Chapter 7

When the carriage arrived at Duke Lyon’s residence, Cesare tried to return to Duke Tesseia’s residence without delay. It was Carlyle who stopped him.

“You shouldn’t let a guest go like this.”

Leticia had already gone inside under Terdis’s protection. They might wish to speak with Leticia even briefly, but Carlyle had no intention of letting that happen. Her nerves must be at their limit by now.

Fortunately, neither Cesare nor Godfrey seemed likely to demand it.

“At least have a cup of tea before you go. That way, I’ll feel at ease.”

He ordered tea and light food to be served to Cesare, Godfrey, and the escort knights who had accompanied them this far. Of course, he also ordered food to be given to the family knights who had worked hard today and instructed them to rest.

Guided to the inner chamber, Cesare and Godfrey followed behind the servant. Although the two usually looked at other families’ mansions with indifferent eyes, thinking of it as the house where Leticia lived made them observe every corner of the house carefully.

‘It’s a place that doesn’t fall behind even when compared to our family’s capital mansion.’

At a quick glance, there was no reason for Duke Lyon’s family to be inferior to Duke Tesseia’s. While the Tesseia family might be superior in terms of military power, the Lyon family was wealthier.

It wasn’t just plastered with money; it was decorated elegantly and splendidly by using money appropriately, reminiscent of the imperial palace.

‘As expected… there is no better family for Leticia to marry into.’

Leticia was said to be in danger at the end, but her magic tool exerted its power at the right moment to save her life.

Cesare thought that even if he hadn’t helped, Leticia would not have died. She might have been injured, of course, but he was certain it wouldn’t have been a major injury.

Because Terdis had hurriedly pulled Leticia back. It was before the assassin’s blade swung again to slit Leticia’s throat.

While they took their seats in the drawing room and were served tea, Carlyle returned. He apologized for not being able to come to the drawing room immediately.

Considering he was a Duke, it could be said that it was somewhat excessive treatment. Cesare didn’t think badly of it. It seemed like he was doing so because they were Leticia’s brothers.

“Has Leticia… settled down?”

At Godfrey’s cautious question, Carlyle looked at him with a subtle gaze. He liked Cesare, but he knew nothing about Godfrey.

He had only heard ‘rumors’ that he had reflected a lot after that incident on that day and seemed to have changed. Godfrey was also set to become the imperial Knight Commander in a few days, but even so, he was not comparable to Duke Lyon.

“She seems calm on the surface, but… she isn’t the type to speak up first about her pain. Still, she acts spoiled towards Terdis and such.”

“I’m glad the two of them get along well.”

At Cesare’s words, Carlyle nodded with a slight, almost imperceptible smile. It was something he had been thinking since a few months after bringing Leticia.

“It’s thanks to Leticia’s kindness. I am grateful to her for many things.”

The news that Leticia had discovered that the curse on Terdis was not actually a curse was known to most of the capital’s nobles. It was because Carlyle had taken the lead in bragging about it.

“Since you look upon her favorably, we are the ones who should be grateful.”

Godfrey watched with eyes seeing something unfamiliar as Cesare said this with a rare smile. Because Cesare was not someone who smiled so easily.

Like their father, Aaron, Cesare was a person whose facial expressions mostly consisted of frowning. He was somewhat soft toward Sebastian, but he had become quite strict after the hound incident.

‘Are they in personal contact?’

Cesare looked quite cold on the outside, but he was someone who looked after his siblings on behalf of his father. Therefore, it wasn’t strange even if he had stayed in touch with Carlyle after Leticia’s truth was revealed.

‘Even so, have they become too close?’

It was a sight that Crown Prince Edward, who had claimed to be Cesare’s friend for over a decade, would have been hurt to see.

“I regret… that things turned out that way today. You must have wanted to see that woman meet her end through legal punishment, not in that manner.”

Baroness Perdoba was a wicked woman to the very end. She might have just been used by Emperor Sachsen, but he believed she could not be forgiven for targeting the victim, Leticia.

“It couldn’t be helped. I think we should be satisfied that Leticia is safe.”

He judged that someone beyond Baroness Perdoba had revealed their existence through this, but since he hadn’t caught any clues about them, it was difficult to mention it to Carlyle.

Carlyle slowly nodded at Cesare’s words. He intended not to mention Leticia’s prophetic ability.

Strictly speaking, she didn’t seem to see something in the future, but rather witnessed scenes of an ongoing conspiracy. Regardless of the nature of that power, prophetic abilities were prone to framing at any time, so he planned to keep it as unknown as possible.

“By the way… a protective magic tool. Did you have her wear it in advance because you suspected something?”

At Cesare’s cautious question, Carlyle felt that what was bound to come had arrived.

“It’s embarrassing, but my younger brother, a fugitive, hasn’t been caught yet. I tend to pay attention to safety as I want to be prepared for contingencies.”

At Carlyle’s answer, both Godfrey and Cesare seemed convinced. Drinking the tea served for his portion, Carlyle thought he should also warn the children.

***

The meeting was short. Godfrey intended to return to his father to report that Leticia had safely returned to Duke Lyon’s residence, and Cesare had to go to the imperial palace. It was to report the situation since the Crown Prince must have taken refuge there.

He assumed his father had already sent someone to the imperial family to inform them of the situation, but it would be a brief report. He had to meet the Crown Prince himself and report again.

Cesare had the family knights join his father along with Godfrey and galloped alone toward the imperial palace.

At the imperial palace, an imperial servant was waiting for him after hearing the news. It was likely Edward’s arrangement. Since he was in a position to frequent the threshold of the imperial palace, he could skip unnecessary procedures and be guided to the Crown Prince’s palace.

“Cesare.”

Edward kicked the door open before the servant could even open it. Cesare reached out and pulled the imperial servant back, preventing him from hitting the door in an unseemly manner.

“Thank you, Young Duke…”

The imperial servant spoke in a small voice and withdrew, and Edward walked around Cesare once to check if he was safe.

“You’re not hurt anywhere.”

“I will go inside and tell you.”

At Cesare’s words, Edward nodded with a satisfied face. He had already received a report that neither the saintess Leticia nor anyone from the two ducal families was injured.

The imperial servant quietly closed the door, and Cesare spoke.

“After the monster that came out of Baroness Perdoba’s body died, one of the soldiers asked Leticia for help.”

At his words, which he laid out calmly, Edward looked at him with an expression that said, ‘What soldier?’.

“He asked her to save the life of an injured soldier. When Leticia approached to treat him, the soldier who was applying pressure to the wound tried to kill Leticia.”

“What?!”

“Fortunately, I was able to stop him in time, but it was the skill of a professional assassin.”

“…….”

Edward’s complexion darkened rapidly. He had a pensive expression. He couldn’t say there had been a similar incident in the past, but he had long thought that the affairs of this empire were being hindered by something.

“…Even if the soldiers at the court are low-ranking, wouldn’t their identities be checked thoroughly?”

“There must be a family that wrote a recommendation letter for him. My father is investigating it now.”

If it was Duke Tesseia, he would try to find the person who instigated it by any means necessary. He was a far better opponent than some mediocre imperial official or knight.

‘Since the third young master is close to the Magic Tower, he’ll drag the Magic Tower into this.’

It was something that might spark complaints from the imperial palace, but given the situation, he thought they would ignore it. It was known that the Baroness had died because of her own curse, but now it had been revealed that there was someone even higher than her…

‘It’s a situation that would drive that terrifying Duke Tesseia mad.’

The enemy must have prepared thoroughly, but the situation was different now than when they didn’t realize there was something due to external forces.

Although it was Duke Tesseia’s family that had shrunk in many ways after losing his wife, their prestige had not tilted. Even now, if he made up his mind, he could regain as much of his past influence as he wanted.

‘And that… is what I also hope for.’

Edward looked at Cesare. He had also obtained information that Leticia was a saintess, but he had yet to see evidence confirming it.

“By the way. Does the Tesseia princess really use divine power?”

At the Crown Prince’s question, Cesare slowly opened his mouth.

***

Leticia was relieved at the news that her two brothers had returned without trying to meet her. As she felt when she was held in Terdis’s arms, she finally felt protected now that she was home. She called the maids and went into the bathroom to wash.

Lost in thought while leaving herself in the hands of the maids, she contemplated what she should do in the future. For the Emperor of another country to target her life was something she hadn’t expected.

‘At this rate, when Terdis’s heart changes, I won’t even be able to divorce and flee.’

Unless it was Duke Lyon’s family, or Duke Tesseia’s family, or if she didn’t join the Order, it seemed she wouldn’t even be able to preserve her life.

Although she believed Terdis’s heart was firm, Leticia, who was not yet completely at ease, was anxious.

‘It would be impossible to expect the Emperor of the Sachsen Empire to change his mind… He’s young, so probably not him, but it seems his father took action to ensure my mother and I were cursed.’

