Herdin pulled out a book related to dark magic from the bookshelf where magic books were stored.

For a while, only the sound of pages turning could be heard in the quiet room. Then Herdin sighed, closed the book, and took out a new one.

However, the new book also did not contain the information he wanted.

‘There was a magic circle drawn on that document Her Majesty the Empress had. And below it, it said there was dark magic connecting to the second condition of the divine beast’s contract…’

Although what Blair had conveyed about the document didn’t seem to be strongly related to the fire incident at the Empress’s palace, he decided to investigate it anyway.

‘Why was Her Majesty investigating that?’

He was curious about what was so important that Esmeralda kept it secret even from him.

However, none of the dark magic books he possessed contained any information related to the divine beast’s contract.

‘Dark magic books are designated as forbidden texts throughout the continent, making them difficult to obtain.’

Still, if he used the Delmark name, although the process would be complicated and take some time, it wouldn’t be impossible.

At that point, Herdin stopped searching for materials and left his private study.

Just then, through the window behind his desk, he saw Agnes and Blair walking in the garden.

After the kidnapping incident, Blair continued her life as usual, except that she was no longer allowed to go out.

Contrary to Herdin’s expectation that she would be confused and unstable after suddenly regaining her memories.

But why? That appearance felt more unsettling.

That’s why he had called Agnes one last time to check on her condition.

Finally, the two figures were obscured by the mansion. Just as Herdin turned to sit down, there was a knock at the door.

“Your Excellency, I’m coming in.”

It was Luth, who had gone out to assess the situation.

“How’s the atmosphere?”

“As you predicted, the rumors have spread widely. They’re saying the Madam was almost kidnapped.”

Not only had the entire Delmark knights moved that day, but the fire at the villa where Blair had been kidnapped made the situation difficult to cover up quietly.

In times like these, it was better to remain quiet until the rumors died down rather than come forward with explanations.

And above all, he wanted to make Katrina, who would be watching for their reaction after the failed plan, even more anxious.

A desperate opponent tends to show openings.

“If we don’t feed it, it’ll quiet down on its own. Any news on the kidnappers?”

“No, not yet.”

“They might have cut their losses after realizing we’re onto them. Still, keep watching for a while. They might be trying to make it look like they’ve cut their losses.”

“Understood.”

“And this is separate from the kidnapping incident, but I’d like you to look into something.”

Luth took out a notebook from his inner pocket.

“Please give your orders.”

“Investigate everything related to family powers, forbidden contracts, or dark magic associated with them. No matter how trivial it may seem.”

Luth flinched at that.

Dark magic was forbidden throughout the continent due to its dangers. If someone was revealed to be a dark magician, they would be immediately executed.

Even simply inquiring about it could risk severe punishment.

“May I ask the reason?”

“It’s something Her Majesty the Empress was investigating in secret, even from me. I don’t know the details since the documents were burned.”

“Well, it might take some time, but… I’ll look into it as quickly as possible.”

Just as he finished his conversation with Luth, there was a careful knock on the door.

“Herdin, it’s me. Can we talk for a moment?”

It was Blair’s voice. It seemed she had returned after seeing Agnes off.

As Herdin nodded, Luth opened the office door.

“Hello, Madam. How are you feeling?”

“I’m much better, thanks to you. Thank you for your concern, Sir Luth.”

As Blair gave Luth a bright smile, Herdin’s eyes, watching the two, grew cold.

“Then, please have a comfortable conversation.”

Luth didn’t notice Herdin’s gaze, but he wrapped up his greetings appropriately and left the office.

Only then did Herdin notice the letter in Blair’s hand as she approached him.

Recognizing it as a party invitation from another family, Herdin looked at her with curious eyes.

“Why did you bring that?”

“I saw Mason about to discard it earlier. He said you ordered all party invitations to be declined.”

After rumors spread about Blair’s kidnapping, invitations to parties started pouring in from various families.

Even before the incident, there were many people who wanted to invite Blair and Herdin, but after the incident, their intentions changed slightly.

Of course, some people might have invited them with pure intentions to build relationships, but among them, there would certainly be those who wanted to confirm if the rumors were true.

That’s why he had instructed Mason to decline all party invitations for the time being. He had no intention of throwing Blair to the social gossip mill.

But she seemed to have a different idea.

“Staying silent about rumors is good, but I think showing a calm appearance at times like this can also be a good strategy.”

