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Chapter 112
An Example
The purification ritual revolved entirely around the Saint.
It began with a hunting competition to liven up the atmosphere, then the Saint would appear to perform the purification ceremony, and finally, everyone would enjoy a banquet together.
In every possible way, the event was designed so that the Saint would be the star.
“Trying to stand out here would only make me look ridiculous.”
Of course, part of me wanted to completely ruin this event that revolved around her. But my true goal today was to make the Saint slip up.
“This is a good chance to watch how she uses her powers.”
Lately, her ability to handle fairy power had grown more refined — I might notice something different this time.
After making the necessary preparations, I entered the hunting ball with Johan.
“Everyone must be waiting for the star of the night — the Saint.”
But apparently, our main character, Saint Stella, hadn’t arrived yet.
“Duke Blanchet and the Duchess Blanchet have arrived!”
As soon as the herald’s voice echoed through the grand ballroom, all eyes turned toward me.
“The Duchess seems to still be getting along with the Duke. No surprise there—”
“Didn’t the last imperial trial already prove how much the Duke cares for her? I don’t know what’s going on, but I just feel bad for the Saint.”
“Honestly, I still don’t understand why Duke Blanchet clings to his wife like that.”
Perhaps because the Saint was tonight’s focus, the words I overheard were sharper than ever.
“Not everyone here is against me.”
Here and there, I could hear people defending me or warning others to mind their words.
But the insults — those always came through clearest.
“Why would the Saint ever feel inferior to the Duchess? She’s chosen by God and possesses divine power stronger than anyone else.”
“She’s the most powerful Saint in history, too.”
“And you think this purification ritual is just a simple ball?”
“Exactly. The Emperor hosting this event despite that uproar during the trial — it only proves how much he values the Saint.”
Everyone spoke as if they’d already forgotten every rumor and scandal, now raving about the new miracle the Saint would perform.
Every word felt like a blade pointed straight at me.
But I smiled serenely, as if nothing reached my ears, and walked on Johan’s arm. I let my gaze sweep over the people who spoke loudest.
“All followers of Athea.”
Of course. For Athea’s faithful, protecting the Saint’s image was a sacred duty.
It occurred to me that perhaps the entire Holy Kingdom would move to cover this up if needed.
“The Saint is truly something.”
No matter what scandals or crises arise, there will always be plenty of people who believe in her.
“Must be nice, having so many who’ll defend you, Stella.”
As for me—
“Everyone’s staring at you,” Johan murmured, giving my hand a light squeeze.
“Maybe it’s because you look too beautiful for anyone else to ignore.”
“Are you flattering me now?”
“If telling the truth counts as flattery, then yes.”
He gave my hand a playful shake, meeting my eyes seriously. His crimson gaze locked on mine.
“Strange…”
That gentle look — it was as if I were the only one that existed to him.
The sounds around us faded, and for a moment it felt like the two of us were alone in the grand hall.
“Johan really is special.”
Sometimes, it was in moments like this that I realized what made him so unique — the warmth of someone who’d always been loved, paired with the poise and chill of a man who’d once risen from ashes to take revenge.
“But honestly, everyone’s staring at you, Johan.”
“You don’t see the way other men are looking at you?”
He leaned in closer, his voice dipping low.
“If I weren’t standing here, some of them look like they’d come right up to you.”
“That’s because I’m the woman Johan chose.”
“You really underestimate yourself sometimes.”
“And you overestimate me.”
Johan chuckled, pulling one corner of his lips into a crooked smile.
“You never lose an argument.”
“So you hate that?”
“I hate it because you’re too charming. Don’t show that side of you to anyone else.”
His teasing made me relax, the tension in my body melting away. My smile came more easily.
Soon, nobles began to approach, eager to speak with Johan.
“Duke Blanchet, it’s been too long! I’ve heard about the Blanchet firm’s recent success—how wonderful!”
“We’d love to host you sometime, Your Grace. Shall we arrange something?”
“My wife was hoping to invite the Duchess to a tea party as well—perhaps we could—”
Of course, they were all after Johan, not me.
“I’d love to, but I’d rather spend time with my wife.”
“Oh, but surely the Duchess could—”
“I’d rather not.”
He cut them off and steered me away before they could press further.
“Is it okay to brush them off like that?” I asked, a little worried I might be interfering in his affairs.
Johan smiled coldly.
“People who can’t tell what really matters aren’t worth knowing.”
“Really?”
Some of them were high-ranking nobles.
“If they wanted my favor, they should’ve realized what’s most important to me. Anyone who can’t even see that isn’t worth my time. Don’t you agree?”
“Well, I can’t say you’re wrong.”
“So stop worrying about idiots. I’m glad you helped me weed them out.”
He already knew every influential person here — and probably how useful each one could be.
Which meant he said this purely to comfort me. My cheeks grew hot.
“People could hear you…”
Just then, the music stopped. The herald’s voice rang out:
“Saint Stella has arrived!”
The Saint entered, dressed more extravagantly than usual, clearly conscious of the ceremony. Her white gown shimmered with gold embroidery, glinting beneath the chandelier like waves of sunlight.
But what shone most brightly was the faint divine radiance emanating from her body.
“As expected of the Saint.”
“Did you see the halo of Athea’s blessing? Just her presence honors the Empire.”
“Her Highness the Crown Prince couldn’t attend because he’s confined… how lonely it must be for her.”
She instantly drew everyone’s attention as she joined a circle of noblewomen, smiling brightly.
