《Cannot Escape the Devil》 Chapter 1 Part 1 - Encounter Chapter 1 Part 1 : Encounter Translated by Gigi Edited by Schwarzel Something heavy was thrown over the towering stone wall. There were crowds of people gathered under the stone wall, but none of them paid attention to what was being thrown. Even though it was a bloody woman. The attention of the gathered people was beyond the towering walls, not a woman who was already dying, or maybe already dead. ¡°Give me something to eat. Water or anything is fine, please.¡± ¡°Please save me! Let me get out of this place! Please.. I don¡¯t want to die. Help me!¡± ¡°The child is dying! He needs medicine, please give me some medicine! Please!¡± Asaya felt helpless and looked at the people while trying to reach out over the wall somehow. ¡°Pathetic people¡­.¡± Yes, it was pathetic. There won¡¯t be anything different if she cried out here because her throat would burst. It must be a useless hope, but what on earth is ¡®please save me¡¯? Do they think they can get out of this hellish place and step into the realm beyond the wall? No, do they think they can live happily even if they did enter the wall? Sounds absurd. Even if they are lucky enough to catch the eyes of the nobles and enter the ¡®Muraye Empire¡¯ beyond the wall, most of them will be like the woman lying there and dying. ¡°It¡¯s really pathetic.¡± Asaya muttered. Leah, the only friend and family member who was guarding her side, stared at her. ¡°Who are you to talk about being pathetic? You are sitting here too.¡± ¡°That¡¯s why I am pathetic too.¡± Asaya smiled weakly as she looked at Leah, who was guarding her side silently. She had been with Leah since she was very young. Leah was an orphan of unknown origin, wandering alone without parents, and was picked by Asaya¡¯s father. She became a guardian who protected Asaya¡¯s family. ¡°That woman, is she the woman who passed away a month ago?¡± At Leah¡¯s question, Asaya nodded. ¡°Perhaps.¡± ¡°I thought she would last two months, but it¡¯s been only one month.¡± ¡°Yeah. I thought she would last for quite a while, but she couldn¡¯t do it for long. Still, that woman, she was the most beautiful woman in this area.¡± ¡°It¡¯s an obvious ending to be thrown like a corpse like that, so why did she throw herself in vain hope?¡± ¡°Here she is. Didn¡¯t die in luxury but the same as everyone else.¡± ¡°But I hate such a miserable death.¡± The woman¡¯s body was no longer intact. There were signs of abuse everywhere. The bruises and sharp cuts that did not suit her fine body made a person guess how hard and miserable her life had been. ¡°Everything is the same when you die. Where in the world is death not miserable? Rather, that death was meaningful.¡± Riches and food were received in exchange for being rolled into toys after following a nobleman. However It was not a meaningless death because she fed her family to their full stomach. The woman went over the wall to see the young nobleman passing by. He said he loved her, but unfortunately, it wasn¡¯t true love. It said it all when her bloody corpse came back. ¡°Are you really going to stick around here?¡± Leah asked. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°No, let¡¯s go home now. What will be different this time?¡± Leah urged Asaya. Asaya smiled bitterly. ¡°We have been starving for about a week now. It¡¯s harder to steal from someone else¡¯s because they are all dead. And the only ones left were our comrades who got everything.¡± ¡°If you move to another area, will there be anything different ?¡± Leah asked. Probably not. Asaya would be starving to death still. After becoming a sinner and being driven to this land of death, she had a painful experience of how barren life was. The danger of human-eating demons and plagues from the corpses left by demons was better than this land. The most serious problem was famine. ¡°What and how to live in a land where even crops cannot grow? What can we do in this polluted place? Now that we have nothing, how long do you think we will be able to continue living day by day? I can¡¯t stand it anymore.¡± ¡°.. Asaya, no!¡± Leah tried to say something, but soon shut her mouth tight. Then she quietly looked around. There was no answer on this land anyway. Because the land of the abandoned was an infinitely harsh place. Chapter 1 Part 2 - Encounter Chapter 1 Part 2 : Encounter Translated by Gigi Edited by Schwarzel As the call bell rang loudly, a dark shade casted over Marshall¡¯s face. He swept his dry face down and checked his watch. 10:30 PM. It was bedtime for Edwin Kabelheider, the master of this mansion. A genius who took over the August estate from one of the masters of the 12 estates at a very young age. Youngest and brightest of the twelve people who received the title of ¡®Great Duke¡¯. A knife-like kid with sharpness, toughness, and beauty all over. He was one of the royals. He was always accustomed to getting attention wherever he went, and he was a man who had no choice but to pay attention. A young genius, a great handsome man, and the devil of August. Various and colorful modifiers always followed his name. Next to his name, which often adorned the front page of manuscripts, the names of numerous women constantly chased him up and down. Of course, most of the scandalous scandals ended with short and concise words such as factless and falsehood, but the popularity of his name in the marriage market soared without him knowing. That¡¯s why his life was always upbeat. Just like now. ¡°I am gonna be scolded.¡± Marshall sighed. Now that he heard the call bell ringing, something must have gone wrong. It only has been 30 minutes since he sent the newly hired priest to see his master¡­ Marshall took a deep breath, firmly holding his chest. Then he carefully knocked on the door of his master¡¯s room twice, and went inside. ¡°Did you call, My Lord?¡± ¡°Who chose this woman?¡± Instead of answering, Marshall identified the woman sitting on the floor. He saw the woman was trembling with a bloody dagger. He saw Edwin¡¯s white gown and white bed linen stained with red blood and the amount of blood shed was considerable. Marshall sighed. ¡°Remove her!¡± Edwin ordered. ¡°Everything you picked is not normal.¡± He yelled at Marshall. Immediately, soldiers went into the room and tried to grab the woman and drag her out. But the scared woman took something out of her scattered clothes and put it in her mouth. Her eyes rolled up and down and fell down with foam in her mouth. Her body got stiff as she was having a seizure. However, this was a situation which Marshall had seen so often, so he wasn¡¯t surprised anymore. ¡°It¡¯s all the same in the end. Is loyalty extraordinary as a man who serves God?¡± Edwin¡¯s voice was very gentle and calm. It was too calm for a person who had just been stabbed by a priest who got hired with a high price at night. He was neither in pain nor angry or resentful. He was just looking at the woman¡¯s body being dragged away with cold eyes. ¡°I think we¡¯re going to be in big trouble at this rate. Just pretend to cooperate with the church¡­¡± Marshall spoke. Edwin groaned at Marshall¡¯s words. ¡°Now, what¡¯s the difference if I pretend to cooperate? I will be fooled by the church.¡± ¡°Hah, I am sorry. I will try to find another priest as soon as possible.¡± Marshall said. ¡°Is it so difficult to hire a person who has no contact with the church?¡± Edwin asked. ¡°But¡­ The majority with divine power cannot escape the eyes of the church. It is difficult to find a person who is not a member of the church right away. On top of that, there is a limit to completely filtering out the spies of the church who approached and disguised their identities¡­¡± Marshall explained. ¡°I know it¡¯s not easy. But I don¡¯t have time, and I¡¯m saying that because I trust my talented subordinates more than anyone else.¡± Edwin told him. Marshall bowed his head. ¡°I am sorry.¡± A holder of divine power that is not controlled by the Church. That was the only thing Edwin needed. Because he was born with a body that would die without divine power. Edwin gave up a short breath. The chronic pain that had constantly plagued him since birth was tearing his limbs again. ¡°Are you okay, My Lord? I will contact the monastery and convent immediately and bring the priest.¡± ¡°Why can¡¯t I use my manpower for my personal business?¡± Edwin annoyingly wiped the blood from his neck. He was born a cursed being under the guise of blessings. He hated and was annoyed with his weak body, which he could not live without relying on others, and the sensitivities that no one could be able to care for. He had to suffer from pain all his life and insomnia, where he could not sleep properly once. Not only Edwin, but all other royal births suffered the same fate. Chronic pain that came constantly, insomnia and frequent illnesses that were killing their bodies slowly. So, each Royal had a divine power holder who took care of them. Edwin also had a priest of his own. However, two years ago, that priest had died in an accident. How many priests dedicate their lives to an individual? It was not easy to find such a manpower itself. The number of priests was so small that Edwin was not able to have the precious divine power holders come and go every day. Because of that, he has been hiring a temporary priest to come at night. But the end was a repetition of the situation as it was tonight. Either the priest woman was bought or was a spy sent from the church. ¡°I will try to find a new priest as soon as possible.¡± Marshall knew well that he was fortunate to be greeted with a bitter nagging of his master because he could have lost his life due to what just happened. ¡°How about your wound, My Lord?¡± Marshall was rather concerned about his owner¡¯s wound. But, as if it didn¡¯t matter, Edwin roughly bandaged and wiped off the blood from his body, and headed out the door. ¡°My Lord, where are you going?¡± ¡°To get some fresh air¡±. ¡°Now? But it¡¯s dangerous to go out at this late hour with such a body. Let me treat your wound first¡­¡± ¡°How much pain can a small wound cause when I already am living with bigger pains everyday? Don¡¯t worry and take a rest .¡± ¡°Please be careful, My Lord.¡± Even though it was only five minutes or so after Edwin left for a walk, Marshall sighed exhaustively as if all the energy had left his body. He was relieved that the day had passed with his head still intact on his neck. He then ordered the soldier standing next to him. ¡°Pick a list of divine power priests who have no contact with the church and those who have been blacklisted. Sort out their personal information separately. Then search all over the country and put it all up as soon as possible.¡± ******* The streets were busy. The tranquility of dawn was one of Edwin¡¯s favorites, but today his mood wasn¡¯t improved. ¡°It¡¯s helpless.¡± He sighed. His life has always been a struggle. There were only those who always weighed the pros and cons around him. Those who want to take away his riches and those who want to buy his favors. He had lived fiercely among those who wanted to get anything and those who wanted to steal anything from him. Although Edwin had been living without lacking any materials, and with abundant support, his life was always poor and harsh at the same time. He had been fighting against his opponents who constantly tried to kill him, a huge enemy called the church was created, and now he is facing a problem directly connected to his survival. It was natural that his heart was stuffy. He kept walking absentmindedly. When he came to his senses, he was in front of a stone wall. ¡°How did I come all the way here?¡± His estate, August, is on the outskirts, facing the wall that divided the world. A huge wall was intentionally built by men. A wall that thoroughly divided the area where the abandoned people live and the area where the chosen people live. And beyond that wall live the outcasts. Has the outside world changed? Edwin, suddenly curious, approached the wall and looked down at it. His ears were sore from all the screams of those who were desperate to live. ¡°It¡¯s still the same.¡± A place called a dump by people here and so was the land beyond the wall. That filthy land began with pursuing sinners who had committed vile sins. However, over time, they abandoned the unbearable children, the senile parents, and the sick. Various kinds of people have been mixed into the present form. However, the resources inside the wall are limited and cannot handle all the abandoned people. It was a reality that he had turned away because it was almost impossible to sort them out. However, whatever their personal circumstances, how pitiful, how much anger and sorrow. Edwin did not like the land beyond the wall called the garbage dump. He felt frustrated and offended. ¡°Throw him some rotten bread!¡± ¡°Why give them bread?¡± ¡°It¡¯s funny how he runs like a bee!¡± There was a crowd inside the wall looking down at the abandoned, exchanging words. It was clear that some of the family¡¯s immature children were able to afford to be drunk at this time of night. They were gathering next to the dump and ridiculed the abandoned. The mere sight of it was a tiring and unpleasant combination. Edwin was about to leave the unpleasant place when something below the wall caught his eyes. He looked down with careful eyes. There was a woman sitting a little farther away beyond many people and looking right at him. The woman, who was wearing a worn-out white dress and unwinding her dazzling long blond hair, remained silent alone in the midst of the uproar. She didn¡¯t beg for her own situation, reaching out like everyone else, but just sat still. It wasn¡¯t because of her white skin and blond hair, or because of her beautiful appearance that caught Edwin¡¯s eyes but because she looked at him with straight, unshakable eyes. ¡°What is this?¡± A familiar energy was felt from the woman despite their distance. There was no energy of plague that lay around her. To be precise, it seemed to avoid her. There were only two beings where the energy of the plague cannot reach. A person born with divine power, or a royal born with some tolerance to the devil itself. Edwin groaned and raised his head. ¡°It¡¯s a mysterious woman.¡± There was no way a Royal would roll around the garbage dump outside the wall like that. That meant she could be a person with divine power. Why was a person born with power living outside the wall, but not in the church? Edwin turned openly and looked at the woman. She, too, was watching Edwin closely . ¡°A woman outside the wall with the power of Hebeia?¡± It was like discovering a gem in the trash. Edwin¡¯s curiosity immediately became an interest. Edwin raised his hand and gestured somewhere. Suddenly, Marshall popped out of nowhere, not knowing where he was hiding. Marshall stood in front of Edwin, scratching his head. ¡°I am sorry. I was so worried so I couldn¡¯t help but follow you here.¡± Edwin smiled and beckoned where the woman was. ¡°That woman.¡± ¡°Blonde hair woman?¡± ¡°What do you think?¡± ¡°Well, she is quite a beauty. But why is that woman ¡­?¡± To Marshall¡¯s embarrassed question, Edwin replied with a smirk. ¡°I know about her.¡± Chapter 2 What captured Edwin Kabelheider¡¯s attention soon became a special value. This unconventional nonsense was the truth and an unchanging law in his estate, August. In fact, the world in his eyes, which was special from his birth, was full of boring and stupid things. He was born into the world in dark days when he couldn¡¯t even remember, and from the moment he burst out his first cry, he grew up enjoying a luxurious privilege that no one else could imagine. For the first time in his life, he felt ¡®private interest¡¯ to a shabby woman in the dump. How should he take this? It hurt his pride. The first person he was interested in was this vulgar commoner. But to God¡¯s credit, even it was the first time, the attraction that crushed his pride was intense. A woman who did not know his name was staring at Edwin persistently. It was as if she had read the feelings of that moment that sparkled in Edwin¡¯s eyes. The eyes tenaciously staring at each other without even knowing the common name were like destiny. Edwin, who was staring at the woman, slowly reached out and beckoned her to come closer. Then the woman got up from her seat and quickly approached the wall. She was 15 meters below. If he shouted out loud, his voice may reach, but Edwin didn¡¯t want to exchange words with the woman that far. ¡°Help me.¡± Edwin looked down at her with curious eyes and stared at the woman yelling for help. Then he opened his mouth without making much of a sound. ¡®What?¡¯ ¡°Families are dying of starvation. My mother and my younger brother¡­ I don¡¯t have anything to eat. I need something to eat, please.¡± The woman looked as desperate as those gathered under the wall. But looking at her up close, she exuded a strong divine power. Unlike others, she did not smell of unpleasant and disgusting plague. In addition, she had everything that could trigger sympathy. Small height, thin body, big and clear eyes, and plump lips. However, Edwin did not agree. Unfortunately, he was a person who wouldn¡¯t shed a drop of blood even if he was stabbed. His life had always turned to public interest rather than private interest. It was natural. He was a businessman running a manor, and he always acted with every situation under scrutiny. Right now, he has a lot on his back, and full of things that need his attention in his estate. His relationship had always been either a necessary relationship or an unnecessary one. The circumstances around him made him that way, and Edwin adapted to that life too. Unfortunately, his sympathy was not so cheap as to distribute it to a poor woman. ¡®You are an obvious woman.¡¯ ¡°I will do anything. I need something to eat. My mother and younger brother are starving to death. I¡¯ll do whatever you ask. Help please.¡± Even the answer was a luxury. After all, money is the purpose. Edwin was now disillusioned with those who have impure purposes and approached him for a specific benefit. In the end, it was right that the woman had to be turned away by Edwin from the moment she let out her most inner thoughts. ¡°I want to live. Help me.¡± His feet did not move. Of course, the gaze that was fixed toward her was the same. The first interest seemed to be such a frightening thing. Edwin looked at the woman with cold eyes. ¡®Should I help you?¡¯ He debated. The deer-like eyes seemed enough to make the viewer feel sorry, but Edwin thought about what he could gain by helping the woman, rather than pitying her right now. A lowly woman who lives outside the wall. He looked at her and thought through the eyes of a thorough businessman. About what he can get by helping her. The calculation didn¡¯t take long. His rational thinking intuited that the deal he could do with that innocent woman now would be the best deal he could never have again. A special woman with divine power who he met in the current terrible situation, at an amazing timing. The value she had was something that Edwin was looking for for so long. Edwin stared at the woman and slowly opened his mouth. ¡°Name?¡± It was a small voice so it could not be heard all the way down, but the woman just looked at his mouth and understood Edwin¡¯s words. ¡°Asaya! I am Asaya Lubedoa.¡± Edwin slowly chewed on a strange name ¡®Asaya¡¯ and turned around. Despite seeing clearly the disappointment in Asaya¡¯s face, Edwin had no hesitation in turning around. That short meeting ended. This land, where only those who were abandoned in the country gathered, was harsh and ferocious. None of them were unspoiled. There were not just a few people dying of lung diseases due to pollution of the air, and water was also contaminated and could not be drunk. No matter what was planted, it did not sprout in this land filled with the energy of plague. ¡®I¡¯m hungry.¡¯ Asaya sat down while grabbing her stomach. She didn¡¯t eat anything! There couldn¡¯t be anything to eat. All she could see on the roadside was the corpses of dead people and animals. People struggling with hunger also were making their way to the decayed bodies. If only food could be obtained, if only the famished belly of the family could be filled, it seemed that she would do anything. She would not hesitate to sell her body or soul to the devil. Hope was only beyond the wall that divided the world. Asaya looked up at the huge wall in front of her. ¡®I¡¯m going to get there somehow.¡¯ At least Asaya didn¡¯t want to die miserably here. She would have to persevere. Even if she died, at least she wanted to escape from the land where there was no answer. She would somehow go over the wall. Her determined eyes flashed like a lightning light. ******** After a brief meeting of that day, Asaya went to the wall every day like a person was possessed by something. She waited for him every day at the place where she met him. Knowing that vain hope is a luxury, it¡¯s true that she didn¡¯t even expect it in the first place, but her mind continued to remain at that time and place. He was a man with a strange atmosphere. Even though he was just standing still, there was a daunting feeling. At a glance, Asaya could see that he was a different kind of person from the people who sat on the wall and flirted while looking down. She was far away, so she couldn¡¯t see his face in detail, but the atmosphere she felt was very cold. Was that so? A man with dark hair looked very well suited to be like a creature from winter in the quiet dawn. In the loud cry of people gathering under the wall, only his presence was still. As if only he existed, she could only see him. Besides, that persistent gaze. It was the eyes of a beast waiting for prey, hiding in the dark. She was convinced by seeing the eyes dotted with a brief possession, interest, and obsession. She could have a chance to get out of this hellish place. But he never came again. Asaya was exhausted, rose up and returned home. It was her mother whose mind fluctuated after her father¡¯s disappearance, who welcomed her as soon as she returned. ¡°Asa, are you here? Come on and eat first.¡± Seeing that her name was properly called, it seemed that her mother¡¯s mind was fine today. As soon as she entered the house, Asaya was confused by the appetizing smell. ¡°Where did you get the meat all of a sudden?¡± ¡°I found a ring that I had lost in the past. So I sold it and bought meat. I don¡¯t think we have to worry about eating for a while.¡± ¡°That¡¯s grandfather¡¯s ring!¡± ¡°I can¡¯t? What¡¯s the point of keeping it? We can¡¯t even eat it. I had to sell it. Your brother¡¯s losing his nerve. You too¡­you should eat well.¡± ¡°What about Leah?¡± ¡°I went out for a while, I don¡¯t know where Leah went. Come on, eat it because it will taste bad when it cools down. The rest of the meat is dried and made into jerky. Then it will last quite a long time.¡± Asaya and her family did not live on this land from the beginning. Asaya¡¯s father once lived under the title of Count. But the year she turned nineteen. Gass¨¦e wasn¡¯t just declined, it was completely broken. Asaya and her family became sinners and all their property was seized and they were driven out of their territory. She didn¡¯t know what kind of crime her family had committed. They claimed to be falsely accused, but no one believed them. The trial took place rapidly and the case was closed without proper investigation. Her father knew everything, but he didn¡¯t say anything about it, and he suddenly went missing two years ago. ¡°How long will it last to live like this?¡± ¡°Mother is sorry. ¡­ I am a sinner. ¡°Don¡¯t say that, mother. It¡¯s not our fault.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m sorry.¡± Asaya¡¯s mother sobbed uncontrollably. Asaya looked at her mother with a mixed feeling and shut her mouth. As she watched the crying mother, her emotions were built up full. She wanted to cry so much, but she couldn¡¯t cry. Asaya couldn¡¯t show her weakness. It seemed that if she cried along, she would collapse. So she held back her tears as much as she could. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, mother. I said something useless. So don¡¯t cry.¡± How did it happen? How long must a life with obsession with food and crying sadly continue? Asaya remembered the days when her family was unjustly kicked out of their home from time to time, she was suffocating and upset. What did they do so wrong? The helplessness that had been stigmatized and expelled as a sinner without even an opportunity to reveal the resentment was a shiver of shame. It was scary. The weight of the life they ??endured and lived day by day was so heavy that it was difficult to even breathe freely. Sometimes she got tired. At the same time, she was also afraid. Asaya was afraid she would struggle in pain watching her dearly beloved family die slowly. ¡°What is the point of eating right now?¡± It was no different from the last supper. Finding the lost ring and selling it to the merchant meant that there was really nothing left. Will the money sold off of the ring last a month? Stealing someone else¡¯s goods and taking food, raiding the merchant¡¯s shop to steal things, or blasting the upper wagon. There were limits to picking up discarded food waste and to steal things from expeditions or subjugation groups out of the wall. There won¡¯t be anything or any food to steal anymore. This was really over. Even if they go to another area, the vicious cycle will only repeat itself. ¡®Why did he ask for my name if he wouldn¡¯t help? Why did he stare at me as if he was so obsessed with something. Should I even hope?¡¯ Rich people inside the wall always screwed poor people around this way. It¡¯s always been the case in the past and now. Asaya became depressed and buried her face in her knees. She thought that she would never see him again, so she decided to give up hope. She just has to wait for other nobles to stand out. It was when she thought to take another chance. Exactly a week after meeting Edwin, a man inside the wall came to see Asaya. ¡°Asaya! Asaya!¡± Leah came into the house in fright. Asaya blinked and fascinated as if she had seen what she could not see. ¡°Who is it? What is it? Is everything alright?¡± ¡°A person inside the wall has come,¡± Leah said worryingly. ¡°¡­?¡± ¡°It was a man who was neatly dressed. It was neat enough to know that he was from inside the wall. Leah grabbed the sword without hesitation. Her eyes filled with alertness flashed sharply. It was the look that was only visible when dealing with the matron boats who were always trying to take away what they have. It would mean that she considered an unfamiliar uninvited guest who suddenly came as an enemy. Asaya restrained Leah, who seemed so agitated. ¡°Keep calm, Leah. I think it¡¯s my guest.¡± Someone from the inside of the wall. As soon as Asaya heard what Leah said, there was a man who suddenly came to her mind. He was the man Asaya had been waiting for. It was a man who is constantly being portrayed in her memories every night. It must be that man. The man who she didn¡¯t even know his name and was just passing by. Her heart started beating like crazy. The fringes of that blurring time became clear again. ¡°Your guest? I don¡¯t know what you mean, but if he is suspicious, I¡¯ll kill him right away.¡± Leah protested. Asaya nodded and opened the door. She saw a man walking towards this place. The man had a bright appearance and was full of elegance so she could tell he was from the inside of the wall. The silk clothes he was wearing were very luxurious, and he was a man with straight shoulders and a very neat look. The mysterious man reached out to Asaya and greeted her. ¡°¡®I am Marshall Atlan. I am from August estate.¡± The person inside the wall came with a shocking letter that would shake her life forever. Chapter 3 Part 1 - Equivalent Exchange Chapter 3 Part 1 : Equivalent Exchange The man who introduced himself as Marshall Atlan said he was from August. August, the eighth estate, was one of the neighboring estates that are in contact with the wall, and from there, a person could pass through the entrance gate control office on the wall and he would see August. The man had a bright appearance and was full of dignity. ¡°Asaya Lubedoa is your name correct?¡± ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right.¡± The polite man used honorifics even to the vulgar people outside the walls. There was no insult or contempt for the people anywhere in the friendly voice. Asaya was once amazed by Marshall¡¯s gentleman attitude, and twice that he came from the province of August. ¡°My lord, Grand Duke Edwin Kabelheider, delivered this to you and ordered us to return together. ¡° ¡°Kabelheider?¡± Asaya suddenly felt embarrassed by the unexpected name spoken from Marshall¡¯s mouth. Asaya, who lived in a disconnected world divided by walls, even heard and knew the name of Edwin Kabelheider. Leah asked Marshall in amazement. ¡°Wait! Kabelheider? Are you referring to that Archduke Kabelheider, who was called the demon of August? ¡° ¡°Yes, he was sometimes called by that name in this place.¡± Marshall replied. ¡°Oh My God¡­.¡± The man, nicknamed August¡¯s Devil, was a man famous for his innate cold-blooded nature. At a young age, he became the lord of 8 out of 12 estates, and his insolence was in the sky, and his inhumanity, who does not move even if a person is dying in front of his eyes, has been said to have been frowned upon by many people. He was a man who carried all kinds of bizarre rumors to suit his fierce nickname. In recent years, there have been rumors of him being insane while hunting demons and being cursed and eating people. ¡°Can I read this letter now?