Chapter 17

Berthold must have sensed something in Edwin’s expression because he spoke up again.

“Master, are you truly all right?”

“Of course.”

Edwin was indifferent to most things, yet when it came to Berthold, who had served him since childhood, he often let unintended moments of vulnerability slip.

The truth was that he felt comfortable around him.

Berthold was tight-lipped and loyal, and having watched Edwin grow up, he even harbored a faint sense of paternal affection toward him. There was no reason to be wary of such a man.

‘So I am the only one who has changed.’

Edwin let out a faint, bitter smile.

The nightmare of his past threatened to swallow him again, but the sight of the empty teacup pulled him back into reality.

“I was only thinking that perhaps I could give her one chance.”

“Master.”

“It is true that Elicia resolved an issue in our territory.”

“Yes, the duchess’s hidden abilities may become a great help to Lombard in the future. But the most important thing to me is none other than you, Master.”

Clearly Berthold was thinking about the previous duke.

But Edwin knew Berthold misunderstood something.

His reason for resenting that woman had never been only about the past duke’s death. He would not deny that he once had such a foolish period, but that was not the real reason now.

Edwin’s expression lightened.

“If Elicia manages state duties well, it benefits Lombard. If she makes mistakes or fails, we can use that as leverage to demand concessions from the imperial family.”

“Surely you do not mean…”

“Either way, it is not a losing gamble. Do not worry.”

Edwin closed the file and rose from his seat.

Berthold still looked confused, unable to read his master’s true intentions, but contrary to the steward’s concern, Edwin was in a surprisingly good mood.

“I may be away for several days. Handle the internal affairs as you have until now.”

“Leave it to me, Master.”

The elderly steward quickly pushed away his confusion.

He kept his head bowed until the young lord’s footsteps faded down the corridor.

* * *

Once I parted ways with the duke, I immediately began preparing to receive our guest.

This time it was an inquisitor.

And not just any inquisitor. He was dispatched personally by the prefect of the Holy Office, who held the pope’s mandate. In other words, he was one of the highest ranking officials of the Great Cathedral.

‘The duke said it was probably because of him, but that does not mean I can relax.’

The Great Cathedral wielded tremendous influence, not only over Valdin but also in many other nations.

Especially now, since the current pope was from a royal family of another country. He held absolute political and religious authority.

Someone like me, a collateral princess abandoned after my father’s death severed my political usefulness, could easily be disposed of depending on their judgment.

‘Maybe someone reported that I was possessed by a demon.’

There was a saying about a thief having itchy feet.

The truth was I was not even sure why I came back to life in the first place. That might be why the thought of an inquisitor coming made my stomach twist.

Either way, I needed to prepare so thoroughly that the inquisitor would be so moved by my overflowing piety that he would weep and cast away every suspicion against me.

They had not specified the exact date of his visit, but normally someone dispatched as a papal envoy arrived about three months after their assignment.

It would be a busy period, but at least I had enough time.

The first thing I did was notify the Lombard diocesan cathedral of my intention to visit.

A few days later they happily arranged the earliest possible date for an audience.

“This is… Duchess, is it not!”

“Please feel free to call me Elicia, Archbishop.”

“How could I possibly do such a thing!”

The archbishop who oversaw the northern diocese rushed out in a fluster to greet me as I stepped down from my carriage.

I greeted him with as devout an expression as possible.

“I should have visited much sooner, but it took me some time to adjust after marrying into Lombard.”

“The climate here is quite unforgiving. I am originally from the south myself, so when I was appointed to Lombard, I suffered from a cold for several months, haha!”

“I will visit often from now on.”

After exchanging a few polite words, I joined the mass as any noblewoman would, read from the Scripture, and even completed confession.

Only then was I led to the archbishop’s reception room.

After another round of pleasantries, I gradually shifted to the real topic.

“As you already know, Archbishop, I behaved quite disgracefully in the past.”

“Well, well… everyone has such times when they are young.”

“I truly regret it. After marrying into Lombard and seeing the lives of the people up close, I finally came to my senses. So I wish to repent for my past and confess my devotion before God.”

“Your devotion, meaning…”

By now the archbishop had likely guessed what I intended.

His pretense of ignorance was excellent, so I continued with the most devout expression I could muster.

“I wish to donate a massive golden cross to the cathedral. What do you think?”

“A g, golden cross?!”

“Though one cannot measure faith by worldly possessions, I wished to express my sincerity in some form.”

I offered him the drawing I had prepared in advance.

Seeing that it would cover an entire wall of the sanctuary, the archbishop’s eyes grew wider than I had ever seen.

Everything was going exactly as planned.

