Adel lowered her gaze to the floor, unable to meet Padre’s eyes, and her gaze wandered near her chin.

“The clothes His Highness will wear have been anointed with holy oil.”

“That’s not unusual. In the North, where monsters swarm, it’s often deliberately done, isn’t it?”

“Of course, I heard His Highness wasn’t affected at all. If he were possessed by something sinister, he would have surely suffered.”

“Holy oil can take time to show its effects. It doesn’t always manifest as pain. Commonly, it results in a loss of consciousness for a while.”

Adel shook her head.

“I haven’t seen His Highness lose consciousness or suffer. Neither have the servants.”

“Such matters obviously require careful observation over a day.”

“I was hasty in contacting you. I’m embarrassed to retract my words now after you’ve made the effort to come here. But…”

“Adelhite.”

Adel pursed her lips. Padre sighed deeply, looking down at her sternly, and then spoke in a soothing tone.

“When faced with something beyond rational understanding, people react in one of two ways: rejection or devout worship.”

“…”

“But regardless of the choice, one cannot turn a blind eye.”

Adel’s chin trembled slightly, her face paling. Padre’s words were like a sharp awl piercing her conscience. In truth, she desperately wanted to ignore it.

Having tasted a sliver of unconditional affection she longed for…

“But, the animals’ behavior changed.”

Despite her embarrassment, Adel spoke up.

“You know how well animals sense the presence of monsters. They usually run away in fear, tails between their legs. But just now…”

“Adel. I know animals are extremely sensitive. They alert us when a predator slips among people. But when it lowers itself and mingles, eventually its scent becomes similar.”

“…”

“They’ve adapted to the situation. Didn’t you write to me saying the animals were afraid when they saw His Highness?”

“That was…”

“In such cases, it’s best to follow your initial instincts. Trust me.”

“…”

“Neglecting a monster can lead to greater disaster. Many might die. Adelhite, you did a noble thing by informing me.”

With a pale face, Adel finally looked up to meet Padre’s eyes. His gentle gaze seemed to instill some courage in her. But with her heart feeling as if one side was pierced, the courage and support Padre offered seemed to drain away.

It was hard to comprehend. Could Valentin really be a sinister monster, having bewitched her in such a short time?

“What should I do?”

She barely managed to ask, her lips feeling stiff. Padre took a small glass bottle from his pocket and placed it in her hand.

“Since His Highness has been anointed with holy oil, if he is a monster, he is unlikely to wake easily tonight. Request to share a bed with him tonight. Then, if he doesn’t regain consciousness, use this medicine.”

The bottle, warmed by his body heat, made the green liquid inside seem ominously bright.

“What is this?”

“It’s a method used within the Order. Just apply it to the tip of a blade and pierce about a finger’s depth.”

“And after that?”

“Look through a mirror.”

“What am I supposed to find in the mirror?”
Padre’s gaze, stripped of all smiles, fixed sharply and perceptively on Adel. His piercing eyes seemed to scrape out the deepest secrets of her soul, leaving nothing hidden.

Adel’s hand, holding the bottle, trembled slightly.

“If it really is a shadow, you’ll recognize it at first glance.”

“Your Highness.”

Startled by Housekeeper Margaret’s call, Adel raised her disheveled head. Unbeknownst to her, engrossed in thought, night had fallen.

While Adel fumbled, Margaret entered the room and skillfully lit one candle after another that had gone out.

“His Highness will soon arrive at the bedroom. You need to prepare now.”

“So soon?”

Adel got up hastily from the chair where she had been sitting in a daze.

“Yes. These girls will help His Highness with his dressing.”

Following Margaret’s gesture, the maids entered and helped Adel out of her dress. They wiped her body gently with a fragrant, damp cloth, then draped a thin, fluttery chemise dress over her head.

A gold robe with an embroidered wolf motif was draped over Adel’s slender shoulders.

“How should we do your hair?”

“Just… however you like.”

“Then we’ll brush it down nicely. It’s a pity to tie up such beautiful hair.”

The kindly maid began to brush her hair skillfully. Adel clasped her trembling hands, trying to hide them. Every time her eyes met Margaret’s through the mirror, the housekeeper gazed back with an inscrutable look. Was it reproach or concern?

Truthfully, if she were in Margaret’s shoes, she wouldn’t have any respect for a mistress like herself, terrified at the prospect of welcoming her husband. Pitiful, even contemptible.

Suddenly remembering something, Adel asked.

“Where is Greta? By now, she should know that His Highness will be in my room tonight…”