¡± ¡°Yes, of course, you should read it right now. I am here to get your answer to the letter. ¡° The moment Asaya saw the letter in her hand, she remembered that day. A man with a cold and bitter feeling resembled the dawn. No matter how much she thought about it, no letter would fly out of the wall except for that man. It was the only contact point with the person in the wall from that day¡¯s brief encounter. Asaya opened the letter and slowly read it. Not only the hand that held the letter, but also the eyes that read it were shaken without reason. ¡°You seem to have given me the wrong letter. This looks like a proposal letter. ¡° ¡°No it¡¯s not a wrong letter. It is exactly as it is written there. The Lord of August, Grand Duke Edwin Kabelheider, is requesting a formal marriage with Asaya Lubedoa, the eldest daughter of the former Count of Lubedoa.¡± ¡°l asked for help and it was a marriage proposal that flew in?¡± Asaya could not hide her embarrassment. ¡°¡­. A sudden marriage. Can you tell me why?¡± ¡°I am sorry I don¡¯t know why. Everything is the Duke¡¯s decision. My Lord had ordered me to treat you as a very important guest and bring you to the mansion with me.¡± The situation was beyond common sense. Of course, it was impossible to understand it with common sense. Asaya stared at the letter as her mother urgently grabbed Asaya¡¯s hand. She looked desperate. Sensing a subtle atmosphere, Marshall stepped back. ¡°I will be out for a while as it seems that you need time to discuss with your family. Though I can¡¯t give you much time. You have to decide before the nightfall.¡± Marshall avoided the seat as much as possible. As soon as he left, Asaya¡¯s mother shouted at her in a determined voice. ¡°Don¡¯t go. You can never go. What kind of a marriage proposal is that without even having a face to face meeting? It¡¯s suspicious and dangerous.¡± ¡°I know what you are concerned about, mother.¡± ¡°Asa, you need to refuse.¡± This was definitely a ridiculous situation. Things that couldn¡¯t happen became reality. Asaya didn¡¯t know what would be hidden behind the sudden flight of the proposal. It was natural to be vigilant. Unfortunately, there were no other options at the moment. ¡°Mother, you are getting worse. Your memory is noticeably declining. We have nothing and are starving to death here.¡± ¡°Does that mean that you would accept this ridiculous proposal? That¡¯s a trap. Doesn¡¯t it look strange to you?¡± ¡°What¡¯s so scary about losing anything anymore? There¡¯s nothing to lose. We are dying here.¡± ¡°There must be another way.¡± Asaya smiled bitterly as she looked at her grieving mother. ¡°This is the land where there is no answer. It¡¯s a place where people can¡¯t live. You¡¯ve been through it and you know it well, mother. I have to go over the wall.¡± Asaya had already made up her mind. Leah cried and grabbed her hands. ¡°If you will be dead one way or another, then let¡¯s just die here together.¡± ¡°The only option here is to die, but there is an option to live together if I go over the wall.¡± ¡± Wake up! You will be treated like an animal. It is the same here or there , you won¡¯t be able live like a person. ¡° ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m prepared for.¡± Leah looked at Asaya as if she was having tantrums, and immediately tapped her frustrated chest. Her red-hot eyes were full of tears. Leah¡¯s heart was torn at the fact that she was never afraid of dying and never showed tears, was now crying and upset. But nevertheless, Asaya¡¯s decision was firm. ¡°Leah, do you believe in miracles?¡± ¡°Who believes that! When have we ever believed it while rolling on this dirt? Hasn¡¯t it been long since you abandoned that hope? Do you think this is a miracle now?¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s not a miracle, it¡¯s an opportunity. It is a miracle that this opportunity came to me. Whatever happens in the end, I don¡¯t want to refuse because of fear and let go of this opportunity. I have to get out of this land.¡± It was Asaya¡¯s own decision to seize the opportunity and how to use it. Leah and Asaya¡¯s mother began to weep. They realized that no matter how they persuaded her, Asaya would not change her mind. ¡°I¡¯ll get what I want.¡± A crying mother was heard. Still, Asaya turned around and walked out of the house. Marshall, who was waiting, smiled and reached out his hand. Asaya grabbed his hand with a strong determination. It started to rain. The day when it poured down like torrential rain. The day she left her crying family and friend behind. It was hard to tell if it was the rain or tears that had wet her face. Chapter 3 Part 2 - Equivalent exchange Chapter 3 Part 2 : Equivalent exchange After completing the complicated reporting process, a wagon that passed through the gate control office inside the wall arrived at the Kabelheider¡¯s mansion. While preparing to send Asaya away, Marshall stopped by Edwin¡¯s office to report on Asaya¡¯s investigation. ¡°The woman¡¯s name is Asaya Lubedoa. She is 26 years old. It seems to be her family that disappeared due to ¡°that¡± incident 7 years ago. They had settled outside the wall before her father went missing. Her father was a bishop in charge of one of the dioceses of the church at the time, so he was said to be relatively free from plague and evil.¡± Edwin, who was listening silently to Marshall¡¯s report, cocked his head. ¡°The incident? Are you talking about the rumors?¡± ¡°Yes, it seems to be related to the incident, where the family went missing.¡± Seven years ago, the scandal was so silent that it ended without much rumors, and it was a rumor that circulated only among a few people. There was a power struggle within the church, and it was said that there was a family that got purged in the process. Many people went missing at the same time, raising doubts from several people. However, it was not confirmed whether the disappearance was related to the church, and it was immediately forgotten by those few people. ¡°I thought it might have something to do with the church, but the woman was a victim of that incident? That was a little unexpected.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not certain, it¡¯s just a possibility. Keep digging.¡± ¡°Yes sir. Oh, and it seemed that the latest paparazzi handed the transcripts over to a transcriptional operator. They were scattered on the streets.¡± Edwin nodded calmly. Even if he didn¡¯t see it, it was obvious what the article was about. He was a regular who appeared on the front page of the manuscript anyway, so he was not a person to be shaken by such a scandal. The scandal was that Edwin got a jewel from the trash. ¡°Get a transcript and put it in my room. You can leave now.¡± ¡°Yes sir.¡± Marshall bowed his head and left the room. Meanwhile, Edwin, who seemed to be happy, laughed casually even though the manuscripts containing the scandals of the century were scattered across the streets. ******* As soon as Asaya entered the room, she saw a big bed. But there was no one else in the room. Asaya, who was very nervous, bit her lower lip as she felt her pulse fastened. Although she was determined, it was not easy to keep her composure casually even after seeing the reality that had come before her eyes. Asaya knew if she was wanted in the bedroom on her first day at the mansion meant the owner wanted to have her body. She wasn¡¯t surprised by the transparent intention. But just because she wasn¡¯t surprised, it didn¡¯t mean that she wasn¡¯t nervous or nothing. Not far away from where she is, the sound of water was heard. It means that the owner of this room is not absent, but is washing up. ¡°I have to get what I want but can I do it? He is not a gentle man¡­.¡± When she tried to calm her tension, the sound of the water stopped. Asaya stared at the bathroom door and froze in place. The door that had been closed was opened with the sound of a click. Asaya¡¯s eyes met a man who walked out while wearing a white bathrobe and wiping his head with a towel. ¡®He must be that man.¡¯ She thought to herself. Edwin looked at Asaya with an indifferent expression. It was amazing when viewed from a distance, but his face when viewed up close was suffocating. His small face and full features were very self-assertive. At first glance, he looked neat and very handsome, also very manly. ¡°What are you doing, not sitting down?¡± ¡°Huh¡­.?¡± Unlike Asaya, who was nervous, Edwin just spoke calmly. After roughly combing his dampened hair to loosen it, he drank tea on his desk and read his transcript. The name Edwin Kabelhinder was written in the headlines of the transcript. However today the articles related to him were filled with huge titles such as [Exclusive] and [News]. Nevertheless, he was casually drinking the tea as if it wasn¡¯t a big deal, then inadvertently dropped the transcription down on the floor. Asaya blinked and looked at the transcript that fell to the floor. The transcript page contained detailed drawings of Edwin looking down from the top of the wall, his servant Marshall entering the door control office with Asaya. It was obvious without looking at the contents. It¡¯s all about the main character that the owner of August brought into his mansion. Sitting cross-legged with his back against the chair, he looked up and down at Asaya very slowly. ¡°Raise your head up. I am sitting on the chair, not on the floor.¡± At his words, Asaya reluctantly raised her head, but couldn¡¯t make eye contact with Edwin, so she rolled her eyes back and forth. Was it because it was funny or was it absurd? Edwin, who was watching Asaya quietly, gave a small laugh. ¡°Few days ago, you looked at me fiercely. But now, where did that confidence go?¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± ¡°Fine. I get it. You need food and money for your family?¡± ¡°Yes. Outside, we can¡¯t grow crops and can¡¯t find anything to eat, so if we go on like this, everyone will starve¡­¡± ¡°That¡¯s a shame.¡± Edwin muttered in a careless tone and Asaya bowed her head again. Then Edwin inquired. ¡°Equivalent exchange is basic in trading. Let¡¯s say I give you and your family enough support to live and eat comfortably for a lifetime. Then what can you give me?¡± ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡± ¡°Do you think you have something worth comparing to the material support I give you?¡± ¡°No¡±. ¡°Then why did you shamelessly ask for help on such a subject?¡± Asaya was confused by the unexpected development. Didn¡¯t you call me because you wanted something from me? The question is, what can you give me by bringing up the marriage proposal? Asaya wanted to ask him many questions but decided to keep quiet. This beautiful, arrogant man in front of her had a lot to proclaim, but Asaya hadn¡¯t. Unlike Edwin, who has everything, Asaya had nothing at all. She lost everything she had ever had. When asked what she could give Edwin in exchange, she was miserable because there was nothing she could confidently say that she could give. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but l don¡¯t deal with a loss. I am not an idiot.¡± Edwin¡¯s words that poured out were ruthless and ferocious. Anxiety pressed Asaya. She knew if she missed this opportunity now, everything will be lost. Asaya somehow had to come up with a reasonable answer to satisfy him. But Edwin was not merciful. He seemed unwilling to give Asaya much time. It was when he was about to stand up, Asaya urgently grabbed Edwin¡¯s clothes¡¯ hem. ¡°What is it?¡± There was only one thing she had. Asaya threw only one remaining number in this number fight. ¡°I will give you¡­.. ¡° At Asaya¡¯s desperate cries, Edwin scoffed. ¡°That¡¯s a boring answer. It¡¯s a very obvious answer.¡± ¡°It¡¯s the only thing I can give you.¡± Asaya sobbed. Edwin¡¯s cold gaze passed Asaya¡¯s face and turned towards the little white hand that grabbed his hem. As he stared at her hand, he curled up his mouth. ¡°I haven¡¯t been able to confirm that you are worth it. But you can prove it right now.¡± Edwin grabbed Asaya¡¯s hand and walked to the bed. When he got there, he released Asaya¡¯s hand and got on the bed. Then he pointed at her with a glance. ¡°What are you waiting for? Aren¡¯t you gonna lie down?¡± Chapter 4 - Engagement On the bed, Edwin laid back and relaxed. Lying on the bed with only a white bathrobe and a slim, solid body, he looked quite good at this situation. Yes, he must be used to it. Because he¡¯s someone who every woman would want. Asaya wondered how many women had come and gone from this man¡¯s bed. She felt bitter. She stood under the wall with everything she had prepared for, but for this man and this situation, even with a lot of preparation was just never enough. ¡®Don¡¯t be scared. You have already come prepared.¡¯ Asaya calmed herself down. With a strong mind, Asaya carefully climbed onto the bed and settled down beside Edwin. Her white face was unusually pale. Still, Asaya tried hard not to show her nervousness and fear as it was her last pride, but it was impossible to completely hide the trembling of her body. It was a pity to see her trembling with her fists clenched tightly, but Edwin thought it was funny rather than feeling pitiful. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t say things that you can¡¯t handle.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± ¡°You don¡¯t think you can keep your body after what you agreed to.¡± He ridiculed. ¡°It¡¯s getting stuffy in here.¡± Asaya was embarrassed by Edwin¡¯s annoyed voice. It was evident that her hesitation and trembling were annoying to him. As soon as she realized that he was in a not so good mood, Asaya became nervous. Impatient to think that he might change his mind, she began to take off her clothes with trembling hands. At that moment, Edwin frowned and stopped Asaya¡¯s hand. ¡°What are you doing?¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t this¡­ Don¡¯t people usually take their clothes off before they do it?¡± It was quite bold to say that with a nervous face. Edwin stared at her blankly and asked in a calm voice. ¡°¡­ do it?¡± ¡°Yes..¡± ¡°I told you to lie next to me, but I didn¡¯t tell you to take off your clothes.¡± ¡°But you told me to prove it.¡± ¡°I did. I told you to prove your worth, but I didn¡¯t ask you to show me how your body looks.¡± ¡°Then why are you lying down..?¡± ¡°Because I have to check your worth.¡± Asaya couldn¡¯t understand at all what Edwin meant. She said she would give him her body, and Edwin said he would check her value. Then he led her to bed and told her to lie down. So, wasn¡¯t it obvious that consummation would happen then? He laughed at Asaya, who had a confused face. ¡°By looking at your expression, I can see that you are simpler than I thought.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry to disappoint you, but not everyone can hug me. So don¡¯t do anything useless and lie down.¡± Asaya quietly lay down next to him. If he told her that there was no minimum sexual relationship, would she have understood it? Asaya blinked without releasing tension. It was a large bed, but it may be because the man who was Iying next to her has a large presence that it felt very cramped. ¡°Stay still until I tell you to get up.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°For reference, I don¡¯t like having to say it twice, so if you don¡¯t want to be kicked out, you¡¯d better behave yourself.¡± Asaya nodded. There has been no conversation since then. Asaya lay on a soft bed and stared at the ceiling, wondering what on earth was going on. What does it mean to just lie down like this? Is it really okay like this? Embarrassed by the unexpected development, Asaya quietly turned her head away. Edwin was asleep, who had been talking a while ago. The man who pulled her into bed to check her value, had fallen asleep. How did she interpret this? Asaya, who was embarrassed, straightened herself and looked at the ceiling again. No matter how much she tried, there was no answer. Who could understand this situation? She couldn¡¯t know the answer with this man sleeping with an angelic face next to her. Asaya gave up agonizing because she knew that it was a useless battle to try to find the answer. It was rather fortunate. Nothing in her dirty imagination had happened in reality. It was a blessing for Asaya if she could just sleep quietly like this. As the tension was relieved, drowsiness came. Asaya decided to let go of her worries for a while. Even though the future was uncertain, her body was overly honest. At one point, Asaya¡¯s eyes, which were struggling to resist sleep somehow, were completely closed. So she fell into a deep sleep on a fluffy bed. ???????????? ¡°Ugh!¡± Asaya hurriedly woke up in a sudden cold energy. As she sat up, what she could see was Edwin, who was sitting cross-legged in a chair, looking at her pitifully. He didn¡¯t say anything, but his eyes were talking. How could she fall asleep in that situation? Asaya, accusing herself for falling asleep, sprang to her feet and came down under the bed. ¡°You slept without a care in the world. You wouldn¡¯t know if someone carried you on their back.¡± ¡°I am sorry.¡± ¡°I am even sorry for having a little sleep. Why are you just standing blankly?¡± ¡°Huh?¡° ¡°Get out.¡± It was ruined. Asaya bowed her head in frustration. ¡°In the end, I got kicked out like this.. ¡° Asaya regretted that she fell asleep in that situation. Edwin told her to lie still, but he didn¡¯t say she could sleep there. He¡¯s royal, and she was a citizen rolling in the dump at best. Was it reasonable to sleep in the same bed side by side with Royal? It was ridiculous. She fell asleep comfortably in the midst of that, so how terrible it must have looked. She will be kicked out. So what would happen now? Would they kick her out of the wall again? Or would she be beaten to death? Or be sold on the black market or a brothel? Or should she just kill herself? Everything that came to her mind was dark. Asaya left the room, trying to suppress her confused mind. Then Marshall, who was waiting outside, came to Asaya. ¡°I will guide you to the room where you will be staying in the future.¡± ¡°Excuse me?¡± ¡°Is there any problem?¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t I get kicked out?¡± Marshall tilted his head at Asaya¡¯s trembling voice. ¡°I didn¡¯t hear such an order. The Duke gave you a place to live, and then he appointed a couple of maids to serve you.¡± ¡°¡­¡­?¡± ¡°There are few designated servants for you. I will send them up. The room is filled with items for a lady to use, so check it out, make a list of the items you need, and hand it over to the servants.¡± ¡°Wait a minute, that means¡­Are you saying that I can stay here?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. And in the future, there is no need to greet the people of this mansion, including myself.¡± ¡°.. Why?¡± Instead of answering, Marshall handed Asaya a piece of paper sealed with wax. ¡°You will find the answer in this letter. After checking the contents, you can sign it.¡± ¡°¡­¡­..¡± ¡°You wash your body every day from now on, and at 10 o¡¯clock at night, you just need to go to the Duke¡¯s room and wait. Then you just get up and leave before 9 o¡¯clock in the morning when breakfast starts.¡± He was talking as unrealistic as the stories of the street talkers. Asaya didn¡¯t understand what was going on. Why would they let her stay in this luxurious mansion with assigned servants? All she did was sleep next to Edwin. It wouldn¡¯t be strange even if she was kicked out right away, but this kind of treatment? ¡°Please follow me.¡± Asaya moved along with Marshall. After passing through a long corridor, Asaya was assigned to the room at the far end. She gasped in shock at the inside of the spacious and luxurious room. ¡°This is the room you will be staying in.¡± It was not a room for a mere employee. The room was truly the ultimate luxury. Crystal chandeliers adorned the ceiling in the middle of the room, and the walls and floors made of processed marble created a luxurious atmosphere. Art objects that seemed expensive even at first glance were decorating the room, and above all, a large window caught Asaya¡¯s eyes. Inside the room with plenty of sunlight came from the outside. It felt very bright and warm. Marshall looked around and asked Asaya to tell him what she needed more, but there couldn¡¯t be anything more she needed. The room had all the furniture, and the wardrobe was full of casual clothes for Asaya. There couldn¡¯t be more things she needed than this, when she lived in a hut built on the dirt floor. ¡°The servants will be deployed today.¡± ¡°What do I need to do?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t have to do anything. Be at ease. You only need to keep the check-in and check-out time in your bedroom.¡± ¡°Can I check the one you gave me now?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± Asaya opened the paper she received from Marshall. The content was very concise. However, the raging shock was not concise at all. [Edwin Kabelheider and Asaya Lubedoa proved that they have promised to marry each other.] ¡°You are saying that the ridiculous proposal was real?¡± Marshall said in a subdued voice toward Asaya, who was not getting out of the shock. ¡°There is so much to learn to become the lady of the House of Kabelheider in the future. Marriage will come fast, and you start with engagement. Still, it would be easy to understand because I believe you were once a noblewoman.¡± ¡°How do you know that I was a noblewoman?¡± ¡°Of course. We invited an outsider into the mansion, we should know that person¡¯s background.¡± ¡°Then you know that I am a sinner. You know that, but you are telling me that the Duke is serious about this marriage?¡± ¡°Of course. There is no reason not to be sincere. If the Duke was not serious, there¡¯s no reason to bring the lady here through a complicated procedure.¡± Asaya hypothesized that Edwin was in love with her or harboring a dark heart as to why he requested the marriage. It seemed like a nonsense hypothesis, but it was the most reasonable one. However, as of last night, this hypothesis was shattered. If he fell in love at first sight or harbored a dark heart, he would not have slept quietly in the situation yesterday. Besides, it wasn¡¯t that kind of atmosphere in the first place. His eyes were cold, and he was thoroughly calculated. In the meantime, Asaya couldn¡¯t find anything about affection. ¡°If you sign the contract, the relationship will take effect immediately. You will be living as a potential hostess of the Kabelheider family.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°You will also have a separate home in the August estate. There will be support that will last for a lifetime.¡± Asaya couldn¡¯t believe what she was hearing and asked back in a surprised voice. ¡°Are you saying that my family is allowed to live here, in the estate?¡± ¡°We can¡¯t leave your family outside the walls if you become the hostess of the Kabelheider family. Of course, things will be done on the condition of accepting this marriage.¡± Asaya was so surprised and lost her words. Something was wrong. Was it a fraud that was set up by the people inside the walls? Or was it a dream? Her mind was confused as unrealistic situations were unfolding one after another. ¡°Please think slowly and call us anytime if you have any questions.¡± Marshall said it and went out. Asaya, who had been wandering for a long time due to the unfamiliarity of her own time, carefully laid down on the bed. Then she looked at the engagement certificate in her hands. ¡®It¡¯s an engagement.¡¯ Engagement then marriage.. Asaya had never thought about it. She was busy making ends meet. She would be lucky if she didn¡¯t go hungry that day. To love or to start a family was nothing but a luxury that could not be afforded. So Asaya had never thought of the future. When she opened her eyes, she had to start thinking about surviving that day. Yesterday, she was worried about where to get something to eat, and how to live in the future. It was a miserable life. In a lawless land that didn¡¯t even have a basic system, she couldn¡¯t work, and there was nowhere to work, so she couldn¡¯t make money. What future would she dream of? Marriage, home. All of that was just a fleeting illusion. But now she is engaged. The man she met for just a day. Would it be okay? This relationship. This life.. Can she do well? ¡°Whether I can do it or not, this is a problem I don¡¯t need to worry about right now. My family¡¯s security is guaranteed. What am I hesitating for?¡± Considering the reasons for the long passage, there was only one option. This ridiculous marriage was all that needed to be done. Asaya signed the paper without hesitation. Chapter 5 - Shackles Chapter 5 Part 1: Shackles Translated by Gigi Edited by Schwarzel People say no one knows about the future but could it be altered? ¡°Hello, this is Lucia, I will be serving you from today.¡± ¡°And my name is Diana.¡± In the evening, the servants assigned to Asaya came to greet her. After the introduction, Lucia and Diana respectively helped Asaya to wash her body in water that had been infused with perfumed oil, put on a slip, and finished with a pure white silk dress, then stepped back. ¡°If you need anything else, please call us anytime.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t have to say thank you to us, my lady.¡± ¡°Ah okay, thank you .¡± Asaya thought they would insult or belittle her since she came from the outside wall, but they were very polite. The brushing hands were careful, and their tone was gentle. Asaya wondered if they were forced to be nice to her, but they showed no signs of being uncomfortable. There was a time when she was treated so preciously. However, Asaya didn¡¯t remember clearly what it was like, but now the feeling of being treated as a precious person was awkward and strange. No matter how much Asaya thought about it, it didn¡¯t make sense for the abandoned woman to marry the Grand Duke, the owner of a territory. The preparation was over. Now that the time was up, Asaya had to go to the Duke¡¯s bedroom. Every night at ten, she had to come to his bedroom and leave at nine in the morning. Asaya took the engagement certificate, then hurried to the bedroom where Edwin was staying. As soon as the o¡¯clock struck ten, she knocked on the door. When the order for permission to come in was given, Asaya carefully opened the door and went inside. Like the night before, Edwin was sitting in a chair and sipping tea. ¡°Did you sign the engagement certificate?¡± Asaya nodded and immediately handed out the papers. ¡°Okay, just so you know, only I have the authority to end this relationship.¡± ¡°Yes. ¡° ¡°I don¡¯t want you to play the hostess here. You just have to go into my bedroom at 10 o¡¯clock like tonight and sleep, then leave in the morning.¡± ¡°Do I just need to sleep?¡± ¡°I think it would be better to use your power in the morning and evening to treat my body, but is it physically possible? Using power is accompanied by tremendous physical and mental consumption. Just because Asaya was born with ability did not mean that she could use it randomly, and there were not many people who could control their power freely, so if she made a mistake, Asaya could lose her mind or even lose her life. Edwin looked at Asaya doubtfully. Well, it was understandable that he would not be able to trust a skinny little woman could do something so difficult. ¡°I can use my power once a day without difficulty.¡± Then, once a day, treat my body with your power. ¡° There were not many bodies that needed the care of power. Excluding the sick or the injured with severe trauma that could not be cured with medicine, the only class that should have a priest with power by his side was the Royalties. Only then Asaya realized why he had brought her here. ¡°If I do, will I have to fulfil the role of a subordinate priest?¡± ¡°Since you were an aristocrat, you must know about it.¡± ¡°I know from my father that the average lifespan of the royal is short and that he was born with a sensitive body that requires the care of the priest. I, too, once belonged to the church, so I have often heard of the existence of subordinate priests.¡± ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right. I¡¯m a royal, and I need the care of a priest all my life. My subordinate priest died two years ago, and it was time I needed a new one.¡± Royal was a person who was born with superior genes. There were not many royal births. It would be a rare star species, with less than 0.1% of the entire population. At most, it was only a few hundred. So, it was a clan surrounded by secrets with little known to the outside. They were born with a superior brain, hard skin, motor nerves, and tolerance to demons that were far superior to ordinary people. However, the special hormone that only the Royals possessed had a decisive effect on their intelligence and physical abilities. Unfortunately, the Royals were unable to control the secretion of this hormone on their own. This hormone would gnaw the body and cause continuous damage to the brain, including organs. It would destroy the body and eventually lead to death. This was a fact that was unknown to many people and has been treated as confidential in the country. It was a blessing to be born with resistance to evil and plague, but the susceptible body that was not free from a deadly hormone was a curse. The only thing that could control the hormones and calm their sensitive bodies was divine power¨Cthe power of Hebeia. So, Asaya heard that a few royals have a priest who would live with them all their lives. But there was still a question that needed an answer. ¡°¡­why me? I believe the church¡¯s priests are better than me.¡± ¡°Because I don¡¯t trust the church. On the day before I met you, the difficult- hired priest threw a knife at my neck and failed then she committed herself .¡± Edwin had a bad relationship with the church. This means it would be difficult to secure reliable personnel for treatment. Asaya finally understood the situation to some extent. However, the doubts were not entirely resolved. ¡°If you simply just need treatment, why do you want to get married?