CHAPTER 73………………………………
The Closing Conspiracy
Hearing from Baroness White that my mother, Yurahel, had once been a priestess, I was completely taken aback.
How could she possibly know about my mother’s past?
“How did you come to know my mother, Baroness?”
“‘Know’ might be too strong a word. I only saw her from afar when I was a child. Her Majesty’s healing manner reminded me so much of her that I spoke without thinking.”
“My mother had healing powers too?”
What she told me next was full of surprises.
“In fact, my aunt was a priestess at the Great Temple of the Harun Empire.”
The priestesses of the sealed Great Temple devoted themselves solely to training, appearing in the world only once a year for the New Year’s Festival. During that time, the poor and sick would gather at the temple, because the priestesses with healing powers would treat the ill free of charge.
“The priestesses were divided into upper, middle, and lower ranks according to ability. My aunt was a novice of the lowest rank. At that time, Lady Yurahel was said to be the best among the upper-rank priestesses.”
When the baroness was six years old, her youngest brother had suffered a high fever just before the festival. Her mother had rushed to the temple with the baby, and her aunt had taken her nephew to Lady Yurahel.
“Lady Yurahel’s eyes welled with tears as she gazed tenderly at my sick brother. Then, she healed him in the exact same way Her Majesty healed my son.”
I slowly nodded.
“Though it was long ago, the beautiful, divine image of Lady Yurahel has never left my mind.”
“Do you happen to know why my mother left the Great Temple?”
“No, I never heard what became of her after that.”
Her answer disappointed me deeply, though I tried not to show it.
“Is your aunt still at the temple?”
“She returned to secular life three years ago.”
“Oh, priestesses can return to secular life?”
“Yes. I’ve heard that once their divine power fades after forty, it happens quite often. And also…”
“Yes?”
The baroness hesitated, watching my face carefully, before speaking softly.
“…they are forced to return to secular life if they become pregnant.”
“!!!”
“Your Majesty, shall we prepare Harun-style dishes for dinner again tonight?”
“That would be nice, but won’t the royal kitchen mind?”
“Not at all. The whole kitchen has been buzzing lately, trying to learn Harun cuisine. They’ll be delighted to make more.”
It had already been two days since we returned to Fritan Castle. As thanks for saving his son, Baron White had sent his own chef to Fritan.
The chef the baroness had brought from Harun would stay for a month to teach royal cooks how to prepare Harun food. Thanks to that, Millie and I had been happily feasting on our homeland’s dishes for two days straight.
I spread a large map of the Harun Empire across the desk in the study and took out a note Baroness White had given me. On it was an address.
“Your Majesty, this is my aunt Poyna’s address. After returning to secular life, I heard she opened a small orphanage in her hometown in the Malta region.”
“Thank you. If I meet her, I’ll be sure to send your regards.”
“I hope you find the answers you seek.”
The thought of meeting someone who had known my mother during her priestess days made my heart race.
Yet, Baroness White’s earlier words kept echoing in my mind.
“…they are forced to return to secular life if they become pregnant.”
Could my mother have been forced out because she was pregnant with me?
If that were true, then I was the very cause of her misfortune.
Seeing how I couldn’t sleep from guilt, Mick comforted me.
“Until you know the truth, don’t think too much. No self-blame, no resentment — none of that helps right now.”
He was right. The most important thing was to learn exactly what had happened to my mother — why she left the Great Temple, who my real father was, and why Marquis Uzcal had taken me in.
If Poyna could answer even one of those questions, it would be worth the trip.
Looking over the Harun map, I began charting the most efficient route.
“The Malta region is very close to the Fritan border. I’ll visit Lady Poyna first, then head to the capital of the Harun Empire to see Marquis Uzcal.”
Then I hesitated for a moment. Seeing the capital marked on the map reminded me of Robbie. It would be nice to see him while I was there, but after how things ended last time, perhaps it was better not to.
“I’ll think about Robbie later. First, I’ll deal with the urgent matters. The rest… I’ll let happen as it may.”
Feeling settled, I heard a knock at the door — then Adele entered.
“Your Majesty, Prince Mickloc is—”
“Leah!”
Before she could finish, Mick strode into the study, walked right up to me, and rested his forehead against my shoulder.
Quick-witted Adele quickly withdrew, leaving us alone.
Caught off guard, I gently stroked his hair.
