<Chapter 10>

*  *  *

Catching the spy was only a matter of time, especially when one was already aware of their infiltration. Besides, it wasn’t as if they were unaware of the spy’s objective or potential location.

‘It hurts my pride that I didn’t realize sooner.’

Kei, the black-haired knight, clicked his tongue when he saw a crow fly through the window of the annex. The jet-black crow, carrying a small note in its beak, blended into the darkness, making it hard to see. If he hadn’t been so vigilant, he would never have spotted the crow, and even if he had, he wouldn’t have paid much attention to it.

Completely unaware that this crow was the familiar of a mage.

“We have pinpointed the enemy mage’s location through their familiar. Shall we apprehend them immediately?”

“No. Monitor them for now and stay on standby.”

Temenos gave this order because of Inosensia’s suggestion.

“I’ll pretend to ask for help and see how they respond. Maybe we can gather some information that way?”

Up to that point, Temenos had considered the possibility that all of this might be Inosensia’s own scheme. Nevertheless, he accepted her suggestion because he believed it would be an opportunity to probe into her true intentions, not just the spy’s.

The result?

With Inosensia’s cooperation, they managed to apprehend the Emperor’s minions and their allies without exception. However, after completing the interrogation, Temenos found himself sinking deeper into a mire of doubt.

Because Inosensia was truly innocent.

‘The Emperor intended to kill Inosensia from the start…’  

This meant that, assuming Inosensia truly was a saintess, the Emperor was unaware of that fact. However, if she had already awakened as a saintess before leaving the capital, it would be impossible for either the Pope or the Emperor not to know.

In other words, Inosensia must have become a saintess only after arriving in the north—at the very moment she leapt from that high place.

If, by sacrificing her memories, she became a saintess…

It wasn’t an impossible story. At this point, it was the most plausible one.

The problem was that it was hard to believe.

‘…She certainly has changed.’

So much so that he almost wondered if she was an entirely different person.

“I-I-Ino…”

“Ahhh! Can we stop bringing that up? Are you seriously going to keep dragging my past out like this?”

Was it because of the divine nature in his blood, or the divine punishment etched into his flesh? People instinctively felt fear or disgust when they stood before him. Even those who had sworn loyalty to him since childhood were no exception.

Just as one would instinctively close their eyes and turn their head to avoid a ball flying at their face, people instinctively averted their gaze when they looked at him.

That’s why Temenos never imagined that anyone would ever stare at him with such intensity.

Nor did he expect someone to take his hand so willingly when he extended it silently.

To walk alongside him, even pressing close to him, and wrap their arms around his waist—and then simply blink as if it were nothing…

“Can I call you Temenos? Don’t you have a nickname? Temi? Menny?”

The playful face and voice that tickled his ears lingered in his mind, as did the slender waist that he could encircle with one arm…

“Your Grace?”

At David’s call, Temenos snapped back to reality. Realizing what he had just been thinking about, he harshly ran a hand over his face.

“Are you feeling unwell?”

Temenos waved off David’s concerned inquiry.

“I was just lost in thought for a moment. Continue with your report.”

“Yes, as I was saying…”

It was then.

Knock knock.

“Your Grace, an imperial messenger has just arrived.”  

“An imperial messenger?”

“Yes. It seems they have brought a response to the message you sent to the capital.”

The message referred to the one Temenos had sent previously, notifying that Inosensia had safely arrived in the north but was in poor health, necessitating the postponement of the wedding.

‘It’s been a week since we caught the spy… The Emperor must have realized by now that something has gone awry.’

But he wouldn’t know exactly what has gone wrong.

So, what would the Emperor be most curious about right now?

‘Whether or not we discovered that he was behind the spy?’

No, that wouldn’t matter to him. He could deny it regardless.

‘…Whether the spy succeeded in killing Inosensia—that must be what he’s most eager to know.’

And the most certain way for him to confirm that…

*  *  *

Look here, Duke Winstein.

Twice now, there have been unfortunate incidents, and rumors about your delaying the wedding are stirring negative public opinion in the capital.

How could I stand by and watch a loyal servant’s honor be trampled by reckless insults and criticism?

Therefore, I am sending medicine to aid the ailing bride. Do your utmost to ensure the wedding takes place within a month.

