Empress Henzela’s reception room. Freshly cut flowers in the vases released a crisp, fragrant scent throughout the space. The Empress, wearing a golden crown, sat on a sofa dressed in a red gown, with Hillstain Mathias standing before her.

“You met the witch?”

Hillstain narrowed his eyes slightly, watching the Empress’s large feather fan fluttering gently.

“I contacted you on my way to the temple, but you were absent.”

“My apologies, Your Majesty. It was the day of the regular night knight training.”

“I understand. Such things happen.”

“Thank you for your generous understanding.”

Hillstain’s fox-like eyes, swiftly apologizing, curved prettily.

“So, what did the witch say?”

“Hillstain.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The elegantly swaying fan halted abruptly at her curious question.

“Who is Latieana Merigold?”

The atmosphere around Hillstain instantly turned icy cold—though the shift was so brief, the Empress barely noticed. Reacting sensitively to Latieana’s name, Hillstain immediately resumed his smile as if nothing had happened, and spoke without hesitation.

“She is Edan Dietrich’s woman. According to the temple’s speculation, she possesses the power of the Great Saintess.”

“You knew this already.”

“Yes. Didn’t you command me to investigate last time? When Princess Ciela mentioned that the Duke had a woman here.”

Thud! The Empress’s jewel-encrusted feather fan snapped shut violently. Her gracefully lowered eyelids lifted sharply, and a cold glint flashed within her pupils.

“You knew, yet you didn’t report it to me?”

“My apologies, Your Majesty. Haven’t various matters overlapped recently? I was simply overwhelmed.”

“The High Priest says her power is incomparably stronger than any previous Great Saintess. Did you know that too?”

“Yes. I am aware.”

“…….”

The Empress’s lips pressed stubbornly together at his effortlessly fluent reply, without the slightest hesitation.

Hillstain Mathias, though not born of a prestigious noble family, displayed exceptional talent and ascended to Royal Knight Commander at a young age.

His gentle disposition and unwavering ability to accomplish any task assigned to him had always pleased the Empress. Hillstain consistently exceeded expectations.

Until now, the Empress had trusted him implicitly—he was the most reliable knight among her subordinates.

But learning he had withheld information about Latieana planted the first seed of doubt.

Given his intense yearning for healing power, perhaps he had defected to the Great Saintess and deceived her.

She had intended to hold him accountable if he hesitated even slightly in his reply—but Hillstain answered with his usual composed expression.

Moreover, his answer matched precisely what the Empress had already learned from the High Priest. He appeared utterly loyal, as always, ready to carry out any deed or command she issued. Though he seemed to hide nothing, the Empress asked again, suspiciously.

“That woman possesses such extraordinary healing power—and you claim to have no connection with her whatsoever?”

Hillstain smiled smoothly.

“Your Majesty, were you deeply offended by my delayed report?”

The Empress quietly observed the upward curve of his lips.

“Didn’t I already tell you? She is Duke Edan’s woman.”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“I am grateful for Your Majesty’s high regard for my abilities, but even I cannot overpower the Duke. Latieana Merigold resides within the Duke’s castle—how could I possibly receive healing from such a woman?”

It was not a wrong statement. Hillstain disliked Edan, and Edan, in turn, distrusted Hillstain—the Empress’s right-hand man who obeyed orders like a dog.

If the woman was someone Edan cherished, she would have even less reason to share her healing power with Hillstain. Hillstain continued, sounding genuinely aggrieved.

“If you still suspect me, there’s nothing I can do—but recently, I’ve barely visited the temple. I used to go nearly every day when that witch was there. And frankly speaking….”

“Yes?”

“If that woman truly possesses the formidable power the High Priest praises so highly… I’d like to experience that healing power myself. Who knows? Perhaps then I might even consider betraying Your Majesty, just a little.”

Hillstain’s face, as he said this, glowed with evident delight at the mere thought.

“Ha!”

Laughter burst from the Empress’s lips.

Yes. Hillstain was a man faithful to his instincts. Even Ivy Violet, that witch—though her power had been false—had wielded considerable strength. But according to the High Priest, Latieana’s power was incomparably greater. No matter that she belonged to Edan—if Hillstain had known of her healing power, he wouldn’t have sat idly by. He would have done anything to claim that power for himself. Satisfied with his answer, the Empress dismissed her suspicion of Hillstain and rose from her seat.

“Hillstain.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I intend to inform the Emperor today that we’ve found a new Great Saintess.”