“Mick, what happened?”
“I spent all morning in meetings with the Council of Nobles — I’m exhausted. Recharge me.”
He had been acting rather clingy lately, but I simply opened my arms and hugged him tight.
“Why? Did they give you trouble again?”
“They keep nitpicking everything I do. It’s infuriating.”
“Hmm. You’re sure you’re not the one being unreasonable?”
At that, Mick frowned.
“Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten who those idiots once recommended as my future queen?”
“Oh right! The geniuses who thought a four-year-old would make a fine queen.”
That made him laugh again. He nuzzled his face into my neck.
“Exactly. Remember, the Council of Nobles are always idiots.”
I bit my lip to stop from laughing aloud.
“What nonsense were they spouting this time?”
“When I said I’d be traveling with you to the Harun Empire, they nearly flipped the table, saying I couldn’t leave with so many matters of state pending.”
“I see…”
“The chancellor was the loudest. Said there was too much work for me to go anywhere. Hah! So much for loyalty.”
As his lips brushed my neck and drifted toward my ear, he grumbled between kisses, then nibbled my earlobe playfully.
“Ahh… Now I can breathe again.”
The ticklish heat of his breath made me wrap my arms around him tightly.
“Be patient. The chancellor just needs you here — be understanding.”
“Please. I was away at war for years and no one complained then. They just can’t stand seeing me near you.”
Still pouting, he peppered my lips with quick kisses. I cupped his face and kissed him back slowly, deeply.
“Don’t smash another noble council table in anger, alright?”
“…We’ll see.”
He hugged me again, resting his chin atop my head. Our bodies pressed together until I could feel his heartbeat thudding against mine — at first off rhythm, then perfectly in sync.
In that moment, as our heartbeats and breaths became one, I felt utterly complete.
“…Mick.”
“Hmm?”
“I’m so happy right now.”
“…Me too.”
He kissed my forehead softly, and I wished I could freeze that moment forever.
Just then, there was a loud knock, followed by Millie’s urgent voice.
“Your Majesty!!”
“Oh, come in, Millie.”
Millie burst into the study — and froze at the sight of us holding each other so closely.
“Oh! I—I’m sorry! I’ll come back later!”
As she started to back out, Mick, still holding me, ordered curtly:
“It sounds urgent. Since you’re here, report.”
“Y-Yes, Your Highness… Well, um…”
She looked even more flustered than before, darting glances between us. I gently stepped away from Mick and approached her.
“What is it?”
“It’s just… a letter arrived from Harun — from Young Master Robbie.”
“Robbie?”
At his name, Mick muttered irritably, “That man has never pleased me.”
Mick never liked anything involving Robbie, but I was secretly glad.
He must’ve felt bad for leaving without saying goodbye last time.
Thinking it might be an apology letter, I reached for the envelope — only for Mick to snatch it away.
“Why is that man writing letters to another man’s wife?”
He tore it open without hesitation.
“Mick! Reading someone else’s letter without permission — that’s rude!”
I protested, but fell silent when I saw his expression darken. Something was wrong.
“That man you call your ‘teacher’ — the knight who taught you swordsmanship, Palet, right?”
“Yes, why?”
“He’s gravely ill.”
At the same time, the southwestern border of Fritan — the fourth district, which bordered the Harun Empire — had been in turmoil for days. Several missing-person reports had been coming in from nearby villages.
“Captain, another one today — an eight-year-old boy this time.”
“Damn it. How many does that make?”
“Five, as of today.”
The captain frowned deeply. In his ten years of service, he’d never seen anything like it.
“Sir, one of the men who transferred from the eastern garrison mentioned something odd.”
“What was it?”
“Before winter, Prince Mickloc led a massive sweep along the border, clearing out monsters, right?”
“Yes, just after his wedding, I believe.”
“Right. Back then, there were also reports of monsters kidnapping women and children in the eastern sector.”
“Monsters?”
“Fortunately, His Highness rescued all the abducted victims that time. But if the current disappearances are the work of monsters again…”
The captain’s face hardened. What would monsters want with humans? A dreadful thought crossed his mind.
“Should we report this to the palace?”
“Not yet. If it’s just runaway cases, we’ll only embarrass ourselves. But—”
“Yes, sir?”
“If there’s any sign it’s the work of monsters, report it to the palace immediately. Start the investigation at once!”
“Yes, Captain!”