Thinking of her mother who was unfairly killed, she wanted to take revenge somehow, but the opponent was the Emperor of another country. It was an appalling situation even in the same country, but the Emperor of another country was a far, far away opponent beyond her reach.

She decided not to worry about this problem for the time being. There was no way to take action right now. There was a method like hiring an assassin, but… she wondered if they would even accept the request.

‘For now, my safety and… Ah, should I say thank you to Brother Cesare?’

She purposely tried not to think about it in the midst of the confusion, but she saved her life thanks to him. Because he killed the assassin.

Thinking of the blade’s tip that had come out slightly after piercing the assassin’s chest still gave her chills, but if it hadn’t been for Cesare, her throat would have been slit.

‘Even just as a matter of etiquette, I should say thank you… I really hate it. I don’t want to see his face.’

It would have been better if she had looked for Cesare and thanked him when she arrived home earlier. She regretted that her nerves were at their limit and she didn’t have the energy to do so.

After stepping out of the bath, drying herself, and getting dressed, Leticia decided to write a letter. Terdis, already clean, approached her with a bright smile—so she would do it tomorrow.

‘Ugh. These damn human relationships.’

As expected, relationships with people were the hardest thing in the world. Leticia thought so as she snuggled deeply into Terdis’s arms.

***

When she heard the rumor that Baroness Perdoba’s trial had become a mess, Olga was in another man’s bed. Hearing the news, she knew it was the right choice for Cesare to refuse to go with her, but she was annoyed.

Because Cesare always refused many things regarding her. Although they were in an engaged relationship, Cesare prevented her from approaching him beyond a certain point.

‘Annoying! If his face were even a little uglier, I would have dumped him right away!’

Unfortunately, Cesare was a man who perfectly suited her taste, and Olga de Valentine could never give up on him.

That’s why she’s acting as a quiet fiancée that doesn’t even suit her, waiting for the day he will eventually look back at her.

“Are you going home, honey? Duke Valentine seems to be looking for you.”

“Cut that nonsense ‘honey’ talk.”

Olga got off the bed in annoyance. Then, with familiar hands, she put on a maid’s clothes. Since their secret meeting must never be found out by anyone, Olga was frequenting Marquis Larkin’s residence disguised as a maid.

“Just call a servant. I should have a carriage to ride.”

“As you wish.”

Her lover, Vincent, stood up from the bed, bowing with an elegant attitude. Olga, disguised in a perfect maid’s outfit, glared at him.

If he had been lacking even a little here, she wouldn’t have made him her lover. He wasn’t as good as Cesare, but all the men in the Empire were lacking when compared to Cesare.

The only one who could compare was the Crown Prince, Edward, but since Empress Grace disliked her, she had given up on becoming the Crown Princess long ago.

‘Cesare won’t contact me anyway.’

Thinking of her father, who would make a fuss unnecessarily, annoyance was already rising. Since she pulled the bell pull, a servant of Marquis Larkin’s residence entered.

“Drop her off where she wants.”

“Please follow me.”

The servant spoke, trying not to look directly at Olga’s face. It was not uncommon among the capital’s nobles for noblewomen to enjoy secret meetings by disguising themselves as maids or servants. Since his master also disguised himself as a servant to meet other lovers, he just pretended not to know.

“Next time, if that man makes you angry again, call me. I should enjoy the luck that that stupid man missed.”

As Vincent said this while grabbing Olga’s arm, Olga chuckled and threw him a flirtatious look. They shared a short kiss and parted ways.

He lay on the bed, watching Olga wave her hand lightly and leave.

‘Why did it fail?’

He knew it was a difficult plan with three sword masters involved. But it was a plan that could never fail.

‘I even used up an assassin I managed to push into the court.’

Thinking that the Sachsen Empire’s contact would criticize him was annoying. Didn’t I say so from the beginning? That it was a dangerous and difficult task.

A husband, father, and brothers who are sword masters. This was a dangerous task that was bound to fail.

It was good to be able to test ‘that’ provided by those guys, but he was afraid that the Tesseia family would dig into the person behind it.

He got up and approached the whiskey cabinet. While pulling out the cork and pouring the liquor, he thought about how his life had become so twisted.

In fact, it was his great-grandfather, Gales Larkin, who had twisted the fate of the Larkin family. He foolishly embezzled taxes to be paid to the imperial family, slipped away subsidies from the imperial family, and even stole some goods that should have gone to the imperial family.

It was only a matter of time before the family fell after that was discovered. Fortunately, they weren’t stripped of their title, but they had to pay a huge compensation.

The family shrank instantly, and the territory also dwindled. Since they bit off pieces of the territory’s land to pay the compensation, soon only useless empty land remained.

Fortunately, the Larkin of the next generation was not stupid, so he somehow stuck to the capital and was appointed as an official, and his father also worked closer to the imperial family.

It was also then that the spy of the Sachsen Empire made an offer to him.

They promised a vast amount of money, information, and people. His father joined hands with them to raise the family… and inherited that secret to Vincent along with the title.

“Tsk.”

He didn’t intend to criticize his father. Because he would have done the same. He was just anxious that the one sitting as the Emperor of Sachsen now was not reliable.

His father tried to touch the two ducal families cautiously, but the current Emperor was the type to take some risks if he could achieve his goal.

‘Do the Tesseia and Lyon families seem easy to deal with?’

Vincent was older than Cesare, so he knew what the Tesseia family was like in the past. They were still serving as the sword and shield for the imperial family, but their current prestige was nowhere near what it was in the past.

But… they were still counted as the family with the best military power in the Luendal Empire. Although the power of the Tesseia family had weakened as the Sachsen Empire wished, a predator was still a predator.

‘Anyway, I can’t let go of those guys now.’

Because if they just reported the Larkin family’s treason to the imperial family as a price for betrayal, he would be ruined. Vincent stared at the brown liquid in the glass and then gulped it down. The liquor was as bitter as his life.

***

“Olga! Why are you coming only now? Something huge happened at the Tesseia family!”

It was an easy task to join a maid at a salon located on the main street, change clothes, call a carriage again, and return to Duke Valentine’s residence. Olga returned to being a quiet daughter and looked at her father who was making a fuss.

The two brothers were not seen. Since both were imperial officials, they must be working at the imperial palace by now.

‘How is this person my father?’

Both her brothers and Olga were far from being the type to make a fuss. She sometimes suspected that her mother might have had an affair with another man and gave birth to them, but both Olga and her two brothers had the inescapable temperament of the Valentine family.

For instance, persistence.

“Go to the Duke’s residence and comfort Cesare! That’s how his heart toward you will change!”

“The Young Duke will be by the Crown Prince’s side.”

Duchess Valentine, who had left her nail care to a maid, said in an indifferent voice. Olga gave her mother a thankful look. The Duke still didn’t back down.

“Someone from the family must be there! You are the Young Duke’s fiancée, so you’re as good as a member of that family. Who would marry a woman who just watches from afar when the family is in trouble!”

At the remark that felt like his determination to eventually send her to the Tesseia residence, Olga thought she couldn’t help it. Even if Cesare might push her away, he never tolerated the Tesseia family’s servants treating Olga carelessly.

‘It’s bothersome, but I’ll just go and get it over with.’

If Cesare were at home, she could say she came because she was worried about him.

‘No, he might leave work early and return? Since he’s become much softer lately…’

It was because the fact that his mother hadn’t committed adultery had been revealed. Even in the past, he was cold while maintaining etiquette, but now his cold attitude had largely disappeared, even if he wasn’t exactly kind. Olga also felt like seeing Cesare’s face, so she was about to say she would go.

“Right! Instead of that, go to Duke Lyon’s residence and see the Tesseia princess!”

“…What did you say?”

At the voice that grew cold unconsciously, her father opened his eyes wide and looked at Olga. She saw Duchess Valentine motioning for the maid to withdraw.

“Olga. The Tesseia princess… she’s not the woman she was in the past, is she? She has become a daughter that your father-in-law feels sorry for. I don’t think the Young Duke’s heart is much different.”

The Duchess’ explanation was something she knew, but it was still annoying. Because she had hated Leticia from the beginning.

The reason Olga hadn’t ‘advised’ Leticia was that Cesare hated even mentioning or seeing Leticia. Fearing that that contempt and hatred would be directed toward her, she hadn’t even gone near Leticia.

“She’s already married. Is there a need for me to even build a friendship with her?”

“You’re talking like a child. Since she became the wife of Young Duke Lyon, you should be even closer to her. If she becomes a saintess in the near future, she will be of great help to our family.”

“Indeed! That’s exactly what I mean!”

At her father who excitedly chimed in, Olga threw an annoyed look. Even if she was no longer an illegitimate child, it was unpleasant to bow down first to someone she considered below her.

“Olga. I believe you are a wise child. You… aren’t you also very well-behaved. Sacrifice follows every relationship.”

Duchess Valentine said so and glanced at the Duke. The Duke didn’t seem to understand the meaning, but Olga understood immediately.

