Chapter 10
“Ah, wait a moment.”
“You could have just said you wanted a walk. Using your sister as an excuse? How cute of you, madam.”
Licio smiled as if he knew her little scheme.
“Wouldn’t it be better if my sister rested?”
Charlotte hurriedly intervened, but she couldn’t stop Licio’s stride.
“Uh, Duke, I’ll come along too.”
Charlotte stubbornly chased after the two of them.
His embrace was comforting, and being out in the garden was pleasant. Though Licio didn’t answer, Charlotte’s incessant chatter beside him was somewhat annoying.
‘Is she never going home…’
The grand rose garden of the ducal estate. Charlotte clasped her hands and squealed at the sight of the fully bloomed roses, but Ellen didn’t feel much.
Noticing her lack of enthusiasm, Licio asked,
“Do you dislike flowers?”
“I like them. But wildflowers, you know.”
“What kind of flowers?”
“I like them all, but lavender is my favorite. You can even make crowns and necklaces with it.”
Was that too trivial a talent? Licio tilted his head and gazed at her intently.
At that moment, Charlotte suddenly interjected between them.
“Duke, as for me, I like roses. That’s why I really like this garden.”
Licio didn’t give Charlotte a glance even though she answered without being asked. His gaze remained fixed solely on Ellen, his voice low and resonant.
“I like lavender too.”
Ellen’s heart skipped a beat at his unusually tender expression.
Why did it make her want to laugh that they liked the same flower? She didn’t even understand this feeling herself—it was perplexing.
Licio whispered into her ear.
“There’s somewhere I want to show you.”
He walked briskly, almost impatiently, with Charlotte trailing behind.
“Since my sister might be bored, how about I stay at the ducal residence, Duke?”
“I hope you’ve realized. Have you forgotten that we are newlyweds? Anais will have no time to be bored, so return to the Count’s estate.”
Ellen was somewhat immune to his cold words, but Charlotte wasn’t. Tears welled in her brown eyes.
“I’m just trying to help my sister. Isn’t that too harsh, Duke?”
“What you do for Anais is enough with just me. There’s no place for you to intervene.”
Charlotte’s body trembled as she clenched her fists tightly. Licio, ignoring her, walked past nonchalantly.
“Pfft.”
Ellen couldn’t help but laugh.
“You usually talk so much, so why were you so quiet before?”
“Well, because the Duke was there? You said there’s no place for me to intervene—how did you come up with that in such a short moment?”
“I didn’t make it up.”
Suddenly, Licio pressed his lips to her forehead.
“What… was that for?”
Feeling her senses gradually returning, Ellen realized he must have given her mana through the kiss.
“You said you make crowns well.”
Licio mounted his horse with her behind him.
The place they rode to was familiar to Ellen.
Lavender Hill. Her childhood refuge from her mother’s violence.
It was a little-known place, and it surprised her that Licio knew it too.
Ellen had practically lived on this hill.
She had once dreamed of becoming a bard. Here, at least, she could be a free bard.
She wanted to share her memories of the hill with Licio, but being in a possessed state, she had to pretend ignorance, which was frustrating.
“This is a wonderful place.”
“Now, make it.”
Licio helped her down from the horse. With the mana she had received, Ellen was freed from the black magic. She stretched her arms out wide.
The refreshing yet gentle scent carried by the wind. The calming fragrance of lavender—she hadn’t smelled it since entering the temple.
‘I should have taken the time to come here at least once before. It’s wonderful.’
It felt like returning to her childhood.
Shall I show my skills after such a long time? Ellen busily plucked lavender flowers.
In no time, she crafted a crown from the flowers. She proudly held it up.
“Isn’t it well-made? Pretty, right?”
“Yes, really… beautiful.”
His deep, sweet voice. His teal eyes fixed on her, not the crown. Ellen’s face flushed in the profound silence.
“I’ll give it to you, Duke.”
Ellen threw herself toward him with the crown, then turned around. But soon, her body collapsed weakly.
As if it were inevitable, Licio caught her in his arms.
Why now of all times! In his embrace, Ellen shut her eyes tight. She couldn’t face him, her cheeks burning.
“I’ll treasure the crown.”
She heard his laughter—a fresh, breezy sound like the wind.
Was Anais telling the truth—that her family wanted to kill her?
The answer would come from the information Rohan had brought. That’s why Ellen eagerly awaited today, their scheduled meeting.
‘I hope he comes soon.’
Perhaps because of her wish, a visitor arrived earlier than expected. But it wasn’t Rohan—it was a priest.
“A priest is here, but the Duke is absent. What should I do, Madam Duchess?”
Had Rohan sent him instead? If not, then he probably wanted a donation. Ellen thought little of it.
“Let him in.”
The priest entered, white robes fluttering, and stood before her. Seeing his face made Ellen’s heart drop.
“I am Priest Marmond, Madam Duchess.”
No way… She couldn’t believe her eyes. Marmond, who should have been in prison.
She swallowed hard. His eyes glimmered with a madness that reminded her of his childhood self.
A demon.
In the temple, he had been called a demon.
Marmond, who had lived in the temple with Ellen, had killed his temple friends at only twelve years old.
A usually quiet child, no one expected it.
The temple quietly covered up the incident, and despite the grave crime, Marmond was sent to prison.
But how could a murderer who should be behind bars be here?
No, she couldn’t dwell on that now. She needed help.
“Who’s… ouggh!”
Perhaps sensing her thought, Marmond’s hand swiftly covered her mouth.
He had only killed the friends who had been part of the so-called “Ellen group.”
‘So… is he here to kill me too? But I’m in Anais’ form right now… ugh…’
Marmond roughly grabbed her neck. One hand on her throat, the other rummaging through his robe, producing a goddess statue.
“Do you know what this is? Hehe. It’s an item that grants blessings, Madam Duchess.”
Ellen’s blood-rushed eyes met Marmond’s grotesque, grinning face.
“Ugh…”
She knew that object. Press the goddess’ open hand, and the statue splits in half, hiding two needles coated with snake venom.
The reason Marmond’s actions had gone unnoticed was because the victim’s wounds resembled snake bites. No one suspected the ever-present goddess statue.
“This will be over soon.”
Ellen’s face flushed, eyelids trembling, veins standing out on her forehead.
She had no means to struggle. Helpless.
Only her sword hand twitched spasmodically. Her vision blurred.
‘Why Marmond too… Anais, what kind of life did you live?’
Only facing death did she regret not listening to Anais’ words earlier.
Tears rolled down from her eyes.
She was about to die.
Ellen closed her eyes in resignation.
Licio…
Why was he the first to come to mind? He had treated her so well. She wanted more time with him… yet she might die like this…
‘No. I won’t die!’
At that moment, warmth spread from her left arm, holy energy surging with intense light.
It was as if she had taken a deep breath—her lungs filling with power.
Warm, almost burning.
This was no ordinary divine power.
‘The holy power has returned!’
Realizing she could move her arm, Ellen grabbed the end of the goddess statue Marmond held.
She pressed the goddess’ hand with her index finger, then twisted Marmond’s hand, plunging the needles into his neck.
Marmond’s eyes squinted slightly at the sharp pain, but he continued choking her, laughing maniacally.
“Kukukuk. Die! Die!”
Ellen squeezed the statue with the last of her strength.
But her energy waned; her arm trembled.
‘Please, please… God, help me…’
At that moment, the door burst open. Urgent footsteps sounded, and Marmond’s body was lifted and thrown against the wall.
Bang!
It all happened in an instant.
“Anais!”
Even the mere sound of his voice scattered the fear that had surrounded her.
Licio… he had come!
