Since that statement was both right and wrong, Bellota couldn’t find an appropriate response. It wouldn’t be wise to show disappointment in Geril in front of Hestina, his cousin and a member of the imperial family. Moreover, Bellota’s lack of thoughts about Geril wasn’t just because of the hunting festival incident. She simply had neither the leisure nor reason to think about him.

“That’s a misunderstanding. Duke Geril had circumstances that forced him to act that way.”

“Circumstances……?”

Bellota carefully asked back, pretending not to understand. She could hardly imagine what circumstances would necessitate such deception at the hunting festival.

“I’m sorry. I can’t say more than this. But you’ll know soon too, Saintess.”

As Hestina’s expression changed back to one of excitement and thrill, Bellota quietly closed her mouth. She couldn’t understand anything the princess was saying.

“It will be something amazing.”

Looking into space with eyes full of emotion as if she had fallen in love, Hestina clasped her hands together and continued speaking to Bellota.

“Duke Geril is an amazing person, so he’ll definitely succeed. I believe in him. When that time comes, you’ll understand why he had to do such a regrettable thing at the hunting festival. You might even be moved.”

Moved? It was difficult to agree with Hestina’s words, but Bellota didn’t show it. She just gave an awkward smile.

Watching Bellota’s expression grow increasingly puzzled, Hestina smiled as if she’s enjoying it. Then suddenly, as though she had just remembered something, she changed her expression and asked a careful question.

“Um, Saintess.”

“Yes.”

“Are you close with Sir Seiden?”

Finally, at the mention of Seiden, Bellota’s heart ached again. After thinking for a moment, Bellota shook her head. She didn’t think she could describe her relationship with him as ‘close.’

“Ah, I see.”

Hestina nodded with a face that seemed both disappointed and somehow relieved. She had planned to become friends with Bellota to learn about his preferences if they were close, so it was disappointing that plan fell through. However, if they had been close, that would have been somewhat upsetting in its own way.

Hestina also vividly remembered seeing Seiden coming down the mountain with Bellota riding with him. She wished she had been the one riding his horse. But conversely, it was fortunate that the woman in front of Seiden hadn’t been anyone else but the woman before her. Bellota was a saintess who couldn’t marry without God’s permission, and also…

Hestina glanced at Bellota again while thinking of Geril. Geril and Bellota would make as good a pair as Seiden and herself. Besides, riding in front of Seiden’s horse was something she could do later. Even excluding that, Hestina’s plan at the hunting festival had worked successfully. Rumors about her and Seiden had spread throughout the empire since the hunting festival.

Moreover, most people were eagerly awaiting the union between the lovely princess and the reliable Holy Knight Commander. Even to Hestina’s thinking, they matched well together. Of course, it was quite disappointing that Seiden still hadn’t asked her out, but Hestina knew that Seiden was a man who didn’t ask anyone out.

There were many rumors that men who were the strongest in front of monsters often turned out to be awkward and unable to speak properly in front of women, and there were quite a few speculations that Seiden Blackwood was that type of man. Hestina thought these speculations were probably true. Because Seiden Blackwood hadn’t asked her out.

“But you must know him better than others? You’ve been together at the Grand Temple for seven years, and you even went on the Selento subjugation mission together recently.”

At Hestina’s persistent questioning, Bellota awkwardly shifted her gaze again.

Of course, Hestina wasn’t wrong. She and he had known each other for seven years as saintess and holy knight, as temple colleagues. But that was really all. Before her curse manifested, she could count on one hand the number of times she had exchanged words with Seiden in those seven years.

Could she say she knew his personality well? Bellota still couldn’t understand Seiden. Sometimes he was like a burning fire that could scorch, other times like the coldest ice, and then suddenly he would become warm enough to melt all her anxieties…

“Have you ever seen him go out with other women?”

At those words, Bellota’s breath stopped instantly. Hestina was waiting for her answer with eyes full of harmless sparkle. Bellota ignored the tingling ache somewhere in her chest and awkwardly shook her head.

“No…… I, I’m not sure.”

