The Grand Duchess Escape

“Greetings again Your Highness. I am Priest Roshan.”

“…Thank you for traveling so far. I imagine you have been quite busy.”

After exchanging formal greetings, Asella nervously nibbled the inside of her lip. Judging by the conversation between Margo and Roshan earlier, this order had come directly from the Grand Duke himself. The realization that there was no way around it made her mind clouded with anxiety.

Just then, Roshan muttered, looking serious.

“It doesn’t seem like there are any ears listening to our conversation, but it can’t hurt to be more careful.”

Roshan waved his hand lightly in the air, then a thin, semi-transparent hemispherical boundary formed around them.

“It’s a barrier, Your Highness. You can be rest assured – no one can hear our conversation from the outside.” Roshan explained as he noticed Asella’s puzzled expression. 

“Why are you doing this…”

“Don’t you have something to tell me?”

Roshan cut to the chase, and Asella flinched. It was as if he’d seen right through her.

“You don’t have to worry about your words leaking out, I’ll definitely keep your secret.”

Roshan’s eyes were warm as he waited for Asella’s answer, but Asella couldn’t bring herself to speak.

‘They’ll think it’s strange if I don’t receive any treatment’

Asella hesitated. She didn’t know anything about the person in front of her, and she might break her promise and tell the Grand Duke everything- even if she was a priest who served the Goddess Hernia, he could not be trusted.

Seeing how Asella was unable to speak, Roshan continued.

“If I may guess?”

“What?”

“Lady Mariel has awakened her powers.”

The color drained from Asella’s face in an instant, and stuttering words escaped between her parted lips.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You see, Your Highness, the Chartus’ powers leave a unique trail.”

While Asella tried to deny it, Roshan continued without hesitation with a gentle expression.

“I can sense a trace of it coming from you, Your Highness, but seeing as how it’s not being absorbed back into you, but rather scattered around you, it must be Lady Mariel’s power.”

Asella froze, a chill running down her spine, how could this priest know something that she herself didn’t?

“Wh-Who are you…”

“I know you must be surprised, but don’t worry. I’m just trying to help you, Your Highness.”

Roshan smiled softly and stood so he was in front of Asella.

“Do you still have the stone I gave you before?”

Asella slowly nodded.

“Actually, the stone is imbued with a teleportation spell, which creates a portal that allows you to reach the Great Hall of the Holy Province of Hevium.”

“A portal… you say?”

Asella stared at Roshan, still in surprise. Meanwhile, Roshan kept wearing his gentle smile as he replied.

“I hope you’ll never need to use it, but if you do, simply press your lips to the stone and the portal will open. Oh, and as I’m sure you know, but you can’t use it inside the Grand Duchy, so you’ll have to go outside the castle in order for it to work.”

Most castles and mansions of noble families were heavily spellbound to prohibit the use of portals regardless of whether they were into or out of the castle. This was to prevent intruders from utilizing teleportation spells to invade.

“May I ask why you gave me this…?”

Roshan looked like he was trying to recall an old memory and a faint smile crept across his aged face.

“I owe a favor to the late Marchioness Chartus, so it’s my way of repaying her.”

“Did you know my mother?” Asella’s eyes widened.

“Quite a bit, Your Highness. Ever since she was a little girl…”

Roshan, who was about to explain something, suddenly stopped talking and raised his hand in a hasty motion. At the same time, the translucent hemispheric veil around them lifted and vanished.

“Priest?”

“Shh! Someone’s coming.”

Roshan immediately stepped closer to Asella.

“We must hurry. I will begin the treatment immediately.”

A bright light surged from Roshan and surrounded Asella’s body. Like the last time, it was a warm, nourishing sensation.

Asella lifted her sleeve and saw the bruise marks fading from her wrist. The scars disappeared instantly, revealing the pure white, pale flesh.

As soon as the divine power radiating from Roshan dissipated, the door swung open. 

* * *

It was none other than Mariel who opened the door. Behind her stood Margo, looking embarrassed.

“My apologies, Your Highness, I tried to explain that it would be difficult to meet you now, but I couldn’t help it.”

“Sis!”

Before Asela could even react, Mariel leapt into her arms.

“I want to see how the priest heals too!”

Her sparkling clear eyes turned to Roshan. As he locked eyes with the child, the priest’s gaze warmed.

“I’m afraid that Her Highness’s treatment ended just a moment ago.”

“Already?”

The corners of Mariel’s eyes drooped like a puppy caught in the rain. Greatly disappointed, the child buried her face in Asella’s lap and her shoulder began to tremble slightly.

Embarrassed, Asella hastily apologized in place of the child.

“I’m sorry, Priest. She’s not usually like this, but she must have been looking forward to this…”

She patted Mariel on the back to soothe her. Roshan observed for a moment, then rubbed his forehead and spoke to Mariel.

“There are so many interesting things you can do with holy power besides healing. I can show you if you’d like.”

“Interesting things? What are they?”

As soon as she heard Roshan’s suggestion, Mariel, who had been clinging to Asella, raised her gaze in a snap.

‘That’s what I expected. The young lady is much brighter than I thought.’

Tears rolled down her cheeks, but Mariel’s expression did not look like someone who had cried, especially with the wide smile on her lips. Roshan swallowed hard trying to hold back his laughter.