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Chapter 72
She Has No Time
The presentation hall burst into silence, heavy with shock. Everyone looked at one another, unable to speak, but there wasn’t a single person who didn’t understand the Saintess’s words.
“Lady Miryu Juti is pregnant?”
“Did the Kingdom of Royeum already know? Then what about the annulment…?”
The sudden appearance of the Saintess was shocking enough, but the story she brought was just as earth-shattering.
Hessen was the first to open his mouth.
“Saintess, is that true? Is Miryu really…?”
Stella nodded, as though puzzled by Hessen’s question. Hessen turned to Miryu, still visibly shaken.
“Miryu, did you know about this?”
Miryu, whose hand was being held by the Saintess, lowered her gaze with a look of sorrow.
“…I’m sorry, Hessen.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t want to trouble you because of a child.”
Hessen’s amber eyes trembled. Clenching his fists tightly, he muttered as if struck by another wave of shock.
“So it was me who made you feel you couldn’t confide in me.”
Hessen wrapped his arm around Miryu’s shoulders and looked at Queen Isabella.
The Queen was clearly shaken by the Saintess’s words, but outwardly, she appeared calm.
“Hessen, be cautious. Everyone is watching.”
“My apologies, Mother.”
With a resolute voice, Hessen declared:
“I must marry Miryu. I cannot abandon her, especially when she carries my child.”
“Even if it means stepping down as crown prince?”
“Yes. If you oppose, Mother, then I will relinquish my position as crown prince and marry Miryu. I am sorry.”
“You would cast aside the mother who has waited for you all this time?”
Her words pierced his heart. The reason Queen Isabella had delayed passing on the throne even though Hessen was of age was because she felt he wasn’t ready.
“…I am sorry.”
“Brother! How could you speak to Mother that way!”
“Diana, I’m sorry. Perhaps I was never suited to be crown prince in the first place.”
Diana bit her lip at his calm apology. Tears welled up in Miryu’s eyes as she tried to stop him.
“Don’t, Hessen. I can’t let you lose everything because of me.”
“It’s fine. If it’s something I can only have by abandoning you, then it was never truly mine to begin with.”
“But… they’re your family…”
Miryu wept openly.
“Saintess, I should have listened to you and kept quiet.”
“No, Miryu. Queen Isabella, please reconsider Miryu once more.”
“Forgive me, but this is a matter internal to the Kingdom of Royeum.”
“I understand your concern, Your Majesty, but this will only bring tragedy to all involved. Please heed my advice, the voice of God I hear.”
The Saintess looked pleadingly at the Queen. The nobles around them whispered.
“The voice of God…”
“Come to think of it, didn’t the Saintess say she was Royeum’s blessing? Could it be true?”
Even Isabella, who seemed unshakable, wavered at the mention of God. She looked again at Hessen, who firmly held Miryu close.
Perhaps because he had almost lost her once, Hessen seemed more certain than ever.
“Is this also God’s will?”
With a sigh, Isabella nodded.
“Very well.”
“Truly, Mother?”
“Yes. How could I cast aside a child who carries Royeum blood? Perhaps it was my fault for delaying their marriage for so long.”
Turning to Stella, Isabella added:
“Whatever God’s will may be, it seems Hessen would not be happy without Miryu. Given the circumstances, I will follow the Saintess’s counsel and proceed with their marriage as planned.”
“Thank you. You will never regret this decision, Your Majesty. You have gained a lovely new daughter and your son’s happiness.”
Stella smiled radiantly.
“Because this love has been achieved through hardship, I wish to bless their future.”
Miryu shyly looked up at Hessen, smiling faintly. Hessen nodded at her, his expression joyful. Embarrassed, Miryu tried to decline the Saintess’s blessing.
“No, this alone is already such a great favor. Thank you so much.”
“There is no need to refuse. This happiness is yours, Miryu—it’s the result of your own efforts.”
A holy light bloomed around Stella. Folding her hands as if in prayer, she whispered softly, and the light enveloped Hessen and Miryu.
Miryu blinked, her hand reaching up to her neck as she untied her ribbon.
“My neck feels strange…”
There was no scar on her neck at all.
The sight of her smooth, pale skin made the crowd erupt in cheers. Overwhelmed, Miryu sobbed “Thank you, thank you, Saintess!” before collapsing into Hessen’s arms.
Like the ending of a fairy tale, the scene overflowed with happiness as Stella smiled gently.
The Saintess Stella.
Because Queen Isabella had summoned so many people for the annulment, news of the incident spread rapidly across the empire.
“Have you heard about the Saintess Stella?”
