Chapter 25

At that moment, she realized it clearly.

The original story had changed, and everyone was under its influence.

Even Eched, a Divine Beast, could not escape this absolute rule.

***

‘Crazy.’

Crazy, crazy, crazy.

‘Isn’t this truly insane?’

Cursing instinctively, she tried her best to leave the place.

But Eched caught up with her effortlessly in just a few steps.

He, with an infuriating calmness that could annoy a flustered person, spoke while walking beside her.

“It’s dangerous to go alone.”

“As if I don’t know that now…”

She stopped mid-sentence and glared at Eched. It was clear that his change was her fault, but seeing someone who seemed like they would never change actually change gave her a strange sense of betrayal.

“Eched, are you so certain? That I’m the reincarnation of that person?”

“You can verify it again if you want.”

As he said this, he slyly reached out to grab her hand.

Startled, she quickly stepped back and glared at him fiercely, warning him.

“I told you not to touch me without permission.”

“Can’t I?”

“No.”

At her firm words, he withdrew his hand.

The slightly drooping corners of his lips seemed sullen, but perhaps it was just her imagination.

‘If I could lift those corners with my fingers, I’d have no regrets.’

She looked at his face with disapproval and said,

“Have you ever felt the divine power of Saintess Anella?”

“No, I haven’t.”

“How about experiencing it once?”

Then you’d immediately realize you’re mistaken.

“I don’t want to.”

“What…? You don’t want to? Don’t you feel pain without divine power? Anella is a Saintess known to possess more divine power than the current pope, and you’re refusing it?”

“I only need you.”

Was this what he meant earlier…?

Realizing that continuing the conversation would only exhaust her, she gave up on thinking further.

Then suddenly, she remembered the time Eched had left the room with Lord Leheln.

“What did you talk about with Lord Leheln that day?”

“He asked me to take good care of you.”

“…Out of the blue?”

“Yes. He also added that if I ever hurt or saddened you, he wouldn’t let it slide.”

“So why would he say that to you…?”

“It seems your family has already chosen me as your husband.”

With that, Eched smiled like a well-fed predator.

“Humans seem to prioritize their family’s opinions over their own. Since I’ve already received your family’s permission, all that’s left is for your heart to lean toward me.”

Unbelievable.

Even though she knew his true identity, he didn’t even seem to bother hiding the fact that he wasn’t human anymore.

“Stop talking nonsense. Don’t make that smug face as if you’re certain I’ll marry you!”

“Shaterian.”

As she growled at him, he suddenly poked her between the brows with his finger.

“You’ll get wrinkles. Though it’s fine if you do.”

“Annoying.”

She glared at Eched’s flawless, smooth skin before abruptly turning away.

Eched followed her as she stomped off.

Thus, with Eched in tow, she headed toward the annex.

When they were almost there, she noticed Pell coming out of the aide’s office and heading toward the adjacent storage room.

Pell was busy running back and forth between the storage room and the aide’s office, moving items.

“Pell?”

She called out to him and followed. Then, she paused, startled by the transformed appearance of the storage room.

“What’s going on here?”

The storage room had been turned into a reception room. The once cluttered space was now spotless, without a speck of dust.

In the center was a luxurious sofa, and the table was set with various teas and utensils.

The thin curtains swayed in the breeze coming through the open window.

“You’re here.”

Pell was organizing documents by the bookshelf. They were the counseling records from when the previous counselor was in charge.

“What is this place?”

“This is our counseling office.”

“Counseling office?”

“You mentioned it was inconvenient not having a separate space for counseling, didn’t you? It was set up during the founding festival. I heard about it from the Knight Order Commander this morning and was just getting everything ready.”

Having finished organizing the documents, Pell excused himself, saying he was busy, and returned to the original office.

She turned to Eched, looking as if to ask for an explanation.

“You said it was inconvenient not having a dedicated counseling office.”

Eched nodded proudly, seemingly satisfied with himself.

The way he looked at her, silently urging her to praise him, was palpable.

‘Wrong.’

Sure, the counseling office was nice.

But what she truly wanted was not this kind of counseling office—it was physical distance from him.

She walked over to the wall adjoining the next office.

“Eched, I appreciate the thought, but think about it. If the office is over there and the counseling room is here, how is this supposed to work?”

She tapped the wall lightly as she spoke.

“Hmm… That would be inconvenient.”

Despite her words dismissing his efforts, he nodded as if he understood.

At times like this, she found his personality quite agreeable.

Not overanalyzing things was a good trait, but… not now.

Couldn’t he feel a little offended for once…?

She sighed softly as she watched Eched absentmindedly touch the wall.

Knock, knock.

At that moment, a knock sounded, and she turned her head.

