A young lady who grew up in comfort will always stand out, no matter where she goes. Making a fuss over the death of a single goat, invoking old legends, and imposing movement restrictions.

Weren’t demons and evil spirits supposed to bring about far more terrible disasters? It was hard to tell whether Satin had misunderstood or if the old tales were greatly exaggerated.

“Now that I think about it, you said you had a tough upbringing?”

Regardless of his trust in Rublier’s judgment that the evil spirit needed to be captured and destroyed before causing any accidents, Kirion could somewhat guess why Delilah didn’t bat an eye at most misfortunes.

“That’s unexpected. Just by looking at you, one would think you grew up more affluent than most nobles. From what I see, a pretty girl is usually a subject of favor, but your story was entirely different, which puzzled me.”

There was no need to specifically mention Satin as an example of a pretty girl who became a subject of favor. Delilah understood the implication in Kirion’s words well enough.

“A life walking a smooth path of flowers is only possible for pretty girls born into prestigious noble families like Lady Satin. For a pretty girl born in the countryside, life becomes more dangerous. There’s no such thing as a favor without a price. Enemies are everywhere.”

“So that’s why you’re not afraid of the evil spirit?”

“Well, I’ve been tormented by far scarier evil spirits. An evil spirit might, at most, kill a goat, but poverty and hunger kill people. And patrons who hold the dreams of young, talented but unsupported actors hostage… What can I say about them?”

Beauty is money. Songs sung with an unusually clear voice, laughter, and the ability to read people’s reactions are also money. But there’s a clear limit to the amount that can be paid with beauty and talent. Delilah summed up the days she struggled to raise that limit with a single scoff.

Gjorn was a man moved by tears. He deeply sympathized with Delilah’s misfortunes and felt heartache for her. But Delilah never cried in front of Kirion.

“There was a reason for your persistent success.”

“I didn’t want to live a miserable life.”

She laughed instead.

“Ambition is a great motivation for success. So how does it feel to achieve your dream? When you stand on a grand stage, and nobles come to watch your performance, and everyone remembers your name.”

“Your Eminence knows far better than I do. All the citizens of Caldeblanca know and revere you.”

In this country, Kirion was undoubtedly one of the top five most noble individuals. His reputation surpassed that of the cardinal who was known for his virtue, several archbishops, Paladin of the Holy Knights, and even the members of the five guardian families.

Though he might lack the experience of the cardinal and the martial prowess of a Paladin, the dignity of his lineage was such. However, Kirion denied it without hesitation.

“I still have a long way to go.”

Delilah suddenly realized the end of the path Kirion was aiming for. The Papal seat. Only when he ascended to that position would Kirion consider his journey complete.

She found the basis for why she felt such a strong connection and attraction to him from the first day they met. They shared a deep commonality. The desire to rise higher, ever higher. Despite their different abilities and starting points, their aspirations were the same. They were kindred spirits.

At this moment, Delilah found Kirion utterly perfect.

“It’s the same for me. I still have a long way to go.”

“Haven’t you already reached the peak as a prima donna?”

“I thought so, but no.”

No matter how well she sang, how talented she was, or how beautiful, there was an insurmountable wall. No matter how many nobles came to watch her performances and showered her with praise, to them, she was just an exhibit and a trophy.

After meeting Gjorn, Delilah realized her situation even more acutely. In the Sel Wio family, she was naturally treated as a mistress who would pass through for a time.

Even though Satin, a noblewoman, had refused to marry Gjorn, fearing the loss of Del Mare, they ultimately blamed Delilah when Satin left to find another man.

To avoid the crisis, Delilah knelt before others for the first time in a long while. She cried and begged before Satin’s parents, who came to overturn Gjorn’s house. At that time, the position she had earned as a prima donna was of no use. And what about Rublier? From the beginning, he treated Delilah with disdain.

Now, Gjorn, blinded by love, was on her side, but who knows how long that would last. Gjorn, being weak-hearted, would never be able to defy his parents beyond this point.

On the other hand, what about Kirion? He had long since lost his mother, and his father, the Pope, was suffering from old age. There was no one with the power to control him. No matter how powerful Satin and Rublier were as nobles, they were no match for the legitimate heir of the Pope.

Delilah counted the men one by one.

