Chapter 45

If Damian had been stronger, strong enough that no one would dare point a blade at him, then Estelle would’ve been safe too.

No one would’ve tried to use their own daughter as a tool just to secure a position in the ducal residence.

As Damian kept apologizing over and over, Estelle burst into tears and said,

“I-I was wrong too.”

“To whom, and about what?”

“I was wrong to Reina. What do I do? D-Dad. When Reina, when Reina needed help, I couldn’t do anything.”

Even now, whenever she remembered what happened in that warehouse, her heart felt like it dropped straight down.

She wanted to help Reina.

It made no sense that Reina had been gathering photos about Finecke to threaten her.

Damian realized what Estelle was talking about.

The incident that happened when she was caught trying to sneak out the photos Count Embron had brought to threaten her.

“…”

Damian’s lips moved, but no words came out.

Estelle finally threw herself into his arms, sobbing loudly.

“W-What if Reina doesn’t forgive me? What if she hates me? What if she says she’s leaving because she doesn’t like me anymore?”

Everything the child feared was about Reina.

Damian stroked the frightened child’s head.

“This is my fault.”

“…”

Every time Estelle cried and said it was her fault, every time a tear fell, it felt like Damian’s heart stopped along with it.

“Estelle, you did nothing wrong.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“You’re not just saying that?”

“No.”

Damian pondered for a long time over how to explain it in a way Estelle would understand.

“Estelle, you’re still young and small. You can’t be expected to overcome a grown adult’s threat.”

Carefully, Damian wiped away her tears.

“The fact that you were put in that situation, that you had to make such a choice, all of that is my fault.”

“…”

“So it’s alright. I’ll apologize to Botn.”

* * *

After two exhausting days, Reina fell into a deep sleep. At Damian’s consideration, she was examined by the ducal physician, and fortunately, there were no serious issues.

After sleeping for quite some time and spending a relaxed morning with Bonita, Damian came to her room.

“…”

“…?”

Damian entered but said nothing, simply staring at Reina and Bonita for a long time.

Reina watched him just as long, wondering why he had come and when he would speak. Eventually, she spoke first.

“My Lord?”

“Mm…”

He looked like he had much to say, yet couldn’t bring himself to start.

Reina realized it was because of Bonita.

Gently lifting Bonita, who was wriggling in her arms, Reina said,

“Boni, Annemarie mentioned earlier that Sir Dean returned today. She said he brought you a gift. Why don’t you go see him?”

“Are you coming too, Mom?”

“No, Mom has something to discuss with the Duke.”

Bonita looked hesitant to separate from Reina.

But after only a brief pause, she nodded and left the room.

“If something happens, call me!”

“Yes, I will. Now off you go.”

“Okay!”

Bonita nodded twice and headed toward the knights’ quarters where Dean would be.

Damian watched until the child disappeared down the corridor, then quietly closed the door.

“We must have much to discuss.”

“…”

“But before that, there’s something I must do first.”

“Something you must do?”

“Yes.”

“What is it?”

“An apology.”

Reina remained still, as if she didn’t understand the meaning of the word. Damian spoke.

“I’m sorry.”

His voice was calm, and he didn’t bow, yet it didn’t seem like a hollow apology.

Startled, Reina quickly stepped closer.

“M-My Lord.”

A noble apologizing to a commoner. The unfamiliar situation made her restless.

“I’ve only ever owed you apologies and gratitude, yet despite the power I possess, I was powerless.”

“N-No, that’s not true.”

This was bound to happen.

Things had only twisted slightly because she alone had stepped outside the original course and moved things around.

‘If I hadn’t interfered, My Lady would’ve overcome it on her own.’

“If I hadn’t returned early by coincidence, something terrible might’ve happened to you and your daughter. Mere words aren’t enough.”

“…”

“Whatever compensation you want, I’ll grant it. And… though I’m apologizing, there’s something I’d like to ask of you.”

Damian hesitated before continuing.

“Will you continue to stay by Estelle’s side?”

