In Tiendavis, the Holy Maiden is a symbol of hope and proof of God’s grace.

The appearance of the first Holy Maiden was about 300 years ago.

It was when people were in despair, as the dragon of rebellion, Noche, had half-slashed Tiendavis.

Tiendavis of that time, when God’s protection was intricately intertwined, was a world that could be called paradise without exaggeration.

The vast land received the protection of dawn, and every morning clear water flowed from the sky to moisten the earth. As twilight fell, the atmosphere caressed the world, and at night, life quietly sprouted.

The world newly created to escape the flood was so perfect.

Moreover, at that time, the ancient knowledge that had sunk to the bottom of the sea remained intact in people’s minds, and nations were established and cultures blossomed throughout Bis.

However, all of this came to an end with Noche’s betrayal.

The world stopped like a broken clock and slowly crumbled under the poison spewed by the dragons.

The land melted red-hot, poison rode on the wind, water dried up, and grass withered. Even the newly rebuilt countries and civilizations all collapsed.

When the messenger of God, turned into a demon, brought about destruction, all weak humans could do was endlessly despair.

Hope ceased and faith disappeared.

In that time full of chaos and despair, a girl appeared.

A girl with water-colored hair as if taken directly from Manyana’s hue.

That girl cried out to the crumbling Bis with Manyana’s voice.

Then, as if by a lie, the collapse stopped and the poison was purified.

The world was thus saved once again, and people exalted that girl as a Holy Maiden, praising her as the incarnation of Manyana.

Afterwards, the first Holy Maiden urged people to build towers and purify water on behalf of the sleeping Manyana.

What was built following that will was the Manyana Tower that stands tall in Tienda.

Since then, many Holy Maidens have appeared through the tower.

Although there has never been one with water-colored hair like the first Holy Maiden, they have fulfilled their roles for a long time.

Thus, the Holy Maiden was a symbol of hope that appeared in a world full of despair and a living grace, so the Holy Maiden required, above all, virtuous and noble qualities.

And the current Holy Maiden, Roble Tuha, was an ideal Holy Maiden as if drawn.

“Are you doubting that Roble Tuha?”

Sion asked as if surprised. So Ibi quickly nodded.

“Yes, she’s the only person who fits the conditions right now. She’s a young woman, has my belongings, and has a motive to curse me.”

Ibi said this while recalling the scene she had seen through Yubia a few days ago.

With Yubia’s help, Ibi was able to briefly examine her curse and vaguely see who had cast it.

It was a young and cold woman.

Ibi couldn’t help but think of Roble Tuha when she saw that woman.

Roble Tuha matched the gender and age range of the figure Ibi had seen, was of a noble status that others would bow to, and above all, the vague silhouette of the dress was similar to the ceremonial robes of the Manyana Tower.

Moreover, although it was a very long time ago, Ibi had once entrusted her belongings to Roble Tuha.

So Ibi had to confirm if Roble Tuha was really the culprit who cast the curse, and that’s why she had persuaded Sion to participate in the Wisteria Festival.

“But Roble Tuha has the authority to choose the next Holy Maiden, I wonder if someone like that would have a reason to go that far.”

“That’s because she’s the Holy Maiden.”

When Sion spoke skeptically, Ibi retorted as if it was such an obvious thing to say.

The Holy Maiden, a symbol of hope, must maintain noble dignity.

She must be kind, pure, gentle, beautiful, and obedient.

At the same time, she must not argue, must not be jealous, must not like to play or be dissipated, and must not be greedy and calculating.

Because there is such a strict image for the Holy Maiden, Holy Maidens always kept their distance from social circles and prohibited marriage and romance.

This is why Roble Tuha, as the Holy Maiden, mostly lived in seclusion and adhered to mysticism.

Because of this unwritten rule that a Holy Maiden must be Holy Maiden-like, Roble Tuha had no choice but to support Ibi.

Because choosing a commoner girl who sings with Manyana’s voice as her successor is the most Holy Maiden-like choice.

“But Roble Tuha would prefer her sister to become the Holy Maiden rather than me. The Holy Maiden position has been the Tuha family’s for generations, and they say those two are very close sisters.”

“That could be the case.”

“Yes, that’s why you, Count, need to confirm this. This is something only you can do.”

Ibi spoke with her hands clasped together under her chin.

Although she looked pure for a moment, Sion decided not to be fooled anymore.

“So you want me to talk about your curse in front of Roble Tuha?”

“Yes. If you can speak, it means that person already knows about my curse.”

Ibi said with her black eyes sparkling, and Sion nodded inwardly.

Right, don’t be fooled by that cute face. This is a strategist. A schemer who disarms the other party with clear eyes, a master of tactics who enjoys hitting others from behind.

This terrifying Ibi Ariate intended to use Sion’s curse of being unable to reveal secrets to distinguish between what the other party knows and doesn’t know.

“I didn’t expect the scope of cooperation to include curses.”

“Well, the more the merrier.”

Sion let out a laugh close to a sneer at Ibi’s frivolous answer. So Ibi added firmly.

“Why, there’s a saying like this. Every weakness can be a strength depending on how you use it.”

“I wonder if that’s really the right analogy…”

Sion laughed again as if dumbfounded.

So Ibi thought that the Count had been laughing a bit more frequently lately.

Of course, it wasn’t ordinary laughter but sneers full of arrogance, but considering his completely cold demeanor in the past, it was a great improvement.

