TVOWW 91

Chapter 91

The Emperor’s Invitation

A cold silence fell.

The priests remained silent, so Erich, as if he had been waiting for this moment, aggressively pressed forward.

“I really cannot comprehend this with any sense of reason.”

“Stop it, Erich.”

“Yes, my lady.”

The moment Erich, who had been flailing like a mad dog, fell silent, the priests turned their eyes toward me, mixing awe with exaggeration.

“However, Erich does have a point. Even if it was a mistake once, several times can no longer be called a mistake. Especially if it’s the saint of a nation.”

Cardinal Simon swallowed hard.

“I, too, as Duchess Blanchett, cannot simply understand and overlook this.”

“Yes, I understand as well. If the Duchess desires any compensation…”

From Cardinal Simon, who clearly seemed the one in charge, came the mention of compensation. I widened my eyes in mock surprise and waved my hand.

‘Trying to end this easily with compensation?’

“I did not say it for compensation.”

I must not let them mistakenly think that the situation is turning in my favor.

“What fault do the priests have? Besides, the only reason I could awaken was thanks to their treatment.”

Cardinal Simon’s face brightened at the unexpected words.

“So you mean you’ll let this go…”

“Yes. I cannot trouble those who were my saviors.”

Strictly speaking, the saint had not committed any serious wrongdoing. With no evidence or witnesses, it would be difficult to make an issue of it.

‘Even if this incident becomes public, it’s still under my control.’

If I were to pick a “fault” for the saint, it would only be that she pretended to be friendly with Johan in front of me, her wife.

The fact that I vomited blood could be easily misunderstood from circumstances, but still, there is no proof. Later, the priests would protect Stella, the saint.

‘I’ll probably just end up being seen as a strange, overly sensitive woman.’

Perhaps I might appear like a madwoman making a fuss over vomiting blood just because she mistakenly called her husband’s name. The saint would probably use the situation to her advantage, asking for forgiveness while preserving her image.

So right now, when I am in the most advantageous position, I need to get what I can.

“When this incident can be quietly closed in the temple, I will let it pass peacefully, uh…”

I focused my gaze, keeping my eyes open long enough that a tear ran from one eye. Cardinal Simon was shocked.

“M-My lady Duchess?!”

“If you are still weak, you should receive more treatment—”

I deliberately lowered my head in sorrow. The priests watched me with tense expressions.

“I’m sorry. I suppose my upset heart hasn’t fully healed yet.”

“….”

“But my will hasn’t changed. Let’s just treat this as if I was accidentally ill.”

I looked at the priests one by one and gave a gentle smile. Cardinal Simon, in disbelief, asked again.

“Are you truly alright with that? Rumors could spread and harm the Duchess’s reputation…”

“I’m fine. I’m used to people gossiping badly about me. And all of you are priests who have answered the call of God, dedicating yourselves to the empire.”

The priests, suddenly praised, awkwardly lifted the corners of their mouths.

“I don’t want to trouble those who are already so devoted.”

“O Goddess Athea…”

Some priests, overwhelmed with emotion, quietly uttered the name of God as if in prayer.

Cardinal Simon asked with astonishment:

“But as priests of Goddess Athea, it would be improper not to offer any apology or compensation to a wounded Duchess.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. So if there’s even a small favor you’d ask of us, please tell us.”

“If you insist.”

That’s what I was waiting for!

“Someday, grant me just one favor. That’s enough for me.”

One favor.

It could seem insignificant, yet in another sense, a significant condition. But Cardinal Simon, caught up in the atmosphere, asked worriedly:

“Is that enough? Though I am a cardinal, there’s not much I can do in my name.”

“Indeed, my lady. Even if it’s for our sake, considering your safety a little more…”

Still, as priests, they cared for me.

‘Perhaps this is why Stella managed to manipulate them so well?’

But contrary to their thoughts, this was exactly what I needed right now.

‘I may have more dealings with Stella in the future; I need allies within the temple.’

I smiled with an innocent, pure expression, feigning no greed.

“How could I take advantage of the priests for my own selfish desires? This is enough for me.”

Some of the priests, moved, had tears welling up in their eyes.

“How could such a misunderstanding happen with the saint…”

“To think the Duchess Blanchett from the rumors possesses such admirable character.”

Cardinal Simon, after a brief silence, nodded.

“Very well. In the name of Goddess Athea, I promise.”

The other priests nodded as if it were natural. They probably assumed that given my current appearance, I wouldn’t make any unreasonable requests.

‘Not a chance!’

I will make full use of this to investigate the saint’s true nature.

Carlos awoke later and sat up.

“Wait…!”

Sweating coldly, the only one beside him was his loyal attendant, Ben.

“Your Highness, are you conscious?”

“Where… am I?”

“The Crown Prince’s Palace. You collapsed at the ‘place,’ so we brought you straight here. I didn’t call anyone else just in case.”

Carlos’s eyes fell on the scar on his arm.

“So it wasn’t a dream after all.”

The scar left from the ritual could not disappear, no matter what. It marks the success of the offering.

If the scar were gone, the cost would vanish as well. But since it was part of the ritual, the pain afterward would not remain.

“Ben, did anyone else enter the ‘place’ besides me?”

“No, Your Highness. No one did.”

“I see.”

Honestly, Carlos wanted to deny that it was Estelle he had seen in the royal cave. He hated that he had begged and clung to her without even realizing it.

‘In the end, she ignored me.’

He didn’t want to believe that she had rejected him even though he said he needed her.

‘But the one I met was indeed Estelle.’

She was completely different from the Estelle he had seen in his dreams. She should have offered conditions or proposals to tempt him.

