Part 2, Chapter 5
Part 2, Chapter 5
Translation: godsn
As if oblivious to the chilled atmosphere, Medeia continued speaking with composure.
"You needn't worry about a thing. Regardless of one's origins, if you are His Majesty's benefactor, then you are mine as well. Until word arrives from the Holy Kingdom, consider this palace your home and stay comfortably. Neril."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Assign this lady to the Cottage House."
The Cottage House was a splendid annex where Duke Claudio and his daughter had once stayed. However, it was not within the palace proper.
Dianzel blinked. This meant the Princess clearly intended to treat the Saintess as an outsider.
It also signaled that she did not trust the Saintess. After all, the Cottage House had been the dwelling of rebels who had once turned the kingdom upside down.
"Ah, Your Highness! But His Majesty's purification treatment isn't yet complete. To fully expel the demonic energy, I must remain close at hand..."
At that moment, Rachel abruptly spoke. Her brows drooped as she turned to Dianzel with a troubled expression.
"Your Majesty, Lady Rachel is correct. Shouldn't the purification be fully completed so that Your Majesty may move about without difficulty?"
Dianzel chimed in. Rachel's point seemed entirely reasonable. Her eyes held nothing but pure concern for Pelleus.
Yet Medeia instantly discerned her true intentions. How many times had she clashed with Rachel, who later became the Empress?
If anyone had witnessed the depth of Medeia's hatred for this woman, they might have laughingly mistaken it for affection. She knew Rachel as intimately as one would a lover.
Her thoughts, her demeanor—even the subtle hints in Rachel's every action that betrayed her goals.
'You... have your sights set on Pelleus.'
For reasons unknown, the trajectory Rachel had once aimed at Iason in her past life was now directed at Pelleus. The Central Palace where he resided was also the Emperor's private quarters.
"The purification is done. The rest can be left to the priests in the palace."
Pelleus answered indifferently. Reuniting with his sister after months apart was far more important to him.
There was no reason to waste further time on trivial matters like the Saintess's accommodations.
"B-but—"
"Saya, escort our benefactor. Ensure she lacks for nothing."
Medeia nodded like a benevolent host. Yet the underlying command was unmistakable.
"Yes, Your Highness! I'll do my very best!"
Saya, standing nearby, clenched her small fists and shouted enthusiastically. The young maid, who had grown a few inches over the past three years, radiated earnest determination. The Agema warriors burst into laughter.
"The Cottage House is also close to the palace infirmary, so Lady Rachel may comfortably attend to His Majesty whenever needed."
With that, Rachel had no choice but to nod, finding no further room to object.
"Th... thank you."
"......"
Medeia silently gazed down at her.
An unspoken pressure lingered, as if waiting for something. The maid standing beside Rachel also remained motionless.
'What is she waiting for?'
Soon, Rachel realized the Princess was expecting a formal greeting. The smile on her lips froze in place.
She had indeed awakened her Holy Power. But that did not change her current status as a commoner.
With the Holy Kingdom's priests yet to arrive, she was still just a Valdinan who must show deference to the Princess—even if only as a superficial courtesy.
Slowly, Rachel bowed her waist and offered her greetings once more.
All the while imagining the arrogant Princess's indifferent face crumbling to pieces.
"Once again, I express my gratitude for Your Highness's gracious consideration..."
"As you wish."
Only then did a response, closer to a dismissal, fall.
Suppressing a surge of humiliation, Rachel maintained her smile. By the time she lifted her head, only the gentle and demure face of a noble lady remained.
"Dea, let's go. I have something to show you."
Pelleus took his sister's hand and left first.
Rachel watched their retreating backs with resentment before being led away by Saya.
"Lady Rachel, this way, please."
"Then, Sir Dianzel, until we meet again."
Only Neril and Dianzel remained in Hojeong. Dianzel scratched his head.
"Her Highness seemed rather sharp today."
