episode_0057

The Holy See is officially a part of the Sacred Klaro Empire, but it declares neutrality in its intention to serve all humans on the continent. It was the will to convey the power of religion transcending nations, the power of God. Although it was called the Sacred Klaro Empire, there were many who perceived the church and the Holy See as independent from the empire.

Even though the royal family had disappeared, it was not unreasonable for people to think that way since the church did not rule the empire. However, if one were to look at the Holy See, located not far from the heart of the institution, near the academy, they would think differently.

It would be impossible not to have a different impression when seeing the Holy See, which stands tall and magnificent, albeit not as vast as the academy built on the vast land. The gleaming white castle, shining so brightly under the sunlight that it almost seemed like an embodiment of the authority of God.

There was no trace of modesty; it gave the impression that everything precious in the world had been brought and piled up here in order to worship the superiority of God in any way possible.

Chloe’s first impression upon arriving here was the same.

Overwhelming sanctity.

Anyone who set foot here could not help but feel reverent, so it was a place that even Chloe, who had seen and experienced much, felt overwhelmed by.

However, what greeted Chloe was not the abode of a reverent pope, but a dark and sinister underground. She was led there, completely cut off from the outside scenery…

She was bewildered and frightened by the unfamiliar experience at first, but she endured it because she believed in the kindness of the holy knights. She waited in the narrow room underground.

Chloe couldn’t tell how many days had passed already.

Being confined in a space where she didn’t know if it was day or night and being under constant surveillance 24 hours a day never became familiar to her.

“If there’s any food you’d like to have, please let us know.”

“…”

A very businesslike maid’s question was heard.

Chloe might not have known, but the treatment she was receiving now was extremely extreme.

If her status had been as insignificant as the other women dragged into the underground, if she were not a descendant of a hero, if she were not the successor to the Barukan Kingdom… She would have suffered such harsh treatment that she could not bear, having grown up only seeing the bright side of the world.

“Just… bread and water will suffice.”

“Understood.”

Cloé replied weakly.

What she wanted was not consideration for meals. What she truly needed was freedom. Liberation from this suffocating space.

Sitting on the worn bed against the wall, she surveyed the limited space permitted to her. It was a routine repeated dozens, even hundreds of times a day, but failing to do so might drive her mad.

There was a bed to lie on, and similarly, a desk and chair attached to the wall. However, without books or writing materials, they were not particularly useful furniture.

On the opposite wall, there was a toilet and a shower.

Fortunately, the toilet and drainage system utilized state-of-the-art magical engineering and were hygienic. Unfortunately, the space itself was surrounded by transparent magic barriers, making her clearly visible.

“…Ugh.”

This was why Cloé tried to eat and drink as little as possible. She was literally being watched day in and day out.

The individuals monitoring her on behalf of the lectern were all women. Even in her position suspected of being of noble birth, they could not treat a princess like any other. They had made as many concessions as possible as representatives of the lectern.

Of course, Cloé would never know that.

She would never know about the women suffering in other chambers in the underground.

Thud! Thud!

A sound of someone knocking on the door outside the well-treated confinement area could be heard. If the door were to open, it would reveal the room where Cloé was trapped behind the glass and magical barriers.

The lady-in-waiting who had spoken to Cloé approached the door.

“May I come in?”

It was a man’s voice.

It was conveyed that a considerate attitude was coming to meet someone who might not even know they were a sinner.

Here, the man opened the door without saying a word.

The man outside slowly lifted his foot. He entered only after making sure it wouldn’t be embarrassing for Cloe or something that shouldn’t be seen by reason.

Like everywhere in the world, not only good and upright people gathered at the pulpit. Among them were those who hid despicable desires, deliberately choosing times when Cloe might change clothes or bathe.

However, their purposes mostly failed. Hindered by the prohibition of carefully selected attendants here, and… by the knight’s attendant who is entering now.

The man who came in through the door looked at Cloe.