“To His Imperial Majesty?”

The Empress walked to the window, gazing down at the garden arranged to her taste, and began fanning herself with her elegant fan, snapping it open with a flourish.

“I’ll say that Edan Dietrich betrayed the royal family by hiding the Great Saintess. Therefore, you must stand as my witness. One High Priest alone is insufficient.”

“What testimony should I provide?”

“Simply repeat our conversation: Duke Edan knew Latieana Merigold was the Great Saintess and deliberately concealed it. How about it? Can you do that?”

Hillstain nodded gently, smiling softly.

“It’s not difficult. If Your Majesty wishes it, I shall do it. But if we proceed this way, news of the witch you’ve been hiding will also leak out. Won’t that be troublesome? If the nobles learn the previous Great Saintess was a witch….”

“That can easily be blamed on Edan. Excuses are never in short supply.”

“Then, Your Majesty—are you planning to summon Latieana Merigold to the temple?”

At this transparently obvious question, the Empress smiled.

“Hillstain, my faithful knight.”

“Yes.”

“Promise me—I will bring Latieana Merigold to the temple and ensure she heals you first.”

At that moment, Hillstain’s eyes gleamed sharply.

***

The carriage we rode in, driven by Killian Dietrich, crossed through the center of a vast, lavish garden overflowing with flowers. Gliding smoothly along the polished marble road, the carriage moved as if sliding over ice, without the slightest tremor.

“Latieana.”

“Yes.”

I turned my head toward Killian at his call, having been gazing out the window.

“Remember this: even if Mother suspects you and interrogates you, you must absolutely deny everything. Only then can I protect you.”

“Yes. I will.”

I clenched my eyes with determination and nodded firmly at Killian. He let out a faint, wry chuckle.

“Endure for just six months, and I promise you freedom. Since you’ve already pledged to use your power for me first, I shall offer you a worthy reward in return.”

“Thank you.”

I turned my head toward Edan. Our eyes met—he was gazing down at me.

Edan smirked, lifting one corner of his lips, and gently caressed my cheek.

Good thing you spoke up quickly.

This was just before we departed for the Imperial Palace, having received the Empress’s summons.

Before missing the timing, I proposed to Killian the plan I had arranged with Edan. Killian immediately accepted the proposal—and then advised me on how to behave within the palace.

The Empress, who had conspicuously summoned Edan and me to the palace right after Ivy’s disappearance, likely suspected I was the Great Saintess.

Neither the proposal I made to Killian nor the terms I negotiated with the High Priest would work on her.

Because I am Edan’s woman.

That reason alone would be enough for her to drag me to the temple, by any means necessary, just to torment Edan. Especially now that Killian and Edan’s relationship had improved after Princess Ciela’s failed scheme—her fury toward him would be even more intense.

Now that Killian is also on my side, there are countless ways to avoid going to the temple—but the cost would be too great. Particularly, it might significantly delay Killian’s ascension to the throne.

The laws concerning the Great Saintess can still be changed—but to change them favorably for Edan and me, Killian must become Emperor.

Thus, we concluded it would be entirely disadvantageous to confess to the Empress now that I am the Great Saintess. After all, very few have noticed this truth. Just a little longer—until Killian seizes power from the Empress.

“Welcome.”

The place we arrived at was a colossal golden palace, several times larger than Killian’s castle last time. Overwhelmed momentarily by its imposing height and scale, I noticed Edan’s brow furrowing.

“You were summoned here?”

“Why?”

“This is His Imperial Majesty’s palace.”

“What?”

“We’re heading to Father’s audience chamber.”

Wasn’t it the Empress who summoned us? Are we really going to the Emperor’s audience chamber?

Flustered, I glanced around again and looked up at the palace before me. The largest and tallest palace—it did seem far too grand to belong to the Empress. So this was the Emperor’s palace. But…..

“Edan.”

“Hmm?”

“Don’t you smell something strange?”

At my words, Edan lightly scanned the surroundings.

“What smell? I don’t notice anything.”

“Something… a faint fishy odor, I think.”

It was a scent that drifted in the moment we stepped down from the carriage.

I thought at first it was a momentary misperception—but apparently, it wasn’t a mistake. I couldn’t pinpoint exactly where it came from, but no matter how I looked at it, such a strange smell shouldn’t be emanating from this clean, immaculate place. A nauseating, peculiar odor—like the smell of raw fish… or perhaps the metallic tang of blood.