Chapter 10

“Tisha. You liar….”

 

It was the middle of the night when they returned to the Lyon’s residence in the capital. Since they didn’t want evening service, the servants had scattered to their respective rooms, and Leticia and Terdis each went into their own bathrooms to wash.

 

However, Terdis still had some duties as the Young Duke to attend to, so he had to process a few matters. In that short window, Leticia, who had been waiting for him, fell asleep.

 

Terdis looked at Leticia, who was lying on the bed asleep without even a blanket, with a gaze filled with regret and affection.

 

‘Looking at her attire, she was definitely waiting for me….’

 

She wore a negligee so thin it was hazy and translucent, and underneath, she wore lingerie made entirely of lace. Because he could catch glimpses of her private areas through the fabric, Terdis swallowed hard.

 

“How can you sleep looking like this? I can’t exactly jump someone who’s sleeping….”

 

Terdis sighed deeply, thinking that wanting to enjoy themselves starting tonight might have been a bit too greedy. Since she was sleeping on top of the covers, Terdis carefully lifted her up, intending to tuck her in.

 

“Mm…. Ter….”

 

“Tisha, are you awake? You can go back to sleep.”

 

After all, they had tomorrow. Even though it was late, the reason he had finished his remaining work was his firm resolve not to leave this bedroom at all the next day.

 

“No… I’m… going to… do it….”

 

Though she said she would, her voice was already heavy with drowsiness. Terdis chuckled, and while holding Leticia with one arm, he pulled back the covers with his other hand.

 

After carefully laying Leticia down on the bed, he pulled the duvet over her and stepped down from the bed. It was to turn off the lights in the bedroom.

 

Watching the lights in the large room turn off one by one, Leticia struggled to force her eyes open. Terdis quickly returned to the bed after turning off the last light.

 

“It’s okay. Just sleep. We can stay in the bedroom all day tomorrow….”

 

“Mmm…. I want to… do it too…. Please….”

 

Hearing her mumbling voice, Terdis climbed into bed. As he crawled under the covers and lay beside her to look at her, he heard her rhythmic breathing.

 

‘Ah…. This is driving me crazy.’

 

If he didn’t hold her, he’d regret it; if he did, the curves of Leticia’s body through the negligée would make him lose his mind. Furthermore, even though the lights were off, the luscious sight of Leticia he had seen under the lamplight flickered before his eyes.

 

‘No!! I’m going to sleep! I can do it! If I don’t fall asleep now, I’ll waste several hours tomorrow! I’m going to be holed up in the bedroom with Leticia all day tomorrow, so I can’t waste a single second!’

 

Thinking that only made his erotic fantasies worse, which was troublesome, but Terdis fought back by reciting war tactic manuals. Perhaps his desperate efforts paid off, as he finally managed to fall asleep ten minutes later.

 

 

***

 

 

‘So this is what happens when I don’t sleep holding her. How cute.’

 

Perhaps because he had instructed the servants not to wake them, the area near their quarters was extremely quiet. Terdis, who woke up before Leticia, smiled when he saw that her negligee had rolled up above her chest.

 

Usually, he always took her negligee off before they slept, so he hadn’t expected this.

 

‘It’s erotic… and a little funny.’

 

The white lace lingerie was completely sheer, and the important thing was that she was radiating sex appeal even in this state. Perhaps because it was morning, or because he saw Leticia’s provocative appearance the moment he opened his eyes, the blood was rushing to his lower half so intensely it was painful.

 

Terdis took one look at the sleeping Leticia and first took off his own pajamas.

 

‘Since Tisha is still sleeping….’

 

As he looked at Leticia in her underwear and touched himself, all he could think about was their time in bed. Terdis gripped his penis, thinking about what he would do first the moment she woke up.

 

‘Not like this, but something more…. Something that sucks it in….’

 

He wanted to go inside. He wanted to thrust this into Leticia and drive her wild while enjoying her heated moans.

 

“Ugh….”

 

Terdis, who ejaculated while picturing the erotic expression Leticia made at the moment of climax, looked down at his lower half with a self-deprecating gaze. It seemed that one round wasn’t enough to calm it down.

 

‘Well, at least it doesn’t hurt anymore.’

 

He had put out the urgent fire. He wiped the semen off with his discarded pajamas and returned to the bed. Leticia was still sleeping soundly, even though her negligee was pushed up past her chest.

 

‘Isn’t that uncomfortable?’

 

Summer was approaching, and since it was inside the bedroom, the room was warm. Terdis contemplated whether to pull the negligee back down or not… and then he thought about taking off her underwear.

 

“Why didn’t you touch me? You can!”

 

Those were the words Leticia had said to him when she found out he had masturbated several times while she stayed asleep. So, it seemed it would be okay to take it off.

 

“…….”

 

Even though they were a married couple who shared skin almost every night, he felt nervous. But on the other hand, he also felt like making her feel a lot of pleasure and then inserting himself just as she was waking up.

 

‘F-first…. Let’s untie the strings.’

 

Swallowing hard, Terdis reached out with a trembling hand and untied the string of her panties. The string, tied in a butterfly knot, unraveled smoothly as he pulled it.

 

“Mmm….”

 

Even the faint breath escaping Leticia’s lips made his heart race. Terdis pulled and untied the knot on the other side and carefully tugged at the panties. The lace, made of very soft material, was slowly pulled out from between her legs.

 

‘The top too!’

 

Since it was lingerie meant for intercourse, the ties for the brassiere were in the front. Thanks to that, Terdis easily undid the knots and stripped it off, fully admiring Leticia’s exposed naked body. She looked erotic and cute in lace underwear, but this sight was definitely the best.

 

‘Just a little….’

 

He reached out his tongue and flicked it against her soft-looking, deep pink nipple, and it immediately stood erect. Terdis rolled it with his tongue as if entranced before moving over to the other breast.

 

Slurp….

 

He flinched and looked at Leticia when he unintentionally made a slurping sound, but she was so deeply asleep that she only let out a low sigh.

 

‘She’ll wake up when I insert it.’

 

He stroked Leticia’s slender lower abdomen and pressed his lips against the skin that didn’t have any hickeys. There were marks like flower petals left all over her body, all of which had been made by Terdis.

 

‘I usually insert it so hurriedly…. It feels like I haven’t had many chances to look at Leticia’s body leisurely like this.’

 

Sometimes he would take her to the bathroom to wash her when she fell asleep from exhaustion, but those couldn’t be called leisurely times like this.

 

Terdis moved further down and grabbed Leticia’s knees, slowly spreading them apart. Perhaps because it was a familiar position, Leticia only wiggled her toes a bit and relaxed without resistance.

 

“Haah…….”

 

Between her wide-spread thighs was a bright red flower bud that contrasted with her white skin. The blossoming bud was already slightly wet, as if she had felt something just from having her breasts sucked a little.

 

‘This is….’

 

Licking his lips, he lowered his head. As he spread the petals with his fingers, his mouth already seemed to water.

 

‘I have no choice but to suck it.’

 

 

***

 

 

Leticia was dreaming. It was a dream where she was walking through the clouds wearing light priestess robes. Her body felt truly light, and the fabric touching her skin was so rustling and soft that she felt happy just by walking.

 

However…. somewhere, she thought she heard a slurping sound, as if someone were greedily sucking on something. At the same time, feeling a lewd stimulation between her legs, Leticia blushed and squeezed her legs together.

 

Though she pressed her thighs tightly together, the stimulation continued.

 

‘H-here?’

 

Even though she was above the clouds, Leticia instinctively thought that she shouldn’t do this here. She didn’t know why.

 

But the person providing the stimulation was relentless, and Leticia eventually reached a climax. Falling down as she even “released,” she was dyed bright red with shame.

 

【…I wondered why you would settle for one man after receiving my power. But I suppose if you handled men other than that one, your body wouldn’t hold up.】

 

Leticia was stunned by the light pouring from above her head. It was because she had realized who the entity was.

 

She was terrified and tried to hold back her moans, but familiar and lewd sensations betrayed her. As Leticia was overwhelmed with shame, the entity spoke in a mischievous voice.

 

【Enjoy yourself to your heart’s content. That is conduct befitting a Saintess who has received my power. Just because you are my Saintess doesn’t mean you must live a chaste life. And…. don’t blame that fellow too much. Those who mate with one who has received my power will, without exception, fall head over heels for that relationship.】

 

“Ohohoho! You cute things….”