“They say she had been serving humbly in the lowest places until now. But this time, she couldn’t ignore Lady Juti’s suffering.”
The entire empire rejoiced at the appearance of the noble Saintess Stella. People were especially enamored with the perfect love story she had created from the moment she appeared.
“To think they overcame adversity to marry—it’s so moving and beautiful.”
“They say when the Saintess prayed to God, He answered by erasing Lady Juti’s great scar in an instant…”
I listened to the news about Miryu as I rode a carriage toward the Information Guild.
“They say the mere appearance of the Saintess has already brought a flood of new believers and donations?”
Betty, sitting beside me, nodded.
“Yes. The temple’s influence is growing at an alarming pace. It seems the miracle really touched the believers’ hearts.”
But she shook her head with dissatisfaction.
“Still, my lady, isn’t it strange? The timing is too convenient.”
“Sometimes real life feels like a string of unbelievable coincidences.”
“Even so…”
Of course, I didn’t think everything was true either.
But that doesn’t mean it’s all bad.
Quite the opposite—I was very pleased with the current situation.
Was the Saintess Miryu’s backing all along?
I had never believed Miryu spread all those rumors about me on her own. I had always suspected someone was behind her—and now, the Saintess had appeared.
But why would she do it?
My mind grew tangled.
Because I was adopted into the Libertan Duchy?
But that didn’t quite make sense. Even after adopting me, the Libertan couple continued to yearn for Stella. She could have returned to them anytime.
And she didn’t even appear before the Duke and Duchess were executed.
If it were truly related to the Duchy, Stella should have appeared much earlier.
I don’t know, but there must be something.
Lost in thought, I soon arrived at the Information Guild. Unlike the previous flower shop front, this time it was disguised as a shabby house.
“Betty, this is the place?”
“Yes. For security reasons, they’ve moved to another location. If anything happens, I’ll protect you.”
Inside was dark and gloomy.
Once I stepped in, the Guildmaster greeted me politely.
“You’ve arrived, client.”
“The commission?”
“Completed perfectly. Here is the investigation into Lady Miryu Juti you requested, as well as the new identification card. Please verify it.”
Just as Betty had promised, this guild was excellent.
So, when Miryu was supposedly born, Baroness Juti wasn’t actually pregnant.
The investigation even uncovered information about the courtesan who had secretly visited Baron Juti. I handed the documents back to the Guildmaster.
“Keep this information safe and deliver it to the person I mentioned, as if it were your guild’s own findings.”
“Yes, understood.”
Preparations for Miryu’s wedding were nearly complete. I, too, was looking forward to it.
“Then let’s conclude this commission here. I’ll come again if I need more.”
As I rose to leave, the Guildmaster cautiously stopped me.
“Pardon me, client. May I ask just one question?”
“What is it?”
“May I ask why you prepared a new identity card?”
I tilted my head.
“Must I answer?”
“You don’t have to. I’m just personally curious. After all, you seemed to be living quite well at the Ducal house.”
“Is that what your investigation showed?”
Indeed, from their perspective, it would make no sense why I would suddenly need a new identity. Preparing for my debut in society, I hardly looked like someone planning to disappear.
“If you answer, we can also help you settle into your new identity. Whatever your purpose, our guild’s assistance will be of use.”
“Well, it’s nothing important.”
I had no intention of being honest anyway. Why would I trust the Information Guild?
“It’s just… there may come a time when I can’t remain as I am now.”
In the room opposite Estelle’s.
Johan sat with a chilling expression.
Before him, the magic device projected Estelle’s conversation with the Guildmaster. His fists clenched.
You said you loved me.
Truthfully, Johan had lost his composure ever since hearing she was preparing a fake identity card. He wanted to storm in and demand an explanation.
Why are you trying to run away?
To anyone, her commission looked like an attempt to escape. Estelle was trying to run—from him.
Johan had restrained himself, leaving the guild untouched so she could come naturally, so he could learn the truth of her intentions.
“Well, it’s nothing important.”
Estelle smiled faintly as she answered the Guildmaster.
“It’s just… there may come a time when I can’t remain as I am now.”
In that instant, it struck Johan like lightning why she was preparing a new identity.
Everything was perfect.
But there was only one reason she would try to leave.
The incurable illness, Sleeping Princess.
Somehow, her condition was worsening, and she was slowly putting her affairs in order.
…No, Estelle. I won’t allow it. You must stay by my side.
Estelle had no time left.
At last, Johan realized he would have to use the final means he had been saving. His crimson eyes glowed ominously in the darkness.
The day of the wedding.
The new bride, Miryu, began her day in happiness.
