HWWRC Chapter 02

Chapter 2

The Blanche family had produced holy knights for the Argent Empire since its founding.

In the empire, where the people served the gods, being a holy knight was a position of great honor. However, the path to becoming one was incredibly difficult—even priests often struggled with the training. Many gave up or ran away. Holy knights had to protect the Saintess or fight black magicians, so they constantly lived close to death.

Because of this, the fact that the Blanche family had produced not just one but several holy knights made them a highly respected noble house. Even the imperial family avoided carelessly offending them.

“I hope you’re ready to face the consequences of what you just said.”

“L-Lord Blanche, I’m sorry! We just… We were only repeating a rumor!”

“A rumor? And you thought my son’s funeral, in front of his grieving daughter, was the right place to mention it?”

Although the Marquis Blanche was only staring at one noble, his words were clearly aimed at everyone present. It was a firm warning to leave Charlotte alone.

“What are you waiting for? Get these fools out of my sight. Make sure they never show their faces before me or my granddaughter again.”

His merciless command was met with panicked cries. They knew that being kicked out here meant being cast out of society entirely. No noble would associate with them again. They tried to plead, but it was useless.

The marquis turned his back, ignoring the sounds of them being dragged away, and walked toward his granddaughter.

Charlotte, his only granddaughter. As he looked at her tear-stained face, he saw traces of both his son Ronan and his beloved daughter-in-law Layla. Her pale hair and strong features reminded him of Ronan, while the gentle curve of her smile and deep navy-blue eyes mirrored Layla’s.

Charlotte, who had inherited only the most beautiful traits, was now trembling and couldn’t even look him in the eye. The marquis recalled a past conversation with Ronan:

[Father, I’d like you to stay out of this.]

[What are you saying, Ronan?]

[This is for the good of my daughter and the Blanche family. Charlotte is my responsibility. But you are the head of the family—you must remain neutral. If you side with me, it could cause backlash and put Charlotte in even more danger.]

[…So you plan to protect her alone? That won’t be easy.]

[I know. But if anything happens to me… please, protect my daughter.]

The marquis never expected to have to fulfill that promise so soon. Ronan had retired from knighthood, and there shouldn’t have been any more threats to his life. Perhaps he should have refused Ronan’s request and stayed more involved, not just as the head of the family but as Charlotte’s grandfather.

Without a word, the marquis pulled Charlotte into a hug. Her shoulders, stiff with tension, began to shake as she quietly cried.

Ronan, you fool. Leaving Charlotte alone like this… But I’ll take care of her now. You can rest in peace.

***

After the long funeral, Marquis Blanche returned to the estate. Several carriages were parked near the gate, and the servants were unloading luggage. It wasn’t a huge amount, but it wasn’t small either.

He gestured toward one of the guest rooms.

“I’ll be staying here from now on. You need someone to protect you.”

“Yes…”

“What do you plan to do next, Charlotte? If you want, I can—”

“I’ll handle it myself.”

The marquis raised an eyebrow at her words. Her eyes were still swollen, and her voice was soft, but her tone was firm.

“You’re not planning to just let them go, are you?”

“No. But I want to take care of this with my own hands, not with your help.”

“And how will you do that?”

“I thought about what you said earlier.”

“…”

“If I just sit here and do nothing, Father wouldn’t be at peace.”

When she mentioned her father, her eyes welled up again.

“I’ll take care of it. I don’t want to fall apart like this.”

Her once clouded eyes now shone with determination. The marquis was surprised—she looked so much like Ronan. He had thought she was weak, but clearly, he was wrong.

“Alright.”

“!”

“Do as you wish. I doubt I could stop you anyway.”

Charlotte’s face brightened, and she quietly clenched her hands together.

It hurts that Father is gone. But I can’t let myself stay broken. Grandfather is here for me now…

She repeated those words in her heart, holding onto the comforting memories of her father’s voice. Though she felt like crying just thinking of him, she refused to give up.

She raised her head, determined to keep moving forward.

***

A year passed since her father’s death, and many things changed. It would be a lie to say Charlotte did it all alone—her grandfather helped behind the scenes. But even so, Charlotte had changed in many ways.

What helped her the most were her true friends.

After the funeral, Charlotte avoided getting close to anyone. She had been betrayed by those she trusted. So she cut off everyone, and because many people only approached her to impress the marquis, she became very cautious.

But among them were a few who genuinely wanted to be her friends. At first, she didn’t trust them and rejected their kindness. But they kept reaching out—not in a pushy way, but sincerely. Slowly, Charlotte opened her heart.

So how did it come to this?

Charlotte looked at the man she once loved and thought of as one of her few allies—Norman.

“Charlotte… Was it really you? Why? Why would you do that?”

“So you’re just like the others after all, Young Lord.”

