Chapter 4

“This time too, he fell asleep while with the princess. There must be something about her.”

Bane’s voice was gravely serious. His gaze towards the princess was as cold as sharp ice. In contrast, the Archbishop dealing with such a Bane lifted his teacup with a gentle expression.

“I sense nothing from the princess’s body.”

The only thing he could sense was the faint aroma of darjeeling.

The Archbishop savored the tea. Genoa, who also lifted his teacup following the Archbishop, had an equally calm face. The only one here who was fidgeting with an anxious look was Bane alone.

“Then why does His Grace fall asleep when he’s near the princess?”

“Is that really a problem now?”

Bane tried to argue further with the Archbishop who answered nonchalantly, frustrated.

“Of course it is…!”

“Duke Ivanstein is now more vibrant and healthy than I’ve ever seen him.”

But the Archbishop cut off Bane’s concerns with a firm voice.

“How wonderful it is that he’s made up for his lack of sleep.”

The Archbishop clicked his tongue at Bane and shook his head. Then, looking at the princess who was biting her lip with teary eyes, he said,

“Rather than suspecting the princess of having something evil, you should consider her blessed.”

The princess was kneeling on the floor, looking as if she bore all the world’s injustices alone. Whenever her gaze fell on the Archbishop and Genoa, they avoided her eyes.

“Moreover, I’ve examined the cooking utensils and tableware the princess used with holy power, but they were just ordinary items used in the ducal household.”

Since Genoa hadn’t touched the late-night snack the princess made, it would have been meaningless to try to examine the already consumed food.

The Archbishop threw a disgusted look at Bane and said,

“His Majesty’s funeral is coming soon. How many more things must Duke Ivanstein arrange and worry about? At times like these, it would be more beneficial to pay special attention to the Duke’s health with the princess’s help.”

“……”

Bane bit his lip, looking at the princess as if he couldn’t accept it. The princess met his wavering gaze without backing down. A subtle battle of nerves was unfolding between the two.

The Archbishop finally said with a sigh,

“Surely you’re not doubting the words of me, a faithful servant of God, are you, Sir Bane?”

The Archbishop was the last remaining person on this land to receive God’s blessing. Holy power was a force that could be borrowed by receiving God’s grace. While most clergy barely maintained and used weak holy power, the holy power the Archbishop could use was said to be like the incarnation of the Pope who existed in ancient times.

One of the reasons he could receive such a blessing from God was that the Archbishop had never uttered a single lie in his life. That’s why those who had experienced the Archbishop’s mysterious power in the Raon Empire unconditionally trusted the words that came out of his lips.

“Of course not.”

Knowing this all too well, Bane finally bowed his head with a deep sigh.

“Very well. Then I’ll take my leave now.”

“Thank you, Your Excellency.”

Genoa expressed his gratitude to the Archbishop who was putting down his teacup and rising.

Looking at the Duke who seemed completely unconcerned while his subordinate was making a fuss, the Archbishop said,

“You look healthier.”

“Well, thanks to that.”

“Please treat the princess well, Duke.”

At the Archbishop’s request, he smiled silently. Seeing that chilling smile, the Archbishop swallowed a sigh and approached the princess who was still kneeling.

“In the name of God, I bless your future, poor child.”

“…Thank you.”

The princess seemed moved by the Archbishop’s kind voice. The Archbishop’s heart also softened seeing her teary eyes. He knelt in front of the princess, took both her hands, and closed his eyes.

After a moment of having his eyes closed, the Archbishop’s body suddenly flinched. At the same time, a mysterious silver light flickered in both eyes of the Archbishop as he opened them. His eyes looked at the princess’s face, and beyond.

“Your Excellency?”

“Ah.”

When the princess called him, the Archbishop groaned for a moment and slowly closed and opened his eyes. Then the flickering light in his eyes disappeared, revealing ordinary brown eyes. The Archbishop stared at her silently for a while before standing up. Then, after looking around the room once, he opened his mouth.

