Chapter 5

And so, the decision to break the engagement and send her to the convent was made at an unprecedented speed. The king, of course, was reluctant, but the power of the Holy Church within the country was significant, and a girl branded as a false saint could not be a candidate for the princess. Additionally, there was a proposal to welcome Momoe as the adopted daughter of the Duke of Selenite. Dark, who would become her sibling, did not look pleased, but he did not seem to have the intention of fighting Red Leo to win her over.

Chloe was dressed in a modest (though by commoner standards, it was quite decent) dress and sent off to the Nansonia region with only the bare minimum of luggage. Since it would take several days by carriage, she would have to camp out in the open if they couldn't find lodging at night.

Shin was surprised by how Chloe followed the orders without a single complaint.

"Miss, are you uncomfortable?"

"It's uncomfortable, but I've heard that the Nansonia Convent is harsh, so I need to get used to this."

"…To be honest, I was surprised. I thought you couldn't endure such treatment."

"You're right. If it were the old me, I would have cursed the world and wished for its collapse."

She laughed as if it were someone else's story, but there was no denying that she was saying something ominous. If she were serious, he would have been ordered to cut her down immediately.

"Then, why…"

"Hey, do you remember the day we first met?"

Interrupting Shin's question, Chloe changed the topic.

Shin Purpleton. A favorite man whom Chloe had picked up from the slums as a child and raised to be her personal butler. Teasing his good looks and constant presence, she once said, "This is my loyal pet." At that time, her smile was distorted with a sense of superiority, showing that both her fiancé Red Leo and her butler Shin were hers.

"I could never forget. The kindness I received from a noble lady, everything…"

He omitted the fact that he harbored as much resentment as gratitude and suffered between his loyalty and his feelings. Whether he knew it or not, Chloe smiled and spoke in a singing voice.

"Despite all the terrible things I've said, I am grateful to you. Father is always busy, and I don't get along with my brother… You've been with me, the lonely one, all this time. Thank you so much for everything you've done for me."

"Miss? Was the simple food from the campsite not to your liking?"

"It's not that the food was bad. The convent is off-limits to men. Since I've been kicked out of the ducal family, I thought I should say this now."

Chloe's sudden pious words not only surprised Shin but also the Red Leos who were monitoring her. Only Dark, who despised her, thought, "It's too late for this; it's your own fault," likely due to their poor relationship. Dark, born to a low-ranking servant, was formally adopted when Chloe's mother died, and they had hated each other ever since.

"Even if the Nansonia Convent is a harsh place, there are towns nearby. If you wish, I can visit you anytime."

"That wouldn't be penance. Besides, Shin, do you think I haven't noticed? That brooch…"

Chloe's gaze fixed on him, and she pointed.