II. Suffocating Noose

「The goddess’s anger, which had persisted for hundreds of years, has finally subsided, and she has bestowed her blessing upon the Empire!」

This news struck throughout the Empire, literally turning the country upside down. The situation was so significant that even the Guardians, the regional emperors who rarely showed themselves, began appearing one after another in the capital.

“I will return after hearing just a few answers from the saintess.”

Caesar’s heavy voice echoed through the imperial palace’s conference hall. Wrapped in a black robe, he was the Duke of Adrian from the south, exuding an eerie and utterly dark atmosphere.

“That is out of the question.”

Seated at the head of the table, Lexion crossed his long legs with flawless movement and raised both hands. Though his posture was dignified, there was something subtly insolent about it.

“She needs complete rest.”

The Duke of Alexis from the east, Jeff, asked in a tone full of distrust.

“Is she truly the saintess?”

“Didn’t you feel it that day, Duke? Lady Arcis clearly possesses the aura of a saintess.”

“I’m asking if this is another imperial trick, like with the magic stone.”

“Though that has never happened, I wonder what you could do about it even if it did.”

“Are you… joking right now?”

Jeff’s expression turned fierce at Lexion’s provocation.

“Having the imperial palace decide the saintess’s residence breaks our agreement.”

The Grand Duke of Yustian from the north, Asis, interjected with displeased eyes.

“The saintess cannot become the property of any of the five families.”

Lexion gave Asis an affectionate smile.

“It’s good to see you after so long, brother. Have you been well? You never come to the capital, so I had almost forgotten your face, but you haven’t changed.”

Those ice-cold blue eyes glared at Lexion, disgusted.

“I will be taking my leave now. I can’t be away from my territory for long as problems have arisen there.”

The Duke of Biastes from the west, Cecil, with her red hair, rose pulling back her chair. She was tired of their repetitive psychological warfare.

“Whatever the conclusion, please let me know.”

“Does this mean the House of Biastes will accept any decision?”

Cecil said, brushing back her wavy hair.

“Yes. As you know, I have no need for the saintess. I mean that there is no need for her to come all the way to my territory. I’d rather decline the role of caretaker.”

She waved her hand and left the conference hall without regret, opening the door. Caesar also looked toward the door as if wanting to follow Cecil, then turned his head back.

“I have no need for the saintess either. I came only because I have questions to ask her personally; I don’t care about her residence.”

“For the Duke who needs the saintess more than anyone to say such things, I question the truthfulness of your statement.”

Lexion examined Caesar’s unstable aura and smiled mockingly.

“I will not permit a meeting, as things would become complicated if the Duke were to kidnap the saintess. Well, I think I know what you want to ask her… are you still unable to let go of that ghost?”

“Lexion de Herais.”

Caesar struck the marble table and ground his teeth. The murderous intent swirling around him was sharp enough for even those without special abilities to sense.

“They treat you like a Crown Prince despite your worthless appearance, and now you’re getting cocky.”

“The relationship between you and me is that you must obey ‘this’ worthless person.”

“Is a man who couldn’t survive even a day in the Black Forest wagging his tongue?”

“Wasn’t it Adrian who chose that territory?”

“That’s enough.”

Asis threw in a word with eyes that said he’d had enough. Perhaps because their special abilities were in opposition, Lexion and Caesar always bared their claws at each other whenever they met.

“Fighting here won’t solve anything.”

“Since nothing is solved by not fighting either, if Duke Adrian wishes, I can tell him anytime why I sit in this position. Well, I wonder if he could even function properly before using his power.”

In the tense atmosphere that seemed ready to explode at any moment, the servants in the room felt their hearts shrinking. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when someone appeared to mediate between them.

“His Majesty the Emperor has arrived!”

Despite the Emperor’s appearance, the dukes showed no intention of standing to pay their respects. It was a fragmentary scene showing that although he ruled the Empire, the Emperor’s power was not absolute.

* * *

“Haah……”

Estelle exhaled a long breath on the luxurious bed. Her two feet, which had endured harsh trials, were tightly wrapped in bandages, and the imperial doctor had diagnosed that she shouldn’t get up for a while.

