~Chapter 17~
Noticing something on Edwin’s face, Bertolt spoke again.
“My lord, are you really alright?”
“Of course.”
Edwin was numb to most things, but he often showed his softer side—whether he liked it or not—to Bertolt, who had served him since childhood.
The truth was, Edwin felt comfortable around Bertolt.
Bertolt was quiet, loyal, and had known Edwin since he was little—he even felt a bit of fatherly affection for him. There was no reason to keep his guard up.
‘I guess I’m the only one who’s changed.’
Edwin gave a bitter smile.
Old, nightmarish memories crept up on him, but seeing the empty teacup brought him back to reality.
“I just thought—maybe it’s time to give her a chance, at least once.”
“My lord.”
“It’s true that Elysia solved the problems in the territory.”
“Yes. The abilities the Duchess is hiding could be a huge help to Lombard one day. But to me, the most important thing is you, my lord.”
Bertolt seemed to be thinking about the sins of the previous generation.
But he was a bit mistaken.
Edwin hadn’t hated that woman because of past events—well, maybe there was a time he was immature enough for that, but not anymore.
Edwin, now looking much lighter, continued.
“If Elysia does her work well, it benefits Lombard. If she fails and makes mistakes, I can use it as an excuse to demand something else from the Imperial Palace.”
“Surely not…”
“Either way, it’s not a bad deal. Don’t worry.”
Edwin closed the file and stood up.
Bertolt still looked confused, unable to read his master’s thoughts, but unlike Bertolt, Edwin felt pretty good.
“I’ll be away for a few days. Please handle the household as always.”
“Don’t worry, my lord.”
The old steward soon hid his confusion.
Bertolt kept his head bowed until the young lord’s footsteps faded down the hall.
After leaving the Duke, I started preparing for the guest right away.
This time, the guest is an Inquisitor.
And not just any Inquisitor—he’s sent directly by the head of the Holy Office, under the Pope himself. In other words, one of the highest-ranking people from the Grand Cathedral.
‘The Duke said it might be because of him, but I can’t relax just because of that.’
The Cathedral was powerful and influenced not just Baldin, but many countries.
Especially now, with the new Pope coming from a royal family of another nation, both political and religious authority were combined.
That meant a distant princess like me—cut off from power after my father’s death—could easily be gotten rid of if it suited them.
‘Maybe someone reported that someone here is possessed by a demon.’
There’s a saying: “A thief feels their own feet hurt.” (Guilt makes you nervous.)
Honestly, I didn’t even know for sure why I was brought back to life. Maybe that’s why news of the Inquisitor made me so nervous.
Anyway, I started my preparations—my goal was to impress the Inquisitor with my overflowing faith, so he’d drop all suspicions about me, even shed tears and send a good report!
They didn’t give a specific date for the visit, but it’s usually about three months after the envoy is sent.
I’d be busy for a while, but at least I had enough time.
First, I told the main parish in Lombard that I wanted to visit.
A few days later, they replied, welcoming me and setting the earliest possible date.
“Oh, Duchess, what an honor!”
“Please, just call me Elysia, Archbishop.”
“Oh, how could I?!”
The Archbishop, who managed the northern parish, rushed out to greet me as I got off the carriage.
I greeted him with the sincerest face I could muster.
“I should have visited sooner, but it took me a while to adjust after marrying into Lombard.”
“The weather here is quite tough, isn’t it? I’m from the south, and I was sick with colds for months after coming to Lombard, ha ha!”
“I’ll visit more often from now on.”
After a quick greeting, I attended mass like any noble lady, read the scriptures, and even went to confession.
Afterwards, I was taken to the Archbishop’s office.
After some polite small talk, I finally got to the main point.
“Archbishop, as you know, I did many foolish things in the past.”
“Ahem, well… everyone has those times when they’re young.”
“I really regret it. After coming to Lombard and seeing the lives of the people, I’ve finally grown up. I want to repent for my past and confess my faith to God.”
“And what would that confession be?”
By now, the Archbishop must have guessed what was coming.
He played dumb very well, but I kept up my most sincere face.
“I’d like to donate a giant golden cross to the main church. What do you think?”
“A… a golden cross?!”
“I know you can’t measure faith with worldly things, but I wanted to show my sincere heart in some way.”
I handed over the sketch I’d prepared of the cross.
