'How dare you make Dea cry.'
Medea, who never shed a single tear, must have felt so wronged that she cried without even making a sound.
Medea was Peleus's pride and joy, but at the same time, was his sore thumb that always brought him sorrow.
Peleus took his responsibility as a supreme being very seriously and pursued righteousness.
But the only exception to this was his only sister.
Peleus realized that the Saintess was at the center of these strange events targeting his sister.
"What if I simply cannot exist under the same sky as that woman? Would you still understand me?"
'It was weird from the start.'
If the sharp alertness and anxiety that day, which were not typical of Medea, originated from that woman.
Peleus was ready to cut off that woman's head at any moment.
Whether she was his benefactor or a Saintess chosen by God.
Even if the sin incurs God's wrath and lands him in hell.
Peleus's blue gaze landed on Rachel. Her shoulders trembled in shock at the cold gaze that was unable to tell what was going on.
Peleus spoke clearly and distinctly enough for everyone to hear.
"That dagger is mine. I was the first to know about the Saintess's injuries, and I was the one who forbade her from moving. So if that's the reason, you, Saintess, know that I am closer to the culprit. So why did you specifically point to Dea?"
People held their breath at those words.
"You Majesty, there is no reason to bow down..."
Rachel answered hesitantly, embarrassed. Peleus stared at her with even more sunken eyes.
"Do you really think so?"
"Yes?"
"Ha. Your Majesty, do you wish to protect your younger sister? I heard that the King of Valdina is a wise man who knows how to distinguish between good and evil. but it seems that was all nonsense."
At that moment, Paul came out laughing.
The short-handled dagger was clearly a woman's sword. It was set with jewels and was too small for Peleus's hand.
"It was not my sister who doubted the existence of the Saintess, but I."
Medea looked up in surprise at Peleus's firm words.
She expected him to protect her, but she didn't know he would step up in her place.
The back of the brother standing in front of Medea was large and broad. It seemed as if he would not let even a handful of criticism or sharp gaze reach her.
Why didn't I know then that I had a family that would protect me completely without any cost? Why didn't I even try to find out?
The one fleeting regret was fleeting.
'I won't miss it this time.'
As Medea clenched her fist beneath her invisible sleeves, Paul raised his voice.
"Your Majesty, are yous ure now confessing that you have denied your belief in the Goddes? Are you not afraid of being branded a heretic?"
At that moment, Sissair bent down and picked up the dagger.
He was carefully examining the sword under his glasses when he suddenly chuckled. Paul frowned at the blatant laughter that seemed to have no intention of hiding it.
"Superstition... High Priest. Let's assume that these strange objects were really aimed at Miss Rachel, no, the Saintess. But don't you think that's a bit strange?"
As if he was going to sweep the dagger's blade away with his hand, he pressed down with all his might. It was obvious that the blade would dig into his flesh, but there was no hesitation in his actions.
"Sir....!"
"Look closely. There is no wound. It is just a well-made counterfeit."
"What..."
Rachel was surprised.
'That can't be true...!'
But listening to his words, the dagger's light that had quickly faded was clearly different from the soft glow that only Mithril possessed.
Mithril is an extremely rare natural resource.
There are only three known veins on the continent, and each is located in a natural fortress, making it difficult to access, let alone quarry.
Because demand was overwhelming compared to supply, it became monopolized and exclusive to very wealthy or powerful royalty.
So Rachel, a gypsy who had never seen real mithril in her life, had no way of knowing the difference.
It was just a fake that looked good and was meant to be beaten.
'I'm sure I brought it correctly...!'
Rachel bit her lip.
All she learned from the warlock was curses and black magic to kill them.
She had never heard or known any detailed description of the weapon.
"This is not Mithril, nor is it Her Highness's dagger. Therefore, it is not right to say that Her Highness attempted to harm the Saintess."
Sissair looked at Rachel with a hint of mockery.
"It seems like someone wants to make you believe that."
Now, the one in trouble was the Holy Nation, who had been raising their voices and framing the Princess. The commander of the Knights Templar bit the inside of his cheek.
'Oh no. I should have checked the dagger first.'
The High Priest and the Valdinians were completely absorbed in their arguments.
Even if it was Saintess's words, he should have checked them out, but why did he blindly believe it, which was so uncharacteristic of him?
"Then you're saying it's not my dagger..."
At that moment, Medea's voice calmly cut through the silence.
"It's a shame. I thought you would be more discerning as the representative of the goddess. How dare you act so hastily."
It was a calm voice that did not even blame anyone, but Rachel felt ashamed. because she immediately understood the meaning behind those words.
The Princess was secretly criticizing Rachel for not having the qualities of a Saintess.
"I, I..."
"It is now certain that someone is deliberately trying to frame Her Highness the Princess. To be so angry at the curse cast by a fake dagger, isn't that too weak to be considered a representative of the goddess?|
Sissair surprised the priests with a mailing face.
"T, this... can you confirm that it is not the work of Valdinian? Even if it is not the Princess, is it possible that someone from Valdina..."
Paul still refused to admit the possibility that this might have been the Saintess's own play.
"Why would the Saintess do something like this? Knowing that the priests of the Holy Nation are coming, there is no reason to cause trouble that would worsen your relationship with Valdina."
The Commander of Knights Templar, who had been watching the situation, also intervened in the Saintess's defense, but Sissair pointed out in a mocking tone.
"It could be for the shake of sowing discord. Her Highness the Princess is like a lighthouse to our Valdina. If we bring up someone like this, Valdina will inevitably be shaken. I think this is a more reasonable reason..."
"That's ridiculous!"
'Why on earth isn't the brainwashing working? It should be taking effect by now...!'
Rachel stepped forward and refused the accusations leveled at me, unaware that all the marks she had left behind had disappeared.
The sight of him still sweating with his face exposed aroused people's sympathy.
However, some were not like that.
"Your Majesty, you believe me, do you? I risked my life to save you. Why would I..."
Rachel reached out to Peleus gropingly and staggered toward him.
"Ah, Saintess, it's dangerous to move so suddenly...!"
At that moment, the maid who had rushed out to support Rachel misstepped and slipped on the carpet on the floor.
The carpet that had been twisted by the movement moved, revealing the bare floor. And on top of it, a piece of paper that shouldn't be there appeared.
The detailed drawing with dots of ink is...
"This is... the structural diagram of our royal palace."
This was a diagram of the structure of Valdina Palace.
Comments
Post a Comment