¡± It might be a rude question. Still, Asaya was curious. Edwin gazed at Asaya. ¡°Did you not say yesterday that you will give yourself to me?¡± ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡± ¡°You said you would give me yourself. I¡¯ve accepted it. And in return, l intend to give you what you want. But what do you think this means? Do you think I just have your shell?¡± Edwin gently stroked Asaya¡¯s chin. ¡°I am not satisfied with just your beautiful shell, but also your time, your abilities, and your life.¡± Asaya felt like her head got hit with a hammer. Her mind went blank. The Engagement, it was a shackle. The shackles which she had to wear for life. For Edwin, who had a bad relationship with the church and desperately in need of the care of a priest, the deal was a great advantage. He bought the life of a woman who was free from the church and could do whatever he wanted. He said he would take her life¡­ The scale of her being rolled into a healer or a slave was too small for him. He had already calculated ahead and made this deal. From the moment they first encountered each other, he must have already drawn a picture like this in his head. He was a dangerous person¡ªa dangerous man who could control all situations with one word and one action. ¡°If you don¡¯t have the courage to give me all of you, I won¡¯t make you. Even if you want to go back now, I won¡¯t stop you.¡± ¡°¡­..¡± ¡°However, if you agree with the deal, there¡¯s no turning back. So think carefully and decide. ¡° Asaya knew it was not a game. This choice wouldn¡¯t be given again. That¡¯s why that beautiful beast gave her the last chance. If she doesn¡¯t want to get eaten, she needs to run away now. But Asaya knew she couldn¡¯t go back. And there was only one answer. ¡°I don¡¯t want to go back. I want to stay here.¡± Asaya had already prepared to throw her life away the moment she decided to come here. The price she got as a condition of mortgaging her life. That way, she could feed her family, and that was enough. There was no reason to hesitate. ¡°You are responsible for the choice you made.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve already prepared.¡± Edwin smiled and stamped the seal. ¡°Effective from today.¡± That¡¯s how the betrothal life began. A young Grand Duke who got the Emperor¡¯s trust picked up an innocent woman from a garbage dump outside the wall and engaged to be married. Was there a more shocking scandal than this? Dozens of transcripts created by the cooperation of the paparazzi and the businessmen were scattered in the territory, and soon, all the townspeople became aware of the news. It was even more shocking when the public opinion heated up over the fact that it was a burning love relationship that they slept in one bed and made love every night. The combination of heaven and earth sleeping in one bed! What a compelling headline! ¡°It¡¯s very interesting news this morning. The whole manor is noisy thanks to the article of the Grand Duke and Lady Lubedoa make burning love on the bed every night!.¡± Marshall told Edwin. Edwin casually pushed the manuscript of the century¡¯s love story down under his desk and drank coffee leisurely. ¡°What is the problem? It¡¯s true that she and I are together in bed every night.¡± ¡°My Lord, If anyone hears that, they will think the content of that stimulating article is true!.¡± ¡°Eventually, it will be known to the whole world that we are engaged anyway, so why would we need to silence them? It¡¯s rather good. The story of love had created a narrative of our engagement.¡± Marshall was shocked. It was because he had never seen such a benevolent Duke all his time serving him. Usually, Edwin would have ordered the paparazzi and newspaper writers to be captured and imprisoned. ¡°My Lord, why are you not worried?¡± ¡°Why should I be?¡± ¡°Your public sentiment is not good. There will be a backlash from the nobles.¡± ¡°Is that why I need to be worried? Did I sin just because I took a poor, lowly woman to be my wife? There is no stupid provision in the Murraye law prohibiting enemy ships.¡± While the world has been turned upside down by the scandal of the century, Edwin remained calm. Suddenly he remembered something. ¡°My Lord, what is it?¡± Edwin recalled a fortune teller he met on the street last year. ¡°-There will be a significant upheaval in your life soon. ¡° ¡°-I don¡¯t believe in mind readers.¡± ¡°-Your whole life will change. That change could be good or worse for you. Will you believe me by then?¡± ¡°- What is the change? Is death the worst? ¡° ¡°-The worst-case-scenario maybe death, and you might die in 3 years.¡± ¡°-That¡¯s not too bad. It¡¯s best for me to die quickly.¡± Until then, Edwin thought that the only thing left for himself was death. As long as there was a hostile relationship between the church, the destiny of death would not be changed. However, he had no intention to bow down to the church as long as he was still the Duke of the territory. He would rather die than to be servile. ¡°She was clever. That fortune-teller.¡± As the fortune teller predicted, his life changed completely. ***** Meanwhile, Asaya was preparing to go out. Lucia and Diana were combing Asaya¡¯s golden hair and got very distracted by the scandals of the Grand Duke scattered across the streets. ¡°My Lady, these days, the scandal between Duke Kalbelheider and the young Lady is a romance of the century, and it seems like the articles are spreading like fashion in the streets. ¡°Romance of the century¡­?¡± Asaya whispered curiously. ¡°The fateful love that overcame the difference in status! It¡¯s romantic. It was said that noble love stories and articles are far more popular than romance books.¡± When Asaya heard Lucia and Diana¡¯s words, Asaya was dumbfounded. The romance of the century? Romantic and fateful love? Asaya couldn¡¯t believe the engagement, which was completed under a thorough calculation, is attracting people¡¯s attention as a fateful love story. ¡°We heard the Lady enjoyed a secret meeting with the Lord every evening. We also heard you¡¯ve been seeing each other secretly for years. It¡¯s so romantic. At first, we thought the Lady was just a new priest.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right, and we thought you were about to be kicked out. Because all the previous priests were all dead or thrown out.¡± The ones that were dead probably because they failed to fulfil the Duke¡¯s requests. Lucia and Diana must have been very familiar with the situation, too, given the casualness of their words. ¡°I am a little worried about going out today. My public sentiment is not so good. I feel uncomfortable about being outside the wall.¡± Asaya spoke worriedly. ¡°Do you have to go out today, My lady?¡± ¡°The family decided to come, so I have to go. But aren¡¯t you uncomfortable with me that I¡¯m from outside the wall?¡± Lucia and Diana were somewhat embarrassed at Asaya¡¯s cautious question. As if they had heard the words they shouldn¡¯t hear, they replied as if it were too natural. ¡°What¡¯s uncomfortable about it? If it¡¯s the Duke¡¯s order and you¡¯ve promised to marry, you¡¯re no longer in a low-class status. I don¡¯t think anyone here would ignore you because you¡¯re from outside the walls. Our necks will blow away.¡± ¡°Your neck will get cut off?¡± Lucia and Diana burst into laughter at Asaya¡¯s panicked question. ¡°It¡¯s not really cut off. It¡¯s just meant we will get fired.¡± ¡°My Lady, you really think our necks will get cut off? Oh, no matter how great a noble is, if he does such crazy things, he will go to jail.¡± So, were the rumours surrounding Edwin not true? Asaya tilted her head and asked. ¡°When I was outside the wall, there was a myth that constant bodies disappeared every day from the Kabelheider mansion.¡± ¡°Well, it¡¯s true that bodies came out often, but they were all self-determined assassins. The new priests.¡± ¡°Anyway, the rumours are scary! The Duke is a little bit tough and sensitive. He¡¯s not a bad person even though his personality is a bit mean. He¡¯s straightforward when speaking.¡± Was that so? Asaya thought the atmosphere in the mansion was amiable, not matching Edwin¡¯s bloody image. Usually, the atmosphere of the estate follows the owner. In Asaya¡¯s opinion, Edwin was far from warm. Nevertheless, it was a little surprising to see that Lucia and Diana are hospitable people and that they are praising him. Lucia and Diana continued the chat. ¡°But I can¡¯t help but be struck by his personality. Royals are generally like that.¡± ¡°He is still a good person. Even though he can hurt people¡¯s feelings easily, but, please know that his nature is not that of a bad person.¡± Asaya, who was listening to the conversation between the two, burst into laughter. ¡°You two seem to like the Duke very much.¡± ¡°Who would hate a rich employer, my lady?¡± Lucia and Diana were convulsed with laughter, grabbing their stomachs. Then Lucia said cautiously when they had laughed for a while, calmed down a little. ¡°We are sorry, my Lady. We will be good. Please forgive us.¡± Whether Edwin is good or not. Whether Asaya liked it or not, having to spend the rest of her life with him remained the same. But there was no reason not to do it because he was the one who brought her up from that hellish place. As much as winter in the lake¡­ He gave her a prosperous and stable life. Because he was the one who had even helped her family. For Asaya at least right now, it¡¯s not that Edwin might be a good person, but a good person. Even if he was a lousy person to other people, even if he was a bad person as rumoured. Why did it matter? ¡®How much I wanted to come here¡­¡¯ Asaya choked up. As she endured the rising tears, she said painfully. ¡°I will do well because I owe him like you do.¡± Chapter 6 - Uninvited guests Chapter 6. Uninvited guests Apart from having a bad relationship with the church, it was impossible to be separated with it completely. The church was a politically neutral organization, even if it was an area with bad political relations, it was impossible to criticize or put pressure on the authority of the church. It was the same with the emperor and other lords and great nobles of the territory. The provision of cooperation in need of each other is a part of the law, and even if there was an internal disagreement, external cooperation must be maintained. ¡°The tour group will arrive soon,¡± Marshall told Edwin. After a while, the tour group dispatched from the church finally arrived. The tour of the territory, where the church regularly sent priests to, was a part of cooperation in all domains. Although it may not be pleasing for members of the church to go around the territory, it cannot be prevented and should not be prevented. In any case, many patients in the territory needed the care of the priests. In particular, since August was an outskirt facing the wall, it had to be managed more carefully. If an infected person by demons happened inside the wall and a plague spread, it could spread into a catastrophe. ¡°The tour group is expected to stay for about a week. The total number of plague patients who need medical treatment is thirty, and twenty-two out of thirty are knights who have gone on the expedition. All of them have been quarantined at the treatment isolation centre. I will join the quarantine right away to help with treatment.¡± Marshall said. ¡°Where will they be staying ?¡± Edwin asked. ¡°The men will stay in a monastery and women in a convent. Each monastery and convent seems to be ready to welcome the guests.¡± Edwin, who was looking at the guest¡¯s list, frowned at a name. ¡°Why did the bishop come in person?¡± It was common for monks and saints led by priests to go around the territory but rarely have bishop-level figures. ¡°This is Reibene Schrandel, the son of Archbishop Tasion, my Lord,¡± Marshall explained. ¡°Tasion? Those who were in Adonis Monastery and then moved to the high priesthood of Ebensio.¡± ¡°Yes, as Bishop Tasion became Archbishop, it was naturally assumed that his son Reibene Schrandel took over the bishop position. ¡°He is quite young.¡± ¡°He is younger than you, my Lord. It said he was the youngest Bishop there was.¡± Archbishop Tasion. He was one of the people who had been expanding their power with a terrifying momentum within the denomination these days. Originated from Adonis Monastery on the outskirts, he was rejected even within the same denomination. But at some points, he entered the centre of the church and moved up to the high priesthood of Ebensio, showing a terrifying growth. The pope was a very trusted figure, and the public had speculated that he might even pass the position of cardinal to Archbishop Tasion in the future. Recently, the emperor had ordered him to be watched closely. ¡°And the young Bishop is coming to visit the territory himself? He is very diligent.¡± Edwin said with wonder. The young man must have been carried away by the youthful spirit. A newbie who just got into the Bishop¡¯s office visited August himself, where he knew the Lord of August had terrible terms with the church? It was obvious he was coming with some intentions. But it was ridiculous rather than clever. Even though their age range was similar, Edwin could see through the young guest¡¯s heart. It was evident that the young Bishop was foolish from showing his inner self and making moves that others could predict. ¡°I will not be just him alone, but it¡¯s a group led by the young Bishop himself. I think we should do a simple greeting, my Lord.¡± ¡°Where are they now?¡± ¡°It is said that after going from house to house, they will visit the West District Healing Quarantine in the afternoon.¡± ¡°It¡¯s about noon.¡± ¡°Oh, and the place you gave to the Lubedoa family. It¡¯s close to the quarantine centre, My Lord.¡± ¡°Did Asaya already go out? ¡°Yes, she went to visit her family there. The report of the immigration as a lady of August was over. However, the public sentiment within the province is not good, perhaps because of Lady Asaya from outside the wall. So I purposely provided a site in a remote place away from the main district. But I am still concerned, My Lord.¡± ¡°Be sure to protect her. Did you put a guard next to Asaya?¡± ¡°Of course, I ordered a guard to follow quietly without the lady knowing.¡± It was unknown if this was one of Royal¡¯s innate talents, but Edwin suddenly had an ominous feeling. Perhaps it was just about resentment, but he couldn¡¯t let it go and that annoyed him to no end. After a while, he stood up and ordered Marshall. ¡°Cancel my lunch appointment. I¡¯m going to the treatment quarantine centre right away.¡± Asaya didn¡¯t have anything to pack, so the migration ended quickly. She literally just had to move her body. The house Edwin provided was a two-story house in a remote location away from the main mansion. It was not very big or tiny. However, it was a pretty house with a garden that was enough for Mother, her younger brother Asaran, and Leah to live in. Asaya¡¯s mother, whose mind was gradually falling declining, lay down on a soft bed and rolled back and forth, acting like a child. When Asaya saw her mother crying, her heart broke. ¡°Asaran, do you like this house?¡± Asaran, who was unable to speak, nodded shyly. Then he ran to his mother¡¯s side, jumped around the bed and laughed happily. Seeing the two happy, Asaya tried to calm down her tears of joy. Now they don¡¯t have to worry about hunger, or thieves or evil attacks anymore. They don¡¯t have to go around the night and stand guard by the wall in the freezing cold. Now they can live an ordinary life. How long did Asaya long for the mediocre life that was a luxury in this land? Tears streamed down from the fact that she and her family could now live like human beings. Leah approached Asaya, who was trying to hold back the tears. ¡°What happened to you?¡± ¡°It¡¯s like what you see. Grand Duke saved us.¡± ¡°Are you really marrying Grand Duke Kabelheider?¡± ¡°I¡¯m still engaged. ¡° ¡°What does he really want for marrying you?¡± Asaya didn¡¯t want to let anyone know about the real part of her engagement. That included her family and Leah. So Asaya roughly looked around and said. ¡°Because he loves me.¡± ¡°Do you want me to believe that?¡± ¡°If it¡¯s hard to believe, then you don¡¯t have to believe it.¡± ¡°Is it difficult to tell me the truth? ¡° At Leah¡¯s question, Asaya didn¡¯t really know how to answer but to keep quiet. Then Leah spoke. ¡°Okay, fine. I¡¯ll pretend I don¡¯t know. Whatever I say, you won¡¯t tell the truth anyway. So tell me this instead. Do you live well there?¡± ¡°Yes, I bathe in clean water every day and eat plenty of food three meals a day. I have a room full of lavender and a fluffy bed to sleep.¡± ¡°Is there anyone who bothers you? ¡° ¡°Of course not. All the people in the mansion are very nice.¡± Leah noticed that all of this was too good to be true. It was a perfectly normal reaction. In fact, Asaya herself could not believe the situation either. Sometimes she wondered if all this was a dream. Leah looked at Asaya with suspicious eyes and soon sighed and hugged her. ¡°If you¡¯re okay, then that¡¯s all that matters. You don¡¯t know how much your mother and Asaran cried after you left. I, too. I thought you were going to die. Now I¡¯m so glad you¡¯re alive like this. I even tried to sneak inside the wall to save you.¡± ¡°Why did you do such dangerous and reckless things?¡± Asaya scolded Leah. ¡°I should say the same to you¡±. ¡°I am sorry.¡± Asaya apologized. ¡°Okay, now, no need to apologize because, in the end, It worked as you wish.¡± Leah squeezed Asaya¡¯s hands as if saying everything turned out okay. Asaya struggled to hold back the tears. On such a happy day, she wanted to laugh rather than cry. ¡°I don¡¯t know how long this life will last. Still, for the time being, we will be able to live without worrying.¡± ¡°Are you staying at the Kabelheider mansion?¡± ¡°Yes, but I will come here often. It might come every day.¡± Asaya wiped away her tears, then laughed happily. ¡°For the time being, don¡¯t worry and live happily. It¡¯s a new day.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Leah happily agreed. There were full of incomprehensible things, but it was no use trying to understand. It wouldn¡¯t change anything. So Asaya decided to put down the complicated mind for a while. Then they both smiled broadly. ¡°Asaran needs his medicine soon. I will go and get some water.¡± Asaya told Leah. After Asaya left the house, she saw some people were gathering over the fence. The roaring voice was full of hostility rather than a favour. As if watching an animal trapped in a cage, they looked at Asaya with serious expressions from afar. Immediately, Asaya turned to the well, leaving behind the gaze of those strangers. However, they didn¡¯t leave her alone. ¡°Aren¡¯t these people who were brought from outside the wall by Grand Duke Kabelheiber?¡± ¡°Why did the Duke do that? Was it because of pity? No matter how, they are still filthy.¡± ¡°How do we know if they haven¡¯t brought the plague to the inside wall already? ¡° ¡°Is it true that the Duke was cursed by the devil and went mad?¡± ¡°What nonsense! It¡¯s all thanks to whom our estates are enriched! Being disrespectful to the Duke is no different than being disrespectful to Serafina!¡± ¡°You must have a compassionate heart for poor souls .¡± ¡°Oh my.¡± The unfriendly attitude of the people of the territory was expected. It was natural for them to be wary of outsiders. It was even more repulsive from outside the wall. Who would be happy to accept those who are at risk of plague within the territory? Asaya ignored and collected the water. Their gossips were gentle compared to those blood baths outside the wall. It was fortunate that they didn¡¯t react violently. ¡°I am relieved to have Leah, but just in case I shouldn¡¯t let my guard down.¡± Asaya reminded herself. Asaya thought that if she came inside the wall, she could live without any worries, but she was overwhelmed with new worries. She wondered if the people would sneak in and harm her family, or set a fire at night. Sometimes people think and act differently. She was anxious that she did not know when they might change suddenly. ¡®It is the same outside the wall or in here that I have to live in anxiety.¡¯ Asaya said with disappointment. She realized that even if the living environment changes, the label of being a vulgar commoner from outside the wall does not disappear. No matter how expensive the clothes and how fancy the house was, she was still a low-class citizen from outside the wall. Asaya knew that even if she got engaged to Edwin and married later, it would be impossible to get the label off. At this point, his choice didn¡¯t make any sense to her. She wondered if he was too reckless to have a low-class woman who can never be recognized as the hostess of the Kabelheider family. In addition, Edwin must have many suitable substitutes for him to marry, but why did he bother with a woman like her. Thoughts continued running through Asaya¡¯s mind. She tried to shake it off because it was all painful thoughts. Meanwhile, the people close by had more things to say. ¡°I heard that there was a tour group dispatched from the church that will stay around here. And the Bishop leads the group himself.¡± ¡°It¡¯s about time for them to arrive¡­¡± It was when Asaya lifted a bucket full of water. ¡°Oh my gosh! The Bishop and Priests are here!¡± With one man¡¯s cry, the assembled crowds backed away. After hearing the word Bishop, Asaya slowly turned her head. At that moment, she saw a beautiful man coming her way. As the man-made eye contact, Asaya dropped the water bucket she was holding onto the floor. Her fingers trembled. A chill swept over her body as his curious face stared straight at her. ¡°¡­Asaya Lubedoa ?¡± Asaya felt the blood flowing backwards. Her whole body trembled, and the heat rose quickly. She didn¡¯t know if it was anger or sadness. But what was clear was that it was an unpleasant encounter. This was the same for the other person. Reibene was outright unpleasant and grabbed Asaya¡¯s hand. ¡°Why is there a lowly sinner who has committed a sin and was cast out?¡± Why was Asaya so unlucky today? Why must she have to face the person she wanted to cut out of her memory? Reibene Schrandel, a sick bastard. Chapter 7 - mpulsive kis Chapter 7A. Impulsive kiss (Part 1) ***** It was their first encounter after 7 years. From that day on, Asaya never thought they would meet again. She didn¡¯t know that in the midst of becoming a sinner and being thrown out of the wall and tumbling in a place where demons and plagues, famine and looting, rape, murder, and cannibals, she would meet an unforgettable opponent so quickly. Asaya sighed briefly. The sky was also indifferent. Why did God put a terrible man in front of her on a happy day like today, who she never wanted to meet again? ¡°l asked why are you here? Did you cross the wall without fear? Who is giving you permission? You didn¡¯t sneak into it, did you? Don¡¯t you know that if a sinner outside the wall forcefully entered this place, there will be a punishment?¡± ¡°Let go of my hand because touching you is very unpleasant.¡± Asaya raised her voice and shook her hand off of Reibene¡¯s grasp. ¡°You are still alive after all this time?¡± ¡°You look disappointed. Are you sad that the woman who you threw out of the wall to die came back alive?¡± ¡°How dare a sinner to make such remarks? Is it because you just roll out of the wall?¡± ¡°Is there any difference in the way you speak to me?¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°What kind of bishop are you? When you speak you sound insulting.¡± Reibene burst into laughter as if he was stunned. Despite Asaya¡¯s insulting remarks, he was lost for words. There was a flower-like woman in his memories that were just beautiful and slender. The little woman, who had become much thinner and insignificant than before, was wearing a dangerous momentum. Her sharp gaze went beyond the threat and was terrifying. Reibene, who had paused for a moment, quickly woke up and groaned in a low voice. ¡°What kind? Asaya Lubedoa, are you insane? Have you rolled around in that filthy and vulgar land and now you have completely gone mad?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I¡¯m fine. It¡¯s not me but it¡¯s you that¡¯s going crazy.¡± Asaya had thought about what it would be like to meet again. Would she hate him enough to want to kill him? Was it horrible and disgusting enough to make her go crazy? She had always imagined extreme reactions. She even imagined that she would run straight to him and cut his neck or torture him alive. She envisioned throwing him as prey to the devil and watching him being eaten alive by hungry carnivores. But when Asaya faced him, it was funny rather than upsetting. When a person was too angry, it seemed that his head became cold. Her body, which was trembling, quickly became calm. ¡°Is it scary that I am alive?¡± ¡°Stop spouting nonsense and tell me why you are here!¡± Asaya walked closely in front of Reibene. Then she whispered in a small voice into his ear. ¡°August¡¯s master took me in.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°Edwin Kabelheider, have you not heard that he and I have promised to marry?¡± Reibene opened his eyes wide, hesitated, and soon began to frown and burst into laughter. He held his stomach and convulsed as if he had heard a really funny story. After laughing for a long time, he grabbed Asaya¡¯s neck with a straight face. ¡°What nonsense are you talking about?¡± ¡°Whenever you get angry while dealing with someone weaker than you, you will use your hands. Old habits die hard, I guess.¡± ¡°You have become a lot worse than this old habit. In the past, you used to be obedient, but now, seeing you try to climb without knowing your place.¡± ¡°You are the one who doesn¡¯t know your place!¡± Asaya shouted. Asaya grabbed Raibene¡¯s wrist which was wrapped around her neck. Then she twisted it as it was. Snap. His wrist broke into a bizarre shape with a sound. Everyone who was watching was amazed by the tremendous strength of such a small woman. Reibene sat down screaming while holding his twisted wrist. His priest who was watching from the side urgently began to heal his hand. Hearing the scream, Leah who was in the house, jumped out. As soon as Leah found Reibene, she grimaced and tried to pull the sword from her waist. But Asaya stopped her. ¡°Leah, hold on.¡± ¡°But¡­..¡± ¡°It¡¯s my job. I¡¯ll do it myself. You go inside, Leah.¡± Leah glanced at Asaya and Reibene alternately with an ugly glance before entering the house. Asaya looked at Reibene, who was being healed, and leaned down to meet his eyes. ¡°Do I still look like the Asaya Lubedoa, who was pure and stupid 7 years ago? How do you think I lived in that hellish land in the past 7 years?¡± ¡°You¡­!¡± ¡°Do you think I could have survived in that land if I had remained that stupid and weak Asaya Lubedoa? That¡¯s where you die if you don¡¯t change. Do you think you and I are still the same after 7 years? Your time must be different than mine.¡± In order to survive intact in the land that pushed a person to the limit, she had to take away, protect, fight, run away, sometimes bend¡­and move thoroughly to survive. When you meet the strong, you stoop down and beg for your life. When you meet the weak, you have to take what they have to live on. To survive in a rolling time, one must change and adapt to the environment more thoroughly than anyone else. It was a place where justice did not exist. Surviving was justice. The name of Asaya Lubedoa, who was just stupid, kind, and ignorant, got abandoned the moment she was abandoned on the land. ¡°What do you know about how much I¡¯ve lost and how much I¡¯ve lived in a land where there¡¯s nothing to give and a lot to take away. Why am I here? Because I needed to live desperately. Because I had to save my family. So I gave up everything I had and exchanged it for the comfort of my family.¡± ¡°It makes sense. What kind of guy is Edwin Kabelheider? He is the one who pierces the sky with his nose as a nobleman. A vulgar woman like you deserve to be with a man like him.¡± ¡°You pretend that you know me very well.¡± Out of the blue, another voice interrupted. Everyone¡¯s eyes turned to the dazzling man who was walking into the house. Asaya stood up and greeted him, and the priest who was treating Reibene also hurriedly tightened himself. The dazzling man, that was Edwin Kabelheider, the owner of August, slowly looked around and stopped at Reibene¡¯s wrist, which had not yet recovered. ¡°Why would the bishop who should be in the treatment quarantine doing such a stupid thing in front of my wife¡¯s house?¡± Stupid. It was a sarcastic tone. Reibene grinded his teeth and got himself up. ¡°Did you say ¡®wife¡¯? ¡°Yes, Are there any problems? This woman and I have promised to be married. But what does Bishop Reibene have to do with the reserve Grand Duchess? Do I have an opponent here? ¡° ¡°No. I just came to consecrate this house.¡± ¡°The atmosphere is pretty bloody for that. My wife tends to be shy. Naturally, she feels uncomfortable being visited by a stranger. Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s pretty rude even if you¡¯re a bishop to make such a move without asking for permission in advance? ¡°I had a short thought. I will be careful, Grand Duke Kabelheider.¡± Asaya looked at Reibene with his tail lowered and kicked her tongue. From the old days, he was infinitely weak to the strong and infinitely strong to the weak. He was filled with anger. It was disgusting that a man who had just been shouting and threatening all kinds of things was now bent his knees and lowered his tail. Asaya¡¯s insides feel twisted. ¡°The Bishop didn¡¯t believe Grand Duke Kabelheider and I was going to get married .¡± Asaya wrapped Edwin¡¯s waist out of nowhere. Edwin gently looked at Asaya with a smile, then naturally responded. ¡°My lady must have been upset.¡± ¡°It can¡¯t be helped. Because I¡¯m from the outside the wall. I won¡¯t be trusted by anyone.