Translator: Nox

Chapter 4

The bad blood with that person started 2 years ago.

"Last night during prayer, I suddenly received a revelation. To bring peace to the empire, the late emperor's coffin must be adorned abundantly with Amarancia flowers."

At the empress's words—her stepmother—the crown prince and second prince went on high alert.

"We'll procure them right away!"

The problem was that this Amarancia was the 'pufferfish' of the plant world.

A little too cold and it died, a little too hot and it died, a little too humid and it died, a little too dry and it died, too much attention and it died, too little attention and it died.

True to its nickname 'heavenly flower,' it was extremely difficult to cultivate on earth.

Even after sowing seeds and tending for 100 days, it might barely bloom—if you were lucky.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, we'll provide any shortfall from our house."

Noble houses vied to make their mark, and coincidentally, all had daughters.

"The revelation talk is a lie; it's really crown princess selection."

At those rumors, Aristina—who had been pining for the crown prince—panicked.

She stubbornly declared, "Me too!" and obtained precious seeds, but it was truly hard to succeed.

All the heavenly flowers withered and died...

Like the brakeless runaway carriage she was, Aristina made a bold decision.

"Then we'll raid 'God's Forest'!"

"Pardon?"

'God's Forest' was a sanctuary managed by the empire's Holy Church. There, fields of Amarancia bloomed thickly.

"Miss! No! These flowers are endangered; you absolutely can't pick them!"

"Someone's been seen picking flowers here before?"

"That's botanists! Miss! Stop being stubborn and come out!"

The servants tried to stop her, but Aristina just went ahead and did it. And got caught red-handed.

By none other than Luellian Rackroitz himself, the leader of the Holy Church.

"Oh, Lord..."

Even Aristina blacked out at that moment.

God's proxy. The empire's one and only holy knight commanding all paladins.

A noble existence the duchess Aristina had to dutifully address as "Yeha."

But far from a pious, merciful pope.

He dragged packs of subordinate paladins around and mercilessly retaliated savagely if anyone encroached on his turf...

Like a mob boss.

"If you're going to do it, don't get caught! Of all people...!"

Duke Karnel spat blood while handling the aftermath.

But Luellian had inherited his title young, holding equal duke status, with wealth to match.

He spoke bluntly even before the emperor and empress: "This won't do." One duchess was nothing.

"Good grief! No helping it."

Her father finally swallowed tears and sacrificed a precious heirloom.

The Rosen Duke Family had saved starving priests long ago, earning in return a pardon for one religious crime, no questions asked.

Luellian reluctantly withdrew from the incident, saying,

"Duchess, do this again, and it's a holy trial!"

That was it.

'Somehow pick Amarancia flowers and get dragged before Luellian. There, show the evidence and draw interest in this incident!'

Leave the rest to him.

Though he despised Aristina, this was the attempted poisoning that rocked the empire.

The fact of suspicious points would surely pique his curiosity and competitive spirit.

This was borrowing a knife to kill the enemy—a cunning ploy.

'Good. To pick the flowers, what first?'

...Runaway.

Obviously, to reach the flower field, she had to leave home.

Couldn't evade the duke's eyes forever, but a short escape seemed possible.

'If I strike when the duke's off-guard.'

The mannequins in new dresses, and 'Aurora's Star.'

Looking at them sparked one plan.

"Perfect."

I first grabbed paper from the desk.

Wanting to write various things, my right hand—familiar with this world's writing—flowed smoothly.

Next was 'Aurora's Star.'

Rummaging a drawer, I found a letter opener and cut the necklace's thin chain.

Pearls poured onto the plate like a cascade.

Gasp.

The maids, who had desperately ignored this while dusting, polishing statues, trimming flowers, stirred.

I called them.

"Come here."

I realized anew: Aristina's voice was very cold and chilling. Plus, her imperious tone automatically intimidated.

The maids rushed like disciplined soldiers and lined up.

"What do you need? Meal? Hand washing? Face wash? Bed?"

"None. Something new..."

I slid the pearl-filled plate forward.

"Give one to each volunteering for the job."

"Pardon?"

The maids were shocked.

The miss who slapped cheeks for touching jewels without permission, giving pearls to maids?

Impossible. A trap. Vicious test.

I could read their thoughts.

"We have no desire for your jewels at all!"

"Of course! How dare we!"

"We'll work diligently within our station!"

As exemplary answers came and they scurried back.

Bang! A menacing sound echoed.

The maids collapsed, legs buckling.

"Aaaah! We're sorry!"

But what they saw was utterly different from imagined.

Their villainess miss was stamping paper thud thud.

