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I entered the imperial palace with John. The palace I saw at the banquet was only a part of it.

‘It’s bigger than I thought.’

The guesthouse where distinguished visitors stay is smaller than the main palace, but it still gives an overwhelming impression.

‘Maybe that’s the point.’

Royal VIPs are generally powerful figures comparable to the royal family.

So, the royal court likely flaunts their authority and tries to prevent anyone from climbing up too easily.

‘But I have no intention of opposing the royal family.’

Queen Isabella, who came as a royal VIP, decided to attend the tea party to see me. Of course, along with other nobility from Royem.

“Madam Blanchet, it’s been a while.”

“Yes, indeed. It’s nice to see your face again.”

Noblewomen from Royem bowed their heads in greeting.

“I’ve heard a lot from Acting Queen Isabella. As I hear, you are very beautiful.”

“That’s right. How stunning you are…”

I smiled warmly, welcoming them.

“You’re being too modest. By the way, I don’t see Diana anywhere?”

“She went to meet other noblewomen of the empire on my behalf. It seems she thought it would be hard to find a chance to talk before the hunting ball begins.”

Those gathered as imperial VIPs appeared to be engaging through the tea party before the festival started.

‘Since I haven’t officially debuted yet, my position is uncertain.’

Strictly speaking, I shouldn’t be able to attend, but if I wanted to, I could manage to be there.

“Is it okay if the acting king doesn’t come?”

“Who can tell me not to come if I say I will?”

When I opened my eyes, other noblewomen smiled and added their words.

“That’s right, Madam Blanchet. You don’t have to worry about the acting king.”

“I’ve known the acting king of Royem for a long time, but I’ve never seen him like this, liking someone. It’s fascinating.”

“Stop talking nonsense.”

Queen Isabella shook her head and looked at the maid behind her.

“I brought a gift that I was interested in last time, since the duchess is coming.”

The maid placed a gift on the table. An antique tapestry depicting ancient mythology was unfolded.

“You brought all the pictures that were said to be different?”

The tapestry was quite long, and it depicted stories from mythology in detail.

‘Even scenes where angels bless the Holy King to protect the sacred city.’

Queen Isabella nodded.

“Yes, this is the tapestry I received from Madam Blanchet in the past. Of course, it wasn’t exactly like this, and this last piece was obtained by chance.”

Ancient mythology is a popular theme among many artists. But the more delicate the depiction, the higher its value.

‘It’s been a while since I saw such a detailed background in a picture.’

Seeing the scene of angels blessing the Holy King was almost the first time. The other noblewomen admired the tapestry.

“To receive a sacred tapestry as a gift… That’s something the acting king of Royem values most…”

“I envy you so much. Madam Blanchet. Are you not going to give me the tapestry too?”

“Oh, come now. Why would I? Madam Blanchet might find it burdensome.”

I expressed my gratitude and carefully examined the tapestry.

‘Now that I look, there are trees near the Holy King.’

For some reason, those trees kept catching my eye. Queen Isabella placed an emerald earring on the tapestry.

“This is a gift I received as a reward from the acting duke. It’s something I obtained when I was fostering good relations while supplying necessary resources to the Blanchet family.”

“Why such a precious thing…?”

“This earring is also precious to me.”

Queen Isabella said with a longing voice.

“It’s a gift from Madam Blanchet, who helped me for the first time after my husband’s death, which I was struggling with. Somehow, I felt I should give this to you.”

I gazed at the vivid emerald, lost in thought.

‘John’s mother was truly a kind person.’

Both Patricia and Queen Isabella. Even after all this time, there are still people who miss her steadily.

“I will accept it gratefully.”

The moment I held the emerald earring in my hand, a strange sensation ran through me.

A tingling.

A strange current sparked and flowed at my fingertips. Suddenly, I saw strange characters behind a tree near the tapestry.

They were written in a twisted, fog-like script, so I looked at them carefully.

‘Isid… dor?’

It was the name of the fairy who had turned into a black vine last time.

‘Why is that fairy’s name here?’

The noblewomen started talking about social circles.

“Many spirits are planning to swear allegiance to Saint Stella?”

“This time, a spirit who intends to propose has appeared. Since saints aren’t forbidden from marriage, it’s possible.”

I couldn’t focus on their conversation and kept staring at that name. The trees sensing my agitation began to murmur.

-Why is Isidor’s name coming up here?

