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Chapter : 06
Late at night. The study of Duke Agnito.
Duke Agnito let out a deep sigh.
Today, the imperial inspector had gone through every remaining ledger before finally leaving.
“I trust you will fill in the discrepancies in the records… My dear Duke Agnito.”
He knew exactly what those words implied. Even with his eyes closed, the humiliation was vividly in front of him.
“Damn it…!”
In the end, the Duke crumpled the papers he had been holding, muttering curses under his breath.
Today was the Day of Mercy, a day for Agnito to remind the nobles that he was still in power.
Though the line of saints had ended, Agnito’s authority remained. Nobles still believed in his connection to the temple, and his daughter, Esther, further reinforced that belief.
Yet, he had been openly humiliated before the other nobles, and the inspector had gone through every detail of the donations they had secretly siphoned off.
“Damn…”
His head ached. Broken relationships could be mended with money, but as long as Hanisha existed, that day’s disgrace would keep resurfacing.
Even if he tried to hide the child now for another reason, it would only raise suspicions of abuse.
He could neither reveal the illegitimate Hanisha nor hide her again.
‘Hanisha… I want to get rid of her, but…’
Strangely, the temple overprotected people—especially children. Even orphans were given names and recorded in the temple’s register.
Names could only be removed when the child became an adult, and the records were maintained so meticulously it almost seemed obsessive.
It was ridiculous.
The number of war orphans had increased years ago due to a religious war the temple had initiated.
They had killed the children’s parents in the name of God, only to open the granaries once a year under the same pretense, pretending generosity.
Of course, that gave Agnito a small justification to feel some sense of propriety despite his misdeeds.
Still, his anger did not subside.
If only his youngest sister, Serpina, had married the person chosen by the temple quietly, the power of the saint would never have been cut off…
He let out a deep sigh. At that moment, a knock sounded, and someone entered.
It was Esther’s nanny and her maids.
“Did the child return safely?”
“Yes. As always, she completed the event without incident.”
That was a relief. At least the Empire knew Agnito was still strong.
“But…”
The nanny, who should have left after reporting, hesitated for some reason.
“Your Highness cried quite a bit today.”
“She cried? Why?”
“She said she was surprised because you didn’t come to pick her up… but she looked very anxious as well.”
Before the words even finished, Duke Agnito jumped to his feet.
He went straight to Esther’s room, knocked, and opened the door.
Esther, who had been sniffling, looked up at him with startled eyes.
“Ah… Dad.”
“Why are you crying? Were you so upset I didn’t come to meet you?”
Esther blinked and quickly wiped her eyes.
“No… it’s just that my eyes hurt…”
Agnito gently stopped her from rubbing them harshly.
“If you go around with such puffy eyes, people will tease you. ‘Look, the princess with these swollen eyes.’”
He then took something from his coat and handed it to her.
It was a handkerchief made of very soft silk, something Esther was already familiar with.
She had been born when Agnito was sinking into despair over the illegitimate Hanisha. She was the only hope to pull Agnito out of despair.
Since then, the Duke had ensured that anything related to Esther was of the highest quality. This handkerchief was one of those things.
Seeing her father’s care eased her heart.
No, rather, it made her feel sad. From morning until night, she had worked hard representing Agnito at the event, only to return and face Hanisha’s nonsense.
Perhaps that was why Esther wanted to cling to her kind father and act spoiled.
“It’s nothing… I just… fought a little with my sister.”
“…You mean Hanisha?”
Esther nodded.
“She made me carry things and… bullied me.”
She deliberately did not mention that she didn’t have to serve at the temple.
She feared that Hanisha might have truly developed another ability, and that some of the affection meant for her could be shared with her sister.
In truth, Esther didn’t dislike Hanisha.
When she had grown enough to think for herself, she had even felt pity for the mistreated Hanisha.
At least she had memories of their mother; Hanisha did not.
Yet, as everyone loved her and recognized her as the only daughter of Agnito, that feeling faded.
Her father’s gentle embrace. The always-kind servants and sweet desserts. The title of being Agnito’s future—the only one.
But Hanisha, the true daughter of the saint…
If she had to share what belonged to her with her sister…
Then I… Esther…
“Sniff…”
Tears began welling up in Esther’s eyes again.
Once she started crying, she could hardly stop.
Agnito’s gaze flickered with a brief irritation. He had a mountain of work to handle.
And yet, here he was, calming the child with meaningless words at such a precious time.
Still, he suppressed his rising anger.
“Don’t worry, Esther. I’ll make sure Hanisha is properly scolded.”
“Really?”
Esther’s face brightened for a moment, then she slumped her shoulders.
“No, it’s fine. She’s not that bad… just scold her a little.”
“Very well. My good daughter.”
Agnito ruffled her hair.
Feeling reassured, Esther began chattering about the events of the day.
Soon, exhausted, she fell asleep.
Watching her even breathing, Agnito left the room with a stiff expression.
By then, it was past midnight.
A spark of anger shone in his calm eyes.
This was already the second incident caused by Hanisha.
Would it truly be the last?
No one could say.
Perhaps she would continue to shake Esther’s life by her side.
Esther was the only child who could cleanse the family’s disgrace.
She had to be raised as well-behaved and innocent as possible to inherit the saint’s legacy.
‘No more commotion.’
With that decision in mind, Agnito gave his subordinate an order.
“Prepare the carriage. One driver. Make him a worthless man who can disappear immediately if needed.”
If the illegitimate child continued to grow too big, it could be dealt with.
Afterward, the Duke’s household was quiet for a while.
The nobles who had come every day to discuss business with him stopped visiting.
‘Of course, they won’t completely cut ties with Agnito. There are business matters already set in motion.’
But the important thing was that the incident had happened, plain and simple.
“Thanks to the temple’s inspection that day, support for the children will probably increase for the time being.”
Lisa reported the circulating rumor in a cheerful voice.
She seemed pleased that Bert and Esther no longer troubled her.
‘Of course, they are probably sharpening their knives, waiting for another chance…’
I kept my mouth shut, thinking it was better not to say that to Lisa.
She then brought a mirror before me, saying, “All done.”
In it, I saw myself blinking with my hair braided on either side.
“How does it look? Do you like it?”
“…I don’t feel like me. Too cute.”
“Nonsense. You have always been cute, Miss.”
Lisa smiled contentedly, adjusting the slightly crooked hairpin once more.
“The priests will fall for you at first sight if they see you like this.”
Seeing her sparkling confidence, I realized she truly believed the priests would adore me.
“Yes, th… thank you—Ah!”
“Goodness, you sneezed? Sorry.”
At the sudden sneeze, Lisa quickly wrapped my scarf around me.
“They say the Eastern Temple is next to the North, so it’s really cold… it really is. I should have brought more clothes.”
Instead of answering, I sniffled. She was right; it was extremely cold here.
A week after the Day of Mercy, a door that had remained closed for so long suddenly opened.
The butler, with whom I had never exchanged words, appeared and said abruptly:
“We’ve received a message from the Eastern Temple. They request your visit as soon as possible.”
All children of noble families received the temple’s blessing.
But I, born illegitimate, had never once visited it.
Duke Agnito had strictly forbidden me from leaving the estate.
Thus, the temple’s summons was like freedom—or forgiveness for my illegitimacy.
It was also why Lisa had eagerly rolled up her sleeves to prepare me.