Because her mother despised her father. Nevertheless, she accepted the role of Duchess and gave birth to three children with him.

At least Olga was engaged to the man she wanted. She was pointing out that fact. Furthermore, at the words that subtly pinched her reasoning, Olga had no choice but to surrender.

“I understand. I’ll send a letter to Duke Lyon’s residence. Just showing up recklessly now might seem rude.”

At Olga’s words, Duke Valentine seemed dissatisfied, but the Duchess nodded. Olga returned to her room feeling a sense of humiliation.

‘Leticia… I have to bow down first to that stupid girl!’

Anger flared up, but her mother’s words weren’t wrong. Because as if the heavens were indifferent, all sorts of precious things were pouring into that girl’s hands.

“…….”

It suddenly occurred to Olga that Cesare’s relationship with Leticia might not be good. Although the truth had been revealed to the world and Leticia was now untainted, the past wouldn’t disappear.

‘If it were me, I would stick close to Duke Tesseia or my brothers…’

That girl was stupid and stubborn, so she might be angry. Without even knowing her place! Since she seemed to have firmly caught the heart of Young Duke Lyon, she probably feared nothing in the world.

‘Can’t I use this situation? If I make Leticia realize reality and restore her relationship with Cesare… he might be grateful to me. He might realize that I am a person he needs.’

As always, her mother was right this time too. Olga had the maid bring stationery and started writing a letter. It was a letter to be sent to Duke Lyon’s residence.

***

 

By the end of the trial, receiving all sorts of invitations was already expected. She was currently one of the most talked-about figures in the capital, the wife of Young Duke Lyon, and the Tesseia princess.

But….

‘Why did this woman send a letter?’

Naturally, Leticia knew Olga. It was because she had conquered her in the mobile game and had briefly encountered her.

She was a woman who looked at her like a bug just because she was an illegitimate child.

When playing as Isella, she bullied her so much because she was Cesare’s fiancée… she hadn’t understood why the developers even included her as one of the capture targets.

‘She even has a separate lover. She won’t even be able to marry Cesare anyway?’

Whether Cesare knew or not, it was a fact that came out when conquering Cesare’s route. If she found out this fact, Olga tries to kill Isella to hide the truth.

‘Even when I saw her at 10 years old, my knees were shaking… I don’t really want to meet her.’

Anyway, after breaking off the engagement with Cesare, her choice would be a foreign royal. Because she’s a woman who wouldn’t marry into a Marquis or Count family even if she died. The Crown Prince was out of the question, and there’s no Young Duke of the right age, so her mother would definitely send her off to marry outside the Empire.

‘Godfrey… sent another letter.’

If there’s one more name that stands out besides his letters, it was Nastasya Renain. Sebastian’s fiancée.

‘She’s noisy, so I don’t really want to deal with her. If things don’t go her way, she says weird things…’

In fact, she hadn’t met Nastasya in person. Because she had left for Duke Lyon’s residence when she was 12. Sebastian’s engagement was a few years after that.

Leticia knew about Nastasya because she had conquered her in the game. It was to see the all-clear ending.

‘She was an annoying kid in a different sense from Olga.’

She set aside Olga’s and Nastasya’s letters and had the maid keep them. Since it was a fact that they were the fiancées of Cesare and Sebastian.

And she narrowed down the list from the remaining invitations.

Since she couldn’t live without any social life at all, she had to find people she could become friendly with.

***

Aaron followed the imperial servant through the corridors of the imperial Palace. His previous investigation had brought him significant evidence. Immediately after Leticia returned to the Lyon Duchy, he had summoned the Tower Master and the wizards of the Magic Tower through Sebastian. This was to find traces of magic remaining in the courtroom. Bringing in the Magic Tower without permission was an act that could incite a backlash from the imperial family, but at the time, there was no one with a higher status than Aaron on the scene.

The Tower Master discovered two things through this.

‘He has the same mana as the person who cast the curse 20 years ago. It must be the same wizard. And… among the wizards expelled from the Magic Tower who were conducting such research and survived until recently, there are three.’

One faked his death by creating a dummy corpse and fled to another continent, only to be killed by a sorcerer there. Another hid in a certain kingdom but was tracked down and killed by the Magic Tower. The last one…

“You’re saying traces were found in the Sachsen Empire?”

“Sachsen is a place even the wizards of the Magic Tower must be cautious of. If one can manage to sneak in, it’s a perfect place to hide.”

The Sachsen Empire was a country that had once invaded the Magic Tower to treat wizards like slaves. Although it was a long time ago when the Luendal Empire was still called a kingdom, the people of Sachsen still desired to use wizards as slaves. Because of this, no wizard wanted to become a wizard of the Sachsen Empire, but it was known that many things had changed since the previous emperor. Of course, that didn’t mean public perception had changed; in the Sachsen Empire, even revealing that one could use magic was dangerous. It wasn’t exactly a place a person from the Magic Tower would hide.

Aaron knew about the incident five years ago through Cesare. It was an event where Duke Rupella’s family, the family of the Crown Prince’s fiancée, colluded with a foreign nation to leak classified imperial information. The country they colluded with at that time was none other than the Sachsen Empire. Sachsen officially denied the fact, but the Emperor did not tolerate Duke Rupella’s treason. All the men were killed, and only the daughters and wives were spared and exiled abroad.

He thought all the spies of the Sachsen Empire had been driven out then… but what if they left something behind? Perhaps they had only plucked the stems without digging up the most important core. The thought that their existence—which he hadn’t even known about—was eating away at the empire and had harmed his wife and daughter made his blood run cold.

‘The ones who plotted my wife’s death and unhappiness are likely dead.’

The current Emperor of Sachsen was a young man. He was the one who took the throne after the Emperor died six years ago. He was known to be the son the previous emperor had late in life and cherished dearly.

“…….”

‘Is there an end even after death? Teresa. How much you must have resented me… I miss you and long to hear even your voice, but you never appear in my dreams.’

Yet, Aaron could not hate Teresa. It was he who had first doubted her and tried to discard his love for her.

Aaron hoped there was an afterlife so the previous Emperor of Sachsen could watch all of this. While it is not right for a son to pay for the sins of his father, that man was not innocent. Because he had used the same woman to try and kill his daughter this time.

The imperial servant’s footsteps stopped. He saw the soldiers bowing their heads and stepping aside, gripping the door handles. When Aaron gave a short signal, the servant raised his voice toward the inside of the room.

“The Duke of Tesseia, Duke Aaron de Tesseia has arrived!”

The familiar voice of the Emperor telling him to enter was heard. The servant bowed politely, and the soldiers opened the doors to the audience chamber. Aaron walked into the room with a cold face, intent on removing the enemies of the Luendal Empire and Duke Tesseia’s family.

***

The news that there had been successive assassination attempts on Lady Tesseia in a closed-off courtroom was enough to turn social circles upside down. Everyone was worried, and those belonging to the Church were the most shocked.

“No, who would dare!!”

High Priest Orlando couldn’t contain his rising anger and shouted. The existence of a Saintess was that precious. This news had already passed him and reached the headquarters located in the northern part of the Holy Kingdom. This was not news to be overlooked.

Naturally, the Pope expressed deep concern and protested to the Luendal imperial Family. He hinted that if the Luendal Empire neglected the protection of the Saintess, the Holy Kingdom could take over that important role. Furthermore, the Pope sent a notice that he would visit the capital of the Luendal Empire to check on the newly appointed Saintess.

‘He’s coming already?’

Crown Prince Edward was stunned by the news that the Pope, who he thought wouldn’t depart until next year at the earliest, was already coming. It was a natural assumption since the wedding of Leticia and Terdis would be around that time. A visit moved up by nearly a year surely had a hidden agenda.

‘If the Church is thinking of something, it must be to persuade Lady Tesseia… They must be quite desperate.’

The current Saintess was also full of thoughts about escaping and had already carried out a secret wedding, so they must be anxious. Regardless, the Pope’s visit was a national event. The Pope was a being on a different level from the kings or emperors of other nations. Already, his mother was making plans using this situation, and Edward felt the same.

‘If you can’t avoid it, use it.’

He thought as he heard the report that the Empress had already sent a reply to the Pope’s letter. It seemed this year was destined to be filled with non-stop incidents.

***

He was born in Duke Lyon’s residence, but he was a person who did not receive the family name of the Duchy. It wasn’t because his mother was unfaithful. His father had clearly married her, although it was his second marriage. It was simply that his father had passed the dukedom to his son before he was born.

It was said to be out of consideration for the son born from the first wife. His father said he did it as a measure to prevent the fierce competition for the dukedom that he himself had experienced. To this, Rupert could only ask back.

‘Then what about me? Why does no one ask for my opinion?’

