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Chapter 60
Did Irina know why the temple was looking for her father?
Whatever the reason, one thing was clear: it could never mean anything good for her.
Lian knocked gently on the study door.
“Father, it’s me.”
What was certain, more than anything, was that Irina’s presence had become a storm brewing on the horizon.
As he stepped in, Duke Alexis rose abruptly. He had expected Irina to walk in alongside him—like the day she returned after three years.
But Lian entered alone.
Alexis frowned slightly.
Even if he was angry, he’d assumed Lian would at least convince Irina to come for her own sake.
“She refused to come?”
“She ran from the village.”
Alexis gestured for an explanation. Lian sighed inwardly.
“I don’t know why the temple is searching for her. But they came asking about Irina—and Alisha too, because they lived together.”
“The temple?” Alexis echoed.
Lian nodded grimly.
“We don’t know their exact reason yet…”
Alexis sat down heavily, rubbing his face.
He hadn’t expected the temple to be involved—not like this.
They didn’t speak aloud the question both were thinking:
Does Irina know?
Not just that Alisha had run away—but about the temple’s interest.
“If Alisha fled, it’s probably best Irina avoids any connection to them.”
No one would suspect that the young lady staying in the duke’s mansion was the same Irina the temple knights were hunting.
Until the temple’s intentions were made clear, Alexis decided to observe—cautiously, quietly.
“For now… April should remain at the villa,” Lian suggested.
Barak would’ve exploded if he heard that, but Alexis agreed.
If “April” returned, Irina would be forced to leave.
But unless they knew why the temple was hunting her, Alexis had no intention of letting Irina go.
The temple wasn’t some benevolent force. They hoarded healing. They monopolized “divine will.” And Rozian’s constant presence among their priests—unsettling.
“Do you think Irina knows they’re looking for her?” Lian asked.
“Even if she did… would she tell us?”
Would she believe we care?
Alexis didn’t answer. He only stared into the distance.
If she found out later—on her own—the fallout would be worse.
There was only one thing he wouldn’t tell her. The rest, he intended to be honest about.
“I’ll protect her this time.”
If the temple came for her—he would not let them take her.
Even if she didn’t believe him, he brought her here to treat her as a daughter.
Even if she was a substitute, she was his daughter now.
Three years ago, he failed to keep a promise to her real father.
He wouldn’t fail again.
“As long as she’s in this house… she’s my daughter.”
Lian sighed with relief.
Suddenly, the door slammed open without a knock.
Only one person in this estate would dare do that.
“Barak.”
Alexis called his name sternly, but Barak strode in, unconcerned.
He felt invisible these days—especially after bringing Irina back without discussion.
“I need to speak with you.”
His voice was stiff. Cold. He and Irina had fought again—clearly.
“I want to stay at the villa for a while.”
The reason was obvious: April.
Everyone in the room knew it.
It was better this way—for Barak, for Irina, and for April, who would be alone at the villa.
His request dripped with resentment. Not toward April—but toward Alexis and Lian.
“You’re harsh to Irina because you feel guilty toward April?”
Alexis watched him closely.
When they found April again, Barak—who had never shown emotion publicly—had cried.
It was guilt. Relief. Regret.
He believed April had suffered because of him.
Alexis had expected him to ease up on Irina once April returned.
Instead, Barak grew crueler.
Barak didn’t answer, but the silence said enough.
“You really think Irina pushed April?”
Alexis’s voice was tight.
“She was your sister too.”
Irina’s voice echoed in Barak’s mind: “Do you really think I pushed her?”
His answer, still, was no.
He never believed she had.
Everyone who knew Irina thought the same.
But still—everyone sided with April.
It was easier that way.
It gave them an excuse to cast Irina out.
Now that she was back, Barak couldn’t stand the hypocrisy.
“If everyone in this house is suddenly kind to Irina, that’s hypocrisy.”
“….”
“If you and Lian cared so much, why didn’t you stop them from throwing her out?”
He smirked bitterly.
“Now you ask if she pushed April? What am I supposed to say to that?”
You brought her back out of guilt. That’s hypocrisy too.
“You’re right,” Alexis said quietly.
“It is hypocrisy.”
He didn’t deny it.
If he hadn’t been dying, if time weren’t running out—he wouldn’t have brought Irina back.
It was guilt.
⸻
Elsewhere…
“Here.”
Adonis Beatrice blinked as I handed her a bouquet of roses.
She looked from the flowers to my face, stunned.
“They’re heavy, so please take them quickly.”
She reached out and accepted them, almost flustered.
We were seated in one of the capital’s top dessert shops.
I didn’t want to congratulate her in a noisy, crowded space.
This place attracted nobles with wealth and status. Anyone who saw us would surely talk—and that was exactly the point.
“What is this?”
“You’re advancing to the semifinals in the tournament. Congratulations.”
“…”
“It’s a celebration.”
“You already congratulated me at the arena.”
“That was then. This is now.”
One victory was one thing. But making it to the semifinals? That was a whole different story.