House Valter’s end was even more miserable than the viscountess’s. The item they had seized as an opportunity turned out to be ridiculously worthless, and because they had recklessly involved the imperial family in their business, the entire family disappeared, executed for the crime of deceiving the imperial family.

Though she had only read about it in passing in the newspaper, she remembered it clearly. Because when Lady Valter’s death became her joy, she confronted her own evil nature.

Estelle considered herself not to be good. Whatever purity she had once possessed had dried up completely through multiple regressions. With a somewhat relieved expression, she took Jeff’s outstretched hand and left the dress shop.

“That’s enough.”

Estelle stopped Jeff as he was about to head to their next destination.

“Pardon?”

“I said that’s enough.”

“What……”

“You’re about to go to the jeweler now, aren’t you? That’s enough.”

“But… we’ve only been to one place so far.”

“And we bought more than enough there.”

“But we haven’t seen accessories—”

Estelle cut Jeff’s words short.

“You don’t need to show off. I’m well aware of the duke’s wealth.”

“Still……”

Jeff, accustomed to Otis’s shopping list, was at a loss, like a child who had lost his way. Otis would typically visit at least ten more places before showing a satisfied expression like a well-fed lioness. She would then primly rebuke him, saying that was the basic virtue of women.

Otis had brainwashed Jeff into believing that it was a gentleman’s duty to present beautiful things to a beautiful woman.

“Your Highness, you still have that sucker-like quality.”

“……”

Sucker. Being called a sucker… Jeff looked as if he had been hit hard on the back of his head by Estelle’s straightforward comment.

“Let’s go get something to eat. I’m hungry.”

“Um… yes……”

Jeff escorted Estelle while trying to gather his scattered soul. After boarding the carriage and taking her seat, Estelle gazed out the window with eyes that held a story. Jeff, observing her darkening expression that changed moment by moment, carefully broached the subject.

“I thought your mood might improve… but you seem to be feeling worse. Please let me know if I’ve made a mistake.”

“Ah.”

Estelle wore an apologetic expression, as if she had momentarily forgotten Jeff’s presence.

“Old memories keep popping up, making my mood swing emotionally……  Thank you for the gifts. I didn’t even thank you properly for what you bought me.”

“Not at all. I’m rather relieved that you seem to be comfortable with me. Please continue to treat me comfortably and don’t hesitate. If there’s anything that makes you uncomfortable, please tell me anytime……”

“……”

Estelle stared directly at Jeff. Her gaze seemed to be calling him a sucker with her eyes, causing Jeff to close his mouth and slightly avert his gaze. He had liked it when she looked him straight in the eyes, but now it was almost frightening.

“It’s not you who makes me uncomfortable. I just remembered how Lexion mistreated me because he believed the rumors spread by that woman. I thought I had forgotten…… This life feels unfamiliar since it’s been a while.”

“……”

She seemed to be possessed by Lexion’s terrible specter even though she had left the imperial palace.

A deep silence filled the carriage for a while. Jeff didn’t bother to disturb her as she sank back into her thoughts. It was becoming difficult to listen to her strange ramblings with a sober mind.

The carriage was approaching the Tehis River. A long river flowed through the capital of Valois, with many commercial districts formed around it, filled with nobles enjoying boat rides and people coming to see the romantic scenery.

The carriage passed by the famous restaurants and headed toward one with relatively fewer people.

Jeff handled himself smoothly in front of others, but he fundamentally disliked crowded places.

“Duke, you’ve arrived.”

Upon arriving at the restaurant, a waiter greeted them with great respect and guided them to a private room reserved only for distinguished guests.

As they climbed to the second floor, Estelle recalled what Jeff was going to say to her. All his actions of buying expensive items and trying to please her were for that request.

The room had glass windows covering an entire wall to fully enjoy the outside scenery, with a round table placed in the center like a delicate work of art.

Estelle sat in the chair pulled out by the waiter, stroking the spotless white tablecloth.

While she was admiring the beauty of the Tehis River, which looked as if stars had been scattered across it, the waiters quietly brought in the food one by one and placed it on the table without making a sound.

“This is a place I visit whenever I stay in the capital. I hope it suits your taste, Lady Arcis……”

“Everything looks delicious.”

It wasn’t just flattery; all the food at this restaurant was excellent. The chef, who maximized the use of high-quality ingredients, later became famous by word of mouth and was recruited as an imperial chef.

Since she already knew of the chef’s skills, her mouth watered just looking at the food. She picked up her utensils without further delay and savored each dish. The trout dish, which melted the moment it touched her tongue, was still exquisite.

Estelle enjoyed her final lunch to the fullest, knowing she wouldn’t even get a glimpse of such food for quite some time.

In contrast, Jeff, who had completely set aside his meal, was busy watching Estelle eat. Seeing her white cheeks puff up and her small lips chew and swallow, he felt full even without eating.

She might have uttered nonsensical things in the carriage, but what did it matter if her mind was a bit off?

She was just too pretty.

‘Yes. She’s just too pretty…… She’s my own saintess that I need to protect for now, so this much is nothing.’

He had thought her purple eyes resembled Catherine’s, but upon closer observation, they were completely different. Unlike Catherine’s dark eyes, Estelle’s eyes transparently reflected sunlight, sparkling like glass beads.

With her delicate, fine features, she possessed a pure appearance rather than Catherine’s glamour. She stimulated a man’s protective instinct and had a mysterious aura that captured one’s gaze.

The more Jeff looked at Estelle, the drier his mouth became.

Her busy white hands noticeably slowed down, seemingly satisfied. Estelle didn’t bother urging Jeff to eat together, as he wasn’t touching the food served. She had suggested it in the past, but even then, he had treated the food like stones until they left.

Estelle put down her fork and wiped her mouth with a napkin.

“……Why aren’t you saying anything?”

He should have attempted conversation much earlier, but he hadn’t spoken a word until the meal was nearly over. Jeff, who had been unable to take his eyes off her as if they were fixed in place, realized his mistake and blushed to the tips of his ears in embarrassment.

“Ah… I apologize. You looked so pleasant while enjoying your meal that I couldn’t help myself……”

“That’s not what I meant. Don’t you have something to tell me?”

“Something to tell you……?”

“Isn’t there another reason behind this excessive hospitality and the absence of attendants?”

“…What?”

“For instance… that our destination isn’t Alphion but Luard.”

“……!”

Jeff opened his eyes wide, unable to hide his surprise. He was already shocked that he’d been so captivated by her face that he’d forgotten to bring up the important matter, but he was even more surprised that Estelle had mentioned it first.

“Isn’t it because the Duke of Adrian’s condition is very poor, so you planned to take me to Luard?”

Jeff was so startled at this point that he couldn’t maintain his composure.

“How did you……”

Could the saintess have the ability to read minds? But he had never heard of such a thing, nor did it exist in any records.

Estelle rose from her seat. Then she approached Jeff and gently patted his shoulder.

“Shall we go for a walk? As it happens… I have something to tell Your Highness as well.”

“……”

The downward gaze and casual gesture were far from the proper etiquette one should show to a duke who ruled the East.

Yet she seemed all too accustomed to acting this way.

* * *

Lexion walked along the corridor of a building located in a secluded area. The palace was used to imprison criminals of high status. As such, the view was blocked on all sides, and the interior was filthy beyond description.