Anael, having finished her story, looked at Teaerik with earnest eyes.

“Lord Rabius. Please tell me.”

Though it was closer to a plea than a threat, Teaerik somehow couldn’t move.

“The identity of the benefactor who anonymously donated to the Divine Temple. Isn’t it Lady Rabius?”

“……”

Anyone who knew anything about Callia Rabius would find it hard to imagine that she would donate such an enormous sum of 30 billion golden to the Northern Divine Temple, and anonymously at that.

Even her family, the Duke and Duchess Rabius, questioned several times whether the letter was forged despite matching seals and handwriting, and after confirming its authenticity, they even considered the possibility that Callia might have a terminal illness.

Moreover, Anael was, until recently,y a victim who had suffered various forms of harassment as Callia’s target.

Yet her purple eyes shone with certainty.

Teaerik swallowed a sigh.

“…Is there really a need to know who the donor is? Since they wished to remain anonymous and demanded nothing in return, wouldn’t it be better for both parties to let it remain unknown…”

As Teaerik’s voice trailed off, Anael grasped both his hands and pleaded.

“Even beasts know gratitude. Please, don’t make me less than a magical beast.”

As her face, beautiful beyond human aesthetics, drew closer, Teaerik barely maintained his composure.

‘Sister. Why did you tell me to keep your identity secret and put me through this ordeal?’

If Anael had shown any sign of ulterior motives, he might have managed to stay cold.

But her clear voice, seemingly filled with pure sincerity, only enhanced the destructive power of her beauty.

‘I never thought I was weak to appearances before.’

Yet now he could barely look at her directly, like some inexperienced boy.

Finally, Teaerik surrendered.

‘I tried my best, sister.’

If Callia were here, she would acknowledge that. …Probably.

He heaved a deep sigh and spoke in a resigned voice.

“…Don’t feel burdened about repaying. It’s no exaggeration to say this is her first good deed since birth.”

It was essentially a confession.

But rather than relieving her burden, his words seemed to make Anael feel even more pressure.

“Then isn’t that heart even more precious?”

Teaerik couldn’t help but groan.

Forgetting his earlier wariness about the saint’s visit, he mentally cursed the nobles of Rainfeld.

‘How darkly must those two-faced people have acted… for her to like someone this much just because they were honest.’

If she had developed feelings after learning about the huge donation, that would be one thing, but she had wanted to be friends with Callia simply because of her honesty even before that.

Somehow, he could clearly imagine the hidden hardships in the story Anael had abbreviated earlier.

Teaerik’s green eyes looked at Anael with sympathy.

“Well… only she knows if it was truly done with good intentions.”

Honestly, he didn’t really believe in Callia’s reformation.

As a family that had lived together for over twenty years, he believed this even more strongly.

‘She might donate anonymously now, but it wouldn’t be strange at all if she later stormed into the Divine Temple, making a huge show of it while thoroughly irritating people.’

Even while arranging for the donation to be properly delivered to the Divine Temple, Teaerik firmly believed that Callia would eventually wield that vicious personality of hers.

However, if he conveyed these thoughts directly, it was obvious that the person before him, who seemed to have lived only righteously, would be shocked, and he didn’t think he could handle that.

So he chose to speak diplomatically.

“Have you forgotten how Callia tormented you? If you really feel uncomfortable just accepting it, consider it sent as a sincere apology.”

Though he again insisted there was no need to feel burdened, Anael’s solemn expression remained unchanged.

“Though I may be naive about worldly matters, I know how large a sum 30 billion golden is.”

“That’s true, but…”

Teaerik’s voice trailed off. While the House of Rabius was indeed a wealthy noble family, 30 billion golden wasn’t an amount that could be donated lightly.

Most likely, Callia had emptied her entire fortune and sold quite a few luxury items.

“Thanks to that, countless precious lives in my homeland were saved, and they can now live better lives. Even if it was charity given with a light heart, the fact that the North received such indescribable grace remains unchanged.”

Teaerik gave up trying to persuade her.

