Chapter 20: The Auguste Ducal Residence

The rhythmic clatter of horses’ hooves had become familiar by the time the silhouette of the Auguste ducal mansion appeared in the distance, no larger than a fingernail.

“This is unprecedented.”

Rexton, who had been silent the entire ride, finally spoke.

“What is?”

“His Grace sending a carriage for a lady. It’s never happened before.”

“Hm, should I feel honored by that?”

“……”

Rexton’s eyes wavered, unable to find a proper response.

At first, I was a bit surprised, but why shouldn’t he send a carriage? Surely, it wasn’t sent out of concern for me, right?

“Hmph, anyway, that’s how it is.”

After that, Rexton fell silent again. I, too, had nothing to say or ask, so I simply gazed out the window.

The mansion, which had been merely a speck in the distance, gradually revealed its grandeur.

‘Today is important. Tonight is when Rosetta first appears in the novel.’

The carriage passed through the massive black gates of the Duke’s residence, reminiscent of something out of a European landscape photo. The sight made my mouth go dry, as if I were being swallowed whole by the jaws of the ultimate villain’s lair.

Soon, the carriage stopped in front of the grand entrance. Under Rexton’s guidance, I stepped into the mansion.

‘Oh my, how much must all this cost?’

The hallway ceilings were adorned with rows of expensive crystal chandeliers. The antique yet refined interior design exuded elegance.

After walking for what felt like forever, we arrived at a large, square-shaped door.

Rexton turned to me and said, 

“Please wait here with me for a moment. His Grace has a guest, but they’ll be leaving shortly.”

“Alright, thank you.”

I stood by the hallway window, looking down at the garden. The sight of fresh green buds sprouting was beautiful.

But then—

‘Ugh, my back is so itchy.’

For some reason, my back had been unbearably itchy for the past few days.

‘Maybe it’s because I haven’t exfoliated properly.’

Last night, it had been so bad that I’d asked Maya to scrub my back, but she whined about not wanting to peel my skin off, so I had to give up.

‘Should I just commission someone to make an exfoliating towel? One of those green ones with three stripes?’

Taking advantage of Rexton not looking, I sneakily reached back and scratched my back.

I really missed having a back scratcher.

＊

At that moment.

The scroll in Xavier’s hand trembled slightly.

“Melvin, is this real?”

“It’s real. I swear on my name and to the gods.”

The man in the black mask, his gray eyes gleaming, replied firmly.

Xavier stared directly at Melvin and asked, 

“Does the Crown Prince know about this?”

“Probably soon? There’s an annoying pest buzzing around me. But he’ll find out a day later than you, most likely by tomorrow.”

“A confidential oracle?”

“I’m stalling as much as I can, but even I can only delay its full disclosure for a few more days.”

“I see.”

Melvin observed Xavier’s furrowed expression for a moment before pulling a radiant golden vial from his inner pocket.

“This is proof that the saintess will appear soon.”

The vial, containing holy power, was the only one of its kind. Xavier’s lips pressed into a thin line.

“Only one vial?”

“This is the last of the highest-grade holy power. So if you want to keep living as a human, you’d better find the saintess and marry her as soon as possible.”

“Melvin, what nonsense are you spouting all of a sudden?”

“Do I look like I’m spouting nonsense? Why do you think Moirai desperately awaits the saintess?”

“……”

Xavier wanted to sew shut the mouth of this infuriating friend who always spoke the truth. The subtle smirk on his lips was particularly irritating, making it impossible for Xavier to respond politely.

“To speak so recklessly about the saintess… I pity the priests who follow you.”

“I pity you more than the priests. Without holy power, aren’t you just a beast?”

“……”

Melvin had a knack for stabbing people where it hurt, all while wearing an angelic face.

Xavier couldn’t even refute the statement, so he remained silent.

“Find her before the imperial family does. Whether you strike a deal, seduce her with that handsome face of yours, or marry her, that’s up to you.”

“Marrying the saintess… how ridiculous.”

Why did the image of a small, soot-covered woman with short stature pop into his mind at a time like this?

Xavier frowned. Misinterpreting the expression, Melvin added, 

“Don’t get me wrong. I, Joshua Melvin Grave, am entrusting the saintess to you solely for the sake of peace between Moirai and the Brillante Empire.”

The Beast Kingdom of Moirai was desperate for the saintess. Her power was essential to break their curse.

However, every time a saintess appeared, the Brillante Empire’s imperial family would tie her down, exploiting her for diplomatic leverage while ignoring Moirai’s suffering.

From Melvin’s perspective, who sought peace between the Empire and Moirai, it was better for Xavier—who at least wished to resolve things amicably with Moirai—to take responsibility for the saintess, rather than the imperial family.

