“What? Cas...?”
What’s that supposed to mean? Ceres looked at the three of them in confusion, but they only drank their tea or quickly looked away, pretending not to notice.
CAS—Ceres Appreciation Society. The rings were made to represent membership in that group. They were specially ordered with a gemstone that resembled Ceres’s violet eyes the most.
There were only three members, but they had no plans of accepting anyone else. Three was enough.
“Ceres, should we make one for you too?”
“Yes! Ceres should have one as well.”
“That doesn’t sound bad.”
“...Me too?”
Before she realized it, Ceres had become a member of a group dedicated to adoring her, all because of the three dukes’ insistence.
***
“Haa.”
Roel, the butler of the Grand Duchy of Persia, let out a long sigh. The past two weeks had been so chaotic and unexpected that he was barely able to process everything.
The death toll...
When the first report of the epidemic arrived fifteen days ago, he never imagined it would become this serious. A disease that caused coughing and high fever was something that appeared in the Principality of Persia every so often, almost like a seasonal illness. He thought this outbreak would be no different.
Even though the spread had been faster than usual, the sudden rise in deaths was something he never saw coming.
As the week approached its end, those who had been suffering from high fever and coughing began vomiting blood and dying one after another. Roel immediately contacted His Excellency and was now waiting for his response.
If it hadn’t been for her...
The death toll would’ve been far greater. Roel sighed again as he thought of that person, who was currently treating those suffering from the epidemic.
He picked up his pen to write another letter but soon found himself lost in thought. He needed to urgently inform the Grand Duke about her, but he couldn’t decide how to begin.
Knock. Knock.
“Come in.”
Roel lowered his pen at the sound of the knock.
“Excuse me.”
The person who opened the door and entered was a young woman who looked to be in her early twenties. Seeing her, Roel rose from his seat with a heavy expression.
“Have you just returned?”
“Yes. The critical patients in Eto Village and Ilis Village have all been treated.”
“You’ve worked hard.”
“It was nothing.”
Saintess Yuness. She had appeared in the Principality of Persia just as the epidemic started spreading and had been treating the infected patients at the very forefront ever since.
“If only I had arrived a little sooner...”
Yuness’ expression darkened as she remembered the patients who had died before she arrived. Roel sighed and shook his head. Their deaths were tragic, but without her, far more people would’ve lost their lives.
“You have done more than enough.”
After witnessing her abilities firsthand, Roel understood why people called her a Saintess.
The problem is...
She was staying at the Grand Duke’s residence without His Excellency’s permission.
The epidemic had even reached the residence, and it was Yuness who quickly treated many people within the household. Because of that, they had come to defend and praise her.
Normally, allowing an outsider to stay in Grand Duke’s residence required his approval, but no one could turn away someone who had treated many people in the region. Yuness herself also wanted to remain here rather than go elsewhere.
I need to tell him.
Another long sigh escaped Roel’s lips. Since Yuness appeared right after he sent the report, he didn’t have a chance to properly explain the situation to the Grand Duke. That was why he had been holding his pen earlier. He wanted to send another letter with the details added.
“I have a favor to ask.”
“Go ahead.”
“May I take a look around the residence? There’s something I would like to check...”
“No.”
“Pardon?”
Yuness flinched at Roel’s immediate refusal. At the moment, the only places she was allowed to use in the residence were the dining hall and the guest room she was given. Everywhere else was strictly off-limits.
“I can arrange another place for you to stay.”
“Oh, no. That’s not necessary.”
Yuness quickly shook her head at Roel’s offer to find her an inn if she was uncomfortable.
“I’m sorry for causing trouble. I just wanted to check something...”
Bang!
“Mr. Roel!”
Just then, a maid rushed into the room. Roel frowned at her for barging in without knocking.
“What is it?”
“His Excellency has arrived.”
“...What?”
Roel’s eyes widened at the maid’s words. He had sent news of the epidemic, but he never expected His Excellency to return so soon, especially without any prior notice.
“Where is he now?”
“At the entrance...”
Roel hurriedly left the room.
***
“Are you cold?”
“No!”
Ceres looked at Julia, who was holding her hand tightly. She let out a quiet sigh.
I never planned on bringing her.
That was why she had told the three dukes to look after the children while she was away.
“No! I want to go with you!”
“You can’t. It’s dangerous.”
“Then why are you going to such a dangerous place, Ceres?”
“...I’ll be fine.”
“What about me? Do you think I can just relax while you’re staying somewhere dangerous? Do you want me to spend every day crying because I’m worried about you?”
“........”
...Why was her little sister so good at arguing? Her last sentence had completely defeated her.
“I don’t want to be apart from you, Ceres!”
Julia had clung tightly to her leg, insisting she would never let go. In the end, ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) Ceres couldn’t bring herself to leave her behind.
“You really are too soft when it comes to Julia.”
Even when Antonian clicked his tongue and looked at Ceres as if she was hopeless for giving in, she had nothing to say.
Julia promised to behave.
As long as they stayed inside the Grand Duke’s residence, there shouldn’t be any danger. Ceres gently adjusted Julia’s clothes.
It’s been a while since I was here.
As Ceres entered the Grand Duke’s residence, she was filled with a strange sense of nostalgia. That was when she saw someone rushing toward them.
“Your Excellency.”
The man appeared to be in his early twenties, but Ceres immediately knew who he was.
He looks just like him.
He looked almost identical to the butler who had served here long ago. She could tell right away that he was his descendant. Even after three hundred years, his bloodline was still serving as the Grand Duke’s butler. That was impressive in its own way.
“Give me the report first.”
“Yes.”
Kainel was about to leave with the butler—
“Kai.”
If not for the voice that called out to him at that moment.
“......”
A woman slowly descended the stairs leading to the first floor. Ceres could only stare as the woman approached with a faint smile. Kainel was no different.
That’s...
Silver hair as mysterious as moonlight, a face so pale it seemed unreal, and the gentle smile she wore as she looked at Kainel.
...That’s me.
It was Grace.
.
.
.
Chapter 44: Saintess Yuness
“Your Excellency.”
Roel’s greeting was met with nothing more than a slight nod from Kainel. After bowing once more, Roel turned his attention to those who had arrived with the Grand Duke.
The aide Del stood off to the side with his hand over his mouth, looking sick. He was probably suffering from the aftereffects of using a teleportation scroll. Next to him were a young woman and a little girl.
Who are they?
The woman looked around the Grand Duke’s residence with a distant, nostalgic expression. Roel studied her with curiosity, but he had never seen her before. The little girl beside her was no different.
He had no idea who the Grand Duke had brought back with him.
“Kai.”
A voice that had become familiar to him by now reached his ears. It was Yuness.
Roel unconsciously frowned. When did she become close enough to call His Excellency by such an affectionate name?
“......”
Rolen quickly turned his gaze back and found the Grand Duke staring intently at Yuness. It was an expression Roel had never seen before. His eyes were filled with clear surprise.
What is this?
Has the Grand Duke ever looked at someone with such interest before? He always remained indifferent, never showing even the slightest curiosity toward anyone.
Roel looked at Yuness again. What exactly about her had caught the Grand Duke’s attention?
“Wow.”
A small gasp escaped from nearby. Who would dare make that sound in front of His Excellency?
Roel immediately turned around with a disapproving look, only to see the woman who had arrived with the Grand Duke standing there with her mouth open and her eyes shining brightly.
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