“Is this about my friend?”

“Yes.”

Dante Ian nodded.

Ivy Violet, withdrawing her hand, tightly clutched the hem of her skirt.

She hadn’t expected him to bring her friend immediately, but since he came of his own accord today, she thought he’d at least provide some result.

For instance, that he’d found a way to bring Latieana Merigold, or when he’d bring her.

But what did he say? That he wanted to let the matter drop?

What kind of nonsense was that!

A fiery anger surged from deep within her. Suppressing the urge to scream, Ivy lowered her voice as if disappointed.

“Your Grace.”

“Yes.”

“Didn’t I tell you that Prince Edan Dietrich has my friend?”

“Yes. You even kindly provided the information.”

Ivy’s brow furrowed.

Then shouldn’t he at least offer some excuse!

But Dante Ian stood there calmly.

He seemed to have no intention of offering excuses or discussing the matter further. His changed attitude in just a few days was incomprehensible. But Ivy blinked her pretty eyes as if everything was fine, as if she understood it all.

“You said you needed my help.”

“Yes.”

“Was there a misunderstanding? If you thought my friend and Prince Edan seemed close, that was a mistake…”

“No.”

Ivy’s words were cut off.

This was a first.

The gentle Duke Dante Ian, who had always listened quietly to anything she said, had coldly interrupted her for the first time.

“It’s not about that. I simply no longer need that proposal.”

“D-Duke!”

Ivy quickly threw herself into Dante’s arms.

Then, seductively placing her hand on his chest, she slowly infused it with red healing power.

“Did I do something to upset you, Your Grace? Why are you acting like this? You know how much I’ve suffered trying to find my friend. I explained everything to you.”

It could be that the effect of her healing power had weakened after such a long time. He had always been obedient to her words.

That must be it. Ivy planned to pour in a stronger dose of healing power, enough to evoke pleasure, to win back Dante’s heart.

But Dante grabbed her hand and pulled it away. That wasn’t all.

Despite clearly sending healing power, he grimaced as if displeased. Then, meeting her eyes, Dante relaxed his expression as if nothing had happened.

“It’s my fault for going back on my word, so I won’t come around for a while.”

“…What?”

Dante turned and left the temple.

Even his retreating figure was polite, but a sense of humiliation overwhelmed Ivy.

Her pride crumbled, and her face contorted mercilessly.

Why?

Could it be that he realized Latieana has true healing power?

But if that were the case, he wouldn’t have acted like this.

He’d probably be furious, thinking I, a fake, stole the position of High Priestess. He’d have gone to the High Priest to have me dragged down immediately.

Then what? Is he saying he won’t do it because he lacks the courage to confront Prince Edan?

As Dante’s retreating figure completely disappeared, Ivy turned around sharply in frustration.

Due to the magic cast at the mage tower, the garden’s flowers bloomed regardless of the season.

Flowers that grow in cold regions, flowers that only bloom in hot regions.

Vibrant flowers that never withered filled the temple’s garden year-round.

Ivy stared at the fountain in the center of the garden.

Her beautiful eyes were filled with anger and coldness.

The scent of flowers carried by the breeze brushed against Ivy’s body. Smelling the fragrance of the beautiful garden, Ivy ground her teeth.

This beautiful temple was hers, and hers alone.

‘No, I’ll protect it no matter what. I won’t let it be taken away.’

The image of Prince Edan Dietrich protecting Latieana lingered in the air.

‘Damn it, damn it, damn it, Latieana!’

She always takes what I desire most first.

Even Prince Edan. How could he choose Latieana over me?

How did that girl manage to win the prince’s heart before me! Could she have used healing power on Prince Edan? Is that why…?

As Ivy was lost in such thoughts, the maids, who had stepped back when Dante appeared, gathered around her again. Though her dress was already perfectly arranged, the maids carefully adjusted the hem of Ivy’s skirt. Ivy, sensitive to her appearance in front of others, sometimes threw a fit if her dress was wrinkled.

How long had it been since the maids stepped back?

“Commander Hillstain Mathias has arrived.”

Ivy spun around sharply.

“What?”

It had been a while since Hillstain visited.

He had been away on diplomatic duties and seemed to have finally returned.

The maid delivering the news slightly raised her head and said,

“Shall I tell him to come back later?”

Her sharp, high-pitched voice sounded almost as if she were refusing the visit.

“No. Tell him to come in at once.”

It was Hillstain. The cunning hunting dog who had shown her the most loyalty.

He hadn’t come recently, which had bothered her, but fine. He was busy, so she could forgive him generously.

Ivy’s gaze was drawn to Hillstain crossing the garden.