 

The loud laughing voice drifted away, and she slowly regained consciousness. Immediately following was a sense of shame so intense she felt she might faint, but her body arched like a bow at the lips sucking strongly on her.

 

“Mgh…. Hie?! Ahh……. Ah!”

 

Terdis was driven mad with excitement by the sight of Leticia’s hips bucking and her waist lifting as she felt a climax. He had already fallen completely for the way Leticia had lightly “gone” twice before, even while she was asleep.

 

He could tell she was awake now by her slightly higher-pitched moans.

 

“Tisha….”

 

Terdis’s tongue, which was more than just moist—it was hot—parted the petals and was sloppily licking the plumply swollen bud. Since it was too much stimulation for a body that had reached consecutive peaks, Leticia panted, even clenching her anus.

 

“Ah-hie, ah…. N-no……. Hgh! Hnggg….”

 

Her waist bucked at the way he bit the bud with his lips and sucked even the tip. Leticia sobbed while flailing her legs at the sensation that felt like she was about to go again.

 

“Ah…. Ahh, mmm…….”

 

It was already too late. As her body, which had soaked up pleasure like water, arched and reached the peak once more, Leticia felt her mind go distant. She needed to snap out of it, but it felt so good when Terdis sucked her there.

 

“Haah…. You’re so erotic, Tisha.”

 

Whispering, Terdis lifted his head. Licking his lips, which were glistening with his saliva and her fluids, he brought his terrifyingly erect penis close.

 

The fact that it was leaking white fluid from the tip was the same as revealing that Terdis had been holding back for a long time.

 

“Ah. Ahh……. Huaa…! It’s opening….”

 

She felt Terdis’s large member being inserted into the flesh he had painstakingly loosened. Just that sensation made her feel like she was going to go, and heat rushed to her face.

 

“Kgh…. You’re so tight…….”

 

“Ahh?!”

 

The way it dug in deep forced her innermost parts open. Even though she should have been used to it since she received him almost every night, she ended up coming just from the insertion.

 

“H-huaa……. Ahh….”

 

As Leticia convulsed lewdly while tightly squeezing Terdis, his rationality broke past its limit.

 

“Ah!”

 

Leticia’s hips were lifted as Terdis straightened his waist. Before Leticia could even cry out that she wasn’t ready, he moved.

 

“Hgh, ngh! Mmm…. Ahh!”

 

As the tingling pleasure spread through her, Leticia completely forgot about the fact that she was going to get angry at Terdis over the conversation she had with the Goddess in her dream just moments ago.

 

“Haa…. Ahh-ng! Ter, ahh…. Not yet…. Ah, aaaa……!”

 

Her wide-spread legs shook violently up and down. Leticia flailed, trying to wrap her legs around his waist for balance, but even that wasn’t easy because his thrusting was so fierce.

 

“Ahh……!”

 

It didn’t take long for her body, which had already tasted climax, to reach another massive peak. While pouring his semen into the convulsing Leticia, Terdis pulled her into a tight embrace and kissed her. Leticia felt like she was melting under the fierce, predatory kiss.

 

What she couldn’t afford to forget was that this act had only just begun.

 

‘It’s embarrassing…. but it feels good.’

 

Even while kissing, Terdis was lightly moving his hips and stimulating her. The acts that followed as soon as the kiss stopped plunged Leticia into a sweet delirium.

 

 

***

 

 

When that woman, Nina, appeared, Vincent thought an old demon had come to haunt him. Nina smiled at him and said, “We’ll be able to help each other.”

 

He had just sent assassins to kill the contact for the Sachsen Empire and anyone else who could reveal his identity. He had heard the report of the success just a few hours ago and was enjoying a celebratory drink alone when that woman appeared.

 

Vincent knew of Nina’s existence. He didn’t know her name, but it was only natural since he was someone who actually utilized the results of her research.

 

“I don’t need any help.”

 

His father had been in the business of training orphans sent from the Sachsen Empire into assassins. Vincent had also undergone training no less rigorous than theirs since he was young and possessed the skills of a high-ranking assassin.

 

Normally, he played the part of a Marquis who had settled as a lord after failing the Imperial Knight exam, but right now, he was looking for an opportunity to kill Nina.

 

Nina smiled.

 

“You don’t need my help…. I’m someone who really hates hearing things like that. What if one of my disciples tells the Imperial Family about the assassin guild you own?”

 

At her words, Vincent sneered coldly.

 

“Go ahead. There won’t be evidence anywhere.”

 

“Hmm~ Do you really think so? There should be a ledger written since your father’s time.”

 

A ledger?

 

Vincent flinched and looked at Nina. An assassination register existed, but it was definitely in a place Vincent considered safe. He hadn’t heard anything about a ledger.

 

“You should be grateful to me. The Sachsen Imperial Family meticulously recorded those transaction details while supporting the Larkin House. If that had been found in the room of the official you sent assassins to kill, you would still be under the thumb of the Sachsen Imperial Family, wouldn’t you?”

 

“Haha…. How ridiculous. I’ve received nothing from the Sachsen Imperial Family.”

 

Nina gave a deep smile. She pulled a book out of a magic pouch and threw it to Vincent. Vincent reflexively caught the book and looked at Nina suspiciously.

 

“That’s a copy I had one of my disciples make. There’s a lot of content in there. For instance, it says how much support money was given that month and which children were sent to the Sachsen Empire to be killed….”

 

At that, Vincent hurriedly opened the ledger to check the contents. To his absolute frustration, Nina was right. It clearly recorded support given not only to the House of Marquis Larkin but also to other families within the Luendal Empire.

 

‘Damn it! I thought I had burned all the ledgers, but were there still some left?!’

 

Since it was work that had been going on for over twenty years, he had considered that a ledger might be found somewhere. That was why he had added the order to set fire to the houses while killing those involved. To think it had leaked out like this!

 

Vincent glared at Nina with bloodshot eyes. He had no choice but to admit defeat. If this ledger fell into the hands of the Luendal Imperial Family, he and his house were finished.

 

“…What do you want from me?”

 

“I want the ruin of Aaron de Tesseia.”

 

That damn Tesseia. Is it about that family again?

 

Vincent spoke with a face full of irritation.

 

“I can’t kill Duke Tesseia. Even if I sent the best assassin I have, killing that man is impossible.”

 

“I’m not telling you to kill him. Since that man killed my love and made him taste disgrace, I want to pay him back as well.”

 

“What are you planning to do?”

 

His house had also been involved in harming the Duchess, Theresa, but the House of Tesseia had looked past his family and only sought revenge against the Sachsen Imperial Family. Vincent harbored the hope that maybe it would be the same this time.

 

Since he and his house were merely being used as tools. If the House of Tesseia found out about his family, they certainly wouldn’t be safe…. but could he, like his father before him, manage to slip away safely?

 

“I heard a rumor that the Duke is doting on the daughter he recognized late.”

 

“Not that woman.”

 

It was a mission that had already failed twice. Vincent continued speaking, thinking that crossing Nina would be dangerous.

 

“She’ll soon be recognized as a Saintess…. and her husband is a Sword Master. It’s something I’ve already tried.”

 

“But killing Aaron is even harder, isn’t it?”

 

Nina wasn’t unaware of the danger either. However, she loved Randolph in a way an ordinary person couldn’t understand…. and she could never forgive Aaron for slaughtering Randolph in a way that left not even a corpse to recover.

 

“I can’t stand to see that man living under the sun, smiling happily.”

 

“That man isn’t happy anyway.”

 

But Nina ignored those words. She wanted Aaron to feel dozens of times the pain she felt. If she could see the sight of him wailing while holding his dead daughter’s body, her current pain would likely ease.

 

“The reason you’ve failed so far is because I wasn’t helping you. Vincent…. we can become very close.”

 

As Nina whispered and approached to grab his arm, Vincent felt as if a snake were coiling around his body. Olga was a beauty of a similar style, but Nina wasn’t his taste. He pushed Nina away and spat out,

 

“Tell me what I have to do to end this damn relationship.”

 

Nina showed no sign of being offended even though Vincent had pushed her away. She was looking at him with a somewhat mocking gaze.

 

“First….”

 

Vincent’s brow furrowed at the words she whispered.

 

 

***

 

 

“Yes, oh, yes…….”