But the only thing she did when they met was cling foolishly.

‘Even using Libertan as a bargaining chip won’t work…’

Estelle would never hold his hand now. Carlos admitted the frustrating truth, reflecting on how the situation had completely changed.

‘Unlike me, she doesn’t need me anymore.’

Then all Carlos had to do was make it so that she would need him again—just like when she had sent desperate letters in the past.

“We need to drive a wedge between them.”

“Excuse me?”

“Ben, investigate every weakness of Duchess Blanchett.”

Ben hesitated.

“Your Highness, you’ve given similar orders before, but unlike Your Highness, there was nothing particularly problematic about Duchess Blanchett.”

“How is that possible?”

Carlos slammed his fist against the wall.

“He’s human too! Surely there must have been a minor scandal before marriage!”

“Duchess Blanchett, unlike Your Highness, has handled everything neatly, so there’s nothing.”

“…He rose from the bottom. Surely he must have done some unsavory things along the way.”

Of course, Johan belonged to the long-established Blanchett family. Ironically, as someone accused of rebellion, he was also seen as a self-made man.

“Nothing even from Blanchett Guild or his political dealings?”

“Based on my investigation, all clean.”

Carlos contorted his face.

“That arrogant personality too?”

Carlos prided himself on arrogance, but Johan had been even more extreme.

“May I speak frankly, as your loyal attendant?”

“Go ahead.”

“Duchess Blanchett is indeed proud, but unlike other nobles, she doesn’t flaunt her arrogance in behavior.”

“….”

“Even though Your Highness is dignified, when observing Duchess Blanchett, there’s a natural sense of superiority. She draws respect without lowering herself consciously.”

Ben cautiously glanced at Carlos. Carlos gritted his teeth, looking like he might throw something, but fortunately didn’t.

“Damn it… there’s no way?”

Just then:

“Your Highness, there’s a guest outside to see you.”

“Who?”

“Someone from the temple. They showed the temple’s seal, claiming you would recognize and welcome them immediately. Did you have an appointment with the temple?”

“What nonsense. Turn them away immediately.”

Carlos, normally dismissive, froze in place.

“Wait… did I say I would recognize them?”

“Yes, you did.”

“What… could it be… a woman?”

“Yes… it is a woman.”

“Bring her in.”

“Eh?”

Ben asked.

“I don’t know if she’s pretty. And yet?”

“Who cares?”

“Usually Your Highness remembers everyone you meet… Is it because this one was secret?”

“It’s not like that!”

As Carlos growled, Ben hurriedly brought the guest, who wore a shabby hood.

“Thank you for letting me enter the palace without an appointment.”

Her voice was clear and pure, like rolling jade beads, yet Carlos felt strangely disappointed.

‘Not Estelle. I had foolish expectations.’

Frowning, Carlos asked irritably:

“You say I’d recognize you immediately?”

“I could not reveal my identity in the palace. But having seen Your Highness, I must show proper respect.”

Golden hair, hidden under the hood, poured down like a waterfall, almost halo-like in radiance. She exuded a pure, lily-like elegance.

“Nice to meet you, Your Highness. I am Stella, the saint of the Holy Nation.”

“A saint… I’ve heard of it.”

Stella smiled gently at Carlos’s inspecting gaze.

“It’s an honor that you know me.”

“So why did such a great saint come to me?”

“That is…”

Stella lowered her long lashes, smiling with a hint of sadness.

“I saw you suffering from undeserved guilt.”

“Ridiculous.”

Despite Carlos’s sneer, Stella maintained her saintly dignity. Drinking tea gracefully served by the attendants, she spoke quietly:

“I know it’s hard to understand. This is my inadequacy in conveying God’s words. But in my eyes…”

Her gaze fell on Carlos’s arm.

“I see your pain, Your Highness.”

Carlos, feeling as if his scar had been exposed, suddenly grew uncomfortable. Furrowing his brow, he asked:

“So what are you going to do about it?”

“Allow me to pray for you, Your Highness.”

“What?”

“Then I can give you a great blessing, to help you forget your pain.”

Stella’s blue eyes shone with a mysterious light.

‘I misjudged her. I had been shamelessly careless, even forgetting what belonged to others.’

But as a saint, she was giving him another chance: to see who truly held authority there.

I feared Johan might ask questions I wasn’t ready for.

“Did you have a good trip?”

Yet Johan didn’t ask about my temple visit. He only spoke of gifts or paintings he thought I would like.

‘Doesn’t he care?’

And so, I also found it hard to bring up what happened.

‘There must be a reason he asks nothing.’

Watching Johan play with the spirit child, I pondered. He shook the newly bought rattle for the little spirit.

“Is this fun?”

The spirit child flailed its short arms and laughed.

“Abu, abubu!”

The child was not shy around only me and Johan, thinking of us as its parents.

Johan asked:

“Estelle, are you worried about something?”

“No, I just want to try shaking it too.”

But the spirit child wanted to hold it herself. I let her try.

“Uh, uiwu.”

Tap, roll.

Her small hands couldn’t grip it well yet, and it kept falling.

“Ah, it’s hard for you to hold it, huh.”

Eventually, I helped shake the cute rattle for her.

‘Perhaps because she’s a spirit?’

Playing with the spirit child makes all complicated thoughts vanish, leaving only laughter. I enjoyed time with Johan until the child finally fell asleep.

Then a visitor arrived at the palace.

“His Majesty the Emperor has sent a message to Duchess Blanchett.”

[This summer’s festival will hold a hunting ball in the Forest of Pescarlos.]