<Chapter 73>

*  *  *

After much drama and chatter, the morning to depart for the capital had finally arrived.

‘Whew, that was tough.’

For me, thanks to David and Countess Orman, it wasn’t much of an issue to hand over the duties of the duchess.

The newly appointed priests, Camilla and Rog, had become proficient in leading prayer rituals. They could even use their divine power to treat some illnesses and wounds, allowing me to feel reassured in that regard.

However, the real problem with this trip to the capital lay elsewhere.

“While guarding the chapel that serves God is, of course, a critical task… it’s not as significant as escorting the Saintess…”

“You were the one who volunteered! Don’t you dare back out now!”

“But, but!”

In front of the duchy’s gates, the staff of the castle, as well as the knights, had gathered to send us off to the capital.

Among them, about 20 holy knights were standing with teary eyes, their faces brimming with reluctance as they looked at me.

Even Kei and Cesare were among them.

“Madam, we will guard the chapel diligently. Please take care of yourself in the capital.”

“Yes, don’t worry. I’ll return safely.”

But my reassurances didn’t seem to ease their concerns. The holy knights staying behind in the North all looked like they were about to die from anxiety, adding their own words of caution.

“Saintess, I’ve heard that in the capital, thieves will rob you blind the moment you close your eyes. Shouldn’t we all be escorting you instead?”

“When I walk down the street, no child can look at me without bursting into tears. I could use this terrifying face to intimidate those capital scoundrels!”

“You idiot! Don’t go shoving that terrifying face of yours at the Saintess!”

If left unchecked, it seemed like a fight was about to break out between the knights who were staying behind and those accompanying me to the capital.

Before any such disaster could occur, I stepped forward, clasped my hands together, and spoke in a reverent voice: “Since there is no proper temple in the North, the chapel in this duchy is essentially the main sanctuary for our God. The fact that you volunteered to stay and protect such an important place brings me immeasurable joy.”

“Uoooh! Leave it to us!”

“To protect the Saintess’ smile, we will defend this chapel with our very lives!”

As I watched the holy knights, now ablaze with zeal and shouting pledges of loyalty, I was reminded of the day I first entrusted the chapel to them.

“Now that I must leave on a long journey to the capital, the thought of leaving the chapel unattended worries me. Of course, Camilla and Rog are here now… and there are guards and knights… but the chapel still feels like it needs holy knights…”

Those who had immediately shouted, ‘I will stay!’ or, ‘No, let me do it!’ back then were now the ones declaring their loyalty in front of me.

Due to a first-come-first-served rule, those who hadn’t volunteered quickly enough were left disheartened, unable to take on the mission of guarding the chapel for the Saintess. However, they soon recovered, excited that they now had the chance to accompany me to the capital.

“Well then, we’ll escort the Saintess to the capital! Take good care of the chapel!”

“If the Saintess returns with so much as a scratch on her, don’t even think about stepping foot in the North again!”

Hmm. I think I’m getting the hang of managing these people.

‘If I ever need to operate behind Temenos’ back, they might come in handy.’

It seemed as though someone had caught wind of my thoughts.

“What’s with that suspicious expression?”

“Me? What are you talking about?”

Feigning innocence with wide, blinking eyes, I met Temenos’ suspicious gaze. Despite his doubts, he merely extended his hand.

I grabbed his hand and climbed into the carriage. As I stepped up, I leaned toward his ear and whispered softly, “I was thinking something a bit devious.”

“…!”

His face instantly turned beet red, and finding it adorable, I planted a quick kiss on his cheek.

Temenos, startled, quickly glanced around, and those who had been watching us with wide eyes hurriedly averted their gazes.

Still blushing furiously, Temenos whispered to me in an almost scolding tone, “Didn’t I tell you not to act so openly in public?”

“We’re still inside the duchy’s grounds. That doesn’t count as public, right? I’ll try to restrain myself in the capital.”

“Hah… you’re impossible…”

Temenos gestured for me to get inside the carriage. Having teased him enough, I obediently climbed in without further fuss.

“Oh, Flurry, you’re already here?”

“Squeak, Squeak!”

“Let’s have some fun together on the way to the capital.”

“Squeak!”

Hmm, now that I think about it, is Flurry a girl? I never actually checked…

“Uh…”

“Squeak, Squeak!”

“Right, I must be your big sister after all.”

“Squeak, Squeak!”

“My, my, you’re so energetic! Big sister will introduce you to a handsome boyfriend someday. Promise.”

“Squeak!”

While I played with Flurry in the carriage, I heard the sound of a horn outside. It seemed we were about to depart.

‘The capital… I wonder what it’ll be like there.’

Walking straight into a den of heretics who don’t even realize they’re worshipping the wrong deity… it is a bit intimidating.

But…

‘I’m married to the Monster Duke, and God is on my side.’

I’ll survive to the very end and bask in glory and riches! Let’s do this!

*  *  *

Part 7

As the sweltering summer passed and the cool breezes of early autumn began to blow, the leaves on the trees started to turn yellow. Around this time, one name became a hot topic in the capital’s social circles.

“Did you hear? The Duke of Winstein is attending this year’s Harvest Festival!”

“The Duke of Winstein? …Wait, you mean that Monster Duke?”

“It’s true! He hasn’t set foot in the capital since his succession ceremony. What could have brought him here this time?”

“He recently married with the Emperor’s arrangement, didn’t he? It seems His Majesty personally invited the new Duchess to the Harvest Festival.”

“Good grief, they should’ve just declined. What good could possibly come from dragging themselves all the way here?”

Some shuddered at the mere thought of the so-called Monster Duke stepping onto the capital’s soil.

“Wait, the Duke of Winstein got married? Is that for real?”

“Yes. Some nobles who attended the wedding have confirmed it.”

“Finally, my daughter’s outings can… I mean, her illness might finally be cured! Hahaha!”

Others were relieved that their family would no longer be at risk of being chosen as the Monster Duke’s bride.

“Damn it, I lost a million gold.”

“I’m down two million. Which turn did you bet on?”

“Fourth. Just one more runaway bride and I’d have hit the jackpot. What a letdown!”

To some, the Duke of Winstein was nothing more than a source of amusement and gambling.

In any case, one thing was clear:

Whether for better or worse, the Duke and Duchess of Winstein were destined to be the center of attention at this year’s Harvest Festival.

“So, who’s the woman who became the Monster Duke’s bride?”

“I heard she was a Saintess candidate… but if she was expelled from the Great Temple before her awakening, the story pretty much writes itself, doesn’t it?”

“Rumor has it she tried to end her life to avoid marrying the Monster Duke…”

“Ah, but that’s not true. People who attended the wedding said the couple seemed to get along very well.”

“Well, even if he’s a monster, he’s still a duke and the ruler of the North. His power is certainly enviable.”

“Hmm? That almost sounded like admiration.”

“Admiration? Perish the thought! I wouldn’t marry that Monster even if you gave me the entire world!”

Men and women of all ages in the capital’s social circles gossiped about the Duke of Winstein without restraint, dissecting his name as though it were a trivial piece of meat on a platter.

Most had never seen Temenos in person, and those who had only caught fleeting glimpses over a decade ago.

Yet they freely imposed their own image of a ‘Monster’ onto him, confidently mocking him based on their assumptions.

<To be continued>

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