Chapter 4
Letiana—Tia—was wearing a gorgeous dress woven from white and golden fabric.
She was breathtakingly beautiful.
Her silver hair shimmered as the spring breeze gently lifted it before letting it fall again.
Beneath her long eyelashes were sapphire-blue jewel-like eyes.
Her clear, flawless skin was so delicate that it seemed a shame to let the sun touch it.
But Ahak hadn’t stopped her because of her beauty.
“…The smell of blood.”
His voice was barely above a whisper.
For a brief moment, I was startled.
But I quickly hid it.
He hasn’t killed a single person, so how could he tell?
I hadn’t been able to completely wash away the Pope’s blood, so there was probably still a faint scent lingering.
Then again…
He was from House Osbaldun of Blood.
It wouldn’t be strange if members of that family had unusually sharp senses when it came to blood.
Still, this is ridiculous.
He’s not some kind of bloodhound.
How could he recognize the smell immediately?
If anyone found out that I was the one who killed the Pope…
It would become troublesome.
Ahak looked like a detective who had identified the culprit through pure instinct.
Fortunately, he only had suspicion.
How I responded now was what mattered.
I could already feel the Holy Knights’ eyes turning toward us.
Getting out of this is easy.
Deliberately making my expression colder, I said firmly,
“How rude.”
I was seventeen.
I had long since reached womanhood.
If a man suddenly told a young lady she smelled like blood…
The meaning could easily be misunderstood.
Ahak fell silent.
Then, realizing what I was implying, he quickly released my wrist.
“My apologies.”
“Please be more careful in the future. I’ll overlook it this once.”
I know that isn’t what you meant.
But right now…
Leaving the Holy Church without attracting suspicion was far more important.
Later
The bathwater was warm and fragrant, covered with floating rose petals.
This used to be one of my dreams back when I was poor.
I gently picked up a single petal with my left hand.
“Miss, your skin is unbelievably beautiful.”
“You must have been born this way.”
“It’s so pale and soft… you’re like a goddess.”
The maids rubbed scented oil onto my arms while speaking in dreamy voices.
They had always treated me kindly.
Unlike my siblings, I was never cruel to those weaker than myself.
But today…
Their admiration sounded especially sincere.
Even after living four lives,
I had to admit it.
My appearance was absurdly beautiful.
Sometimes I missed having a smartphone from Earth.
But I never wanted to return.
Living with a face like this is surprisingly fun.
If only this world weren’t overflowing with insane villains…
It would have been perfect.
Still…
I couldn’t stop thinking about the young man I’d met earlier.
He saw through me.
We had only crossed paths for a moment.
Yet instinct told me…
He was someone dangerous.
“Do any of you know anything about Ahak from House Osbaldun of Blood?”
“Young Master Ahak?”
“He’s the same age as you, Miss.”
“You’d actually be friends if you met under different circumstances.”
The eldest son?
So he’s my age?
His father must have become the family head very young.
“I’ve heard he follows a strict rule against killing.”
“People even say he’s the most honorable noble in the Empire.”
Each of the four maids took turns answering.
The most honorable noble…
I vaguely remembered hearing those words before my regressions.
But until my fourth life,
I’d never crossed paths with him.
So I’d never cared.
If I hadn’t gone to the Holy Church today…
We never would have met.
“It’s the first time you’ve ever shown interest in a noble gentleman, Miss…”
“Could it be…?”
“No.”
One maid looked visibly disappointed.
The other three still sparkled with excitement.
“Young Master Ahak is so principled that not only is his conduct flawless…”
“…he’s even sworn to remain a virgin until marriage.”
“He doesn’t even have a fiancée.”
“They say he’s incredibly strict when it comes to women.”
Hmm… saving himself until marriage.
As one maid gently massaged the back of my neck, I leaned my head against the soft pillow supporting it.
The bathtub itself was hard.
Fortunately, the pillow made it comfortable.
For a high-ranking noble—not even a Holy Knight—to make such a vow…
That was certainly unusual.
Most nobles were shamelessly promiscuous.
Then again…
He grabbed my wrist without the slightest hesitation.
For some reason,
my right wrist—the one Ahak had held—
suddenly felt warm.
Perhaps it was only because of the steam rising from the bath.
That spot felt strangely itchy.
Unlike House Stelshernin of the Sun,
House Osbaldun of Blood had no succession competition.
The legitimate eldest child automatically inherited the family.
Which meant Ahak was already the confirmed heir.