His silver hair, covering the nape of his neck, shimmered like waves in the sunlight.

Perhaps because of his upturned eyes, Hillstain, walking with an expressionless face, didn’t seem to be in a great mood.

But as he approached, he bowed courteously and smiled with fox-like eyes.

“I greet the High Priestess Ivy.”

Unlike Dante, Hillstain willingly gave a brief kiss on the back of her extended hand.

A gentle smile spread across Ivy’s lips.

The displeasure caused by Dante seemed to lift.

Her anxiety faded, and a satisfying calm settled in.

‘Yes. Hillstain came to me almost every day to receive my healing power. Unlike Dante, who leaves politely, he’s a man who enjoys pleasure.’

Ivy smiled seductively, raising the corners of her lips toward Hillstain.

“It’s been a while, Sir Hillstain. Have you been well?”

Since Hillstain always visited at night, Ivy thought she should show off her beauty more in the daylight.

She approached Hillstain, pretending to link arms while subtly pressing her chest closer.

Normally, Hillstain would have touched her hair or acted restless, wanting to embrace her.

But.

“Instead of such trivial greetings… Lady Ivy.”

“Yes?”

“His Highness Prince Killian is here as well.”

“Oh my, really? Where is he?”

She hurriedly looked around, but no one was in sight. Of course, she was pretending to be innocent, knowing he wasn’t there.

“He’s speaking with the High Priest and will come soon. He hasn’t used his abilities, but with accumulated fatigue over time, he might seek a blessing. Is that alright?”

“…?”

Ivy tilted her head with an innocent expression at his words, laced with hidden intent.

“Well, I suppose it’s fine for now.”

Hillstain gave a meaningful smile, muttering to himself.

His eyes weren’t smiling, only his lips curved upward.

Hillstain acted slyly, as if mocking her but not quite.

The same vague discomfort she felt with Dante crept back up.

Ivy placed her hand on Hillstain’s chest, as she had with Dante.

And she gradually pressed her chest closer to his body.

“Don’t you need it, Sir Hillstain? You always begged for my blessing, didn’t you?”

Her full chest, tightly bound in her dress, pressed against Hillstain’s uniform.

“I did, didn’t I?”

Hillstain glanced down at his body touching her chest, then turned his head back.

“His Highness is coming.”

Before Ivy could even activate her healing power, Hillstain stepped back, creating distance.

At the far end of Hillstain’s gaze, Killian was approaching.

“I’ll take my leave then.”

Hillstain lightly brushed his uniform, as if dusting off where Ivy’s chest had touched.

With a slight bow, Hillstain turned without hesitation.

Ivy’s lips twitched as she watched him, then closed tightly.

She didn’t even have a chance to ask about Latieana.

No, she couldn’t even have a proper conversation.

‘How dare they act so high and mighty?’

Hillstain, crossing the garden, paused briefly to exchange a few words with Killian before leaving the temple first.

Killian, passing Hillstain and heading toward Ivy, stopped again at a holy knight’s call.

Ivy turned sharply, ensuring her face was out of Killian’s sight.

Crunch, crunch.

With a frustrated, contorted face, Ivy bit her nails mercilessly.

Pretty beads fell to the ground, torn off by her teeth.

‘What’s going on? What’s happening? What is this!’

Neither Dante nor Hillstain mentioned meeting Latieana directly.

Is it because of that damned Prince Edan?

Come to think of it, she vaguely recalled Hillstain saying he injured his shoulder because of Prince Edan.

It wasn’t her concern, so she forgot quickly, but still.

Thinking back, Hillstain stopped visiting after his encounter with Latieana.

But he had clearly taken her side back then.

Though it was a bit suspicious that he let Prince Edan go so easily.

No, Hillstain is strong, but he’s definitely weaker than Prince Edan.

Was he scared and let Latieana go because of that?

Even so, why has his attitude toward me changed!

It was a subtle difference, hard to pinpoint, but Ivy could definitely feel it.

Both Dante and Hillstain had completely changed.

“High Priestess Ivy.”

With heavy footsteps, Killian’s voice came from right behind her.

Her lips, frantically biting her nails until they bled, froze.

The cold sneer in Ivy’s eyes turned icy.

Yes, I still have the Crown Prince. A man who will soon become Emperor and hold even greater power.

“Ivy?”

Killian took another step toward Ivy, who didn’t turn around.

Then Ivy’s cold gaze softened, and in an instant, her eyes welled with hot tears.

“Sob…! Sir Killian!”

As soon as Ivy turned, she threw herself into Killian’s arms, sobbing.