His mother taught him to be obedient to his brother and advised him not to have greed that didn’t fit his station. But Rupert could not accept it. No matter how he looked at it, he thought he was superior to his brother. From an outsider’s perspective, he might have been just at a level that wasn’t falling behind, but Rupert was confident. There was a large age gap, but he was certain he would have achieved more at that age. He was more competitive and hardworking. He desperately wanted to be the Duke.

But his father did not recognize all those efforts.

‘Rupert. Your brother is already the Duke! If a next-generation Duke appears, it will be his son; your turn will never come!’

As his father said, Carlyle had an arranged marriage and had a son. He was a son far too brilliant compared to his exceedingly ordinary father. Rupert was jealous of everything he had. The position that didn’t fit him, the father’s love, the beautiful wife, and the son… He had once tried to seduce his sister-in-law but failed.

“The only one who looks down on him is you. You should know your place. Jealousy won’t change reality.”

‘Rupert, my beloved brother!’

The unreserved affection his brother showed was disgusting to him. It seemed like the generosity of one who had everything. Even now, look, didn’t he eventually cast him out! He abandoned him! His only younger brother was thrown away when he became a hindrance to the dukedom!

‘Uncle…!!’

Repulsive brat. Why didn’t he just die at that lakeside?

He was now even jealous of Terdis, who had grown into a sturdy young man. To think that what was sleeping in the lake was not a curse but the spirit of a sword. Why was the world so anxious to give even more to those who already have everything?

“…So you were in a place like this.”

The figure staring at the flames of the campfire flinched at that voice. He hadn’t noticed someone approaching at all. He was once the beloved brother of a Duke, but now he had a haggard appearance no different from a homeless person. As a man approached the flames he had lit to ward off the late spring night chill, he looked down at Rupert.

Rupert quickly pulled down the hood of his cloak to hide his identity.

“You seem to be mistaken. You have the wrong person.”

As he hurriedly tried to get up and avoid the man, the man stepped closer. He spoke in a soft voice as if to persuade Rupert.

“There’s no way I’d mistake you. That night was just like this, wasn’t it?”

The whispering voice brought back memories. Rupert snapped his head around and glared at the other person’s face. That night. A night when his attire was different from now. His father had died of old age, and he had become a Marquis at a young age, but he was lamenting his situation of never being able to become the Duke. The servants and escort knights traveling with him had fallen asleep for some reason, and while he was alone warming himself by the fire, someone had approached him. It was the person who changed his fate—the one who led him down a path he might not have otherwise taken.

“You!”

When he grabbed the man by the collar with his dirty hands, the man might have frowned in displeasure, but he didn’t shake off his hand.

“You still can’t seem to get anything done properly, yet your anger remains as fierce as ever.”

“I ruined my life because of you!! Look at my state, look at me!”

Rupert did not think that the ‘mistake’ of that day was his fault. Attacking them while they were camping by the lake was a wise choice. He killed his sister-in-law who knew his secret, and his brother became infertile. The fact that Terdis didn’t die… that was something no one could have helped.

“That monster can’t be killed by anyone! Even if I kill my brother… it’s not like I’ll ever become the Duke!!”

“Ah… even though you are incompetent, your resentment remains the same.”

The man’s sickly sweet voice rang unpleasantly in his ears, just like that night. Rupert wanted to throw a punch at his mocking face, but he knew he wouldn’t survive if the man retaliated. He let go of him as if pushing him away and stepped back.

“Why did you show up? You must know there’s no hope left for me now.”

“Hope is always abundant in the most miserable places. It is hope that tortures the miserable the most.”

“…….”

That night too, this guy had spouted such nonsensical, unpleasant things. Rupert returned to the fire and sat down with a fed-up expression. Even if he moved, the guy would follow anyway. As expected, he crouched down beside Rupert.

“Don’t you still have hope?”

“You think I do?”

“What if you could kill your nephew?”

Rupert frowned and stared at him. His current reality taught him that those sweet words couldn’t possibly be true.

“Kill a Sword Master who is protected by Pashanoi? Is such a thing even possible in this world?”

“Or you could tear apart your hated brother. If you can’t even do that… how about making your nephew miserable for the rest of his life?”

At the man’s constant whispering, Rupert’s eyes moved. The man, who had a handsome face but an unpleasantly servile expression, pulled his lips into a long smile.

“I suppose your master ordered you to kill the Saintess?”

“Does it pique your interest?”

Terdis’s pain would become the pain of his hated and loathsome brother. He had seen that Terdis’s eyes never left that young girl. That innocent and powerful yearning was like an unquenchable flame. He had thought it strange that a young brat could harbor such feelings.

“What do I have to do?”

In response, the man held out a magic stone carved into the shape of a water drop, as red as blood.

“Swallow it. It will give you the power you’ve longed for.”

Rupert knew the man’s words were a blatant lie, but he swallowed the magic stone with a smile. He truly wished for the unhappiness of that father and son.

‘Father. This is all because of your fault.’

He should have never brought him into the world in the first place. Or he should have given him the right to compete equally with Carlyle. The magic stone sliding down his throat felt like it was burning his stomach as hotly as his desires.

***

The first tea party Leticia chose to attend was one where Christine Arhin was present. Christine, who was Godfrey’s former fiancée and had married a man who would become a Marquis in the future, was Leticia’s savior. Though she herself didn’t seem to think so at all.

If Christine hadn’t visited that day, or if she had stood frozen without making a sound, Leticia would have died. Leticia was certain of it. Those hounds had lunged as if to tear her throat out and kill her.

However, Christine seemed to have judged that Leticia would dislike her. This was partly because she represented the position of an aristocrat whose shame had been exposed, and partly because she was Godfrey’s former fiancée. That’s why Leticia had told the Duchess, who was trying to ‘consider’ Leticia’s feelings regarding Christine’s attendance, that she was ‘someone I really want to become close with.’

Accordingly, the Duchess sent an invitation to Christine, and Leticia was able to meet her again after a considerable amount of time had passed.

“Hello… Lady.”

Since she had a wedding but was not in a position to be called ‘Wife,’ Leticia was still Lady Tesseia. When she sent the reply to the invitation, she wrote it that way so people could organize their positions. On the other hand, Terdis was referring to Leticia as his wife, and Leticia didn’t bother to stop him. It was because Terdis was anxious that he might lose her.

‘I don’t mind being called Lady for another year.’

Christine, whose cheeks were flushed red and who looked nervous as she greeted Leticia, seemed little changed from when she was younger. Leticia thought that Christine truly received her father’s love. Because even out of fear of the Tesseia Duke family’s power, any father would not have allowed an annulment. Her father had skillfully annulled her engagement without any noise and immediately found a good match to marry his daughter off. Judging by her current attitude, her married life didn’t seem difficult either.

‘I’m glad.’

“…It’s been a long time, Madam.”

Seeing Leticia welcome Christine warmly, the other noble ladies also seemed to decide their attitude toward her. Only those with experience would know how advantageously this would act for her as she began her social life with the noble ladies. She didn’t think this repaid the debt in full, but she thought it was a good start.

***

Cesare guessed the contents when he heard news that a letter had arrived from Leticia. That child was foolishly honest and straightforward, so she must be bothered by the fact that she hadn’t said thank you even after he saved her life last time.

‘She’s such a good kid.’

As he read the letter, Cesare’s chest felt sore again. It was because it reminded him of how terrible he had been. Because he knew that their relationship hadn’t recovered to this extent.

The two younger brothers were in an uproar when it seemed a letter had come from Leticia. His father might have been curious too, but Aaron was not home at the moment. He had been very busy since the last incident and left at the crack of dawn.

Thanks to being Edward’s close associate, Cesare found out who had been identified as the mastermind behind the last incident. Though there was no certain evidence yet, only circumstantial evidence, it seemed the Crown Prince and his father were convinced.

“Brother, what did Tisha write? Is there anything about me?”

“She won’t like it if she finds out you call her that.”

At Cesare’s point, Sebastian pouted. Behind him, Godfrey craned his neck, trying to steal a peek at Cesare’s letter. Cesare folded the letter neatly and glared at him.

“I have no intention of showing it to you. Peeking at someone else’s letter is not knight-like, so look away.”

“You’re stingy!”

Sebastian shouted, but Cesare put the letter in an envelope with a composed face. As he stood up, planning to hide the letter in a desk with a lock, Sebastian, who had been waiting for an opportunity, lunged.

“Since I’m not a knight! Ack!”

“…Who do you think a wizard is lunging at?”

Even if Godfrey had lunged, he wouldn’t have even grazed the surface of the envelope. Sebastian, who ended up diving onto the carpet because Cesare dodged, stood up rubbing his stinging nose.

“It wouldn’t hurt to just show it!”

“It’ll wear out. …There’s an anti-magic spell on this drawer, so don’t even think about it, Sebastian.”

“Tsk.”

Cesare put the letter in the desk drawer and locked it. Even if she hadn’t opened her heart, he thought it was a relief that Leticia was safe and that she cared about him even a little.