“She looks positively thrilled.”
She didn’t so much as glance my way — as if to show I didn’t exist.
“Fine by me.”
Even after her arrival, the curious gazes on me didn’t fade.
“Who’s staring now…”
I turned, only to spot Leandro standing alone, elegant in a blue uniform, watching me with wistful eyes.
“So his dispute with the palace got resolved.”
But because of his recent misbehavior, few dared to approach him — not that he seemed to care.
“Who are you looking at?”
Johan’s arm tightened around my waist.
“Are you really letting another man catch your eye when I’m right here?”
He tilted my chin up with his gloved hand, bringing his face close enough that his lips almost brushed my nose.
“I wasn’t. Just looking around.”
“Didn’t seem like it.”
“Why would I look at anyone else when you’re right here? None of them compare.”
“Good answer. I’ll let it go this time.”
He narrowed his eyes, pressing a light kiss to my forehead.
“But next time, I won’t be so forgiving. You know how jealous I get.”
Honestly, if he’s that jealous, why bring me to a party at all?
Soon, the Emperor and Empress appeared, signaling the start of the purification ceremony.
“In honor of this glorious event to cleanse the Forest of Pascalos, I shall grant great rewards to the warrior who shows the greatest prowess.”
As the hunting contest began, women were seen handing their men tokens of favor. I blinked and asked Johan, surprised,
“Do they usually give tokens?”
In the Empire’s hunting tournaments, such gestures were normally forbidden to prevent excessive rivalry.
Johan shrugged. “Seems this one’s a little different.”
All around, noble ladies handed handkerchiefs embroidered with their family crests to their husbands or knights, exchanging sweet words.
“Some didn’t give anything… but still.”
I felt bad that I hadn’t prepared anything for Johan.
“I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to apologize for. It’s not required.”
Still, I regretted not doing something nice amid the chaos with Diana.
“Even if you’re fine, I feel bad.”
“Then there’s another way.”
He smiled, voice smooth as honey.
“Give me a kiss instead.”
“…A kiss? Here? With everyone watching?”
I could feel eyes turning toward us. He just tilted his head and tapped his cheek.
“On the cheek. See? Simple.”
People were already watching curiously, waiting to see what we’d do.
“Well… if it’ll make him happy.”
Johan closed his eyes slowly.
Nervously, I leaned in and brushed my lips against his cheek.
He chuckled, soft as a sigh.
“Like a baby bird pecking. That’s all?”
“That’s all you’re getting.”
The murmurs around us grew louder, but Johan only frowned playfully.
“That’s not enough for me.”
His gaze dropped to the ribbon corsage tied around my wrist. His thumb traced over my skin, slipping between the loose knot.
Heat bloomed where he touched me.
At last, the ribbon came undone.
“It’s just a ribbon…”
But under his intense gaze, it felt like he was stripping me bare. I couldn’t meet his eyes.
“This looks better on me anyway,” he murmured, and as I lifted my head, he pressed a kiss to the ribbon he’d taken.
The same red ribbon that moments ago had circled my wrist — now marked by his lips. His burning gaze trailed over me, each glance like another kiss.
“Duke Blanchet.”
Through the crowd, Saint Stella approached, her smile gentle.
“You don’t have a handkerchief, I see.”
She offered him a white one embroidered with the sigil of the Holy Kingdom.
“Would you accept my token of friendship? It will surely keep you safe.”
The ballroom fell silent.
Then came the whispering — nobles exchanging looks, gauging Johan’s reaction. He stared coldly at her.
“I brought extras,” Stella added quickly, all innocence. “For anyone who forgot theirs.”
Johan didn’t take it. He tilted his head.
“Are you blind, Saint?”
“I just—”
The handkerchief slipped from her grasp, fluttering to the floor.
She looked down in surprise — just as Johan’s black shoe came down on it, crushing it beneath his heel.
“And what exactly am I supposed to accept?”
He smiled mockingly.
“Your hands are empty.”
Normally, refusing a lady’s gift so rudely would be unthinkable — an outright insult.
“I… I only meant well…” she stammered, glancing around for help. One of her priests hurried forward.
“Your Grace, the Saint meant no harm—”
“Get lost.”
The fury in Johan’s voice filled the room.
“Before your Holy Kingdom makes things worse.”
The priest froze, trembling beneath the weight of his killing intent. No one dared even breathe too loudly.
Especially Stella.
Her eyes welled up as she turned to leave.
“Where do you think you’re going, Saint?”
Johan’s voice stopped her cold. He pointed at the fallen handkerchief with his chin.
“Pick it up.”
Her blue eyes shook.
“I’ll… I’ll do it later.”
“Trash should be cleaned up immediately.”
“…”
“As a Saint, you should set an example.”
His face remained expressionless as he ordered,
“Pick it up.”
Tears spilled down Stella’s cheeks as she bent down, trembling.
“You’re… you’re being cruel. I only wanted to help…”
But Johan just stared, eyes like ice.
“Gods… the tension in here.”
I stood quietly beside him, watching Stella’s shaking hand reach for the handkerchief — only for Johan to nudge it away with his shoe, just out of reach.
She stumbled forward awkwardly.
“Tch.”
Johan sneered.
“Can’t even pick up a single thing? This is what the Holy Kingdom calls a Saint?”
Even I had to swallow hard at that.
“He’s really saying all this out loud?”
Then Johan pulled me closer, and I finally understood.
He wasn’t humiliating Stella just to vent anger.
He was making an example of her.