The Archbishop’s eyes went wide when he saw it was big enough to fill an entire wall of the sanctuary.
‘I already knew the Archbishop was crazy about material things.’
He was completely smitten—well, with my money.
He looked ready to grant any request I made. But I wasn’t done.
“Of course, I’ve prepared a separate donation as well. Please use it for good.”
“Oh, your faith is so deep and wide—surely God will be pleased!”
The Archbishop tried not to stare, but I saw him count the number of zeros on my check—and his smile stretched even wider.
He kept bowing and thanking me, impressed by my “faith.”
‘Honestly, it’s hard to tell if God or the Archbishop is happier, but whatever…’
There was a reason I did all this.
When priests are sent on missions, the first stop is always the main parish.
And for important visitors, it’s normal for the Archbishop to greet them in person.
‘First impressions are everything.’
If the Archbishop put in a good word about me, the Inquisitor’s first impression would be much better.
So I reached out first.
“Since I’m here, could I look around the sanctuary? I know some areas aren’t open to outsiders, but surely someone with my faith…”
“Of course! Please follow me—there are even areas normally closed, but for you, it’s different.”
The Archbishop, who was already being very attentive, now personally led the tour.
“This way! Here you can see the relics of our first Pope, Saint Andresilius I—”
I half-listened to his explanations and glanced out the window.
Crowds of people were gathered by the church’s outer wall.
I stopped walking, and the Archbishop stopped too.
“Is something going on at the church?”
“Oh, Lombard winters are very long and harsh. Many people go hungry, so we give out daily food rations.”
“Wait a minute.”
I was confused.
Or really, I just couldn’t understand what I was seeing.
“Isn’t there a huge construction project going on in Lombard right now?”
“I heard you’re fixing up all the churches and monasteries. Now that the mistress’s place is filled, the territory is finally returning to its former glory!”
“I ordered that workers get paid daily and receive meals at the sites…”
The Archbishop’s flattery didn’t register anymore.
‘I need to set my priorities before greeting the guest.’
Renovating the lodgings, training the servants, and preparing meals and banquets were all important, but those wouldn’t take much time.
So, I ordered the churches and monasteries to be repaired first.
A clean, well-maintained church would impress the Inquisitor and help the local economy during winter.
Big construction projects would get money flowing in Lombard.
‘Could the officials be embezzling…? No way, they must have at least some conscience.’
Winters here are long and brutal.
Farming is hard, and there isn’t enough food unless the central government helps. Many people freeze or starve if nothing is done.
That’s why this was a chance: hiring locals during the off-season would create jobs and help the economy.
‘Even noble-born officials must know how hard winter is for the common people.’
I expected at least a bit of decency and common sense from them.
But that hope was shattered.
The people of Lombard were still starving.
Then who was really working on those construction sites?
‘Just how corrupt are Lombard’s officials?’
I gripped the balcony so hard my knuckles turned white.
Meanwhile, someone far away watched Elysia as she stood, frozen by the window.
He wore huge glasses covering half his face, and beneath them, a strong nose and sharp jawline could be seen.
He was tall and muscular—very striking, especially for someone dressed like a lowly priest.
The corners of his mouth twisted.
“Ah, I found her.”
All according to God’s plan.
His hair, red as blood, blew in the wind.
“Baron?”
“Yes, yes! My dearest, most respected, beloved lady—no amount of praise could ever be enough!”
Baron Comte, with his mustache fluttering, rushed over to me.
Actually, he’d been overlooked for promotion for a long time.
He’d been worried he’d be pushed out of power, but now—thanks to me, even if the reason for his promotion was humiliating—his loyalty had grown visibly.
Next to him was another man, who bowed deeply.
“I’m Viscount Clayton, inspector in charge of the construction project. It’s a great honor to meet you, madam.”
“Nice to meet you.”
He didn’t hesitate to kiss my hand, but I just tossed my glove into the fireplace.
A big flame burst up, then quickly died out.
Clayton didn’t care. He just kept talking smoothly.
“Your reputation is not exaggerated at all. Now that I see you in person, even the words ‘most beautiful woman in the country’ aren’t enough. I’ve never seen anyone as beautiful as you.”
Maybe seeing Baron Comte finally promoted gave him hope.
Clayton’s eyes sparkled with ambition—he looked ready to do anything to please me.
And Baron Comte glared at him with the jealousy of a concubine whose favor had just been stolen.
