Chapter 8
‘That’s right.’
Before attending Leandros’s birthday banquet, I had hurriedly contacted the duke and asked him to prepare the poison. The letter I had sent via Wendy was that request.
Since he already knew I was planning an assassination, it wouldn’t have been difficult for him to comply with such a sudden request. In fact, the duke must have agreed because he shared the intention.
I might have thought failure was possible, but apparently he was quite angry that the cause of the attempt was me.
“Late pangs of conscience, perhaps? Did you decide to drink the poison yourself to spare the house the burden?”
I smiled wryly at his reproach, remembering that the family was intent on keeping the royal family and the temple in check.
“The elders held an emergency meeting about this matter. They’ve tolerated you being called a villainess in society all this time. Now they ask whether it’s acceptable to watch your actions unfold as they are, and I cannot answer them easily. Do you have anything to say about that?”
In the past, I might have feared that the family no longer needed me and begged for forgiveness.
“I’ve done nothing wrong.”
But not anymore.
‘I cannot beg for my life from those trying to kill me.’
Maintaining a smile, I slowly approached his desk.
“Father, or rather, head of the house, I have something I want.”
“Speak.”
Reading the desire flashing in my eyes, he stopped his scolding and nodded slightly.
“I hope you’re not saying now that you want to possess a flashy prince…”
“I want to take the temple.”
“What did you say?”
He looked up at me in disbelief, forgetting all pretenses of decorum.
“I’m tired of fools mocking me—the daughter of Apéredita—just because I lack sacred power. I want to flatten their noses for them.”
The corners of the duke’s mouth twitched.
“Is that really all?”
“All?” I slammed my hands onto the desk in anger at his reaction.
“How can I stand idly by while those insignificant people dare to mock Apéredita, whose blood flows through me!”
I spoke with fervent sincerity.
“Even if the temple is in decline, I believe there is nothing heavier and more solemn than the name of God, which the people and nobles alike respect. The moment one gains authority and power under God’s name!”
Raising my voice, I let out a deep breath and continued calmly.
“Apéredita will be able to control both the nobles and the temple. It means we can hold power even greater than the royal authority.”
The duke’s expression remained cold, but he did not interrupt, seeming to acknowledge the logic in my words.
“The elders will probably judge that you are distracted by a man, that you intend to devote yourself to the temple the moment you associate with Leandros.”
“The elders’ judgment means nothing to me. If my father, the head of the house, permits it, how dare the old fools in the backrooms raise objections?”
His slight smile betrayed his amusement at my flattery.
“And if you fail, and the family’s reputation falls?”
“Then expel me for villainess behavior, erase me from the family records, and let the royal family bear responsibility.”
“If you’re erased from the family registry, you’ll be punished as a commoner. Is that acceptable?”
“I’m taking over the temple. A little gamble is nothing.”
“But…”
‘She’s talking too much.’
Already exhausted from standing with my weak body, I had no intention of wasting time on false worries.
“Are you worried about me? Then don’t be. I’ve seen the family’s intent—anyone who threatens the house is eliminated without hesitation.”
Mentioning an incident he’d rather forget, he frowned, clearly displeased.
“I may be greedy, but I am not foolish.”
“I see. You’ve always been sharp. I liked that about you.”
Though I didn’t know what exactly he liked, his irritation eased slightly.
“Do you have a plan?”
“First, entering the temple is crucial. To do that, I need to turn influential people to my side.”
“So you drank the poison for that? Can you be sure he won’t betray you? Is he worth risking your life to obtain?”
How persistent he was. I wished he’d stop at a reasonable point. Dealing with this cautious, sly fox was exhausting.
“Of course.”
“Do you think he will accept you into the temple, even without sacred power?”
“Yes.”
After the brief reply, we exchanged no words, only gazes. In the tense silence, the duke spoke first.
After my conversation with the duke, returning to my room, all tension drained from my body.
As I staggered, Wendy rushed to support me.
“Are you alright, Lady?”
“I need to rest a bit.”
“You’ve overexerted yourself. How could Sir Leandros enter so suddenly without thinking? And the duke! Not even visiting you directly after your recovery, instead calling you to his office?”
“It’s the fate of a popular person. I have to accept it.”
I gave a half-hearted reply and sank onto the sofa. Wendy brought me a cup of warm tea.
Shaking my head, I refused to drink, and her worry deepened.
“Was the duke very angry?”
“He wasn’t angry.”
I recalled the last words he had said:
“Then prove it within a week.”
Despite my weakened state, he was giving me time—a surprisingly merciful act.
“If you show meaningful results, I will personally persuade the elders.”
If Leandros performed well, my plan to deceive the family would proceed smoothly.
“Really?”
“Yes.”
Not wanting information to leak, I avoided discussing the duke and Wendy. I expressed my annoyance openly, and she changed the topic.
“Did you also finish your conversation with Sir Leandros?”
Leandros’ expression before parting naturally came to mind.
He looked surprised at my sudden request but resolute in his gaze. I could guess his answer.
“He said he would try his best.”
“Excuse me?”
“Since I drank the poison, he said he would do anything I asked. When I made my request, that was his answer.”
A smile spread across my lips. Wendy didn’t understand and asked again.
“Wasn’t that just a way to evade the question, saying he would try without a definite answer?”
“Does it seem that way?”
She nodded emphatically. Her reaction mirrored the duke’s earlier.
“Prepare to persuade them in advance.”
I recalled the look on the duke’s face when I had said this before leaving his office. It still made me chuckle.
Everyone would think the same—that someone without sacred power could never wield influence in the temple.
‘That’s for me to handle.’
“Could you call the treasurer?”
“Huh? You’ve just recovered. Shouldn’t you rest a bit first?”
“I need to spend money urgently. Call him immediately.”
Wendy looked puzzled but wisely kept silent.
A few days later, news that shocked the capital swept through the city.
And it happened in exactly the direction I had hoped.
During the Second Prince’s birthday banquet, an assassination attempt occurred.
Thanks to the Apéredita Lady drinking the poison, the prince narrowly escaped, while the lady’s life hung in the balance. News of this spread throughout the capital.
People were relieved the prince didn’t drink the wine and became curious about the lady who had risked her life.
At first, those who pitied her believed she had selfishly taken the prince’s wine, causing the incident.
Rumors of her being a notorious villainess spread, and many judged her without knowing the full story. Yet when she survived, they attributed it all to the prince.
Then came the shocking news.
The temple announced a new candidate for saint—and the Apéredita Lady’s name was boldly listed.
Even a weakened, diminished temple remained a sacred space, devoted to God.
Everyone was confused and bewildered.
“The hell is this?”
Among those most perplexed was another young lady—who was being nominated as the saint alongside her.