As Ibi was quietly observing, Sion asked again.

“Then do you have any other plans until the banquet?”

Most festivals or banquets start late in the afternoon on the second day.

This is because the majority of nobles spend the first night drinking and gambling until dawn.

So until early afternoon, those who are sober at that time gather, or they have tea with those they are close to.

Sion asked Ibi first if she was also participating in such gatherings, and if he needed to be with her.

To this, Ibi cheerfully shook her head.

“Ah, it’s fine then. I’m going to see the Marquis.”

“Marquis?”

“Yes, I heard he collapsed yesterday and is still recuperating, so I’m going to pay him a visit.”

“A visit?”

“Yes… a visit.”

Sion picked out the words and asked twice. So Ibi felt a little embarrassed.

Ibi looked at Sion with an expression that said ‘Is there anything wrong with that?’, and Sion looked back at Ibi before swallowing a sigh and saying,

“It won’t look good if you visit right away when the Marquis is in such a state.”

“Hmm, but approaching a sick person is a Holy Maiden’s duty.”

“Are you serious?”

“Do you think I’m serious?”

Ibi, who failed at pretense, pursed her lips in displeasure.

Sion muttered to himself as he watched her.

“You have quite the stomach to go there.”

“Hmm…”

“…What’s with that expression?”

“It’s an expression that says, ‘Did you just realize that now?'”

Sion laughed as if dumbfounded at Ibi’s bold answer.

But Ibi didn’t laugh at all and just rolled her eyes to the side.

It seemed that the Count had completely misunderstood Ibi’s words.

Rather, Ibi was puzzled as to why the Count underestimated her stomach so much.

‘Hey, it’s because I have a strong stomach that I’m even dealing with you like this.’

Would he understand if she said this outright?

Could it be that the Count thinks he’s better than Cassel Montra?

Or has he already completely forgotten what he did?

No, you’re worse to me. What you did is far worse compared to what the Marquis did.

Ibi pressed her lips tightly to hold back what she wanted to say. Then she looked away for a moment with a gentle expression pretending to smile.

.

.

.

Come to think of it, it’s natural for the Count to be so dull.

Because he’s a person who doesn’t need to be sensitive.

That fact was already clearly revealed yesterday under the profusely blooming wisteria.

Yesterday, Ibi was running around looking for things to do with her nerves on edge like a small herbivore.

On the other hand, the Count sat like a huge lion, suppressing and dominating that space.

It’s funny to say this after borrowing that prestige, but Ibi was truly amazed.

How can people be so different when they’re the same species?

Things that are difficult for Ibi are too easy for the Count.

So Ibi and the Count even live in different ways.

Rabbits live in rabbit ways, lions in lion ways, crows in crow ways, but for some reason, only humans are so different from each other that some become emperors, some become nobles, and some exist as truly insignificant commoner girls.

This instantly makes the phrase ‘same people’ meaningless.

So that’s why. That’s why the Count can be dull and Ibi always has to be sensitive.

This is really tiring too, but what can I do? I have to endure.

Ibi took a deep breath and shook off her stuffy feelings. Then she stepped gracefully into the marble-decorated corridor.

Cassel Montra was staying in the east wing of the villa, which had better rooms. But the room he was using would be the second-best room in this villa. Because the owner of the best room was already separate.

When she crossed over to the east wing, the corridor was already crowded with people. Most of them were Montra Marquis’s people.

Ibi greeted them and headed towards Cassel’s room, when suddenly the door opened and a group of people came out.

And among them was a figure Ibi knew well.

“You…?”

Rio Tuha, who had just come out of the room, muttered as she stopped upon seeing Ibi.

Rio was dressed in formal attire as usual.

As the daughter of the family hosting the festival, she could have dressed more lavishly, but whether due to her stubborn personality or her longing for the Holy Maiden, Rio’s attire was neat today as well.

Of course, only her outward appearance was neat; Ibi knew well how much this young lady barked and yapped.

Sure enough, Rio asked with a slightly furrowed brow.

“Are you here to see the Marquis?”

“Yes, Miss Tuha.”

Rio’s expression hardened further at Ibi’s answer.

So Ibi prepared for an attack.

Let’s talk for a moment. What on earth are you doing? Don’t misunderstand that your wrongdoings have disappeared just because the disciplinary action was canceled!

Rio’s irritated voice vividly came to mind.

However, contrary to Ibi’s expectations, Rio just looked down at the floor with a slightly furrowed brow.

“Since you’re already here, it can’t be helped, but it would be better not to stay too long.”

Rio said coldly and passed by Ibi. So Ibi wondered why she was suddenly acting like that.

Ibi also entered the room where Cassel was staying, leaving Rio behind.

There she saw Cassel sitting neatly on the bed, surrounded by influential nobles.

Despite suddenly collapsing and lying in a sickbed at someone else’s family festival, Cassel was in quite a cheerful mood, chatting and getting along with his friends.

“Oh, perfect timing. Come here, come here!”

Cassel gestured happily as soon as he saw Ibi.

‘Perfect timing? Were they talking about me?’

So Ibi observed the atmosphere of the room, wondering what it could be.

Cassel had his usual sly smile on his face.

But the reactions of the nobles standing around him were a bit strange. They were all looking at Ibi, some with meaningful smiles and others with eyes full of sympathy.

So Ibi’s heart sank without knowing why.