At that, Hestina’s face filled with joy. As expected! Seiden hadn’t just avoided asking her out. While Hestina added conviction to her delusion that Seiden was naturally brusque and didn’t ask any women out, Bellota had to inevitably recall Seiden watching the festival with her.

“I won’t be going out with her in the future either. Nor will I sit here releasing lanterns with any other woman.”

The words she could never tell Hestina stabbed at Bellota’s heart with guilt.

It was then. As she tried to think of an excuse to quickly leave this place due to the painful emotion, a certain scene suddenly filled Bellota’s mind. It was the scene of watching the festival with Seiden.

“……”

Bellota stared blankly into space as if she had been hit on the back of her head.

“The book……”

When Bellota muttered unconsciously, Hestina, who had been standing at a crossroads wondering whether to secretly go see Seiden, looked at her in surprise.

“Yes?”

Bellota hurriedly looked at Hestina.

“Your Highness, I’m sorry, but I just remembered an appointment I’ve forgotten, so I must go now.”

Hestina nodded with a bewildered face.

“Ah, I see. Then you should go.”

“Please take your time looking around.”

Bellota bowed her head quickly and turned around hurriedly towards her office as if she had really remembered a forgotten appointment.

What awaited Bellota in her office wasn’t a guest. With beads of sweat on her forehead from running, she entered the room and rushed to the inner library. She pulled out a book from the shelf at her eye level and opened it.

It was Paltan’s old book that she had bought from the 13th shopping district on the day she went to the festival with Seiden. The old book contained explanations about ancient curses. And Bellota had definitely in this book……

“……As evidence of successfully reflecting the curse, blue spots will appear under the eyes.”

She had read this passage about blue spots under the eyes. Bellota’s eyes moved quickly, hurriedly reading that section repeatedly after finally finding it. Soon, her eyes slowly stopped as she realized the identity of the curse binding Lady Margaret.

After taking a moment to steady her trembling breath, Bellota turned around and once again moved with urgent steps. Her steps headed toward the Knights’ headquarters in the east that she had just directed Hestina to. Bellota headed to Seiden’s office, passing through the empty training room, praying that Princess Hestina had returned without meeting Seiden.

Just as Bellota reached Seiden’s office and was about to knock, the door opened by itself, and Seiden appeared from within. Because of this, when Bellota lost her balance and staggered as her legs gave way, Seiden instinctively caught her body. Holding her thin arms and waist, Seiden frowned in surprise.

“Saintess……?”

Bellota, who ended up in his arms because of this, looked at Seiden while holding her heavy breath. She glanced through the open door into the office. Fortunately, it seemed Seiden had been alone. Only then did the tension that had been gripping her release.

Bellota took a small deep breath while straightening her body and moving away from Seiden’s arms. Regrettably, Seiden, who had let go of Bellota, noticed the sweat on her forehead. As Seiden was about to ask something in confusion, Bellota spoke first.

“The wounds on the lady’s hands weren’t because she caused a curse.”

At those words, Seiden’s eyes, which had been examining Bellota’s complexion, stopped still. Though panting from running here, Bellota continued speaking calmly.

“The lady is under a curse of murderous intent.”

Seiden’s brows slowly drew together. A murderous curse. The name alone revealed its meaning.

“When under this curse, the target feels an unbearable urge to kill. The urge to harm something around them.”

The end of Bellota’s explaining voice was trembling finely. Bellota knew that unbearable urge. The terrible and horrific urge that would be unbearable if not resolved right now.

“At first, she might have been able to endure it with small animals like insects or chickens, but as time passes, such things won’t be enough. Because what the curse wants is ultimately human.”

At those words, Seiden’s face also hardened seriously. He too felt the same as Bellota. Lady Margaret was an extremely devout believer and a benevolent woman. And that person had chosen a curse that would deal the most devastating blow to such a woman.

The scripture considered suicide and murder as acts that corrupt the soul. Moreover, it was clear they had exploited the common belief that those who commit murder have already mortgaged their souls to darkness and can never receive forgiveness.