PSTBW 10

Chapter 10

“…What did you say?”

“Is that really true?”

Both Duke Nigel Clyde Este and Sir Kite were shocked by the priest’s words.

The priest nodded again.

“Yes. That’s why I didn’t perform any healing on Lady Olivia. She had already been treated. I only used my holy power on the Duchess—the Saintess.”

“Do you know who healed the child?”

“Unfortunately, no. All I can tell is that someone with stronger divine power than mine healed her.”

The priest trailed off uncertainly.

Duke Nigel’s expression hardened, his lips twitching slightly as if he wanted to ask more but decided not to. Finally, he said,

“I understand. Thank you for coming, Priest Luga.”

“Not at all, Your Grace. Call for this old man anytime you need me.”

The priest—Luga—bowed deeply and left down the stairs.

Nigel watched him until he was completely out of sight.

Then Sir Kite spoke carefully.

“My lord… do you think Priest Luga was telling the truth?”

“You know as well as I do—he’s not the kind of man who lies.”

“…True. But then, who healed Lady Olivia? Could it have been… the Duchess?”

“Never. The Saintess would never do such a thing.”

Nigel rejected the suggestion instantly. Whatever else she might do, he was certain about that one thing.

Then who did it?

If, by some impossible chance, the Saintess really had healed Olivia—then why? What was she planning?

The unanswered question left Nigel feeling uneasy. He clicked his tongue softly.

“Still, I don’t like leaving this alone. Keep a close watch on the Saintess. If we dig deep enough, we’ll find out what really happened.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Sir Kite bowed deeply, and the two men turned and left the corridor.

At that same time, inside a bedroom of the Este mansion—

After Olivia’s treatment was finished, I was getting my own injuries tended to by the doctor.

As he poured a sticky red liquid over my wounds, I couldn’t help but scream.

“Ah! It stings!”

“I know it burns, Duchess, but please bear it. The wound will close quickly, and new skin will grow soon.”

Just as he said, the torn flesh began healing right before my eyes.

‘Wow. If they sold this in Korea, it would make a fortune.’

My eyes sparkled as I asked,

“How much does this medicine cost? Is it expensive?”

“Hmm? No, not at all. It’s a common healing potion. Worth less than one penikia.”

“How much can you buy with one penikia?”

“Hmm… maybe a handful of flour.”

“…Ah. I see. Thanks.”

I sighed in disappointment.

“Hmm…”

While my treatment was wrapping up, I heard a soft groan from the bed. Olivia was waking up.

I quickly asked the doctor for a moment and sat beside her bed.

“Hey, you’re awake, Olivia. How do you feel?”

“…Where are we? What about that scary man? And Sophie?”

“We’re in Este Castle. And the scary man and Sophie—His Grace the Duke had them locked up.”

“…Really? You’re not lying again, are you?”

Olivia looked at me suspiciously.

‘Poor kid… she’s been lied to her whole life.’

And honestly, she wasn’t wrong. In the original story, Evangeline always tormented and lied to her.

I gave a small, bitter smile.

“It’s true. So don’t worry, just tell me—are you hurt anywhere?”

“…No.”

“That’s good.”

Olivia lowered her head, and I gently ruffled her hair with a small smile.

Then—

“My lady!”

The door burst open, and a maid rushed in.

I recognized her instantly—it was Olivia’s maid, the one who had gossiped about me when the Duke returned to the castle.

She ran straight to Olivia’s side, cupping her face with trembling hands.

“You’re not hurt, are you? I heard those lunatics fed you poison! How do you feel?”

“I’m fine, Olga. I’m not sick anymore.”

“Oh, merciful Goddess Temitra! Thank goodness! That vile Sophie! She must’ve poisoned the young lady’s food while I stepped out for a moment! That wicked woman!”

The maid—Olga—wailed dramatically, her worry for Olivia quickly turning into hostility toward me.

When I heard her name, I gasped softly.

‘Right! Olga… She was Olivia’s loyal maid in the novel!’

And later in the original story, she was the one who helped Olivia torment the heroine, Lucia Lillian Millow.

I also remembered how horribly she died in the end.

Sensing my stare, Olga turned toward me—and her eyes widened in shock, as if she’d seen a ghost.

Then she quickly straightened her face and spoke stiffly.

“…It’s an honor to see you, Your Grace, Saintess of Este and lady of this house. I see your wounds are healed.”

“Yes. As you can see.”

“The whole mansion is abuzz with stories of your bravery—how the Saintess saved the kidnapped young lady. I wonder, though, why you had to suffer such injuries. If this was all an act to look devoted, you certainly succeeded.”

Her sharp tone made me frown.

Sure, the original Evangeline had done awful things to Olivia—but this time, I had genuinely risked my life to save her.

“Hey—!”

I raised my voice in anger, but then—

Olivia tugged on Olga’s sleeve.

“Don’t, Olga. Auntie really saved me this time.”

“…Olivia.”

I stared at her, touched.

“The bad auntie wasn’t bad this time. It’s true.”

“……”

For a moment, I didn’t know what to say.

Olga looked between us, eyes wide. After a long silence, she let out a deep sigh.

“…If my lady says so, then it must be true. Though I still don’t know what her intentions were.”

“I’m not lying, Olga. You know that. So apologize.”

“…Yes, my lady. I’m sorry, Duchess. I spoke rudely. I’ll accept any punishment you give.”

I waved my hand dismissively.

“It’s fine. You were worried about Olivia. I understand.”

“…What? Oh… thank you.”

Olga’s eyes widened in surprise. She clearly hadn’t expected me to forgive her so easily.

‘Punishing her won’t help me. It’ll only make Olivia hate me more.’

Since I needed Olivia on my side, it was better to let it go.

I smiled faintly and turned to Olivia.

“Thank you, Olivia. For standing up for me.”

She turned her head away and muttered,

“…I wasn’t taking your side. I just didn’t want to lie like you always do.”

Her ears turned a little red.

I laughed softly and patted her head again.

A few hours later—

I left the main building and returned to the annex.

The maids helped me bathe and change into a clean new dress.

After dismissing them with the excuse that I was tired, I sat down at the vanity and let out a long sigh.

‘…I’m alive.’

My hands trembled as I remembered everything from earlier.

If I hadn’t gathered the courage to escape that warehouse…
If Duke Este hadn’t arrived at the perfect moment…
I’d be dead right now.

‘But I can’t rely on luck forever. Until I’m sure Olivia won’t try to kill me, I have to make sure her magic doesn’t spiral out of control again…’

I groaned and grabbed my head.

‘Wait…!’

A memory from the original novel flashed through my mind.

‘That’s it! There was a way!’

In the later part of the story, when Olivia’s magic finally went berserk and she turned into a monster, the heroine Lucia Lillian Millow fed her the Violet Magic Potion—which calmed her madness.