Cloe also looked at him. He was a man she had seen several times before. She also knew his name.

Nathan.

The youngest commander of the Holy Knights.

His slightly wrinkled face made him look like he was in his early thirties. At first glance, he seemed to have the appearance of someone in their mid-to-late twenties.

“Cloe Deminus, it’s lamentable that reality forces me to treat the descendant of a hero like this.”

“…”

Nathan apologized with a clear, boyish voice.

It was countless how many apologies it had been.

“I promise. If the charges against you are cleared, I will be the first to come and escort you out.”

“What am I being accused of?”

“I cannot tell you.”

“…Even though I’m the one being accused?”

Nathan’s straight eyebrows under his brown bangs slightly furrowed.

“When the time comes, I’ll be able to tell you. Please forgive me, Lady Cloe.”

“You’re as kind as the rumors say, Nathan.”

“Rumors about me?”

“Yes, that there’s a very strong knight in the pulpit… with a warm heart.”

“Even if you say that… I can’t provide any more convenience here.”

Cloe smiled innocently.

Nathan burst into laughter at the sight. He felt awkward at the thought that the woman in front of him might be a dreadful aristocrat, yet he sensed an undiminished bright energy despite her noble status.

Putting aside his bitterness, he spoke of the matter at hand.

“Today, a guest has come to see you.”

“…?”

“We cannot allow outsiders in until the investigation is over, but he is a special person we can make an exception for.”

“No way…!?”

“Please come in.”

Despite her arduous confinement, Cloe’s sea-colored eyes gained vitality. Perhaps it was because she didn’t know whether her father, Duke Deminus, had come. Cloe’s face, beaming with a bright smile, was full of anticipation.

Thud-

Footsteps were heard.

The visitor who appeared was not the father Cloe had longed for. It wasn’t the face of the family she missed; it was a stranger’s face.

However, the gentleman with neatly tied long blond hair exuded a kind and warm impression. His attire was neat and tidy, and even to Cloe, who was unfamiliar with men’s clothing, it looked expensive and luxurious.

The neatly worn monocle on his left eye was impressive. After observing Cloe through his blue eyes beyond the glasses, he spoke.

“You must be Cloe. My name is Christopher Maynard.”

“…Maynard?”

Cloe was taken aback by the appearance of the duke introducing himself.

First, she was surprised to actually see the famous Imperial Duke Maynard, and then she was surprised to meet Karl’s father. She didn’t know what to say.

As if understanding her inner thoughts, the duke spoke with a gentle smile on her behalf.

“Yes, I am also Karl’s father.”

“I, I see. Nice to meet you. I’m Cloe Deminus.”

“Pleased to meet you. But, um, you seem quite overwhelmed.”

He glanced at Cloe’s complexion and spoke as if he were worried. His warm voice made it seem as though this damp, underground space had been momentarily forgotten.

The duke continued, “There’s a banquet scheduled for tonight, so we should start preparing now.”

“A banquet? Are you saying I can leave this place?”

“Yes, just for tonight.”

“How… How is that possible? And what kind of banquet…?”

Cloe clasped her hands over her mouth, unable to contain her excitement at the long-awaited good news.

Watching the two from a corner, Nathan smiled with satisfaction. Despite being tasked with monitoring Cloe during the banquet, he didn’t mind. How could such an innocent girl be associated with the aristocracy?

In response to Cloe’s question, the duke nonchalantly replied, feigning ignorance.

“What kind of banquet? It’s a celebration of an engagement.”

“Whose engagement?”

“Oh… You’ve been here too long. Forgetting such an important engagement.”

“…What?”

Cloe couldn’t understand what the duke was saying. She listened to his scolding without understanding a word.

“You’re going too far. You’re going to be my daughter-in-law. At least remember the date of your engagement with my son.”

“What?!”

“Today is the day of your engagement with Karl.”

…”

In disbelief, Cloe pinched her cheeks all over. There was no waking up from this; it was real.