 

Sitting astride him, receiving his kisses while being stirred deep inside, Leticia felt a wave of embarrassment. Because she was draped over him, with him pinned beneath her, it felt as though her own desires for Terdis were being laid bare.

 

Terdis, who was kneading the soft flesh of her breasts pressed against his chest, seemed sensitively aware of her shyness. He licked her tongue as if coaxing a deeper kiss and pulled her hips closer.

 

“Huaa-ang…!”

 

The deepened penetration sent a shiver all the way to her toes. Terdis chuckled, as if the moan escaping Leticia’s lips was the sweetest sound he’d ever heard, and continued his rhythmic thrusts. Leticia felt like she was melting as her innermost depths were raked and stimulated.

 

‘It feels so good. Everything… feels so good.’

 

Leticia pressed her body even closer to Terdis, focusing entirely on the sensation. As he thrust powerfully, her body swayed up and down in tandem.

 

“Hgh, mgh! Ah-ah-ang, ah, aah……!”

 

Her insides were stirred by pleasure until it peaked at the very top of her head. Leticia sobbed and trembled before arching her back as she reached her limit.

 

“Ah-heu, mmm……. Mmm….”

 

As Leticia collapsed onto Terdis’s chest, lost in the ecstatic spreading sensation, he let out a long sigh, ejaculating deep within her. He savored the afterglow, stroking her finely trembling shoulders and the line of her spine.

 

The act that had begun in the late morning had continued until the middle of the night. Occasionally, they had called a maid to bring food, but otherwise, no one had entered their bedroom. In fact, they had the food left at the door, and Terdis, wrapped in a robe, had simply brought it inside.

 

“I love you so much, Tisha….”

 

Letting out a languid sigh while kneading Leticia’s buttocks, Terdis slowly lifted his upper body. Since Leticia was still leaning against his chest, she was naturally pulled up with him. When their eyes met, Terdis gave a beaming smile and moved his hips again.

 

“Ah, Ter…. Mmm……. Not yet…. Mm….”

 

The tongues tangling behind their overlapping lips were as sweet as melting honey. Terdis seemed to feel the same, pulling Leticia tightly into his arms and frantically tasting her lips.

 

“We’re leaving… tomorrow…. Aah…….”

 

Terdis’s penis was parting her faintly twitching inner walls. Even though he had spent the whole day discharging inside her multiple times, he remained greedy, but she didn’t mind in the least. Rather, she found it utterly endearing.

 

“It’s cute how you’re twitching inside…. I’m not the only one enjoying this, right? Tell me it feels good.”

 

He knew Leticia was feeling more than enough. Her expression, her moans, and her movements explained everything. He didn’t know how many times he had almost reached his peak just by looking at her face while she felt pleasure.

 

At his whispered words as he broke the kiss, Leticia answered with a flushed face.

 

“Mmm…. I like it too, aah! I love it…. Yes!”

 

“Me? Or this?”

 

As he spoke, he moved his hips lewdly, rubbing her insides with his penis and creating a wet, squelching sound. Leticia let out a sweet, high-pitched cry, her hips twitching.

 

“Hnggg! Bo—both…. Aah!”

 

“Then…. let’s play more. Leticia, the inside of you… feels too good……. It’s blissful.”

 

Leticia found her heart weakening at Terdis’s voice, which pleaded like a child as he embraced and kissed her. After all, the nights spent with Terdis were nothing but sweet to her as well.

 

 

***

 

 

The day to finally depart for the Duchy of Lyon had arrived. Since Terdis had washed her while she slept, Leticia was able to board the carriage at the scheduled time without being late.

 

Carlyle explained with a dignified face that he did not wish to ride in the same carriage as the newlyweds.

 

“I’ve instructed your maids and attendants to take a separate carriage, so you can doze off throughout the journey.”

 

He spoke as if he were separating the servants for the sake of their dignity, but in reality, it felt more like he was being considerate of something else. Leticia’s face turned red in an instant, and while Terdis looked pleased, Carlyle cleared his throat awkwardly and boarded his own carriage first.

 

“Tisha!”

 

Terdis reached out his hand as if urging them to leave quickly; he was both annoying and lovable at the same time. When Leticia shot him a glare, Terdis stepped forward and swept her up into his arms.

 

“Kyaak! Ter!”

 

Even though Carlyle had boarded first, there were still eyes watching. However, Terdis unhesitatingly pressed his lips to Leticia’s cheek and headed for the carriage while carrying her.

 

As he climbed the carriage steps, the quick-witted attendants slammed the door shut. Terdis drew the curtains so quickly from the inside that the escort knights didn’t even have time to ask, “Shall we depart now?”

 

Left with no choice, they approached Carlyle first. Carlyle, as if he had anticipated this, gave a hollow laugh.

 

“Unless there is something urgent, leave the children be. Are they not newlyweds?”

 

As he gave the order to depart, the lead carriage moved, and the massive procession made its way out of Duke Lyon’s residence. All important luggage was transported with them, and all furniture was covered in white cloth. Some employees remained in the capital to guard the mansion, but they would be idle until the master of the house returned.

 

The gatekeeper watched the receding procession with a look of regret as he closed the gates. The social season hadn’t even ended yet, but the mansion was going to be lonely for a while. For him, it meant an easier time with less work, but separately, it was a disappointing time as his supplemental income would disappear.

 

“Then I shall see you at the end of this year, Your Grace. Young Duke, Young Madam….”

 

Watching the procession fade into the distance, the gatekeeper took off his hat and muttered to himself. The light of the rising sun was growing increasingly intense.

 

 

***

 

 

High Priest Orlando sat down weakly in his chair upon hearing the report that Duke Lyon’s family had passed through the capital gates.

 

“They actually…. They could have stayed in the capital out of courtesy! The social season isn’t even over yet….”

 

At his lamenting voice, the junior priest who delivered the news bowed his head. Even though he hadn’t committed a crime, he felt like a sinner for delivering bad news.

 

“You may go. I’m sure you have work to do.”

 

As Orlando waved his hand without even looking at him, the priest bowed hurriedly and left. Left alone in his office after the door closed, Orlando agonized.

 

Publicly, the Pope was known to be visiting to comfort the people of the capital’s eastern district who had experienced chaos, but in reality, he was coming down to persuade Leticia. And yet, she had slipped away before the Pope even arrived!

 

‘Duke Lyon! How could you do this! You are also one of the believers who trust in the Goddess!’

 

Considering the Pope’s dignity and public image, it was unthinkable to change course and head for the Duchy of Lyon to chase them. He had to spend at least a few weeks in the capital comforting the residents before considering other options.

 

Orlando had already informed the Order of Duke Lyon’s audacious plan. The elders of the Order had rebuked Orlando, shouting for him to stop the Saintess from leaving the capital at all costs, but….

 

‘Who on earth could have stopped them!’

 

The Imperial Family was a possibility, but given they had to be somewhat mindful of Duke Lyon’s influence, they couldn’t be asked for help. The Imperial Family was just as eager to subtly ignore the Order’s authority as anyone else.

 

Orlando leaned back against his chair with a look of deep distress. It was truly the start of a day where he had no choice but to call upon the name of the Goddess.

 

 

***

 

 

‘They must have left by now.’

 

Cesare gazed at the rising sun with a face full of regret. He had wanted to see Leticia off, but he had work to do. Furthermore, since he hadn’t informed his family that he had reconciled with Leticia, it was difficult to show such a side of himself.

 

Since his father Aaron, as well as Godfrey and Sebastian, were unable to remain rational regarding matters involving Leticia, they might have pressured him to help. Cesare was not one to yield to such pressure, but it would certainly have been bothersome. Moreover, if his father Aaron made a request, refusing would become complicated.

 

‘I should write… a letter. Considering the time it takes to reach Duchy Lyon, it’s best to send it early.’

 

It was a regretful thing that he could do nothing for his cherished sister. If she had married someone closer, he could have looked after her more, but he still judged Terdis of the Lyon House to be the best possible groom he could have placed in Leticia’s hands. Terdis was devoted to her, and Leticia seemed to like him very much, so it was ideal.

 

He suddenly recalled the rumor that Leticia had run into Olga and Nastasya while out shopping with Terdis before her departure.

 

“…….”