***

“By the way… did the Young Duke come with you just to drop you off, Lady?”

“This meeting is for the noble ladies.”

It wasn’t so much a criticism as it was a tease. There was no one here who would get angry if a man or two suddenly joined the ladies’ tea party. To this, Terdis replied with a composed face.

“There was an unfortunate incident targeting my wife recently, so I intend to act as her escort knight until the instigator is caught.”

“Wife…”

“The rumor that you two eloped and held a wedding ceremony was true!”

The story that Leticia eloped and got married to Terdis to avoid the position of Saintess was being spread through social circles packaged as a romantic event. This was the result of Carlyle’s intervention, intended to shape public opinion against the Church. Since the fact that the Church had been profiting by using the Saintess was famous enough for even commoners to know, no one criticized their actions. Rather, some were blaming the Church and supporting Leticia and Terdis. It was because the Church’s money-making business was too obvious for anyone to believe their talk of holy duty.

“We certainly held a ceremony at the Carmel Temple and even had witnesses… but the Church informed us that the original copy of our marriage vows was burned. Since the Pope said he would bless us if we held the ceremony again, we decided to follow.”

At Leticia’s explanation, the ladies all nodded as if they understood. Since it was a marriage allowed by the family, it was hard to see their actions as a mere deviation.

“That must have been a major ordeal.”

“The original marriage vows burned… could such a thing even happen? And inside the temple, too.”

“Ahem. Precisely.”

They exchanged glances with faces convinced that there had been a conspiracy within the Church. Although they couldn’t openly criticize the Church in front of Leticia, who might be appointed as the Saintess in the future, most were indignant or intrigued by the Church’s antics.

“This is why people bring witnesses and make copies.”

Commoners often brought witnesses but frequently omitted making copies. However, nobles followed the procedure as a rule because disputes could arise if they didn’t prove it. High-ranking nobles thought it was a disaster if they didn’t follow procedure or tradition, so there weren’t many issues, but low-ranking nobles often failed to follow them. The ladies talked about how this incident would serve as a warning to the low-ranking nobles. The bite-sized desserts served with the tea were excellent, and the conversation ended amicably without anyone being excluded or any unpleasant topics being raised.

All the ladies at the tea party seemed satisfied, having gained plenty of gossip. Leticia promised to meet several of the ladies again and boarded the carriage with Terdis’s escort.

Once the carriage left the Duchy, Leticia let out a long sigh of relief and slumped her body. Terdis hugged Leticia affectionately. Molly was looking out the window, pretending not to see him dropping kisses all over Leticia’s face as if he found her incredibly precious. Leticia didn’t even have the energy to feel embarrassed.

‘Socializing with the capital’s nobles isn’t easy!’

Living in Duke Lyon’s family, unlike when she lived in the Tesseia Duchy, she had engaged in social life, which at least helped. If she had lived without making friends even in the Lyon Duchy, attending the noble ladies’ tea party would have been even more difficult. Leticia was grateful, albeit late, for going to Duke Lyon’s family. If she had stayed in the Tesseia family, it would have been difficult to have proper human relationships. Aaron probably just wanted to cast her out of the family, but it helped Leticia in many ways.

“I’ll have to participate in three… no, five more tea parties in the future. Are you going to follow me every time?”

“Yeah. I’m going to keep following you. That’s the safest way.”

“Mmm… but wasn’t it boring?”

At Leticia looking up at him while in his arms, Terdis leaned down and gave her a quick kiss. He said with a grin.

“Not at all. There’s no time to be bored when I’m looking at your face.”

“That sounds like you’re saying I have a funny face…”

“I meant it in the sense that you’re cute and pretty. Even your expression right now is so cute I want to eat you up.”

As Terdis dropped kisses while chuckling, Leticia looked at Molly, who was sitting in the corner seat opposite her, feeling embarrassed. Molly had been looking only out the window for a while, and now she was even pretending to sleep.

‘I’m sorry, Molly!’

It was a bold action to do in front of an employer, but Leticia knew that was consideration. But even if she couldn’t see, her ears were open, so she’d hear everything they said. So Leticia felt embarrassed all over again. On the other hand, Terdis didn’t seem to care much. His servant was sitting in the back seat outside the carriage, so it was safe to say he had fled this situation early on. Leticia was certain that later, Molly would also want the seat next to the coachman.

“Why?”

Terdis asked back with an innocent face at Leticia’s reproachful look. A strong determination was felt that he wouldn’t stop even if he knew the reason her cheeks were red. The biggest problem lay in the fact that Leticia had already come to like that look in Terdis’s eyes and this personality of his.

“I don’t know.”

“Come on, tell me.”

At the pleading voice as he hugged her even more tightly, Leticia turned her head. Feeling the kisses falling on her cheek as well, Leticia hugged Terdis back. This happy moment made her happier than anything else.

***

 

The moment of transformation was brief. He worried he might never return to human form, but after tearing apart all the groups hiding in the forest, he was able to return to being a human.

‘Is this what it means to gain power?’

Neither he nor Carlyle could overcome the wall of the Sword Master. Rupert admitted his judgment was skewed, but he still thought he would surpass Carlyle if they clashed with swords. But he was Duke Lyon, and loyal knights were protecting him. Even after the incident where he lost his wife, Carlyle received deeper trust than before because he gave the medicinal ingredients to treat the aftereffects of the poison to his knights.

‘With this form… it’s possible to kill Carlyle!’

The problem was that reason vanished once he turned into a monster. He knew that even with this form, he couldn’t kill Terdis. Because he had become that monster called a Sword Master. Having desperately wished to become a Sword Master, Rupert knew what kind of monsters they were. He knew he couldn’t reach him even in this form.

So…

‘I just need to kill that young girl and Carlyle. Once those two are dead… Terdis will be as good as dead even if he lives.’

If he could kill only one of the two, it was definitely Leticia. In his view, Terdis might somehow endure Carlyle’s death, but he certainly wouldn’t be able to endure Leticia’s death. Carlyle would suffer seeing the broken Terdis. Since the most important thing in his life now would be Terdis.

Rupert chuckled, thinking of Carlyle suffering. If he remains in pain for the rest of his life even after I die, won’t this resentment and grudge subside a little?

‘How should I kill her… to make Terdis more miserable when he finds her?’

He had many thoughts, but he couldn’t be sure if those thoughts would continue even when he transformed. Because he lacked intellect when he was transformed into the form of a beast or a monster. Rupert decided to think only about what the person who made him like this advised. Thinking only about the target he had to tear apart…

***

Her vision was dizzying. Darkness hung heavily, but everything around was red. …The smell of blood. And a scent of flesh that felt disgustingly fragrant was exciting him.

‘Where is this? What kind of dream is this?’

Leticia looked around with confused eyes. It seemed it was night here too, not just because it was a dream. Spilled intestines and torn wounds, pieces of flesh… everything was covered in blood, and she was certain that just tens of seconds ago, it must have been filled with painful screams and moans.

‘Who is this person?’

She soon realized she was seeing through the eyes of a murderer. The people hiding in groups in the forest did not look like slash-and-burn farmers or hunters. Judging by the fact that they were not far from the road, they must be bandits.

The murderer, who killed every single one of them, was traversing the forest. The sound of leaves rustling against the body was hardly audible. Yet the unpleasant smell of the forest was so vivid that it felt strange for this person to be walking on the forest path.

‘He dislikes grass.’

Before long, the forest ended, and uneven, narrow ground appeared. It wasn’t so much that the grass couldn’t grow there as it was simply that the ground was exposed because a shallow stream was flowing in the middle. The murderer raised his head and looked up at the moon, but he didn’t howl at the moon as they do in certain werewolf movies. He just shook his head, saw the moon hide behind the clouds, and ran again. His speed was so fast that Leticia was certain he was a very strong person. It was about as fast as when she was moved while being held by Terdis.

Suddenly, a shower began to fall, so the murderer’s pace became even faster. The smell of rain was a pleasant thing to him. The fragrant smell of blood was washed away, but that fishy scent made him happy. He stopped under a large tree. The rain was subsiding, but a large puddle had formed at his feet.

‘Ah… just a little more.’

If the murderer would just turn his head and look at that puddle, she felt like she’d be able to see his face. When Leticia desperately wished for it, the murderer turned his head.

Gasp.

A hideous figure was reflected in the puddle. Leticia thought he was a murderer, but it wasn’t a human. It was the form of a beast, and a monster at that, which she had never seen before. She thought the eye level was strangely high, but he was larger and thicker than she imagined. He had massive shoulders and abnormally long arms, and it seemed he could tear something like a bull into two pieces in an instant with his fingers tipped with thick, sharp claws.

The creature let out a groan as if in pain and then shriveled up in an instant. Having been hit by the heavy shower, the blood and filth were mostly washed away, revealing a handsome and well-defined face. Leticia had been introduced to him in her childhood spent in the Lyon Duchy.

‘His name is…’

“Rupert… Debrus.”