In fact…
He could even become Emperor someday.
The High Kendora Empire had an unusual system for selecting its ruler.
Out of the Empire’s twenty great noble houses,
twelve—including House Osbaldun—possessed the right to compete for the throne.
Those who proved themselves worthy entered the Imperial Succession Tournament.
The victor became Crown Prince,
served briefly as Regent,
and then ascended the throne as Emperor.
At least… he had the potential.
…Although in the end,
House Catobleta would wipe out his entire family.
“Miss, Young Master Talain is waiting for you in the reception room.”
“He is? Tell him to wait. I’m still bathing.”
Talain ranked third in the family succession competition.
He’s probably here because Father ordered him to deliver the Rose Sword.
In my previous lives,
when I’d ranked dead last,
I never would have dared make someone like him wait.
Knowing full well that Talain couldn’t tolerate even the slightest delay…
I relaxed and enjoyed my bath.
I wasn’t afraid anymore.
Afterward
After finishing my bath,
I leisurely enjoyed dessert before returning to my room to change into another dress.
“Tell Talain to come to my room.”
“Yes, Miss.”
Honestly…
I couldn’t be bothered walking all the way to the reception room.
Back in my first life,
when House Catobleta sold me off as an old nobleman’s fourth wife…
The person who had enthusiastically recommended me…
…was Talain.
Just as I calmly finished trimming my nails—
Bang!
The door slammed open.
“Have you completely lost your mind, you crazy bitch?! Since when do you order me around?”
See?
Aside from being a man,
he sounded exactly like Talesset.
I glanced at him.
After waiting longer than he ever had in his life,
and still furious over Talesset’s death,
Talain looked ready to tear me apart.
Throughout noble society,
he was famous for challenging people to duels if they arrived even one second late.
Did he bring the Rose Sword?
The legendary Rose Sword—
which I’d wanted to see for so long—
rested in its scabbard in his hand.
His other hand held a sword breaker,
clearly prepared to kill me.
“Leave it here and get out, Talain.”
“I’m really not in the mood to kill anyone today.”
“…What?”
I already knew talking alone wouldn’t convince him.
So I stood up.
“Our father forgives many things.”
“But adultery isn’t one of them.”
Even I had lost count of how many wives Father had.
Yet he never tolerated any of them being unfaithful.
Whenever he discovered an affair,
he executed both wife and mistress in the cruelest ways imaginable.
Then he questioned whether their children were truly his…
…and had them disposed of.
That was the term House Stelshernin used.
Talain frowned.
“What are you talking about?”
I glanced toward the servant lying in the corner.
His entire body had already been tied up.
A gag had been stuffed into his mouth.
“Take him away and question him.”
“…What?”
“Even if you kill him, there are over a hundred more witnesses.”
“So stop wasting your time.”
“…!”
Only then did Talain understand.
His face turned completely pale.
Father had clearly hoped we’d fight to the death.
But I had no intention of dancing to his tune.
I’d already arranged everything so a few words would settle the matter.
“Everyone, leave.”
Sensing the tense atmosphere,
the maids quietly bowed and left the room.
Looking directly at Talain, I continued,
“I’ve heard Lady Teharan is still enjoying passionate affairs with her newly hired gardener.”
“…!”
Teharan was the Seventh Wife—
the mother of Talain and Talesset.
“Before him, dozens of gardeners died in unfortunate ‘accidents.'”
“They were all her lovers.”
As her son,
there was no way Talain hadn’t known.
His handsome face stiffened.
He’s wondering how I know.
I had accidentally learned the truth during my third life.
Judging by his reaction,
the secret had remained perfectly hidden in my previous lives.
There are over a hundred witnesses.
That had been a bluff.
But psychological warfare always relied on confidence.
I stepped closer.
“Now that you understand who’s in charge…”
“Stop barking and behave like the dog you are.”
“You…!”
“Don’t call me ‘you.'”
“Show some respect.”
“And kneel while apologizing for daring to insult me.”
Talain simply stared at me.
I had always endured everything in silence.
Of course this shocked him.
“I’m older than you…”
“My succession rank is higher than yours…”
“What are you, a dog?”
“Are rankings all you understand?”
“You still don’t understand the situation.”
“Rank means nothing to me.”
“I have no intention of becoming the family head.”
“And as for age?”
I let out a scornful laugh.
“What does age matter?”
“The stronger one is the older sister.”
And in all of House Stelshernin…
The strongest person wasn’t even the family head.
It was me.