“What?”

“I regret ever loving you. I regret thinking of you as someone I could trust.”

I guess I can never be truly happy…

As she listened to harsh accusations like sharp knives, Charlotte smiled faintly, as if giving up.

***

Hours earlier, Charlotte had been sitting at the far end of a salon balcony, gently touching a necklace her grandfather had given her.

It had a thin silver chain with a rare jewel called a Divine Stone—a man-made gem that required immense holy power to create. It was so rare that only temples usually had them, and it was highly prized across the empire.

Grandfather made this for me himself?

Thinking that he had made it just for her upcoming birthday brought a warm smile to her face. She gently stroked the shimmering jewel. As sunlight touched it, it sparkled beautifully—until it suddenly turned gray.

Startled, Charlotte quickly rubbed it with her sleeve, and the color returned to its clear blue. Maybe she imagined it. She was lifting it toward the light again when a shadow fell across her face.

A man with dark blue hair smiled at her. There was only one person in the empire with hair that color—Norman Winterile, heir to the Winterile Duchy. The man she secretly loved.

“Lord Winterile.”

“Sorry I’m late. I didn’t expect such a crowd.”

“It’s fine. I haven’t waited long.”

Charlotte rarely showed her true feelings. As she grew up, she learned that hiding her emotions was safer. So she either smiled or stayed expressionless. But in front of Norman, she turned into a shy young girl again.

Norman noticed and chuckled quietly. Charlotte blushed and turned her head, sitting down.

Norman gave some gold coins to a staff member and told them not to let anyone into the balcony once the “third guest” arrived. The red curtain was drawn shut.

“Maybe we should’ve met somewhere else.”

“Yes. There are more people than I expected. I heard some rare foreign gems are being sold—probably why it’s so crowded.”

“Do you like gems?”

“Me?”

“That necklace—you weren’t wearing it before.”

Norman pointed to the Divine Stone. Charlotte touched the jewel near her collarbone.

“It was a gift from my grandfather…”

“Charlotte.”

A soft voice interrupted as the curtain opened. It was Rieta Rosanac, the Saintess of the Argent Empire.

She had soft blonde hair and golden eyes, and even under a gray robe, her beauty couldn’t be hidden. Her movements were graceful, like dancing.

“Lady Rosanac.”

“Please call me Rieta. We promised, didn’t we? You’ll make me sad…”

“So I’m invisible now?” Norman said.

“Oh my, Young Lord. When did you get here?”

“This is why I didn’t want the three of us to meet.”

“You’re always monopolizing Charlotte. Just let me have her today.”

Rieta cheerfully sat right next to Charlotte. Norman glanced at the empty seat beside him, then gave Charlotte a look, asking her to come over. But Charlotte leaned on Rieta’s shoulder, choosing to stay there.

Norman and Rieta were the only two people Charlotte had let into her life. At first, she kept her distance, but now they were her closest friends.

“It was so hard getting here! I had to cover myself with this robe so no one would recognize me…”

“We could’ve visited the temple instead.”

“No way! Look how warm and lovely it is today. You don’t want to be stuck inside on a day like this!”

“Should a future Saintess say things like that?”

“You sound just like the High Priest! I’m taking Charlotte away—she likes me more than you, anyway.”

“Is that true, Charlotte?”

“Hehe…”

“Don’t just laugh—tell me!”

Rieta was known as the holy woman of the empire. She often appeared at official events and volunteered in the slums. Everyone knew her, and people begged to touch her.

But she had to keep today’s meeting secret—because of Charlotte. A Saintess and a “cursed noblewoman” were opposites. If they were seen together, it could cause a scandal.

That’s why Norman had told the staff earlier not to let anyone in once Rieta arrived.

Charlotte smoothed the wrinkles from Rieta’s robe, feeling guilty. If she weren’t seen as cursed, they could meet freely. There wouldn’t be any rumors…

Noticing Charlotte’s darkened expression, Norman and Rieta quickly changed the subject. This quiet kindness was why Charlotte trusted them.

“These cookies are delicious! At the temple, we only get stew and bread.”

“Sounds like you eat well.”

“You try living as a Saintess—it’s so boring! Charlotte, can I have another cookie?”

Charlotte smiled and gave her one. Rieta happily took a bite.

“Oh, right. We were talking about the necklace earlier.”

“Yes! Lady Rosanac, do you—”

Suddenly, Rieta coughed hard, her chest heaving.

Charlotte and Norman froze. Rieta’s face turned pale, and dark, black liquid started dripping from her mouth.

“Lady Rosanac!”

Rieta stumbled, then collapsed. As she fell, she grabbed the tablecloth, sending dishes crashing to the floor.

Hearing the noise, staff rushed in. Other nobles also gathered, peeking through the curtain.