Chapter 157
“What? Se-ae…?”
What is that supposed to mean?
I shot the three of them a puzzled look, but all they did was sip their tea or quickly avert their gaze, pretending not to notice.
Se-ae-mo.
A group that adores Ceres.
And this ring was made to signify membership in that group.
It was custom-made with a gemstone chosen to be the closest match to the violet of Ceres’s eyes.
There were only three members, but that was fine. We had no intention of accepting any more.
Three was more than enough.
“Ceres, want us to make one for you too?”
“Yeah! Let’s include Ceres as well.”
“Doesn’t sound bad.”
“…Me too?”
At the three dukes’ suggestion, Ceres found herself—before she even realized it—joining a group devoted to adoring her.
“Haa…”
Roel, the butler of the Grand Duke of Persia, let out a long sigh. The past two weeks had been so sudden and chaotic that he barely had time to think.
The death toll…
When the first reports of an epidemic had come in two weeks ago, he never imagined things would grow this serious.
Coughing and high fevers—illnesses like that swept through the Persian duchy every so often. He’d assumed this time would be no different.
He did think the spread was faster than usual, but the sudden spike in deaths was completely unexpected.
After nearly a week, people who had been suffering from high fevers and violent coughing began dying en masse, vomiting blood before their final breaths.
He had hurriedly contacted His Grace, the Grand Duke, and was still awaiting a response.
If it weren’t for her…
The number of deaths would surely have been even higher.
Roel let out another deep sigh as he thought of the one person currently caring for the infected.
He picked up his pen again, intending to write a new letter, but hesitated.
He needed to urgently inform the Grand Duke about her—but where should he even begin?
Knock, knock.
“Come in.”
Startled out of his thoughts, Roel set down his pen at the sound of knocking.
“May I come in for a moment?”
The person who entered was a young woman who looked to be in her early twenties. At her appearance, Roel slowly rose from his seat, his expression heavy.
“Did you just return?”
“Yes. The urgent cases in Eto Village and Illis Village have all been treated.”
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“It’s nothing.”
Saint Yunes.
She had appeared in the Persian duchy just as the epidemic began spreading, and she was now treating the infected at the very front lines, where the risk was greatest.
“If only I had arrived a little sooner…”
Yunes’s face darkened as she thought of the number of patients who had died before her arrival.
Roel shook his head with a short sigh. Their deaths were tragic, but without her, far more lives would have been lost.
“You’ve done more than enough.”
Having witnessed her abilities firsthand, Roel fully understood why people called her a saint.
The problem is…
She had nowhere suitable to stay, and so she was currently residing in the Grand Duke’s estate—without having received His Grace’s permission.
There had been cases of infection within the estate itself, and it was Yunes who had treated them swiftly. As a result, many within the estate now supported and praised her.
Allowing an outsider to stay in the estate required the Grand Duke’s approval, but Roel couldn’t bring himself to drive away someone who had saved so many of the duchy’s people. Yunes herself also wished to remain here rather than go elsewhere.
I need to tell him…
Another long sigh escaped Roel’s lips. Since Yunes had arrived right after he sent the initial letter about the epidemic, he hadn’t had time to properly explain her situation.
That was precisely why he had been holding his pen—to send an additional letter with these details.
“I have a request,” Yunes said.
“Please, go ahead.”
“May I look around the Grand Duke’s estate a bit? There’s something I’d like to check…”
“No.”
“…Pardon?”
Roel’s immediate and unwavering refusal made Yunes flinch.
At present, the only places she was allowed to use were the dining hall and the guest room assigned to her. Access to all other areas was strictly prohibited.
“I can arrange different accommodations for you, even now.”
“Oh—no, that’s not necessary.”
Yunes quickly shook her head at Roel’s suggestion of finding her an inn if she felt uncomfortable.
“I’m sorry for causing trouble. I just wanted to confirm something…”
Bang!
“Sir Roel!”
At that moment, a maid rushed into the room without even knocking. Roel frowned sharply at her breach of etiquette.
“What is it?”
“His Grace the Grand Duke has arrived!”
“…What?”
Roel’s eyes widened at the report. He had sent word about the epidemic, but he hadn’t expected the Grand Duke to return this quickly—without any prior notice.
“Where is he now?”
“At the entrance—”
Roel hurried out of the room.
“Aren’t you cold?”
“No!”
Ceres let out a quiet sigh as she looked at Yulia, who was tightly holding her hand.
I didn’t plan to bring her.
That was why she’d asked the Duke to watch the children while she was gone.
‘No! I’m coming with you!’
‘You can’t. It’s dangerous.’
‘Then why are you going somewhere dangerous?’
‘…I’ll be fine.’
‘What about me? You’re going somewhere dangerous—do you think my heart will be at ease? Do you want me to cry every day from worry?’
‘……’
…Why is my little sister so ridiculously articulate?
And then came the final blow.
‘I don’t want to be separated from you!’
Clinging stubbornly to Ceres’s leg, Yulia refused to let go. In the end, Ceres had no choice but to bring her along.
‘You’re way too soft on Yulia, sis.’
Even as her brother Antonian clicked his tongue in disapproval at the sight, Ceres couldn’t bring herself to argue back.
She promised she’d behave.
As long as they stayed within the Grand Duke’s estate, there shouldn’t be any real danger.
Ceres carefully fastened Yulia’s clothes.
It’s been a while since I was here.
Lost in mild nostalgia, Ceres entered the estate—and spotted someone rushing toward them.
“Your Grace.”
Seeing the young man who looked to be in his early twenties, Ceres immediately guessed who he was.
He looks just like him.
Just like the butler who had once worked here long ago. She could tell at once that this man was his descendant.
Three hundred years had passed, yet his bloodline still served as butlers. That was impressive, in its own way.
“Give me a situation report first.”
“Yes.”
Kainel moved to leave, taking the apparent head butler with him—
“Kai.”
If not for that single voice, things would have continued as planned.
“……”
A woman slowly descended the stairs to the first floor. With a faint smile, she approached them.
At the sight of her, Ceres froze, unable to move.
Kainel was no different.
That is…
Mysterious silver hair. A face so pale it looked almost bloodless. The gentle smile she wore as she looked at Kainel.
…That’s me.
It was Grace.