¡± Asaya must have been out of her mind. Still, she couldn¡¯t stop it because of this sudden rising impulse. Reasons had long flown away. Asaya raised one hand and wrapped Edwin¡¯s cheek. Edwin looked at Asaya through the eyes of a bystander, as if letting her know that she can do whatever she wanted. And at that moment, Asaya¡¯s lips touched Edwin¡¯s lips. It was a very sudden move. It was a very impulse-driven behavior that would not be understood for any reason. Edwin was not surprised, but very calm. Asaya thought she would not say anything even if he tried to throw her away and cut her throat after this. It was an act outside of common sense and disrespect. But, for some reason, instead of pushing her away, Edwin wrapped his hands around her waist. Then the gap between their lips tightly interlocked. Only the moist sound of kissing filled the stillness. Reibene¡¯s gaze turned to Edwin and Asaya and clenched his fist tightly. Asaya stared blankly at Edwin as if she was sorry, then slowly turned her head and looked at Reibene. His crushed pride was revealed in a distorted look. It was a look that Asaya knew very well. It¡¯s been so since long ago. The expression Asaya had made while begging in front of someone who looked down on her. That expression was filled with shame in the gloomy reality. And with that face, she was thrown away by him seven years ago. Desperately grabbed onto him, full of grief and anger, shame and sadness. Asaya wondered if her appearance in his eyes 7 years ago was so pitiful. ¡°Ah, excuse us. Because we are so in love.¡± Edwin cheekily told Reibene. ¡°It was surprising. I didn¡¯t know that a man like the Grand Duke would embrace a woman outside the wall.¡± ¡°There is no law that says only trash stays in a garbage dump.¡± ¡°I did dump it in the trash for a reason. ¡° ¡°I don¡¯t know. Sometimes stupid people throw away what they have without knowing the value of it.¡± ¡°So how much is this woman worth so that the Grand Duke took it himself? It seems to me that it¡¯s a misjudgment.¡± It was a touch of obvious sarcasm. Even with Reibene¡¯s cheap provocation, Edwin remained calm. On the contrary, he even smiled. It was a very gentle and calm smile. ¡°The value is not determined, it is up to the grant. Then what do you think that adds value, Bishop?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not a person.¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s power. If I put an expensive jewel in the trash right now, it will become trash.So I wonder if the trash that you called a trash can be called differently if I name it Kabelheider.¡± There were obviously arrogant remarks that no humility could be found. However, no one would be able to discuss this remark without permission. Now, it¡¯s no longer possible for Reibene to mock Asaya by referring to her as a heaven man and garbage. A lowly woman who was rolling in the trash? No, she shall be the Grand Duchess who would take over the name of Kabelheider. She shall become a woman of a much higher status than a bishop who was recognized as the equivalent of a count. For Reibene, that was a bitter reality. ¡°Anyway, I am sure you are aware that your church is having financial difficulties?¡± ¡°l just took over the Bishop¡¯s position. Because the former bishop was rotten and stupid that led to this problem. But I will prove my ability.¡± ¡°Whether you prove your abilities or not, I don¡¯t care, and it¡¯s none of my business, so the unpleasant conversation will end here. Do you have time to spare? Patients are waiting for your mission right now in the quarantine.¡± ¡°If the plague spreads here, the position of the prestigious church could be shaken. Well, that must be worth seeing.¡± Edwin spoke sarcastically. Maybe this was what it meant to be able to kill a man with words. Despite being of a similar age, Reibene looked like an infinite little kid in front of Edwin. Edwin was adept and Reibene was clumsy. Reibene was already defeated because he was agitated by Edwin¡¯s words and was unable to hide his emotions. Reibene who had been shaking without many rebuttals bowed his head and turned around. Then he took the priest who was waiting next to him and went back the way he had come. Was it the end? Asaya¡¯s complexion faded as she gazed blankly at Reibene moving away. Cold sweat has covered her forehead. Asaya deliberately pretended to be confident because she didn¡¯t want to show a weak figure in front of him, but in fact, she was very nervous and anxious. It was natural. Reibene Schrandel, he was the one who gave her 7 years of hell after all. She was nervous all the time, haunted by the memory of that terrible day. Suddenly her eyes got blurry. Her head felt dizzy. Asaya blinked blankly and stumbled. Right before her eyes closed, darkness came with the feeling that something was about to take her. Chapter 8 - Bridle ****** Just before Asaya collapsed, Edwin reached out and grabbed her with one arm. Her body was too light. He wondered if she was any heavier than the sword he carried on his body every day. The lean and infinitely small woman was unusually pale. Then Edwin looked around at the gathered onlookers who regained their senses at Edwin¡¯s cold gaze and stepped back. ¡°Make sure what happened here doesn¡¯t leak out.¡± Marshall, who was waiting next to Edwin¡¯s side, nodded. ¡°Yes, My Lord.¡± When all the commotion was over, Leah and Asaya¡¯s mother in the house carefully stepped out. Edwin, who was looking at the two thin women as small as Asaya, deep in thought. ¡°Was all this just a coincidence?¡± Though he knew through the preliminary investigation that Asaya, who was picked up from outside the wall, was actually a noblewoman and was related to the church. Then the unexpected meeting with the Bishop who was acting suspiciously. All this was too exquisite to dismiss it simply as a coincidence. At one point, Edwin suspected that Asaya was related to the church and that their encounter that day by the wall was done in a deliberate plan, but that doubt was soon withdrawn. Asaya¡¯s emotions today were genuinely expressed. The extreme anger was delivered intact. Was it such a violent reaction that Edwin wondered if Asaya was actually a gentlewoman? ¡°Postpone the schedules today to later and hurry to bring a priest to look into Asaya¡¯s body,¡± Edwin ordered Marshall. Due to Asaya¡¯s sudden fall, Edwin canceled all of his schedules in the afternoon. If the original plan had been, he would have gone to the treatment quarantine, made a simple greeting with Reibene, and went back after examining the treatment process, but now there was no reason or meaning to do so. It may be embarrassing to greet the Bishop now, Edwin guessed it was because he had met the Bishop and talked to him already. ¡°I brought the priest,¡± Marshall announced as he walked into the house with a woman. Fortunately, there was a priest not far away. The woman who was called in hurriedly and nervously began to look at Asaya¡¯s fallen body. ¡°How¡¯s her condition?¡± Edwin anxiously asked. ¡°She must have been very nervous, that¡¯s why she fainted. Leave her to rest and she will soon wake up.¡± ¡°Asaya was nervous?¡± Edwin tilted his head after hearing the word. She was scared and anxious enough to lose consciousness? Edwin recalled Asaya¡¯s appearance. She didn¡¯t look tense at all. Her anger and excitement that seemed to be able to tear the other person up at any moment were far from being nervous and fearful. Her feelings against Reibene were outright, but the outward attitude seemed rather calm and confident. Edwin turned his head. Then he looked at Leah, who was hesitating. ¡°There, come here for a moment.¡± As Edwin beckoned at Leah, Leah carefully approached and stood in front of him. ¡°Are you Asaya¡¯s friend?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± ¡°Has she been unconscious often?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°The Bishop and Asaya¡¯s relationship is private so I will leave it aside but answer one question. Was Reibene Schrandel related to the incident seven years ago?¡± At a straightforward question, Leah bowed her head, biting her lips and thought to herself. ¡®The case 7 years ago was concealed inside the church. How does this man know? How much does he know? Rather than asking about the relationship between that rotten bastard and Asaya, he asked about Raibene Schrandel and if he was related to the incident seven years ago ¡­ Did he know that Asaya had something to do with the incident seven years ago?¡¯ Leah hesitated for an answer. Of course, it was natural to be on the lookout for the man in front of her because it was not possible to know whether Edwin was an enemy or an ally. Asaya said Edwin loved her, called her into the wall, and gave her ample support, but Leah wasn¡¯t foolish enough to believe that. There must have been some conversation or deal between the two. Leah didn¡¯t know what kind of transaction came and went, but it was all or nothing. Would they return to the outside wall in a terrible way if Asaya didn¡¯t agree to his conditions? Or should she continue to stay under this man¡¯s unknown intentions? Whether this man was a man she can trust or not. Why does that matter? It was true that Asaya, her mother, and Asaran¡¯s lives were in the hands of this man. Leah determined and opened her mouth. ¡°I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s obvious. But at least I and Asaya are convinced that Reibene Schrandel had something to do with the incident seven years ago.¡± At Leah¡¯s words, Edwin replied, sighing little. ¡°According to Marshall¡¯s words, I heard that you have been uncooperative and surprisingly quiet.¡± ¡°Because I knew it wasn¡¯t just a matter of keeping your mouth shut as long as I met Reibene Schrandel again.¡± ¡°If so, does that mean you will be cooperative in the future?¡± ¡°Unless you are an enemy. ¡° At Leah¡¯s alert attitude, Edwin curled up his mouth. ¡°I understand your vigilance, but that¡¯s enough. I don¡¯t know why I have to waste my time making an enemy from outside the wall who has nothing to spare. ¡° ¡°Then can I ask just one question?¡± ¡°Say it.¡± ¡°Why did you bring a lowly woman outside the wall who had nothing to August by marrying her?¡± ¡°By now, articles must have been pouring out. You haven¡¯t seen the love story of the century that shook the world yet?¡± ¡°Love? Who would believe that nonsense?¡± In a hard voice, Edwin stood up as if he was tired. There was no need to explain to others the reasons for what he was doing. He looked at Leah with dissatisfied eyes. Leah had an unnecessary firmness in her eyes. And Edwin did not hate it as he first felt it in Asaya¡¯s eyes too. Like Asaya, it was a strange gaze that attracted people. So he came up with an answer to Leah¡¯s question which he didn¡¯t have to answer. ¡°It¡¯s an investment. I found something worthwhile and I invested in it. And now I¡¯m convinced that my eyes were correct.¡± It was only a vague assumption that Reibene Schrandel had something to do with the case that was concealed seven years ago, but now Edwin had a clue to be sure of it. This was definitely a big harvest and a satisfactory investment. However, Leah was still suspicious of a man wearing dazzlingly expensive clothes all over his body. ¡°I know you have a lot of doubts. But whether you keep suspicious of me or not, it has nothing to do with me, and if you really are a victim of that incident 7 years ago, you should think about it. Who should you be cooperative with?¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Edwin turned around and lifted Asaya¡¯s body up carefully. The carriage arrived shortly after to pick them up. Edwin dissuaded the escorts who wanted to move Asaya and got into the carriage while holding her in his arms. The place where the storm once hit was still. The people who had gathered were scattered, forced by the soldiers to crackdown. Marshall, who glanced at the distant carriage, approached Leah standing outside the door. ¡°I think it¡¯s a problem that needs to be considered, but since I am on the same boat anyway, I wonder if it would be less tiring to work cooperatively. What do you think Lady?¡± Leah frowned while staring at his warm face with his hand outstretched and a kind smile. ¡°It¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve seen a person inside the wall who is respectful to a person from outside the wall.¡± ¡°You are not just from outside the wall, you are the Lady¡¯s family.¡± Leah realized it anew. Asaya was really marrying a man who only knows his name. All those ridiculous dreamy situations were really real. ¡°And her mother was also from outside the wall. ¡° At Marshall¡¯s words that followed, Leah shut her mouth tight. She recalled the appearance of Marshall, who was prying sensitive questions like an interrogation. After Asaya went to Kabelheider mansion, Marshall came to see her quite often, asking all about the things related to Asaya. At that time, he was an unpleasant man. Leah thought he was just a cunning and irritable man armed with a nice smile. Her head was confused. Leah also needed time to clear up all these situations and take it intact. ¡°Give me some time to accept all this. ¡° ¡°Sure.¡± Leah walked into the house, leaving Marshall behind. Asaran and Asaya¡¯s mother fell asleep lying side by side on the bed. Asaya¡¯s younger brother was born with a disability who couldn¡¯t speak or understand properly. And her mother, whose mind goes back and forth. Watching the two of them made her heartache. A new hell awaited as they escaped that hellish place. As soon as she crossed the wall, she ran into Reibene Schrandel. Leah sighed a heavy sigh and sat down in the chair. She felt something was going wrong. Perhaps it was better to have a life of filth and blood in the rotted ground. Because there were things in this land that are dirtier than the filth that covered the land. She never thought they would be reunited this early. ¡°It must be a bridle of evil.¡± Leah struggled to swallow the bitter taste that filled her throat. As she tried to calm her trembling fingers, she closed her eyes and strove to cover up the terrible past rising over the dark vision. That terrible past might soon happen again. Inside the carriage was quiet throughout. Edwin¡¯s gaze was fixed on Asaya¡¯s face who was lying on his knees. It was strange to see her pale, lifeless face. He had seen countless numbers of dead people, but seeing a paler face than the corpses, made him feel strange. The uncomfortable and unpleasant feeling continued as the wagon arrived at the mansion. The mansion¡¯s maidservants tried to bring a stretcher to move Asaya, but Edwin dissuaded them and decided to carry her himself. Then he stepped into the mansion and went straight to her bedroom, where Asaya usually stayed instead of his bedroom. Lucia and Diana, Asaya¡¯s servants, hurriedly followed. ¡°For the time being, you need to take good care of her.¡± At Edwin¡¯s stiff voice, Lucia and Diana quickly began to tidy up Asaya¡¯s bedsheets. They had a mountain of questions to ask but had to bear it because Edwin¡¯s cold energy was pressing their necks like cold bones. Edwin looked sideways at Asaya, who was lying in bed, and ordered the maid who was by the bedside. ¡°Make sure to report on her condition regularly. Get a caretaker priest to take care of her, and put her expenses on the ledger without having to ask for my approval.¡± ¡°Yes, My Lord.¡± After Edwin left the room, both Lucia and Diana, including the other maid, were astonished at the fact that the Grand Duke had held Asaya in his arms and cared for her. Even in the presence of a former priest, Menefrida, he had never taken care of her so seriously. The reports to Edwin had always been about critical affairs in the estate. Therefore it was a surprise to them to report regularly on Asaya¡¯s condition. ¡°I guess love changes people. The great power of love..¡± Lucia said admirably. Asaya was a woman who was promised to be married, so the treatment was different. Lucia and Diana smiled shyly as they recalled the scandal that made the public sensation and the love stories poured out through secondary creation. When the maid came to her senses, she got up and turned around, scolding the two young maids. ¡°How could you be so happy when the lady is unconscious? Tsk, Diana you stay here and look after the lady. Lucia, you will write a letter and go to the convent to get a priest right away.¡± The daily routine of the mansion rapidly became busy. ***** The quarantine treatment center was crowded with sick people. While the priests dispatched from the church were working hard to purify the energy of the plague that had spread to the patients, Bishop Reibene sat down in the corner and asked blankly. ¡±How many more patients are there to see?¡± ¡°There are about ten people left, and we can manage the rest even if the Bishop is busy.¡± ¡°What is the next schedule?¡± ¡°Today¡¯s schedule ends with treating patients in the quarantine here.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not feeling well, so I¡¯ll take a rest first. I¡¯ll be at the lodge, call me if anything happens.¡± Reibene¡¯s exclusive priest, Rodan, tried to go with him but Reibene wanted to go alone and set out on the road. As soon as he got out, he exhaled a harsh breath. He was nervous. Why was Asaya Lubedoa of all women? Why was she alive when he thought she was dead in the first place? It was too exquisite for a coincidence. Did he also sense something from Kabelheider? ¡±If the incident seven years ago rises above the water, it will become dangerous¡­¡± Reibene was annoyingly messed with his hair. The unexpected encounter made him uneasy. The reason why he joined the delegation and came to August was to laugh at Kabelheider. Reibene hated Edwin. It was not because there was a particularly bad relationship. But because it was unpleasant to see a person that couldn¡¯t live without the care of God, and to be so stubborn with the church and pretentious. Reibene didn¡¯t like the special birth of this Royal, who was the same age as him but was born with all the talents. He was very young for the Grand Duke. He received the emperor¡¯s trust and was especially admired and attracted attention wherever he went. And because he was a man with outstanding abilities among the royals. It was natural that Reibene was bothered by Edwin having everything comfortably without trying. But there was one more thing that was bothering him the most. It was also quite dangerous too ¡­ ¡°I came to change my mood and I got insulted. Damn it!¡± Reminiscent of the scene where Asaya and Edwin kissed, Reibene struck the tree next to him with his fists. How hard he hit it, there were lots of thorns on the back of his hand and blood dripping. Why? The fact that the woman who he once loved being held in the arms of another man made him angrier than meeting Asaya again. He couldn¡¯t help but be annoyed. Chapter 9 - A strange man Translated by Gigi Edited by Schwarzel **** *(Asaya was unconsciously hearing Reibene and someone¡¯s voices in her head)* The only thing that came behind weakness was suffocating solitude and misery. Asaya hated the feeling of weakness. She felt sick to her stomach and there was nothing she could do. -Asaya is too elegant and so obvious. She is nice and boring. I don¡¯t feel like doing anything because she doesn¡¯t have any charms as a woman.- -At the same time, you spend the night steadily with her. What would you do if she had a child? Do you want to raise it ?- -Just thinking about it makes me choke. What¡¯s that terrible sound? Asaya will never have my child, so don¡¯t worry about the uselessness. -She¡¯s a difficult woman to live with. She makes people feel suffocating. But as for a woman, probably she¡¯s fun at night..? -What kind of fun would you have when she just lay quietly on the bed? And it¡¯s not a family that will last long anyway. A disgusting voice constantly wandering through Asaya¡¯s head. She felt nauseated. At one time, it was a sweeter voice than anything else. It always whispered the most beautiful words in the world. And the gentle touches as if they were dealing with the most precious thing. They would fall asleep every night hand in hand, watch flowers together, spray water on each other, sit together in a hut in the woods, collect pretty leaves, and exchange presents. They would hug and roll around in the snow. There were such times. It was so beautiful that it made her tearful. Even in very happy and miserable moments, the man was always with her. He brought her happiness and at the same time, he gave her misery. Asaya wanted to cut it out, but she couldn¡¯t. Because there wasn¡¯t a time that he wasn¡¯t in Asaya Lubedoa¡¯s life. ¡°¡­dirty.¡± Shaking off the disgusting memories, Asaya opened her eyes slowly. Remembering the unpleasant thoughts made her whole body tremble with a cold sweat. ¡°You¡¯ve been sleeping for a long time.¡± A shadow cast over her face with a blank blinking eye. Asaya saw Edwin in his comfortable clothes. ¡°Thanks to you, my schedule was ruined as well .¡± ¡°What had happened?¡± ¡°You suddenly collapsed. The doctor said it was because you were too nervous. ¡°Ah.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t know you were so good at acting. You didn¡¯t look nervous at all.¡± Asaya blinked blankly and recalled what happened earlier in the day. As the scenes began to be drawn in her head in chronological order, Asaya¡¯s face became pale. When the scene of kissing Edwin impulsively came to mind, Asaya bit her lips and lowered her gaze. ¡°I am sorry.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°I must have lost my mind for a moment. I¡­ I went crazy and impulsively ¡­ ¡° There was no provision in the terms of the contract that Asaya could touch his body at will. Even if she thinks about it in common sense, that was disrespectful behavior. He must have been in a bad mood because it was a non-consensual contact. How annoyed it would have been that a woman who he didn¡¯t even care about was impulsively kissing him. ¡°Impulse¡­? Oh, that!¡± Unlike Asaya, who was tired and pale, Edwin who had been subjected to impulsive behavior responded leisurely. ¡°You mean something embarrassing like a kiss.¡± ¡°I have sinned to die.¡± ¡°A kiss is not a big deal. It is not the sin of death.¡± Yes, it was a death penalty even if it wasn¡¯t a big kiss. It was an obvious disrespect and an insult to the nobility. It wasn¡¯t an act that was done with permission. The world in the wall was a strict society, and Edwin was, after all, the man on the top of that society. It was an unacceptable act, and Asaya knew very well the seriousness of this incident that the vulgar woman touched the body of the nobleman. Reibene Schrandel, the thoughts of that horrible person have long blown away. It was fear that took the place. Perhaps Edwin might end the contract and throw her out of the wall again. Or would he use this as an excuse to harm her family, including herself? Asaya bit her lips. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn¡¯t see a happy ending. Edwin glanced at Asaya, who was terrified and kicked his tongue briefly. ¡°At this time, I can¡¯t tell whether you are afraid or not. It¡¯s hard to believe that you are the same person as the daring woman who stood up to me and demanded a deal.¡± ¡°It¡¯s different when I have nothing to lose and when I have something to lose.¡± ¡°So do you think you¡¯ll lose what you have with that impulsive kiss? ¡°Aren¡¯t you offended?¡± To Asaya¡¯s cautious question, Edwin replied calmly, as if it wasn¡¯t very important. ¡°If it was unpleasant, would I have gone along with it? Yes, it was an impulsive kiss, but do you think I responded without knowing that? It was sudden, but thanks to it, I was able to watch something quite interesting. Bishop¡¯s distorted face was quite a sight.¡± ¡°¡­I will be careful next time.¡± Asaya bowed her head. She didn¡¯t have the courage to face him. Her face was hot and she felt strange for no reason. The sensation that wrapped around her waist and the moist yet warm that penetrated her lips remained. Edwin, who was staring at Asaya, started laughing. ¡°I don¡¯t know what to think. You were like a ferocious beast in front of the Bishop, but now you just like a kitten in front of me. Which one are you really? You told me you are sorry, and I said okay. But why are you so uncomfortable?¡± When Asaya couldn¡¯t say anything, Edwin frowned as if he was frustrated. Then he raised Asaya¡¯s chin. Their faces came in close contact. It was such a short distance that they could feel each other¡¯s breaths. At that moment Asaya¡¯s eyes grew round, Edwin kissed her lips. Her tightly closed lips snapped into place as Edwin¡¯s mouth widened. Something moist briefly swept through Asaya¡¯s mouth. Her head went blank. Asaya felt her body stiffened and her eyes shockingly wide opened. Then Asaya closed her eyes in embarrassment at seeing Edwin¡¯s handsome face. From her head to her toes, the burning heat gradually surged upward. Edwin¡¯s moves were very smooth, relaxed, and skillful at the same time. Even though he was just touching her lips, Asaya fell into a sense of helplessness. Something irresistible felt right all over her. Unknowingly, an embarrassing sound flowed out. Only the sound of moist lips and the occasional violent breaths filled the bedroom. At the moment when Asaya felt like she was going to lose her mind, their lips fell apart. Asaya blindly blinked and looked at the beautiful man who had just kissed her. ¡°This way, you and I are even.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°You kissed me impulsively, and now I also kissed you impulsively.¡± ¡°Ah. ¡° ¡°Now stop making the scared facial expression. How is your body?¡± As being asked calmly, Asaya regained her senses and answered with difficulty. ¡± I am fine¡±. ¡°You don¡¯t need to stop by my bedroom for the time being. Stay here until your body is fully recovered. ¡° ¡°Yes, thank you.¡± ¡°You will have to recover quickly. The longer I take care of you, the more difficult it gets.¡± Just like that, Edwin stood up and left the room with an expressionless face. Asaya, who was left alone, recalled the moment they kissed while staring at the door, and hurriedly lowered her head, feeling the burning sensation. What happened in a short period? A great storm swept through. The aftermath of that moment remained vivid in the vacant seat, even though the owner who had driven the storm had left. ¡°What on earth was that? ¡° No matter how hard she tried, Asaya couldn¡¯t understand the situation. She kissed the most terrifying and uncomfortable man in the world twice very impulsively ¡­.. Asaya blinked her eyes slowly, raised her hand, and gently rubbed her lips. The heat of that moment still lingered. ¡°What a strange man!¡± The mansion where the notorious devil of August lived was as luxurious and gorgeous as its prestige, but it was unexpectedly peaceful. Edwin granted Leah access to the Kabelheider mansion. To obtain that permission to visit Asaya at any time, Leah had to tell him everything she knew and vowed to be cooperative in his future affairs. She asked Marshall to give her time to organize her thoughts, but in fact, it was a problem that Leah didn¡¯t have time to worry about for long. Because Edwin Kabelheider was holding the lifeline of her family, including Asaya, the moment she entered August, and in order to live in this place in the future, she had no choice but to be obedient and cooperative. Even if that cooperation was a constant visit of the terrible past which she wanted to erase. She must do it to continue living here in the future. ¡°Follow me, I¡¯ll take you to the lady¡¯s bedroom.¡± Leah was amazed at the atmosphere completely different from what she expected throughout her way to Asaya¡¯s bedroom under the guidance of a maidservant. Well, she thought the house where the infamous Grand Duke lived would have a gloomy atmosphere somewhere, but the inside of the mansion was very spacious and neat, and above all, it was full of life. Leah saw a few maids walking by and chatting happily. It was far from a hard and still atmosphere. Rather, it felt bustling. Arriving in front of Asaya¡¯s bedroom, the maid carefully knocked on the closed door. ¡°My lady, your friend has arrived.¡± Instead of being told to come in, the door popped open. At the same time, Asaya came out and hugged Leah¡¯s body as hard as she could. ¡°Welcome, Leah!¡± Leah laughed and looked at Asaya¡¯s clothes which were an ivory-colored dress that looked cool and soft. Asaya looked so healthy that Leah couldn¡¯t believe she just collapsed the other day. ¡°How are you feeling?¡± ¡°I am good.¡± ¡°I was so surprised when you suddenly fell.¡± ¡°I was too. I guess I was too nervous. ¡° It¡¯s amazing. Even if Asaya starved for days in that barren land, or even if the injured part festered and burst into a high fever, or even if she couldn¡¯t sleep for days, Asaya never lost her mind. ¡°How did you come here anyway?¡± ¡°Duke Kabelheider told me I can stop by the mansion often to visit you.¡± ¡°He said that?¡± ¡°Because it will take some time to adjust to an unfamiliar environment. You¡¯ll be very anxious, so he told me to be by your side. So I came. I will stop by often unless there is anything that happens in the future.¡± Was he more sensitive than he looked? Asaya was amazed at his unexpected move. She had been thinking that he was not the type of person who cared for others. Wasn¡¯t he a more cold and rational man than anyone, who had always poured out cold words from the moment she met him? However, Asaya soon regained reason. ¡°What did he ask for?