In the backyard appeared Priest Ankedo, whom Ollentia had seen earlier, accompanied by another priest in white vestments she hadn’t seen before.

Their attires were slightly different. While the unfamiliar priest’s vestment was plain, Ankedo’s was adorned with golden patterns, indicating a higher rank.

Ollentia was about to emerge from behind the tree when she heard Ankedo’s sharp voice.

“Did you make sure to dispose of the body properly?”

‘A body?’

Startled, Ollentia hid herself more carefully behind the tree to eavesdrop on their conversation.

The other priest, with fluffy hair, nodded his pale face.

“Yes, I did. I put it in a sack and threw it into the Sentmi River. Even if it’s found after decomposing, no one will be able to identify it.”

“And remember to smile when you see me in the church. Is it so hard to smile? If you look stiff and scared every time, how will that look to the Archbishop? Especially now, when he’s investigating embezzlement within the church.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll make sure to act normally from now on.”

As this shocking conversation unfolded, Ankedo, seemingly displeased about something, punched the fluffy-haired priest in the solar plexus without any hesitation.

Ollentia was shocked. She had perceived Ankedo as a trustworthy and gentle person, especially after the Archbishop’s endorsement and his quiet demeanor in the reception room.

But this was a completely different side of him!

Ollentia trembled uncontrollably. Murder, body disposal, embezzlement – it was all unfolding before her, far beyond her wildest imaginations.

Then, inadvertently, she stepped on a twig.

Crack!

Frozen in place, Ollentia watched as Ankedo looked around alertly.

“Who’s there?”

Just then, a woman called out from across the backyard, heading towards them. It was the woman from the dream, wearing an orange seashell hairpin.

“Ankedo!”

Distracted, Ankedo walked away from Ollentia’s hiding spot towards the woman, Moring.

“Moring? What are you doing here?”

Moring, her face as dim as a twilight street, looked at him somberly.

“A local resident, Thomas, a junior administrator at Orodor Church, has disappeared. He knew about your embezzlement.”

“So?”

“You didn’t arrange for his murder, did you? My former lover couldn’t be that frightening. Right?”

It seemed Ankedo and Moring were ex-lovers. And the Thomas she mentioned was probably the one disposed of in the Sentmi River.

Ollentia’s heart pounded, fearing it might burst. Fortunately, her small stature kept her hidden behind the tree.

Ankedo grabbed Moring’s arm irritably.

“Come here. You know it’s problematic if you keep showing up at the church like this.”

The two then left the backyard. The fluffy-haired priest had already fled at Moring’s arrival.

Finally, Ollentia collapsed, clutching the tree for support, gasping for air.

She knew she had to inform the Archbishop immediately. But without a recording device or evidence, would he believe her?

‘If you need anything at the church during your stay at Count Odor’s residence, ask Ankedo. He’s probably busy.’

The Archbishop’s firm trust in Ankedo kept echoing in her mind.

Frantically, Ollentia bit her nails in anxiety before snapping back to her senses.
“I can’t just stand here doing nothing.”

Ollentia felt it was too risky to approach the Archbishop directly with what she heard. So, she grabbed a priest working in the church. It was a female priest, looking puzzled.

“Why are you so distressed? I saw you earlier with Count Orodor. You are Lady Armeniaca, right?”

Being known as a member of the Armeniaca family was helpful at times like these. Everyone recognized her.

Nodding, Ollentia probed further.

“Is the Archbishop here at Orodor Church to find an embezzler?”

The female priest was startled and quickly led Ollentia to a quiet spot. Leaning against the wall, Ollentia spoke wearily.

“So, it’s true then… What to do…”

“How did you know about that? Did Count Orodor tell you?”

“No, Count Orodor didn’t mention it. I overheard it in the backyard. The culprit is Priest Ankedo.”

“Ahaha! Haha!”

Surprisingly, the priest burst into laughter. She seemed to think it was impossible for Ankedo to be the embezzler.

“Why?”

The priest then explained.

“Priest Ankedo is a saint and hero of Orodor. Just last month, he bravely rescued children from a burning house. He always serves and sacrifices for those in need. It’s impossible for him to be the embezzler. There must be some mistake.”

Ollentia held her forehead, feeling dizzy. She almost wished her observations were untrue.

