Translator: Nox

Chapter 11

"......"

Violet eyes flickering like flames turned toward me.

Ruelian was known as someone who mercilessly judges anyone encroaching on his domain, yet for the first time, someone had slipped through his grasp like a slippery loach.

However, as I said before, there was absolutely no legal issue.

No matter that he was the leader of the Holy Church—what could he do? He just had to release me unscathed, without laying a finger on me.

"Very well, Duchess. To the chapel we go."

"Thank you, Yeha."

Before following him out, I turned toward Duke Karnel.

"Congratulations, Your Grace."

"It's truly fortunate. The Rosen Ducal House's disgrace has been lifted."

The spot where he had been sitting was in chaos.

Those who had kept their distance assuming the ducal house would fall into ruin were now scrambling to manage the aftermath.

To the advisor who had been pushed out amid the bustle, I said,

"Tell Father I'll be right back once this restraint bracelet is off."

"Ah, yes."

No matter how much of a disappointment I was, he had to take me home. I didn't even know the way.

Conveying that intent, I followed Ruelian.

As soon as we stepped out of the courtroom, dazzling sunlight stabbed at my eyes.

'Ah, refreshing. This first breath of air after being cleared of false charges......'

I took a deep breath. Outside was extremely noisy.

"Sign here for the villainess execution petition! Let's execute the villainess who damaged our precious flower!"

Even cultists from some Elf Cult or whatever had gathered, protesting for my execution, but...

They were all chased off by the flood of reporters pouring in.

"Duchess! Duchess Aristina!"

"How does it feel to be proven innocent? Just one word, please!"

Seeing the black mass of reporters, someone suddenly came to mind.

The bandage-wrapped mercenary I met in the forest.

'Did he approach the reporters as I suggested and make some money?'

I looked around, but he wasn't there. As I kept glancing about, Ruelian gave me a sidelong look.

"Ah, yes. I'm coming."

I hurried my steps.

The chapel was a solemn, quiet place. Dazzling light streamed in through the stained glass covering the entire wall.

As I entered, Ruelian closed the door. He went to the round platform in the center and beckoned.

"This way."

As instructed, I stepped onto the platform and stood facing him. It was truly an intimidating position.

"Is this how you normally remove it?"

"I used the strongest restraint bracelet just in case, so it requires powerful holy power."

Ruelian said indifferently.

"Then, here we go."

His two hands lightly grasped my restraint bracelet.

The next instant, pure white light burst from his body. The holy power had activated.

'So this is what it looks like.'

I widened my eyes and stared.

But then...

On one side of Ruelian's chest, as we faced each other, some illusion began to appear.

A horrific, shriveled scar on the skin. Holy power was emanating from that exact spot.

I was shocked.

'Isn't this the stigmata symbolizing God's proxy? He never reveals it to anyone—why can I see it?'

That wasn't all that was surprising. The burn scar, cratered like an earthquake, felt familiar.

'It looks just like the scar on the mercenary's chest?'

Did that mean the mercenary was also God's proxy? ...No.

I suddenly realized.

The mercenary's height and build were similar to Ruelian standing before me now. Even the voice sounded subtly alike.

The eye color was different, but impossible to change temporarily with holy power?

'......'

It felt like a hard blow to the head.

The reason I could see Ruelian's stigmata now was...

Because I was someone who had already glimpsed that mysterious scar. The mercenary I met in God's Forest was him.

He had been disguised, doing something suspicious alone, and we ran into each other. So I accidentally learned his secret.

'I really didn't want to know this.'

What the leads here did was none of my business. I was busy just surviving.

Especially, showing curiosity about someone's secret is suicidal. In mystery novels, those are the first to die.

I truly had zero interest in Ruelian's secret...

But would he believe that?

Aristina was infamous for her loose lips and reckless actions.

As someone who discovered his secret, I was the worst possible counterpart.

'I see. That's why he arranged this meeting on purpose.'

I suddenly saw through Ruelian's intentions, and chills ran down my spine.

To him, well-versed in holy magic, Angel's Rags were useless. He had seen through my identity from the start.

The problem was his own ambiguity.

The forest had been dark that day, and I appeared so suddenly that he wasn't sure if I had seen the stigmata or not.

'So he's testing me now.'

With Aristina's personality, if she had seen it, she would have made a huge fuss.

"......"

Indeed.

Ruelian's gaze seemed indifferent yet lingered on my face without leaving.

As if he wouldn't miss even the slightest change.

I reinforced my poker face even more.

'I see nothing with my eyes. And I know nothing. Really, nothing.'

We just brushed past each other once by chance.

That's all. No other connection, and there won't be any in the future.

I desperately sent those mental signals, then suddenly flinched.

I remembered something I had completely forgotten.

'Wait. I picked up a silver fragment from that spot. Thinking it fell from something the mercenary stole.'

If it had nothing to do with Ruelian, fine, but if it did?

That would be another connection.

The small piece tucked deep in my inner pocket felt extremely uncomfortable.

'I know nothing. I didn't see it. Just like I didn't see your scar.'

I faced him with a nonchalant expression, pretending utter ignorance.

After minutes that felt like hours passed.

Finally, a click sounded, and the restraint bracelet on my wrist came off.

I could finally breathe.

"All done? Thank you, Yeha. Father must be waiting, so I'll take my leave."

I tried to descend the platform without seeming eager to flee, but...

"One moment."

My body froze at Ruelian's voice.

Did he notice my surprise after all?

I slowly turned to him and asked,

"Is there something you wish to say?"

Ruelian said calmly,

"Duchess, have you ever considered volunteering as a saintess at the temple?"

"Pardon?"

"As a way to repent for your past misdeeds. It might improve public opinion of you."

"Ahaha......"

I forced an innocent smile.

"I nearly startled thinking it was serious. For you, who despises my very existence, to say such a thing—even as a joke."

"Not a joke."

"Yes, I know. I know. You're testing me. But I know my place very well. A brainless wastrel duchess daring to covet saintess duties."

"Why not? You seem brazen enough to collect donations well, create a scary atmosphere during prayer so no one dozes off, and strong enough to pull weeds from the flower beds perfectly."

"Not at all. I'm done for already."

I replied coolly, clasping my hands over my chest.

"I'm doomed. Even in this sacred moment facing you, my mind is full of other thoughts. I need to stay up all night to buy all the new products released during my confinement—I'm in a rush. My head's filled only with shopping; I have no interest in anything else."

"None at all?"

Ruelian walked over slowly and stood before me.

"Then why did you look so startled when we faced each other earlier?"

My heart plummeted with a thud.

He hadn't missed even the subtle change in my face. How to escape this crisis?

Ruelian's face was right before me.

A faint smile played on his lips, but his eyes weren't smiling at all.

His violet eyes gleamed strangely, fixating on me persistently like a beast's gaze.

That gaze, encircling me without gaps and tightening around my throat.

In this situation, with cold sweat pouring...

Suddenly, a miraculous improvisation came to mind.

"Ah, that?"

I slowly raised my finger and poked the gem on his cape.

"It was because of this amethyst."

"......?"

"I had no idea, but up close earlier, it turned out to be a fake. A fake for someone of your status and rank. It was truly shocking."

Ruelian was momentarily speechless at my prattling in the most vulgar tone.

Then he burst into laughter. This time, it was a hollow laugh.