-Looks like something happened to that fairy. It feels familiar, but I can’t remember where I heard it before…

-We need to find out who’s targeting that fairy. It’s definitely those who cast curses on her! Nothing is happening quickly enough.

-Even if the last fairy gets involved and things go wrong, what do we do then…?

-You fools, stop saying such ominous things! What if it actually comes true?

I slowly responded to their words.

-It’s okay. Something has come up anyway.

-Yes, it’s fortunate that Madam Blanchet kept such a thing.

-But is it really just coincidence?

John’s mother was interested in ancient studies. It’s not strange that she had a tapestry depicting ancient mythology.

‘For some reason, it feels like it’s not just a coincidence…’

At that moment, another noblewoman approached me cautiously.

“Madam Blanchet, are you perhaps tired?”

“Oh, no. I was just lost in admiring the tapestry for a moment.”

Normally, this would be considered a breach of etiquette, but as one of Queen Isabella’s close confidantes, I appeared even more pleased.

“I’m glad you like the gift from the acting king. I’m proud. You must be pleased, right? You even went so far as to help the entire United Kingdom find that last tapestry.”

“Shh, keep quiet.”

Queen Isabella sipped her tea and changed the subject.

“So, what happened to Saint Stella?”

Another noblewoman nodded and resumed speaking.

“I hear that Crown Prince Carlos now partners with Saint Stella. I’ve also heard they’re more than just partners—lovers, apparently.”

“Recently, some nobles saw the two strolling through the palace gardens privately.”

“I’ve also heard that they used to know each other in the past.”

I tilted my head.

‘Saint Stella and the Crown Prince were that close? Since when?’

In any case, if they were meeting, it was good for me.

‘Now she won’t do strange tricks on John.’

Queen Isabella slightly furrowed her brow.

“Saint Stella. We should see if she performs the purification ritual properly this time. Will she make the ‘mistake’ she did before?”

“Yes, we should watch carefully.”

Other noblewomen nodded, remembering how Saint Stella spread rumors about Miryu’s fake pregnancy.

‘From the atmosphere, it seems difficult to turn her completely around with just surface appearances.’

Of course, I shared the same doubts about Saint Stella.

‘What is she planning to do during the purification ritual?’

~·~·*· . ·*· . ·*· . ·*·~·~

John discussed with the vassals of the Blanchet family behind the scenes of the attack.

“The biggest problem is the lack of clues. No traces of forbidden magic have been found.”

“It seems your Grace didn’t discover anything either.”

The Blanchet vassals were well aware of John’s magical skills.

“Perhaps the entire Blanchet family was targeted by this attack. Very few people can use such dark magic.”

“There’s definitely a large group backing this, no doubt…”

“Your Grace, how do you suggest we investigate?”

John’s crimson eyes, which had been listening silently, grew cold.

“Leave all possibilities open, but keep an eye out for suspicious signs around the royal court and the Holy City. Increase the number of spies sent out—double it.”

Frowning slightly, John felt a familiar headache. His vassals sensed his discomfort and treaded carefully.

‘This is a strange form of black magic I’ve never seen before.’

Since breaking the black magic circle that relentlessly attacked Estelle, a strange change had begun in John’s dark power.

‘What could that energy be?’

The magic circle contained unknown, mysterious power that John could not understand. He had gathered that power separately to track its source.

But no matter how much he tried to analyze it, the type of power remained unclear.

‘It’s not ordinary.’

Then a voice echoed in his mind.

‘Good. Now you can run away, right?’

‘This might not be very helpful, but it’s better than nothing.’

‘It’s that voice again.’

Since destroying the black magic circle, he kept hearing this voice repeatedly.

‘It seems related to my childhood. Who is the voice’s owner?’

After the meeting, Erich, who hadn’t left, approached John cautiously.

“Master, I have news about Lady’s illness.”

“What is it?”

“Perhaps there was a problem with the saintess’s treatment at the temple that we received so far.”

John’s eyes suddenly sharpened.

“What do you mean?”

“When Lady collapsed at the temple, the incident that happened then… Cardinal Simon showed an incomprehensible reaction while treating her.”

“Tell me more specifically.”

“While injecting divine power to heal Lady, he suddenly sweat as if he saw something terrifying. He looked at the saintess with suspicion. There seems to be something hidden between her illness and the treatment by the saintess.”

Erich planned to investigate further by meeting Cardinal Simon, but he was holed up at the temple and difficult to meet separately.

Eventually, Erich decided to report to John first and seek a new solution.