And on the day he received the oracle, Melvin had seen a vision.

In that vision, his friend Xavier was bleeding and sobbing in Moirai’s “Forbidden Land,” standing before a woman with black hair.

Had he glimpsed the future? Was something about to happen to Xavier?

“Remember my words, Xavier Auguste.”

With that, Melvin delivered his final warning, donned his priestly white robe, and left the room. Xavier ran a hand roughly through his hair, watching Melvin’s retreating figure.

How was he supposed to find the saintess, who could appear anytime, anywhere?

Once Melvin had completely disappeared, Xavier unrolled the scroll left behind as if it had been dumped on him.

[In the Brillante Empire, a sacred star of healing shall rise. The curse that lingers over all will be lifted, and light shall shine upon both nations.]

＊

It wasn’t even five minutes later when the heavy sound of the office door opening reached me.

I turned my gaze from the garden to the door, which revealed a tall man wearing a black mask stepping out.

Dressed in an all-white suit with a white robe draped over it, the man’s exposed eyes alone were enough to tell he was quite handsome.

“Greetings.”

Rexton bowed politely to the masked man.

‘Huh? A black mask?’

He looked familiar. Judging by how Rexton, a viscount, treated him with such respect, he must be someone important.

The man’s clear gray eyes curved into crescent moons as he glanced at me.

‘What’s with this church-boy smile?’

“And this young lady is…?”

“Hello, I’m Yuria Graham.”

“A pleasure to meet you.”

Ah, that mask! He’s the high-ranking priest I saw on the battlefield!

Before I could say anything else, the masked man gave me a small nod before following the attendant down the hallway and disappearing.

I stared blankly at his retreating figure. Was that priest staying at the Duke’s residence?

“Shall we go in?”

“Ah, yes.”

Under Rexton’s guidance, I entered the office. Standing in front of a bookshelf, casually dressed, was Duke Xavier Auguste, reading a scroll.

‘I’d forgotten how stunning he is.’

The moment I saw him, the memory of Xavier’s smooth lips brushing against my neck resurfaced.

Thump, thump.

‘Oh no, my heart’s racing again.’

Thinking back to that day made my heart swell and my breathing tremble.

Lifting his gaze from the scroll, Xavier looked at me intently.

“It’s been a while, my lady.”

“Yes.”

An incredibly awkward atmosphere hung between us.

Embarrassed to meet his gaze, I found myself staring at my shoes instead. For some reason, my scalp felt prickly.

After a brief pause, the Duke spoke.

“Have you been well?”

At his question, I slowly lifted my head. Teal eyes, dark hair, and a crisp white shirt. Even his deep, resonant voice was perfect.

‘Stay focused. If I get through today, I can finally live my carefree life!’

I maintained a neutral expression as I responded.

“More or less.”

The Duke nodded once and kindly gestured for me to sit.

“Please, take a seat.”

I sat on the sofa he offered, and Xavier rolled up the scroll he had been reading and took the seat of honor, crossing his long legs.

Perhaps because the war was over, his demeanor seemed noticeably more relaxed.

The Duke was the first to speak.

“I sent a carriage. Were you surprised?”

“Oh, yes. A little. By the way, congratulations on your victory.”

“Thank you. But, my lady, do you know why I sent the carriage?”

“Well… not really?”

“You told me you’d have a small request for me on the third day, a month from then. At first, I thought it was nonsense… but it turned out to be true. I couldn’t resist my curiosity about how you knew the war would end in a month.”

I nodded in agreement.

It was a reasonable question, after all.

Thankfully, it seemed he didn’t have any other motives.

“And I was curious about you as well.”

“…Pardon?”

What did I just hear?

I stared at him in shock, my mouth slightly agape, as he smirked and gave me a teasing smile.

“I mean, I’m curious about this small request of yours.”

“Oh, haha. I see.”

He’s toying with me. I got nervous for nothing.

“Now, go ahead and tell me.”

Finally, the moment had come. I steeled my resolve and locked eyes with Duke Xavier Auguste.

“My request is related to predicting the end of the war.”

“So it seems. Please, continue.”

The Duke, who had been fed supplies during the war, was in a good mood. His relaxed demeanor even gave the illusion of faint goodwill in his eyes.

‘Ah, those teal eyes are so dazzling. If he confessed his love with that face, it would be lethal. Rosetta, you’d better thank me for this.’

Clenching my fists under the table, I boldly declared.

“Duke, tonight, the saintess will appear.”

“What?”

“Please save her. That’s my request.”

For a moment, silence filled the office.

The Duke’s eyes, fixed on me, grew wider and wider.