"What about the grand duke?"
"When he got the report from the search team that just took over, he immediately went back to the residence. He said he would come again tomorrow."
"Did he leave the deputy chamberlain behind at the temple?"
"Yes. By the way, he was really stubborn. He had three ribs injured, but he kept asking about the updates from the search team every hour. As I hear from the servants, he didn't eat properly."
"I understand he must be suffering from lots of pain. One's compassion is hard to resist even by divine power."
Helena clasped her hands in a spacious sleeve. There was a wind in the pine trees nearby with a gentle scent of incense.
"Your Eminence!"
Priest Hilde approached them, fluttering her long robes. The fragrant wind gently entangled the girl's black hair.
"I am done writing letters of repentance!"
Her small hands hung on Helena's arms. Helena stroked her hair silently.
But her eyes were still looking further away.