“Chief, you have a visitor.”

Pell gestured behind him. Standing there was the Countess of LePell, who smiled at her.

“Lady Shaterian, I apologize for dropping by unannounced. And to you as well, Duke…”

The Countess glanced between her and Eched before eventually looking down, her face reddening.

“Am I… interrupting?”

Interrupting?

Bewildered, she looked at the Countess, then frowned.

It was obvious what misunderstanding she had.

Most likely, she had witnessed what the Emperor had seen during the ball.

“That’s not it.”

Denying the Countess’s words, she pushed Eched’s back.

“We’ll talk later.”

“Alright.”

After chasing Eched and Pell out, she guided the Countess to the sofa.

“Do you have a preferred tea, Madame?”

“Anything is fine with me.”

“Then I’ll serve you some tea I recently received as a gift. It’s a herbal tea with a mild taste and a pleasant aroma.”

“Yes, that sounds lovely.”

She quickly prepared two cups of tea and brought them to the sofa.

Placing a cup in front of the Countess, she sat across from her.

“The aroma is truly delightful.”

The Countess smiled faintly as she sipped the tea. Stroking the smooth leather of the sofa, she smiled in satisfaction.

“So, what brings you here today?”

“I’ve demanded a divorce from my husband. I was on my way back from meeting someone in the Imperial Family who could assist me. It reminded me of you, Lady Shaterian.”

“Demanding a divorce was a good decision. What did the Earl of LePell say?”

“Well… he didn’t have much to say. I humiliated him by catching him in the act of infidelity.”

“You caught him in the act…?”

“Yes, I caught him with another woman the night of the ball. In front of everyone.”

The Countess smiled brightly, saying,

“I stepped on him thoroughly, just as you advised.”

“But it turns out the woman I caught wasn’t the only one he brought into the mansion. Upon investigation, there were several others he had been seeing.”

Several others?

She was genuinely shocked.

“There were witnesses to his behavior, and I’ve gathered numerous testimonies, so the divorce should proceed smoothly. All of this is thanks to you, Lady Shaterian. I’m deeply grateful.”

“No need to thank me. I merely offered a bit of advice. The decision to divorce and the collection of evidence were all thanks to your efforts, Madame.”

As she attributed all the credit to the Countess, the latter looked deeply moved.

“I’m truly grateful. If I hadn’t met you and the Duke that day… I don’t even want to imagine.”

The Countess frowned, as if the mere thought was unbearable.

“Oh, I must also thank the Duke. Honestly, if he hadn’t explained how to hold a sword properly, I might have attempted something rash the very next day. It was only after hearing his words that I realized how terrifying it is to stab someone.”

She rubbed her arms as if recalling a chill.

“But even when I first met him, I couldn’t have imagined the Duke and you were truly in such a relationship…”

The Countess glanced at her meaningfully and smiled.

“Moreover, the Emperor reportedly opposed your marriage and kept arranging matches for you. Despite that, you two continued your secret meetings. The noblewomen were so moved by your passionate love story.”

“….”

Momentarily speechless, she stared blankly at the Countess. The sheer magnitude of the misunderstanding made her temples throb.

“They even suggested adapting your story into a play at the Grand Theater. The title could be <Eched and Shaterian>. What do you think?”

“Pardon?”

“Why are you so surprised? The LePell Earldom holds significant shares in the Grand Theater, so we can exert influence there.”

The mere thought was horrifying. A love story involving her and Eched turned into a play?

Pressing a hand to her heated forehead, she shook her head.

“No, thank you. There’s no such passionate narrative between us.”

There was no passionate narrative, nor any sweet romance.

“How modest of you. If the play becomes popular and the story spreads, perhaps even the Emperor will approve of your marriage.”

‘Although I already heard this morning that he intends to marry us.’

Feeling emotionally drained, she didn’t want to think about anything anymore.

“Madame, I’m feeling a bit tired today. Shall we end it here?”

“Oh, of course. I’ve kept you too long. Next time, I’ll visit with a thank-you gift. Would that be alright?”

“Yes, you’re welcome anytime.”

“Rumors can be so misleading. When I first heard of you, I thought you were intimidating. But now, seeing how kind you are, I don’t know what to say. I’ll make sure to tell the other noblewomen about the counseling office and how wonderful you are.”

“Thank you for your kind words.”

“Then, I’ll be off.”

“Yes, take care.”

As the Countess left, silence fell over the counseling office.

“Haa.”

A deep, heavy sigh filled the air.

Her mind was a tangled mess.

Dragging her feet, she collapsed onto the sofa.

‘I want to disappear to a place where no one can find me.’

She rolled over with such thoughts.

Thud!

The sound startled her. The ceiling shook slightly as well.