 

He was aware that Olga’s behavior in front of him differed from her behavior in front of others. She likely sought out Leticia knowing that her relationship with the House of Tesseia was not sound, intending to mediate. She had done such annoying things before under the pretext of being “for Cesare’s sake.” Since she was his fiancée, it wasn’t to the point where he couldn’t tolerate it, but….

 

‘I hope she didn’t pour vitriol on Leticia.’

 

It had been a long engagement. Regardless of what Olga’s true personality was, if he had intended to break the engagement, he should have done so at the time he first noticed it.

 

Cesare was planning to propose to Olga as soon as Leticia’s wedding period was over. Though his feelings for Olga were still cold, he thought it was the natural thing to do. Since he had never been in love, he didn’t think he would ever be swayed, nor did he consider it important.

 

‘But marriage must be approached with caution.’

 

It was a matter of choosing a lifelong partner with whom he would spend a great deal of time. Cesare felt the need for a more cautious approach, rather than acting out of mere duty. His thoughts on women had changed significantly compared to before…. perhaps he might even come to trust Olga.

 

‘I should meet her first.’

 

One year until Leticia’s official ceremony was finished. He thought he should observe Olga more and give her the chance to observe him as well. Evaluation would be a mutual process, after all.

 

She likely accepted the engagement simply because she liked his background and appearance. Once she got to know him better, she might decide their personalities didn’t match and ask to break the engagement.

 

Thinking that he should propose only after they had seriously vetted each other and he had decided he could be with her, Cesare turned his eyes back to his documents. Since his concentration had been scattered, it seemed he would have to review them from the very beginning.

 

 

***

 

 

Aaron sat on his horse, watching Duke Lyon’s procession disappear from a distance. There, in one of those carriages, was Leticia. The lead carriage was likely for Duke Carlyle, and since there was another carriage of a similar caliber, it was highly probable she was in that one.

 

It was likely a consideration for Leticia, who had just “married” his son Terdis. While it was a reassuring gesture, he felt as if he were going mad with sorrow. Even if he had reconciled with his daughter, his heart would have been torn by this parting, but he was still without any recognition or forgiveness from her.

 

Because he was the one in the wrong. Saying he didn’t know was no excuse. It wasn’t just a matter of not recognizing his daughter; he had neglected her despite being her guardian. He was a sinner.

 

‘The grudge has been settled.’

 

Though he hadn’t yet tracked down the mage who directly assisted with the curse, he had killed the Emperor of Sachsen, who had ordered the entire situation, so he felt at least a small sense of relief.

 

But that was all. He had merely gained the strength to continue living in this world; nothing of what he had lost had been restored.

 

He thought of Theresa. With the permission of Marquis Larqus, he had sent painters to produce copies of the portraits of Theresa. Since he couldn’t ask for the paintings he had handed over to Marquis Larqus back then, he had ordered identical ones to be made. Those paintings would be hung in House Tesseia as soon as they were finished. He had no intention of remarrying; Theresa was his only lifelong love.

 

‘I can no longer see them.’

 

Aaron sighed, tracing the road where the carriages had vanished with his eyes. With his senses as a Sword Master, he knew they hadn’t moved completely out of range yet. If he spurred his horse now, he could reach them. But on what grounds could he stop Duke Lyon’s procession?

 

“Leticia…. My daughter…….”

 

He murmured in a hollow voice and hung his head. He remained there even after the procession had moved so far that his senses could no longer detect them, and only as the sun began to set did he slowly return to the capital.

 

 

***

 

 

Ten days after the Lyon family left the capital, the holy envoys of the Sacred Kingdom, including the Pope, entered the city—later than scheduled. Crown Prince Edward interpreted this delay as a strategic move to quell rumors that the Pope had entered the Empire specifically to meet the newly manifested Saintess.

 

Officially, the Pope’s visit was intended to offer solace for the tragedy in the Eastern District. Although the damage there was relatively minor compared to cities directly ravaged by monster hordes, it served as a perfect pretext for his entry into the Imperial Capital.

 

From the Empire’s perspective, there was no reason to complain; the Pope’s presence alone elevated the nation’s prestige. The capital, which had been unsettled by the events in the east, was now celebrating his visit as if those dark days were a distant memory.

 

The Imperial Palace was a whirlwind of activity, organizing banquets and ceremonies to strengthen ties with the Pope and flaunt the Empire’s might.

 

‘Things would have been easier if the Young Duchess of Lyon were still here…’

 

But they had left before the Pope arrived, using wedding preparations as an excuse. Edward suspected that the fear of Papal interference had likely moved the wedding venue from the capital to the Lyon Duchy. Since a trip to the provinces by the Emperor and Empress was reserved only for a Duke’s primary marriage (and specifically for a first marriage), it was decided that Edward would represent the Imperial Family alone.

 

Beyond that, Edward was certain that a long procession of nobles would follow to attend the ceremony; it was bound to be a massive event. He had heard that the vassals of the Lyon Duchy were deeply moved by the decision to hold the wedding on their lands, rejoicing that the Young Duke’s bride truly cared for the territory.

 

‘The Tesseia princess seems poised to thrive there. On the other hand…’

 

While Cesare’s expression remained unchanged, his brother Godfrey looked haggard, and rumors suggested Sebastian was in a similar state. Duke Aaron himself had reportedly left the mansion for a provincial inspection.

 

‘Time will have to be the healer.’

 

Their conflict was not something that could be resolved in a day or two. Besides, considering the suffering the princess had endured, Edward felt their current emotional distress was a small price to pay.

 

“…Have you and Duke Lyon become that close?” Edward asked, eyeing the two or three letters that arrived weekly. It was unusual that they were sent to the Imperial Palace rather than the Tesseia residence.

 

“He is Leticia’s father-in-law. I judged it beneficial for the Empire to build a rapport,” Cesare replied.

 

Duke Lyon had once been a candidate for Finance Minister. Though he had declined years ago due to the loss of his wife and his son’s condition, he could still claim the position if he wished.

 

‘A dream I might not even achieve in my reign…’

 

Edward thought, giving Cesare a suspicious look but deciding not to press whether the letters were actually from Leticia. Cesare deserved at least one source of happiness.

 

 

***

 

 

Aaron felt a lingering sense of malaise. It wasn’t the hell he had inhabited in the past, but the torment was just as real.

 

‘No… it’s different from when I believed Theresa had betrayed me.’

 

The truth had been revealed, confirming only his own foolishness. His daughter was happy now, but the wounds he and his sons had inflicted on her remained unhealed. In moments of weakness, Aaron had even resented Leticia, wondering if her suffering was truly so unbearable. After all, knights suffered injuries constantly. To him, rolling down stairs was minor compared to being trampled by a warhorse or bitten by a magic beast.

 

When he vented this to his long-time advisor, the man had replied: “It wasn’t just the physical wounds, Your Grace. Your sons were her brothers. Even if you didn’t cherish her, how would you feel if someone you considered an ally stabbed you in the back? She endured years believing no one would protect her. Injuries in such an environment are far more scarring.”

 

Aaron knew comparing a daughter to a knight was a matter of convenience. A warrior accepts injury as part of the job; a child should be safe with family. Still, Aaron wanted to complain. He was in pain and desperately wanted someone to acknowledge it.

 

‘How much longer… how much longer must I wait?’

 

The advisor had cautiously suggested that perhaps when she had children of her own, her heart might soften. But Aaron felt like a piece of wood tossed on turbulent waters.

 

“Is something not to your liking?” the local Lord of the Tesseia territory asked nervously.

 

Aaron was currently inspecting his lands. The roads were well-maintained and security was adequate. It wasn’t as flamboyant as the Lyon Duchy, but it was progressing well.

 

“No, it’s fine. If anything bothers me, I’ll point it out.”

 

It was then that Aaron saw someone.

 

“Theresa.”

 

The name escaped his lips involuntarily. His adjutant thought the Duke had lost his mind, but then he followed Aaron’s gaze and saw a figure who looked like a reincarnation of the late Duchess.

 

‘A girl in boy’s clothing?’

 

The face was beautiful, but the attire was that of a youth. With long hair tied back and brisk movements, one could easily mistake the person for a boy.

 

‘A woman? Or… a man?’

 

Before the adjutant could decide, Aaron dismounted and approached. The figure’s face contorted in anger, and a loud voice rang out.

 

‘It’s a boy!’ the adjutant realized. But the resemblance to the late Duchess was uncanny. He hurried over to prevent a scene.

