Linia Took in a Child - Chapter 2: Visitor (3)

The next day, Linia received a letter from the Damon Count’s household. It was a polite request, asking if it would be acceptable for Russell to visit her mansion the following day. Linia penned a reply, granting permission and confirming the time he had proposed, which she then handed to the count’s servant.

The following day, Russell arrived promptly at the agreed time. Linia led him to a room on the second floor, where Sophie had already set out a teacup on the small table in preparation for their conversation.

“I hope you don’t mind. This might not be the most suitable place for a discussion,” Linia said as she gestured toward the modest setup.

“Not at all. In fact, I hope I’m not being disrespectful by intruding into a lady’s private space,” Russell replied courteously as he took his seat, his demeanor as polite and careful as ever.

After closing the door behind her, Linia sat across from him. The bell hung on the doorframe swayed slightly, emitting a soft chime before settling. As the room grew silent, Linia decided it was time to address the question that had been weighing on her.

“There’s something I wanted to ask last time but didn’t get the chance,” she began hesitantly.

“I’ve been curious about what you wished to ask, my lady,” Russell said smoothly, his tone warm and inviting. “I recall you began with the word, ‘Previously,’ didn’t you?”

His perfect recollection eased her nerves slightly, and Linia decided to get straight to the point.

“…I wanted to ask if you’ve ever been in my room before,” she said, omitting unnecessary details in case her suspicion turned out to be unfounded.

Her gaze carefully studied his face as she waited for his answer.

“That’s quite a different question than what I was expecting,” Russell admitted. His surprise was evident in the way his expression shifted—his brows furrowed ever so slightly, and there was a faint air of bewilderment about him.

For a moment, he even seemed deflated, as if the question had caught him off guard in a disappointing way. However, he quickly recovered, smoothing over any visible frustration and maintaining his usual courteous demeanor as he responded.

“If something went missing from your room during my stay, please don’t hesitate to tell me. I’ll help you look for it,” Russell offered earnestly.

“It’s not that. I just need you to answer honestly,” Linia replied, her voice calm but firm.

“I see. I don’t know why you’re asking this, but I swear to the gods, I’ve never entered your room,” he said solemnly.

Hearing his answer, Linia suppressed a sigh of relief and managed a small smile. It was a smile born out of a sense of comfort and release. The tension that had gripped her body for so long in his presence gradually eased.

Beneath the table, her hands loosened their hold on the fabric of her skirt, which was now wrinkled from how tightly she had been clutching it. While Linia smoothed out the creases with both hands, Russell took a sip of tea, moistening his dry throat.

“Actually, I had been hoping for something else,” he admitted after a moment.

Linia raised her eyes to meet his, noticing the faint trace of disappointment still lingering in his expression. Despite that, he wore a gentle smile.

“When you mentioned ‘before,’ I thought perhaps you remembered me,” he explained.

“Have we met before?” Linia asked, surprised.

“Yes, once. At the Grand Temple in the capital,” he replied.

Linia’s eyebrows rose in astonishment at this unexpected revelation. Russell, noticing her reaction, lowered his gaze as though feeling slightly abashed.

“I recognized you from the start, my lady. I knew you were the Saint,” he admitted softly.

“I didn’t expect you to know who I was,” Linia said, her surprise evident.

“…I assumed you had reasons for hiding yourself, so I didn’t bring it up right away. I apologize if I overstepped.”

“There’s no need to apologize,” Linia reassured him. “Besides, I’m no longer the Saint.”

“‘No longer’…? What do you mean?”

“As I mentioned before, my health isn’t good,” she explained, lightly tracing her fingers along the warm surface of her teacup. “I left the temple to recover and have been staying here ever since.”

Russell watched her quietly, his expression softening. After a brief silence, Linia asked hesitantly, “Forgive me, but may I ask what brought us together before? I don’t seem to remember our meeting.”

“It’s only natural you wouldn’t recall,” Russell said with an easy smile. “It was over three years ago, and it was a very brief encounter.”

Three years ago. Linia thought back, her expression contemplative as she tried to recall the time he spoke of. He laughed lightly, dismissing the need for her to feel guilty.

“Three years ago, I was still at the academy. I’ve grown taller since then, and my voice has changed, so it’s no wonder you don’t recognize me now,” he explained.

“Do you recall healing a noble heir who had suffered a head injury and was unconscious for a long time?” Russell asked gently.

“…Ah, yes,” Linia said, her face brightening as the memory returned. “I do remember that. It was in a territory a little way out from the capital.”

“That’s correct. That territory is the Damon County—just over the mountain from here.”

Russell began recounting the story of how they had met by chance three years prior.