No matter what he said, Anael was determined to consider Callia a lifelong benefactor.

Besides, it was true that Callia, who had gone down to the South, hadn’t caused any trouble yet.

Then Anael spoke to him with a determined expression.

“I know that even if I devoted my whole life, I could never sufficiently repay Lady Rabius. However… even if I’m inadequate, please tell me if there’s any way I could be of help to her.”

Through his conversation with Anael, Teaerik could understand her character.

‘It’s obvious she’ll keep holding onto this no matter how much I say it’s fine.’

So it seemed better to give her something to do instead.

But what could he possibly ask regarding Callia?

‘Should I ask her to pray that she eats well and lives well? No, she’s already eating and living plenty well.’

Usually, he would have just said anything that came to mind, but facing Anael’s earnest gaze now, he couldn’t bring himself to do that.

As he furrowed his brow in serious thought, a sudden idea flashed through his mind.

“…Lady Francideum. You said your divine power has the nature of insight, correct?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Then perhaps, can you read ancient language as well?”

“Though I’m embarrassed to say, reading ancient texts is my modest hobby.”

For Teaerik, who had barely passed the ancient language subject in the Academy exams with minimum scores, it was an incomprehensible hobby.

However, it seemed fortunate for the current situation.

“That’s perfect. In that case, I have something to ask of you regarding Callia.”

Someone with insight, divine power and expert-level ancient language interpretation skills would be rare even in the Empire, making this something only Anael could do.

‘This should be enough to ease her burden.’

Having made his decision, Teaerik smiled at Anael, whose expression had already brightened.

“Shall we go? I’ll guide you to House Rabius’s treasure vault.”

***

A week had passed since sending the letter to Teaerik.

[Lady Callia, going to sleep?]

But instead of the awaited reply, persistent letters keep coming like spam mail.

More precisely, crimson letters appeared on that paper.

[Why are you still awake in the middle of the night?]

[Thinking about Lady Callia?]

I clicked my tongue at the sentences appearing without even a second’s delay.

Teaerik should learn from this reply speed.

‘Did he just toss my letter in some corner without reading it?’

Recalling the relationship with Teaerik in Callia’s memories, they were more like sworn enemies than real siblings.

So I can’t really trust him to give a quick and accurate reply.

[Why aren’t you sleeping, Lady Callia?]

Meanwhile, this guy is persistently relentless.

[Thinking about Richard.]

[I’m a potential lover, you know. Such an honest answer hurt.]

[I understand. I’m just that fatal.]

I scribbled a halfhearted reply while yawning.

What does this guy want? Does he have nothing better to do?

[Do your siblings know you’re doing this?]

[Yes. My siblings like you too.]

What’s he saying? When did these threatening siblings ever see me… Wait?

[Did you plant spies in my mansion?]

[How badly do you think of me, Callia?]

[Answer properly.]

If the suspicious letters appearing on my desk were due to having spies in the mansion, that would be a different story.

[Really, I didn’t. Should I swear to God?]

Seeing him go this far makes me think maybe he didn’t…

[Yeah, swear.]

[Callia, you’re so careful. Well, I swear to God that I haven’t planted any spies in Callia’s mansion. Happy?]

Though the handwriting seems even more rushed than usual and rather perfunctory, I decided to let it slide for now.

[Okay. Then how do your siblings know and like me?]

[The youngest started liking you after meeting you at sea.]

The sea?

The first and last time I went to the sea was when I went fishing with Louisa and Maribel.

If they started liking me then, could it be…?

[Does your youngest sibling like fish?]

The fishermen and those who received rare fish donations had shown goodwill toward me then.

I asked, thinking they might be one of them.

[Just a moment…. Hmm. Says they do.]

Is the sibling right next to him? The reply seems like he just asked and got an answer.

I wrote in the notebook I always keep ready when exchanging letters with the threatener.

「Youngest: Saw me at sea, likes fish → Likely someone at the Naval Headquarters’ direct fishing grounds.」

Then I casually asked the threatener.

[You said they like me, right? Then could I exchange letters directly with your sibling?]