Retribution
“Too handsome…! Well, do as you please.”
Pay stared at the man before her. His hair was a deeper sky-blue than Astain’s, and his eyes held the clear, endless hue of the sea. The moment she saw him, she knew he would draw every eye in the room. Still, she decided to leave him as he was. After all, Lucia’s original appearance was already striking enough.
The former Tower Master had appeared without warning at the Orleans Ducal House’s ball. The rumors would only grow louder now.
Lucia, who had changed his appearance to match Pay’s taste once more, smiled brightly. No matter what anyone said, being handsome was the best advantage. It was reason enough to endure the inconvenience of wearing this face.
“I’ll be back soon, Pay. Shall I bring you some champagne?”
“No need. If you think of it, just bring me a glass of water when you return. There’s no hurry, so take your time and finish what you need to do.”
“All right!”
With a cheerful reply, Lucia—now appearing as the former Tower Master Baroa—vanished like melting snow before her eyes. Pay closed her own eyes and waited for his return. His absence did not make her feel lonely. No matter how long it took, he would always come back to her side.
Descending to the first floor, Lucia located Capia in an instant.
How presumptuous.
The Saintess was surrounded by members of the Esolt County family, deep in conversation. Even the pale-purple dress she wore in an attempt to appear modest made Pay want to retch at a single glance.
Should he just kill her? Disguise it as an accident?
Lucia’s gaze remained level as it drifted toward the grand chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Even if the Saintess was protected by holy power, dropping that would be more than enough to end her life. Infusing the sharp crystal ornaments with magic would make it certain.
He wanted to do it immediately, but Pay was upstairs—the one person in this world more precious to him than anyone else.
Damn it.
He had no desire to create a blood-soaked disaster in front of her eyes. Unless she herself wished for it, of course. Lucia swallowed the curse rising in his throat and, settling for the next best thing, sent a thread of magic into the Saintess’s mind. He intended to read her past memories and learn what she had done.
She never told me not to do this. A quick look at her memories should be fine.
Moments later, his lips twisted in disgust and revulsion.
How dare she!
She had been scheming since the day Pay was still in her mother’s womb? Simply killing her would not be enough!
Having lived for so long, Lucia had seen the darkest sides of humanity many times. Yet even he had never encountered someone as wicked as the Saintess, who wore the body of a holy woman.
The main god always chose quiet, gentle souls when selecting a Saintess. Perhaps the exception was someone who only appeared calm on the surface while harboring endless malice within.
Very well. You said the Holy Temple has been troubled by the weakening of holy power, didn’t you? I’ll rid you of that worry entirely.
The magic Lucia had planted in Capia’s mind writhed like a living thread and formed a curse. The Saintess’s holy power would plummet toward zero with terrifying speed, and in the end, not a single drop would remain. Let her struggle with scrolls or anything else to restore it. Pouring water into a bottomless jar would only quench thirst for a moment.
As the dreadful curse took shape, a soft sigh escaped Lucia’s lips. Several young nobles who had been stealing glances at him approached and spoke.
“Pardon me.”
“…Hm?”
Lucia had been so focused on Capia that he noticed their gazes only belatedly. His mysterious appearance drew attention without effort. A man who had suddenly appeared, one never seen in the capital before—his noble bearing and striking beauty were impossible to ignore. His sky-blue hair was even more vivid than Prince Astain’s, and his eyes were a sapphire-like blue. The straight nose, the ears half-hidden by his hair, the elegant line of his neck—every feature made those nearby long to speak with him.
Up close, he was as breathtaking as the marble statues decorating the ballroom. When the nobles who had admired him from afar finally addressed him, Lucia responded with shameless ease, all while remembering to fetch the glass of water he had promised Pay.
A few days later, the Saintess—who had found neither enjoyment nor practical use in the Orleans Ducal House’s charity ball—rose from her seat.
“Inform Sir Slot. I have been far too comfortable since arriving at the imperial palace.”
“Will you be returning to the Holy Temple?”
The Saintess had to suppress her irritation at the maid’s tactless reply.
“I hear the Klein daughter has been bedridden for some time. It is a pity that someone who has already made her debut should remain confined to bed from spring onward. As one who receives the main god’s grace, it is only proper that I go and lay my hands upon her forehead.”
“Then I shall send a messenger to arrange an appointment.”
“No. It would be troublesome to make the patient prepare herself. The formalities are unnecessary. Since we are both women, it should be fine to see her while she remains under the covers.”
If she gave advance notice, that slippery creature would surely find a way to escape!
Capia had to restrain herself from glaring at the imperial maid, whose every word grated on her nerves. Technically, everything the woman said was correct—except that it went against the Saintess’s wishes.
Less than an hour later, Capia left the palace and arrived at the Klein Ducal House. Fortunately, neither the Duke nor the Duchess was present. The Duke was at the palace, and the Duchess had stepped out briefly into the city. She had also heard the rumor that the young Duke, Cassel, rarely came home because of his duties as knight commander.
This was her chance. The perfect moment to confront the daughter who lived in luxury on a stolen title and remind her of the truth.