¡± His actions were largely followed by exhaustive calculations. After all her relationship with Reibene Schrandel was discovered by him, and Asaya thought it was extremely unlikely that he, who had been pretending with the church, would pass on this fact. ¡°From your reaction, I can see that this marriage wasn¡¯t about the love of the century, it was just a deal with him. I heard that Grand Duke Kabelheider has a bad relationship with the church and in a terrible political relationship. Is it okay to accept it because of the power you had? ¡° Asaya did not answer. However, it was enough. Leah understood. She was always sensitive to the surrounding situation and knew how to read the flow well. That¡¯s how Leah survived the barren land. ¡°What did he ask for? I decided to give him my memory in exchange for coming here to see you.¡± ¡°Memory?¡± ¡°The memory of that incident seven years ago.¡± Asaya¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°The incident seven years ago? Does that mean he knows about the case?¡± ¡°He knew about it. He researched you before he brought you in, and he¡¯s still investigating. If you think about it, it¡¯s a natural procedure. It would be impossible to put an unknown woman who he knows nothing into the mansion. However, he doesn¡¯t know for sure if Reibene Schrandel was involved.¡± Asaya blinked her eyes blankly, then laughed weakly. Her head was throbbing. ¡°I wanted it to be buried. ¡­.¡± Leah grabbed Asaya¡¯s hand and murmured. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s an opportunity. ¡° ¡°Opportunity?¡± Asaya asked curiously. Leah answered in a steady voice. ¡°An opportunity to get revenge.¡± Chapter 10 - Please use me Chapter 10. Please use me **** Revenge. It is not that Asaya had never thought about it. She constantly ground her teeth every day. The time when she crushed her jawbone to vent her misery lasted for quite a while. At first, it was. However, the fierce anger that crushed the body and distracted the mind had faded over the years. It had been blurry. Rather than deciding to take revenge, she had to survive the cruel reality first. Revenge? Only for those who could afford it. In a place where death was constantly lurking, there was no time to think about revenge when she had to fight every day amid death and anxiety. ¡°It¡¯s an opportunity. The moment you and Reibene reunited, it became an irreversible problem.¡± ¡°Yes, I know.¡± ¡°Reibene Schrandel will go further and will not leave us alone if the church officials who were involved in the incident find out about our existence. They will try to kill us again like back then.¡± Asaya recalled that moment in the past when they were suddenly captured as traitors of the church and imprisoned like felons. Trials were conducted unilaterally. The unfair appeal was not accepted. The whole process was somewhat strange even if she thought of it with common sense. The next day, the main elders gathered and the trial proceeded. Asaya did not know the contents of the trial. Because it was her father who stood in front of the judge as the representative of the sinner that day. However, the trial ended quickly, and an order of deportation was issued to expel all sinners out of the wall. It was strange that treason criminals were usually executed publicly, but for some reason, they were ordered to be deported. The tragedy began as soon as they were thrown out of the wall. Because each of the denomination¡¯s soldiers drew their swords and started killing people randomly . The people in the family including relatives and friends, who had been close to each other, were strangled. And some had their hands and feet tied and their heads cut off by a sword without having to resist once, remained vividly in Asaya¡¯s memory. Leah grabbed Asaya¡¯s afflicted shoulder. ¡°The trial went private. The transfer outside the wall was also secretly conducted. Many people got moved out at night and got killed outside the wall was something that you and I thought weird. Don¡¯t you wanna reveal the injustice at that time?¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°How did you feel when you saw that bastard Reibene became a bishop? I felt angry and nauseous. We¡¯ve been trying to survive so desperately for seven years, why is that trash who betrayed us became a bishop who is admired by everyone? why? ¡° Asaya was angry. As soon as she saw that face, she wanted to tear the mug face to pieces with a knife and peel it off. But it was just a thought. It faced a real problem to translate that thought into reality because the target of revenge was not one Reibene Schrandel, but the enormous group of the church itself. This was not something that could be done with personal strength. ¡°For me, my family and your safety and our comfortable life came before revenge.¡± To be honest, Asaya could have killed Reibene by twisting his neck on the spot. But it was because of her family here that she couldn¡¯t. Mother, Asaran, and Leah could barely lead a normal life so she didn¡¯t want to cause more problems. She had to suppress the feeling of revenge because she wanted her family to be able to live comfortably for the rest of their life. ¡°I do too. But now you know that it¡¯s impossible to just live quietly.¡± ¡°It turns out that Grand Duke Edwin Kabelheide is pro-Emperor and he has a particularly bad relationship with the church. I don¡¯t know what it is, but there is something between the Church and Grand Duke Kabelheider. So if we cooperate with Grand Duke¡¯s actions in the future, the revenge that destroys the denomination and reveals the truth of the day may not be a dream.¡± ¡°But revenge¡­? ¡°l also want to live as quietly as possible without problems. But Asaya, if you marry the Grand Duke and become the Grand Duchess , you too can¡¯t get out of their political view. I think it¡¯s an inevitable problem.¡± ¡°Is that so? I would be just an empty shell without a name.¡± Asaya did not know. She was confused. She didn¡¯t know that the sudden reunion with Reibene would make such a big problem. Why did she have to meet him again in this vast land? She didn¡¯t want to get involved again. She didn¡¯t want to meet him again. Asaya laughed and wiped her dry face. Somehow she felt tired. Leah looked at her and said firmly. ¡°l intend to be cooperative with the Grand Duke in the future. It¡¯s not just for revenge. Because as long as you have to live as his wife, our lives are in his hands. That¡¯s why.¡± ¡°Yes, you are right.¡± It would be impossible to be quiet and hidden. Sooner or later, Asaya would be reunited with Reibene Schrandel again. Whether she liked it or not, it was an inevitable fate. The future is scarier than ever. Asaya smiled weakly and clenched her teeth. She didn¡¯t want to fight. She didn¡¯t want to get involved but if they tried to kill her again, and if the nightmare of the day repeated¡­ ¡°I don¡¯t want to lose my precious person again. I will surely protect it.¡± The determination that rose in her eyes flashed like lightning light. It wasn¡¯t until evening that Leah left the mansion. Asaya and Leah chatted in their room almost all day long. Leah told stories about her mother and Asaran. There was plenty of rice to eat, and yesterday, Leah said that they ate meat too. Asaran loved to grow flowers in the garden. At night, some officers of the Kabelheider family stood guard for them to sleep in peace. The onlookers were banned from coming close to the house. And, most of all, the doctor, who has been visiting Asaya every day, was sent to check on her mother¡¯s condition too. ¡°My lady, the meal is ready. Please come downstairs.¡± It¡¯s already time to eat. After coming to this place, it seemed that time had passed very quickly. But she has always had dinner alone. At the maid¡¯s call, Asaya stood up and went downstairs. Asaya moved to the dining area without much thought and was surprised by the unexpected figure. Edwin, who was sitting at the table, frowned gently as he saw Asaya¡¯s surprised face. ¡°What are you so surprised about? Look like you are seeing a grim reaper.¡± ¡°You came early today.¡± ¡°Because work ended early.¡± ¡°Ah¡± ¡°What are you looking at? Are you not hungry? Well, if you don¡¯t want to eat it, I won¡¯t make you. Or did you lose appetite because of me eating here?¡± Asaya shook his head at Edwin¡¯s words. ¡°No, not because of the Grand Duke, but because I always thought that I was supposed to eat separately.¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Because you are a nobleman, and I am a person from outside the wall. How can a noble and a lowly commoner sit at the same table?¡± It was natural to eat it separately. Probably eating with someone from outside the wall would hurt his stomach. Wasn¡¯t this the usual way of thinking of people here? Although the relationship was bound by a contract, Asaya would have had nothing to say even if he threw a piece of rotten bread at her other than rice. Therefore, it was a situation that she should be thankful for the fact that he had provided an abundance of food for every meal. The world made a clear distinction between status differences. The big wall that separated the world and divided their identities. It was absurd, but that was reality. Moreover, the woman from outside the wall, who had nothing, had no strength to face the absurdity. This was an unchanging fact, and Asaya has learned to quickly adapt to reality from living outside the wall, and she grew up thinking that way. ¡°You got a new status by getting engaged with me. Maybe it will take a long time to change, but why don¡¯t you just throw away the idea that you are a poor person.¡± Edwin looked at Asaya with his chin tilted at an angle. Then he said with a smile. ¡°My wife is not a lowly commoner.¡± Asaya flinched at Edwin¡¯s words and then bit her lips. She felt very subtle and strange. A blunt emotion arose in her heart and spread throughout her body. She didn¡¯t know what to call this feeling, but it felt so strange and unfamiliar. But one thing is for sure, this feeling was not a bad thing. ¡°Sit down and eat.¡± Come to think of it, the words he spoke were different, but his actions are not at all indifferent. Asaya sat down across from him and glanced at his face gently. Perhaps he didn¡¯t speak empty words at all, because he was eating without any signs of unpleasantness. He was a man with the coldest atmosphere in the world, but his actions were not. Asaya thought all the nobles in the wall were the same, but who would have imagined that there was also a friendly side behind the vicious Grand Duke who carried all sorts of rumors. ¡°Thank you.¡± ¡°What for?¡± ¡°You made it possible to have Leah by my side. And I am very grateful that you gave me the will to take care of my mother¡¯s condition.¡± ¡°It¡¯s just part of the material support I promised you. It was a natural deal, and there is no need to thank each little thing.¡± ¡°But I would like to say thank you for your caring attention.¡± Edwin did not answer. He just ate casually. It didn¡¯t matter because Asaya wasn¡¯t hoping for an answer. She truly appreciated the life he gave me. Even if it was a life that was mortgaged, Asaya was satisfied. ¡°I don¡¯t want to go back to the same life as before. If I have to live outside the wall again, will I be able to live well? Asaya thought to herself. Warm and delicious food. Asaya thought while cutting the juicy meat and putting it in her mouth. ¡°Could we live if we left behind this blessed life and were driven back to that barren land? No, I don¡¯t think I can live like that again.¡± Suddenly Reibene¡¯s face came to her mind. Asaya crumpled her eyebrows without even knowing.Then she looked at Edwin and asked. ¡°Why don¡¯t you ask anything?¡± ¡°About?¡± ¡°About Reibene¡¯s Schrandel and me.¡± ¡°There is no reason to ask.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t it more convenient to ask me directly than to research behind my back?¡± At Asaya¡¯s question, he glared at her. ¡°I wonder if there is a need to bring up a topic that can bring out painful memories to yourself . Wasn¡¯t that man annoying you?¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t you the enemy of that horrible being? Did you know that he and I were getting married? Did you know that I loved him?¡± Edwin laughed at Asaya¡¯s question. ¡°I¡¯m not so stupid that I can¡¯t tell the difference between hate and love. If the feeling of love remains on the man who destroyed your family, then there would be no curse as terrible as that. To put it nicely, I¡¯m not a fool. I¡¯ve never brought a fool into the house.¡± Reibene Schrandel. The mere reflection of the name made Asaya feel that the raw, rugged feeling dominated her whole body. If hate is love, then it can be seen as love. Hate was the remnant of what was left of love that day. Isn¡¯t even hate an interest in others? ¡°What do you want to say?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to go back to my old life. I want to protect my current life. He will again try to drive me and my family out of the wall. No, maybe he will decide to kill me now.¡± ¡°I know. Besides, I will think of a way to send him away.¡± When Edwin muttered insignificantly, Asaya said in a quiet and determined voice. ¡°Please use me.¡± Edwin stopped cutting the food and looked up to Asaya. Asaya looked at him with unshakable eyes. Then, once again, she spoke her innermost thought. ¡°Use me to kill Reibene Schrandel and to fight the Church.¡± Chapter 11 - Courage and Compromise Chapter 11. Courage and Compromise Translated and Edited by Gigi ***** ¡°Please use me.¡± Reibene Schrandel. If Asaya hadn¡¯t met the man again here, she would have buried him deep in her heart, left alone wanting revenge. Feelings such as vengeance, anger, resentment, and sadness would have melted in a faded time. That¡¯s what time does. It makes everything dull. She thought her mind and people would melt and become dull in the passing time. But it didn¡¯t. As soon as she saw Reibene Schrandel again, the embers of revenge that had long extinguished came back to life. Revenge and happiness. She had to decide at these two crossroads, Asaya ironically decided to take revenge. Of course, happiness was more important than revenge but the moment Asaya reunited with Reibene, she realized that she could not have happiness without revenge. Unfortunately, she couldn¡¯t get revenge alone. She couldn¡¯t do anything. This was a damn reality. To have the happiness she desired, this revenge would have to be successfully ended, and Edwin Kabelheider¡¯s strength was desperately needed in the whole process. But it wouldn¡¯t be easy. ¡°I have to say it right away. I think you want to take advantage of me to get your revenge rather than asking me to use you. Is that right?¡± The expected reaction came out. There was no warmth in Edwin¡¯s voice. He was a difficult person to understand. It had been from the beginning. So it was always difficult and more dangerous. Asaya remembered when she first came here. The time when they made a deal on what they had. Even now, she thought it was not much different. If this was also a kind of deal, she must again succeed in this reckless deal. ¡°It¡¯s half true, so I won¡¯t deny it.¡± ¡°Half? Why is it half?¡± ¡°Because revenge is not the main thing. It is additional .¡± Revenge should not be the main purpose. Asaya¡¯s blind goal was just one. The happiness and the freedom to live in the future of her family and herself. ¡°I don¡¯t want to let go of this life you have given me. What I want is happiness, not revenge. But I know that I cannot separate the two.¡± ¡°What¡¯s that different? It¡¯s just a sneaky way to say that you want to use me for your happiness.¡± Asaya looked nervously at Edwin. The man who made her unable to relax was indifferent. Despite the rudeness that could possibly be taken offense, Asaya was still unshakable. But she couldn¡¯t feel relieved. ¡°I think my happiness and your happiness are on the line.¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°I know you don¡¯t get along with the church. I know the reason why you brought me to this place and treated me excessively. In order to live smoothly with the body of a Royal, you had no choice but to lean on the church, and the church would have tried to control you using your situation.¡± ¡°You know well.¡± ¡°After all, Reibene is Bishop of the church, so one way or another, he¡¯s your enemy too. If so, isn¡¯t he a common enemy? If you do, please allow me to support you in confronting that enemy. I want to help.¡± Edwin looked at Asaya grimly, bowed his head at an angle, then relaxedly folded his arms. ¡°What do you have? What specifically can you do for me? I don¡¯t just hire anyone. I only hire people who are useful. Unfortunately, I am not a philanthropist.¡± Same as last time. The situation was no different from that night when he asked her what she could give, but it wasn¡¯t as embarrassing as then.Thanks to the experience for this kind of reaction. ¡°l am a survivor of the incident seven years ago. I think that alone has enough value. I don¡¯t know how you know about the incident, but probably the majority of those involved in the incident are dead. What¡¯s left will be my family now and the survivors who might be somewhere outside the wall.¡± ¡°So?¡± ¡°The incident seven years ago was not just an incident. I don¡¯t know the details, but I can be sure of one thing. If the event floats on the surface, the authority of the church will fall.¡± ¡°I know that the case that the church concealed is big enough to destroy the church. In the first place, it was such a serious matter, so it must have been hidden inside. You are a survivor of the event, but you don¡¯t know much about it, so I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re going to do if you come forward.¡± ¡°But my father knew everything.¡± ¡°I heard that Count Runeshard Lubedoa disappeared two years ago.¡± ¡°I do not know for sure if my father is dead or alive. One day, he suddenly disappeared and two years have passed, but I don¡¯t think he¡¯s dead.¡± ¡°In a word, it¡¯s just your guess.¡± ¡°Father left me a key before he went missing. I don¡¯t know what the key is used for. He just said that it was important and that I should always keep it safe. Soon after he handed over the keys, he went missing. I think the key is related to the truth of that day.¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°My father knew the truth of the day but he hid it even from my family. Instead, he started collecting books like a crazy person. Wandering all over the place, scouring the trash or approaching merchants and soldiers who went outside the wall.¡± Asaya thought the incident seven years ago was quite appealing to Edwin, however, Edwin¡¯s response was still indifferent. ¡°My father disappeared spontaneously. On the day he handed me the key. He acted like someone about to leave.¡± Just looking at Asaya with an expressionless face, Edwin casually started cutting the steak. ¡°So you want to dig into the case 7 years ago but you can¡¯t do it yourself and need my help. That¡¯s your request?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Edwin put the steak in his mouth and was lost in thoughts. As for the case seven years ago, it was already under investigation without anyone pushing its back. Long before he met Asaya. Ever since the church was caught covering up something. Asaya Lubedoa and her family appeared in the midst of it. And the key was left to his daughter by Count Lubedoa, who may know all the truth behind it. Naturally, Edwin was attracted, but whether or not to use Asaya for this was a separate matter. ¡°I see what you¡¯re talking about. Surely what you have will help. But I¡¯m opposed to you intervene directly in this matter.. ¡° ¡°Is it because I¡¯m not trustworthy?¡± ¡°It means that you don¡¯t have to get into the fight. If you need my strength in that story-telling revenge, I will cooperate with you. I have nothing to lose. Surely what you have is tempting but you don¡¯t have to put yourself out there. I can do it myself. You, your friend, and your family just need to sit back and give us the information we need. Stop thinking about doing something yourself. I hate being bothered.¡± Asaya, who was listening silently to Edwin, replied in a cautious voice. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to go out and do something right now. It¡¯s just that the church is my enemy so I hope that my strength will help you. The collapse of the church. .. My revenge will be completed. If you need me, I can help you out. I want to prove that having me by your side was a choice you didn¡¯t regret, and that was what I wanted to say.¡± Edwin looked at Asaya¡¯s eyes clearly facing him. He thought that her eyes were the same as when he first met her. They were calm but fierce. ¡°I told you, I don¡¯t deal with a loss. So prove it while you¡¯re by my side. If you are worthy of use, I will consider whether to use you thoroughly.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± At Asaya¡¯s calm answer, Edwin kicked his tongue. ¡°Why do you want to volunteer to do it when you have already had enough of suffering?¡± ¡°That way, my heart will be a little more comfortable. I am a coward for being afraid of the man. I think I will be relieved if I do anything.¡± As he stared at Asaya, who called herself a coward, he replied calmly. ¡°The real coward is not going to fight back. He would be in a hurry to run away.¡± ¡°I would have run away if there were no one to watch over. ¡° ¡°A real coward throws away what he has to protect and runs away. In that respect, you¡¯re quite brave. It¡¯s been the case since the first time we met eyes to eyes. That¡¯s what courage is.¡± ¡°Why is that courageous?¡± ¡°As soon as you came, you said you would give me your body. Then, you tried to take off your clothes as if you wanted to. After all, didn¡¯t you just agree to come here even though you know how you would be treated?¡± At Edwin¡¯s words, Asaya laughed weakly. ¡°People refer to it not as courage, but as a compromise. It¡¯s a compromise to live by selling myself.¡± ¡°It takes courage to make a compromise.¡± Among the people outside the wall, there were those who gathered under the wall and those who reached out over the wall. Just a while ago, Asaya treated such people as pathetic. Being beyond the wall wasn¡¯t even hope, but do they really want to get a free and abundant life by selling themselves there? All of that was just an illusion. So, was there any more terrible death at the end? They shouldn¡¯t die miserably by being ridiculed anyway. No matter how much hunger and difficulty their lives were, they shouldn¡¯t sell their pride. They shouldn¡¯t die while being servile to others. Asaya used to think so. ¡°People would do anything when they are in trouble. Courage? Well, I think it¡¯s purely more instinct than courage. It¡¯s an instinct. It was a survival instinct. Even if we die, let¡¯s eat, feed, and die. If death is the same, let¡¯s do anything. All the people who gathered there must have been like that. But at some point, other people say we have no pride and are dirty.¡± Well, it was not wrong. It was true that Asaya let down her pride and compromised with the gloomy reality. She thought it couldn¡¯t be helped even if she got cursed and ridiculed by others. But the man in front of her said that to be able to make a compromise was courageous. ¡°I made a compromise because I¡¯m a snob. How do you call that courage?¡± ¡°Yes, a snob is like that. That¡¯s why I hate those who are gathered outside the wall, but I don¡¯t think it¡¯s something that can be divided by right and wrong standards apart from my personal likes and dislikes. Compromise is something you have to give up or throw away. It takes determination. Cowards can¡¯t even do that.You¡¯d better get a profit when you can. Especially if it¡¯s a poor environment like outside the wall, it¡¯s better to take care of your own profits within the fence of the law of course.¡± Edwin continued speaking in a rather sarcastic tone. ¡°I¡¯m sure each of you has your own reasons. Of course, I don¡¯t care about other people¡¯s situation, and when I didn¡¯t know you, I treated you like everybody else outside the wall. But you¡¯re not a stranger anymore, are you? I know your situation and understand to some extent why you had to make such a choice. That¡¯s why I¡¯m telling you. You¡¯re rather courageous.¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°You gave yourself to me for your family.¡± Asaya stared at Edwin blankly. A totally unexpected remark came out. She couldn¡¯t believe it because it came from his mouth, who was always bitter and cold. ¡°You abandoned yourself to protect others, but how is that snob? You came to me with the intention of dying in the first place. It¡¯s more of a sacrifice. The spirit of sacrifice cannot be exercised without courage. What kind of a coward tries to save others at her expense?¡± How could he say that so casually? Asaya bowed her head. It was surprising that a man with a noble status explained to her about life, and expressed the compromise that others point at as a spirit of sacrifice while Asaya was being ashamed of herself. ¡°That¡¯s why the existence of being protected is very objectionable. Sometimes it makes people become cowards and sometimes it makes them the most courageous. So you can¡¯t get rid of it at all and have to keep being mindful. Life gets tired when that happens.That¡¯s why you shouldn¡¯t create an objectionable thing. In that sense, you are very annoying. How can you make yourself a coward and the most courageous person in the world at the same time? By the way, didn¡¯t you ask me to use you without fear?¡± Edwin stood up as if he had finished eating. ¡°Don¡¯t make a useless leap of yourself. Not everyone can make a compromise in the first place. It¡¯s also your talent to be able to close the deal with me.¡± With the last words, he left without looking back. Asaya,who was left alone, cutting the meat. She dipped the meat in a sweet sauce, savoring the taste of it that melted in her mouth, and recalling Edwin¡¯s last words. ¡°Did he encourage me just now?¡± The conversation was by no means a friendly tone. So if it sounded sweet, this would be an obvious illusion. His voice wasn¡¯t friendly, but the content he conveyed was very affectionate. It was a satisfactory conversation time that momentarily moved her mind. However, it should not be mistaken. ¡°Don¡¯t uselessly do your thing, it will annoy me.¡± In the end, that was the meaning he conveyed in the conversation. ¡°Why am I getting the illusion that he cares for me? Let¡¯s not be mistaken.¡± Edwin was a good person. Therefore, he fulfilled the husband¡¯s role. The relationship between Edwin Kabelheider and Asaya Lubedoa was decided on a piece of paper. She had to remember that it was just a business relationship. That everything he gave was to be paid in return for her life, and that no personal feelings should arise in the meantime. It was something Asaya should never forget. Chapter 12 - An Uninvited guest Chapter 12. An Uninvited guest Translated and Edited by Gigi ***** After the meal that day, Asaya, along with Leah, told Marshall all about what happened seven years ago. Marshall finally arranged the contents for Edwin, who was keeping tracks of all statements. ¡°The crime was treason. On that day, in the basement of the Lubedoa family, forbidden tools, forbidden books, and magic circles were found. The church presented the evidence to the judge, and the expulsion order was confirmed in the final trial. It seems that the trial was a bit rushed. The day after the capture, a closed trial proceeded immediately not only for the Lubedoa family, but also for all the vassal families. Two days later, they were escorted out of the wall at dawn.¡± ¡°Continue.¡± ¡°For treason against the church , public executions are common, but for some reason, an order of deportation outside the wall was finalized. Furthermore, there is only one surviving family of the vassal family, which is said to be the Schrandel family that produced the current Archbishop and Bishop of Adorasium.¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°It turned out that the whistleblower to the church was Tasion Schrandel, who now sits in the position of Archbishop.¡± When Edwin listened to the story, there were some things that were a bit strange. He looked at the statement sheets over and over again tediously. ¡°It didn¡¯t look like an incident that could be concealed by the church.¡± ¡°No one knew about the basement where the ritual of demon worship was held. Miss Asaya and Leah also testified that they did not even know the basement¡¯s existence. In addition, as soon as the deportation order was finalized and the convoy outside the wall was finished, the church massacred all the sinners .¡± ¡°Do you mean they were forced out the wall and got killed there?¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s a little weird. I wonder why the church had to do such a hassle. As soon as the sinners were arrested, the entire Lubedoa¡¯s mansion was burned before the sentence was confirmed. I think that was too extreme of a crime. A closed trial conducted by only a few church¡¯s officials on the grave crime of treason, an order of deportation rather than public execution, and an ambitious early morning escort when everyone was asleep. And slaughter them outside the wall.The more I think about it, the more questions come to mind.¡± ¡°It was strange that they dealt with the felony of treason too quickly, and all of this was done without anyone knowing.¡± Most of the monasteries and convents were located in deep mountains, so most were closed environments. Although it was the best environment to cover up and conceal something, the devil worship ritual must have been a pretty big issue. There were ot only one or two families involved, so was it possible to proceed quietly? ¡°Is this all? ¡° ¡°Yes. In the case of Miss Asaya and Leah, it is said that a man named Gildardo, who was a friend and a colleague of Runeshard Lubedoa at that time, saved them. This man, too, has recently disappeared.¡± ¡°In the end, there was nothing for sure.¡± ¡°If the sin was framed, we should find out why the church had to destroy the Lubedoa family and many other vassal families, but neither Miss Asaya nor Leah knows about its deep innermost. I think we need to find other survivors, Runeshard Lubedoa.