The Grand Duchess Escape

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Asella would probably ponder on this matter for the rest of the day.

‘Why did he marry me?’

This had been one of the questions that bothered her lately.

At first, she’d assumed he was marrying her so he could kill her, however, after spending some time in the Grand Duchy she came to a stark realization.

That, if he really wanted to, wiping her off the face of the earth would be a piece of cake, completely and utterly without a trace.

That meant his goal wasn’t just to kill her. There was another reason. Perhaps something of some value to him…

‘Could it be that it’s all about the special abilities?’

Having missed her awakening by so many years, most people had assumed she was a failure. However, there were also those who believed that she would have her awakening one day.

Maybe the Grand Duke himself had considered a similar possibility. After all, the history of the Empire itself had proven that there were many who coveted Chartus’s powers.

‘But… does that man really need the power of Chartus?’ 

This was a question that haunted her…

She couldn’t say that about other people, but that man, Calix Benvito, clearly didn’t need her powers if she were to manifest any.

He was a man who lacked nothing. He was the Lord of the Benvito family, he had status, immense wealth, and strength so great that no one could stand against him. It was to the point that if he wanted to, even taking the throne for himself would not be a difficult thing to do.

‘Then what’s the point of…’

Asella fiddled with her sleeve near her elbow, she felt a round, hard-to-touch object in the small pocket attached to the insides– this was the same mysterious object that the Priestess who had first healed her when she came to this place had secretly given her without anyone noticing.

‘My dear child, the Great Hall of Hevium is always open to anyone.’

Asella took a closer look at it when no one was looking, it was just a normal white stone. She tried rubbing it and squeezing it, but nothing happened.

Still, she felt like something would happen and she would need it. This intuition was more like a certainty.

After letting out a short sigh, Asella’s gaze turned to her sister who was still playing. Mariel was cheering on while still on Zeke’s shoulder, her face filled with excitement.

“Walk faster, Zeke-ajusshi!”

“I’m not an ajusshi, but you keep saying that!”

“Then run faster, ajusshi!”

“Ugh, don’t you think you’re being too hard on me, young lady?”

After confirming her sister was still occupied, Asella turned back to her thoughts

Perhaps this item was something that would activate when it really needed to. The Priestess had been so kind to her and even bestowed a divine blessing on her– there was no way she would secretly hand it to her for no reason.

‘I must keep it hidden.’

Asella then loosened her grip on the pocket, leaving the small stone there.

“Your Highness.”

She spun around quickly at the sound of the voice behind her and she met with Margo, who stood there, looking as neat as ever with her long hair arranged in her usual fashion.

Asella inquired as she feigned nonchalance.

“What is the matter, Madam?”

“Word came that a priest will be arriving soon.”

“A priest?”

For a moment, fear flashed in Asella’s eyes. She had been treated by that priestess not long ago. Why would another one be coming for her all of a sudden?

Asella instinctually grasped her wrist which was covered by her long sleeves. Mariel was the only person who knew she was hurt.

‘Could it be that she’s let the word slip out?’

Asella had to fight hard not to show her nervousness.

“This is a little… abrupt, didn’t they complete the treatment the other day?”

“It’s just a routine procedure to check your health, Your Highness. They will also perform treatments to stabilize your mind and body and boost your energy. It’s a simple divine power treatment, so there’s no need to worry.”

“…I’m fine.”

Asella declined, her voice trembling a bit at the end.

If a priest were to check her wrist, they might be able to read the aura and notice Mariel’s healing, and that would lead to revealing her awakening.

“Wounds from magical beasts often leave lingering residual effects on the body. Even after being healed with divine energy, in some cases, there are side effects that cannot be identified without a careful examination.”

She tried to avoid the checkup at all costs, but Margo was strangely firm and adamant.

“You’ve been through so much on your way here, I should have been more attentive, it all happened because of my negligence, it’s my fault, Your Highness– I’m extremely sorry.”

“No, how could it be your fault, m=Madam? Who would expect such an attack….”

Suddenly, Asella’s heart sank as Margo’s words reminded her of something she’d forgotten.

…There was another enemy targeting Mariel!

The scene of that day came flooding back to her. The fierce glare of the beast’s eyes, the attack that precisely targeted their carriage, and the creepy shriek of the beast when it found Mariel.

How could she have forgotten that? The beast targeted Mariel and no one else.

Asella asked Margot, trying to control her quickening breathing.

“Were you able to identify who was responsible for the attack on the carriage?”

Margo’s eyes narrowed slightly. Her gaze was sharp as if she were trying to assess the intent behind Asella’s question. 

After a brief moment of silence, Margo finally answered. “It seems that the beasts in the mountains have suddenly gone rogue during the breeding season.”

“That’s impossible.”

The beast’s attacks were no mere coincidence or accident– Clearly, someone had orchestrated it ahead. Asella vividly recalled the look in the beast’s eyes when it had found Mariel huddled under a blanket, shrieking frantically.

“I know that most magical beasts act individually, and I’ve never heard of them attacking people in packs like they did that day, but even so… you’re saying it’s just an unusual behavior because of the breeding season?”

“Yes.”

The reply came back instantly and without hesitation, but Asella could hardly believe it.

Something was definitely off.