The Holy Lady, The Curse - Chapter 7 Part 5
There was no sign of anger or disappointment on her face. However, since the smile she usually wore consciously was not visible at all, Geril was anxious. He too acknowledged that the mistake he had committed against Bellota was fatal. But how could he have known that monster would appear there!
Geril had sent people to report everything that happened in Torcana, and he was informed that the method to lure the monster was a child’s blood. Even the fact that Seiden had figured it out but didn’t use that method.
“It seems the Holy Knight Commander thought it was an inhumane method. They say he knocked out several pleading Torcana residents before taking away the last remaining child and its mother.”
So this was all because of that stupid knight. If that foolish man hadn’t acted so high and mighty, stubbornly insisting on his own way, the monster would have gone to Torcana instead of Rivierto, and nothing would have happened between Bellota and himself.
Geril had made thorough preparations for that day. The sudden attack on Rivierto’s orphanage by a salverk, which doesn’t live on the coast, was also part of his script. It was to show his kindness and broad-mindedness by going to the orphanage with Bellota. In fact, that plan was unfolding quite plausibly.
“You’re an excellent person, Duke.”
Geril couldn’t forget the look in Bellota’s eyes that day, gazing at him with respect and gratitude. That knight ruined it all. Yet he had the audacity to appear at the critical moment and steal his glory. He had to tell Bellota all of this, who was thinking of that man as a benefactor without knowing the whole cause and effect.
“That day was really… Haa… If I could turn back time to that day, I wouldn’t hesitate to give up everything I have.”
As Geril sighed heavily and blamed himself, Bellota offered a formal consolation.
“Don’t blame yourself. It’s already in the past.”
Then Geril, who was rubbing his dry face, glanced at Bellota’s face through his fingers and continued speaking.
“No. It’s all my fault. I should have accompanied the Holy Knight Order from the beginning. If I had, I could have prevented this from happening. I could have prevented the innocent Rivierto orphanage from being attacked twice.”
At those words, Bellota’s gaze, which had been fixed on the teacup full of black tea, slowly rose to Geril. Inwardly rejoicing at this reaction, Geril continued in a miserable voice.
“I heard that the residents of Torcana already knew the method to lure that monster. They even shared that method with the Holy Knight Order. If they had just used that method, catching it would have been a matter of time. Unfortunately, they missed a golden opportunity.”
Geril sighed deeply, subtly shifting all the blame to the Holy Knight Order.
Bellota looked at Geril with a seemingly puzzled face. She too had heard about and knew the method to lure the monster. It was a child’s blood. But…
“What… method do you mean?”
Interpreting her anxious question as a seed of distrust towards Seiden, Geril spoke seriously, suppressing a smile.
“It seems the residents of Torcana were solely focused on catching the monster. How should I put it, they focused on sacrificing the few for the greater good. Ah, of course, they probably didn’t intend to sacrifice the child. They would have just lured the monster and protected the child. Surely, that must have been the case.”
“A child… you say…?”
“Yes. But I heard that the Holy Knight Commander interfered with that and even forcibly took away the child and its mother. Of course, I understand to some extent. One can’t help but think about what might go wrong. Well, it’s a bit hard to comprehend that he lacked even that much confidence… If it were me, I would have saved the child and certainly caught the monster.”
Bellota’s pale face turned even whiter. Bellota recalled the conversation between the knights and priests just before leaving Rivierto.
“It seems Noah and his mother have decided to stay in Rivierto. After all, this is their hometown, so it would be more comfortable for them.”
“Hmm, I see. It would be difficult for the director to handle the children alone, so having them there will be a help. I hope Noah wasn’t too shocked.”
At that time, she was too busy preparing to return to the capital to ask what that conversation was about. But Noah and his mother, it was obvious they were the mother and child in the incident Geril was talking about.