 

 

***

 

 

“I am so sorry!!”

 

Upon realizing they were facing a Duke, the boy and his companions threw themselves onto the ground.

 

‘Status truly is the ultimate weapon!’

 

Isello thought bitterly. He had no choice but to grovel to save his neck.

 

‘It’s so unfair! I finally get reborn as a beautiful boy and I thought life would be easy!!!’

 

Aaron looked down at Isello, whose forehead was touching the dusty ground. Seeing Theresa’s face in such a state pierced his heart.

 

“I forgive you. Stand up.”

 

“N-no! I dared to raise my voice to a Duke…”

 

“I said, stand up.”

 

“Yes, sir!”

 

Isello scrambled to his feet. Aaron stepped forward and brushed the dirt from the boy’s hair. Isello shifted uncomfortably.

 

‘What do I do?’ Aaron thought. He couldn’t just leave him here. It felt like abandoning Theresa all over again.

 

“…What is your name, and where do you live?”

 

“M-my name is Isello. I am a commoner, so I have no surname.”

 

Isello explained his life—how his parents had tried to sell him, how a priest helped him, and how he now lived in a house left to him by an elderly couple. He worked as a messenger for a merchant guild.

 

Aaron insisted on following Isello to his humble home. The presence of the Duke and his knights in the small space was stifling.

 

‘He doesn’t seem like he’s going to kill me, but he wants something,’ Isello worried. He had been targeted by predatory nobles before because of his face. ‘Is it a Duke this time? I can’t even run from a Duke!’

 

“Do you live here alone?” Aaron asked.

 

“Yes. My grandparents passed away… and I’m not married.” Isello was seventeen—an adult by commoner standards.

 

Aaron watched him with deep, contemplative eyes. He had already made up his mind. As long as this boy carried Theresa’s face, Aaron could not leave him.

 

“What would you say if I told you I wanted to take you in?”

 

“Your Grace? What do you mean…?” the adjutant asked, startled.

 

Isello’s eyes widened in suspicion. It wasn’t uncommon for nobles to “take in” commoners for sport.

 

“Do you mean as a servant?”

 

“I want to adopt you as my son.”

 

‘Gasp!’

 

‘Has the Duke lost his mind?!’

 

The knights screamed internally, but Aaron only looked at Isello. Isello, meanwhile, was weighing whether this was a crisis or a golden opportunity.

 

“Me? Why… would you think that?”

 

“I won’t hide it. It is because you resemble my late wife. My eldest son resembles her too… but not as much as you. I cannot let you live like this.”

 

‘Eldest son… Wait, I’ve seen this before…’

 

It had been seventeen years since Isello was reincarnated. He had always wondered about this world—it had showers and plumbing despite the medieval setting.

 

‘Holy shit! I remember! The mobile game my sister played! The protagonist’s name was…’

 

Isella. Unless changed, that was the default name. And his name was Isello.

 

‘But why was I born a guy?’

 

Suddenly, a memory of the Goddess’s voice surfaced. At birth, he had screamed that he couldn’t live as a girl, and the Goddess had irritably replied: “Fine. I’ll allow you to be born as a boy. Go find your star of destiny. Haa… now I have to find another girl?”

 

Isello snapped back to reality. He had suffered so much as a commoner with a face like this, but now, a vertical climb in social status was being handed to him!

 

“I’ll do it! Make me your son!”

 

Aaron, though briefly startled by the sudden change in attitude, nodded. Isello’s status changed overnight.

 

 

***

 

 

Rumors that Duke Tesseia had taken a “mistress” who looked exactly like his late wife spread to the Lyon Duchy and the capital rapidly.

 

When Carlyle and Terdis heard the rumors, they immediately worried about Leticia. Leticia, however, realized exactly what was happening.

 

‘It’s not a mistress. It’s “Isella.” The original story is finally beginning!’

 

She glanced at Terdis, who was hovering over her, worried she was upset.

 

‘Even if Isella appears, I won’t let her take Terdis! He’s already mine. We’re married! And he said he likes me!’

 

Leticia suddenly hugged him tightly. Terdis returned the embrace.

 

“Ter… you only have me, right? You won’t look at anyone else?”

 

Terdis assumed her heart was wounded by the rumors of her father. “Of course! For the rest of my life, it’s only you.”

 

As Terdis began peppering Leticia’s cheeks with kisses, Carlyle and the servants tactfully slipped out of the room.

 

Leticia didn’t shy away this time. She steeled her resolve. ‘The original plot will not happen!’

 

“Um, Ter… what are you looking at?”

 

Terdis was hugging her while eyeing the living room window.

 

“I don’t want to let you go, but the curtains are open. Wait just a moment? I’ll close them and lock the door!”

 

“What? No! You don’t have to—Ter!”

 

Ignoring her protests, he dashed to the windows to pull the curtains and locked the door. When he returned, Leticia’s face was beet red.

 

“You’re beautiful, Tisha. Are you excited to see what I’ll do?”

 

“I’m not excited! This is embarrassing…”

 

But Terdis was already drawing her close.

 

 

***

 

 

Cesare was stunned when he finally saw Isello. The youth was the spitting image of his mother’s portrait.

 

“I intend to adopt this child.”

 

‘Adopt? A boy?’

 

Cesare struggled to decide if this was better or worse than his father taking a mistress. Adopting a commoner when he already had four children was not a wise move.

 

Godfrey frowned, and Sebastian was the first to explode.

 

“You’re adopting a commoner just because he looks like Mother? Are you sane?”

 

“Sebastian! Watch your tongue!” Cesare barked.

 

Sebastian muttered an apology but remained defiant. “But we already have three sons! And Leticia is a Saintess! People will think you’ve lost your mind.”

 

“I am not adopting him because you three are lacking. I ask that you… understand my heart.”

 

Cesare interpreted this as an aftereffect of the failed reconciliation with Leticia. He looked at Isello. Despite the trousers, he looked more like a girl in disguise.

 

‘I hope rumors of pederasty don’t spread…’ Cesare worried.

 

“Isello, was it? Butler, put him in a guest room for now.”

 

Isello followed the butler out. Cesare turned to Aaron.

 

“We are high nobility. If you are concerned for the boy, find another family for him. Bringing him here is excessive.”

 

“It is my wish, Cesare. Is even that too much to ask?”

 

Aaron’s words made Cesare think of Leticia. His biological daughter had lived in neglect while his father now planned to pour affection into a stranger’s son just because of a resemblance.

 

“Someone might have sent him to you intentionally,” Cesare warned.

 

“Exactly!” Sebastian piped up. “Leticia will be devastated!”

 

Aaron’s face darkened. “This has nothing to do with Leticia. I have made my decision. From now on, he is your brother. Treat him as you would have treated Leticia.”

 

He then stormed out.

 

“I won’t accept this! I’ll drive him out myself!”

 

“Sebastian!” Cesare called out, but Sebastian turned and ran out.

 

“He’ll calm down,” Godfrey comforted him. “After what happened with Leticia… he won’t act too rashly.”

 

Cesare sighed. “I hope so. But even I felt like Mother’s portrait had walked out of the frame. Godfrey, keep an eye on Sebastian. I’ll do the same.”

 

 

***

 

While the Pope arrived in the capital wearing his trademark gentle smile, his insides were churning with fury. The cause was singular: the Saintess, the Princess of Tesseia, who had fled to the Lyon Duchy despite his personal arrival.

 

‘How incredibly vexing!’

 

The Pope’s dignity prevented him from chasing her down to the Lyon territory. He had to make her come to him, but that was proving difficult. He knew the entire Lyon household would return to the capital for Imperial events once autumn arrived, and he had already resolved to stay in the Luendal Empire until Leticia’s marriage was ruined. However, the daily stream of Imperial invitations was becoming a nuisance.

 

Rejecting common nobles was easy, but Imperial invitations carried a weight that could not be ignored.

 

‘I must get a return on this investment…’

 

At this rate, even working the Saintess until her beauty faded wouldn’t balance the scales. He needed a way to make both the Tesseia family and the Young Duke abandon her—without tarnishing the reputation of the Holy Order. He already had the answer and was fully prepared.

 

“Haron.”

 

“I await your command, Your Holiness.”

 

Haron knelt at his feet, looking up with the eyes of a well-trained hound. The Pope always liked that look; it meant there was no need for tedious persuasion.

