“Are you talking about my friend’s matter?”

“Yes.”

Dante nodded.

Ivy, who had withdrawn her hand, firmly grasped the hem of her skirt.

She hadn’t expected him to bring her friend back right away, but since he came on his own today, she thought he would have some kind of result.

For example, an answer like he had found a way to bring Latieana back or when he would bring her back.

But what did he say? That he wants to pretend it never happened?

What kind of nonsense is that!

A fiery anger welled up from deep within. Suppressing the urge to shout, Ivy lowered her voice slightly, sounding disappointed.

“Your Grace.”

“Yes.”

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

“Yes. You even kindly provided information.”

Ivy’s brow furrowed.

Then shouldn’t he at least make some excuse!

But Dante stood there calmly.

He seemed to have no intention of making any excuses or sharing any opinions on this matter anymore. Ivy couldn’t understand his attitude that had changed in just a few days. But Ivy blinked her pretty eyes as if it was okay, as if she understood everything.

“You said you needed my help.”

“Yes.”

“Was there perhaps a misunderstanding? If my friend seemed to be on good terms with Prince Edan, that must have been a mistaken…”

“No.”

Ivy’s words were cut off.

This too was a first.

For the first time, the kind Duke Dante, who had always listened silently to whatever she said, coldly interrupted Ivy’s words.

“Regardless of such reasons, I simply no longer need that proposal.”

“Y-Your Grace!”

Ivy quickly jumped into Dante’s chest and embraced him.

Then, as if to seduce him, she placed her hand on his chest and slowly infused her red healing power.

“Did I upset you in some way, Your Grace? Why are you doing 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 the healing power has weakened since we haven’t met in a while. He’s always been obedient to my words until now.

That must be it. Ivy planned to pour in her healing power strongly enough to feel pleasure in order to win back Dante’s heart.

But Dante grabbed Ivy’s hand and dropped it. That’s not all.

Even though she had clearly sent her healing power, he was grimacing as if displeased. Then, as their eyes met, Dante relaxed his expression as if nothing had happened.

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

“…Pardon?”

With that, Dante turned around and left the temple.

Even his retreating back was polite, but humiliation washed over Ivy.

Her face contorted uncontrollably as her pride crumbled.

Why?

Could it be that he found out Latieana really has healing powers?

But if that were the case, there would be no reason for him to act like this.

He would have been angry thinking that I, a fake, had stolen the Great Saint’s position. He would have told the High Priest to drag me down immediately.

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

As Dante’s retreating figure completely disappeared, Ivy turned around irritably.

Due to the magic cast by the Magic Tower, the flowers in the garden were not affected by the seasons.

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

Vibrant flowers that do not wither all year round filled the temple’s garden.

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

Her beautiful eyes were filled with anger and coldness.

The fragrance of flowers drifted on the wind, brushing against Ivy’s body. Smelling the beautiful garden’s flower scent, Ivy gritted her teeth.

This beautiful temple was hers and hers alone.

‘No, I’ll protect it somehow. I won’t let it be taken away.’

The way Prince Edan Dietrich had protected Latieana flickered in the empty air.

‘Damn, damn, damn Latieana!’

She always takes what I desire most first.

Prince Edan too. How could he like Latieana when I’m right in front of him?

How did that Latieana girl win the prince’s heart before me! Could it be that she used her healing power on Prince Edan? So…?

While Ivy was lost in such thoughts, the maids who had briefly retreated at Dante’s appearance gathered around her again. Even though the dress fit was already well-adjusted, the maids meticulously arranged the hem of Ivy’s dress as she stood. This was because Ivy, who was particularly sensitive about how she appeared to others, would sometimes get irritated if her dress got wrinkled.

The maids retreated again, and how long had it been like that?

“Sir Hillstain Mathias, the Knight Commander, has arrived.”

Ivy whirled around.

“What did you say?”

It had been a while since Hillstain’s last visit.

He seemed to have just returned from carrying out diplomatic duties.

The maid who delivered the news slightly raised her head and answered.

“Shall I tell him to leave and come back later?”

Her high-pitched, irritable voice sounded as if she was rejecting the visit.

“No. Tell him to come in right away.”

It’s Hillstain. The cunning hound who had shown me the most loyalty.

I was worried because he hadn’t come recently, but well. I can understand with great generosity since he was busy.

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

His silver hair covering his nape reflected the sunlight, rippling like waves.

