Chapter 80
“My name is Rosebella Elsha. Actually, I hardly ever use the name Rosebella—everyone calls me Bella. So please feel free to call me Bella as well, Grand Duke.”
Bella smiled and gently looked at Ash.
‘Even her name is Rosebella?!’
Rosebella, Rosnis.
She brushed her well-groomed hair back behind her ear and rubbed her thumb and second finger together once.
It was a habit of Lady Rosnis that had been described several times in the novel.
Violet didn’t know what to say. Then she looked at Ash.
Ash was staring straight at Bella.
Soon, the corners of Ash’s lips slowly lifted.
“Nice to meet you. Ash Ravens—Ash is fine.”
“I’ve heard much about the Grand Duke’s reputation. It’s an honor to have you with our Holy Knight Order.”
Ash nodded without much change in expression.
But if Violet noticed it immediately, there was no way Ash wouldn’t. Ash must have felt something from her as well.
“Oh, and you must be Miss Violet Everdeen?”
Only then did Bella look at Violet. She wasn’t smiling, but her expression was gentle.
“Yes, Commander. Nice to meet you.”
Violet answered with difficulty, maintaining her composure.
“You have a somewhat different appearance than I imagined. If you become a talent of our Holy Knight Order, I’m already looking forward to how we should nurture you and what kind of help we can give you.”
Bella rang a bell. Soon, maids brought refreshments. The three of them sat around a table on one side of the office.
“Ah, I understand why you might find it strange. I’m the commander of the famous Shatra Holy Knight Order, but since I’m unfamiliar to you, you must have been surprised, right?”
Honestly, Violet knew that the entire Shatra Holy Knight Order was extremely famous.
However, Violet wasn’t very worldly, and while she had a vague sense of awe toward the Shatra Holy Knight Order, that was all. She didn’t know the individual names.
“I wasn’t particularly curious, but since you brought it up, I suppose I’d like to hear.”
Ash spoke.
“It hasn’t even been a year since I became the commander. Before that, I was in the Kaizeria City-State. I’m originally from Kaizeria.”
Marin had said that Ash’s future bride was from Kaizeria.
‘Ash, did you just meet your destined partner?’
Perhaps because of that—
Ash kept looking at her with interest.
Violet’s chest ached a little. Just because she decided to keep her distance from Ash didn’t mean all her feelings disappeared overnight.
‘But… if the Shatra Holy Knight Order really fell into corruption, how involved is that woman?’
She recalled the contents of the future vision. Still, just because most people were corrupted didn’t mean everyone was.
If she was lucky—if Bella really was Ash’s future bride—
‘Then does that mean Bella is innocent?’
Prophecies were too complicated and difficult.
‘Anyway, I have to find out about the Shatra Holy Knight Order. Even if it’s just for Ash.’
Violet firmed her resolve.
“It’s known that the Shatra Holy Knight Order reveals its regular knights but hides its leadership. Especially that they erase their traces several years before taking on executive positions.”
“That’s right. Strategists, commanders, vice-commanders—we try not to disclose personal information as much as possible. Only those who serve as the face of the order, the knights who stand at the forefront, are limited to non-executive members. In my case, I trained for several years while exploring ruins in Kaizeria.”
“I’m very curious what kind of ruins they were—extremely curious.”
Ash spoke a little later.
“Actually, there’s a reason we invited you here today, Grand Duke. The seals of the Seven Calamities of the demon race, known as the Seven Ultimates. Among them, I know that the seal of ‘Lust’ is currently being repaired by the Kaizeria City-State.”
Bella smiled shyly.
“Thanks to Miss Violet Everdeen here—because she grasped the situation in advance—we were able to suppress it immediately and repair it without much difficulty.”
“Lust refers to uncontrollable emotions, instincts that continue to grow. Beneath the seal of Lust, countless shadow monsters were sealed. They are monsters cursed to increase endlessly in number if not subdued in time.”
“You’ve done quite a bit of research. I’ll give you credit for that. But that kind of analysis has already been completed by all the Empire’s media.”
Because information had been leaked from Ash’s side, details about the seal of Lust had already spread far and wide. It was a way to undermine the Crown Prince.
Bella didn’t even twitch an eyebrow at Ash’s words.
“Um, I’m sorry to have set up today’s meeting like this, but I’d like to speak with Grand Duke Ravens alone for a moment. Miss Violet, would you understand?”
Bella asked for Violet’s understanding while looking at her.
“I don’t have secret talks just anywhere. If you have something to say, say it here. Miss Violet here is quite knowledgeable about seals.”
Ash said, fixing his gaze on Bella.
Bella lightly bit her lip and looked at Violet as if pondering. Soon, she corrected her expression and nodded.
“Actually, you probably already guessed the reason we invited Grand Duke Ravens as a special advisor. Our Holy Knight Order wants to participate in guarding the seals together.”
The seals had been created about a thousand years ago by great ancient high priests and mages—
To seal the seven traps left behind by the demon race.
But now, the power of the seals was gradually weakening. A thousand years was that kind of time.
If they were lucky, none of the seals would be broken. If they were unlucky, all of them could be released at once.
That was the current situation. Thanks to the announcement by the Grand Temple, the people of the Empire were well aware of this fact.
“So in the end, you want the information about the seals that I possess.”
“If we trace our lineage back, our Holy Knight Order itself was founded to fight the demon race. Over time, its name changed dozens of times, and it was disbanded and re-established repeatedly, but its core has never changed. We believe that guarding the seals should be our highest priority.”
“Didn’t you say you wouldn’t interfere in politics?”
“Yes, so this matter is purely—”
“That’s laughable. I am politics itself. Anyone who comes close to me gets dragged straight into the middle of a blood-soaked political battle.”
“……”
“Are you prepared for that?”
Ash asked with a cold sneer.
“You have a sharp tongue. It’s fine if you try to scare us. What we need is the information you have about the seals. After all, the main temple of Kaizeria originally created those seals. We lack information.”
Bella answered without the slightest hint of fear.
That was why they had offered Ash the position of special advisor.
‘In the end, it all circles back to the Seven Ultimates again.’
Violet thought.
“There’s something I’m curious about. You already knew that I’m connected to Ash… I mean, to Grand Duke Ravens, didn’t you? Could it be that you tried to draw me in to bring Grand Duke Ravens here?”
At Violet’s words, Bella’s gaze landed on her.
She only smiled as if amused.
“Of course not. The answer is already in what I just said. We offered Miss Violet membership because you played a major role in protecting the seal of Lust. Since we also wish to guard the seals, there’s no one more suitable than you.”
It was a flawless statement. Though not entirely free of doubt, Violet nodded.
“…I see.”
“And besides, should we really be swayed by rumors? I don’t believe at all those rumors about Miss Violet and Grand Duke Ravens being lovers. You’re both outstanding knights—there’s no way you’d act so rashly.”
Bella said cheerfully.
