PSTBW 05

Chapter 5 

Olivia lowered her head, trembling in fear. The Duke looked down at her coldly for a brief moment, then turned away without hesitation.

“…What kind of jerk talks to a child like that?”

I clenched my fists in frustration, glaring at his back.

According to Olivia’s memories in the novel, Duke Este acted as if he wanted to deny her very existence.

His younger sister, Lady Emma Este, had run away with a dark sorcerer, abandoning her fiancé. Not only that—she gave birth to a child without marriage and then died soon after.

Because of this, the Holy Church excommunicated Lady Emma for disgracing her noble status and duty. As a result, the Este family was branded as “a house forsaken by God” and lost its honor.

To restore his family’s reputation and mend relations with the Church, the Duke was forced into a political marriage—with the Saintess, Evangeline Roxanne Este—a woman he didn’t love.

But that arranged marriage collapsed because of Evangeline’s hypocrisy and repeated affairs.

So the Duke began to hate Olivia—the cause of that marriage—and left her to suffer. Olivia later believed that was why he neglected her.

Still, no matter what happened, how could he treat a child that way?

Even when I read the novel, I couldn’t understand his behavior.

So what if his sister made mistakes? Olivia did nothing wrong. The adults were the ones at fault. The Duke was simply blaming the wrong person.

Anger boiled up inside me. I shouted after him as he walked away.

“Don’t you think that was too harsh, Your Grace?”

Everyone around gasped loudly. Even louder than before.

The Duke stopped at the entrance of the mansion and turned to me, his eyes icy cold.

“…What did you say?”

“If you can tell she’s been crying, shouldn’t you comfort her instead of scolding her? Her eyes are all red! How could you speak so cruelly to a crying child?”

The Duke let out a short, dry laugh.

“Cruel, you say?”

“Yes! Or am I wrong?”

I glared back at him. It wasn’t easy—he was a full head taller than me—but I refused to back down. My conscience wouldn’t allow it.

The Duke frowned deeper, his dark red eyes meeting mine. The silence that followed was suffocating.

Then—

“Ha.”

He smirked suddenly and stepped closer, placing his hand on my shoulder.

Startled, I almost pushed him away, but before I could, he whispered near my ear,

“So this time, you’re trying to paint me as the villain, is that it?”

“…What?”

“You accused me of being harsh to that child. But do you know who pushed her into this position? You did. You spread the rumor that anyone who touched her would be cursed by the dark sorcerer’s blood. Don’t tell me you thought I wouldn’t find out.”

“…!”

My eyes widened in shock.

In that instant, everything made sense—the maids refusing to approach Olivia’s house, the servants’ cold sneers, the gloves Olivia always wore, and that maid’s bitter words earlier.

It all came from Evangeline’s own cruelty.

I was speechless. But the Duke didn’t stop.

“I know what kind of person you really are behind that saintly mask. No one else might know, but I do. You even kicked out your maid Anne and that priest Claude not long ago. I’m sure you had some twisted reason for that too. You wouldn’t have thrown out your loyal servant and your lover for nothing. Am I wrong?”

“W-What? That’s not—!”

“I don’t care what schemes you’re planning, but don’t cause unnecessary trouble. The only reason I tolerate you is because of my family’s honor and the pressure from those old fools in the Church. If not for them, you’d have been thrown out of this castle long ago.”

“….”

“Do you understand, my great Saintess?”

His low, disdainful voice cut through me like a blade. After tapping my shoulder a few times, he turned his back and walked away.

I stood frozen, staring at him blankly.

Then, anger replaced my shock.

I rushed forward and grabbed his wrist.

“How can someone like you abandon a child?”

“…What?”

“Yes, I’ve done wrong too, but you’re no better. You’re supposed to be her father, yet you left her to someone like me! Aren’t you ashamed?”

“…Have you lost your mind, Saintess?”

He growled.

I let go of his wrist sharply.

“Why? Did I hit a nerve?”

“You—!”

“Oh, enough. What’s the point of arguing? We’re both at fault anyway.”

“Ha! You—Saintess—!”

“Well then, I’ve already greeted you and congratulated you on your return. Since my face clearly annoys you, I’ll take my leave. Please rest well, Your Grace the Great Duke of Este.”

I curtsied politely, lifted my dress slightly, and turned away.

Behind me, I heard his bitter laugh and the murmurs of the servants. I ignored them and muttered under my breath,

“What’s the use of being handsome if he’s that awful?”

Honestly, when I first read the novel, I thought maybe the Duke neglected Olivia because seeing her reminded him too much of his dead sister.

But I was wrong. Olivia’s guess was right. He simply hated her—for tarnishing the Este family name.

And he hated Evangeline, too—for being forced into a loveless marriage because of that same child.

Judging by how he talks, he’d probably throw me out or even get rid of me if he had the chance.

I made up my mind.

Once I earned Olivia’s forgiveness and found a way to survive, I would divorce that insufferable Duke and leave this place for good.

Of course, I’d need to prepare a way to live first.

Lost in thought, I walked away faster.

In the imperial capital, inside the great Lytendra Cathedral.

At the very top of the tallest tower—the home of faith and the resting place of Temitra’s Holy Sword—sat a young man on a throne-like chair.

He was Linus Kay Carmine, the Pope, and Temitra’s First Disciple.

Wearing a black robe, his short gray hair framed a gentle, handsome face. He read quietly from a holy book resting on his knees.

“Those who earnestly pray to God shall receive what they desire.”

His gray eyes glimmered strangely as he paused at that line.

“Your Holiness, are you inside?”

A knock came at the door.

Linus closed the book and replied softly, “Come in.”

The door opened, and a man with red hair entered, kneeling with both hands open in reverence.

“I greet His Holiness, the First Disciple of the Great Goddess Temitra.”

“What brings you here, Cardinal Cario? Shouldn’t you be busy preparing for Mass at this hour?”

Linus placed a hand on the man’s shoulder kindly.

Cario hesitated before speaking quietly.

“…Your Holiness, Father Claude has been imprisoned in the Duke of Este’s dungeon. He’s accused of luring and blackmailing the Duchess.”

“…What did you say?”

Linus frowned slightly.

Cario flinched at his expression, his voice shaking.

“F-Father Claude insists he’s innocent, but they’re forcing him to explain what he and the Duchess talked about that day. He can’t defend himself properly.”

“And what, pray tell, has our Saintess Evangeline been doing while all this was happening?”

Linus asked calmly—but his eyes were cold.