“So, you won’t believe me?”

The priest nodded uncomfortably.

“Such accusations shouldn’t be made lightly, especially since the Archbishop highly trusts Priest Ankedo. Unless there’s evidence, of course.”

“Evidence, right.”

The body thrown into the Sentmi River came to her mind, but there was no immediate way to link it to Ankedo.

“Would the Archbishop be pleased if the embezzler is caught?”

“Of course! He’s been struggling without any leads. Catching the embezzler would certainly make him happy.”

After parting with the priest, Ollentia exited the church. She was determined to act on her knowledge of the murder and embezzlement, especially since it would please the Archbishop.

Ollentia boarded the Armeniaca family carriage waiting outside the church.

Inside was only a knight with the crescent moon emblem, not her uncle.

“Go to the Count’s residence, not the jasmine field cottage.”

“Thomas isn’t dead, is he? Right?”

Moring kept asking Ankedo as she was dragged away.

Ankedo released her arm outside the church and maintained his smile for passersby. He was known as Orodor’s angel and a hero.

“Calm down, Moring. We’re not together anymore. There’s no need for us to meet like this.”
“I know too. I’ve been so scared and worried lately.”

“Scared of what?”

“That’s… nothing. I should be going.”

Moring gave up and started walking away. She seemed like she could never say it in front of him.

‘Like Thomas vanished, I fear someday I’ll end up the same.’

She could only swallow these thoughts.

As soon as Ollentia arrived at Count Orodor’s residence, she sought out her uncle. She had something urgent to tell him.

“Uncle!”

As she called him, Count Orodor and Demidius, who were with him, turned to look at Ollentia.

Count Orodor and Demidius had been having tea together in the first-floor hall.

Surprised, Ollentia hesitated for a moment. It was natural to encounter Demidius at the Count’s residence, but she hadn’t thought about it after experiencing such a shocking event at Orodor Church.

“Jo, Joanna! Why are you here…”

A flustered Count Orodor took steps towards Ollentia. His eyes seemed to question why she didn’t go to the cottage and instead came to the Count’s residence.

Ollentia grabbed the Count’s sleeve and whispered just loud enough for him to hear.

“Please, search for a body dumped in the Sentmi River right now.”

Although she could hire mercenaries to conduct a river search, that would take time. Speaking to her uncle ensured the most reliable and swift action. Thomas must have had a family who deserved a proper burial. The body needed to be intact.

Count Orodor looked pale, staring at Ollentia.

“What have you gotten yourself into, huh?”

“It’s not me who’s done anything. I’ll explain later, but we need to start the search for the body now.”

Just then, Demidius, who had been sitting on the sofa until a moment ago, was suddenly nearby. He was wearing a dark purple suit, almost black, and still had that bitter smell of tree bark.

“Is this something I shouldn’t hear?”

Ollentia clasped her cold hands and swallowed hard.

‘Did he hear about the body search? I wish I knew!’

Unfortunately, Demidius had the uncanny ability to approach without making a sound.

When scheming men desperately battle for her favor in the male harem

This one’s also on my reread list! The rivalry, scheming between the men in the imperial harem are just as intense and thrilling as in classic palace drama novels, where concubines fight to the death. Give it a read, girls! I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Synopsis:

“I am not worthy of her… but I still want to be by her side, even if only as a loyal dog…”

Those were the painful whispers of Yue Guanyi – the proud Crown Prince of the Great Qi, who was torn between deep love and a guilty conscience. Despite holding the supreme power of the Imperial Guard, he still could not forget the dark past when he was sold into a brothel.

Fate played a cruel twist when Qiu Shuzhi – a young female official who had just passed the imperial examinations with top honors – stepped into his life. She did not know that she was the one who had saved him from a tragic fate many years ago. And now, her heart was the target of pursuit for both Yue Guanyi and the powerful Empress Dowager Qin Qing.

While Yue Guanyi only dared to silently care for and protect the one he loved from afar, the  Empress Dowager Qin Qing openly expressed his feelings and did not hesitate to take advantage of his power to approach Qiu Shuzhi. The covert struggle between the two most powerful forces in the imperial court began…

Trigger warning: All men in this novel are yandere style.

_____

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