Chapter 12

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter Title: Chapter 4. Villains Become What They Are for a Reason (2)

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"Come on in, little rat."

"Call me that in front of the mistress, and you'll catch hell."

"Sneaky brat. Threatening me like that when you're no kid anymore."

"You're the sneaky one, threatening to bar me from the estate if I don't obey."

"Verifying a servant's background is my right."

"You already know my background."

"I don't. Edelaine does."

Edelaine had picked Lloyd up from somewhere and kept him closer than anyone.

Closer than family, even.

She relied on him more than anyone and gave him her heart. That alone made him untouchable. In truth, even if he hadn't come here, no one would have laid a finger on him.

No one was closer to Edelaine than Lloyd, after all.

This boy had undoubtedly been the one protecting her little sister for the past five full years.

"I can't say a word."

"When did I ever tell you to betray your mistress? I'm just offering to help. Going through Lucian every time must be a hassle and cost a fortune. You think I don't know you're in touch with him, and I've let it slide?"

"......"

Lloyd clamped his mouth shut stubbornly, as if he had nothing to say. Jeff added one more thing.

"There's a limit to what you can do alone, right? I won't pry into what Edelaine's hiding. Think of me as a convenient informant for trade."

"......"

"Cheap price, too. Practically free."

"Nothing's more expensive than free."

"That's why I said 'practically' free."

"......"

Lloyd pondered.

Now that Edelaine had inherited the Bertrand fortune, the savings might not matter much anymore, but life had a way of throwing curveballs.

If Edelaine ever wanted to run away again, they'd need funds. Pinch pennies to live well.

"She did order me to find out something."

"What's that?"

"The one targeting Saintess Genevieve."

"The saintess, out of nowhere?"

"And the warlock controlling monsters."

"Warlock?"

Jeff's eyes went wide.

"What good's knowing who's after the saintess?"

"No idea."

"The safest person in the Greenwinter Empire has to be the saintess..."

The reason didn't matter to Lloyd. He didn't need one. All that counted was carrying out Edelaine's wishes perfectly, intentions be damned.

Edelaine cherished him like a little brother, but to him, she was his mistress. His benefactor, his only family, and his most precious person.

Ever since the day she'd picked him up, without change.

"She also told me to investigate the saintess's husband."

"Why's that?"

"Said if he's no good, she'd force a divorce and bring her here."

"......"

Does she think the saintess is her daughter or something...? Jeff muttered despite himself.

"That girl's... got a real thing for the saintess."

"Even went so far as to foist her fiancé on her."

Jeff let out a snort at Lloyd's addition.

He'd told her to ditch those eyes if she couldn't see it even after looking at Shane, but they must be her little sister's eyes after all.

Still, why hunt for a warlock?

"Warlock... a warlock controlling monsters..."

Were monsters the kind of beings that could be brainwashed? Ones with intelligence?

Intelligent monsters popped up now and then, but they were rare mutants.

"Ever heard of one?"

"Think I heard something like it as a joke at a drinking party."

Jeff had wide connections.

The continent was vast, full of weirdos. Thanks to starting businesses and investing everywhere since childhood, his network was top-tier. He heard all sorts of stories.

Even so, the idea of a human controlling monsters sounded absurd to him.

"I'll dig deeper and let you know. Oh, and I won't breathe a word to our parents or big brother, so tell Edelaine that too."

"......"

"What? You're gonna tattle anyway, right?"

"I was only planning to tattle about the rat thing..."

"Fine, everything except that."

"......"

"No ulterior motives, ratling. We just want to know what to eliminate to keep from losing our little sister twice."

Jeff coaxed him gently.

But Lloyd's doll-like blank expression didn't crack. He stared and said,

"That doesn't sound like Shane Blancard to you?"

Jeff burst out laughing.

Even as a child, Edelaine had tried to avoid Shane. She'd run from his one-sided advances, but not out of fear.

"Shane's on our side now. Our goals align, at least."

Not losing Edelaine twice.

No one could hold onto Edelaine more surely than Shane right now.

The Bertrands wouldn't screw up twice.

*

"Saintess, it's time for bed."

"Got it. Just a moment... let me finish sorting this."

Genevieve answered without looking back.

The prayer room was cramped and dim. Though called the goddess's vessel as saintess, Genevieve had never once received a response from the divine. The gods granted fate and power, then merely watched.

The attendant waiting to serve her announced the time again, and Genevieve reluctantly straightened up and stood.

Her husband was on guard duty for the crown prince anyway, so no chance to meet. Even as newlyweds with frequent leave, knights-in-waiting stayed at the palace, and the saintess couldn't leave the church.

If asked if she missed him, yes—but not desperately.

He was a good man, but... honestly, Genevieve just wanted a family.

'I want a child soon...'

Wonder if saintesses get maternity leave...

If she had to go purify some far-off place again, childbirth would be impossible. She didn't know if the goddess's blessings applied only to her body or to an unborn child too.

"Don't push yourself; it'll harm your health."

"Don't worry. I'm sturdy."

The goddess had granted her servant abilities for easy toil.

No hunger without food.

Survival without sleep.

Mobility, at least.

Some called it miracles, but to Genevieve, it felt like a curse of servitude.

Especially recalling how she'd awakened these powers.

Genevieve thought of Edelaine's worried gaze. Don't overdo it, speak up if you hate it. The warmth of those two hands holding hers had been comforting, yet somehow off.

You have no idea.

How much I've longed for you all this time, not even a little.

How often I've cried feeling sorry toward you...

Back when life was at its hardest.

When she'd been denounced as a fake presuming glory, though she'd never claimed to be saintess herself.

Genevieve had wanted to throw it all away. She resented Shane for dragging her here as saintess. Grateful for rescue from hell, but he'd just shoved her into another.

Edelaine had cared for Genevieve herself, terrified of Shane. Kept her close, fed her treats, showed her nice things.

Told her to smile.

Said she was the protagonist.

After losing Edelaine like that, she'd obeyed Shane out of guilt.

Fear too, but more the pressure to be useful.

She'd sacrificed the one person who'd truly been on her side.

No one blamed her, demanded justice—but she couldn't forgive herself.

"The dawn air's getting chilly now."

"Winter's almost here. Then you'll have to head off again, Saintess."

"His Holiness said I won't go far this year. He wants me by his side this winter since he's not feeling well. Seems he has a lot to entrust me with."

"And with Duke Blancard's wedding officiation coming up soon..."

"It's not just that keeping me busy."

"His Grace is too much. Dumping such a big job on you to finish in a month, and picking you of all people to officiate..."

"Am I not the right choice? He's my benefactor, but so is Lady Bertrand."

"......But......"

The unspoken words were obvious.

Where do these ridiculous rumors about that guy keep coming from?

Even after marriage.

'If my heart pounding from fear counts as fluttering, then sure, it flutters!'

All she'd ever felt before the duke was like a frog before a snake. Why did people keep saying otherwise?

Genevieve quickened her steps, exasperated.

She'd rushed the marriage wanting a family, but also hoping a husband would distance her from Duke Blancard. Apparently, marriage alone wasn't enough.

Guess she needed a kid fast. Once she was a married mother, these rumors might finally die...

That was when it happened.

An arrow whistled past Genevieve's face and embedded in the stone wall.