Chapter 61: Your Husband is Amazing

Otto and Litt exchanged glances, the latter trying to discern something from his expression.

But… she couldn’t.

Trying to read anything useful from this hypocrite’s face was simply too difficult.

Just as Litt was about to probe further, a sudden, sharp pain shot through her head.

A flood of disjointed, blurry images appeared once again.

A violent storm at night… countless white-flame torches burning bright… a small boat being carried away from shore by the waves… the faint sound of a girl’s sobbing could still be heard from the boat…

That wasn’t her own voice, but as for whose it was, Litt couldn’t make it out.

Only the sound of pouring rain, howling winds, and surging waves remained in her ears.

Her vision rocked and spun violently, those ghastly white torches growing dimmer and farther away in her blurred sight…

It was as if she, too, was being swept up by the raging currents, drifting toward the deep sea together with that hopeless little boat…

Whose voice was that by her ear?

Where exactly was she?

Was she standing on the shore, watching?

Or… was she on that boat?

“Sister Litt, what’s wrong?”

Otto noticed Litt’s face had gone pale, her expression wracked with pain, and asked with some concern.

“Are you feeling unwell?”

“No… it’s nothing.”

Litt snapped out of the scene in her mind.

She shook her aching head, then looked at Otto once more.

“Can I choose not to go?”

“Of course you can,”

Otto did not press her, replying in a calm tone.

“But you are, after all, a nun of the White Church now, so it would be best if you could attend.”

Litt narrowed her eyes.

Just as Otto had said, her current identity was that of the “counterfeit Lit,” and this Baiyang Enlightenment Festival was an extremely important festival and celebration for the White Church.

Which meant the real Litt would very likely attend as well…

No… not necessarily.

There was still the possibility she was using Litt as her substitute.

If she herself attended this festival, the real Litt might not show up—she would undoubtedly be watching from the shadows.

And Otto obviously knew something.

His invitation was certainly not a whim.

“Before I accept your gracious invitation, Your Grace,” Litt’s voice regained its composure, carrying a probing edge, “may I ask you one question first?”

Otto’s smile remained unchanged as he gestured elegantly for her to proceed.

“Of course.”

“I…”

Litt raised her hand, her slender fingertip lightly touching her own cheek—a gesture that seemed directed at herself, but in truth pointed toward the real Litt hidden behind the scenes.

“The status of this face, within the White Church… just how high is it?”

“Heh…”

Otto suddenly chuckled.

“It’s not at the very top, nor is it at the bottom, but it does allow me to mobilize all White Church personnel in Nightbright Town.”

“……”

Litt fell silent, finally understanding why the other party was so unwilling to show herself.

Given that the other likely knew Litt’s intentions, and held such a high status, having a free substitute like Litt was too good to pass up.

Otto’s invitation, in truth, was more about letting her take on the role of stand-in.

Or perhaps, it was a form of threat from the other side?

Litt recalled the original script—according to the original storyline, the real Litt definitely attended.

And there was a high chance some sort of accident would occur, causing trouble for the Baiyang Enlightenment Festival.

Now, the other party wanted her to be the substitute, to shoulder this risk.

This real Lit hiding in the shadows… clearly wasn’t someone easy to deal with.

“So, Sister Lit, what is your answer?”

“Do I really have a choice?”

Litt replied with a cold laugh.

“Since it’s your invitation, I will attend this Enlightenment Rite.”

“…Alright.”

Otto looked at Litt’s warily prepared expression, suspecting she might have misunderstood a bit.

But as long as she agreed, that was fine.

“Looking forward to seeing you there.”

Otto turned to leave, and as if recalling something, continued, “Outsiders are welcome too, so don’t forget to bring Red along.”

The sun was gradually setting, Otto’s silhouette fading into the glow of dusk.

About an hour passed, and as night approached, Red returned home after finishing his drinks.

He noticed the lights inside the house were on.

That meant Litt was already home.

Thinking of this girl, all the unpleasantness he’d experienced earlier at the Riverbank Tavern seemed to fade away.

Red even found himself thinking—

Maybe this is what it feels like to have a home?

No matter what troubles you faced outside, once you returned home, you could always find the greatest sense of comfort and safety.

Red patted his cheeks, trying to shake off his drunkenness.

Truthfully, he knew very well that drinking wasn’t good for him.

Back in the Dawnbreak Blades, he hardly ever drank at all.

But after asking Liz those questions, he couldn’t help but order a few more drinks.

Thinking back now, it seemed he might come off a bit too disheveled in front of Litt.

“Squeak…”

He opened the door, and a rich, savory aroma greeted him from inside.

Dinner was already prepared, but perhaps because she’d waited so long, the White Nun in her apron was now sitting on the sofa, eyes closed, breathing softly and steadily in her sleep.

The food on the table, having waited so long, now held only a trace of warmth—though not quite cold yet.

Red slowed his steps, quietly making his way to the table.

The dishes were nearly untouched.

Had Litt been waiting for him the whole time?

Thinking of this, Red couldn’t help feeling a bit relieved.

Good thing he came home early…

Otherwise, how long would Litt have had to wait?

“Mm…”

Just as Red was lost in thought, the girl beside him let out a soft murmur.

He turned to see Litt rubbing her sleepy eyes, looking his way.

“Ah… Red.”

“Sorry, I woke you up.”

Red hesitated for a moment, then continued, “Lit, you could’ve started eating first. You didn’t have to wait so long for me.”

“Actually, I just meant to sit down and rest for a moment, but I ended up falling asleep right away.”

Litt said this as if to keep Red from blaming himself too much.

As for whether to bring Red to the Baiyang Enlightenment Festival, she had thought about it for a long time.

After weighing all the pros and cons, she finally decided—to bring Red along.

No matter what happened, with Red there, she’d have someone to rely on if things went wrong.

More importantly…

The real Litt would definitely be watching her from the shadows.

It’s a pity, though—the real Litt probably didn’t know the plot of the original story.

Otherwise, she’d have to lean in and whisper in her ear:

Your husband is truly wonderful.