Aaron flicked his fingernail idly and responded with indifference.

“For now, I intend to observe. What I can tell you clearly is that, in my current judgment, I haven’t found reason to blame you.”

“You don’t believe me, but you’re not blindly suspicious either.”

“That’s right.”

“And you don’t consider me the cause of the curse?”

“The evidence is insufficient to make such a conclusion.”

“That’s enough. That’s sufficient for me.”

Her artificial smile transformed into a genuine one.

This is why she’s considered fragile.

She should be demanding punishment for the servants who spoke carelessly, if only to set an example, yet she wasn’t.

It was frustrating to see her unable to assert herself as the young baron’s wife while hoping to live quietly.

However, Aaron had to acknowledge that he hadn’t lowered his walls, preventing her from easily approaching him.

For her, not objecting, not stepping forward, and suppressing her presence was the best course of action.

Since he had no intention of drawing her closer, he should refrain from unnecessary sympathy.

Thinking it was admirable that she wasn’t crying, he decided to relay the news from the capital first.

In truth, he had been gauging the appropriate time, unsure how she would receive it. But it was something she would have to face eventually.

Aaron casually dropped the news as if in passing.

“His Majesty the King has invited us as a couple to the royal banquet.”

For a moment, Lucilia’s mouth fell open helplessly.

Judging by how pale she turned, the thought of meeting her family must have made her heart sink.

Standing before her family who had abandoned her would be more nerve-wracking than standing before the King.

Or perhaps she would be sad?

She might even be angry at their harsh treatment.

She could also feel awkward and ashamed.

Aaron frowned as he realized the futility of listing all the emotions she might feel.

As he moved away from the desk, Lucilia, who had been unable to continue speaking, hastily asked.

“We’re going… to the capital?”

“It’s called an invitation, but it’s actually the King’s command. It will be uncomfortable, but you should attend.”

With no choice, she nodded with an expression half-crazed.

Unlike before, she didn’t respond, so he had to confirm.

“Did you hear me properly?”

“Ah, yes. There’s a royal banquet.”

Watching the still-dazed Lucilia, Aaron wavered internally.

He debated whether it was better to tell her everything she needed to face at once, or let her know as late as possible.

Still, she would need to prepare mentally to avoid being flustered.

“This banquet has two purposes.”

“Isn’t it being held because it’s almost Founding Day?”

“The founding celebration is one purpose. There’s one more reason.”

Aaron sat on the edge of the long sofa where Lucilia was seated. Without looking at her, he rested his elbows on his knees and interlaced his fingers.

Feeling her gaze sliding along the ridge of his bent back, he continued.

“If I had to name it, it’s your debutante stage.”

“Debu…tante?”

Due to her special position as a saint, she hadn’t attended social events even after coming of age, and now she was married.

She was not in a position to be active in society, and her presence would only make everyone uncomfortable.

A stage for such a person could only be interpreted as mockery.

“Since you’ve married me, you need to show your face at least once. Think of it as a place to introduce yourself and greet others.”

“Did His Majesty specifically mention me as a debutante?”

“Yes. Strictly speaking, he did it for my sake.”

People would naturally think that displaying a witch in an official setting would tarnish Aaron’s reputation.

But the King planned to prove that Lucilia was not harmful to Aaron by making her public.

Or perhaps to ensure she couldn’t cause harm by keeping her in check.

Understanding the King’s intentions, she couldn’t help but fall into another worry. She was confused about how to behave when reuniting with her family.

Though they had completely severed their legal family relationship, they couldn’t break the natural bonds of blood unless they replaced the flowing blood itself.

Even if her father didn’t, her mother and brother would surely be heartbroken seeing her.

How much they had loved her… how proud they had been of her as the light of the family.

Would they resent her for no longer bringing glory to them?

No matter what, how could such strong love disappear overnight? That was impossible.

If she hadn’t been branded a witch—no, if she hadn’t become a saint in the first place—this tragedy wouldn’t have happened.