When she opened her eyes, Terdis was holding her shoulders with a face full of concern. It seemed he had been trying to shake her awake. Leticia realized she had broken out in a cold sweat. Her thin pajamas were damp with sweat.

“Rupert Debrus? Are you talking about my uncle?”

Leticia nodded with a dazed expression. Terdis carefully examined Leticia’s complexion.

“I thought you were having a nightmare and tried to wake you, but I was worried because you didn’t wake up. You’re okay, right?”

“Yeah… I had another strange dream.”

She told Terdis that she had a dream where Rupert turned into a monster and killed bandits. She said that even after that, the transformation didn’t break for a while as he ran through the rain, and then he turned back into a human and she was able to see his face. Since she had been warned of danger through her dream once before, Terdis took it seriously.

“Let’s tell my father.”

At Terdis’s words, Leticia nodded.

***

Carlyle, having had prior experience, took this matter seriously. He asked Leticia if she remembered any landscapes from her dream, but she remembered very little.

“There was a cabin near where the corpses were…. and as I pushed through the forest, there was a very small stream.”

And the massive tree she saw where the puddle had gathered. That was all Leticia remembered. Beyond that, the forest simply stretched on endlessly.

However, Carlyle seemed to have found a clue even in that. Rupert was currently a fugitive, being hunted by mercenaries seeking the bounty on his head. Furthermore, professional trackers dispatched by the Lyon Duchy were reporting Rupert’s tracks to Carlyle as soon as they appeared. By contacting them and checking if there were hunter’s cabins or corpses near the place where they last lost Rupert’s trail, they could confirm if the dream was accurate. Moreover, they could figure out how far Rupert had progressed.

“…There is no need to worry too much. Even if Rupert has gained a special ability, nothing changes.”

Terdis was worried about his father. The people Rupert would harbor a grudge against were either himself or Carlyle. Since Terdis himself was a Sword Master, Rupert would likely not even dare to challenge him, but it would be different regarding his father.

“More importantly, Leticia. It seems a gift has arrived from the Larqus Marquisate.”

“From my maternal grandfather’s house?”

Carlyle ordered the servants to bring it. A moment later, servants came in carrying a wrapped object, its shape alone enough to guess the contents. Leticia took a deep breath instinctively upon seeing it. As she approached with a nervous face, Carlyle simply smiled. Terdis looked puzzled.

“Is it a painting?”

“Yes. Probably….”

It would be a painting of her mother, Teresa. Otherwise, there was no reason for the Larqus Marquisate to send a painting. She untied the string with trembling fingers and tore a long strip of the paper wrapping the frame. In truth, she had tried to unwrap it properly, but her hands were shaking too much. Just as the wrapping tore and revealed a portion of the painting, she felt like she might burst into tears.

‘Why am I like this?’

Teresa was her mother, but Leticia didn’t have much of a feeling of her being her real mother. This was because she remembered her past life and perceived this world as a book, or rather, a game world. Therefore, she had rarely even thought about visiting the Larqus Marquisate. Her words about going to see the Saintess on the cathedral’s mural because she felt like a mother were also a lie. The one she had always longed to see was her mother from her previous life.

So….

‘I never missed you. It would be a lie to say you aren’t precious, but I never thought of you as my real mother.’

As she carefully removed the paper, a portrait of a young woman holding a child was revealed. The child in her arms was likely Cesare, as the face was identical to the woman’s. The child was looking at the woman with a finger in his mouth, and the woman was looking straight ahead with a gentle smile. It looked as if she were smiling toward Leticia.

Feeling a tear roll down, Leticia hurriedly stepped back. She was afraid the tear might touch the painting and ruin even a small part of it.

“Tisha….”

As Terdis approached and wrapped his arms around her shoulders, Leticia leaned into his embrace. The servant holding the painting spoke in a low voice.

“Young Madam. There is a card tucked into the back of the painting.”

As the servant handed over the card he had carefully pulled out, Leticia took it and opened the envelope. Inside was a small card.

[Among us, it seems only you deserve to own this painting. So, I give you this painting now, and I will leave the rest to you after I die. Please accept it.

– From your grandfather]

It was such a grand gift that she couldn’t say anything. Leticia stared intently at the painting while holding the card. She was a beautiful woman with a gentle smile. So much so that it felt tragic that such a person was no longer in this world…. She could see how much Cesare resembled their mother. Now, Leticia knew that whenever she saw Cesare’s face, she would be reminded of Teresa.

“I want to go see my maternal grandfather.”

She had exchanged greetings with her maternal uncle, but her uncle and his wife gave off the impression that they didn’t particularly want to form a bond with the Tesseia family or Leticia. Even after that incident in the courtroom, they had sent someone to check if she was doing well and sent a gift, but only a letter of thanks had returned in response.

When Leticia whispered that, Terdis nodded. He was ready to do anything she wanted.

***

When contact came from Carlyle, Aaron thought it was for the best. To carry out what he had in mind, he needed the power of the Lyon Duchy. Rupert had been belittling Carlyle’s abilities, but in reality, Carlyle was a man of great calculation, strategy, and business acumen. It was he who had grown the already wealthy Lyon Duchy’s business into the greatest in the empire. His influence and business had expanded across the continent, reaching as far as the Sachsen Empire in the far northwest.

Therefore, his power was essential for Aaron’s plan. Even when dealing with the Tower Master to pull him in, Carlyle’s help would be needed. While it was possible for Aaron to contact the Tower Master through Sebastian’s connections, he couldn’t simply order him to do anything.

When he visited the Lyon Duke’s residence, Leticia was out with Terdis. Despite guessing this would be the case, Aaron felt a slight sense of disappointment. Even if she treated him coldly, he had wanted to see her face.

‘Then again. Even if she were home, there would be no reason for her to greet me….’

In terms of etiquette, it might be expected, but Aaron had no intention of nitpicking Leticia even if she didn’t. Carlyle had come all the way to the entrance to meet him. He cherished Leticia as much as his own son, and because of that, he showed a friendly attitude toward Duke Aaron Tesseia, and his sons. Of course, his attitude toward the two sons who had deeply hurt Leticia was subtle.

“Welcome! Please understand that the children are out and not present.”

Carlyle personally guided him to the inner chamber. Tea was already prepared and was placed before him immediately as he sat down. Though he had never stated his preference, it was a tea Aaron found quite agreeable. He caught the scent of the tea and watched as Carlyle dismissed the servants with a glance.

“You said you had something to tell me?”

“I heard news that you are investigating the incident at the courtroom. That is likely why you have been so incredibly busy lately. I suspect… that even without evidence, you have uncovered who is behind it.”

“…….”

While discussing with the Empress and Emperor, Aaron had begun to wonder if the tragedy of the Lyon Duchy was also related to the Sachsen Empire. Although he couldn’t tell him yet as there was no clear evidence, the motive would be the same as the one that harmed Teresa.

‘As a result, the Lyon Duchy did not shrink as much as my own family….’

Since the goal of the Sachsen Empire was likely to swallow the Lyon Duchy’s businesses through his brother, Rupert, it could be seen as natural in a way. Initially, Carlyle was not in a particularly affectionate relationship with his wife. It was an arranged marriage, and he understood it was more of a relationship between colleagues or friends. While one couldn’t say it wasn’t painful for Carlyle, who likes people and takes care of those around him, it wasn’t something that would shake his very foundation. Rather than drowning in sorrow, he chose to protect his son. …Unlike himself, who failed to even recognize his own biological daughter.

Because of this, Aaron, in a sense, acknowledged Carlyle. Carlyle looked into his steaming teacup and met Aaron’s eyes.

“If you tell me who you suspect is the mastermind, I will tell you as well.”

Aaron thought that this man, at least, could be trusted. If he were to get his hands dirty, it would only be when the lives of Terdis or Leticia were in grave danger. Since Terdis, his most precious existence, was under the protection of Pashanoi, killing him would be impossible…. Protecting Leticia was a burden Aaron had to bear himself, so he had to trust this man.

“Emperor Randolph of the Sachsen Empire.”

Carlyle was not surprised by Aaron’s words. Seeing his eyes flash, Aaron was certain that Carlyle had reached a similar conclusion.

“It seems the time has come for us to exchange information.”

As Carlyle stood up to fetch documents, Aaron could feel that the time to stain his hands with the enemy’s blood was not far off.

***

Although not as frequently as Godfrey, Cesare and Sebastian were also sending letters to Leticia regularly—specifically, once every one to two weeks. The reason was to visit the Lyon house, meet Leticia, and apologize. However, since Leticia didn’t even read the letters from all three and just kept them, no reply ever came. Thus, this kind of direct encounter was like a stroke of luck for Sebastian.

“Leticia!”

Sebastian had run up calling her name happily, but seeing the other’s expression instantly harden, he realized he had made a mistake. They were not on such intimate terms.

‘She must hate that I called her by her name….’