Unbeknownst to Cloe, an unexpected engagement had been decided.

She couldn’t believe it.

No, this is a lie.

A lie to save her from the pulpit.

A false engagement.

But it would change many things.

*

The engagement ceremony and banquet for the two are said to be held at the palace.

The splendid gardens of the palace being opened to the public was a historic moment. After the disappearance of the royal family, this place was off-limits except for the Imperial Information Bureau. It was only used sparsely during very important national events.

However, it was only for the engagement ceremony and banquet that the palace was opened. This also meant that the significance of the Marquis and Deminus was substantial, and it was a moment to understand the position held by Christopher, the Marquis, in the empire.

I had complex feelings in many ways.

I arrived at the palace with heavy steps.

The palace, which should have been ours… mine and Teo’s, was so grand and magnificent.

The Primula Palace couldn’t even compare. Everything was neat and well-groomed. Surrounded by the sea, it rose to a suitable height, and the towers placed throughout looked as intricate as pagodas.

It didn’t feel unfamiliar when I first came here. Instead, it felt comforting. It was a place that felt familiar and put my mind at ease. At the same time, it made me sad. It was an inheritance that should have been mine, something I should have inherited.

It was our territory where Teo and I would eventually stroll together. That’s why I was deeply saddened and angry. I despised those who took the palace from us. I wanted to tear them apart and kill them.

“Please relax your expression.”

“…?”

I definitely came alone.

So there shouldn’t be a voice calling me, but a beautiful voice coming from beside me was clearly directed at me.

…

When I turned around, there was a woman with slightly wavy, clearly dyed, bob-cut blonde hair. Her neatly arranged, not very long, hair was visible.

“Daniella….”

“You look like someone being dragged to the slaughterhouse, Beatrice.”

“…Are you not bothered at all?”

“What do you mean?”

She seemed like a fox-like woman who had come alone.

Objectively, she had a very pretty face, but I didn’t want to admit it. So I didn’t bother to scrutinize her face or try to admire it. She was a very nasty woman.

“Didn’t you have an interest in Kalhante?”

“Hmph, as if.”

“Lies. You always tried to get closer to Kal, stuck to him all the time.”

In summary, it meant “You wagged your tail every time you saw Kal!” but I put it more delicately. It meant that she was interested as much as she wagged her tail, just like in the original.

“I just wanted to be close, as my father wished, as my duty dictated…”

“….”

“The Meiner family of the Empire has that much value. Besides, Kal himself is strong.”

“…Impressive.”

I added quietly, so Daniel wouldn’t hear.

With a small voice she wouldn’t hear.

“Right now, I only want to get close to both Kal and Cloe in my mind. Clearly, it’s for the future of our alliance.”

“You’re being too honest. Is it okay to spill that kind of thing to me?”

“You, there’s nowhere else to vent, anyway. And…”

Daniel trailed off. I stared at her eyes, curious about what she would say next. Then she pretended to give in.

“We look alike, don’t we?”

“What? Alike? You and me!?”

“Yes. I’ve just been getting that impression lately.”

“Nonsense. We’re different, you and I.”

I immediately denied Daniel’s words with a wave of my hand.

“Beatrice.”

“?”

“Don’t be too conceited.”

“…What are you saying?”

It’s written all over your face. You’re very troubled. You spent a short time close to Kal, right?

….

This ominous woman… could she be the successor of the alliance!

But apart from that, I couldn’t deny Daniel’s words. There was no falsehood in what she said.

Yes, we clearly got close.

The intimacy I felt towards Kal was not false.

At least, that’s how Daniel saw it.

Like a fox, unfortunate and fond of observing others, it was Daniel who spoke… as the successor of the alliance, evaluating people with an objective perspective!

No doubt.

We must have appeared close, even to others’ eyes.

It wasn’t just my delusion.

So, it hurts more.

You who chose Chloe.

I hate you.