Selvia gently shook her head.

She ignored Ratius’s steady gaze and tapped her mother’s necklace.

A bright light flashed and a voice came through just like before.

“You will become the child who will brighten the world someday. Since you are hidden in shadows, find one who wields the power of god. They will be your way to survive.”

Ratius’s face showed understanding at last.

“So your frequent visits to the temple were to find me?”

“Yes. They said you would be my path to survival.”

Path to survival……

Ratius vividly recalled that day when he survived thanks to her.

He had always felt indebted since then. That was also why he proposed the contract when he learned she was the child of prophecy.

If she had been happy there, things would have been different.

Each other’s savior.

It didn’t sound bad.

Ratius’s lips rose with satisfaction.

Suddenly he remembered the red blood that had stained the blanket. Though she claimed it was a nosebleed, it was likely coughed-up blood.

Ratius brushed back his hair and pulled up a chair to sit in front of her.

He immediately took her hand to check her condition.

‘Maybe because I infused holy power earlier, but nothing seems different.’

There had been no new prophecy. If he only knew that, it could help a lot.

“Aren’t you being too casual grabbing my hand? I’m fine.”

Selvia tilted her head as she held up her hand.

“Ah, my apologies. But why didn’t you tell me?”

“You did the same thing, didn’t you?”

Since they both had secrets, there was no point in arguing about it.

“Then now we need to figure out why I’m your savior.”

“No matter how I think about it, nothing’s different. Except for having no adverse reactions…… but that won’t be enough.”

“At least you feel a bit better when you’re with me, don’t you?”

“We should go to the temple together next time.”

Things would become clearer at the temple. It would be good to confirm everything before the day of prophecy.

Ratius nodded in agreement.

“Get some rest now. You must be tired today.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

Only then did Selvia withdraw her hand as Ratius let go.

She felt disappointed when the warmth from their touching hands disappeared.

As if noticing this, Ratius lightly kissed her forehead and smiled.

She stared at Ratius’s back as he closed the door and left.

His broad back looked especially wide today.

* * *

For several days, Ratius couldn’t sleep properly.

Though he learned he was necessary for Selvia’s recovery, he still didn’t know how.

His anguish continued in the office.

Belrocan had been silently observing Ratius, but he had definitely changed since the day he took the necklace.

“What’s going on?”

“Amon lied to me. Rather cleverly at that.”

“Then why don’t you meet and hear what he has to say? He wouldn’t have lied without reason.”

“That’s true. But still, it’s vexing.”

Seeing Ratius’s face, Belrocan called for a maid.

After a knock, a maid immediately appeared.

“You called?”

“We need some warm tea. Something calming, please.”

“Yes, understood.”

The maid immediately bowed and left the office.

“……Let’s think more while having tea. I’m canceling my suggestion about meeting for now. It seems better to meet later.”

It seemed like Amon’s life would be in danger if they went to the temple now. No matter what, they couldn’t lose the empire’s only High Priest.

Ratius nodded slightly at Belrocan’s words.

“I was thinking the same. If I go right now, I don’t think I could leave him be.”

“Yes, that’s why I suggested it.”

Hah.

Ratius’s sigh lengthened. The maid promptly brought the tea.

He sat at the table, rubbed his face, and propped his chin.

“For now, tell the maids to watch over Selvia carefully as her etiquette education begins.”

“Understood.”

Belrocan let out a sigh of relief inside. Fortunately, things seemed like they would pass quietly for now.

* * *

Since revealing everything to Ratius, Selvia had been moving busily.

Though her body was tired, her mind felt refreshed.

When she woke in the morning, she felt not just fine but even light.

“Lady Selvia, you have dance lessons today. Countess Ludvig is waiting.”

Botany Elianas Ludvig.

She was a famous dance instructor in social circles. She was known for her elegance and graceful lines.

She heard it was difficult to even schedule lessons with Countess Ludvig.

After finishing preparations, Selvia headed to the banquet hall where she waited.

The place where Selvia would learn dance was the second largest banquet hall in the imperial palace.

Countess Ludvig, who had been waiting for her, gently held her dress skirt and bowed in greeting.

Her graceful movement naturally drew admiration.

“I am Botany Elianas Ludvig of House Ludvig.”

Selvia also greeted her in return.

“Nice to meet you, Countess Ludvig. You don’t need to be so formal with me. Please just call me Selvia.”

Countess Ludvig gently shook her head. She was quite perceptive.

Though Selvia was now just a woman without title in the empire, she had been a queen in Delpheron.

She was even under the Emperor’s protection. In other words, it meant Selvia was now the Emperor’s person.

Given that she was taking etiquette lessons, she would likely make her appearance in social circles before long.

Botany had even signed a confidentiality agreement with the Emperor.

This meant that Selvia’s existence should not be revealed yet.

“Lady Selvia, though I am lacking, I look forward to working with you. I will do my best in teaching.”

Countess Ludvig maintained a careful yet courteous attitude.

“I look forward to working with you as well.”

As their conversation ended, the lesson began immediately.

The representative dances of the Karina Empire typically started with quadrille, followed by waltz, highland reel, and polka.

Most were modern dances that were not permitted in Delpheron.

The Kingdom of Delpheron insisted only on minuet and gavotte. Perhaps because they emphasized elegance and dignity.

In contrast, the Empire’s dances were bright and full of energy.

Despite sweating, Selvia didn’t feel bad. Rather, she felt strangely excited throughout the dance lesson.

The lively music also played a part.

‘This is fun.’

Far from being boring, she looked forward to the next dance.

Moreover, since she had already learned the sequences from books, following the lesson wasn’t a problem.

Throughout the lesson, a smile never left Selvia’s face.

* * *

During the week, Selvia accelerated her preparations to enter social circles.

Following dance lessons, she attended every lesson without exception, including dining etiquette.

On her rare day off, Selvia had tea time in her room.

Mellin checked Selvia’s complexion while pouring warm tea into her cup.

“How have you been feeling lately?”

“I’ve gotten much better, thanks to you. Thank you for your concern.”

“Um…… did His Majesty say anything?”

Mellin carefully asked Selvia.

Though time had passed, she hadn’t been able to tell her story to Selvia due to her busy schedule.

Selvia smiled faintly at Mellin’s cautious words.

‘She must have been very troubled.’

Understanding Mellin’s position, she hadn’t said anything. But it seemed Mellin had been carrying a burden in her heart.

“Mellin, it’s alright. As I said then, I didn’t want you to be in a difficult situation. You only did your job.”

“……Lady Selvia.”

“And thanks to that, I was able to have an honest conversation with His Majesty. Thank you.”

Mellin’s eyes turned red. She wiped away her tears secretly and smiled brightly.

“I have some newly dried marigold tea. I think you’ll like it.”

“Then, please.”

Mellin immediately left the room. Her footsteps seemed lighter than usual.

When Mellin vacated her seat, Selvia dropped holy water into her teacup and took a sip.

“The holy water is running low, I should tell His Majesty to call Amon.”

For some reason, Amon, who had said he would come to the palace, hadn’t shown up even as the holy water was running out.

The shadow rippled rebelliously at her feet again. It still seemed to dislike the holy water.

“But there’s no choice. You should try to harmonize too.”

At Selvia’s words, the shadow expanded greatly, engulfing the room. She sighed deeply and stamped her foot.

The darkness that had spread suddenly subsided and hid its form again.