Chapter 85

#085 Not Quite a Villain (3)

Cedric Riester sank into the sofa.

Since his attitude suggested that she should continue, Kristel spoke without hesitation.

“I did some studying. As you know, my memory isn’t complete, so it took some time to learn.”

Her steel-gray eyes sparkled with intelligence. Of course, she hadn’t studied solely on her own strength.

Prince Yeseo was very awkward at giving orders and seemed to enjoy reading, but she was different.

Kristel had successfully extracted the information she needed by thoroughly interrogating the tutors and servants of the Sarnes family.

Sitting in the library all day, poring over books, was not her style.

“The religious partnership is a relationship established when one royal and one priest make the ‘Pact of the Twin Stars.’ This is a custom unique to Riester. Once the contract is formed, the Guardian cannot share their ether with anyone other than the Pact Lord. In other words, they cannot share their ether with others.”

“Do you think I don’t know that?”

“But when a holy knight and a priest form a pair, there’s actually no limit to the number of people.”

The prince’s sunset-colored eyes narrowed slightly.

His sun-like gaze seemed to melt the lady opposite him.

Kristel smiled and took a sip of the iced Americano that the servant David had brought.

Indeed, the coffee at the Romero Palace was incredibly delicious.

Perhaps it was because a man who was passionate about espresso lived there.

“......”

“......”

A suffocating silence pressed down on the reception room. Kristel sighed inwardly.

She didn’t want to urge him to speak faster, but it was surprising that he didn’t lower his high-and-mighty attitude.

The man’s fire-attribute ether was as fierce as ever, but there was no sign of him trying to suppress her.

Kristel maintained her smile and continued.

“I looked into the historical records of the war era. Such records are rare, but it seems that the holy knights of the Penetian Theocracy often paired with two priests.”

The prince slowly began to drink his coffee.

“Usually, two people form a pair, but in urgent situations, it can change. There’s no need for a special contract or soul binding, so it’s a practical relationship.”

“The positions of holy knights and priests are different.”

Cedric pointed out sharply. His words had merit.

A holy knight on the battlefield was always at risk of running out of ether, so it wasn’t strange for them to have two priest partners.

However, a single priest pairing with more than two holy knights was......

“Juliet.”

Kristel’s clear voice echoed in the room.

The prince’s movement froze as he sipped his coffee.

He only raised his eyes to look at her.

Kristel de Sarnes felt his ‘ether pressure’ for the first time since entering the Romero Palace.

It felt as if invisible flames surrounded her, making the air hot.

Even so, it was a very restrained level.

She resisted the pressure with a white frost forming on her fingertips.

If they clashed now, they might end up destroying part of the palace.

“About the lovers who betrayed the late Emperor of Romero and brought the Theocracy’s army into the palace. The priest who was the mistress of the Juliet Palace. The empire calls her a notorious villain, right?”

“......”

“According to the records, when Juliet crossed the palace portal, she had two holy knights by her side. There’s also a knight’s testimony that he saw her sharing ether with them. They must have been a trio.”

“It’s just one testimony.”

“That’s true. But isn’t it better than nothing for Your Highness and me?”

If there was one precedent, it would be easier to create a second. The prince didn’t respond.

Kristel bit the ice in her cup.

On this topic, she didn’t want to hide her true feelings and twist her words like a typical noble.

She had experienced enough of that in her ‘previous life.’

Her clear eyes stared directly at the prince.

“To be honest, I would like Prince Yeseo to be my priest partner. He treats me without any ulterior motives. He’s a kind person and a good friend.”

Silence.

“Besides, his ether is truly remarkable. Even the archbishops don’t have such clear and pure energy.”

“......”

“Don’t you feel the same, Your Highness?”

“The prince is as noisy as a nightingale and eats like a squirrel. He’s not a pleasant companion.”

What does that mean? Kristel frowned. The man’s ether had already subsided.

“Then, is it okay if I ask the prince to be my partner?”

Kristel suddenly lost her temper.

She really didn’t intend to openly anger the prince, but wasn’t this going too far!

