Chloe could not enjoy what Illyae excessively enjoyed. The difference was so stark it made one question their birth origins. Meanwhile, Werner observed something different from Dante. 

“Hmm. She is pretty.” 

He muttered monotonously. 

“But she seems too common. Not my type.”

Dante stared coldly at Werner. Werner shrugged and chuckled.

“Why? Can’t I talk about my preferences when it’s a woman I’ll be living with for the rest of my life?”

“Are you thinking of refusing this marriage?”

“No, I can’t do that. My mother said if I refuse another marriage, she’ll remove me from the royal registry.”

Dante’s eyes remained cold. Despite the chill emanating from Dante’s demeanor, Werner remained unshaken.

“They say the throne will pass to six-year-old Raymond soon.”

Werner laughed brightly. Despite his love for leisure and women, there was a hint of seriousness on the Crown Prince’s face as he murmured, “The time will soon come when we need the power of the Saintess. The barrier is weakening.”

Tension also appeared on Dante’s face. The barrier that protected the continent, a legacy from hundreds of years past, was weakening with time. If it broke, beings from beyond would invade. This was why the royal family was pushing for the marriage between the Saintess and the Crown Prince, to wield her power according to their will. It was a strategic necessity and an unavoidable duty for the Crown Prince.

Dante sighed. 

“Are you alright with this?”

Werner shrugged without answering. Dante’s expression grew colder. 

“You’ll have more responsibilities.”

Werner suddenly smiled. 

“Thankfully, not yet. My marriage comes first. I heard Tyrannia has another daughter.”

“Don’t even look at or mention her.”

Dante’s response was sharp. 

“Why?”

“She will be my wife. I wish to avoid any conflict with the Crown Prince if possible.”

Dante was a cold flame. Though he might be warm underneath, his exterior was icy and destructive. 

Werner chuckled. 

“So, the rumor about a celebration at the Duke’s house is true.”

Werner licked his lips. He was slightly curious about the woman marrying that cold, icy man. Before Dante could respond, there was a loud explosion.

<i>Boom!</i>

An undeniable sound of a blast reached their ears. Flames and black smoke were clearly visible behind Werner, accompanied by the screams of people. Werner and Dante quickly stood and jumped out the window.

“Your Highness!”

The knights who arrived late called out desperately, but the two had already left without a response.

<b>* * *</b>

“Your Holiness! You must move this way!”

Illyae shook off Delko’s hand.

The guardian knights and other priests stomped their feet, but no one could stop Illyae.

“How can I leave the people behind! I cannot do that!”

The sounds of crying and screaming mixed together.

A faint sense of joy touched Illyae’s lips before fading away.

How much money had been spent for this event.

This incident will be blamed on the rioters.

Illyae ran toward the place where the flames were gradually dying down.

She stretched her hands to the sky and quickly recited a prayer.

The power flowing from Illyae emitted a brilliant light and calmed the people’s panic.

“Servant of the gods, Illyae prays! Please save those suffering!”

Dante and Werner witnessed the entire scene.

Just as Illyae wanted, she imprinted her image perfectly on Werner and Dante.

Werner’s eyes showed interest, while Dante’s eyes grew colder.

<b>* * *</b>

Today, at the place where Illyae went to pray, there was an explosion.

I heard it was an indiscriminate terror attack by rioters.

The Tyrannia Family, being the family of the Saintess, naturally had to offer support.

Normally, I was forbidden from going out because it was considered a disgrace to the family, but this was my only chance to go outside.

Mother dragged me out of my room.

“Why are you standing here? Go help your sister immediately!”

“Miss!”

Marien followed urgently with a pair of worn-out shoes in her hands.

Mother hesitated.

“Oh no, not again.”

It seemed like she was concerned about the Petros Family.

Mother bit her lip and called for her maids.

“At least dress her up lightly. What would Petros think if she goes out like that?”

“Yes, madam.”

The maids pulled me around and eventually put me in a carriage.

I fiddled with the awkward dress and clicked my tongue.

How long do they plan to keep up this charade?

Anyway, that wasn’t the important thing.

I stroked the lizard’s back with my finger.

The lizard had said that Illyae couldn’t possibly be the Saintess.

If Illyae was there now, it meant she was using her holy powers.

This might be a chance for the lizard to discover Illyae’s true identity.

“Don’t say anything to provoke Illyae again. Do you know how hurt she was when you said she smelled?”

I listened to my mother’s scolding with one ear and let it out the other.

I didn’t want to respond and had a lot to think about.

Illyae could be the protagonist of this novel because she was the Saintess.

But if she wasn’t really the Saintess… would Illyae become a heretic? If Illyae turned out to be a mutant, then maybe I could be the Saintess. But Chloe didn’t have any notable powers.

No matter how many hypotheses I set up, they didn’t perfectly match the novel’s settings and prophecies.

I bit my lip lightly.

There was definitely something hidden.

Ugh, my head hurts.

While I was deep in thought, the carriage arrived at the accident site.

The moment I was pushed out of the carriage, I felt suffocated.

“Ugh, the smell of blood.”

The lizard curled more tightly.

I soothed the lizard hiding between my skirts.

Its sensitive nose must be having a hard time.

Even for me, with a normal sense of smell, the stench was nauseating.

The smell of gunpowder, burning flesh, and blood mixed together.

This was truly a hellish place.

Among the crying people was Illyae.

Her disheveled clothes and soot-covered body.

Her lovely voice recited prayers as she held people’s hands.

It was clear why Illyae was the female protagonist.

The final touch was Dante and Werner by her side.

My heart sank.

“Dante…….”

This incident wasn’t in the novel.

That meant it happened because of changes I made.

I felt uneasy.

“Dante!”

Did Dante hear my voice? He turned his head toward me.

“Chloe?”

Dante’s lips moved.

As he tried to come to me, Illyae grabbed his arm.

“Your Grace, could you help me? We need to move this person inside the temple.”

I hesitated without realizing it.

But Dante didn’t stop.

“Sir Firt, assist the Saintess.”

“Yes, Your Grace!”

Dante immediately shook off Illyae and ran to me.

Looking into my eyes, he asked.

“Your face is too pale. Did something happen? Why are you here?”

For some reason, I felt a lump in my throat.

I felt like I was about to cry.

I took a deep breath and answered.

“I came to help, Dante. I heard there was an accident here.”

One of Dante’s eyebrows twitched.

He gently held my shoulder and said.

“In this condition?”

“Yes. What’s the problem?”

“It looks like you need help more than anyone. Oh, by the way, didn’t I send some dresses and shoes for you? Haven’t you received them?”

“……This is the first I’ve heard of it.”

Mother had been listening to our conversation and interjected.

“Oh! Something did arrive from the dress shop today, Your Grace. I assumed it was for Illyae and put it in her room.”