Appearance. The person who had an irresistible charm at first sight was Rublier.

Personality. Aside from his weak points, Gjorn was one of the most gentle and kind men she had ever met. If Delilah’s status had been somewhat higher, he would have made an enviable husband. Sometimes, Delilah thought she understood what Satin had hoped for in Gjorn as his fiancée.

Ability. The position of Paladin of the Holy Knights was one achieved purely through ability. Apart from the duties obtained by status, in terms of sheer innate talent, there was a connection between her becoming a prima donna and Rublier becoming a Paladin.

But status, that was the one thing Gjorn or Rublier could never surpass Kirion in, even if they were reborn. Delilah was naturally endowed with appearance and ability. Personality could be adjusted as much as needed. Cheerfulness, gentleness, aloofness, elegance, melancholy—all these roles were within her. But status, that she did not have. Therefore, Kirion’s condition was an unparalleled attraction.

People said Delilah would never be more than a mistress, no matter how high she climbed. Even as a recognized prima donna, her position was ultimately fixed.

“Come to think of it, my friend once said this. That you’re a dangerous woman.”

Kirion raised his hand and caressed Delilah’s face.

“What did he mean by that? Your body is so slender. Did he mean that there are few men who can handle you? I’m not sure if that’s what he meant, but I somewhat agree after meeting you. You certainly are dangerous. You carry a scent that’s dangerously potent. But you’re a mistress of the Sel Wio family. If even a man from the guardian family couldn’t handle you…”

At the end of his long monologue, Kirion asked himself. Delilah did not interrupt him. He was a confident man.

“…What about me?”

It wasn’t a question seeking an answer. Kirion was confident. He believed that there was no woman he couldn’t handle, no matter how dangerous she seemed.

“I think…”

Delilah slowly swallowed her breath. She whispered close to Kirion’s face.

“Your Eminence is the dangerous one. The man who might change my life, a dangerous man.”

Both were unafraid of challenges. The future Pope and the prima donna. They were people who couldn’t live a boring and quiet life from the moment they set foot on their paths.

Fine, if she had to live as someone’s mistress, she would be the mistress of the future Pope. She would be the mistress of the highest person in this country. What she couldn’t achieve with her own power, she would fill with someone else’s. Likewise, she would fulfill what Kirion sought through a woman.

Delilah made up her mind. She would become the one and only woman who had gone through both the guardian family and the Pope.

* * *

As the sunset faded, twilight began to set in. After finishing his usual duties with the Holy Knights during the day, Rublier stopped by his newlywed home for a moment before heading out for the evening patrol.

“Where is Satin?”

“She went for a walk.”

“At this hour?”

Rublier didn’t hide his displeasure as he looked around. Two figures stood on the field some distance away. The shorter one was Satin, and the taller one was Larie, the maid Satin had brought from Del Mare.

It was close to the place where the goat had crossed over and died. Rublier quickly walked towards them.

“Satin.”

His loud voice reached them first.

“Oh, the Paladin is here.”

Larie whispered excitedly to Satin.

“See? The Paladin always looks for you first as soon as he comes home. Madam, greet him warmly. It would be even better if you hugged him. A kind word can be a great comfort to someone who has to endure hardships all night.”

Satin glared at Larie’s boldness.

“We’re not like that.”

“Still, you two seem quite comfortable with each other these days.”

“We’ve always been like this.”

“Oh, Madam…”

A haughty madam is of no use, no matter how much you encourage her.

Rublier approached with long strides. His expression was quite stern, perhaps displeased that Satin was out where the evil spirit had lingered.

“Satin.”

As soon as Rublier spoke, Larie, who had been waiting for an opportunity, subtly pushed Satin towards him.

“Oh my!”

Even though it wasn’t a strong push, it was unexpected, so Satin stumbled and slipped a few steps. Rublier quickly caught her as if he was receiving a gift.

“I need to help with dinner preparations, so I’ll head back first. You two take your time!”

Larie quickly ran off. Rublier, who had been planning to at least give a word of caution, couldn’t help but let out a deep sigh. Satin, who almost fell if not for Rublier, angrily shouted.

“Larie!”

“I think your maid is quite a good person.”

“I used to think so too, but lately, my opinion is changing.”

Satin muttered sulkily.