Perhaps due to his upturned eyes, Hillstain walking with an expressionless face didn’t look particularly pleased.

But soon, as he approached, he politely showed respect and smiled, curving his fox-like eyes.

“I greet you, Great Saint Ivy.”

Unlike Dante, Hillstain willingly planted a brief kiss on the back of her outstretched hand.

A gentle smile blossomed on Ivy’s lips.

Her mood, which had been soured by Dante, seemed to be improving again.

The uneasiness disappeared, and a satisfying calm settled in.

‘That’s right. Hillstain came to me almost every day to receive healing power. Unlike Dante who just acts mannerly and leaves. He’s a man who enjoys pleasure.’

Ivy smiled seductively at Hillstain, raising the corners of her mouth.

“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 closely, pretending to link arms while subtly pushing her breasts together.

Usually, Hillstain would make gestures like touching her hair or wanting to embrace her, not knowing what to do with himself.

But.

“Rather than such trivial greetings… Lady Ivy.”

“Yes?”

“Crown Prince Killian is here as well.”

“Oh my. Really? Where is he?”

She hurriedly looked around, but no one was in sight. Of course, it was an act of pretending to be innocent, even though she knew he wasn’t there right now.

“He’s briefly in conversation with the High Priest, so he’ll be here soon. He hasn’t used his ability, but he seems to have accumulated fatigue over a long period, so he might receive a blessing. Will that be alright?”

“…?”

Ivy tilted her head innocently at the words of concern with hidden intent.

“Well, I guess it’s still fine for now.”

Hillstain muttered to himself with a meaningful smile.

His eyes weren’t smiling, only his lips were upturned.

Hillstain acted slyly, as if sneering but not quite.

That inexplicable unpleasantness she had felt from Dante was creeping up again.

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

And she gradually pressed her chest against his body.

“Don’t you need it, Sir Hillstain? My blessing, you always begged for it. Didn’t you?”

Her ample bosom, tightly constrained by the dress, squashed against Hillstain’s uniform.

“I did.”

Hillstain briefly looked down at his body where her chest was pressed against him, then turned his head behind him.

“The Crown Prince is coming.”

Before Ivy could manifest her healing power, Hillstain distanced himself from her.

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

“Then I’ll take my leave first.”

Hillstain lightly patted his uniform, as if brushing off dust. It was where Ivy’s chest had touched.

Hillstain, who had bowed his head slightly, turned around without a moment’s hesitation.

Ivy’s lips trembled and then firmly closed as she watched him.

She didn’t even have time to ask about Latieana.

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

‘He’s leaving just like that?’

Hillstain, who was crossing the garden, stopped for a moment to exchange a few words with Killian before leaving the temple first.

Killian, who was passing by Hillstain and coming towards Ivy, stopped again at the call of a holy knight.

Whisk, Ivy turned around so that her face wouldn’t be visible in Killian’s sight.

Crunch, crunch.

With her brow furrowed in irritation, Ivy mercilessly bit her nails.

Pretty beads were torn off by her teeth and fell to the floor.

‘What is this. What is this. What the hell is this!’

Neither Dante nor Hillstain mentioned directly meeting Latieana.

Is it because of that damn Prince Edan?

Come to think of it, she seemed to have heard Hillstain say last time that he hurt his shoulder because of Prince Edan.

She had forgotten about it soon since it wasn’t related to her.

Thinking carefully, Hillstain’s not visiting also happened after the meeting with Latieana.

But he clearly took her side at that time.

Although there was some question about why he let Prince Edan go so easily.

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

Was that why he let Latieana go then, because he was scared?

Even so, why did his attitude towards me change too!

It was a subtle difference that was hard to pinpoint exactly what had changed, but Ivy could clearly feel it.

That both Dante and Hillstain had completely changed.

“Great Saint Ivy.”

Along with heavy footsteps, Killian’s voice was heard right behind her.

Her lips, which had been biting so frantically that blood was coming from her split fingernails, stopped abruptly.

Ivy’s eyes grew cold, filled with bitter laughter.

Right. I still have the Crown Prince anyway. A man who will soon become Emperor and have even more power.

“Ivy?”

Killian took another step towards Ivy, who wasn’t turning around.

At that moment, Ivy’s gaze changed to sorrowful, and hot tears welled up in an instant.

“Sob…! Lord Killian!”

As soon as she turned around, Ivy jumped into Killian’s arms, sobbing.