"If you don't believe, no choice. Here, proof I formally gifted you these pearls."

The Rosen Ducal House seal. It held the trust and value of an official document.

Even wild Aristina knew; she only used it for her gain.

"...?"

The maids were baffled.

Even making certificates. So gifting pearls was real?

Of course, some even wickeder intent behind... But natural pearls gleamed beautifully.

Stuck anyway for money, unable to quit or flee, enduring villainess maid's extreme job?

Finally, one desperate maid squeezed eyes shut.

"Wh-what job?"

"Simple. Move some items."

I glanced around the study, adding,

"You just know that much."

* * *

"What?"

Duke Karnel furrowed his pale brow, asking back.

"No way! Someone buckled to threats and false-reported again."

"No! I saw with my own eyes just now! The miss truly repented, returning all new dresses ordered right before the incident!"

At the butler's words, ducal aides buzzed.

"Really? No way?"

"Miss never lets go of luxuries once in hand."

"Did she feel something this time?"

"Not a chance."

The duke scoffed, turning away.

"That wastrel? She's plotting something. Ignore! No attention!"

Visible far out the window.

Glamorous mannequins loaded by maids onto wheeled carts, heading straight to the carriage.

* * *

Clatter.

Finally, the carriage departed.

'Success!'

I sprang up amid the mannequins.

<Operation: Hide Among Returning Mannequins to Runaway.>

The strategy worked smoothly.

Aristina so tall and slender, noble posture straight—easy. Just breathe quietly.

"You know nothing, just followed miss's orders to return mannequins."

"But miss. Really okay? Scary thieves roam night streets. Caught with such expensive necklace, stolen instantly."

Right, rumors of a thief targeting valuables at night. One element making me mistake for mystery novel.

But...

'This coachman thinks I don't know, slyly probing?'

I snorted back.

"That thief always sends warnings first. Anyway, we're disposing this necklace now—no worries."

Dismissing the coachman, I eyed the maid.

"Got that item?"

"Yes, miss. As ordered, rummaged gatehouse storage—found it."

The maid offered a cloth-wrapped object. A worn, drab robe.

Everyone gasped as I draped it head to toe.

'Disguise? Plenty new robes, why that rag?'

Their eyes said.

Ignorance. Rosen exclusive heirloom 'Angel's Rags.'

This shabby robe held mystical holy power, thoroughly concealing wearer's identity.

Couldn't stop bizarre perfect crimes, but protected from ordinary attacks.

Duke Karnel hid this treasure bottom gatehouse raincoat shelf, using for secret outings...

'All those covert trips: cleaning up daughter's messes.'

Duke's life tough too.

Thinking that, I fastened collar tight.

Prep for mischief done. But before real start, one thing first.

"Arrived."

Coachman said through driver's window.

Before me, ancient building with round roof. Place Aristina unlikely ever visit—but now.

Blending naturally among zombie-like entrants in shabby robe, I entered. Traded 'Aurora's Star' for something amazing.

'With this, even Holy Church's fearsome leader can't burn me at stake.'

I tucked it preciously inside.

Escape hole secure—reassuring. Now time to really commit.

Carriage mixed among street traffic, exited bustle, stopped quiet spot.

"Miss, drop here?"

"Yes. Go."

At my wave, coachman and maid fled gratefully, looking 10 years younger.

After gone, I looked around.

Majestic sanctuary glowing softly in dark. Holy Church headquarters.

Chapel always open, but evenings deserted. Statues rebuking sin glare terrifyingly.

Everyone has guilty conscience, scare off.

But Aristina fearless, ignored—strode in shopping, picked flowers.

'Need her brazen face. Less suspicious.'

I strode boldly in, safely reached 'God's Forest' surrounding chapel.

But soon. Clamor of metal from dense trees ahead.

Clink. Clang.

Small chain-like object dropped to ground.

'Guard dog?'

Holy robe protects, but startled.

Hid behind tree, peered...

Fortunate, no fierce dog.

Man stood where sound came. Tall, cloaked like me.

Met sharp black eyes gleaming in dark—handsome vibe.

But moonlight pierced clouds. Hood revealed face wrapped in bandages.

Below, chest partly exposed—scarred. Burned, cratered like earthquake.

"...!"

Man startled, quickly buttoned hiding wound.

Didn't expect sudden person.

He eyed me, spoke.

"Why sneak alone in sanctuary this hour? Like stealing something."

Dazed briefly by unique look, I snapped alert.

'How'd he know?'

Sharp instincts.

Had to tense up.

Lose staring contest to street extra? How survive harsh world?