“…”

“All of this is my fault. Because of me, Estelle…”

“It’s alright.”

Seeing Damian this subdued felt unfamiliar.

Reina looked at him as he carefully enunciated every syllable.

“I’m alright, my .”

This had been her choice. She moved because she didn’t want the small, young star named Estelle to be hurt. None of this was Damian’s or Estelle’s fault.

“It was just that the circumstances around us were unfortunate. I’d be honored to continue serving by My Lady’s side.”

Damian’s fingers twitched slightly.

He looked at Reina with an expression that was hard to describe.

Normally, after something like this, most people would want to leave.

“I’ve tried not to be greedy until now.”

“You don’t seem very greedy even now.”

“I’m greedier than I used to be.”

Reina smiled brightly.

“I thought there were things I shouldn’t have. All the things you tried to give me, my lord.”

Simply because Estelle cherished her, she felt like she had received far more than she deserved.

“But after going through this, I want to be a little more ambitious.”

With her hands neatly clasped together, Reina looked at Damian.

“I want a proper reason for my title.”

“…”

“A reason that isn’t related to My Lady.”

A bright gleam flickered in her golden eyes.

“I want to protect the people precious to me with my own strength.”

For a brief moment, someone came to Damian’s mind, but he quickly dismissed the thought.

It would be disrespectful to both that person and to Reina.

“In that case, you’ll need to make a discovery that benefits this duchy, or better yet, the Empire.”

“That’s right.”

“It would be easier to benefit the duchy than the Empire, but even that won’t be simple.”

“… That’s true.”

They fell into silence for a moment.

“Do you think you can do it?”

“I’ll try…”

Reina gave an awkward smile. The subtle tension that had lingered moments ago slowly faded away.

After that, Damian explained the fate of Count Embron and the servants who had turned their backs under his brainwashing.

Count Embron would be executed. The remaining servants were dismissed.

Reina asked,

“By the way, my lord, didn’t you return earlier than scheduled?”

“The investiture ceremony was canceled.”

“Was there an accident?”

In the original story, had he returned early as well? Even so, the ceremony hadn’t been canceled.

‘The new priest appointed this time was originally someone who would’ve helped My Lady.’

He hadn’t been hostile toward Estelle despite her mixed Finecke heritage, and had treated her equally. And…

‘I need to meet him as soon as possible.’

The man who adopted a false saint as his daughter and was deceived by her for years.

The new one of the Twelve Priests cherished his adopted daughter dearly. Until the false saint was publicly exposed, he never once doubted that she was the real saint.

“…”

“Botn, is there a problem?”

“N-No. Nothing at all.”

Reina’s anxiety grew.

‘This shouldn’t have anything to do with what I did.’

The revelation that the adopted daughter was a false saint only happened after Estelle went up to the capital and after several incidents.

Damian observed Reina as her expression suddenly turned serious.

“It seems a prophecy has descended from Bendicion. They say it can’t be announced immediately because it must be interpreted.”

“…”

“They plan to announce the prophecy and then hold the postponed investiture ceremony. If they do, it’ll likely be in the capital.”

Originally, it was meant to be held in the neutral Holy Nation to keep the imperial family in check.

But with this sudden cancellation, not only the imperial family but the Empire’s nobles were displeased.

For now, most of the temple operated on donations from nobles and the imperial family.

They needed to appease them at least once, so Damian’s guess was likely correct.

“So when winter ends, even nobles without townhouses in the capital will gather there.”

“I see.”

“You’ll have to accompany us then, so before that, you must formally receive the position of nanny.”

“I’ll do my best.”

Before they realized it, the two of them naturally left the room together.

“In a few days, a Mage Examiner will arrive. He’ll measure your magic capacity.”

Damian spoke as he adjusted his pace to match Reina’s.

“We may also find out why you weren’t affected by the artifact.”

“Ah.”

Only then did Reina abruptly stop, her face paling.

“What is it?”

“Th-That’s…”

How could she have forgotten?

Her eyes darted around before she finally managed to speak.

“I-I tore the portrait of the Duchess by accident.”