'Dea. I told you I would become independent with you.'
But then the Emperor died.
The situation became such that Cesare had no choice but to inherit the throne of Katzen.
The resulting chaos, and the enemies targeting them at every moment.
The fact that Medea had to bear all that burden alone made him unbearable.
'I promised I would keep it.'
Did he not dare to covet Medea's side, believing that only he could fully protect her?
But now that that oracle had been so cruelly betrayed, Cesare could no longer contain his anger towards himself.
'If it's like this, it's no different from before.'
Overlapping his memory was the image of the young Princess of Valdina enduring the Queen Mother's punishment alone in the rain.
"Damn it, for something like divine punishment..."
Why couldn't he endure it?
Even if it meant losing his life on the spot, he should never have given in.
The north wind blew across his chiseled face.
The fact that he had lost consciousness while fighting the divine punishment until the very end, if he had refused the oracle, was of no comfort to Cesare now.
Rather, it only proves his own weakness.
His hands gripped the reins with such force that a horrible, creaking noise was heard.
'Why is the goddess...?'
The flames of anger soon spread to the source of the divine punishment.
Why are you pushing Dea to such limits?
Even when he was dying from the curse of the beginning, Cesare never blamed God.
In the first place, he neither believed in nor relied on God.
Even when the Holy Land was talking about Medea as a Saintess and an agent, he simply thought it was enough if it was something that could compensate for the wounds she had suffered in her past life.
But now, for the first time, anger towards God welled up deep within his heart.
Perhaps it was because the small amount of hope that the goddess would not ignore Medea was shattered.
'You said she was your child.'
If you were to say that she is the child of Venus and your representative...
Why do you allow fakes and falsehoods to run rampant, and then, in the end, use your name to divide us?
An oracle ordered her husband to find a new companion.
Repeating Dea's most agonizing nightmare from her past life, are you sending her to the brink once again?
Suddenly, Cesare gritted his teeth. Perhaps it was because he had been harboring blasphemous thoughts toward God. A red glow flickered across the back of his hand, where he held the reins, leaving a fresh scar.
"Hey!"
A white cloud of dust rose behind the black horse as it gave another spur.
***
At that time, Katzen's Cathedral.
Dong. Du dong.
The ceremonial bell rang, signaling the coronation. The nobles of Katzen took their seats first. The royal family, including the Fourth Princess, stood at the front, followed by the nobles of Katzen. Each suppressed anxiety, tension, and a vague sense of anticipation, and they studied each other's expressions.
A little later, the delegations from each country entered.
The cathedral's colors were further enriched by the costumes representing each country's patterns and origins.
"How long has it been, seeing you here again? The last time was at the Imperial Council held at the Central Temple, wasn't it?"
"Ah, actually, I was in Katzen recently. It was for the late Emperor's birthday banquet. I didn't know it would end so quickly, though."
The envoy from the small country stuck out his tongue.
"But even if the coronation was like that, isn't it really strange that an oracle came out again?"
As the conversation continued, someone cautiously asked a question.
"It's only been a little over a year since the first oracle was passed down. Has there ever been a time in continental history when another oracle was passed down so quickly?"
"Hmm, maybe because they're related? The first oracle pointed out the Princess of Valdina as the bride of the evil one, and the second oracle pointed out her husband as the consort of the Saintess."
"Then doesn't this second one contradict the first oracle?"
The other person tilted his head.
As a devout Catholic, it was difficult for him to accept it.
"How can you do this twice, when it's so hard to even get a wire?"
Someone who noticed the attention was focused on them quickly lowered their voice.
"If it is God's will, what can I do? We can only watch for now."
They glanced at Valdina's side.
The tension grew even higher as the young Emperor of Valdina, who had only been heard of through rumors, was joined by knights who were known to be vicious.
"But I don't know why I feel so uneasy. If it's an oracle as mentioned in the Bible, why does it make people so uneasy?"
"Shh! Do you want to get kicked out of the Catholic Church because such nonsense reached the ears of the Holy Nation? What power does a small country like ours have? We should just follow the current and not go against it. Ah! There it is!"
A cream-colored carriage stopped in front of the wide-open cathedral.
"The Holy Nation has come! The Holy Lady Rachel has come!"
People stopped talking.
The first to get out of the carriage was Pope Paul.
He succeeded in attracting attention with his priestly attire, which was much more ornate than usual, and turned around to extend his hand toward the carriage.
It seemed as if the hem of a soft, ivory dress was first revealed, and then a blonde woman appeared.