“Because we missed that opportunity, we couldn’t catch the monster, and the hungry beast rushed to the Rivierto orphanage. Those numerous children were almost harmed. All because of one person’s irrational choice…”
Geril, who was clicking his tongue regretfully, noticed Bellota’s completely stiffened expression and froze. Geril was a quick-witted man. Something seemed to have gone wrong.
“How could they use a child as bait…”
As Bellota, who had turned pale, muttered in disbelief, Geril’s eyes wavered.
“How could they…”
Damn it, Geril quickly changed his stance and nodded vigorously.
“Of course, that’s an inhumane act. I was furious when I heard the story too. It might even be a story they made up. So we need to ask the Holy Knight Order to confirm the truth.”
Then Bellota, barely calming down, shook her head.
“There’s no need for that. Their words must be true. Sir Seiden is not someone who would participate in such a thing.”
It was a statement filled with firm trust. Geril’s eyebrows twitched unpleasantly. Having focused all his nerves on slandering Seiden, he had momentarily forgotten that Bellota was particularly fond of children.
Why is she so blindly trusting to the point of frustration? She shouldn’t be like this after becoming his wife. While Geril was worrying prematurely, he kept nodding his head to humor Bellota.
“Yes, that must be the case. Anyway, it turned out well. After all, the child was safe in the end. Although because of that incident, you were almost seriously injured, Saintess…”
“I’m really fine. If I had to avoid danger through such methods, I’d rather be in danger myself.”
Bellota’s expression as she said this contained a more firm resolve than before. It was a face that sincerely believed it was better for her to be in danger than for a child to be hurt.
While that noble face made Geril’s tightly closed stomach feel even more stuffy, it was inexplicable why it stirred and stimulated such deep desires. Geril, who’s harboring such desires, could only be weak in front of Bellota. Geril gave up on persuading why Seiden’s choice was wrong and how pathetic it was, and calmly brought out the words he had prepared.
“Anyway, I will take responsibility for restoring the Rivierto orphanage. I will also take care of the children’s treatment. You remember what I promised? That I would ask the Emperor to increase welfare for orphanages from now on.”
Hearing that, Bellota’s calm eyes finally wavered slightly. It was a look tinged with hopeful expectation. Geril didn’t miss that.
“I am a man who keeps my promises.”
Geril smiled gently. It was a smile full of confidence that Bellota would be pleased with the words to come.
“As you know, Saintess, the hunting festival will be held soon.”
Bellota looked at Geril with eyes filled with curiosity.
In the Runhardt Empire, a grand hunting festival was held once every three years. The hunting festival was truly a great ceremony and at the same time a grand festival. Its an event where the imperial family and nobles went to the Tatenia Mountains, which is said to be teeming with dangerous monsters, to catch them.
This year was the year for that hunting festival, and suddenly that day had come close. Already, the entire capital was in full swing preparing for the festival. Bellota also had an obligation to attend the hunting festival in person. But she couldn’t understand what this had to do with orphans. Geril immediately resolved that curiosity.
“This hunting festival will have a different meaning than before. I have pleaded with His Majesty to hold a charity hunting festival.”
Charity hunting festival.
Only then did Bellota vaguely understand the meaning of those words and opened her eyes wide.
“We plan to donate a million gold multiplied by the number of all game caught by the participants. 30 percent of that amount will be donated to orphanages across the country.”
Surprised by the enormous amount, Bellota unconsciously raised one hand to cover her mouth.
Every year, the number of game caught in the hunting festival exceeds several dozen. And to multiply that number by a million gold… It was unbelievable that the Emperor accepted such a radical proposal.
“Of course, I promised to bear half of that donation amount. To keep the promise I made to you in Selento.”
Bellota now looked at Geril with eyes genuinely surprised and confused. At this point, Bellota could no longer blindly doubt Geril’s sincerity. It was clear that such an amount would be difficult to readily give up even for someone like Geril.
Bellota knew that Geril was an ordinary person who couldn’t overcome certain limitations. She understood in her heart that Geril couldn’t risk his life and jump in because the monster in Rivierto was something that ordinary people could never face.
