Episode 24
Normally, she would have interrogated the girl with something like, “Which family sent you as a spy?” But there was a reason she didn’t do that this time.
Two weeks ago, after visiting the villa and returning to the duchy, she had immediately ordered her trusted aide to investigate Miela’s background.
‘Something’s definitely fishy.’
She had deliberately come to a remote countryside village for rest, yet a child there knew about the Baloire family—and had even come into contact with Istin. What were the odds? It clearly wasn’t just a coincidence.
‘Find out everything about that child’s family background and movements.’
‘Yes, Madam.’
But the results? Completely clean. Extremely so.
Her father had died early in an accident, and her mother had passed away from illness just over a year ago. Both had lived their entire lives in the village. There were no records of any connections with outsiders. The suspicion that she might be a spy now seemed almost laughable.
‘Huh… So, prophets really do exist?’
Otherwise, this would be impossible. Things were happening that couldn’t be explained logically.
At this point, Regina had no choice but to admit it. Miela wasn’t an ordinary child.
“That hidden room… It’s where the duchy’s heirlooms are stored, right? Only the most precious items are kept there.”
Miela began reciting top-level secrets of the Baloire family as if it was nothing.
“Yes, you’re right. There’s a hidden treasure vault in the basement.”
The Duchess stared at the girl in front of her as if observing some curious specimen. The gaze should have been intimidating, but Miela continued to speak resolutely.
“One of the heirlooms is the source of the curse. We need to find it and purify it.”
“…Is that really true?”
She felt like she’d been caught off guard. Why hadn’t that thought occurred to her? She’d been convinced the curse was planted in Istin’s body itself. She never imagined that an object could hold the curse.
Now it made sense why even skilled sorcerers had struggled to locate the source.
“Yes. When I think back on the stories my mom used to tell me… she said the sword sent as tribute to the imperial palace might carry the curse. Oh, and about purifying it… either a priest has to use divine power directly, or we’ll need to gather a huge amount of holy water.”
“…!”
The imperial family had various ways to test the loyalty of powerful noble families. One method involved having each family send one of their treasured heirlooms to the imperial palace.
Of course, the item wasn’t permanently transferred to the palace. It would be kept for about ten years and then returned to the family. It was a kind of trust-building ritual.
‘Indeed… The ceremonial sword would make the perfect vessel for a curse. It’s an ancient item passed down from the first Duke of Baloire. Centuries of history are embedded in it.’
Regina soon spoke again, her voice calm.
“Very well, Miela. I’ll believe you this time.”
“Th-thank you for trusting me!”
Miela’s face instantly brightened. To be honest, she’d been extremely nervous the whole time, worried she wouldn’t be believed.
“If the curse really lifts after following your method, I’ll make sure to reward you.”
“Re-reward? Wait… like, you’ll choke or something? Is that what you mean?”
Miela tilted her head, confused. Regina let out a faint laugh.
“No. I mean I’ll give you a proper reward.”
“R-really?”
Miela gulped without realizing it. Last time, she’d received a grand meal for helping save Istin… Would she be invited to the duchy for a full banquet this time? She hadn’t done this expecting a reward, but she couldn’t help feeling excited.
Oh no… I shouldn’t be thinking like this!
“Yes. Whatever you’re imagining, it’ll probably be more than that. I swear on the honor of the Baloire family.”
Regina smiled faintly. The child likely didn’t realize just how valuable that promise was.
If it had been anyone else in Miela’s place, they would’ve bragged endlessly and demanded all sorts of rewards—enormous wealth or maybe even a noble position.
‘But honestly… even that wouldn’t be too much for what she’s doing.’
Lifting this curse wouldn’t just save the young master. It would save the entire Baloire duchy.
“But… if your story turns out to be wrong…”
Regina’s voice trailed off mid-sentence.
“…No, never mind. Forget I said anything.”
Normally, she would’ve threatened anyone—regardless of who they were—with severe consequences for giving wrong information. After all, this was a kind of business deal. Deals always came with guarantees in case things went wrong.
But this child… had nothing. Not a single thing. And yet she had taken the initiative to speak up with such courage.
‘I don’t want to be overly harsh in a situation like this.’
Surprisingly, this was Regina’s first act of mercy. Something she had never shown to anyone before.
“If following my method doesn’t lift the curse… you can take my life.”
Suddenly, words that no one could’ve imagined spilled from Miela’s mouth. The Duchess was so shocked that she jumped up in panic.
“What? What are you saying? Life is not something you casually gamble with!”
“But in novels and stuff… don’t people swear on their lives?”
Miela tilted her head again. She must’ve picked it up from somewhere.
“Good grief… What nonsense. What would I even do with your life? Take back what you just said.”
Overwhelmed by Regina’s fierce tone, Miela shrank back and nodded.
“Okay… I take it back…”
“Good.”
Regina replied in her usual dry voice. But inside, she felt oddly relieved. She wasn’t easily rattled, yet this little girl had managed to surprise her more than a few times today.
“Well… Anyway, enough talk for now. I need to get going.”
“Where are you going, Lady Regina?”
“I need to try what you suggested. Time is of the essence. I can’t afford to waste even a minute. I’ll be back soon.”
After summoning the butler, the Duchess briefly explained the situation and began preparing to leave for the duchy mansion.
She debated for a moment whether to take a carriage, but considering the urgency, she decided to use a teleportation scroll instead.
“My goodness… Is that true? A way to break the curse…?!”
“Oh my… So the young master’s words about Miss Miela being a prophet were true?”
Meanwhile, after hearing the Duchess’s explanation, both the butler and the head maid began looking at Miela as if she were some kind of revered guest. But Miela herself remained oblivious to this change. Though… her scalp did tingle a little.
‘Please… Let Istin’s curse lift… Let him wake up safely…’
With her eyes tightly shut and her face scrunched in worry, Miela stayed kneeling at Istin’s bedside, praying endlessly.
That very moment, back at the Baloire duchy mansion…
The vast estate was eerily quiet—more silent than usual.
The only young master had left for a remote village to recuperate, the Duchess had gone to check on him, and the Duke had left for business in the capital several days earlier.
Then, suddenly, a burst of light flared up in the center of the mansion’s lobby, right where the teleportation magic circle was located.
“Oh my!”
A maid cleaning nearby let out a startled cry. Moments later, a whirlwind-like gust blew from the center of the magic circle, and a woman appeared.
It was none other than Regina Baloire.
“Ugh… I need to summon a mage soon. Is the teleportation circle malfunctioning? It’s been so long since installation… Seems like it needs maintenance.”
Regina’s expression was far from pleasant. The teleportation experience had been worse than she’d expected—so bad, it made her nauseous.
Just then, Dason, the acting head butler, came running in a panic.
“M-Madam! What brings you here by teleportation?!”
Dason. He was currently filling in as head butler since the original chief butler, Gray, had gone with the young master to the villa.
“D-did something happen to the young master?!”
Dason’s face darkened as he jumped to conclusions. Given how rare and expensive teleportation scrolls were, the household only used them for emergencies.
In other words… the fact that the Duchess had returned via teleportation… meant something serious had happened at the villa.