¡± ¡°There was nothing to be found, but it smelled bad. And at the center of it are Reibene Schrandel and Tasion Schrandel. This was definitely an interesting part.¡± ¡°If I do it well, I could give that nasty old man a proper punch.¡± Marshall said. ¡°I understand to some extent about the incomprehensible behaviors that Reibene Schrandel made in front of Miss Asaya.¡± ¡°The sinner who he thought was dead came back alive. Maybe he knows the secret of the day.¡± Edwin thought this story might be as interesting as the stimulating stories that are popular on the streets. But it would make someone extremely anxious. As soon as the tour was over, Reibene Schrandel would return to inform the church of Asaya¡¯s existence. Asaya also knew it, that¡¯s why she had been talking nonsense about using herself. Edwin straightened the corner of his mouth. It was a beautiful smile, but Marshall shuddered as if it were goosebumps. Either that or not, Edwin ordered Marshall casually. ¡°Focusing on finding the whereabouts of Runeshard Lubedoa, as well as keeping track of survivors who may be living outside the wall.¡± Nothing has changed since that day¡¯s conversation. Edwin was still busy and spent most of his time outside. Even when he was in a mansion, he was more likely to handle his work in his private study. They only saw each other when they slept and woke up in Edwin¡¯s room. In the meantime, Asaya¡¯s anxiety that has been raging in her mind calmed a little. It was thanks to the conversation she had with Edwin that day. Was it because she felt that she wasn¡¯t alone, or because she was relieved to have a partner with a common purpose? Asaya did not know. However, since that day, her mind has been a little relaxed. ¡°Marshall, I¡¯m going to visit Leah and my mother today. We decided to go grocery shopping together.¡± ¡°Yes, go ahead. But you have to come back before 6 o¡¯clock. Today, due to the change of the Duke¡¯s dinner schedule, I think he¡¯ll be home early.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± ¡®¡¯l will take you.¡± At Marshall¡¯s words, Asaya shook her head. ¡°No, it¡¯s not far away, I will go alone. I want to take a look around the province as I go.¡± Asaya¡¯s words were about to end, and a servant suddenly approached Marshall as he tried to answer. It was a very serious expression. ¡°You have a visitor.¡± ¡°Visitor? There are no scheduled visitors today. Who is it?¡± ¡°He is .. .. Bishop Schrandel.¡± A cold silence came to the unexpected appearance of a character. Marshall was the first to examine Asaya¡¯s complexion, revealing his displeasure. ¡°Send him back. Since the Duke is absent right now, tell him that he will have to make an appointment later.¡± ¡°He said he didn¡¯t come to see Grand Duke Kabelheider.¡± ¡°Well?¡± ¡°That is .. he has come to visit the lady.¡± Marshall¡¯s face distorted. The rudeness that suddenly came without a notice in advance would be bad enough, but he came here to meet Asaya, not Edwin. How could he come up with such crazy ideas without being crazy? Asaya, too, was stunned by the situation. And at the same time, she was curious about Reibene¡¯s sudden visit. ¡°He came here to see me? ¡° Asaya remembered Reibene, who was a very cautious man. He never did anything to get the pod caught. He was a person who always hid himself thoroughly even when meeting someone outside. He also was a man more ambitious than anyone else. He was a man who was crazy about his reputation, image, and everything. As a man with an excellent talent for deceiving others, Asaya and her family were all deceived. It was not a sensible move for such a man to come here. Did his personality change too after 7 years? ¡°Lady Lubedoa has a schedule right now, so tell him to go back. ¡°No, I will meet him.¡± Marshall was puzzled by Asaya¡¯s unexpected answer. ¡°The lady doesn¡¯t have to forcibly meet the man.¡± After what happened last time with Reibene, Marshall couldn¡¯t understand why she, barely regaining stability, would meet the man. ¡°I just want to talk. I wonder what on earth did he come here to say and why he is doing something out of his character? Would you mind? ¡° ¡°OK. We¡¯re going to bump into him more in the future anyway.¡± Asaya knew the problem won¡¯t be solved if she kept hiding and avoiding Reibene. She has to get used to this situation. ¡°I will take you to the reception room. Wendy, give me some tea.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Marshall guided Asaya to the reception room. Not long afterwards, Reibene entered. In the meantime, Wendy the maid put down the hot tea on the table and left the room. Reibene looked around for a while. There was an awkward silence between the two. However, there was no dreadful tension like before. Asaya lifted the cup and drank the tea slowly. At Asaya¡¯s relaxed-looking attitude, Reibene stopped looking around the room and crossed his legs with a smirk. ¡°Good life.¡± Like the first time they met, his voice was full of sarcasm. His gaze that slowly glanced up and down Asaya filled with contempt. Asaya did not avoid his eyes. Rather, she felt puzzled. Was he a man who expresses his feelings so openly? ¡°That ridiculous scandal seems to be true. Seeing you living comfortably in a place like this. I can¡¯t say that I am not surprised a little.¡± Reibene laughed openly and lifted the teacup. Then he tasted the tea and said calmly. ¡°Of course a noble born woman like you can¡¯t stand rolling in a dirty place for long. I see your complexion is better than before being kicked out. Well, it must be. Living in such a large and luxurious mansion, what you received in exchange for the favor of a handsome and powerful man is something I would not dare to imagine. No wonder you have a good complexion.¡± Asaya laughed as she stared at Reibene who was sneaking with low-key words. ¡®¡¯This must be what a child originally looks like. But what did I expect?¡± Asaya felt like she was being killed after confirming that all of her memories with Reibene were nothing but ugly lies. A beautiful man who was just nice and respected by everyone had never existed from the beginning. The more she thought back on his words, the more funny it got. Asaya did exchange her life for the favor of a powerful man¡­. But did Reibene waste his time coming here just to pour out these low key words at her? Asaya was stunned, but replied in a quiet and calm voice. ¡°What can I do to live? I realized that my pride didn¡¯t feed me. I was convinced of this realization when I saw the world where a man who had been under my feet got what he wanted¡±. At Asaya¡¯s words, Reibenne got angry. ¡°Under your feet?!¡± ¡°No? You were from Adonis Monastery, you can¡¯t deny that the Schrandel family, who once lived under the Lubedoa family and received our support. ¡°It¡¯s funny to talk about the prestige of the family that has no name left behind. Now it¡¯s just an ugly family that has disappeared from the world.¡± ¡°The name has disappeared, but the lineage remains. You knew that that¡¯s why you came all the way here to see me.¡± Reiben¡¯s face was horribly distorted by Asaya¡¯s answer with a smiling face. ¡°Smile? You¡¯ve always been mesmerizing others with that smile. You lowly woman, was that the way you used to survive in that dump? The growling voice was very threatening, but Asaya thought it was funny rather than scary. The man who took everything from the woman who had nothing left, was in a fit of rage. He was a man with the title of the leader, but no dignity was found anywhere. Was this what it feels like to see a child wearing an unsuitable adult¡¯s clothes? Asaya looked at him silently and peacefully smiled. ¡°Are you afraid of me?¡± ¡°Afraid of Asaya Lubedoa? You must be joking. Do you still see me as the servant who served you?¡± ¡°When did I ever treat you as a servant? I see your sense of damage is still there. Is it true that you are not afraid? Then why do you care if I¡¯m dead or alive? I am just a powerless woman who had nothing left.¡± ¡°Sinners deserve to die. You are a sinner who was supposed to be dead so how could I not care as I am a Bishop.¡± ¡°Okay, so are you going to kill me here? Or would you report and arrest this sinner who was found alive? If you could, you would have done it already. I know you couldn¡¯t reveal that I was a sinner even in front of so many people because not just you but the church will get into trouble when the incident comes to the surface.¡± Reibene shut his mouth. Asaya was accurately pointing out what he was most troubled with. ¡°If the public knows that I am a sinner, the case will rise above the surface. At the end of the day, it was the Grand Duke Kabelheider who took me away. Even the church wouldn¡¯t be able to touch me easily and you can¡¯t do anything about it. Is that why you got frustrated and came here? What were you trying to say? Have you prepared a threat to save my life if I quietly leave this place?¡± Asaya was not discouraged. She deliberately behaved more confidently and cleverly scratched his nerves. In fact, her speech was effective. Reibene was outright unpleasant. His harsh breathing and grimly distorted face showed his anger intact. But that didn¡¯t last long. He wasn¡¯t just the one who was just being beaten easily. This kind of conversation was more experienced on the part of him than on Asaya. Regaining his composure, Reibene pleasantly smiled. ¡°I really want to ask. Do you think that man will protect you forever? Don¡¯t you think you are just a replacement that can be thrown away at any time? What is the lack of the Grand Duke, so that he will have you forever? There is no eternal love. People say you are in love with the Grand Duke but how long will that last? No, is it true that Grand Duke Kabelheider really loves you in the first place? Don¡¯t you think he just loves your power of Hebeia instead?¡± Chapter 13 - Perfect drinking condition Chapter 13. Perfect drinking condition **** It was like a warning to know her place. The warning that Asaya was only a vulgar commoner outside the wall, no matter how far she flew or crawled, she could be abandoned at any time if her worth of use was lost. And that put a wedge in Asaya¡¯s heart. ¡°Asaya. You are just a substitute for Menefrida. Do you think it will last forever? No, there will be someone else to replace your seat.¡± ¡°You speak as if you know me and Grand Duke Kabelheider very well.¡± Menefrida was Edwin¡¯s former priest. The reason why Asaya couldn¡¯t concentrate on the unfamiliar name was probably because Reibene hit the right track. She was afraid that her situation, which could be thrown away at any time, would be seen not only by Reibene but also others. And his warning to know her place came as a painful reminder. Because she knew well that it could become a reality any time. ¡°Asaya, why do you think your family did such a terrible thing but only ended with expulsion, not true punishment? It was because of our old time¡¯s sake. Are you still not sure that the breath of the Schrandel family could save your life?¡± ¡°No, all of this must have been your Schrandel family¡¯s plan. Otherwise, only your family can¡¯t save our lives.¡± ¡°Your father had sinned so we couldn¡¯t tolerate that. A betrayal is a betrayal. We can¡¯t get involved with your father and die together.¡± ¡° Nonsense!¡± ¡°If you still think that you¡¯re being framed, you should get out of the delusion. The world outside the wall is where you should be.¡± Reibene looked at Asaya¡¯s pale face and was convinced he had won this conversation. Victory in conversation was a complete breakdown of the other person¡¯s mentality. However Asaya¡¯s face was sassy, rather than frightened, let alone discouraged. Reibene¡¯s words hurt her pride but Asaya was surprisingly calm. Then she straightened her back. ¡°Yes. Maybe it¡¯s just a delusion like you said. But now that I hear you, you must know the truth of the day. Am I delusional or unfairly accused? We will know for sure if I ask for the case to be re-investigated.¡± ¡°Do you think people will re-investigate the case which had already been closed for 7 years?¡± ¡°¡±That¡¯s something you¡¯ll see. I can¡¯t help it if it works.¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t want to die, you need to forget about the case immediately.¡± Asaya watched the angry Reibene silently, then she dropped the teacup she was holding to the floor and it shattered into pieces. Picking up the largest piece of the glass, she handed it out to him. ¡°You can kill me with this.¡± ¡°This crazy woman!¡± Reibene raised his fist. At that moment, Asaya grabbed his wrist and held it down to the pointed end of the sharp piece. ¡°I decide my own life . A threat would have worked on me in the past, but not now. And in the future, I hope there will be no personal meetings. You know well it¡¯s frowned upon to meet like this when we are no longer friends, engaged, or anything else. ¡° ¡°You You!¡± Asaya turned around and tried to leave the room. While holding the doorknob, she turned and looked back at Reibene. ¡°Let¡¯s pretend we don¡¯t know each other even if we run into each other in the future. How would I explain our relationship to others? I¡¯m a little embarrassed to introduce you as a man who was once my fiance.¡± ¡° You are shameless!¡± ¡°Go home safely, no, don¡¯t go home safely, be eaten by demons, be cursed and decayed, or get run over by a moving wagon. We¡¯re not in a relationship to wish each other happiness. If you wish me luck, I wouldn¡¯t take it.¡± Asaya waved her hand in an expressionless manner. ¡°May you be unhappy.¡± She left the room coldly. Behind the tightly closed door, she heard all kinds of swearing from Reibene, but she drowned it out. ???????????? The news of Reibene visiting Kabelheider mansion was delivered to Edwin, who was at the company operating the business. He had just finished stamping and handed over the document with the deadline for the production of the demonic subjugation weapon and canceled the upcoming lunch appointment, expressing displeasure with the news. Edwin¡¯s corner of his mouth rose sharply. As if he didn¡¯t like something, his long stretched fingers tapped on the desk. It was unpleasant that an uninvited guest visited the Grand Duke¡¯s mansion at will, but meeting his wife, whose purpose of visiting was new, would not have been more unpleasant. [Did you know that he and I were getting married? Also that I loved him?] Not long ago, when the conversation with Asaya fluttered in his ears, Edwin crumbled his face. ¡°Did he want to meet Asaya, and not me?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± ¡°What did they talk about?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know that either. It was because the two of them were talking in the guest room.¡± ¡°Only the two of them, that¡¯s great. My future wife, who promised to marry me, was talking with an outsider alone over a tea in the parlor. It is also in my house.¡± Edwin clapped his hands and spoke ironically. As Marshall looked at Edwin¡¯s expressionless face, he felt goosebumps all over his body. That was a bad sign. Marshall knew it from his long experience. Edwin¡¯s cold face was showing now was the look of being in a bad mood. Recognizing that it was an emergency, Marshall somehow rolled his brains to wrap up the conversation nicely. ¡°I do not know the details of the conversation, but the atmosphere was very harsh. Lady Asaya casually left the parlor, and Bishop Schrandel was very angry. When I checked the room, one of the teacups was broken. Miss Asaya said she accidentally broke it. She added that she almost made the mistake of hurting the bishop¡¯s face with a glass piece, but she held back her anger.¡± Marshall didn¡¯t know why the focus of Edwin¡¯s anger was on ¡°only two of them¡± part, rather than the rude visit of Reibene Schrandel. However, Edwin Kabelheider was not a man anyone could easily understand in the first place, so Marshall quickly brushed aside his doubts. Perhaps Marshall¡¯s efforts worked out, Edwin seemed to send out a notice of dismissal right away but in a harsh voice. ¡°I don¡¯t know when my house has become a market for anyone. Today, you have to pay special attention to cleaning. I don¡¯t want to see any rat tracks. And make sure Asaya and that man never meet again.¡± ¡°Yes sir¡± Edwin didn¡¯t think the bishop would be able to control his feelings, even if he bet on it. Edwin shook his head briefly and thought Reibene Schrandel seemed to be more pathetic than he thought. ¡°We need to be careful not to leak the fact that Reibene Schrandel and Asaya were betrothed. Don¡¯t let the manuscripts of the two meet scatter on the street. What would I be if my wife got caught up in rumors with that idiot? It¡¯s terrible just to think about it.¡± Marshall nodded at Edwin¡¯s casually spoken word ¡®wife¡¯. Then he turned and tilted his head thinking to himself ¡°I think the Duke is serious about this marriage deal.¡± Marshall scratched his head in a very strange and unfamiliar feeling. ****** Asaya lay alone on an empty bed and blinked her eyes. She couldn¡¯t sleep because she was worried that Edwin, who always came home on time like clockwork, was getting later than usual. Asaya thought the night without him was lonely somehow, she felt strange to be lying on the bed alone. She¡¯d rather felt awkward. The emptiness lasted several hours. Time had passed midnight. Asaya, who had her eyes closed, opened them immediately to the clicking sound of the door. ¡°Have you come?¡± Edwin looked pretty tired in his business suit. Then he looked at the clock. ¡°What have you been doing, not sleeping?¡± ¡°I can¡¯t sleep. I was worried because you didn¡¯t come back.¡± Worry? Edwin glanced up and down Asaya, and laughed. ¡°I don¡¯t know who should worry about who.¡± ¡°What¡¯s about me?¡± ¡°Do you ask because you don¡¯t know ? I know everything except you. If I push you with one hand, you will crash on the floor. Seeing your skinny and small body, everyone will think the same as me.¡± ¡°I am not that weak.¡± ¡°That is not very convincing when it¡¯s coming from a person who fainted a few days ago. Stop worrying about the uselessness and try to sleep.¡± Edwin took off his coat and went into the bathroom. Asaya, who was sitting blankly listening to the sound of the pouring water, suddenly remembered that he always drank hot tea and read before going to bed. Then she looked at the teacup on the table. ¡®It must have already cooled down.¡± Edwin would certainly order to bring a new tea as soon as he came out of the shower. So while he was washing, Asaya thought it would be better to have the hot tea ready in advance, then she stood up and quietly left the room. Asaya headed to the tea room where the refreshment ingredients were kept. Even though it was late, there was a maid waiting in the tea room. As if she was tired, dozing off, and woke up in a hurry when Asaya appeared. ¡°You need something, my lady?¡± ¡°The tea for Grand Duke is cold, so I came to make a new one.¡± ¡°Ah! Then I will prepare and bring it up right away.¡± ¡°No, I¡¯ll do it, so go in and rest.¡± ¡° But¡­.. ¡± ¡± It¡¯s alright. I¡¯m also very knowledgeable about teas.¡± The maid hesitated for a moment, but since she was very tired, she nodded, and thought Asaya was a woman whom the Grand Duke loved, so there was nothing wrong with her making the tea. ¡°Thank you my lady.¡± Asaya had learned many things before being thrown out of the wall. Refreshments, cooking, embroidery, dancing, etiquette training, walking, accounting, etc. The list was endless. It was a normal learning process for anyone who was born in a noble family. While making the tea, her memories came to mind. ¡°Long time no see.¡± As Asaya put the tea leaves in the boiled water, a soft scent passed over her nose. When the tea was finished, Asaya left the tea room and headed to Edwin¡¯s bedroom. Upon arriving in the bedroom, the tightly closed bathroom door opened. Edwin came out in a white gown with a click. After gently brushing off the moisture from his hair as usual. Edwin paused when he saw Asaya lay down the teacup on the table. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Your old tea seemed to be cold so I prepared a new one.¡± Edwin sat across from her silently. Then he looked at the cup of tea. ¡°I heard that Reibene Schrandel came to see you today.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Why did you meet him? You should just kick him out. Could it be that the past affection still remains unbroken?¡± ¡°I was just curious what he came here to say. He¡¯s not the kind of person to act emotionally like that.¡± ¡°So what did he say? Did he belated penance or confessed his love?¡± ¡°No. It was more like a threat for me to get out of this house and this land right away.¡± At Asaya¡¯s words, Edwin spoke with an expressionless face. ¡°Did he come to a house without an owner to say such pathetic words? His head is more serious than it looks. Why didn¡¯t you just send him back after hearing that? You could just throw it in the trash.¡± ¡°No matter how much I hate him. If I harm those sent by the church, the Duke¡¯s situation will become more difficult.¡± ¡°I will be in trouble? Me? I still haven¡¯t caused enough problems for them. Consider themselves lucky.¡± It was the church that put spies disguised as priests in the territory and sought for Edwin¡¯s life. All the assassins sent by the church to play tricks on him died mercilessly in his hands. In fact, Edwin had been thinking about killing Reibene a little while ago by disguising it as an accident. ¡°But you don¡¯t have to work up about it because I gave him a piece of mind.¡± ¡°So what did you say? Did you decide to turn it off finely according to his wish?¡± ¡°Never. I wished him to die by a wagon on the way back.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a wonderful curse.¡± Edwin sighed and put the tea in his mouth. Then he frowned subtly. ¡°By any chance you boiled the tea yourself?¡± ¡°Yes, I prepared it. Does it not fit your taste?¡± ¡®¡¯Nonsense.¡± Edwin preferred his refreshments were either too hot or too cold, whether it¡¯s coffee or tea. The maids who prepared his refreshments were experienced and had already been accustomed to serving the temperature that suited his taste. They always provided refreshments in the most perfect condition. The tea that Asaya brought this time tasted good, but it was a lot hotter than usual. If others had made this mistake, they would get fired immediately. Because he wasn¡¯t a philanthropist to spread money to unsatisfied employees who couldn¡¯t even do the job of making tea. Unlike usual, instead of nagging, Edwin put the teacup down. ¡°It¡¯s a good tea.¡± ¡°That¡¯s fortunate.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t meet him even if he comes in the future.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think so.¡± ¡°He will leave in a few days. We will be patient until then.¡± Asaya slowly nodded. That was the end of the conversation. The hot tea had cooled down to Edwin¡¯s perfect temperature preference. Only then Edwin drank tea satisfactorily. He was in a bad mood all day, but thanks to the efficacy of the tea that Asaya boiled, his sharp nerves softened a little. When Edwin emptied the cup of tea, Asaya smiled contentedly. It was only a brief moment of laughter, but Edwin paused and looked at her. Then, he went to bed casually as he always did. ¡°Why are you standing there absent-mindedly, but not coming?¡± Asaya hurriedly climbed onto the bed and lay down next to him. Then the deep silence fell. The silence was comfortable. ¡°Have a nice dream.¡± Asaya said softly. The quiet dawn came upon the man and the woman who had never slept comfortably, soon turned into a comfortable rest. Only the sound of even breathing remained in the room. ???????????? Chapter 14 - Fighting Translated by Gigi In life, sometimes people have to do things they don¡¯t like. Edwin showed signs of disapproval as he checked the schedule. The displeasure was so stark that Marshall, who was standing next to him, slipped back and avoided his gaze, dreading that it would turn into fire dung. He had a meeting with Reibene Schrandel. Edwin has meals with the church often in a simple lunchroom, but today¡¯s schedule was particularly unpleasant. ¡°I have a headache. Go get some medicine.¡± As soon as he gave the order to bring the medicine, Marshall hurried as if he was on fire. Edwin, who was left alone, scrunched the daily schedule and threw it into the trash can. Then he rubbed his temple and leaned back. It has been a while since he got agitated like this, and the appearance of the headache. After Asaya came, the chronic pain and insomnia that gnawed his body disappeared, but it was only for a brief period in his life. Edwin quickly realized that humans are adaptable creatures. It had been a long time since he was free from his pain, and now he was debility reacting to a very mild headache. That means he got used to Asaya Lubedoa¡¯s solace. ¡°I brought the medicine.¡± Edwin took the medicine from Marshall and immediately swallowed it. His headache was neurological which is caused by his frail nature. It couldn¡¯t be sustained with medication. However, it would be better if Asaya was next to him. Edwin laughed shortly at the name that came to his mind unconsciously. It was odd to see himself being dependent on someone. He rubbed his forehead and stood up from his seat, grabbed his coat. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± He eased the frown on his face from the headache. Then he walked casually toward an obnoxious dining spot with an unpleasant being. Edwin arrived punctually for the appointment. Reibene, who had arrived about five minutes earlier, stood up from his seat. Contrary to the expectation that he would reveal his pique overtly, he headed toward Edwin with a polite look on his face but only greeting words passed by. The objective of this conversation was the progress of the tour, further necessary relief supplies, and status reports of patients quarantined in isolation treatment centers. ¡°I¡¯ll pay the bills for the items at once on the day of your departure,¡± Edwin said. ¡°All right.¡± Reibene agreed. Just like that, the business conversation was over. When Edwin was about to stand up because there was no reason to continue a private conversation with an unwelcome opponent. ¡°Congratulations on your engagement. When is your wedding?¡± Reibene asked. It was a normal question. Unlike before, Edwin couldn¡¯t find any crude and obscene emotions. It was a question that had no reason to answer, and he would have ignored it, but Edwin, thought for a moment, looked at Reibene with his legs crossed. ¡°Well, I¡¯m thinking about choosing a suitable date .¡± ¡°Everyone is very interested in her, who will be the hostess of the eight provinces. Are you bringing her to the National Day celebration this year?¡± ¡°Of course, she¡¯s going to be my wife.¡± ¡°Do you know she¡¯s a sinner? I¡¯m worried that people will recognize her at the event.¡± Edwin laughed at Reibene¡¯s leery words. ¡°It¡¯s a fruitless worry. I don¡¯t know what is there to worry about. Me getting a sinner who had already been ordered to deport and was thrown out of the wall and paid the penalty?¡± ¡°If the prestigious Kabelheider hostess was a sinner and an outcast. Everyone would be protesting.¡± ¡°You seem so mindful about my reputation.¡± Reibene didn¡¯t waver by Edwin¡¯s sneer. Rather, he responded with laughter. ¡°Because I tend to care about others¡¯ reputation around me. Whether it is a priest or a lord or an emperor¡­ I think that obtaining the trust of an unspecified number of people is a necessary skill. That way, I can be a remarkable leader.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a great ambition. I hope you will be a good bishop, or even a cardinal or a pope, to be admired by all. So now that I have finished talking, can I get up?¡± Reibene, who always kept a smiling face at Edwin, was furious and trembled slightly. The raised corner of his mouth was also abnormal. Edwin was far superior at berating opponents than Reibene. ¡°You will regret it.¡± ¡°Regret?¡± Edwin asked. ¡°Asaya is beautiful, but her mind is unstable. She¡¯s a sick, delusional woman.¡± ¡°Are you saying that Asaya is a madwoman?¡± ¡°¡®I am telling you that I¡¯ve known Asaya for a long time. She is a woman who needs mental treatment. Everyone knows. Have you ever heard of schizophrenia? She lives in delusion. She thinks that the crime was unjustly framed. And that she will get revenge. It seems to be more severe than before. You should be careful. It¡¯s dangerous to be swayed by her.¡± Edwin quietly listened to Reibene¡¯s story and curled up his mouth. Then, with his long fingers, he reached the cup in front of him and asked. ¡°So?¡± ¡°I am not joking.¡± ¡°So is that your advice? You don¡¯t know your place. In what position are you to give me advice?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry if you were uncomfortable. I was just worried.¡± ¡°Enough of that. I know you and Asaya used to be lovers. But you shouldn¡¯t be presumptuous. Did you not see the manuscripts scattered in the streets? There is a story about me and Asaya as the lovers of the century.¡± ¡°That¡¯s¡­ Isn¡¯t it just a rumor?¡± ¡°No, that¡¯s true. Even if Asaya is a real psychopath, it doesn¡¯t matter to me.¡± Edwin stood up. ¡°The remarks that sullied my wife¡¯s honor in front of me. I will let it go this time, but I won¡¯t do it next time. You truly have no fear.¡± With the final warning, Edwin left without looking back. Reibene, who was left alone, his face crumpled nervously. He barely reined his frustration as he hit the table with his fists clenched. ¡°You¡¯re serious about Asaya? Do you want me to believe that?¡± Reibene was annoyed. From Edwin¡¯s arrogant attitude to his expression revealed that he loved Asaya more than anyone else was annoying. As Reibene looked at the expression of the person who had it all, he felt distributed as if something had been stolen from him. Asaya once was his, but now she was no longer in his possession. ¡®¡¯Damn it.