Chapter 755

When the sermon ended, I stood and started toward Abbot Levinsky, only to notice Jace was there too. The first time I attended something like this, Jace had brought me. Back then, I thought it was boring. But when I realized it gave him a sense of peace, I started coming along. At first, it was for him, but over time, I found meaning in it for myself. Eventually, I began to appreciate these moments of reflection and even joined in some of the rituals.

After Jace and I drifted apart, I still came occasionally on my own. Now, running into him here again, we were little more than strangers. He gave me a small nod of acknowledgment, and together we approached Abbot Levinsky for a symbolic blessing. This wasn’t something offered at every service, so catching it today felt like a bit of serendipity. The ceremony was meant to represent letting go of past burdens and embracing a fresh start. Whether it worked or not, people often found comfort in the idea.

Afterwards, Jace and I left the hall side by side. He broke the silence, his voice low. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“I came to clear my head,” I said. There were things Jace likely understood, even if he didn’t say them out loud.

“Do you need my help?” he asked.

In the dim light, I studied his face. He looked thinner than the last time I’d seen him, almost unwell. I wanted to ask, but given the distance between us now, I held back.

“No,” I replied, then added, “I don’t want to drag you into this.”

He gave me a faint smile. “Is this your way of protecting me?”

I returned it just as softly. “You could say that.”

“I’ll do whatever it takes to protect you,” Jace said. “So whatever it is you’re doing, just keep going.”

I didn’t want him involved, but it was clear he wasn’t willing to stay out of it completely.

“Thank you,” I said, meaning it.

He didn’t reply, though my polite tone clearly threw him off. He wasn’t used to it—and definitely didn’t like it.

“Have you been coming here often?” I asked, trying to break the tension.

“I have. And not just me. A lot of familiar faces have been showing up lately. Mrs. Drago’s even taken up permanent residence here,” Jace said, dropping exactly the information I’d been hoping for.

On the way here, I’d already considered approaching her. Thorsten might have spent years fooling around with other women, but Mrs. Drago’s position had never been shaken. That alone proved how important she was to him.

My lips parted to thank Jace again, but I stopped myself. The information was invaluable, and he deserved my gratitude, but I knew he wouldn’t want to hear it. So I let the words stay unspoken.

“If you stay the night, you’ll probably get a chance to see her,” Jace added, going out of his way to be helpful.

As I thought about why he’d come here tonight, the possibility hit me—maybe he’d come specifically to clear a path for me. A mix of emotions flooded my chest, making it hard to think clearly. “Jace…”

“It’s late. I should head back,” he said, cutting me off before I could finish. He turned and walked away, his thin figure almost ghostly under the moonlight.

I couldn’t stop myself from calling after him. “Jace, have you been losing weight?” He paused briefly, gave a quiet “Mm,” and then kept walking.

Under the glow of the moon, his steps were slow and steady, carrying an odd kind of calm.

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