TVOWW 119

Chapter 119

Did the Holy Kingdom Abandon Me?

The monster’s laughter echoed grandly throughout the underground chamber.

“You’re still worried about that?”
“I just want to clear up one last thing about the remaining fairy.”

The Holy Pope’s face stiffened as he gripped the armrest of his throne tightly. The skin on the back of his hand split open like parched earth cracking apart.

“Of course. We cannot break a contract. As long as we take our payment, the result must be absolute.”
“If that’s how it is, then that’s enough.”

The Pope’s violet eyes dropped to the floor.

Across the gray stone floor, black energy began to spread, filling the room. In the middle of the darkness appeared the angry face of a man—orderly, upright, and now twisted in sorrow.

—If it would come to this…
—Why is it that I must learn of your deeds?
—Just what is it that I must do for you…?

Watching the man’s tormented expression, the Pope’s lips curled into a thin smile.

“The blood of a traitor… always carries on.”

✦ ✦ ✦

Estelle was rushed to the palace for emergency treatment.
Johann never left her side, obsessively monitoring her condition.

“I’m not sure what poison she was exposed to, but her condition is dire.”
“Fortunately, there are no severe aftereffects. She should wake up soon.”
“But she must never overexert herself again.”

Thankfully, Estelle’s symptoms didn’t worsen.

“But… she isn’t getting better either.”

In the dim room, Johann’s red eyes gleamed coldly. Just as he was about to take something from his pocket—

Knock, knock.

An unwelcome visitor arrived.

It was Chancellor Ortega. Without waiting for permission, he opened the door and stepped in.

“As I thought, the Duke was here.”
“What is it?”
“I came to discuss our transaction. If you could spare a moment.”

Ortega lit a cigar—but it burned black and crumbled to ash before touching flame. He let out a dry laugh.

“So, you’re not even bothering to hide that you’re a sorcerer anymore?”
“Why should I?”

The Chancellor ground the ashes under his heel.

“Well, I suppose we’re past the point of pretending to keep each other’s secrets.”

Their connection went back a long way.
Ortega, the Emperor’s loyal chancellor, was the first to notice Johann’s vendetta. Depending on circumstance, they had joined hands or clashed in battle.

Catching the Saintess, Stella, this time was simply where their interests aligned.

Ortega viewed the Saintess, who would gain power after purifying the Pascalos Forest, as a thorn in his side.
Johann wanted her gone—quickly and cleanly.

“So, Duke Blanchet, will you finally hand over the item we agreed on?”
“The item is left at the entrance of the Ortega Marquisate’s estate.”
“Take it and deal with it however you want.”

“That’s why I enjoy doing business with you, Duke. Always neat and precise.”

Ortega smirked.

“But are you sure it’s fine to just let that item go? You’ve dreamed of revenge against the royal house for so long.”

The item Johann handed over was proof of the royal family’s corruption—a relic containing the truth that the imperial line had once conspired with demons to establish the empire.

Johann, who hated the royal family as much as the Libertan Dukedom did, had long used the relic for leverage and blackmail.

“Were we ever on such friendly terms that we could talk about this?”

Johann’s answer was immediate and cold—piquing Ortega’s interest.

So he really does love the Duchess.

He’d guessed Estelle was Johann’s weakness, but not to this extent.
Johann had forfeited both his leverage and his vengeance.

Even seeing it myself, I can hardly believe it.

Still, it made things easier.

Though serving as Stella’s patron had created some complications for Ortega’s reputation, securing the relic was worth far more.

His Majesty will be pleased.

The relic, after all, could serve as a powerful sacrifice on the royal altar.
With it, the Emperor would no longer need to offer human sacrifices.

“Just so you know—if you’ve tampered with the relic in any way, things will get… unpleasant.”

Ortega shot a glance toward the sleeping Estelle behind Johann.

“Send my regards to the Duchess.”

And with that, he left.

Johann returned to Estelle’s bedside, gazing at her lovely face.

“Estelle…”

Her body was healthy.

But afflicted with the “Sleeping Princess” curse, she might never wake again.
Johann found her peaceful face both beautiful and terrifying.

“This is my fault.”

He always pursued the most efficient path.

“I forgot what truly mattered.”

Twelve sacred relics to obtain, the troublesome Saintess Stella to eliminate, and the meddling Holy Kingdom to deal with—
This whole mess needed to end neatly, especially since Estelle had become so entangled in it.

He wanted to ensure she would never have to suffer again.

But nowhere in his plans had there been a scenario where Estelle herself would collapse.

“I should’ve kept you far away from all this.”

The image of her spitting blood seared into his mind.

Why…

She had hidden her illness well—it must have been going on for some time.

His heart sank.

Johann, I’m fine.

She had looked up at him with that same soft smile.

“You always say you’re fine.”

But her doctor, Henry, had told him the truth—she was gravely, desperately ill.

“The Sleeping Princess curse has nothing to do with blood.”
“Then why does she cough up blood and collapse?”
“That’s precisely what’s worrying. She might be suffering from another disease entirely. She’s always been frail…”

If it was indeed a dark curse, as Johann feared, it meant her life force was nearing its end.

His anxiety grew sharper with every thought.

“You say you’re fine, but you never are.”

He remembered their last conversation.

Cardinal Simon? Then should I handle it myself?
You?
If I act as bait, we can end it for sure.

He had wanted to respect her decision—but she’d pushed herself too hard and fainted.
He could have lost her forever.

“So I’ll do things my way from now on.”

Estelle endured unimaginable pain, yet still smiled through cold sweat.

“I’ll make it so you’ll never know pain again.”