¡± What¡¯s even more aggravating is that he succumbed to the demeanor of a brilliant man. In his presence, Reibene could only retreat. There was nothing worse than that; it wounded his pride. He didn¡¯t want to accept the reality that Asaya¡¯s value changed because a man who was so perfect is by her side. [If I bring a woman who was rolling in the trash and name her Kabelheider, I wonder if you can still call her trash.] Edwin¡¯s voice hovered in Reibene¡¯s ears. The lowly woman who he once labeled as trash and discarded was no longer seen as useless trash. He stood up from his seat, breathing fiercely. ¡°Let¡¯s see how long they can be so pretentious.¡± His eyes sparkled eerily. ???????????? Three days had passed since Reibene came to the mansion uninvited. Leah, who was late to hear of Reibene¡¯s visit, stormed into the Kabelheider mansion a month later. It was a good day for a walk, so Asaya wanted to walk outside the mansion with Leah. As soon as she got dressed and stepped outside, Leah scanned Asaya¡¯s body up and down. Asaya burst into laughter when Leah showed extreme concern over whether there might be a scratch or wound on her body. ¡°Leah, what on earth did you imagine? Did you really think I would get beaten by him?¡± ¡°There¡¯s no telling what a mad man might do.¡± ¡°That¡¯s why you¡¯re here because you¡¯re concerned about me?¡± ¡°Of course, I had to come. Today, I have more things to talk about the incident 7 years ago.¡± These days, Leah had to discuss with Marshall often about the incident seven years ago. Including the relationship with the Schrandel family, the trivial events that Reibene experienced during his stay as a member of the Adonis monastery. And the research outside the wall to find the survivors and people involved in that day. ¡°Did Marshall and the Grand Duke divulge something?¡± ¡°No, not at all. There are limits to what they can do right now. Almost all those involved on that day died or went missing. So I¡¯m thinking of going outside the wall to investigate.¡± At Leah¡¯s placid words, Asaya was surprised and asked. ¡°Are you going beyond the wall yourself?¡± ¡°There must be people like us who didn¡¯t die and run away. Shouldn¡¯t we find them? Besides that we have to find your father¡¯s whereabouts.¡± ¡°Do you think my father is alive?¡° ¡°I do. Think about it, you said he acted like someone who was leaving before he disappeared.¡± With only a few books and a few belongings, Asaya¡¯s father suddenly disappeared without a sound. He was not one to die so easily. He was an excellent saint who stood on the same ground as an intermediate or advanced devil. Asaya fiddled with the key she hung around her neck. ¡°Why did he give me this key? Why did he pass it so urgently and disappear?¡± ¡°If we find out the truth, we will be able to figure out the secret of that day. I don¡¯t think it¡¯s very impossible. We aren¡¯t the only ones who are digging in this case. The Grand Duke is also delving into it. So, the truth will be uncovered soon. I just never foreseen the news about that bastard Reibene.¡± Asaya laughed weakly as she saw Leah got furious. ¡°It was surprising because I never thought he would come.¡± ¡°So, what nonsense did he come over to talk about?¡± ¡°He told me to get out of the wall.¡± ¡°That Bastard!¡± ¡°I wanted to throw the teacup in his face but I didn¡¯t.¡± Despite Asaya¡¯s joke, Leah still spoke with a serious expression. ¡°Why a teacup? You could have cut his neck with a fork or a knife right then.¡± ¡°If I did that, Duke Kabelheider would be in trouble. Of course, you, my mother, and Asaran would be inconvenient as well. Instead, I put up with it. And cursed him to die by a wagon running over him on his way to his home.¡± ¡°It would be marvelous if your wish came true.¡± ¡°¡®He will leave after two days anyway. Try to look the other way. I just hope we don¡¯t meet him again during that time.¡± ¡°Be careful. Because you don¡¯t know if he will send an assassin in the middle of the night.¡± Asaya wondered if that madman would think of sending an assassin to Kabelheider¡¯s mansion, but there was a history of countless assassins in his mansion. So it was not impossible. Asaya thought she might have to sleep with a knife hidden under her pillow, but it was not necessary. What would be the use of a knife when a man who is so intuitive and far more deleterious than anyone else was sleeping next to her. ¡°I¡¯ll be careful. Take care of yourself and help me take care of Asaran and my mother.¡± ¡°No need to worry about that. Even if it¡¯s not me, the soldiers sent by your handsome husband are always waiting around. If they follow me to that extent, I will be fed up.¡± Asaya gently glanced at Leah and smiled embarrassingly. The guard Edwin posted following her secretly every time she went out, but Asaya knew that obviously. While walking and talking, the two entered a crowded private house. Was it because of her pictures in the newspaper? Several of the people walking on the street recognized Asaya and gave her glances. ¡°Even if it¡¯s not Reibene, I guess my existence is not welcome.¡± ¡°That can¡¯t be helped. It¡¯s a problem we have to endure because we came from outside the wall. ¡° ¡°But it¡¯s better than I thought. I thought if we wander around a crowded place, rocks would fly at us.¡± ¡°The Grand Duke who backs you is the owner of this estate. So, who dares to do such a thing? ¡°There are bizarre people everywhere you go.¡± ¡°That¡¯s the case with Reibene right now.¡± ¡°I think I¡¯ll be able to go for a walk more often.¡± Asaya relaxedly enjoyed the outside air. In fact, at first, she was reluctant to go out due to poor public sentiment, even though she always wanted to go outside. She was able to breathe in the fresh air and got to see how people live here. As they continued walking, they heard loud noises from the mass chatter. Neither Asaya nor Leah thought it was a big deal. However, the more they walked closer to the noises, the more they felt the noises were subtly changed. Not far away, people huddled together. They all looked quite serious. Wondering what happened, Leah squeezed through the crowd, Asaya also followed. Then they stopped as a disgusting bloody scent and the odor of decayed bodies pierced their nose. The red liquid soaked in the floor was dry and sticky in the form of a mucus substance. There were three dead bodies in armor piled up on the ground. Chapter 15 - Ominous Sign ¡°They were only aiming at the vital spots.¡± Leah, who was scrutinizing the body, declared that. Then the crowd began to mumble when they saw Leah and Asaya. Both of their attire drew the crowd¡¯s attention, one for wearing a shabby cloth with a sword while the other one wore a modest dress. -Isn¡¯t it ominous these days?- ¨CNot long ago, a low-ranking demon appeared at the checkpoint entrance and started a riot¡­ Now, three sturdy generals were killed. I don¡¯t know what on earth is going on. ¨C -It¡¯s bad luck.- ¡°Isn¡¯t this what happened when the Duke brought the impure inside the wall? It must have bedeviled us! ¨C They proclaimed that the estate atmosphere was peculiar. In the end, they condemned the Outsiders brought from outside the wall. Some of them were aware of their identity as the Outsiders. ¡°That¡¯s right, they always denounce someone else.¡± Leah muttered faintly and grabbed Asaya¡¯s hand. ¡°Let¡¯s go. I can¡¯t stand being here.¡± Immediately, they walked away from the crime scene. Asaya was pulled out of the scene by Leah. Yet, from time to time, she glanced at the pile of dead bodies. ¡®¡¯It¡¯s ominous.¡± Compared to the corpses she had seen outside the wall so far, those corpses were still in good shape, but Asaya couldn¡¯t help but feel unsettled. While passing through the crowd, a man chastised them for leaving the scene right away. Leah stopped and lifted her middle finger at the man. ¡°We will live a long life because of profanity.¡± Even with Leah¡¯s sarcastic comment, Asaya couldn¡¯t laugh for some reason. Could it be that her mind became so accustomed to peace in the wall, and seeing something like that made her feel anxious? The short walk ended, and Asaya hoped that this ominousness was just a momentary. ****** Loving beautiful things is a natural human instinct. Some might say it was hideous, but others might see it as it was stunning. Whether it was clothes or jewelry, animals or humans, the desire to pursue beautiful things was an innate instinct and shall not be changed. And everyone who shared the same enthusiasm about that instinct gathered here. ¡°No. 512, I¡¯ll start the bidding! It starts at 2 million gold!¡± The ¡®Polaria Auction House¡¯, which bought and sold all beautiful things, was always a place where people fought for them. Countess Lishayas Schrandel also loved the Polaria auction house more than anyone else. The daughter-in-law of Archbishop Taison Schrandel and the wife of Bishop Reibene Schrandel, she was famed as a virtuous woman. But the art, jewelry, and slaves she bought on the black market here every dawn amounted to hundreds. ¡°The Bishop says he will return after this August inspection is over. The itinerary has been shortened. I think he will return two days earlier.¡± ¡°Why all of a sudden?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know why. The content of the letter is lengthy. Madam, you should check it.¡± ¡®¡¯Oh, it¡¯s so bothersome.¡± After the auction began, Lishayas, who was thrilled more than anyone else, was out of steam. The news of her husband¡¯s early return could not be more unpleasant to her, who had been enjoying a break from his long business trip. ¡°Did you hear about the recent scandal around August?¡± ¡°Scandal?¡± ¡°The Grand Duke Kabelheider is engaged to a low-class woman from outside the wall.¡± ¡°Outside the wall?¡± Lishayas was amazed at the shocking scandal but was also interested in it. The Duke was coveted by many women even married noble ladies. Many women treated it as a competition to charm him, they even tried to marry him. And Lishayas was one of them. ¡°I¡¯m curious about how beautiful and amazing the woman is that the aloof Grand Duke fell for her. I would love to attend their wedding.¡± The engagement of Grand Duke Kabelheider, who had briefly attracted Lishayas¡¯s attention, soon fell out of her interest when she noticed a slave who had climbed on the platform. ¡°It¡¯s the guy I got out of the wall. As you can see, he¡¯s very handsome and obedient. Just by looking at his face, I think he¡¯s the best one I¡¯ve ever found. He has a gentle personality and will be easy to handle. It¡¯s such a special offer that we start with 10 million gold!¡± No one was shaken by the inhumane situation where people were expressed as ¡®for sale¡¯ and grade them as ¡®high quality¡¯. The people gathered with masks that covered their faces simply glaring at the young male slave, who looked mesmerizing with his eyes twinkling. ¡°11 million!¡± ¡°15 million!¡± ¡°23 million!¡± With a fearful momentum, the bid amount began to rise. People in beautiful dresses and suits eagerly jumped into the bidding competition. Everyone started to increase the amount as if they were possessed by something. It was like a mass fervor. ¡°The price keeps surging with dreadful momentum! Yes! Look at this shiny silver hair. How beautiful it is! He looks very healthy and has good strength! This beauty that wasn¡¯t covered even with his shaggy hair and dirty outfit! Isn¡¯t it tempting?¡± The beautiful boy, no, the beautiful young man on the podium became the object of praise, like meat on a showcase, and was engulfed by people¡¯s sordid desires. Still, the boy was composed rather than agitated. Lishayas was fascinated by that beautiful young man. ¡°70 million gold! Are there any more?¡± The auction fever intensified. The amount that had risen with fearful momentum had reached 70 million gold. It would be the most expensive of the recent transaction prices. Fewer people wanted to bid for a huge amount. 70 million gold was too expensive for a lowly male slave. ¡°If there is no more, the auction ends at the successful bid price of 70 million gold¡­¡¯¡± ¡°100 million!¡± The inside of the room, which was noisy and chaotic quickly became calm at the huge bidding amount of money that popped out of nowhere. No one was willing to offer a large amount because the amount of 70 million gold was already a lot out of the market price. What kind of crazy person would buy a slave for 100 million gold? It was large enough to buy land as well as people. The auction coordinator exclaimed in excitement, sputtering. ¡°The highest price ever! 100 million gold came out! Are there any more?¡± It couldn¡¯t be. There¡¯s no madman here who was going to pay 100 million gold for a slave. ¡°100 million! The winning bid is 100 million! The winning bidder please come up.¡± Soon, a red-haired woman in a black dress climbed onto the podium. Although her face was covered with a mask, anyone could tell she was a very beautiful woman. How could such a young woman possess such a large sum? Each person began to make an analogy about the woman. There, Lishayas stood in front of the handsome, silver-haired young man with a smile. ¡°How pretty. What is your name?¡± The young man was not shaken at all by the noisy atmosphere of the hall. He just smiled lightly at her with a serene gaze. ¡°It¡¯s GT.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a pretty name. But aren¡¯t you scared? You were sold to me and I can¡¯t guarantee what kind of treatment you¡¯ll get in the future?¡± Lishayas thought the young man¡¯s calm yet still eyes were so charming and beautiful. Unlike other slaves, she really liked the unique atmosphere that was well polished without any knowledge. And the new slave, who she loves so much, replied nonchalantly. ¡°I came here because I wanted to.¡± It was a bold answer. Lishayas liked that boldness. He was not an average man. She had seen many people for sale, the slave that was brought in this time was not just beautiful in appearance, but there was something subtle that could not be expressed in words. Lishayas immediately paid 100 million gold. Then she grabbed GT¡¯s hand. ¡°Let¡¯s go to my mansion.¡± ???????????? Meanwhile, the news about the murder was also delivered to Edwin. ¡°Three guards in the Riverarden area were found dead. In all three, traces of wounds were found near the neck and the stomach. The autopsy on the scene suggests that the same area was hacked several times with a short dagger. The cause of death is said to be excessive bleeding.¡± The Riverarden was a private house located not far from the Kabelheider mansion. Although it was a bit far from the center of the territory, it was one of the most well-managed areas because it belonged to the Grand Duke. More talented militants were placed in the outskirts rather than the center. For a simple reason; It would be easier to direct the military forces in case of an emergency. Therefore, the guards in the Riverarden area weren¡¯t so lax that anyone would die. Among those who were chosen, they were capable and brave. It was a serious problem that not one such person but three died at the same time. ¡°And it seems that lady Asaya was at the scene. She went for a walk to Riverarden. There were quite a few people who recognized her, and some even spread the rumor that a stranger outside the wall killed those guards.¡± ¡°Is the suspect specified?¡± ¡°Not yet.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s look at the church¡¯s tour group first.¡± ¡°We are already watching them.¡± Until now, this kind of incident has been rare but there was always the church at the center of it. However this could not be determined, but it was necessary to keep an eye on the tour group sent by the church. ¡°How is the investigation going with that case?¡± ¡°Miss Asaya¡¯s friend is cooperative with the investigation, so recently, together with the Lubedoa family, we have secured and organized the personal information of the family members who were involved in the case. Also, since all of them were from Adonis Monastery, I plan to track those involved in the scattered Adonis Monastery.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s make it a priority to find Count Lubedoa assuming he is alive.¡± Marshall nodded at Edwin¡¯s words. ¡°I am going to organize an investigation team and go out of the wall to investigate.¡± Marshall said that he would personally conduct an investigation outside the wall with only a small number of people. This was a confidential investigation, so moving on a large scale was not a good idea. There would be a high contingency of being followed by concealed spies. ¡°I think I have to go. Not many people know about the geography outside the wall well, and I have something else to check. ¡± ¡°Go do it.¡± Edwin didn¡¯t stop Marshall from going on his own. Marshall has always been proficient working solo. Furthermore, he was the finest aide in business as well as having the skill to take the lead in the expedition to eradicate demons, so there was no need to fret over anything. He wasn¡¯t so feeble that he couldn¡¯t protect himself, but rather, he had more experience with demons and outside the wall than others. Edwin rubbed his forehead and leaned back. His eyes were full of fatigue. ¡°Go home early today and tell Asaya to go to bed first.¡± ¡°Yes, My Lord.¡± Today Edwin had to spend the night in the company office. Before Asaya came to the mansion, it was a routine for him to spend the night in his private office, so Marshall nodded flatly. As soon as he decided to work overtime, he felt tired. He always had scads of work to do. Adding a murder case amid the piles of unfinished payment documents. If it was your typical murder case, then it would be handled by a low-ranking officer. However, three elite soldiers have been killed. ¡®¡¯I¡¯m exhausted.¡± As he looked out the window with his half-dropped eyes, he suddenly thought of a cup of tea which Asaya made at dawn that was so hot that it was annoying. Edwin didn¡¯t know why that distasteful tea came to his mind. Did he miss the tea or the face of the woman who gave him the tea and smiled proudly? He closed his eyes, reminiscing the tea¡¯s warm aroma and Asaya¡¯s dazzling bright smile at dawn that day. Relief washed over the extreme exhaustion that seemed to break his body. ***** After hearing Edwin¡¯s message from Marshall, Asaya went to sleep in her bed. However, she was wide awake. Was it because she couldn¡¯t feel the warmth from the other side of the bed? Asaya thought that humans were surprisingly versatile creatures. It should be far more convenient and comfortable to sleep alone without staring at someone else, but why couldn¡¯t she fall asleep? ¡°If he overworked; he would be a wreck¡­¡± Although Asaya treats Edwin¡¯s body with divine power every day, she was worried because he has a sensitive body. There was no way that the workload on that frail body could be tolerable. Of course, he said he doesn¡¯t work much these days compared to 120 hours a week in the past. Still, Asaya was perturbed. A royal body was like a bomb that may explode at any time. It was known that the unique hormone that destroys the body could be subsumed by divine force, but it was not perfect. Remembering Marshall¡¯s words that some royals died due to the hormone eruption. ¡°I feel stuffy.¡± On sleepless nights, Asaya would overthink. It was natural to feel stuffy inside. Asaya rose from the bed and opened the window, assuming that this stuffiness would disappear with some fresh air. Not far away, in front of her eyes, she stared at Riverarden village, where she had her morning walk. It was dimly announcing its existence in the dark by the streetlights. The fierce wind scattered her hair. The cold night breeze stung her, but she felt tranquil. Asaya inhaled the fresh air while relishing the wind to her heart¡¯s content and stopped momentarily. Suddenly her eyes widened in shock, focusing on the smell that passed through her nose, she was stunned. ¡°This is¡­¡± Asaya, feeling something strange, hurriedly grabbed her coat. Then she kicked the door open and ran out. As she went outside, the smell from before became stronger. She couldn¡¯t understand it. How could she smell the plague from outside the wall at this place? ???????????? Chapter 16 - Shadow of Plague ( Part 1) **** Not many can smell the plague. Perhaps the average person couldn¡¯t distinguish the characteristic smell of the devil. Forsooth, the devil was the provenance of all contamination. Whenever people think about the devil¡¯s, they will recall them as a vile revolting creature. Astonishingly, the smell was not as atrocious as they imagined, and it will be perceived as a peculiar smell only. However, not everyone is the same. There were many outside the wall who were particularly sensitive to the smell of the devil. But not all of them can perceive the devil¡¯s odor and energy, only the ones who possess powers outside the wall. And Asaya had the sharpest nose to perceive. ¡°It¡¯s terrible. The smell is getting more portentous¡± So, Asaya deduced it skeptically. She blindly rushed outside after the smell. Slowly, the private house is getting closer. It was in Riverarden Village, where she walked in the morning. Regarding the foul smell in Riverarden village, where the moon sank early in the morning, is in harmony and peace. The suffocating silence aggravated my solicitude. Breathing deeply, my throat tightens. Nevertheless, it was inevitable to happen. Because families are residing in the outskirts of River Garden town. Also, if the devil was not dealt with as soon as possible, then it wouldn¡¯t end well in a few days. The devil preys on people and exploits their bodies and blood as energy sources. Not to mention, they harness that power progressively and determine their class. It would be a jeopardy if they turned out to be an intermediate level or higher. With an intermediate class level, the body is larger, and its power will be catastrophic to pulverize a village. ¡°Leah!¡± Asaya ran into the house where her family was staying, urgently shouting Leah¡¯s name. Did she already hear footsteps from afar? Leah was already wearing a coat while holding a sword. She calmed Asaya by grabbing her coat. ¡°Calm down, take a deep breath. What the hell is going on?¡± ¡°It smells¡­¡± ¡°Smell. Really?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a devil. Stay close.¡± If someone else had heard her, they would have pointed at claiming that Asaya is a lunatic. However, hearing about the devil¡¯s smell at dawn was baffling. Leah rapidly blinked, inferring the situation¡¯s gravity. Both of them rushed out of the house. ¡°Suddenly, the devil. Here?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know. The smell came out of nowhere. It¡¯s strange. All avenues should be sealed at all times. Hence, the devil shouldn¡¯t be able to sneak in.¡± The wall that divided the world was made by the goddess Hebia, which contained the sacred stone Rona, the gemstone of light. Whenever the devil touches the wall, will be annihilated; Therefore, the devil couldn¡¯t cross the wall arbitrarily. But then again, there were ways for the devil to get inside the wall. Beyond the wall, the world was infected. But there were times when the avenues opened because there were numerous resources buried. Some people pass through the wall, for instance: scholars, researchers, priests, soldiers, and merchants. Moreover, there were occasional cases of the devil coming in through the gap, but the likelihood was extremely slim. Each access checkpoint has guards accompanied by a trained soldier specialized in demon subjugation expedition and priests with Holy power. How likely was it for a devil to trespass inside the wall without their awareness? Even it had the opportunity to enter the wall. It was absurd for a devil to reach near the private house. Noting that many guards patrol the streets and the consecration to harass the devil was scattered in various places; It¡¯s bizarre to obscure a devil. Of course, this was the outskirt layer, but even so, it didn¡¯t make sense for the devil¡¯s ability to sneak into inhabited land. ¡°You are not mistaken. Are you?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know. Am I? It¡¯s that foul smell.¡± ¡°First it was that bastard Reibene. Now, this.¡± Leah sighed. ¡°Let¡¯s hurry. It¡¯s late. We should take an expeditious initial response. I don¡¯t know how much it is, but¡­..¡± In the distance, they saw the entrance to the village where the dreary spirit of death lay thick, sending a shiver down their spin. The village filled with darkness was still peaceful. Throwing caution to the wind, hurriedly they returned to the serene village. ******* Everyone was asleep at a soundless dawn; however, it was interrupted by the rowdy knock on the office door. There was a dire report to relay so early in the morning. Not to mention the chances that the report might bear some bad news. Knowing this, Edwin permitted him to come in while patting his heavy eyelid. An employee who remained to work overtime with him informed him urgently: ¡°There have been reports that all three bodies found in Riverarden have disappeared.¡± ¡°What do you mean disappear?¡± ¡°It is said that the people who were guarding the body, and all of the bodies, disappeared without a trace. There was no sign of trespassing.¡± ¡°When was it confirmed?¡± ¡°Two soldiers who were patrolling around 1 am confirmed it.¡± ¡°How on earth do you handle things?¡± Edwin repressed his frustration. To make matters worse, something fatuous happened and the fatigue accumulated from staying up all night. He put down the quill he was holding and immediately picked up his coat. ¡°You will check it out by yourself?¡± ¡°Are you going to check it out yourself?¡± ¡°Then who will you call at this time? Also, why should I depend on those who failed to follow my instruction? Wouldn¡¯t it be better If I check it with my own eyes so I can sleep comfortably tomorrow?¡± Meekly, the man stepped back. With his coat, Edwin left the office. His eyes, distorted by the sensitivity, squinted lightly. He didn¡¯t know what happened, but Edwin fixated on unraveling the case himself; So, he headed to Riverarden himself. Chapter 16.2 - Shadow of plague (part 2) ***** The village was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. It was astonishing how the shadows of death loom over the village. Only a few lanterns scattered between the houses luminesce the vivid murkiness. People heard noises from wild animals in the nearby forest, but currently, there was no sound. As they entered the icy street where not a speck of insect was insight, the disgusting stench intensified. ¡°It is nearby.¡± Muttered Asaya, Leah quietly grabbed the sword handle and lowered her posture. They had faced the devil several times. If people had lived outside the wall, stumbling upon devils are a dime a dozen. However, their experience was less than the number of times they encountered the devil. Naturally, if there were devils nearby, they would choose to retreat. Beyond the wall, common injuries could be fatal and lead to death; it¡¯s better to stay away from dangerous circumstances. Moreover, the entity called the devil was a constant variable. They have a variety of shapes and properties, and their appearance and strength varied widely depending on the individual. So, people should always be on the lookout. A momentary mistake could lead to death. Leah sighed low and whispered in frustration. ¡°I thought that if we entered the wall, we would be able to stretch out our feet and be comfortable, but here we are out to follow the smelly devil. We are really unlucky.¡± ¡°Be careful. We don¡¯t know how many there are.¡± Taking each step with vigilance and stealth. How many steps did she take? Leah, who had an exceptionally sensitive hearing, stretched out her arm and blocked Asaya. ¡°Wait, I can hear a sound. It¡¯s the sound of crushing bones. It sounds like chewing. I can listen to the sound of flesh torn apart by teeth.¡± Leah took the lead, slowly followed by Asaya. The further they walked; the smell of blood intensified. Not far away, a dark figure was seen. It was an eminently bizarre and strange shape. The shadow was roaming rowdily under the moonlight. They saw a monster with blood covering his mouth, holding in one hand something reminiscent of a heavily damaged, coarse piece of meat. He had hard horns on his head, his nails and claws were as long as a bear¡¯s nails, and there were white stripes on his black-furred body. ¡®It¡¯s pretty big.¡¯ Asaya sighed. Compared to an enormous bear, the size of the devil was slightly larger and the horns on its head were larger than an elephant¡¯s horns; making it look bigger. At least, it was medium level; considering that he wasn¡¯t bothered by the installed consecration around the village. It was at least a medium-level entity, considering that he was not bothered by the fact that there were consecrations installed all over the village. Leah whispered in a shocked voice. ¡°Does it make sense? How did a massive one get here?¡± ¡°Strange. That kind of creature came inside the wall, but no one noticed? To be capable of avoiding the surveillance and come this far? It doesn¡¯t make sense. It¡¯s impossible.¡± Nonsense was turning to a reality and unfolding. Both Leah and Asaya hesitated. Devils from the Intermediate stage were not something that they could handle. ¡°Who is there!¡± Amidst the crisis, we heard an unfamiliar voice from behind. It was a patrolman holding a torch. He paused as he approached Asaya and Leah, crumbling his impressions. His gaze turned to the devil. He looked around, hardened like a wooden stone. After quickly grasping the situation, he dropped the torch. Asaya shouted at him, who was about to scream at once. ¡°Call the soldiers right now. And hurry to evacuate people!¡± Instead of notifying the soldiers, the patrolman turned around and shouted. ¡°The devil has appeared!¡± ¡°That crazy man!!!