He knew. He knew, but what could he do when his happy heart had jumped out first? The ‘fiancé’ fellow by Leticia’s side was looking at him with a haughty, annoyed expression. It was clear he was ready to step in front of her and become a shield if necessary.

I am the older brother. If that fellow does something wrong to Leticia, it is I who should step up! And yet, far from being intimidated, he is looking at me as if I am the villain!

‘I am the villain, but… still!’

This place was the Larqus Marquisate, located on the outskirts of the capital. Bill Larqus had one daughter, but since she didn’t inherit the family name and married into the Duke’s family instead, he had adopted a relative as his heir. That adopted son was a weak-willed person, so he was intimidated by people from the Duke’s family like Sebastian or Leticia. Even now, upon hearing the news of their visit, it seemed he had fled to a friend’s house early in the morning. Thinking about how his wife was greeting them while breaking out in a cold sweat, it was a pathetic sight.

‘But to think Leticia would visit!’

Sebastian had been visiting this place secretly even before. His maternal grandfather was someone who barely held a place in his memory, but it was to see the portrait of his mother whose face he couldn’t even remember. While Cesare never set foot near here, Godfrey or he would sneak off to visit. Of course, after the truth was revealed, it seemed Cesare also visited occasionally.

‘No wonder Grandfather said if I waited, I’d meet a precious guest!’

He had planned to meet him briefly in the morning, see his mother’s portrait, and leave, but this was a stroke of luck. Sebastian approached Leticia with a mix of overflowing joy and disappointment. At his creeping approach, Leticia immediately frowned.

“…Is Grandfather inside?”

“Yes! I just met him too!”

Bill Larqus hadn’t asked him to come on this day, but Sebastian thought it was quite intentional that he hadn’t mentioned he was visiting.

‘Since he’s elderly, he must want me to reconcile with them.’

He was even suffering from illness due to old age. He hadn’t received notice from the doctor that his lifespan was short right now, but what he felt personally would be different. Furthermore, he held a hostage that Leticia couldn’t refuse: Teresa’s portrait. Thinking that he might use that to make demands made it a headache.

“After you meet Grandfather… could you spare some time separately? I have something I really want to say to you.”

“…….”

Leticia didn’t think she could avoid them forever either. Thinking it was something she eventually had to go through, she glared at Sebastian.

“I will. In exchange, don’t stick around when I meet Grandfather or see Mother.”

“I understand! I’ll wait quietly!”

Since his memories of childhood where he mocked her and treated her coldly were vivid, such a submissive appearance was strange. Leticia turned abruptly and entered the Larqus Marquis residence with Terdis. Sebastian was calming his heart with a face full of tension.

‘It’s only just the beginning.’

He didn’t know what kind of expression Leticia would have after receiving his apology. She might get angry or criticize him. He knew better than to believe that the things he had done as a child—thinking they would never be discovered—were unknown to the present Leticia. Big brother Cesare had noticed early on, and Father had realized as well. The fact that all his direct servants had been replaced must have meant that. The only one who noticed late was likely Godfrey.

‘How much she must despise me….’

He knew that even his approaching her could be stressful for Leticia. He knew, but he simply couldn’t give up on Leticia. Even if he were to be shattered by hitting the wall multiple times, it wouldn’t compare to the wounds Leticia had suffered that day. He intended to keep reaching out his hand to Leticia. Even if that hand were to be trampled upon.

***

“Nice to meet you….”

The moment of meeting was not as dry as Leticia had expected. On the face of Bill Larqus, who raised his upper body from the bed to look at her, there was an inexpressible mix of longing and apology.

“You’re Leticia.”

The emotion contained in those few words moved Leticia to tears. As Bill reached out a trembling hand, Leticia moved toward him instinctively. Bill’s wrinkled fingers gripped Leticia’s hand tightly.

“I’m sorry. You must have… resented me a lot.”

“No.”

Leticia shook her head vigorously. In reality, she had rarely even thought of her maternal family while growing up, so she didn’t even resent them. Bill was full of regret.

“I should have demanded you instead of the portrait, but I didn’t.”

His shabby and foolish heart had resented Leticia, much like Sebastian or Godfrey. Thinking that if she hadn’t been born, or if she had at least inherited Teresa’s hair color completely, the infidelity might not have been exposed. It was a nonsensical, un-adult-like resentment, but that was how he was back then. To chase the phantom of his daughter who had died and could never return, he wanted the portrait of his dead daughter rather than his living granddaughter. By contracting with Aaron, even the way to approach Leticia had been cut off. Since the contract only expressed ‘the children.’

“I’m sorry. Leticia…. I’m sorry.”

Bill bowed his head to Leticia while weeping. Feeling his tears wetting the back of her hand, Leticia cried along with him.

“No. How could anyone have done anything?”

“No! I should have believed Teresa! I knew she wasn’t like that…. If I had been even slightly wiser, you wouldn’t have grown up going through such things.”

“Even the high-ranking priests of the temple didn’t notice.”

Who could have noticed a curse that only Dominic, the Tower Master, could notice and break? But for Bill, that was no excuse. He couldn’t bear the fact that his daughter, who had even died from the curse, was covered in infamy, and that Leticia, whom his daughter gave birth to as she was dying, had grown up in pain.

Bill’s illness was something that arose after losing Teresa and suffering alone for a long time, but partly it was also old age. Leticia, holding his hand, could realize this.

‘I won’t be able to restore him completely. But….’

She knew that Aaron or the imperial family were investigating something in places she didn’t know about. The Tesseia family wouldn’t stay still now that part of the mastermind had been revealed. Leticia thought that her maternal grandfather should stay alive until her wedding—no! Until the moment the enemy’s head falls.

As she slowly poured in divine power, she could see his body faintly surrounded by and glowing with divine light. Bill was surprised to find breathing much easier and the pain vanishing.

“Le, Leticia. Don’t do this. I didn’t send you the painting for this….”

“I know. But you have to be healthy. You’re going to attend my wedding, aren’t you?”

She didn’t mention the person behind Baroness Perdova. Mentioning it might worsen Bill’s condition for no reason. Explaining about the enemy would be sufficient after learning of his death. Leticia knew that this treatment didn’t extend Bill’s life. It was just to the point of allowing him to move relatively comfortably without feeling pain while he was alive. Since people of this world also knew that divine power was not omnipotent, Bill would likely know that fact as well.

“May I…… really do that?”

“Of course.”

Even if she didn’t particularly feel like it, Leticia was in a position where she had no choice but to invite Aaron, Cesare, and perhaps even Godfrey and Sebastian. Having Bill come would be a help. At this, Bill burst into tears again. He only felt sorry toward Leticia. Since Leticia, who had gone through all those years, had uncovered what the adults should have uncovered 20 years ago, he couldn’t hold his head up properly.

‘But…. Even if I am hated, I should at least speak.’

“Child, Leticia. Toward the end of the Spring Festival, your father came to see me.”

As soon as he mentioned Aaron, he saw Leticia’s expression harden, but Bill had no choice but to bring it up. Even while fearing that the hand holding him might pull away, he continued the story.

***

Even if a sudden downpour had occurred, dark red, dried bloodstains remained. However, the mutilated corpses had been devoured by wild animals and monsters, making it difficult to identify what kind of monster it was.

‘Perhaps this is better to look at.’

He was reflecting the scene through a crystal ball, discussing it with someone in a Duke’s house in the capital. Leticia thought it would be hard to find based on her words alone, but there weren’t many areas where a gentle forest stretched out and the road wasn’t far. By cross-referencing with the location where Rupert was last sighted, it wasn’t difficult to narrow down the candidates. Thus, they were able to find the place Leticia described within a few days. Since the mud after the rain had dried and left shapes, they even found where Rupert, who had turned into a monster, stopped and transformed back into human footprints.

‘Considering the distance from this cabin to this tree….’

His movement speed was faster than they had calculated. In the first place, finding this spot was only possible after significantly widening the range from the point where Rupert was spotted. If he was heading to the capital while frequently turning into a monster, there could have been more casualties along his path of movement.

The man made marks on the map and announced this through the crystal ball. The person in Duke Lyon’s house in the capital who was in contact with him was not Carlyle. He was one of Carlyle’s trusted subordinates, entrusted with this task. Brennan groaned lowly upon hearing the man’s assumption. It was because, as he said, casualties were expected. He wanted to say that since Rupert was already a wanted criminal, it wasn’t the responsibility of the Lyon Duchy, but if people died, they would blame the Lyon Duchy.

“I will inform the imperial family and have them be on guard. Please continue your hard work.”

Receiving an affirmative answer, Brennan withdrew mana from the crystal ball. He felt an uncontrollable rage whenever he thought of Rupert. His father had provided him with the status of a Marquis, and his brother Carlyle must have shown him unreserved affection. Yet, unsatisfied, he tried to kill his brother, sister-in-law, and nephew, and was now targeting the lives of those who remained!

