Chapter 140………………………….
Fearing she might be discovered, she had been killing only one or two people a day, but even that no longer satisfied her.
If it were revealed that a malicious spirit had entered the body of Lady Alter, she would have to search for another suitable human vessel.
That was quite a cumbersome task.
She had to target humans when they were both consumed by malice and mentally fragile at the same time.
So she thought:
Now that hiding is boring, I will reveal myself to the whole world.
“Since it’s come to this, I’ll just kill them all.”
When she first healed the injured servant as a young girl, she realized she possessed divine power.
Back then, her holy power was very weak, but it grew stronger as Bianca matured.
And now, the day she would become Crown Princess was approaching.
“A deadly wedding is going to take place.”
She waited for that day to come.
The day when hundreds, even thousands, would wail in death.
The day when countless souls would be stolen.
“Who should I eat first…?”
On the day Bianca and the Crown Prince were to marry, Lady Alter raised the corners of her lips as she imagined those who would attend.
Crown Prince Alex had fasted for days and pleaded before the Emperor.
But the Emperor remained unmoved.
“In the history of the Empire, there has never been a saint with such powerful holy power.”
“But… the woman I love is not Lady Alter.”
“Alex!”
A voice tinged with anger echoed.
The Emperor frowned as he looked at his kneeling son.
“I cannot allow the temple to take Bianca Alter just because of her holy power. She must come into our hands. But why are you trying to ruin your own future?”
“I will persuade Lady Alter… Please, I beg you to relent…”
“Absolutely not! Choosing the princess of the Hemel Kingdom instead of a saint? There can be no use in such a worthless marriage.”
The Emperor twisted his face and turned his head sharply.
He saw the Empress sitting beside him.
He spat bitter words again.
“Tsk, your only son should have taken after me. Who in the world did he get this stupidity and uselessness from?”
“……”
The Empress, sitting upright, forced herself to calm down at the harsh words aimed at her.
She simply listened quietly and let them pass.
In the past, when her husband was angry, he would sometimes vent at her.
But recently, it had become more frequent.
And today, he did so even in front of their son.
“It’s not your fault…”
The Empress gestured to the Crown Prince, signaling him to endure.
One could not carelessly ruin things.
She had endured so much already.
With a sad expression, the Empress said:
“It is my fault, Alex. I am an insufficient person. If His Majesty hadn’t chosen me, I would have lived an ordinary life.”
The Emperor lifted the corner of his mouth and sipped his wine.
The Empress glanced at him and continued:
“Look at the jewels around me. I could only have them because His Majesty chose me. He allows us to breathe freely—he is truly a great man.”
“Heh, hahaha.”
The Emperor’s hearty laughter spread in every direction.
The Empress clicked her tongue in secret and subtly signaled her son.
In the greenhouse garden, the Empress raised a teacup to her lips.
Warm tea flowed into her mouth, soothing her mind.
The foolish matters with the Emperor had subsided in her thoughts.
“Mother.”
At Alex’s call, the Empress set down her teacup.
Her gaze swept quickly around.
Some people were near the greenhouse door, but far enough that no conversation could be heard.
Judging her as merely a luxurious and low self-esteem Empress, the Emperor had not bothered to keep watch over her for some time.
“It must have been hard, my son.”
“It’s more painful for you than me, Mother.”
The Empress gave a faint smile.
Alex was already an adult.
Normally, he would have been married and inherited the throne by now, but the Emperor, wanting to remain on the throne, had postponed it.
But hearing that Lady Alter had holy power, he hastened the Crown Prince’s marriage. Otherwise, the temple would take her first.
“Have you met Lady Alter?”
“Yes… just as I thought.”
Seeing Alex’s stern expression, the Empress sighed.
“Considering her position, it’s understandable. She was very sad after failing as a candidate for Crown Princess in the past.”
“……”
“She won’t want to miss her second chance, even if you claim you do not love her.”
Alex bowed his head deeply.
“I truly don’t know what to do… For me, there’s only Leatrice.”
The Empress held her son’s hand tightly.
“Alex, to gain something, you must be ready to give up something.”
“What do you mean…?”
“It’s like how I married without love and secured the family’s position.”
“Then… should I give up the throne?”
Alex’s love for Leatrice was unwavering.
The Empress spoke firmly to her son.
“No. My son and I have had to give up many things. But she has only taken and indulged herself, never giving anything up.”
“……Impossible.”
Alex’s mouth fell open in disbelief.
“Yes. This time, it is her turn to give up. Everything she has.”
A meaningful smile spread across the Empress’s gentle face.
A year came to an end.
Winter rushed toward its destination, emitting fierce cold.
Though another year had passed, there was no time to dwell on it.
Everyone in the Duke’s household focused on Chebert’s recovery.
The Duke never left Chebert’s side, and we—including Ron—would do anything for him.
Gradually, Chebert began returning to his former self, and recently even resumed sword training.
His determination was steadfast because he loved Bianca so deeply.
Meanwhile, outside the Duke’s estate, chaos prevailed.
The Emperor, driven by limitless greed, raised taxes.
Rumors spread about how much gold and jewels he had in his personal treasury.
The people’s anger surged everywhere.
Yet the Emperor remained silent.
He had the confidence to ignore it.
After all, he intended to marry a saint with holy power, so such rumors did not concern him.
Indeed, after these rumors spread, the public outrage gradually subsided.
Meanwhile, the temple tried to protect the saint, but it was already too late.
During this turmoil, I received a letter from the Crown Prince.
“Lady Alter wishes to marry me. I have tried persuading her twice, even three times.”
At first glance, Bianca seemed pitiable.
She had finally become the Crown Princess and was soon to be married.
Yet, the Crown Prince loved another woman.
How heartbreaking for a bride.
But the letter contained a surprising detail.
“Every time I met her, Lady Alter’s hands trembled. Though she said she wanted to marry, her eyes were lifeless, her expression pale. She did not look like a bride who truly wished to marry.”
Hence, the Crown Prince ended the letter with a plea of frustration.
“Ron, what do you think?”
Since it was a critical matter, I discussed it with Ron.
It was beyond my capacity alone.
Ron clasped his hands together and said calmly:
“Spring is coming, the Foundation Festival will begin. Their marriage will take place then.”
“Yes, it will be quick.”
“So I agree with your plan.”
I widened my eyes.
I hadn’t even told Ron my plan, yet he agreed.
“What plan?”
“Kidnap Lady Alter.”
“……Huh!”
I froze, utterly shocked.
“Ron, how did you know?”
“Of course it’s your plan; I would know. I’m always watching you.”
“Really?”
I asked, astonished. Ron chuckled softly.
“Actually, you’ve hinted at this plan several times without realizing it—wondering what would happen if the bride disappeared on her wedding day.”
“Ah.”
“Though you never said it directly, it was easy to infer.”
I had worried about Ron’s reaction if I revealed the plan.
In fact, Chebert and I had already discussed it.
The plan: kidnap Bianca Alter.
Although it was forced since we couldn’t meet her otherwise, we—Crown Prince, Chebert, and I—judged that she was in danger.
We had to separate her from her family and mother, even forcibly.
However, with Lady Alter’s mother always nearby, it was impossible to kidnap her before the wedding.
That’s why we decided on the morning of the wedding.
By royal tradition, all preparations for the Crown Prince and Princess took place inside the palace, where Lady Alter’s mother could not be present.
“Just like the original story…!”
Chebert secretly loved Bianca Alter.
And Maryanne helped Chebert kidnap her, joined by Ron.
In this sense, it mirrored the events of the original story.
But beyond that, everything was different.
“I do not like the Crown Prince.”