"Vicar Paul and Saintess Rachel."
The one who welcomed them was the Marquis de Leniard.
At this coronation ceremony, attended by both domestic and international dignitaries, he personally took care of their protocol from the very beginning, signifying his recognition of Rachel's status.
At the same time, it was a clear declaration that he, the center of the First Prince faction, had turned his back on the First Prince's wife and stood on this side.
The faces of the priests of the Holy Land, including Rachel and Paul, became brighter.
"I will invite you inside. As I said, I apologize once again for His Highness the First Prince being unable to attend the ceremony."
"Your Excellency, you are being too polite. We will soon be a family, and if we cannot even show that much consideration, even the goddess will scold us."
Paul, or rather the black magician disguised as Paul, was delighted.
If he had to face the infamous conqueror who had annihilated his comrades, he would have found it difficult to conceal his anxiety as he faced today's great undertaking.
Rather than facing someone with beastly senses and instincts, it would have been better to hold the ceremony with the groom's seat empty.
'It's over once the oracle is fulfilled anyway.'
"If it is certain that our Saintess will ascend to the throne, what problem would there be?"
How could he be so angry when he opened his eyes, and everything was forcibly sorted out?
"Yes, that is clear, so Pope can rest assured."
"Haha, I wish I had a chisel."
It meant that he wanted to erase Medea's name, which was already engraved.
The Marquis de Leniard's face hardened for a moment.
But it was only for a moment, so no one in the Holy Land noticed.
"Don't worry, once the Saintess's name is engraved on the Oath Stone, everyone will know who the true companion is."
"As expected, you are a great national hero, so you speak with understanding. Please come in!"
Paul walked briskly.
The Saintess Rachel immediately caught everyone's attention as soon as she appeared.
"Your Ladyship, I am the Duke of Nova of Suses. It was once at the Imperial Proclamation Ceremony of Valdina."
People rushed to greet her and make eye contact.
This was because she, who had not been seen for a while, had now appeared as the sole representative of the Holy Nation and the person who would soon become the next Empress of Katzen.
"Of course, thank you so much for coming. May the goddess grant you and your family peace."
Rachel answered each one with a voice as sweet as a dream.
It was an attitude of arrogance and composure mixed together, as if she were the host of this place.
Then suddenly, Rachel noticed someone in front of her and was delighted.
The metal brooch on the crimson tunic worn by the handsome man with a kind expression had a pattern representing the Katzen Imperial Family.
"Grand Duke Castulo, it's been a while."
"It's reassuring to see that Saintess Rachel has arrived safely."
Jason responded.
The two exchanged glances for a moment, without speaking.
"It's all thanks to the kindness shown to me by the Grand Duke. Goddess said that we must always repay the kindness of others."
Rachel smiled meaningfully.
She knew of Jason's obsession with Medea.
So, these words were her 'promise' to her comrades who had conspired with her in this grand scheme.
"As the Goddess' representative, I can tell you that the day will soon come when Your Highness will also achieve that goal."
A promise to hand Medea over to him.
"I will do my best to help you. It will be easier if you become a member of the royal family."
Rachel's voice was proud and arrogant, as if she were trying her best.
"...Saintess."
His red eyes stared intently at Rachel.
Passing by the Katzen imperial emblem, clearly embroidered on the beige robe she wore.
From the gorgeous tiara on her golden head to the veil made of a net of white flowers scattered on her head, the tiara was inlaid with five-colored jewels, and the veil was studded with diamonds rather than pearls. It was too large and ornate to be a veil for religious services.
So, she looked like a bride-to-be from head to toe.
So much so that it seems a bit frivolous
"Grand Duke, are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?"
Rachel, who noticed the gazes scattering around her, asked with annoyance.
The corners of Jason's mouth quirked as if he was smiling.
Contempt and regret flashed across his red eyes.
"It seems like the opponent has changed, so you have changed a lot. Perhaps, this is the Saintess's original appearance.
“What?”
"You certainly look happier than before."
“In the past? When are you talking about?”
Rachel asked in confusion, but Jason had already returned to his dream and was gone for a long time.
"Saintess, please go to your seat."
Paul approached and held out his hand. Rachel was led by his hand and rode again.
'Heh, that gloomy guy came here to make a fuss and talk nonsense.'
A faint smile hung in her eyes as she glanced at the spot where Jason was sitting.
"Uh. Uh! Over there..."
And then, the First Princess finally appeared.
"..."
The noisy people became quiet.
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