 

“Your vow to do anything for the Order still holds, does it not?”

 

“I will follow any command you give.”

 

In front of Haron, the Pope felt no need to hide even his most shameful thoughts. This man was his most trusted servant, his shield, and his blade.

 

“The Saintess… is foolishly abandoning the path to the Goddess for a corrupt one. Her marriage is the beginning of that descent. However, the power of House Lyon and House Tesseia is formidable. I would rather turn the Luendal Imperial Family into an enemy than them.”

 

“……”

 

Haron remained silent. He didn’t need to understand complex politics; the Pope had raised him that way.

 

“…Therefore, go to the Saintess and seduce her. Make her betray the Young Duke. Of course, this must never leak to the outside. It would be troublesome if the honor of the Saintess or the Order were damaged.”

 

This was why he chose Haron or Julius instead of hiring professional infiltrators. Outsiders could not be trusted.

 

“At daybreak, go to the Lyon Duchy with Priest Julius. I will contact Duke Lyon in advance.”

 

The Pope handed over a prepared letter. Haron bowed deeply, repeating the familiar vow of obedience. The Pope patted Haron’s shoulder, hoping for news that would soon delight his ears.

 

 

***

 

 

‘People are so spiteful.’

 

The Lyon Duchy was still buzzing with rumors about Duke Tesseia. Word had spread that the commoner boy he brought because of the resemblance to his late wife was actually going to be his adopted son, not a mistress. People whispered that the boy was likely a secret lover being disguised as a son to avoid scandal.

 

These rumors were pointedly delivered to Leticia under the guise of “concern.” Leticia spent several exhausting days dealing with guests who pried for her reaction. Fortunately, those she had truly made her allies were not among the rude ones.

 

Summer was fading into autumn. Since the Harvest Festival was a major Imperial event, they would soon have to return to the capital. Leticia, Terdis, and Carlyle had already set a tentative wedding date for late next spring.

 

‘When we return to the capital, I’ll have to inform House Tesseia of the wedding schedule.’

 

That meant she would eventually meet “Isello,” the adopted son. Though she trusted Terdis completely, a small, deep-seated anxiety remained.

 

As she walked through a field with Terdis during a picnic, she realized again how wonderful it felt to simply breathe the same air as him. When their eyes met, Terdis smirked and gave her a light kiss, his eyes full of affection.

 

“Little Mistress! Young Duke!”

 

A servant called from afar. They had informed the butler before leaving on this spontaneous outing.

 

“What is it?” Terdis grumbled, annoyed that their private time was being interrupted.

 

“It must be urgent,” Leticia said, knowing Carlyle wouldn’t disturb them for anything trivial.

 

 

***

 

 

Carlyle had already mentioned that the Pope would be sending someone. Through a communication crystal, the Pope had convinced Carlyle that Leticia needed a tutor to learn how to control her divine power.

 

“…So, this high-ranking priest has arrived?” Terdis asked, his displeasure evident.

 

The servant was buzzing with excitement. “It’s more than that! Sir Haron, the Holy Knight, has come to guard her!”

 

“Haron? That Haron?”

 

Haron was famous in the Empire, not just as a Sword Master, but for his breathtaking beauty. He was also a “sub-male lead” from the original game, <The Girl Like Sunshine>. Leticia was stunned. Why would someone as high-ranking as Haron be sent to guard a mere tutor? Unless it was a gift… or a trap.

 

Leticia remained calm, but even her maid, Molly, was flushed with excitement at the prospect of seeing the legendary knight in person.

 

‘He’s rumored to be incredibly handsome…’

 

Leticia thought. Sending such a man as a guard for her tutor felt like a bad omen to Terdis.

 

 

***

 

 

Carlyle had assigned the guests rooms as far away from Leticia and Terdis as possible. He led them to the drawing room, noting that the priest sent by the Pope, Julius Pendrill, was exceptionally refined.

 

‘Why…’

 

Carlyle wondered why they had sent two such young, strikingly handsome men. Both Haron Erpe and Julius Pendrill were in their mid-twenties and possessed looks that rivaled Terdis’s.

 

‘Is it a coincidence? Surely a man of God wouldn’t use such petty tricks.’

 

The servant announced the couple’s arrival. Leticia and Terdis entered, still in their casual picnic attire.

 

“Father, did you call?”

 

“Father-in-law, we’re here.”

 

Carlyle felt a surge of pride at Leticia calling him “Father-in-law” in front of the Church officials. However, the two young men from the Order didn’t react to the title. Their eyes were fixed solely on Leticia.

 

Terdis immediately bristled, his blue eyes flashing with hostility.

 

“I see the Miracle of the Goddess,” said Julius, the grey-haired priest with pale green eyes, as he knelt. Haron, the blue-haired knight with golden eyes, knelt beside him. Leticia took a half-step back.

 

Terdis stepped firmly in front of her, shielding her. “Is it appropriate to call her that before the Pope has officially recognized it?”

 

Julius rose calmly. “The announcement was only delayed due to the Saintess’s circumstances. Divine revelations have already been received. It will be declared formally after the wedding.”

 

Haron rose silently. Leticia noted that Julius looked even more delicate and sensitive than his game description.

 

“I am Julius Pendrill, here to instruct the Saintess. This is Haron Erpe, a Holy Knight of the Order—a gift from His Holiness to the Saintess.”

 

‘…A gift? Is he joking?’

 

Leticia frowned. Ever since her plan to live as a simple priestess failed, she no longer feared the Pope, but she had a position to maintain.

 

“That is quite an exaggeration, even for a joke,” she replied with a practiced smile.

 

“A Saintess is proof that God still watches over humanity. That is why demons constantly target her,” Julius said plainly. To a naive person, he would have sounded sincere.

 

But Leticia knew Haron’s character setting from the game. He was a perfect hound for the Pope—a “psycho” who would take the protagonist’s head if ordered. Having a Sword Master who functioned as a ticking time bomb for the Pope was a terrifying prospect.

 

“His Holiness knows the Saintess intends to retire upon marriage. Sir Haron will only guard her until then,” Julius added.

 

The “temporary” nature of the arrangement eased the tension in the room. Carlyle, though suspicious, accepted the gesture on Leticia’s behalf.

 

“Then we accept gratefully. We look forward to working with you, Sir Erpe,” Carlyle said.

 

Leticia felt strange. Back when her goal was to be a mid-level priestess, she had hoped just to meet Haron once. But she knew he would eventually become a “fish” in Isella’s “aquarium” (harem). She had no interest in a man who would inevitably fall for another woman.

 

‘…I hope this doesn’t get complicated.’ She had a bad feeling.

 

 

***

 

 

Olga was experiencing an unexpected streak of joy. Cesare, who used to avoid her, had been seeking her out. He even suggested they scrap the rude rules they had established during their engagement. They were meeting far more frequently now, and the social world was abuzz with rumors that Olga had finally captured his heart.

 

‘I will make him say he loves me!’ Olga believed her dream was close. But…

 

“Oh, Miss! It’s chocolate again!”

 

A servant gushed over a gift that had arrived. It was beautiful, but it wasn’t from Cesare.

 

‘Vincent! Have some sense and stop sending these!’

 

The chocolate box was a code. The number of chocolates with red decorations represented the date of their meeting, always at 3:00 PM. Olga had been having an affair with Vincent, meeting him several times a month. But since things were going well with Cesare, she wanted to cut him off.

 

However, Vincent was now sending flowers and chocolates almost every other day. There was no sender’s name, but her family was curious. One of her younger brothers had even nearly asked Cesare about the mysterious gifts.

 

‘There’s no evidence!’ she told herself. They were never “lovers” in writing; they had no letters. But his persistence was unsettling.

 

‘Should I go warn him in person?’

 

No, that would create a trail. If Vincent was setting a trap, that would be walking right into it.

 

‘There’s no proof. I’ll just have to wait until he gives up.’

 

The signals were designed to be untraceable. If he approached her openly, she would simply deny everything. She had been careful not to leave a single tail for him to catch.

 

‘If you are really trying to hold me back…’ Olga thought darkly as she ordered the flowers and chocolates to be burned. ‘You will regret it.’

 

 

***

 

 

“…Does he intend to keep glaring like that?”

