement Chamber, as if to prove his point.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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