‘Even if they were born from the same womb, there was a large age gap, so the kind of competition he desired wouldn’t have existed anyway….’

It was already an era where peace had continued for 200 years. Although Duke Tesseia’s family was still influential, in his view, the truly necessary family was one like the Lyon Duchy that prospered through commerce. This meant the choice made by the previous Duke of Lyon was not wrong.

‘Foolish man.’

Not all greed and imagination had to be realized. Some imaginations were better left unrealized. He left the room, thinking that Rupert should never have been born in that position. If it had been anyone else, they would have lived much more happily in that spot.

***

It was in the middle of the night when he entered the Larqus Marquis residence. Since he couldn’t sleep that day, Bill had been assisted out into the garden. It was a chore for the servant attached to him, but he thought that since he was paying such a high salary, this much should be endured.

‘Father-in-law…….’

It was a title he hadn’t heard in decades. Since Aaron knew of Teresa’s infidelity, he had rarely called him by such a title. Bill was flustered to see him approach suddenly, but what happened next was even more shocking. Aaron de Tesseia knelt at his feet and bowed his head.

‘Aaron knelt?’

Leticia didn’t say it out loud. But she couldn’t believe that that prideful and noble man had knelt.

“He begged me for forgiveness. He said it was thanks to you that it was revealed Teresa was framed…. He confessed that he had been deceived.”

Bill was greatly shocked and enraged, and he hated Aaron, but he couldn’t criticize him. Because he, too, had failed to believe Teresa and refused to fight. After learning the truth, Bill regretted many things. Failing to clear Teresa’s name, or failing to protect his granddaughter Leticia who was being abused in the Tesseia family…. There were too many countess wrongs.

He soon realized the reason why Aaron had sought this place in the middle of the night. It was partly to tell him the truth, but Aaron wanted to see Teresa’s face. He had tried to burn all the portraits, and they weren’t destroyed because Bill had pleaded. Since he had handed over all the portraits he had to Bill, only here could Teresa’s face be seen. Bill realized this fact, and though he hated Aaron, he took his hand, raised him up, and led him to the inner chamber. The Larqus Marquis residence had three rooms set up as exhibition galleries. One was filled with paintings depicting Teresa’s childhood at the Larqus house, and the other two were things received from the Tesseia house. Because Aaron loved Teresa and cherished his family, he had frequently called in painters to paint them.

“He wept while looking at Teresa’s paintings. He even knelt before some of the portraits. I saw that and gave him some space. Thinking he must have a lot to say….”

It felt as if the conversation he was trying to have with the dead should not be heard by anyone. Afterward, Bill thought Aaron might cling to him and try to receive even one portrait of Teresa, but he said that never happened. He thought perhaps it was because he had some shame.

“Leticia. I have no intention of telling you to forgive your father or brothers. You have the pain you received and the wounds, so forcing you to forgive would be nonsensical. I just….”

With a face full of concern, Bill looked at Leticia. His voice was careful, as if he felt the wound in her frozen face.

“I am saying let’s give them a chance to ask for forgiveness. Even if you don’t forgive, perhaps an apology might be of help to you, won’t it?”

“…I don’t particularly want to recall those days.”

After a long silence, Leticia spoke abruptly. Her gaze was fixed on Terdis.

“Father sent me to the Lyon Duchy so I would be unhappy. But there, I didn’t have to try to not be hated by people who disliked me…. and I was able to be protected.”

Her efforts had always been passive. Just avoiding things and being careful with her actions to not get hurt or injured. She couldn’t ask them to love her, to look at her. Because she knew she would be rejected.

“It was a feeling I felt for the first time…. and I was even able to find happiness. So, the approach of those people…. feels like cold water being thrown on my happiness.”

Those days when she couldn’t receive unconditional love from anyone. It reminded her of the days when she struggled to be loved by adults who had no interest in her and found her a nuisance, just to protect herself.

“I’ve become an adult…. and I’ve already left the family. Not all married women distance themselves from their biological families, but I think this is for the best.”

Poor thing. Bill swallowed the sigh that was about to escape. Although Leticia being sent to the Lyon Duchy was eight years ago, he thought a part of Leticia’s heart was still curled up to avoid being hurt.

“…I’m sorry, Leticia.”

Since he wept again, Leticia didn’t know what to do.

“Why are you saying you’re sorry, Grandfather?”

‘Because I was wrong.’

If he had protected her, Leticia wouldn’t have gone through such terrible things, and she could have slowly reconciled with her father and brothers.

‘I should have chosen you instead of the painting….’

The painting was still his treasure, but Bill sobbed quietly at the thought that he had still failed to protect something more important.

***

Sebastian was of a personality that couldn’t stand waiting. So he couldn’t wait in the drawing room and came out to the garden. He knew it was a bad thing, but it was to peek into his maternal grandfather’s bedroom from the garden.

‘Eh? Wha, what? She’s crying?!’

Sebastian, who had intended to just take a peek and see if the conversation was getting long, almost jumped in upon seeing Leticia shedding tears. What blocked his path to the window was Terdis’s gaze, looking at him openly. Meeting Terdis’s blue eyes, he snapped out of it.

‘Surely they aren’t talking about me, are they?’

What he had done was such a cruel thing that it couldn’t be completely blocked from leaking out. However, people believed that incident was not something Sebastian did intentionally, but an accident. It was thanks to Godfrey’s quiet annulment, which caused the former fiancée and her family to keep their mouths shut.

Sebastian slumped his shoulders and retreated back to the mansion, to the drawing room where he had been waiting. Because of his many sins, guilt was pressing down on his shoulders, back, and head.

‘I’m going to end up stuck to the ground like this.’

In truth, he couldn’t even recall all the minor wrongs. Because he had found Leticia’s presence before his eyes bothersome and found it hard to endure the fact that she was living in his mansion even when she wasn’t visible. He knew what kind of cruel and cold human he could become.

‘Leticia must know that side of me best.’

Sunk into the sofa, he let out a long sigh. He knew this wasn’t something that would be resolved in a short time. It was a matter he might have to atone for his whole life, but he was afraid that during that time Leticia would just keep pushing him away.

‘What if I am hated for the rest of my life?’

Hating someone consumes a vast amount of energy, so she wouldn’t hate him forever. Likely, in exchange for erasing her hatred for him, she would gradually erase his existence, turning him into a person who meant nothing to her. Or she might keep the pain pressed down deep, and at some point, whenever she encountered him, she might feel pain as if feeling an unbearable unpleasantness.

Sebastian didn’t want it to become that way. He knew it was greed, but he felt he wanted to be loved by Leticia. Because he was her brother and family. To lose that relationship due to someone’s scheme felt so unfair and miserable. Especially since he remembered their childhood.

The reason Sebastian came to hate Leticia was not light. But the motive for bothering her day by day was sometimes so pathetic that it was even more regrettable. Being in a bad mood, or being scolded by his brother…. or being bored.

At that time, Sebastian wasn’t without slight sympathy or unpleasantness regarding his actions, but he had pressed it down. Because he considered siding with Leticia as being the same as betraying his dead mother. Pathetically, that was how he thought at the time. He felt that if it weren’t for Leticia, his mother wouldn’t have become an existence that was impossible to even mention. His mother’s portrait would have been in the place where it always hung, and he would have been able to learn what kind of person his mother was through his maternal grandfather, Bill Larqus. He took out all his longing and sadness for everything he had lost on Leticia. Cowardly.

When he was deep in thought, a servant approached and announced that Leticia and Terdis had come out of Bill’s bedroom. Sebastian straightened his posture, feeling extremely tense. Since his maternal aunt wasn’t visible after having introduced him to Bill, she wouldn’t be a hindrance. Sebastian had sent away the servants early on, saying he had something to talk about with Leticia alone.

“Young master. The lady and… her husband have arrived.”

Husband! He wanted to shout No!, but he wasn’t in a position to do so. Sebastian stood up instinctively, feeling extremely tense.

“T-tell them to come in.”

The door opened and Leticia entered with Terdis. He had no complaints about Terdis coming. Since they wouldn’t be able to trust him yet. Leticia seemed to have noticed that there were no other servants in the room. Although this wasn’t his house, the servants of the Larqus Marquisate were quick-witted. They quietly closed the drawing room door.

“W-will you sit? Did you have tea?”

At Sebastian fidgeting and offering seats, Leticia frowned. Seeing the sign that she wouldn’t sit no matter what, Sebastian came out from in front of the sofa with a woeful face.

“If you have something to say, do it. We have to leave immediately.”

Leticia’s cold words, her voice, pierced his heart. Sebastian swallowed dryly and crept toward her. Since Terdis was looking at him with eyes that were gauging whether to block him or not, he didn’t approach too closely. And then, he dropped to his knees. Since he had knelt with a thud without any finesse, the soft-hearted Leticia couldn’t help but flinch.

“I’m sorry. I was wrong, Leticia…. Please don’t hate me.”