 

The Young Duke of Lyon was a man whose thoughts were written clearly on his face, perhaps a trait of his youth. Julius, though also in his mid-twenties, was a son of a ducal house and knew how to skillfully mask his emotions. However, Terdis, perhaps because of his secure and unassailable status, made no effort to hide his blatant hostility toward them.

 

‘What a charmed life,’ Julius thought, feeling a twinge of resentment. Unlike himself, who had several outstanding older brothers and couldn’t even dream of the ducal title, Terdis was an only child. Furthermore, the rumors of his “curse” had turned out to be false, and the man was even a Sword Master.

 

His fiancée had manifested as a Saintess. Julius knew Terdis had lost his mother at a young age and had endured the cold gazes of others due to his once-monstrous appearance, yet Julius couldn’t help but feel envious. Terdis had so much: the devoted love of a father like Carlyle, and it was obvious that Leticia truly cared for him.

 

The fact that she showed no special interest in Julius or Haron was proof enough. These were things one could not easily obtain even with effort. This was why Julius felt a sting of jealousy.

 

“Normally, we would begin with a study of doctrine, but since time is short, we will start with the practical application of Divine Power.”

 

“Yes…”

 

As if it were just one of many lessons she had to take as the future Young Duchess, Leticia began her three-hour daily sessions with Julius. She was a curious and diligent student. She grasped Julius’s teachings quickly, and because she possessed a staggering amount of Divine Power, she progressed at a remarkable pace.

 

At this rate, she would likely master the use of Divine Power long before the wedding next spring. Julius wasn’t worried about being sent away early; once the basics were covered, he could move on to Divine Magic—permission for which he had already secured from the Pope.

 

‘This isn’t a battle to be won in a month or two. Stay calm…’

 

The Pope had given Julius subtle hints and Haron direct orders to seduce her, but they didn’t intend to be clumsy about it. Attempting such a thing openly against a Saintess would lead to a scandal that a clergyman had seduced a married woman. Therefore, the ones who had to be framed for a scandal were the Lyon House and the Young Duke.

 

‘It would have been faster if that Priestess had helped.’

 

“That Priestess” referred to a woman who had received power from the Goddess Renata. Renata was the goddess of fate and love, and those blessed by her could sometimes manifest abilities related to romance. That Priestess fell into this category. Some elders had asked her to use her power on the Saintess, as divine abilities were far more potent than “wicked” magic and nearly impossible to resist.

 

However, she had flatly refused.

 

“If they went as far as a love elopement together, don’t they truly love each other? I cannot tear such people apart! The Goddess would be furious!”

 

They had tried to apply subtle pressure, but the Pope had stopped them. Goddesses who bestowed power on humans were divided into two types: those who gave power and remained indifferent, and those who watched and interfered. Renata was the latter. She watched over her chosen few closely. Even the Pope, upon his ascension, had been warned by Asteria, the Goddess of the Celestial: “Do not interfere with Renata.”

 

‘For now, it is enough to show kindness and make her perceive us as “trustworthy people.”‘

 

So that when the Young Duke eventually broke her heart, she would turn to Julius or Haron for help.

 

 

***

 

 

Fine clothes, soft food, and plush bedding—it all reminded him of his previous life. No, it was better than his previous life. Born into an ordinary family back then, he had never experienced a life served by others.

 

‘This is great! It’s so good I can’t stop smiling!’

 

One strange thing was the absence of the original villainess, Leticia… but Isello decided not to dwell on it. After all, he had been born a boy instead of a girl! It wasn’t strange that things were different from the original story, even if Leticia had married the original male lead.

 

‘Hehe… maybe it’s for the best! In the game, Leticia was just a woman who interfered with everything Isella did!’

 

Now, all he had to do was get close to the other sons of the Duke and solidify his position. Since he wasn’t a biological child, he wouldn’t inherit the title, but the Duke would likely arrange a good marriage for him with a noble lady. He would probably learn the sword and gain the refinements of a nobleman.

 

‘Hmph. That’ll be a piece of cake! I survived the Korean CSAT!’

 

Anyone who had survived South Korea’s grueling public education system could easily handle studying in an alternate world. A tutor had already been assigned to him, and Isello was receiving praise for his quick understanding. He had learned to read at the orphanage run by the Order, where he had also been praised for his speed.

 

‘The House of Tesseia is a family of swordsmen! It might be good to learn the sword. If I become a Sword Master early with my protagonist buffs…’

 

Visions of his own popularity filled his head. With his handsome face, he had always been popular with women, but due to his lack of assets, he had mostly been doted on by older women rather than finding success with girls his own age. He resolved to marry a noble lady who was an only daughter. With this face and the backing of Duke Tesseia, it should be possible even if his swordsmanship wasn’t extraordinary!

 

SLAM!

 

Isello, lost in his delusions, jumped as the door swung open without a knock. Standing there was Sebastian, the third son, glaring at him with sharp, narrowed eyes.

 

‘What now?’

 

Isello could swear he hadn’t done anything to the guy. He hadn’t even had the chance. Since their brief, awkward introduction by the Duke, he hadn’t seen any of the three brothers. Duke Aaron was busy, Cesare was occupied as the Crown Prince’s aide, and Godfrey was busy as the Holy Knight Commander.

 

‘I heard this guy was busy studying at the Magic Tower branch, too.’

 

“Hey, commoner. Do you not greet people when you see them?”

 

“Ah… hello?”

 

Isello rolled his eyes inwardly and bowed. Sebastian gave a smug, mean-spirited smirk.

 

“Is that a greeting? Do it again!”

 

“Oh, um… I heard that in the East, bowing twice is only for dead people.”

 

The words slipped out before he could stop them. Isello clamped his mouth shut, but Sebastian was already stomping toward him, his face twisted in anger.

 

“Did you just talk back to me?”

 

“No! Of course not! My heart’s desire for you to live a looooong life simply made the words jump out of my mouth.”

 

‘Go senile early and rot away, you brat.’

 

Isello spoke with a bright, beaming smile. For some reason, unlike his previous life, whenever he used this smile in his current life, even the most menacing-looking older men tended to let things slide. He wondered if it would work on Sebastian, and then…

 

“Ghk!”

 

For some reason, Sebastian’s face flushed slightly as if he were frustrated, making Isello feel a bit creeped out.

 

‘Total goosebumps.’

 

“You—ugh! Just be careful, okay?!”

 

“Yes…”

 

Sebastian shouted and stormed out of the room. Isello quietly closed the door and thought to himself, ‘Why did he even come here? Just to pick a fight?’

 

 

***

 

 

Walking down the hallway after leaving Isello’s room, Sebastian huffed and puffed, unable to contain his anger. He couldn’t believe he had gone soft on a commoner, of all people.

 

‘Why does he have to look exactly like Mother when she was young?!’

 

He didn’t want to admit it, but the boy’s face was too beautiful—to the point that even hitting him felt burdensome. He didn’t feel this way when he argued with Cesare, but with this boy, he felt a strange, itchy sensation.

 

‘Right! It’s because I missed Mother the most. It’s only natural to feel soft toward someone with that face.’

 

If Isello had been a girl, he might have fallen in love at first sight. Sebastian shook his head violently at the thought.

 

‘Stupid thought! Would I fall for a face like that?!’

 

The capital was teeming with legendary beauties, and Sebastian had never wavered when noble ladies tried to seduce him. He might not be as popular as Cesare, but as the third son of a Duke, he was highly sought after. And he was handsome, too.

 

Grinding his teeth as if he had only let Isello off because of some magic spell, Sebastian glared back toward the room.

 

“Just you wait! I’ll have you kicked out before the Harvest Festival!”

 

Leticia would be coming to the capital with the Lyon family for the festival. He felt it was his duty to kick the boy out so Leticia wouldn’t be embarrassed in front of them.

 

‘Trust your brother, Tisha!’

 

Sebastian beat his chest, making a useless vow that Leticia hadn’t even asked for.

 

 

***

 

 

The faces of the people sitting behind the silk screen were invisible, their upper bodies perfectly hidden.

 

“I still regret that day. I was young and foolish. Instead of comforting the Young Duke, I… insulted him so.”

 

Leticia recognized the place. It was a salon where noblewomen gathered—a place with private corners often used for illicit meetings with lovers or mistresses. She had visited once for a gathering, but never since.

 

The person sitting across from the woman comforted her in a calm voice.

 

“It must have been unavoidable. Don’t we all make mistakes when we are young?”