She had failed spectacularly. Estelle grimaced as she looked at the knight standing guard like an iron wall in front of the door. Breaking through their strict surveillance to end her life was nearly impossible.

‘Where did it all go wrong……’

Estelle tightly gripped the soft blanket. Now that her identity as the saintess had been discovered, the future looked bleak as she imagined being dragged around like a sacrifice by the Guardians.

The Valois Empire was a country that worshipped the goddess Verdi. As the only deity, she loved the humans who revered her. Therefore, she generously shared her special powers with humans.

People called the goddess’s gift “special ability,” and the power manifested differently according to each family. But perhaps the problem was that mere humans dared to possess the power of a goddess.

The more they abused their special abilities, the more cracks began to appear in their souls. Once they exceeded a certain threshold, their minds would fragment, go berserk, and they would die as their entire bodies burst apart.

The goddess, feeling sorry for them, sent down a saintess to balance their power. The saintess, who retained the goddess’s energy, embraced those with special abilities with love.

But humans were creatures full of greed and desire, more than the goddess had thought. Before long, humans forgot the goddess’s love and started wars, putting powerful ability users at the forefront.

The angered goddess no longer sent saintesses to earth. As time passed, traces of magic disappeared completely from the holy continent. Thus, the Valois Empire was left with only five families that could produce ability users.

The few remaining ability users were still celebrated as Guardians of the Empire, still loved by the goddess, and peace naturally flowed through implicit agreements between the families until the House of Herais, which had two Guardians, eventually ascended to the imperial throne and ruled the Empire. It was the natural order of things, as the scale of power was determined by the possession of ability users.

‘If I had known it would come to this, I should have at least tried to touch the holy relic even if I failed……’

Families blessed with special abilities by the goddess had holy relics passed down through generations. Only those chosen through the holy relic manifested special abilities, and Estelle was suffering because of that cursed object.

The holy relic passed down the family’s special ability to successors through generations. However, the ability that the imperial Herais family’s holy relic gave to Estelle was neither the Emperor’s ability nor the light ability with holy power, but an immortal body that could return to the past. For some reason, Estelle had gained a completely different ability.

‘If I could touch the holy relic again, would it be possible to take back that ability……’

Estelle needed to get her hands on the holy relic. However, the holy relic was no different from a treasure that determined a family’s survival, and touching it was a taboo that required risking one’s life. Even when she was the Crown Princess, access to the holy relic was not permitted, and she was barely able to touch it only when the imperial palace met its end.

She should have died cleanly then… what miracle had she hoped for by touching the holy relic?

The mistake she had made in the past in an attempt to preserve her life had dropped Estelle’s life to rock bottom. Estelle felt like confronting the goddess Verdi and demanding answers.

“I have brought a meal for the saintess.”

The knight carefully checked the lids of the trays brought by the maids before allowing them into the room.

Estelle had to eat her food on the bed. High-quality foods that she had never even seen at home were placed before her in order.

‘The food is innocent……’

Even in this situation, the food looked so appetizing that it made her mouth water, so Estelle tasted each dish in turn. There was no point in staging a hunger strike as it wouldn’t improve the situation, and they wouldn’t listen to her wishes anyway, so shouldn’t she eat and regain her strength? That way, she could attempt an escape or try something else.

All the food on the silver tray was excellent, but the dish with cream sauce was even more exquisite. She had thought about it often even after regression. Estelle, thinking this was her chance, moved her fork diligently.

“It’s fortunate to see Miss Estelle’s appetite so vigorous. Not like someone who attempted suicide.”

Estelle was startled by the sudden voice and turned her head. Lexion was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed near the door, looking at her with a sly smile.

“……”

She knew he was a crazy person with an obsession, but to think he was also a pervert and a voyeur….. As new facts that she hadn’t known during their three years of married life came pouring out, Estelle’s face grew haggard. She put down her fork, told the maid to clear the plates, and wiped her mouth with a napkin.