* * *

“Already the third one, handkerchief. How will you pay for it?”

Kristel pulled out the remains of the handkerchief from her jacket pocket.

Her frost-covered fingers were unharmed by the red heat and scorch marks.

She opened her eyes sharply.

“You don’t want to be my partner, Your Highness.”

And that meant the prince was considering Yeseo as a partner.

Kristel was confused whether to pity herself for understanding this conversation style or to admire herself.

So, she decided to just say what she had to say.

“Then, I’ll only participate in the annual prayer meeting formally. When you ask the prince to be your partner, you must do it together. No separate appeals.”

The prince wouldn’t bow to the prince anyway.

But it was much better to be on the same side rather than a competitor.

Kristel convinced herself and extended her right hand.

A pinky promise was too much, and a handshake....... The contact area was too large and annoying.

After some thought, she made a small fist and held it out to him.

The prince, not understanding the meaning, frowned.

*

“......Blanche, don’t think like that.”

I stopped speaking there. I was cautious.

Eva had been subjected to the despicable brainwashing of her brother since she was four years old.

It seemed she hadn’t even realized it was brainwashing.

I was tense, afraid that I might hurt her with a wrong word.

While hugging Demy and organizing my thoughts, Lady Elizabeth, who had been listening to our conversation, casually said,

“Lady, have you ever thought about living independently?”

“Living independently?”

“I thought it might be good to get a mansion and live in the capital. Isn’t the estate rather stifling?”

I raised my head slightly. Lady Elizabeth was right.

First, I needed to get the young lady out of the clutches of the trashy young duke and place her in a free environment.

I looked at Eva’s face. The child, who had been a bit gloomy, brightened up quickly.

“I already have a mansion!”

“Really?”

Lady Elizabeth’s voice wavered.

“The Blanche mansion in the capital is mine. It was supposed to go to my brother, but since I couldn’t be a young duke, I threw a tantrum and got it.”

“Wow.”

I sighed in admiration. Lady Elizabeth, who met my gaze, also whistled.

Despite being brainwashed by the villain, the power-hungry young lady had been diligently securing her share.

She was truly remarkable and impressive.

When the young duke patted her shoulder in praise, Eva smiled and swung her legs.

“Will the young duke return to the estate, and will the lady go with him?”

“Yes, always. My parents were reluctant to leave me, a minor, alone in the mansion. Even with servants and knights.”

The girl pouted her lips in response to my question. I quietly pieced together the details.

The Blanche duke and duchess didn’t seem to be close to their children, but they took care of the basics.

They were generous enough to give the capital mansion to their daughter at the first sign of a tantrum.

If the young duke, who only spouted mean words and didn’t support his younger sister, was separated, the situation would improve significantly.

“Now that you’ve turned eighteen, things might change.”

I said. Eva blinked at me.

“You said you want power, lady. The capital is the center of power. Here, you can get real-time news about the nobles residing in the capital, and you can keep up with the royal court’s trends and the latest fashions. Social activities will also be much easier.”

The girl’s mouth opened wide.

“I have thought about that. But...... My brother doesn’t seem to want to leave me behind. He said, ‘If you’re alone, other nobles will mock you.’”

Lady Elizabeth stood up abruptly. I quickly grabbed her arm.

A quick whisper passed between us.

‘I’ll stab him once and come back.’

‘Please hold back.’

‘Then I’ll stab him twice and come back.’

‘The number is increasing.’

I managed to sit Lady Elizabeth down, recalling something Kristel had said.

‘I want to give the people of Luc Village the new life I’ve gained. Preferably in a way that they can stand up on their own.’

I wasn’t sparing the young duke because I liked him. I even thought I should have let the prince kill him on the day of the duel.

But if someone acted now, it would only result in murder or assault charges.

Kristel was right. Eva’s wounds must be repaid by Eva herself.

Even if she doesn’t realize what has been done to her now, she will eventually understand everything.

Until then, I, a hostage, can take care of the child.

Besides, I’m not alone.

There’s Lady Elizabeth, and there’s Ganael,