 

The person sitting next to the woman patted her knee with a kind hand. It was the hand of a noblewoman wearing a large, ornate ring.

 

“It’s so unfair! If I hadn’t been so foolish, I could have been his fiancée. That woman ruined everything!”

 

She was venting her fury over why Leticia hadn’t rejected Terdis like the other noble ladies. She blamed herself, yet she felt her own reaction back then was normal and unavoidable. To her, Leticia was the abnormal one. Who wouldn’t scream at a boy with such a hideous face?

 

“There, there… calm yourself. Isn’t that why we are here to help you?”

 

Every scandal had to belong to the Lyon House. Only then could the Order “protect” the wounded Saintess and bring her back to the fold. They needed a reckless, bold noblewoman who would be willing to trap the Young Duke and take the fall for the scandal.

 

The lady before them was the perfect candidate. She was jealous, lacked self-awareness, and her greed was sky-high.

 

‘That marriage was only possible because people thought the Young Duke was cursed…’

 

The Tesseia princess was thought to be illegitimate but turned out to be high-born, making her a perfect match for him. If this lady had become engaged to him, she likely would have been cast aside the moment the curse was broken, but she didn’t seem to consider that.

 

The man placed a glass vial on the table between the three chairs.

 

“Three drops will be enough. Put this in the Young Duke’s drink. The effect should kick in within ten minutes. Once his eyes take on a golden hue, he won’t care who the woman is, so you must hurry.”

 

“I understand!”

 

The lady snatched the vial as if afraid someone would take it. Leticia felt anxious because their faces remained hidden behind the screen. She couldn’t recognize the voices, so she assumed it wasn’t a lady she knew well.

 

‘Who is it? Who is trying to drug my man?’

 

 

***

 

 

Leticia snapped her eyes open and looked around. Terdis was beside her, sleeping with a peaceful expression, having fallen asleep while watching over her.

 

‘They were definitely talking about Terdis and me, but the subjects were omitted, so I can’t be sure.’

 

However, this was the Lyon Duchy, and Terdis was the only Young Duke here. She wondered if they meant Cesare in the capital, but it seemed unlikely. If Terdis was the target, there was no shortage of suspects, as Carlyle had once arranged meetings for Terdis with nearly every noblewoman of a similar age.

 

‘Or… is it a Young Duke from another house? There are more than just two ducal families, and other Young Dukes are either married or engaged…’

 

If it were another house, there was little Leticia could do. She could warn everyone, but she couldn’t live in constant vigilance without knowing when the drug would be used. Even if she warned them, high-ranking noblemen would likely just say they were always careful about such things.

 

Leticia thought about her schedule. Most of her outings were with Terdis. Although Haron had been added as a guard, Terdis insisted on being with her more to keep an eye on him.

 

‘We have just one more party to attend before heading back to the capital…’

 

If the dream was a warning of the future, the attempt on Terdis would happen at that party.

 

‘But Terdis will try to stay by my side the whole time… how do they plan to separate us?’

 

One way to avoid the threat was to skip the party. It was a party hosted by a close vassal family, but there were many ways to decline. If the person with the drug was a high-ranking noble, they would eventually head to the capital for the Harvest Festival. If the plan was to drug Terdis at a party in the capital, the situation would be even more chaotic.

 

“What are you thinking so hard about?”

 

Leticia looked up as a finger gently touched her cheek. Terdis was smiling at her. She quickly explained what she had seen in her dream. Terdis didn’t seem particularly worried.

 

“So I just have to make sure I don’t eat or drink anything at the party.”

 

“I guess…?”

 

“It’s fine. If someone forces a drink on me, I’ll just make them drink it instead. This is the Lyon Duchy, remember?”

 

The highest authority in this territory was Carlyle, followed by Terdis. He feared nothing on this land. In fact, she wondered if he even feared the Imperial Family in the capital.

 

“Still, be careful.”

 

“I told you, I’ll be fine. If worst comes to worst, Pashanoi will protect me.”

 

Terdis looked down at the pendant around his neck. It had originally been shaped like a bird, but after Pashanoi inhabited it, it had transformed into a dragon.

 

‘…The ball is only two days away.’

 

She didn’t have a bad feeling about this one. So it would likely be okay.

 

‘The place I have a bad feeling about is… the capital.’

 

 

***

 

 

“Welcome, Lady Valentine!”

 

A noblewoman greeted Olga and Cesare with exuberant joy. Olga was already treated with great respect as the daughter of Duke Valentine, but her popularity was currently skyrocketing because whenever she was invited, Cesare followed. Now, the social circle had no doubt that Olga de Valentine would soon become the Young Duchess. Olga herself was just waiting for when that day would be.

 

“Young Duke, thank you for coming! My husband has been waiting for you. He even prepared a special wine for today.”

 

Her husband was a retired Imperial Knight who had risen to the rank of Commander. Upon inheriting his title after his father’s death, he had settled in as a prominent figure in the Imperial court. He wasn’t particularly close to Cesare or House Tesseia, but he hoped to change that starting with this banquet.

 

As she was guided to her seat, Olga spotted Vincent at one end of the massive table and nearly stumbled. Conscious of Cesare beside her, she looked away as if nothing was wrong, but irritation and fear surged within her.

 

‘Don’t let it get to you. What can he do if I simply deny it?’

 

She knew that when she and Cesare accepted an invitation, the hosts often used it as a way to flaunt their own status. Thus, Vincent Larkin could easily find out which banquets she was attending.

 

Vincent watched with secret admiration as Olga smiled naturally at Cesare. She had clearly seen him, yet only a slight flicker in her eyes betrayed her.

 

‘So she plans to ignore me until the end?’

 

She likely had that intention from the very beginning. Their secret meetings were always at his mansion, and she had always hidden her appearance with heavy makeup and commoner’s clothes. One or two of his servants might claim it was her, but the testimony of servants from the House of Larkin would carry no weight.

 

‘She probably thinks I won’t risk tarnishing the honor of my own house to make such a claim.’

 

That was true to an extent—until Cesare showed interest in her.

 

Vincent Larkin had always hated Cesare de Tesseia. A great family, a flawless father, a genius talent for the sword… there was nothing about him that didn’t spark jealousy. Thinking back to when he was forced to train alongside orphans by his father’s command, he couldn’t stand the way Cesare looked like he carried all the world’s burdens just because his mother had an affair.

 

Despite his blessed birth, Cesare obtained everything easily without the struggles Vincent faced. Jealousy gnawed at him.

 

That was why Vincent had wanted to become a Duke early on. He had pursued a certain noble lady who could have brought him a ducal house, but she had absurdly ignored him and married the second prince of a foreign kingdom—and became a Duchess in her own right. Assassinating her husband would have been easy, but he knew she still wouldn’t marry him. Pressuring her was also out of reach. It was during his search for another way that he happened upon the fuming Olga.

 

She was a Duke’s daughter, but she had many brothers, making her a poor candidate for marriage if he wanted her title. However, the mere fact that she was Cesare’s fiancée made her worth seducing once. Olga had been furious at Cesare’s coldness, and using that to get close to her had been easy. He felt a sense of superiority for sleeping with her before Cesare did, but his excitement cooled when he realized Cesare could cast her aside at any moment.

 

Still, he continued the affair because of the thrill of cuckolding Cesare in secret. He wondered how Cesare’s face would twist if he found out. The old Cesare might have simply broken the engagement as if he’d expected it, but the current Cesare…

 

‘Either way, he would break the engagement.’

 

Vincent didn’t actually want them to break up yet. It would be far more satisfying for him if they got married. Revealing the affair after the wedding would cause Cesare far more pain.

 

For now, Vincent’s priority was restoring his relationship with Olga. A past affair might not be enough to truly wound Cesare. Thus, Vincent truly, deeply wished for Olga and Cesare to marry. He was even willing to help—as long as Olga provided the right compensation.

 

The host of the banquet stood up once all the guests were seated. Servants filled the glasses at every seat. Once the wine was poured, the host raised his glass.

 

“On this bountiful night, I am delighted to gather here with such wonderful people! May joy never cease in your lives!”

 

Everyone raised their glasses, and starting with the host, they all took a sip. Vincent also took a few sips of his wine, stealing a glance at Olga. The opportunity to speak with her alone would surely come. The night was long, and their time at the banquet would not be short.