“So, you want to attend the party?”

As Herdin asked, sitting on the edge of his desk, Blair nodded.

“This incident happened because of me, so I want to take responsibility for it.”

Her eyes were quite solemn.

“Let me do this, Herdin.”

Looking at her, Herdin chuckled.

His wife was more responsible, fearless, and still as stubborn as ever than she appeared. He didn’t dislike that about her.

‘She must have felt cooped up staying in the mansion for nearly a week, so getting some fresh air wouldn’t be bad.’

He opened the party invitation he had taken from Blair’s hand, then handed it back to her and said,

“Do as you wish, my dear.”

* * *

The male guild member who had been dozing off as usual in the drowsy weather suddenly noticed the sunset outside the window. He got up with a wide yawn, stretching his body.

It was time to start preparing for the main reception of guests and guild members.

As he was loosening up his stiff body, the bell on the door rang with a clear sound.

“Welcome!”

The man reflexively greeted, then frowned at the sight of the woman in a robe, but quickly became polite when he recognized her as the priestess who had come before.

“Ah, you’ve come.”

“Is there anything to report?”

Miela skipped the greeting and asked that right away. The man found it slightly unpleasant, but the amount of her request was quite substantial, so he could overlook that much.

“Ah, yes. Please wait a moment.”

The man went behind the shop counter and took out a piece of paper from between dense notebooks.

“Last week, the Countess Lorelaine visited the Duke’s residence.”

“…The Lorelaine County?”

“It’s one of the vassal families of the Delmark Duchy, and the Countess is famous among the noble ladies as a psychological counselor.”

Miela recalled the name Lorelaine she had heard somewhere among the noble ladies.

Living as a priestess, she would hear rumors about nobles even if she didn’t want to.

Noble ladies often came to the temple, and there were occasions when she was called to noble houses—mostly to treat young nobles who had been injured from rough play—like when she was called to the Delmark Duchy a few days ago.

Come to think of it, she seemed to have heard that name a few times.

“Seeing that Countess Lorelaine visits that family every week, we could assume that there might be some issue with the Duchess’s mental or physical health.”

The man added his speculation to the information he had collected. Miela also nodded slightly, indicating her agreement with that inference.

“And then early the next morning, the Duchess suddenly took a carriage to the Imperial Palace. We couldn’t enter the palace, so…”

“The Imperial Palace…”

“On her way back to the Duke’s residence that day, she was kidnapped. Well, you’ve probably heard about this as the rumors are widespread.”

Miela, of course, knew about this story.

She was the very person who had gone to the Duke’s residence to treat Blair that day.

“Since then, she hasn’t left the Duke’s residence. It could be because she’s being cautious due to the kidnapping incident, or it could be because she’s conscious of those rumors.”

“…I see.”

“If you have any more questions or need any additional information, please feel free to ask.”

Miela fell into thought for a moment, withholding her response.

‘Who could be behind the Duchess’s kidnapping?’

The long-standing bad blood between the Imperial Family and the Delmark Duchy stemming from the Empress’s Palace incident ten years ago.

Blair, the only witness to that accident, but who had lost her memories. And the counselor who visits her every week.

Then suddenly visiting the Imperial Palace late at night, and being kidnapped right after…

But why isn’t the Duke’s family announcing and punishing the culprits behind the kidnapping? To maintain the family’s prestige, it would be good to show what happens when someone messes with the Delmarks.

Of course, it’s possible they haven’t found the culprits of the kidnapping yet, but another possibility occurred to Miela.

‘It could be that they can’t announce it rashly because the opponent is someone who could harm the Delmarks as well if they did.’

The information she had just heard and the existing information were repeatedly assembled and disassembled in her head. Soon, Miela came to a clear conclusion.

‘Actually, it doesn’t necessarily have to be the truth.’

It just needs to be plausible enough.

What she wants is not the truth, but a small spark to drive a wedge between the Imperial Family and the Delmarks.

And if Blair becomes the sacrifice for that spark, and if that connection is severed as a result, it would be even better.

Finally, having formulated a new plan, Miela spoke.

“Keep monitoring the Duchess’s movements, and this time, I’ll add a new request to that.”

“What is it?”

At that moment, Miela’s lips were briefly visible under the hood she was wearing.

“Please spread a rumor.”

Her lips, speaking softly, were curved in a satisfied arc.