This is an imperial decree.

“I knew it would come to this.”

Temenos smirked as he read the contents, which aligned perfectly with his expectations.

Part 2

Was it thanks to the risk I took in catching the spy? Or perhaps because someone saw Temenos and me returning to the annex late at night? Either way, it was clear that the attitude of the staff had changed.

Compared to before, I could tell there was a shift in their behavior.

Not drastically, but slightly.

The meals were more generous in both quality and quantity, and the servants who once ignored me now greeted me politely.

Honestly, I didn’t really care about the latter, but I really liked the former.

‘As expected, Koreans run on rice power.’

And one more thing—something much more significant had changed.

Two knights, who had once followed me to the chapel as guards under the guise of surveillance, had now become my official guards.

“Allow me to formally introduce myself. I am Cesare Ponchel, your guard as of today.”

“My name is Kei. I am less skilled with the sword but adept with magic.”

A red-haired knight and a black-haired knight, respectively.

I looked at the two of them, standing in an impeccably formal posture, and bluntly asked, “Are you really my guards? Not surveillants?”

“Ahem, we are indeed your guards! We are here to ensure your safety, Prospective Duchess.”

“We acknowledge that our previous attitude was somewhat insolent. We are willing to bow our heads in apology until you are satisfied!”

Before I could say anything, Kei and Cesare knelt down and pressed their foreheads to the ground, hands clasped behind their backs.

I was honestly taken aback by their sudden acceptance of fault and self-imposed punishment.

‘No, this isn’t how it’s supposed to go.’

They should have denied any wrongdoing, saying, ‘You’re mistaken!’ That would have given me a reason to wield Temenos’ name and assert my authority.

“Did someone order you to do this? Are you trying to win my favor?”

“Absolutely not!”

“We only wish to apologize for our previous rudeness!”

“Then why did you act that way before?”

“Back then… we thought you meant to disgrace the Winstein family.”

“We misunderstood your true intentions, Prospective Duchess. We’re deeply apologize!”

“Ah…”

‘Now that I think about it, they were in the forest during the note incident, weren’t they?’

So that was why they suddenly changed their attitude. It seemed they were impressed that I risked my life to play the bait.

‘…They were moved by my actions.’

A strange warmth spread through my chest.

When someone realizes their misunderstanding and apologizes, yes, that’s normal.

‘How many times did I accept so-called apologies like these in the past?’

“Yeah, I’m sorry. Happy now? Feeling better?”

…Ugh, it’s infuriating.

I don’t know why I’m even thinking about this. That person isn’t in my life anymore.

“Prospective Duchess… are you alright?”

Alice’s concerned voice snapped me out of my thoughts. She looked worriedly between me and the two knights, who were still in a deep bow, seemingly assuming that their behavior had upset me.

‘Now that I think about it, it’s the first time someone has shown this much concern for me.’

Transmigrating into a world destined for ruin felt like being struck by lightning out of a clear sky…

But there were people here who worried when I seemed down, people who would wait if I fell behind.

Suddenly, I felt glad to be here.

‘Alright, I’ll let it go this time.’

“You two can get up now. I’ll let it slide, thanks to Alice.”

“Thank you!”

“We will serve with utmost loyalty from now on!”

The two knights quickly stood, grinning sheepishly with flushed faces from kneeling so long.

Their expressions made me chuckle softly, and I had to stifle the laugh before it escaped.

Just then, Alice remembered something and rummaged in her pocket.

“Prospective Duchess, you were looking for your pendant the other day when we went to the chapel.”

“Pendant? …Oh!”

A crucial item for priests to carry during prayers.

After returning to my room from the chapel, I had searched everywhere for it, only to come up empty-handed. I had asked Alice to look for it whenever she had time.

“Did you find it?”

“Yes, but…”

Alice hesitated before handing me a neatly tied handkerchief.

“I’m sorry, but it’s broken.”

Wrapped inside the handkerchief were the shattered pieces of the pendant.

The moment I saw them, a wave of intense déjà vu washed over me.

‘Uh, I think I broke that.’

It was then…

You have discovered the remnants of heresy.

Condition met. The divine message is now accessible.

<To be continued>

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