A faint chuckle.
Lennox couldn't help but smile as he effortlessly scooped Duren up in one arm.
"Have you made lots of friends?"
"Mhm!"
"Good. Next time, let's invite them over to our house."
"Don't wanna!"
"You don't like going to Daddy's house?"
Having heard countless sentences mixed with "Daddy" and "don't wanna," Lennox asked reflexively.
"No! Dudu wants to go to his friend's house!"
"Alright, alright."
Letting out a sigh of relief, Lennox carried Duren out of the banquet hall.
They looked every bit a harmonious family.
"What about the relic?"
As soon as they were outside, Estellelele lowered her voice and asked.
"Didn't you tamper with it, my lord? Why did it reveal a mix of truth and lies?"
"I… tampered with it a little."
In truth, Lennox had never touched the relic.
But even he couldn't make sense of what happened, so he lied.
"So when you answered, my lord, it showed a manipulated result—and when I spoke, it revealed the truth."
"…Right."
That I love Estellelele? Nonsense!
It must have been a momentary malfunction of the scale.
Unable to explain the cause or effect of the phenomenon, Lennox simply glossed it over.
Yet, with at least a shred of conscience, he couldn't bring himself to meet Estellelele's gaze.
Normally, Estellelele would have found it strange that Lennox kept staring off into empty space.
But distracted by her own thoughts, she failed to notice the oddity.
"My lord."
"H-huh? What is it?"
"I have a favor to ask."
After a brief moment of hesitation, Estellelele spoke.
And upon hearing her request, Lennox was horrified.
"Estellelele, are you serious?"
"Yes."
Estellelele nodded, her expression more earnest than ever.
"A fake relic? How could that be? No, even if it were fake, the temple would never have hidden such a fact!"
The junior priest supporting Helios burst out angrily.
"There must be some mistake. Or perhaps Duke Winteren tampered with it!"
"Winteren carries the blood of demons, so your reasoning does sound convincing."
"Exactly! Brother Helios, you think so too, don't you?!"
The temple could not be at fault.
When Helios gave his tacit agreement, the junior priest's firm belief only grew stronger.
"If that truly is the real relic, then it being in Duke Winteren's possession is strange in itself! Why would God's legacy be in the hands of a demon?"
"We glossed over it earlier, but there are countless doubts. Isn't it suspicious that he just happened to reveal the relic at precisely that moment?"
"Now that you mention it, that's true."
"The Princess must have believed the Duke's words only because she was flustered!"
"Then, Brother, wouldn't it be best if you reported directly to His Holiness?"
"M-me?"
"Yes. Surely it would help."
"T-to think someone like me, a mere junior priest, would be given the chance to meet His Holiness…"
The junior priest gazed at Helios with eyes full of emotion—
admiration, reverence, awe…
For Helios, it was a situation all too familiar, almost sickeningly so.
He wore his practiced smile, thinking how tediously dull it all was, when—
An unexpected figure approached.
"Priest, may I have a word with you?"
Helios's eyes widened.
This time, he answered not with the usual perfunctory smile, but with a bright, genuine grin.
"Yes. Of course."
It was Estellelele.
He quickly swept his gaze around, confirming that she had come alone.
"I'd like to speak just the two of us…"
"Then let's move somewhere else."
Helios followed as Estellelele led the way.
She stopped in a dim, deserted corner.
"Given the circumstances, I wasn't able to properly greet you."
With those words, Helios bowed politely—then took one of Estellelele's hands and gently drew it toward him.
"A pleasure to meet you, my lady."
His lips brushed lightly against the back of her hand before pulling away.
A chill ran down Estellelele's spine.
She was looking at the only husband she had never killed—no, to be precise, the husband she must not kill.
"You seem to have grown thinner since the last time we met."
Straightening his posture, Helios spoke in a tone laced with affection.
For a moment, Estellelele was taken aback.
She had felt it in the banquet hall as well, but this man…
He's far too favorable toward me.
With wary eyes, Estellelele slipped her hand free from his grasp.
"It's unfortunate that we meet again like this. But there's something I want to make absolutely clear."
"What is it?"
Helios looked at her with eyes full of anticipation.
What was he expecting?
Estellelele couldn't fathom his thoughts.
But there was one thing she was certain of:
What she was about to say would run contrary to his expectations.
"Our time as husband and wife was shorter than anyone's, and it ended poorly. So from now on, I'd prefer if you didn't act as though we share a bond."
"..."
"Frankly, it makes me uncomfortable. Besides, I have a husband now."
"But you didn't marry that man out of true love, did you?"
Helios smiled brightly.
"That alone is enough for me."
"Priest Helios!"
Helios, the man who in the original story was supposed to end up with Vera—was he saying he liked her?
It has to be an act.
He was a priest, and the temple still suspected her of killing her husband.
"This isn't about my feelings toward my husband. It's a matter of principle."
This was the same man who, the moment he learned she wielded demonic energy, would have dragged her straight to the execution platform.
He must be pretending to play the role of a doting ex-husband, just to test whether she was a witch or not.
Just like the Duke did today…
Estellelele did not believe him.
"Since there are watching eyes, I'll be cautious. But in return, I have a request for you as well."
"What is it?"
"Leave Winteren territory. Get away from the Duke as quickly as possible."
"I don't understand what you mean."
"This is about your life. Remaining married to him is dangerous."
Even with Helios's words, which sounded like sincere concern to anyone listening, Estellelele could not shake her wariness.
Seeing her expression, Helios gave a bitter smile.
"My lady, do you know why I didn't object when you asked for a divorce?"
It was still a mystery.
Society said he had stayed silent back then because he had no way to refute her.
"I didn't want to make you out to be a liar."
"…!"
"From the very first moment I met you until now, I have cherished you."
It was an unexpected, sudden confession.
For a moment, Estellelele was at a loss for words.
"I believe you were forced into this marriage against your will. If ever you need help, come to me."
Had she not overheard his true nature before the wedding night—
or had she not known the original story—
his voice might have swayed her, for it was full of aching sincerity.
"I will always be on your side."
As Helios spoke, he stretched out his hand, and a brilliant golden light enveloped Estellelele.
Just as he had done for the Princess, he bestowed a blessing.
This is different from before.
The divine power he used on Alice had been like the flicker of a candle.
Now it was so blindingly intense, it was like standing before the sun itself.
Estellelele squeezed her eyes shut, then opened them again—only to be struck by a dizzying wave.
She nearly staggered, but barely managed to steady herself before speaking.
"Priest, I…"
"You don't have to answer right now. My offer will always stand."
Before he could be rejected, Helios cut in smoothly.
"Just remember that."
"..."
"Until we meet again. May you remain safe until then."
Wait, Priest—
Estellelele wanted to reach out and stop him.
But the dizziness overwhelmed her, and she could only watch his figure grow more distant.
***
[Please look after Duren for a while. I want to speak with the priest alone. That's my request.]
[Alone with the priest? Why?]
[I want to settle things. No… I'll cut them off completely.]
She had spoken with confidence, but deep down she sensed that it wouldn't be easy to undo everything with just a short conversation.
And indeed, he was a far more formidable opponent than she had expected.
How can someone who feels nothing for me sound so utterly sincere in his affection?
Because Helios acted with such convincing earnestness, Estellelele resolved that she too would have to act with true sincerity.
She would need to look like a "real" wife—not a contractual one, but an ordinary, loving spouse.
And to do that…
"Ma—ah!"
Estellelele's thoughts were cut off by the familiar shout of a man.
"There you are, Estellelele!"
Hrk—
Her shoulder was yanked roughly, and she suddenly found herself face-to-face with him.
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