He would cover her eyes, whisper only sweet words in her ears, and lock her away in a beautiful cage of his making.

“So you can be happy forever.”

A paradise for two, everlasting.

✦ ✦ ✦

Stella was imprisoned in a miserable, filthy cell.

Why isn’t anyone coming to save me?

She thought the Holy Pope would hear of this and free her at once—but days passed without a word.

For someone who had always been treated with luxury, this humiliation was unbearable.

I’m not really going to die like this… am I?

The terror of death came crashing down.

That’s impossible. I’m the protagonist.

She was supposed to have a perfect, happy ending. She’d expected trials brought by impostors—but nothing this cruel.

“Call His Holiness at once!”

She grabbed a prison guard through the bars.

“If he knew how I’m being treated, he’d come running! I’ll reward you handsomely once he does—”

“You’re noisy.”

The guard, irritated after days of her pleading, snapped.

“For a false saint, you sure talk a lot. Still clinging to that ‘Holy Kingdom’ nonsense.”
“False saint?!” she croaked.
“I am the Saintess of Athea! If you mock me—”

Clang!

The guard kicked the bars she held. Stella flinched back, trembling.

“Still spewing that saintess crap? Everyone knows now—you’re the daughter of the Libertan Duke, a convicted traitor. You think anyone cares?”

“Hey, ease up,” another guard warned.
“If that cursed woman holds a grudge against you, who knows what might happen.”
“She’s been abandoned by the Holy Kingdom. What power does she have?”
“You never know. She fooled them with divine power once—who’s to say she doesn’t have something worse?”

The first guard fell silent.
Stella blinked in confusion, stunned by what she just heard.

“Wait… what did you just say? The Holy Kingdom abandoned me?”
“Quiet down and sit tight. You’ll hear everything soon enough.”
“No—answer me!”

She gripped the bars tighter, screaming.

“You’re lying! The Holy Kingdom would never abandon its Saintess! The impostor bribed you, didn’t she?”

“Hah! You still think you’re the Saintess?”

He shook his head.

“You’re just a fake who pretended to be dead and played saint. The Holy Kingdom already announced it. They’re planning to give the title to Duchess Blanchet, who tried to defend your sorry hide.”

“…”

“Now you get it?”

Her blue eyes went blank.

The Holy Kingdom… abandoned me?

And now they planned to replace her with that fraud?

Then what happens to me?

Her trembling hands went limp, and she collapsed.
But unlike before, there was no one left to care for her.

“Finally quiet. Good riddance.”

✦ ✦ ✦

The “Purification Ritual Incident” sent shockwaves through the Empire.
Faithful followers of Athea were the loudest.

“Just because someone can wield divine power doesn’t make them a saintess! Why did the Holy Kingdom send such a woman to us?”
“At this point, I doubt the Holy Kingdom even truly serves Athea.”
“Exactly! If someone so wicked is a saintess, the Holy Kingdom must be rotten to its core.”

The Holy Kingdom might have been independent—but it couldn’t stand against the entire Empire.

Stella’s disgraceful conduct enraged countless believers.
While I—Estelle—was unconscious for a few days, the Holy Kingdom hastily met with the Pope and decided to cut Stella loose like a severed tail.

“After thorough investigation, we have found suspicious circumstances surrounding Saintess Stella. It is possible that the Libertan family faked her death and installed her as a false saintess.”

Then they brought me into it.

“In light of Duchess Estelle Blanchet’s role in exposing the truth, we are considering bestowing upon her an honorary title of Saintess. The Holy Kingdom vows to overcome this trial together in Athea’s name.”

Honestly, I had no idea what they were even trying to say.

Why would they suddenly make me a Saintess?

Even more absurd was how everyone loved it.

Just as they had once worshiped Stella, now they praised me—the woman who had forgiven even the false saintess.

“My lady, these are all the gifts and letters addressed to you. Shall I read them out?”

Letters and presents flooded in from all over the Empire, offering gratitude and apology.

“No. Sort them however you like.”
“And the invitations from noble ladies?”
“Decline them. Say I’m not feeling well.”

Once upon a time, I had dreamed of this—
Of clearing my name and being loved by everyone.
But now that it had come true, I felt nothing.

How ridiculous.

The cheers and apologies felt hollow, like bubbles bursting.

If I hadn’t set the trap, if I hadn’t acted perfectly, I would still be the wicked woman they wanted burned alive.

I wonder how Johann feels about all this.

The Duke of Libertan’s real daughter had survived.
For Johann—who had once wanted revenge even on me, his adopted daughter—it must have been a shock.

It’s a touchy subject… I’ll have to choose my words carefully.

He had been busier than ever lately, obsessing over my health.
There was hardly a chance to bring it up.

But I’m fine now.

Doctor Henry had confirmed it several times, yet Johann wouldn’t believe it.

What will it take to convince him…?

While waiting for him in his office, I spotted a familiar bottle—alcohol.

Right. What I need is courage.

I took a sip.
Then another.

I wasn’t sure if patients were supposed to drink—but I wasn’t a patient anymore.

By the time the first bottle seemed to become a second, my head was pleasantly hot.
Just then, Johann entered.

“Estelle, how are you—”
“Johann!”

I jumped into his arms the moment he stepped inside.

“I missed you so much!”
“I missed you too. But… my dear.”

He brushed my hair back and raised a brow.

“Did you drink?”
“Just a little?”
“You seem very drunk.”
“No, I’m fine. Totally fine.”

To prove it, I grabbed his collar and kissed him lightly on the lips.
His eyes widened.

“You…”
“Why? Don’t you like it?”

Smiling mischievously, I kissed him again.
Johann’s breath caught—then he swept me up in his arms.