She would have lived ordinarily, basking in her family’s love.

They would have shed tears of joy meeting their daughter who had married far away.

Her family must be suffering just as much. How uncomfortable they must feel, having been forced to cut ties with their daughter.

While she was deeply immersed in these thoughts, Aaron turned his head toward her.

“You’re my wife.”

It was a statement that pushed away the thick fog.

Lucilia silently looked at Aaron.

Her gaze naturally went to his gray eyes, but he was looking elsewhere.

Even though he must have heard that she had lost her sacred power, he’s still wary.

‘Of course, I understand.’ He can’t believe it since there’s no way to physically prove it.

‘And I am deceiving him as well.’

“I mean, just play the role of my wife well. No matter what anyone says.”

“Like others do?”

“Like others? Well… you can engage in the kind of behavior and contact that would be normal between spouses.”

Even partial permission was good.

Since Aaron had made room for her, she felt she could be a little more confident.

His firm voice elevated her drooping spirits.

* * *

Preparations for departing to the capital weren’t very troublesome, thanks to a villa prepared in the outskirts of the capital.

Karen explained that the King had given Aaron a building a few years ago.

Lucilia looked around at her particularly numerous belongings. Dresses, various accessories, and cosmetics made up most of her luggage.

The reason for her many belongings was that Aaron had summoned a tailor and instructed him to make several party dresses.

Since she usually wore modest clothes, going as she was would only bring shame. Aaron had been considerate of her need to make a splendid entrance into society.

While Aaron’s nature would never encourage extravagance, he couldn’t help but provide the necessary items since the King had personally invited them.

As a result, more than twenty dresses were made in various colors and designs for parties, salon attendance, outings, and everyday wear at the villa.

Aaron, too, wouldn’t want to appear as if his life had been ruined by a wife who had fallen to become a witch.

At times like these, he would want to display the current situation more proudly, more comfortably, and more peacefully.

The carriage departed, receiving farewells from the servants lined up at the mansion entrance.

As they crossed the drawbridge and Tudra Castle became a tiny dot in the distance, Lucilia spoke up.

“My Lord.”

His gently closed eyelids lifted.

She asked the question she had been suppressing all this time to Aaron, who had opened his eyes silently.

“About my rosary. Do you still need to investigate it?”

“Ah…”

As if he had completely forgotten, Aaron rubbed between his eyebrows.

It might be trivial to him, but it was an invaluable object to Lucilia. It was such a noble treasure that she was cautious even about referring to it as an object.

It revived her piety toward God anytime, anywhere, and reminded her that she was living a life subordinate to the divine.

Although she was no longer a saint, her heart had not changed.

Far from changing, her earnestness only increased with each passing day.

Even if people had falsely accused her, God knew all the truth.

If only she could hold the rosary, the trembling from anxiety would subside. She felt regretful.

She was more nervous about meeting her family than having an audience with the King. Just imagining what expressions they would have made her feel self-loathing.

Lucilia clasped her slightly trembling hands together.

Watching her, Aaron showed uncharacteristic generosity. Though gruffly, of course.

“Seeing that there’s been no word from the temple until now, it seems they haven’t found any problems. I’ll return it to you as soon as we get back from the capital.”

“Really? I’m so relieved I can get it back right away. Thank you.”

She brightened immediately, not knowing what words might fall from Aaron’s lips.

Not knowing that she had shaken Aaron’s heart in that brief moment.

Unaware of the emotions churning inside him, Lucilia hung an expectant smile on her lips as if she had never been weighed down by worry.

Outside the carriage, a chilly wind scraped the dry land, but inside, warmth circulated for once.

Lucilia gazed tenderly at Aaron, who had closed his eyes again.

Unlike the past, she had become someone who needed his care.

Now that the situation had reversed, distant memories floated up like fragments of a dream.

She first met Aaron when she was nine years old.