[The HOLY CHURCH]
The warm golden glow of the morning sun spilled through the stained glass windows of the holy church, casting soft patterns on the marble floor. Olivia sat quietly on the pew, her emerald eyes closed in silent prayer. Clad in her flowing Saintess robes, she looked serene—an ethereal presence wrapped in divine grace.
Her days were often filled with routine acts of kindness. She healed the wounded, visited the orphanage where children joyfully called out to her, "Sister, play with us!" She knelt with beggars, listening to their pain and offering blessings. The people saw a Saintess. But within her room—her sanctuary inside the cathedral—she was simply Olivia, a woman with a heart that silently yearned.
Her eyes always landed on the broken parchment that rested atop her table. The edges were frayed, the magical imprint faded—but she never moved it. No one else knew, but Olivia did. It was a fragment of Noah's parchment—shattered during his battle against the Shadow Prince. He never spoke of it, never admitted the lengths he'd gone to save her. But she knew. She had seen the glow, heard the whisper of his soul before the light swallowed the battlefield.
"I won't let you die. Even if I have to give everything."
She didn't hear all the words that day, but her heart remembered the sound of his voice—firm, desperate, and full of care.
Flashback: One Year Ago
The cathedral echoed with silence. Olivia stood alone in her chamber, moments after the great battle. Her fingers clutched the broken parchment as tears threatened to fall. She had smiled in front of everyone. She had given speeches. She had comforted others.
But when the world went quiet, all she thought about was the white-haired boy who had faced death for her.
He was just a student then—reckless and misunderstood. But he had a fire within him unlike anything she'd ever seen. He had grown so much, so fast. From the boy who asked her to teach him light magic, to the man who protected an entire village and gave her back her life.
And she… she hadn't known how to deal with it.
Not until he was gone.
" Olivia~"
She blinked, pulled from her thoughts as Sister Edriana entered the room with a mischievous smile and a letter in hand.
Edriana wiggled her eyebrows. "A love letter, perhaps?"
Olivia's face flushed a gentle pink. "Stop that," she muttered, quickly taking the letter and turning her back to hide her expression.
Edriana laughed. "My dear, who took your heart so thoroughly that you can't go a day without looking at that broken piece of parchment?"
She didn't respond. The door closed, leaving Olivia alone once more.
With trembling fingers, she opened the letter.
Noah's Letter:
________________________________
Dear Olivia,
I hope you're doing well. It's been almost a year since we last spoke. I wanted to thank you again—for everything. Without your guidance, I wouldn't be where I am.
I've been training hard. My light magic has grown much stronger. I've started fusing it with swordsmanship too—something I think you'd appreciate. I even learned how to heal minor wounds with it.
I'm planning to join the Adventurer's Guild soon and form a party. Maybe it'll help me grow further, or maybe I just need to explore the world a bit more.
There's something else. Layla'sbirthday is in a week. We're throwing a celebration at the Augustus mansion. I'd really like for you to come. If you have time, of course.
Take care, Senior
—Noah.
———————————————–
Her lips curled into a soft smile, one she hadn't felt in a long time.
[Flash to Present: The Party]
The grand hall sparkled under crystal chandeliers. Olivia descended the stairs slowly, draped in a modest yet elegant emerald gown that shimmered like morning dew. She wasn't one for extravagance, but tonight, she felt like a woman—not just a Saintess.
And then… she saw him.
Noah stood across the ballroom, tall and proud in a black and silver suit. His white hair fell like moonlight over crimson eyes that scanned the crowd with quiet confidence.
She wasn't ready for the way her heart jumped.
He's grown… so much.
He walked toward her, offering a hand. "Would you like to dance, Saintess?"
Her heart stilled. She nodded softly. "I would be honored."
Their hands met, and she allowed herself—just for a moment—to feel the warmth.
As they danced, she noticed the envious glares of noble sons who had long vied for her attention. She ignored them. In this moment, there was only him.
"You've carved a place in my heart, Noah. One I can't seem to erase."
"Even as a Saintess… even if I must never admit it aloud…"
"You've become the light I was meant to follow."
And so, as the music played and their dance ended, she whispered a silent prayer—not to the gods—but to fate:
"Please… let him find his way to me someday."
-to be continued...
A/N:
Sometimes, love doesn't arrive like a storm—it blooms quietly, like sunlight breaking through stained glass.
This chapter is Olivia's silent confession. Not one spoken aloud, but felt in every breath she took, in every prayer whispered, and every glance at a broken parchment that still held a piece of her heart.
To those of you who have loved silently… this chapter is for you.
Thank you for reading. Stay kind, stay warm.
– With love,
– Author...