How convenient!
“Um, Saintess. Neither of the masters is currently at home to receive you. It would be an honor if you could arrange an appointment for another day instead.”
The butler’s reasonable suggestion was met with Capia’s gentle smile.
“I came in haste after hearing that the Klein daughter has been ill for many days. Before I enter, I shall sprinkle holy water to keep evil spirits away. Since the young lady’s illness refuses to leave her easily, I wish to do everything I can.”
“Ah…! We would be most grateful.”
As the butler expressed his admiration, the Saintess walked lightly toward the central garden monument. Every movement—sprinkling holy water near the stone that symbolized the Klein family’s prestige and placing a small wreath upon the grass—was performed with sacred grace.
When Capia finished the ritual and lifted her eyelids with dignity, she spoke.
“Let us go.”
“Yes.”
The butler, now thoroughly overawed by Capia’s presence, led her to the daughter’s bedroom as if entranced. Dot, who had been lounging lazily without any idea of what was happening outside, frowned at the sudden knock.
“…What is it?”
Pretending to be ill was tolerable for a day or two, but no longer. The Saintess had stubbornly remained at the palace instead of returning to the Holy Temple, and Dot’s irritation was already at its peak. Now even the servants were bothering her? And at a time that was not even mealtime?
“My lady, someone from the palace has—!”
“Shh. Just say it is a healer. There is no need to startle her into sitting up and risk twisting her ankle.”
“My lady, a new healer has arrived.”
Capia summoned every ounce of nonexistent kindness to reassure the butler before turning the doorknob.
Click.
The two of them came face to face in the same room. The curtain was finally rising on the grand performance between two villains who should never have existed in the same world—yet had been born anyway.
“……?”
Startled by the sudden opening of the door, Dot hurriedly pulled the blanket over herself and lay down. She had never met the Saintess Capia before. In her previous life, time had rewound before the Saintess could even plan her visit to the capital. Even then, Capia had been far too cautious for any direct encounter to occur.
Hmph. A new healer, is it? No matter who it is, they will not be able to make me rise. I will not get out of this bed until the Saintess returns to the Holy Temple.
Deliberately blurring her gaze and rolling her eyes, Dot spotted the unfamiliar healer—and the butler standing behind her. The butler’s expression was different from usual. His chin was wrinkled with deep creases, yet he wore a proud look. Why was he making that face?
What is going on?
The new healer was elderly and spoke kindly.
“You may remain lying down.”
The butler, overcome with emotion, revealed the secret the moment the Saintess stepped inside.
“My lady, rejoice. Saintess Capia heard the rumor of your illness and has come personally from the imperial palace.”
What… what did he just say?! Why was the Saintess here?! She had ordered that all outside visitors be strictly blocked!
For Dot, who had been hiding safely inside the ducal residence, the situation was so horrifying that she could have fainted while still lying down. Capia, like a wolf hiding its fangs, approached and placed a hand on her forehead.
“Mm…”
The hand was lukewarm, yet Dot suddenly felt a chill run through her, her body trembling uncontrollably. She had to calm her terrified self somehow.
Pull yourself together! I… I cannot live as the wretched Dotricia Karis. I am Tiana Marietta Klein. I must not show fear or weakness here. I have to repel her with the dignity of a true daughter of the house!
With the unwelcome hand still resting on her forehead, Dot muttered,
“Oh… Mother…”
“Her Ladyship is expected to return soon. When she sees you recovered and well, she will be overjoyed.”
Ah, it was over.
The butler could not even read her mood!
The sight of Dot’s eyes filling with undisguised panic was pure pleasure to Capia. The Saintess smiled inwardly.
Heh, you lying little wretch. Your real family—the ones who will destroy you utterly—are already in my hands. Do you truly believe you can escape just by hiding inside the ducal residence? As long as even one member of your family remains, your defeat is certain!
Capia withdrew her hand and spoke with refined grace.
“Well then, butler. What pain does the young lady usually complain of?”
“Yes. She mainly suffers from headaches, and there is almost no fever. She becomes dizzy the moment she tries to take even a single step from the bed and often collapses.”
“How unfortunate. Such a delicate and beautiful young lady has endured so much suffering from her illness.”
The butler, completely captivated by the Saintess, declared with conviction,
“With the Saintess’s help, she will surely recover soon. There is no need for concern.”
Capia smiled contentedly.
“Of course. Now then… I shall help ensure she no longer feels any dizziness…”
Hm?
Capia tilted her head. She had clearly tried to activate her holy power just now. The holy power that should have been available to her at any time, both from within her body and from her mental world. Although its total amount was less than that of the previous Saintess, it had always responded to her will, manifesting as light and displaying its power. Yet now it remained silent.
What was this?
Never once since being chosen as a Saintess candidate had her holy power refused to obey her. Capia attempted once more to gather holy power in her right hand, but it was still impossible.
However, true to her cunning nature, Capia did not panic. She took out a bottle of holy water from her robes. The process of refining holy water was usually handled by priests, and there were no restrictions on its use, making it the perfect solution for this predicament.