Unlike the usual debut of saints in the Holy Empire, Stella officially revealed herself at the announcement hall of the Kingdom of Royum.
‘Even before that, the existence of saints in the Holy Empire was kept secret.’
For some reason, unknown to me, the emperor didn’t care who the saint was, as long as it was beneficial to him.
“Will the saint really purify the polluted forest of the Empire, as mentioned in the letter?”
“It’s the natural duty of a saint.”
Stella gently laughed, placing her hand on her chest.
“It’s rather embarrassing to perform the duty so belatedly.”
“It’s fortunate that the saint has such intentions.”
In the Empire, there was a place called Pascalos, a polluted forest.
Pascalos was the forest where the first emperor of the Empire began his oath. As it held great symbolism, the Empire always sought to reclaim Pascalos.
However, due to pollution, no one could approach it.
“Was there no reason why the saints haven’t purified the forest all this time, even though they knew only the saint could purify Pascalos?”
Purifying the polluted forest required immense divine power. The previous saints intended to use that power not for purification but to care for the sick.
Moreover, Pascalos was polluted because the gods contaminated it to punish arrogant humans.
“I also understand the intentions of the previous saints. But now, the gods have said that the Holy Empire must align its steps with the Empire.”
“Oh, really?”
“And honestly, I have a strong desire to be of help to many, including Your Majesty.”
The emperor, pleased with the saint’s words, asked.
“Is there a price you seek from this royal family?”
“How could I ask for compensation for doing the right thing? Your concern for the Holy Empire is enough for me.”
The nobles around the emperor admired Stella’s shy smile.
“She seems like a serene saint. A truly beautiful and virtuous person.”
“In the future, we’ll see more of the saint in the imperial social circles.”
The emperor burst into laughter at the saint’s modesty.
“Still, I can’t just leave without any reward. While the saint stays in this empire, let me know anything she needs.”
“Oh, if that’s the case…”
Lowering her long eyelashes, the saint spoke in a soft voice.
“While I’m staying in the empire, I need someone to protect me from danger, following the old tradition.”
The symbol of the Holy Empire and a saint with strong divine power often faced dangers. Therefore, the Empire had a tradition of assigning a noble to protect such a saint, marrying her, and settling her in the empire.
Of course, this tradition had diminished in significance over time due to strained relations between the Holy Empire and the Empire. The emperor asked with a nod.
“Do you have someone in mind? I’ll gladly assign the noble the saint desires.”
“In that case, Your Majesty. May I speak freely?”
“Of course.”
Stella awkwardly shrugged her delicate shoulders, causing the surrounding nobles to laugh and encourage her.
“Saint, you may speak freely.”
“That’s right. Who would refuse the position of the saint’s patron?”
In response to people’s approval, Stella rolled her puppy-like eyes.
“In that case…”
The corners of Stella’s lips rose in a shy manner.
“I would like it to be Duke Blanshet.”
Yohan took me to a hill where the night sky was well visible. We lay on a mat spread on the hill and looked up at the sky.
The soft grass swayed in the wind, and in the distance, the sound of waves echoed.
“The stars are so beautiful.”
Although I usually could see stars well in the night sky, they shone particularly brightly tonight.
‘Come to think of it, have I ever properly looked at the sky like this?’
The stars in the night sky evoked a strange emotion. Yohan, lying next to me at that time, asked while looking at me.
“Do you know why I brought you here?”
“Well, is there a reason?”
“This is one of the places in the empire where you can see the stars well. That’s why it has a separate name: Estel Robelind.”
Estel Robelind, meaning the festival of stars in ancient language.
“Isn’t that name similar to yours?”
“Well… kind of.”
For some reason, I felt like Yohan knew the reason he brought me here.
‘My name’s meaning is related to stars.’
The meaning of my name, Estel, written on a note along with it at the orphanage, was star.
“Ian, do you like stars?”
“I like looking at the night sky.”
Yohan answered with a calm and quiet voice.
“You can see stars from anywhere in the sky. So, I used to look up at the stars often. At those times… I felt like I wasn’t alone.”
“Wow, I’ve had similar thoughts.”
At first, I was delighted to know that my name meant a star. Every time I looked at the night sky, I felt like the stars around me were keeping me company, making me feel less alone.
“But you know what?”
However, now when I look at the stars, I have different thoughts.
“That star looks so bright, but in reality, it doesn’t shine.”
It all started when a teacher who taught me at Libertan laughed at me for reading about stars during my education.
The Male lead Always Seduces Her with His Beauty (Matriarchy)
Xin Jiao Zhou is the leader of the world’s premier sect. She has just experienced betrayal from all sides, was poisoned in an assassination attempt, and faced death squad attacks while the poison was taking effect. After finally clearing out the scum from her sect, she was drugged again while trying to detoxify.
After waking up from a night of unconsciousness, she gained a “beautiful and kind-hearted” husband.
Xin Jiao Zhou: “???”
He fell ill.
She came to see him, bringing breakfast.
As she put down the breakfast and was about to leave, his hand slipped while holding the spoon. “Clank!”
She turned around upon hearing the noise.
He looked up at her, his eyebrows drooping: “My hand… has no strength.”
“Shall I… feed you?” she asked tentatively.
He opened his mouth cheerfully: “Ah—”
Thinking she was drowning, he jumped in without hesitation to save her, but nearly drowned himself. In the end, it was she who swam over to rescue him, giving him air underwater.
After emerging from the water, his ear tips turned red. He lightly brushed his cheek, tucking his sideburns behind his ear, revealing delicate, pink-tinged ear tips. He lowered his gaze, too embarrassed to look at her.
Xin Jiao Zhou: He’s truly beautiful, kind-hearted, and adorable.
A certain someone when disciplining subordinates behind the scenes: “If they don’t obey, just kill them.”
What’s that? She might already have someone she cares about in her heart? A certain someone: Find out who it is, kill them, and then there won’t be anyone.
What? She met a man by the riverside? What? That man even hurt her? A certain someone: Whichever hand hurt her, chop off his entire arm.
Love at first sight without realizing it, gradually falling in love, slowly getting closer…
Family and national grudges, schemes and desires, good and evil, crime and punishment, she and he face the future together, seeking justice with passion!
A naturally dark female lead who could accidentally destroy the world but is actually an honest person VS a weak, pitiful, and helpless but skilled fighter, beautiful white-cut black male lead
My heart is not of stone, how steadfast is your love? — Tao Yuanming “Imitating the Ancients (No. 3)”
— Reading Guide —
Cold female lead & dramatic black lotus with hidden yandere traits male lead