At the time, Russell’s older brother had suffered a fall from his horse, leaving him unconscious and in critical condition. The doctor had warned that his life could be in danger unless his head injury was treated promptly with sacred healing. In desperation, their father sent multiple letters to the Grand Temple in the capital, pleading for the aid of a Saint.

The temple’s replies, however, were formal and dismissive—they could only send a Saint a month later. Fearing for his brother’s life, Russell left the academy and traveled to the Grand Temple himself, hoping that by explaining his family’s plight in person, he could expedite the process.

Although the clergy who heard his story expressed sympathy, they insisted there was nothing they could do to help and returned to their duties. Frustrated and unwilling to give up, Russell decided to sneak into the deeper parts of the temple, determined to find someone with higher authority to hear his plea.

The Grand Temple was vast, and as he wandered its labyrinthine halls, he was eventually caught by a priest. Refusing to be detained, Russell fled, determined to avoid being removed before delivering his message.

He ended up darting into a quiet prayer room in his desperation to hide. There, he stumbled upon a lone woman dressed in robes adorned with golden embroidery. She was seated between towering white columns, her hands clasped in prayer. Startled by the sound of his footsteps, she looked up at him.

Under the veil that covered her face, Russell saw a beauty that left him speechless. The soft, divine light streaming down from the ceiling only added to her radiance, and for a moment, he foolishly wondered if a goddess had appeared before him.

Voices calling his name from afar shook him from his daze. Knowing his time was short, Russell hastily explained his brother’s situation to the woman. Her attire suggested she was no ordinary priest, and he clung to the hope that she might be able to help.

The woman introduced herself as one of the Saints. She took his hand and reassured him, promising to speak with the priests and visit his family as soon as possible.

Russell left the temple with mixed emotions, unsure if she would truly fulfill her promise. But five days later, a letter from his father arrived, informing him that a Saint had come to their estate and successfully healed his brother. His brother had regained consciousness, and their family’s crisis had been averted.

Though life quickly resumed its usual pace, Russell found himself unable to forget the woman he had met that day. He regretted not even asking for her name and thought of her often in the following year.

After graduating from the academy, Russell and his brother returned to the Grand Temple to express their gratitude. However, they were unable to meet her.

“…So you can imagine my surprise when I encountered you in such an unexpected place,” Russell concluded, a trace of awe lingering in his voice.

Though her appearance was more delicate and mature than the figure he remembered, Russell had recognized her instantly. Even drenched from the rain and chilled to the bone, the sight of her had set his heart racing.

“Now that you’ve reminded me, I do recall that day,” Linia said softly. “It’s… quite surprising for me as well.”

Her emotions were a mixture of surprise and quiet reflection. Linia tried to steady herself, finally understanding why Russell harbored such strong feelings toward her. His earlier actions—the expensive gifts he’d brought as a token of gratitude—now made perfect sense.

“I hope I can begin repaying the kindness you showed me that day. Please, if you ever find yourself in difficulty, don’t hesitate to ask for my help,” Russell said earnestly.

“Thank you,” Linia replied.

Ordinarily, she might have declined such an offer politely, but this time she accepted it. She couldn’t rely on her own family for assistance—they only provided her with minimal monthly support, and even that would cease once she was gone. While Sophie could likely manage on her own, Linia worried for Bessie, who was blind, and Ruin, who was still so young.

A thought crossed her mind: perhaps one day, she could ask the Damon family to take care of the three who would be left behind.

As Linia pondered, Russell’s voice broke through her thoughts.

“If it’s alright, may I call you Linia?” he asked politely.

“Yes, of course. And please, feel free to call me by your name as well,” Linia replied with a nod.

“Thank you, Linia,” Russell said, his voice bright with genuine happiness.

They continued talking, the conversation flowing naturally between them until the tea on the table had gone completely cold. At last, they both rose to their feet.

“I was hoping I’d get to meet the boy today,” Russell remarked, looking around the room. “But it seems he isn’t here.”

As they descended to the first floor, Russell spoke again. Linia explained that Ruin was naturally quiet and preferred staying in his room.

Russell chuckled, remarking that Ruin reminded him of his own childhood. Then, turning to the lady who had accompanied him to the door, he asked, “What does he like?”

“He loves reading,” Linia replied with a gentle smile. “He’s already read almost all the storybooks I’ve gotten him.”

“In that case, I’ll bring him a storybook as a gift next time,” Russell said, his tone warm. “Maybe it’ll help me get to know him a little better.”

“Thank you for being so thoughtful,” Linia replied, her face lighting up with a bright smile.

Russell found himself momentarily captivated by her radiant expression, unable to look away. Snapping out of his daze, he exchanged farewells with Linia and climbed into his carriage.

As the carriage began to roll away, Russell resolved to put effort into winning over Ruin. He believed that building a bond with the boy would bring him closer to earning Linia’s heart.

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