CHAPTER 80………………………………………………..
A few days later, just as Arsene had said, a whistleblowing report was truly made.
The whistleblower was kept completely anonymous, but the aftermath was enormous.
Every day, without fail, the newspapers ran sensational headlines claiming that the prophecy had been misinterpreted.
“Damn it!”
Inside his room, the High Priest screamed as he hurled an object across the floor.
In his hand was today’s newspaper, and splashed across the front page in huge letters was a headline questioning his qualifications.
“I… I worked so hard, with blood and sweat, just to climb up to this position!”
The position of High Priest was the very center of power within the temple.
Furious, he ripped the newspaper to shreds and threw it to the ground.
The identity of the whistleblower was being kept secret, but the High Priest knew perfectly well who it was.
“Knox, you bastard…!”
His fists clenched tightly as his body trembled with rage.
He wanted nothing more than to storm over to Knox immediately and wring his neck.
Just then, someone knocked on the door.
The High Priest barked sharply.
“Who is it?!”
But there was no reply.
Only another knock.
Thinking it might be a servant, the High Priest strode over and yanked the door open—
And standing there was not a servant.
It was Knox.
The High Priest’s eyes widened.
“How dare you come here! Do you even know where you are?!”
“The place I’ll be staying from now on,” Knox replied casually. “I thought I’d come take a look.”
“W-What?!”
Knox shrugged and stepped inside.
Then he began looking around with a critical expression.
“Tsk. The furniture is so old. With all the donations pouring in, wouldn’t it be better to renovate the whole room?”
“Knox!”
“The room is spacious, at least.”
Grinding his teeth, the High Priest stormed forward and grabbed Knox by the collar.
“You dared to force a confession out of me with a truth potion!”
“Well, whose fault was it for making such a mistake?” Knox replied coolly. “More importantly… time’s up.”
“What?”
Knox glanced at his watch.
At that exact moment, footsteps approached, and the door burst open.
The High Priest instinctively loosened his grip.
The ones entering were holy knights.
Knox smiled brightly.
“Shall we go decide whether or not you’ll be stripped of your title, High Priest?”
“W-What…?”
“You made quite a colossal mistake,” Knox continued.
“One that completely changed the life of a Grand Duchess of the Empire.”
The High Priest could only glare in silence.
“So you’ll have to pay the price properly.”
The knights stepped forward, seized the High Priest by both arms, and dragged him away.
He screamed wildly for them to let go.
Knox simply watched, smiling.
* * *
The prophecy was reinterpreted.
Evelina slowly read the newspaper in her hands.
It wasn’t some cheap gossip rag, but a refined paper meant for nobles.
Imperial Year 1582. A prophecy is given to the Empire of Aireta.
The following year, a child shall be born—
A child with eyes of a red hue clearer than any blood.
That child is a blessed one.
The word blessed struck her deeply.
Evelina kept rereading that part in silence.
Her chest felt unbearably full.
Then she sensed someone approaching.
When she looked up, Arsene was walking toward her.
“Evelina. You were here?”
“…The weather is nice,” she answered with a faint smile.
She was sitting in the garden.
A teacup untouched lay before her.
Arsene glanced at the newspaper in her hand.
“You were reading the news.”
“Did you see it too, Arsene?”
“Yes.”
He nodded and naturally sat across from her.
Evelina placed the newspaper down.
Then she spoke softly.
“The prophecy was reinterpreted.”
“…”
“I wasn’t a cursed child… I was a blessed one.”
Her eyes curved as she smiled—
But tears shimmered there.
“Until just now… I was fine.
So why… why do I suddenly want to cry when I see you?”
“Because with the one you love,” Arsene murmured,
“you want to show every side of yourself.”
Evelina blinked.
Clear tears slid down her cheeks.
Arsene asked gently,
“Are you crying because you’re sad?”
“No…”
Her voice trembled.
“Because I’m so… so happy.”
Arsene rose and stepped closer.
Then he knelt on one knee and took her hand.
“You endured so much.”