He was slightly taken aback after witnessing the princess deliberately pressure the Saintess into bowing just moments ago.
"Her Highness has always been generous toward the common people, but this is the first time I've seen her act like that. It almost seems like she dislikes Lady Rachel."
"......"
"Why do you think that is? Neril, what's your take?"
"Rather, Commander, aren't you being excessively favorable toward that woman?"
Neril pointed out.
"Neril, you should have seen her back then. She was so desperate she didn't even care that she was poisoning herself."
"Is that truly all there is to it? From what I've observed, you seem intent on linking the Saintess with His Majesty."
Dianzel, struck by Neril's sharp observation, ended up confessing.
"Well, I just thought... along with the healing, perhaps Lady Rachel and His Majesty might make a good match. Isn't this such a fateful encounter? Moreover, we could even secure the Empire's aid by borrowing the Saintess's influence."
As if realizing how unfair it sounded, Dianzel raised his voice slightly in protest.
"His Majesty is still at the prime age to enjoy his youth, isn't he? He can't remain alone forever."
Especially since, once Valdina ascends to an empire, Pelleus would no longer be a king but an emperor. The seat beside him—the position of empress—couldn't remain vacant indefinitely.
Dianzel scratched his head.
"But Her Highness the Princess doesn't seem to like the Saintess at all, so that's another problem..."
"You're worrying over unnecessary things. Is there even a need for judgment?"
"Huh?"
"Judgment is for His Majesty to make. We merely follow. He's a reasonable man, so he must have his reasons—even if there appear to be none."
Neril answered indifferently.
"I simply abide by His Highness's will."
If there was no reason, she would make it so. Her attitude was almost akin to blind devotion toward a deity.
She gazed at Rachel's distant figure. The golden hair fluttering in the wind behind her delicate shoulders shimmered under the sunlight, looking like a heap of gold.
Beautiful and alluring things often concealed incomparable rot within—she knew that now.
"Commander, is it truly that woman who drove back the ghoul horde?"
A stranger who suddenly appeared before the king, claiming to be the Saintess and repelling the magic beasts.
"I saw it with my own eyes. Why, do you think it's fake?"
"It's just... too convenient."
Neril furrowed her brows.
From her sudden appearance to her demeanor and speech—if something about the Saintess's every action felt oddly out of place, was she being overly sensitive?
Three days had passed since the king and the Agema returned.
The urgent return journey had been somewhat organized. Those in dire need of purification from ghoul wounds were sent to the chapel, while those requiring immediate medical treatment were moved to the royal physician's quarters.
Meanwhile, Pelleus refused both the royal physician and the priests, locking himself in the Central Palace.
While her brother busied himself with the backlog of administrative duties, Medeia, too, had her own reasons for staying occupied.
"Your Highness, our investigation confirms she is indeed from Orphio."
Kensington reported.
"She lived with her parents, but lost both to an epidemic years ago and has lived alone since. She was a native who had never left the plains until this Wave."
"......"
'Never left the plains...'
Medeia's pale fingers lightly tapped the desk. The life of Rachel uncovered by the Red Fox was unremarkable.
"She quickly won the favor of the palace staff. Regardless of status, she generously shares her holy power and has earned high praise. The Saintess's good deeds are spreading quietly through the royal palace."
Kensington also reported on Rachel's current situation, staying at the Cottage House.
'Not much different from the past life.'
Soon, she would win over people's hearts. The expeditionary force, the imperial family, even the empire's citizens—just as she had established herself in Kazen in her previous life.
"......"
The tapping of her pale fingers slowed.
"Does Your Highness suspect that the woman claiming to be the Saintess is hiding something, hence entrusting the investigation to the Fox?"
"Perhaps."
The princess gave no clear answer.
"You've done well, Count."
"Anytime. Then, Your Highness, please rest."
Noticing the chill beneath her indifferent expression, Kensington quietly withdrew.
"...Rachel. What should I do with you?"
Alone in the room, Medeia murmured softly.