“Haa, how long can we last on this…… we’ll get through today somehow, but we’ll be hungry again before long. What’s the point of any of it?”

Then a young man eating bread beside her nudged her in the side.

“Come on, old woman, what are you saying? When have we ever received something like this for nothing? How many nobles or priests actually think about us? If you don’t want it, give it to me.”

The old woman hid the grain pouch behind her back and gave an awkward cough.

“Ahem ahem. Who said I didn’t want it? I’m just saying life has no answers.”

The young man nodded.

“That’s true too, but the fact that someone looked out for us today is still something to be grateful for. At least we’re alive today.”

“Right, let tomorrow worry about tomorrow. Today we just eat well.”

Among the people, a conversation mixed with gratitude and doubt, hope and cynicism continued.

Listening to the people’s raw and heartfelt words, Alicia slowly nodded.

Right. One act of relief doesn’t solve everything.

A more fundamental solution was needed, one that could guarantee the people a stable life. And all of it was groundwork that would form the foundation of her revenge against Helena.

Because it will clearly draw a different reaction than Helena, who does nothing but pray for the principality.

Alicia slowly turned her head and looked at the temple.

The great flame sculpture, symbol of the head priest.

Her eyes burned redder than that sculpture.

‘I do not know why you have given me a new life, but I will find my own answer. Even if it differs from your will.’

Alicia only hardened her resolve. Vowing that this place, built on lies, would one day crumble.

˗ˋˏ ♡ ˎˊ˗

Late afternoon.

Alicia went herself to the dirty and foul-smelling beggars and pressed warm bread into their hands.

Alicia’s act of kindness would remain a warm memory for many. Grand Duke Evander and Derick felt the same.

“Now I understand what Your Highness meant when you said she was different from the rumors. Look, Your Highness. Her Highness the Grand Duchess is being praised by the people.”

Lieutenant Derick, watching from a distance, exclaimed in admiration.

“Today’s act of kindness will be an important starting point for Her Highness the Grand Duchess in establishing her standing going forward. What is certain is that it has become a small seed of hope among the people.”

But Grand Duke Evander’s expression showed little change.

“And yet, does it truly matter?”

Kindness.

It was one of the better ways to win the hearts of the people. But it was not an action that offered immediate help to the principality’s precarious situation.

Derick, understanding the Grand Duke’s thinking, nodded as well.

“You are right. It will not be of great immediate help to their unhappy lives. Nor will it change the many problems they face. But I found myself with a small measure of hope.”

Derick paused briefly, then slowly opened his mouth.

“Because of today.”

“……”

Grand Duke Evander turned his head and looked at Derick.

Knowing well that Derick rarely trusted others, Grand Duke Evander could not help but be somewhat surprised. And naturally, he came to understand a truth he had forgotten.

That great change capable of altering fate actually begins from the smallest of changes.

‘……Perhaps I was too hasty.’

The image of his brother, trying to stop him as he called for war against the Empire, came to mind. Thinking of his brother, who had been born of the same blood yet wished to walk a different path, brought a deep sense of loss and a sigh.

Grand Duke Evander looked at Alicia, handing the last piece of bread to a small child.

Two people brought together by the shared purpose of revenge. But her methods were very different from his own.

Perhaps that was why. When the carriage left the temple, the cheers of the people followed behind.

“Hooray!!!”

“Long live His Highness the Grand Duke! Long live Her Highness the Grand Duchess!”

It was a far greater roar than when they had first arrived.

˗ˋˏ ♡ ˎˊ˗

Inside the carriage returning to the castle after the nuptial mass. Grand Duke Evander looked over the list of offerings sent by the Holy Order and furrowed his brow.

“How can a single ceremony cost this much.”

His face was plainly displeased as he pressed his back teeth together. Alicia, watching, asked carefully.

“Why is Your Highness on such poor terms with the Holy Order?”

Grand Duke Evander nodded at Alicia’s words.

“It is an old matter. The conflict began in my father’s time.”

He let out a quiet sigh and opened his mouth.

“There was serious conflict over the land and serfs owned by the temples. And a few years ago, there was another dispute over the selection of my brother’s burial site. Since then, we have been in a state of continued hostility.”

A conflict not recorded in history.

The rift that remained was as deep as the troubled expression on Grand Duke Evander’s face.

So that was how Helena wedged herself in.

The logic of the world where the enemy of an enemy becomes an ally.

It explained why the Holy Order, which should have remained neutral in any political struggle, had sided with Helena.

“A clear resolution with the Holy Order will be necessary for the domain to develop.”

“That is not so simple. The Holy Order’s power is formidable. And the Empire is the one backing them.”

“But the issue of excessive offerings must never be conceded. For Your Highness to achieve your goals, the stability and development of the domain must come first.”

A firm resolve rang through Alicia’s voice.

Grand Duke Evander looked at her quietly and spoke.

“Was using the nuptial mass offering for the people also part of that intention?”

“I simply could not stand to see the people’s hardship.”

“I am grateful. That you would worry about the people, unlike some others. Though it is not something you need concern yourself with.”

“No. I must concern myself with it.”

“……”

“Because I am Grand Duchess now.”

Grand Duke Evander looked at her without a word.

The running of the principality was ultimately his responsibility as Grand Duke. A responsibility and authority that belonged solely to him, with no one else to blame. That was precisely why Alicia’s answer was enough to surprise him.

“Unexpected.”

He had not anticipated that Alicia would take an interest in politics. Her firm tone left a new impression on him.

A brief silence filled the carriage.

Both their gazes turned to the outside at the same moment.

A difficult time.

An era where no one could be trusted.

But at the very least, the two of them were looking in the same direction.

˗ˋˏ ♡ ˎˊ˗

In the bishop’s chamber located behind the Taron Temple.

The nuptial mass that had brought joy to the people was over, but tension filled the room.

Beneath the flame sculpture hanging on the wall, priests had gathered and were talking in agitated voices.

“The Grand Duchess refused to make an offering! This is clearly an act intended to humiliate the Holy Order.”

One priest spoke in a heated voice.

“That is not all. She used that offering money to give food to the people. This has effectively become a public accusation that we do not look after the people! This is not a simple act of kindness. It is clearly a political calculation aimed at us.”

“How dare she disrespect the priests of the Holy Order…… we must convene a religious tribunal at once!”

Then Bishop Armonius, who had been listening in silence all along, spoke in a calm voice.

“Very well, brothers. But on what charge would you convene a tribunal?”

“Pardon? Why, the charge of insulting the Holy Order, of course.”

“How does giving food to the people constitute insulting the Holy Order? Are you suggesting we brand the Grand Duchess a witch for performing an act of charity?”

At Bishop Armonius’s question, the priests fell momentarily silent.

“Th, that……”

One priest stumbled over his words in confusion.

The bishop narrowed his wrinkled eyes and continued in a measured tone.

“We must keep calm at times like these. We could end up making things worse by scratching at a wound.”

The atmosphere grew subdued.

Then a priest of rigid disposition opened his mouth carefully.

“But, Your Excellency. Is this not too great a blow to the Holy Order’s honor? A mere Grand Duchess daring to refuse an offering and deliver such a public insult.”

“Let us watch for now. Every person makes a mistake eventually.”

“A mistake, you say?”

Armonius let one corner of his mouth curl upward as he looked at the priest.

“Yes. It will not be too late to punish her then. As we always do.”

“Ah……”

The priests, finally understanding the bishop’s meaning, relaxed and nodded.

Catching mistakes.

It was not something they had done only once or twice.