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Chapter: 15
Divine power is the power of the gods.
Naturally, such power belonged to the priests who served the gods.
But even in such obvious matters, there were exceptions.
Those who possessed divine power without being priests.
The queen of the Holy Nation and her direct descendants.
Like Lynette Eglain.
“…I’m not doubting the princess,”
Dervel finally spoke after a long silence.
“Then why…?”
“I just have a bad feeling.”
“Did you find out something?”
“……”
Instead of answering, Dervel’s gaze drifted into the empty air.
‘I am weak as a royal, Dervel Crissian.’
When Lynette Eglain first met him, she had honestly revealed her weaknesses.
And yet, she still proposed a contract with him.
Why would she try to escape the Holy Nation while exposing even her weaknesses?
That had piqued his curiosity.
That was why he had taken her hand.
“It’s better to keep all possibilities open.”
After a long silence, his answer came, unexpectedly mundane.
Evan could not read the thoughts of his lord.
But one thing was certain: whenever she showed such an attitude, it meant she had some scheme—
And likely a very troublesome one.
‘Ah, the princess will be quite a headache.’
Evan shook his head.
He knew well that trying to stop her would be pointless.
“Evan, find a mage in the family who knows about divine power well.”
“…What are you planning?”
Evan’s expression was full of a silent question: You’re not trying to trouble the princess, are you?
“Why are you so suspicious? I’m thinking of doing something that will help the princess.”
“Whether it helps or not, that’s for the princess to decide…”
For a moment, a chilling aura brushed past Evan’s neck.
Although Dervel hadn’t moved an inch, the trajectory felt as sharp as a thrown dagger.
Evan quickly bent at the waist and responded.
“I’ll find the mage immediately.”
Then, maintaining his posture, he slowly stepped back.
“Someone with a tight mouth… No, Soreas will be better. Send him. Make sure he keeps it quiet.”
At the duke’s words, Evan tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable.
“Soreas would be suitable, yes… but to that extent…”
Dervel let out a quiet laugh at the aide’s puzzled look.
“I think I mentioned it before. Don’t take life lightly, Evan.”
“…Understood. If you have nothing more to say, I will leave immediately.”
Worried about being trapped into another problem if he stayed, Evan quickly stood and headed for the door.
He would have left without incident—
If only he hadn’t run into the butler chief, who had come to knock.
“Duke.”
The face of Butler Chief Müller, who had entered, was darkened.
“What is it?”
“Envoys have arrived at the palace.”
At his answer, Dervel’s face immediately contorted.
It had been three days since Dervel came to see Lynette—the day the monster appeared.
Lynette was in the garden, leisurely drinking tea while tidying the ribbons she had tied on Françoise.
She looked at him in surprise.
Wearing the Aster Knight Order’s uniform, complete with the ceremonial half-cloak on his shoulders, he looked different from usual.
His neatly combed hair revealed a handsome forehead, making his face look almost sculpted.
Long eyelashes framed his piercingly clear eyes, giving him a mysterious aura.
Below his straight nose, his sensual lips conveyed a firm determination.
And beneath that, his strong physique was so captivating that even those who disliked him could not look away.
“What’s with that expression?”
Dervel frowned at Lynette’s lingering gaze.
“It’s dazzling… not just handsome.”
“You’re stating the obvious for such a uniform.”
“Huh?”
“With this money, the Order could cover a week’s worth of food…”
“…….”
What had she just heard?
Lynette just blinked silently, and Dervel cleared his throat and continued.
“The place I need to go…”
“…Looks like it’s the palace. Meeting the Emperor, perhaps?”
At her casual remark, he paused, checking his cuff.
“……”
“Really?”
“There was a summons from His Majesty.”
“Ah.”
Lynette swallowed softly.
Judging by the faint lines on his forehead, he seemed quite annoyed.
‘Why summon the duke all of a sudden? Isn’t there no monster to exterminate?’
She thought carefully, and a realization struck.
“The monster appearing in Aster, that’s why.”
Dervel only shrugged in response.
“It shouldn’t take long.”
Even if it did, it would be fine… maybe she could thoroughly inspect the bedroom while he’s away.
“I have a favor to ask while I’m away.”
Had he guessed her thoughts?
Dervel tilted slightly and met her gaze.
“A favor?”
“I’d like you to handle some matters in Aster while I’m gone.”
“Huh?”
His smile was sly.
“Nothing much. Just checking on the library maintenance and taking care of things that require the duke’s approval in Aster.”
“Isn’t that your job? Why are you making me do it?”
“When I went on the hunt, it’s what you handled. It’s not much.”
“……”
“I’ll be back soon, so I ask for your help.”
Dervel said politely, smiling brightly.
“Nothing much, she says…”
Lynette muttered with a sigh.
“I should’ve noticed when she said it so sweetly. How sly. Where does all this work keep coming from?”
Her hands moved nonstop, signing document after document.
Dervel’s absence stretched on.
To be precise, he seemed to return to the estate past midnight, but by the time she got up, he had already gone back to the palace.
His long absence was something Lynette wanted, but with the constant flood of ducal matters, she hardly had the chance to leave her desk.
“No wonder Sir Evan looked apologetic. He must have suspected I’d cause trouble and gave me all this work.”
“The ducal household has always had a lot of work. Even when the princess handled it alone, it was about this much.”
Emma set down her teacup, avoiding the rapidly shrinking pile of papers.
“That was during the hunting expedition, an emergency. But now, it’s not, right?”
“True.”
“But the amount is comparable.”
Even as she spoke, her mind understood—more work comes after the hunts anyway.
“If Sir Evan hadn’t stayed behind, it would have been a disaster. Having him made it somewhat manageable.”
“But compared to when you were in the Holy Nation, your expression is much better. I like it.”
Hearing Emma, Lynette’s hands paused for the first time.
She was a princess with weak divine power, but that didn’t make her incompetent.
Though no one taught her, Lynette fulfilled her royal duties.
Those working in the Holy Nation palace knew she even handled tasks meant for the queen.
Compared to that time, her current situation was far more enjoyable.
And she acknowledged that herself.
“…There are many good people here.”
Casually, Lynette whispered as she picked up the remaining documents.
Her pace gradually accelerated, reaching its peak.
“Princess, you’re reading through them, right?”
“Yes.”
Without looking up, Lynette signed the last document.
“Phew.”
She sighed deeply and slumped back into her chair.
“Reading fast is your specialty, after all.”
Lynette smiled.
During her time in the Holy Nation, she had read thousands—tens of thousands—of books in the library. She claimed no one had read more than her.
‘There was no choice. To read without being noticed, I had to read quickly.’
Lynette picked up the teacup on her desk.
The gentle aroma of tea calmed her frayed nerves.
“Is your work done for today?”
“Yes. The rest will be handled by Sir Evan.”
Evan Valence would check on matters within the Crissian ducal household that Lynette shouldn’t see.
She had no intention of getting involved.
‘He’s leaving anyway. Better not to know about internal affairs.’
Lynette sipped her now-warm tea and put the cup down.
“Now I can just enjoy myself.”
At that moment—
There was a knock.
Hearing it, Lynette’s face brightened.