“I’ll say it once more, Duke Ivanstein.”

“Yes.”

“Please treat her well.”

“I will.”

With that final request, the Archbishop left the room. Genoa, who had been quietly watching his retreating figure, put down the teacup he was holding and looked at the princess. If it was true that he could sleep comfortably when she was nearby, he needed to reconsider the usefulness he had assigned to the princess.

“I’m sorry.”

Genoa approached Mel and held out his hand. Although Bane watched with wary eyes, Mel immediately turned her head when she met Genoa’s eyes.

Mel took his hand and stood up, slightly dragging her numb feet. Genoa’s gaze lingered on her legs for a moment.

“Call the court physician.”

Bane hesitated at Genoa’s order. He looked back and forth between Mel and Genoa for a moment, then opened the door and left with a deep sigh.

“Bane tends to worry about me excessively. I hope the princess will understand with her benevolence.”

“Of course, the sir can do that.”

Mel silently continued her act as the benevolent princess. Pretending not to know about the subtle power struggle she had just had with Bane.

“Although I made a deal with Duke Ivanstein, I’m still just a prisoner from an enemy country. It’s right to suspect me first in case of any incident.”

The war with Reibritton was still ongoing, and she was a princess from an enemy country. It wouldn’t be strange at all if she was waiting for a moment when Duke Ivanstein let his guard down.

Genoa remained silent throughout the Archbishop’s examination of her. Both Bane’s speculation and the Archbishop’s concern were all done with Genoa’s consent. In the end, it was no different from saying that Bane’s will was Genoa’s will.

“But I truly did nothing to the Duke, and His Excellency the Archbishop has twice declared my innocence, so I believe Sir Bane will now withdraw his suspicions.”

Mel deliberately emphasized the number ‘twice’ as she spoke.

It was true that she had a connection with Genoa when she was young. Even so, there was no way that Mel, who had become a fake princess after years had passed, could be related to his insomnia. Moreover, Genoa didn’t even have insomnia at that time.

Thinking that it might be okay to express a bit of displeasure, Mel continued,

“At least regarding the matter of the Duke falling asleep without reason.”

“That’s right.”

Genoa nodded in agreement without hesitation.

If the princess had any malicious feelings, there was no way the Archbishop wouldn’t have sensed it. The Archbishop was well-versed in reading the hatred and malice that had sprouted in people’s hearts.

Wasn’t it said that when he’s using holy power, he feels various things flowing into him? The first time the Archbishop read Genoa’s emotions, he even vomited. Because of that incident, Genoa was able to trust the Archbishop.

Since such an Archbishop had confirmed twice, Genoa decided to put aside some of his troublesome thoughts about the princess.

“In the end, though we don’t know the reason, it seems I can sleep when the princess is nearby.”

“You were in a state that could be considered unconscious.”

“Because I haven’t been able to sleep well for a long time.”

Genoa had slept very sweetly last night. His body felt so light that he was freshly aware of how exhausted he had been without realizing it.

“I understand if the princess doesn’t believe that I have insomnia.”

“I’ve certainly seen many untrustworthy behaviors.”

In fact, she had only faced Genoa alone about three times. Excluding the day they exchanged deals when the Emperor’s death was announced, Genoa had fallen asleep in front of her both times. At this point, it would be stranger to trust that he had insomnia.

Genoa guided the princess to a chair at the table and personally poured tea into her cup. As he did so, he spoke in a subtle voice.

“We’ll have to see a few more times, but if I can sleep when the princess is nearby, I’d like to receive your help.”

“……”

“Would that be possible?”

Mel obediently picked up the teacup as he offered, but her mind was becoming very complicated.

“That’s not the kind of help I can offer as a princess.”

“You don’t necessarily have to exist as a princess for this. It’s my personal problem.”

At Genoa’s words, Mel gathered her thoughts for a moment before speaking.

“Then, as much as I’m helping with the Duke’s personal problem, I’d like to receive some personal help in return.”