“…”
“How difficult it must have been, bearing all those cruel stares.”
More tears spilled over.
Her shoulders shook slightly.
“Now, let go of all your guilt.
You have nothing to do with any curse.”
Evelina nodded fervently.
Arsene wiped her tears and whispered,
“Just one thing…”
“…?”
“Whether in the past or now…
you have always been a blessed person to me.”
To Arsene, prophecy was nothing more than meaningless ink.
Evelina smiled beautifully through her tears—
They sparkled like jewels.
“You’re beautiful even when you cry.”
“There’s no such person in the world.”
“But there is,” he said softly.
Arsene pulled out a handkerchief and carefully dabbed her face.
Evelina closed her eyes and accepted his touch.
It felt as light as a feather, making her laugh softly.
“Now everyone knows, don’t they?”
“Yes. Not only noble papers like this—
even the gossip sheets commoners read are completely covered with it.”
They spent time talking peacefully.
Then, from far away, Berry came running in a panic.
Evelina had said she wanted to be alone and would call if needed—
So it was strange.
“Grand Duchess!”
“Berry? What’s wrong?”
“Quickly—please come!”
At Berry’s urgent expression, Evelina shot up.
“What is it? Did something happen?”
“Just… please come!”
Evelina hurried after her, heart pounding.
What if something happened to Mother…?
Berry was so frantic she didn’t even notice Arsene following.
Inside the mansion, Evelina tilted her head.
This way leads to the drawing room…?
Had a guest arrived?
But that wouldn’t explain the urgency.
Suddenly, her mind went blank.
Father? Brother?
“Please go inside, Grand Duchess.”
Just as she expected, they arrived at the drawing room.
Evelina hesitated at the doorknob.
After a long moment, she slowly opened the door—
“Pop!”
With a loud burst, paper confetti exploded into the air.
Evelina’s eyes widened in shock.
The drawing room was lavishly decorated.
“Huh…?”
She blinked blankly, stunned.
Two maids stood grinning, holding the party poppers.
It was completely unlike the usual calm atmosphere.
As she tried to process what was happening, a bright voice rang out behind her.
“Congratulations, Grand Duchess!”
Evelina spun around.
Countless servants were standing there, smiling warmly.
She spoke dazedly.
“What… is all this?”
“The servants planned a surprise party for you,” Karina said, entering.
The staff quickly parted to make way.
“A surprise party?”
“Yes. Today is a joyous day—there’s no reason to object.
Isn’t that right, Arsene?”
Arsene, who had followed behind, nodded.
“She’s right.”
“You knew about this?”
“The charm of a surprise party is secrecy,” Arsene said with a grin.
Evelina shot him a playful glare, then burst into laughter.
Looking around, deeply moved, she whispered,
“You must not have had much time… Thank you. Truly.”
The servants all let out relieved sighs.
Berry stepped forward.
“Actually… there’s one more thing, Grand Duchess.”
“One more?”
“Yes!”
Just then, a knock sounded.
Berry rushed to open the door—
And the chef entered carrying a massive tray.
A three-tier cake.
Evelina’s mouth fell open.
The chef beamed proudly.
“A special three-tier cake I made just for you, Grand Duchess.”
On top stood an adorable sugar figurine modeled after Evelina—
A glamorous dress, silver hair, and red eyes.
It was unmistakably her.
“For this day alone, I’ve been honing my skills,” the chef laughed heartily.
Hearing it was made solely for her, Evelina’s throat tightened.
The chef skillfully cut a slice and handed it to her.
“Please try it first. The star of the party always eats first.”
With everyone watching, Evelina carefully took a bite.
It wasn’t overly sweet—
It was perfect for her taste.
She smiled brightly.
“It’s delicious. Everyone, try it too. Mother and Arsene as well.”
At last, everyone shared the cake together.
The sugar figurine was almost too precious to eat—
But she couldn’t leave it untouched.
So Evelina shared pieces with Karina and Arsene too.
For a long time, laughter never stopped echoing through the mansion.