‘I already knew he was obsessed with worldly valuables.’

He looked as though he had fallen head over heels for me or rather for my wealth.

It seemed he would gladly grant any request I made, but I was not done yet.

“I have also prepared a separate donation fund. Please use it for the good of the community.”

“Ah, your faith is truly deep and vast. The Lord will surely be pleased!”

Trying to look casual, he peeked at the number of zeros on the check I handed him. His smile nearly split his face.

Moved to tears by my sincerity, he bowed again and again while expressing his gratitude.

‘At this point I am not sure if God is pleased or if the archbishop is, but…’

There was a clear reason I did all this.

When a cleric was dispatched to another region, they typically visited the cathedral of that region first.

And high ranking officials were usually greeted by someone of equal stature, such as the archbishop.

‘First impressions matter most.’

If the archbishop spoke well of me even once, the inquisitor’s initial impression of me would change drastically.

So I had to make my move first.

“Since you have graced us with your presence, would you like to tour the sanctuary? There are areas usually closed to outsiders. But it is very different for someone as devout as the duchess.”

“Then I will gladly accept your kindness.”

The archbishop, already hospitable, became even more enthusiastic as he personally offered to guide me.

“This way. Here we keep the sacred relics of His Holiness Andrecilious the First…”

I let his lengthy explanation drift past one ear as I looked down through the window.

Crowds of people were gathered outside the cathedral walls.

I stopped walking, and naturally the archbishop stopped with me.

“Is something happening at the cathedral?”

“Ah yes. Lombard’s winters are terribly long and harsh. Many go hungry, so once a day we distribute meals to those in need.”

“Wait.”

I was confused.

No, it was more like I could not understand what I was seeing.

“Isn’t there a massive construction project happening throughout Lombard right now?”

“I heard you plan to repair every church and monastery. With the mistress’s seat filled again, the territory is finally returning to its former stability.”

“I ordered that all laborers be paid daily wages and that meals be provided at the worksites…”

His flattery no longer reached my ears.

‘Sort out the order of priorities.’

Preparing guest rooms, training servants, arranging meals and banquets. All important, but none required much time.

That was why I made renovating the old churches and monasteries the first priority.

If everything was refurbished and spotless, it would impress the inquisitor. And at the same time, it would help stimulate the local economy during winter.

Large scale construction would circulate money through Lombard.

‘Did they embezzle all of it…?’

Even corrupt officials usually had a shred of conscience.

Lombard’s winters were long and merciless.

The poor could not farm, and the region’s food self-sufficiency was low. If the central government did not step in, many people would freeze or starve.

This project was the perfect opportunity.

It was the off-season for farming, so I thought we could hire local residents and boost the economy. Everyone would benefit.

‘There is no way the noble officials did not know how the people suffer in winter.’

Yet the expectation that they would have even basic decency crumbled in an instant.

Lombard’s people were still starving.

So who on earth was actually working on those construction sites.

‘Just how corrupt are Lombard’s officials?’

My grip on the railing turned white.

* * *

Meanwhile, someone was watching Elicia from afar as she stood frozen before the window.

Half his face was hidden behind enormous glasses. Beneath them was a sharply carved nose and a strong jawline.

His tall, broad-shouldered frame did not suit the shabby robes of a low ranking cleric. His physique alone drew the eye.

His lips curled faintly.

“Yes. I have found you.”

All according to divine arrangement.

His hair, red as blood, fluttered in the wind.

* * *

“Baron.”

“Yes yes! My beloved, respected, adored lady, who deserves every praise in this world!”

Baron Conte spotted me and came running with his mustache bouncing.

In truth, he had been passed over for promotion for quite a long time.

He had worried he was being pushed out of power, so the recent promotion he received because of me even though the reason was deeply insulting to me had made him fiercely loyal.

The man standing beside him hurried over and bowed deeply.

“I am Clayton, Viscount Clayton, the chief inspector overseeing the construction. It is an honor beyond words to greet you, Madam.”

“Nice to meet you.”

Without hesitation, I tossed the glove he had kissed straight into the fireplace.

A blaze roared up and then died down.

Clayton acted as if nothing had happened and spoke as smoothly as if he had oiled his tongue.

“Your beauty surpasses the praise I have heard. To see you in person makes even the phrase peerless beauty feel inadequate. I have never laid eyes on someone so radiant.”

Perhaps seeing the seemingly hopeless Baron finally receive a promotion had emboldened him.

Ambition gleamed in Clayton’s eyes as he flattered me. He looked ready to do anything to win my favor.

And the look Baron Conte gave him was like that of a concubine who felt her master’s affection being stolen.