Tangled By Fate

"…Since you didn't know anything about the blessed child and how to use your healing power, I used that stone to prevent you from doing anything that will make your power go out of control," Saint Ava answered truthfully.

"So that's the reason…"

Veronica never thought Saint Ava cared so much about her responsibilities.

It left her feeling ashamed for running away from her duty as a blessed child.

Saint Ava continued, "If you knew you had tremendous power before you learned how to control it, your ignorance and arrogance could destroy your life and the world at the same time.

"However, when you were out of my range you had a strong urge to heal someone, you destroyed the stone and let the whole world know that you are the blessed child.

"And with the power you have now, you can go and come here as you please. You don't need to cut your arm for that."

Veronica abruptly stood up.

"What?! Did I cut my arm for no reason then?"

"Yes," Saint Ava bluntly replied.

Veronica gaped at her. "And you knew but still didn't open the door."

"I was praying."

"…"

Veronica was speechless.

'What kind of excuse is this?'

She couldn't help but protest, "Is praying more important than spilling the blood of a blessed child."

Saint Ava chided her. "Stop acting like a doll. You are not dead. It's your fault for making that stone explode and you ended up reviving the entire desert."

She let out a deep breath.

"Haah… that was the worst day of my life."

"Pardon?" Veronica blinked as she couldn't understand what she meant by the worst day.

Saint Ava glared at her. "Did you know how hard it was for me after all that? The Head Priest kept coming here and asking me to track you down. Even the King was pressuring me."

"Then, why didn't you?" Veronica confusedly inquired.

"If you wanted to come back, you would do that with your own feet. Did you think I wouldn't know what you seek after living with me for six months?"

Veronica was touched. "You did this for me?"

Saint Ava wasn't as merciful as she thought.

"No, the last thing I needed is an imbalance of power. Manpower, magic, and holy power, everything needs to have a proper balance. Just like manpower and holy power can't get together, magic and holy power can't join forces together either. Everything should stay accordingly."

"…"

Veronica gulped.

'Should I tell her that I married the master of the Magic Tower? Maybe I shouldn't. What if she tells me to divorce him? I can't let that happen.' 

Saint Ava didn't notice Veronica's odd expression.

She continued, "I didn't want to hand over your power to some mass murderer. At least his death will bring some peace."

Veronica understood what she meant.

"You mean Lord Alexander?"

Saint Ava's sharp eyes landed on her. "How do you know who was after you?"

Veronica flinched. 'Oh no, is she going to find out now?'

She swiftly lied, "I've encountered some people who were attacked by his men when he was searching for me."

'Please forgive me Saint Ava for lying to you,' she apologized inwardly.

"Then you were here in Utahill when people were looking for you like crazy all over the world. Have you not been using your power ever since?" Saint Ava asked her.

Veronica paused.

'So, she didn't notice that I used my healing power in Tybu.'

"Well…" She didn't know what to say.

Saint Ava seemed to come to a conclusion after seeing her behavior.

"Really, what a waste of your power. Well, it makes sense since you have to hide your identity. People will suspect a healer without a healing uniform.

"Is this all you had to ask? If that's it, then get out of here before the Head Priest visits again."

Veronica hurriedly said, "Wait, wait, don't kick me out that quickly. I've something else to ask you about."

"What is it?"

"You see, something happened during my visit to another country…"

Without saying the name of the place, she told Saint Ava about the incident of the human traffickers.

She thought since Saint Ava was here for a long time, she must have read the ancient scrolls.

Therefore, she planned to talk it out of Saint Ava's mouth.

It would save her time and effort.

Upon hearing the story, Saint Ava stayed silent for a long time.

Veronica urged, "If you know something about elves who carry silver rings with a carved basilisk, I would like to know. I need to bring justice."

"Justice, you say," Saint Ava mumbled.

She sighed and pushed back her long hair.

She stood up and ordered Veronica, "Go, water the trees. It's almost time."

'What?!'

Veronica was stunned. She thought Saint Ava would tell her.

'Why isn't she telling me?' she wondered.

However, she wasn't able to ask any more questions.

Saint Ava left the room and went to her room.

Veronica lowered her head and stood up.

Feeling dejected, she went to the garden.

While watering the trees she missed so much, she became determined.

"Even if she doesn't tell me, so what? It's not like there isn't any other option other than asking her. After I'm done with my duty, I'll read the scrolls myself."

After saying that, her shoulders suddenly slumped.

"But it will be too much work. As if the library wasn't enough. Now, I have to read ancient script. Ahh!"

No one was there to listen to her cries except for trees, butterflies, and birds.

Just as she planned, she finished watering the plants and cleaning the temple by Saint Ava's order.

She wasn't tired even though she mopped the entire temple.

She was sure she was a born cleaning lady.

When she was done, it was almost midnight.

Using a fire torch, she went to the library.

The first library in history.

Sitting on the cold ground, she started checking the scrolls one by one.

While doing so, she mumbled, "I miss magic stone torches. They provide stronger light without oil. Hmm… what's this?"