John, hearing Erich’s report, leaned back in his chair. His elongated finger tapped rhythmically on the armrest.

“Erich, the Holy City is an opponent that can’t be meddled with recklessly.”

“I understand.”

“Then, use all the power of the Blanchet family and approach cautiously.”

Erich pounded his chest with a firm fist.

“I will remember.”

With John’s approval, the investigation would proceed swiftly.

‘It was definitely right to tell the master.’

Just then, John called Erich who was about to leave.

“What do you think about the possibility that the Holy City is involved in this attack?”

“The Holy City?”

Even a black mage, who was usually opposed to the Holy City, was surprised, eyes widening. Erich hesitated before answering.

“Are you considering the Holy City?”

“Go.”

John didn’t reply, but he seemed to already have made up his mind.

‘Could the culprit be the Holy City?’

Fear crept into Erich. The aura emanating from John was unsettling.

‘That look of the master…’

It was the same expression he had when seeking revenge against the Duke of Libertan.

~·~·*· . ·*· . ·*· . ·*·~·~

“Lord Blanchet, welcome.”

“No need for escort.”

John moved straight to the imperial palace where Estelle was waiting.

‘Estelle.’

Remembering the black magic circle, something clicked in John’s mind.

‘Did I see her while cursed at the Duke of Libertan?’

He thought the vassals saw Estelle as a threat, aiming to threaten her with blackmail, but John’s intuition told him they were targeting Estelle herself.

‘Why target Estelle?’

The mere thought that her life was in danger twisted his stomach.

‘I won’t leave any stone unturned, no matter what her scheme is.’

Suddenly, he heard footsteps from beyond the corridor.

“Oh my.”

The Saint Stella, dressed in pure white silk dress, was walking toward John. With a gentle smile, she greeted him.

“Hello, John. We meet again here.”

John frowned at the sudden appearance of the saint.

‘What is she trying to do now?’

He wanted to dismiss her annoying face. His crimson eyes, filled with malice, fixed on her.

‘The saint has not yet performed the purification ritual that the Emperor expects.’

If her safety were compromised here, it would cause a rift with the Emperor.

‘Since the Emperor already dismissed the saint with his authority.’

The saint shyly clasped her hands while looking at John.

“I don’t know if the Lord knows, but…”

Suddenly, Stella fluttered her eyelashes somewhat forlornly, then returned to her usual elegant expression.

“The Emperor refused my guardianship request.”

“Even if it weren’t the Emperor, I would have refused.”

The system of guardianship for saints is different from usual guardianship laws.

Noble saints are treated as the highest-ranking women in their noble families.

So, if John became her guardian, he would have to escort her at official events, replacing Estelle.

As if he was her partner.

“The guardianship system for saints is completely different from other guardianships.”

“Is that so?”

“What kind of foolishness did you do to get involved in this?”

Honestly, John was still worried that Saint Stella might cause trouble for Estelle.

“You almost insulted my wife. And there could have been more trouble.”

At that moment, Stella’s eyes trembled slightly, moisture forming at the corners.

“Oh my… I didn’t know that.”

“You didn’t know?”

“I only thought it would be good if Duke Blanchet became my guardian, since I had a connection with him.”

Looking at John with moist eyes, Stella then smiled gracefully again.

“I guess I misunderstood the guardianship system. Sorry for causing concern.”

Her elegant smile seemed to hide an effort, attempting to maintain her dignity as a saint while revealing her fragile inner feelings.

John found it utterly baffling.

‘What is she scheming?’

The saint slightly bowed her head gracefully, then, with a pitiful voice, leaned toward John.

“I’ve also started to shed a few tears without realizing it.”

“…”

“I shouldn’t act like this as a saint. I feel like I’m only showing a foolish side to the Lord.”

She brushed her hair and showed her white neckline.

“Whenever I meet you, I keep thinking of my worldly self. I used to be a lady of a noble house, after all.”

With a naive smile, Stella approached John gently.

“So, I want to be good friends with you, Lord.”

Her innocent face, appearing without any particular motive, whispered softly as if sharing a secret.

“By the way, could you be my partner at this hunting ball?”

~·~·*· . ·**##^^##**· . ·*·~·~

Hey there, It’s Green Rose 😉

Since I human I might have make some mistakes while translating so please if you find them let me know here in the comments or in the Discord group so I can correct them and be careful in the future so they do not repeat.

Thank you so much for reading, I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

~~~Next Chapter~~~

Next chapter will be released Tomorrow.

See you then!!