¡± Outraged, Leah cursed the man who runs around like a headless chicken. The devil, who was enjoying a superb meal, turned his head toward Asaya and Leah. He wiped his blood-stained lips and smeared blood on his hard pointed horns. Once Asaya whispered a short prayer, a chain of light wrapped around her body and bounded the enormous devil. At the same time, Leah, who had pulled out her sword, climbed over the devil¡¯s head and targeted the devil¡¯s back neck. As soon as the sword embedded deep in the devil¡¯s neck, black blood sprayed like a fountain. Leah, soaked in blood, groaned faintly. Perhaps there was no damage in the first blow; the devil struggled fiercely with his bound body. As a result, Leah, who was on top of the devil, fell and crashed. At that moment, the thin curtain of light enveloped Leah¡¯s body as Asaya whispered the prayer. The black stains that covered her body faded away. ¡°Are you okay, Leah?¡± ¡°I am okay. But his power is stronger than I thought.¡± ¡°It is impossible to completely block the devil¡¯s movement with my prayer. Let¡¯s hold on until support arrives.¡± Asaya said. In the case of directly using power, especially sophisticated prayer, stamina, and mental power are consumed rapidly. It wouldn¡¯t last long, and it would put a strain on the body. Unfortunately, this devil is at the intermediate or a higher stage; It¡¯s preposterous for only the two of them to defeat the devil. If such an individual was competent to defeat the devil, it should be the best of the cr¨¨me de la. All they could do right now is to hold it back. ¡°I will damage the muscles as much as possible. Maybe we will be able to slow down his movements.¡± Lea grabbed the sword and ran back towards the devil. Asaya closed her eyes and focused on chanting prayers with her hands tightly clasped together, hoping that this dreadful situation would be resolved quickly. ********* Edwin, who rushed at full speed on a horse, arrived at the village entrance, halted with a sense of foreboding feeling arising. Even though it was time for bed, the village was overly bright and noisy. The sound of footsteps, shrieks, and muddling yells reached his ears. Slowly, he approached the village entrance and found people fleeing with their luggage. ¡°What is going on?¡± A hysterical old man replied. ¡°Get away quickly! The devil has appeared! the devil! A disaster will occur here!!¡± ¡°A devil? What does that mean?¡± ¡°There is no time to idle here! A monster as big as a house was munching on humans. Two women are facing the devil. I have to run away now! Or it¡¯s all over!¡± Edwin knew that the old man wasn¡¯t lying due to his pale complexion, trembling limbs, and quavering voice. The flow of the crowd, who packed, continued evacuating. Edwin paid more attention to the two women than to the point that the devil had appeared. ¡°Two women. Are you saying that two women are blocking the devil?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t see them clearly, but at first glance it was a woman with short hair and another woman with blonde hair in a pure white dress. The woman with the short hair was holding a sword.¡± Edwin, who was silently listening to the story, hardened his expression. He got on the horse without further questioning. Then he began to gallop toward the village at full speed. ¡°No way. No way.¡± He struggled to suppress the growing suspicion, hoping what he was concerned about would not happen. Chapter 17.1 - Part 1. A Strange woman Despite the urgent footsteps, Reibene packed his luggage leisurely. The rest of the Priests from the inspection team were hastily packing in response to Reibene¡¯s sudden departure. It seemed incomprehensible why he suddenly woke up in the early dawn and prepared for departure. The urgent footsteps gradually got closer. Soon after, the door opened, and a priest entered. ¡°It¡¯s an Emergency! An intermediate level devil appeared in Riverarden. The damage is serious!¡± The priests who were packing their luggage stopped at the urgent cry, astonished. ¡°What nonsense is that? Are you saying that an intermediate devil appeared in the wall?¡± ¡°Yes. Riverarden has requested assistance.¡± The priests began to flutter around in skepticism. If that was true, it was a grave issue. A devil appearing inside the wall and neglecting it could cause critical damage not only to August but also to other provinces. So, it was appropriate to deal with it quickly. If the plague started inside the wall, it would be a great disaster that could not be reversed. Nevertheless, unlike other priests who were agitated, Reibene was calm. ¡°Bishop, shouldn¡¯t you hurry up and go for support?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. It would be a disaster if the plague spreads.¡± Every priest was obliged to defend and protect the world within the wall. This was the duty of a large organization called the Church, and no reason can intervene. The same was true in political issues. Even though Grand Duke Kabelheider and the Church did not get along, but if a problem related to the devil arose, the Church should intervene and deal with it. When the plague begins, it will be a threat to the entire territory, and it will soon become an uncontrollable disaster. But Reibene decided outside of common sense. ¡°We¡¯ll pretend we haven¡¯t heard anything about this situation. We¡¯re done with our inspection anyway, and we¡¯re going to go on our next tour a little earlier than usual.¡± ¡°You mean that you would just leave the intermediate devil that appeared here?¡± ¡°That¡¯s ridiculous! What if there is a plague outbreak here? Once the plague occurs, it is irreversible.¡± A fierce protest from the priests followed. Nevertheless, Reibene was determined. ¡°Don¡¯t forget our duty. There are still many patients left who need our help. What will you do next if you get involved working here and having problems? There are still many territories left for us to look at, and all we have to do is finish the rest of the tour safely.¡± ¡°But¡­¡± ¡°There are monasteries and nuns here in August, so why should we have to work for August? We don¡¯t know anything, and we haven¡¯t been briefed, so we can leave right now. It¡¯s something we don¡¯t have to be involved in.¡± The priests exchanged a quivering expression. Clearly, there was a stark difference between knowing the problem and ignoring it. This time, his decision to leave the manor, pretending to know nothing, was political. However, the boss¡¯s words were the law. No one could argue with Reibene¡¯s decision, as he was the head of the team. Also, his words have some sense to them. ¡°When you¡¯ve packed everything, we will get moving.¡± At Reibene¡¯s words, the priests carried their loads and lined up. A crowd held torches at each side. Reibene laughed triumphantly, recalling Asaya and Edwin, taking the lead. ¡°That¡¯s good.¡± If Edwin couldn¡¯t deal with the devil and a plague broke out, that proved he was incompetent. He was a diligent lord, so he had to take care of it. If he couldn¡¯t even do that much, then he was just useless. Reibene was barely able to hold back his laughter from coming out. The priests who stood behind him shook their heads at Reibene, who seemed to have a transparent mind. They went out of the village secretly at the early dawn, when everyone was asleep, leaving such annoyance behind. Chapter 17.2 - A Strange Woman (Part 2) ****** ¡°Ah¡­ tough guy.¡± Leah, who stabbed the devil¡¯s body bound by chains countless times, was beyond exhausted had failed; Her sword didn¡¯t work on its skin because it was sturdy. She endeavored to slow the devil¡¯s movement by damaging the muscles as much as possible, but it was not easy to penetrate the devil¡¯s skin. Despite the intensive attack near the bridge, the devil¡¯s remained resistant. The devil swung its long tail toward Leah, who was wheezing while standing in place. She managed to avoid the attack, but not completely. Sharp thorns protruding from the tail ripped off Leah¡¯s skin on the side. Blood trickling from the wound dipped and wet the floor. Lea¡¯s body staggered from dizziness due to loss of blood and exhaustion. Currently, Asaya, who wanted to heal Leah¡¯s wounds right away, was feeble. She was weak by using too much power at once. Her arms and legs trembled, and she was dizzy as if someone was holding her head shaking vigorously. Her hair drenched in a cold sweat was drooping, and her face became pale. All the villagers seemed to have evacuated. Although support should arrive anytime, the surroundings were idyllic. Asaya wasn¡¯t sure how long she could endure. She felt like was going to lose her mind right away. She never thought she would die here like this. ¡°This is my limit¡­¡± The chains of light that bound the devil disappeared. Asaya collapsed on the floor exhaustedly. The devil roared wildly and looked at Asaya. It¡¯s limped and turned toward Asaya, swinging his tail wildly and rushing to her. ¡°Asaya!¡± Leah called out. ¡°I am going to die.¡± It was the moment Asaya shut her eyes and prepared to die. The devil¡¯s hardtail was severed in an instant. A shadow hovered over Asaya¡¯s head. The red cloak fluttered in the wind. Asaya opened her eyes and looked at the man¡¯s back, standing in front of her. ¡°¡­Duke?¡± Edwin¡¯s face was as cold as ice. Instead of answering, he sliced ??the horns of the rushing demon with a sword. Then, he lowered his posture and dug into the abdomen of the devil, thrust into the devil, and twisted it. The devil howled and fled. ¡°Unbelievable¡­ The intermediate level devil was chopped off by one blow?¡± Leah, who was watching, was left dumbfounded. She was awed at Edwin¡¯s power of being able to pierce through the hard skin that she was barely able to graze it with all her power, and at the refined movement aiming at the vital spots without wasting time. The devil couldn¡¯t get up anymore. It just twisted its body constantly wailed in place. ¡°The devil¡¯s heart is lodged deep in the right side of the abdomen.¡± Edwin casually remarked while stabbing the devil¡¯s stomach again. ¡°Simply stabbing can¡¯t detriment its heart. You have to smash all the bones that protect the heart to eradicate it completely.¡± When he crushed the hard bones surrounding its heart, the devil¡¯s heart, hidden deep in its body, was revealed. Compared to the monstrous sized of the body, its heart was about the size of a grown male fist. Curving out its heart, Edwin casually thrust his sword into it. The devil¡¯s movement stopped completely. It was a simple neat finish to the point it seemed idle. Leah mellowed and sagged. Edwin turned back and approached Asaya. His beautiful eyes, which were originally cold, looked even colder. Though his expression was full of composure, Asaya could see the momentary nervousness in his eyes. It seemed it was filled with anger and concern. As soon as Asaya raised her upper body, Edwin¡¯s gaze slowly descended and looked at Asaya¡¯s body first. It was a gaze searching for something. Asaya, who noticed the excessive intentions, reassured him by brushing off the dirt from her clothes. ¡°l am okay. I didn¡¯t get hurt at all.¡± Hearing Asaya¡¯s words, he regained his composure. However, the gaze with disapproval remained. ¡°Why on earth are you here?¡± ¡°I smelled the devil and came to this place to pursue the smell.¡± ¡°You smelled it?¡± ¡°Yes, I can smell the devil within a certain distance. I couldn¡¯t sleep, so I opened the window to get some fresh air, but the smell of the devil came in ¡­ ¡± It was amazing to be able to smell the devil, but Edwin paid more attention to the fact that she came here without hesitation. ¡°So, you just came here without any countermeasures?¡± At his rebuking voice, Asaya replied, grimly. ¡°I thought somehow we had to stop the damage before it could get worse. It was late at night when everyone was asleep, so I thought we should at least buy some time for people to evacuate.¡± Edwin tried to say something, but then kept quiet because he knew she deserved to be praised rather than being lectured by his anger. This was recognized by his head, but Edwin was unable to shake off his trembling worried heart. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for acting on my own.¡± ¡°Are there any injuries?¡± ¡°Yes, I am fine. Leah is injured rather than me and needs to be treated.¡± Edwin glanced at Leah. As he watched the bloody appearance with no emotion, he swept his forehead and sighed. ¡°No matter how familiar the devil is to you, you shouldn¡¯t underestimate it.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t understand. If an object as big as that had flowed in from the outside, it would have been impossible not to know.¡± ¡°I have to investigate and find out what happened.¡± As soon as he finished the sentence, the reinforcements arrived. Armed soldiers came towards Edwin. They recognized Edwin and bowed to show courtesy. ¡°My Lord!¡± When they found the body of a dead monster, they were astounded at its size. However, Edwin insignificantly just wiped the blood off the sword. ¡°Have you sent news about the devil? We need to speed up the cleanup process, but are the priests still there? ¡°I communicated the situation to the convent and monastery and requested assistance, but it will take some time due to distance. There is a place where the inspection team stays not far, so I visited it but they were all gone.¡± ¡°The tour group had left? The scheduled departure date is tomorrow.¡± ¡°I do not know. It seems that they have already left the territory because I didn¡¯t see the baggage they brought.¡± Edwin laughed at the soldier¡¯s report. It was obvious that they left the estate in a hurry at this early dawn. ¡°Go find out the whereabouts of the priests and gather them. Let¡¯s hurry up with the temporary barracks where the refugees will stay. Have you confirmed casualties?¡± ¡°We are working on it.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s prioritize treating the injured people rather than collecting the dead. To prevent the plague from spreading, hurry up quarantine work and control access to the surrounding area.¡± ¡°Yes, my Lord.¡± The disaster that happened unexpectedly had swiftly ended. The soldiers disappeared for their respective duties. They moved busily, cleaning up the debris of broken buildings, searching the houses that were attacked by the devil, collecting the bodies of the deceased, and rescuing wounded people. Leah, who was injured, was given first aid by a rescuer. Asaya used her last remaining power to purify the energy of the plague in Leah¡¯s wounds. As the cleansing was finished, Edwin gently helped Asaya to sit down due to the exhaustion of her legs. ¡°As soon as the priest arrives, make sure he looks at this woman¡¯s wounds first,¡± Edwin told a soldier as he pointed at Leah. ¡°Yes, my Lord.¡± ¡°Asaya, go back with me.¡± ¡°But ¡­¡± ¡°If you stay here, you have nothing to do. What can you do with that fatigued body?¡± It was essential to remove the plague marks on the injured bodies. This was something that only priests with power could do, but there were no priests who arrived immediately, so every second counted. Asaya thought that she had to help with the work of this place somehow with her remaining power but soon gave up. ¡°That¡¯s right, there¡¯s nothing more I can do.¡± Asaya¡¯s physical strength and mental strength were also limited. There was no strength left to lean on. She laughed awkwardly while being held by Edwin and agreed to go back with him. Edwin helped Asaya to get on the horse first, then he got on behind her. He wrapped her waist tightly from behind to keep Asaya from falling off the horse. When the tension has lightened; her body drooped. Asaya leaned against his chest and blinked blankly. ¡°You had a hard time.¡± Edwin¡¯s tender voice passed by her ears. Asaya, who had no energy to answer, shut her eyes. Darkness came with the feeling of warmth reaching her cheeks. ******* After running for a long period, the horse halted in front of the mansion. It was around dawn. Edwin stared at the little body sleeping in his arms. Asaya seemed to be sleeping peacefully, but he knew she wouldn¡¯t wake up for at least a few days. Asaya didn¡¯t express it, but Edwin knew that her body was overwhelmed since it used too much power. ¡®¡¯Why did you do such a foolish thing?¡± As a result, he was grateful, but was it something Asaya had to do so hard enough to ruin her body? Edwin couldn¡¯t understand it. What was finished without hurt was followed by luck. If she were seriously injured by the devil, at worst, if she were killed or eaten, it would be over. Why was she holding onto so ignorantly? Edwin didn¡¯t understand that a woman who was so obsessed with life that she threw herself away to live, then threw the life given so difficulty, for others. ¡°My Lord.¡± Marshall greeted Edwin as if he had just woken up. Seeing his buttons were hastily fastened and his disheveled clothes. It seemed that he had just heard the news and prepared for it. ¡°Why did Miss Asaya¡­.¡± ¡°She won¡¯t be able to wake up for a while. Watch her carefully until she wakes up.¡± ¡°She can¡¯t wake up? Is she seriously injured?¡± ¡°She used up all of her power. Her physical strength and mental power are drained, so she will keep sleeping until she recovers to some extent.¡± ¡°That means, she went to Riverarden?¡± ¡°I will explain in detail later.¡± Time was tight, so Edwin had to go back to the village. Edwin passed Marshall and entered the mansion. As he climbed the stairs on the second floor, he opened her bedroom door and laid Asaya on the bed. He frowned as he looked at Asaya¡¯s pale face as if she were dead. In many ways, he couldn¡¯t help but feel somewhat irked and peeved. He should be grateful for her help, that would be enough, but why did he feel more frustrated than thankful? Why did she recklessly, rather than courageously, took the initiative? It was starting to become an annoyance. With mixed feelings, it was uncanny for him to feel relieved that she was safe rather than begging in pain and agony. ¡°You are a strange woman.¡± Edwin turned away reluctantly. He had to go back to the scene. Somehow, he dreaded leaving Asaya lying there like a corpse, but he couldn¡¯t help it. With each step, Edwin felt extraordinarily heavy. Chapter 18.1 - Part 1. Until the moment the crying ceases **** Support personnel arrived one by one. The work of thoroughly separating the corpses, the wounded, and the civilians began. Since there was a risk of spreading the plague, the wounded were kept in a treatment quarantine. Dead bodies were identified and separated in a crematorium. Strong adult men joined the soldiers who arrived late to help clear the rubble of the broken building. ¡°Convent¡¯s leader Mirael Salas. Greetings to Your Majesty Grand Duke Kabelheider.¡± ¡°This is the monastery¡¯s leader. Greetings to Your Majesty Grand Duke Kabelheider.¡± The abbot and convent¡¯s leader of August Abbey arrived in turn. The monasteries and convents, where believers devoted their efforts to mental training, disconnected from the world, were in a remote mountain range far from the private house. Considering the location of the convents and monasteries where they stayed, their arrival was rather quick than late. ¡°Because it was a matter of concern, I couldn¡¯t help but call you. Thank you for responding right away to my urgent call.¡± At Edwin¡¯s words, the convent leader Mirael replied, bowing his head. ¡°No. An intermediate entity appeared. How could we stay still? When I first heard the news, I was engrossed with concern, but I¡¯m glad that the damage wasn¡¯t as great as I thought.¡± Both of them were surprised to see that there were fewer casualties than expected and that there was no damage except some smashed building, contrary to the expectation that the village would be wrecked. It was a situation where there was nothing unusual about the appearance of an intermediate-level entity even if a whole village was demolished. Not only the leader of the monastery and the convent¡¯s leader but others were also baffled. ¡°Can you start cleaning up right away?¡± ¡°Of course. The devil¡¯s body will be handed over to the investigator as soon as the purification is complete. After that, I would like the researcher to keep it as a research material, so please allow it.¡± ¡°l shall permit it.¡± ¡°Then we will go to prepare for purification.¡± ¡°Please, do your utmost.¡± Then Abbot and Mirael, took the priests they brought together and set out to purify the bodies which the intermediate devil had previously transferred. The cleanup work would take at least five hours since it was made an intermediate entity. Edwin went straight to the village¡¯s manager and the chief of staff to talk to them. ¡°My Lord!¡± ¡°How is the investigation going?¡± Edwin¡¯s question was answered by the officer. ¡°There is no sign of outside intrusion. The wall¡¯s protective device is also working properly, and as a result of the priest¡¯s confirmation, the stone of light that made up the wall still remains powerful. ¡°Hmm.¡± ¡°The first place where the devil was discovered was in the village warehouse. And the most casualties were in the warehouse and around it.¡± Edwin¡¯s expression distorted. There was a long haul between the walls and Riverarden village, supposing it had flown in from the outside. So, it should be impossible for its enormous body to move around without altering anyone. If the secretary¡¯s statement was valid, it meant that the devil did not invade from the outside, but suddenly appeared from the inside. ¡°According to the testimony of the injured who recovered their consciousness, they suddenly heard an ear-piercing sound. They were wondering what was going on, so they went to take a look, and there was an intermediate-level entity who had smashed the warehouse devouring people.¡± ¡°Is there anything unusual in the warehouse?¡± Edwin asked. ¡°It was just an ordinary warehouse for farming tools in the village.¡± There is nothing wrong with either one. As it was unprecedented, the incident was falling further into a labyrinth. ¡°Keep researching then report.¡± ¡°Yes, My Lord.¡± On the bright side, the initial response was good before things got serious. Had it not been for Asaya and Leah, things would have gotten out of control by now. It was very upsetting and annoying that Asaya was reckless. On the other hand, it was appropriate to express gratitude to her and pay her compensation. Thanks to her, Edwin had less work to do. If that early dawn had been left alone, there would have been several times more casualties than now, and Riverarden would have been wiped out. Another village would have been destroyed. ¡°Until the cleansing is over, the access to Riverarden is completely blocked. It is essential to conduct a plague test on refugees gathered in the shelters.¡± Measures were in full swing around Riverarden. Once the soldiers heard of this, they controlled the crowd among them, reporters. It is a matter of time for the news to spread around not only in August but throughout Murraye. Edwin¡¯s head was burning as he witnessed people trying to cover the dead bodies with blood on their necks. Not only that, but now, he felt aching pain in his whole body beyond the headache. He became hypersensitive, recalling that he had to return to Asaya in a hurry, but stopped. Unconsciously, he laughed at the ridiculous thoughts. ¡°I have no conscience.¡± He was instinctively looking for a worn-out woman who wouldn¡¯t be awake in the next few days. It was ridiculous that he had endured pain all those years without a priest, yet he needed to rely on Asaya¡¯s power for the a meager amount of pain. ¡°Bring me a priest to treat the wounded people.¡± ¡°Yes, My Lord.¡± Despite the excruciating pain, the first thing that came to his mind was something else that he had left in the mansion rather than his agony. Amidst all of this, he remembered a woman sullen, who was white as a sheet, lying unconscious, and fretted that if she couldn¡¯t wake up because there was something wrong. ¡°Am I being serious right now?¡± When has he cared so much about others in his life? Has he ever given personal attention to anyone? Edwin thought it didn¡¯t suit him. When he thought about it rationally, it was ridiculous that he was making a fuss about nothing. He closed his eyes for a moment until the priest who he ordered to come. Despite the pile of things to worry about, he thought it wasn¡¯t normal for his attention to go to her. Out of control, the name Asaya floated around in his mind. Chapter 18.2 ***** ¡°Why don¡¯t you get some rest now?¡± Marshall eagerly held on to Leah, who was carrying rations and relief supplies. She was no different from a sick person with bandages wrapped around her waist, arms, and legs. ¡°Do you think it makes sense for a patient to take care of another patient?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine except for a few broken bones.¡± ¡°How can you feel fine with some broken bones?¡± ¡°It¡¯s uncomfortable one way or another, but if I can move, I am fine.¡± At Leah¡¯s words, Marshall sighed and took the medicine and food she had been carrying. ¡°You¡¯ve done enough here. Go to Lady Asaya. Or go home and get some rest.¡± ¡°I said I¡¯m fine.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not fine. What would those reporters, who are trying to get inside, think when they see this? They would definitely think that the filthy Grand Duke of August is now exploiting labor even on the injured patient. Thinking again of the dramatized stories from newspapers, a migraine is coming already.¡± Of course, it was true that Marshall has a nasty temper. Leah managed to hold back her laughter at his remarks. ¡°Since when did you care for your boss that much?¡± ¡°Being caring and having a hot temper are two different things. Originally, every employer in the world is seen as an evil in their employees¡¯ view.¡± ¡°I was from outside the wall, I have experience about these things. I can be a good help here.¡± ¡°The situation is not so bad that a lady as yourself has to work.¡± ¡°I think you¡¯re the only one who sees me as a lady.¡± ¡°Why? Because your hair is short? Because your outfit looks like a man? Because you are acting like a man? That doesn¡¯t change your gender.¡± ¡°Apart from that, it¡¯s common that people here don¡¯t even treat people like me as human beings. I don¡¯t think there is anyone other than you who calls me a lady with respect.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not as nasty as others. They say manners make the man. I¡¯m always trying to live like a human being.¡± Leah responded playfully to Marshall¡¯s mischievous words. ¡°Does that mean your vicious employer with a hot temper is not a human being?¡± ¡°No way. Our lord has a hot temper, but he is not a vicious employer. He pays well and is fair with his employees. That¡¯s why I respect him.¡± ¡°I worked a lot today as well. Would I get paid for it?¡± ¡°Of course. Thanks to you and Miss Asaya, we were able to prevent a great catastrophe. There will be reasonable rewards for that. Even though it was dangerous, thank you for taking the initiative. Thanks to that, not many have died.¡± Leah was somewhat embarrassed by Marshall¡¯s attitude of expressing gratitude with all his heart. She felt perplexed for being praised. ¡°I didn¡¯t say I did it to help you¡­ If we let it go, our family would be in danger as well.¡± ¡°Here in Riverarden, you two will be heroes. All the villagers are truly grateful.¡± ¡°It¡¯s creepy to be a hero.¡± ¡°To me, both of you are heroes. I am truly in awe and admiration.¡± Leah suppressed the rising embarrassment and avoided Marshall¡¯s gaze. She wondered why such a small compliment would be so embarrassing, but she didn¡¯t hate it. It made her blushed. ¡°Hmm, you told me to take a break, so I¡¯ll go now.¡± Marshall, who was staring at Leah as she took an uncomfortable step, naturally wrapped his hand around her shoulders and supported her. ¡°I will help you.¡± ¡°I can go by myself.¡± ¡°If we go together, you will be more comfortable.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not comfortable at all.¡± ¡°Why, do I bother you?¡± ¡°No. It¡¯s not like that!¡± ¡°Then just walk.¡± Leah silently entrusted herself to his hand. She wanted to say thank you, but she felt so embarrassed so she couldn¡¯t say it out loud. ¡®Marshall Atlan¡¯, Leah was pondering about the name of a young and caring gentleman, he was a very nice person. It seemed that the unique warm atmosphere felt by Count Lubedoa in the old days was also incorporated in this man. Leah, who remembered Asaya¡¯s father, Runeshard Lubedoa because of Marshall, smiled bitterly because she missed him for no reason. She had never thought of finding him in another man. ¡®¡¯Are you alive?¡¯¡¯ Her longing came like a wave. ******* -Catch all the sinners! Don¡¯t miss a single one! The dark dawn, when even the moon did not rise, was exceptionally bright. Flames surrounded the mansion so no one could escape. The fire rose up with the mansion was dazzling and hotter than the midsummer sun. -Uncle, what is this about? We are sinners? What sin have we committed? -It¡¯s a crime you shouldn¡¯t know. -What? -Leah, take the family and runaway hurry. -But we can¡¯t escape because of the flames surrounding the house. The entrance is completely blocked. Armed soldiers came in terrifying momentum. They violently overwhelmed the people of the mansion, bound them with ropes, and searched every corner. Her favorite vase was smashed, her new dress was torn to pieces, and the necks of some servants were tumbled on the floor. Gray smoke filled the mansion. The pungent scent was smelled through the nose made muddled her head, and the bloody smell that oozed through the floor made her nauseous. Where did it go wrong? No one could know the answer. -I¡¯ll stop it somehow. -No, Leah. If you rebel, you will be killed on the spot. -But uncle. At this rate¡­. -I¡¯m sorry¡­ Runeshard Lubedoa laughed vainly as if he had known all these things in advance. It was the eyes of those who gave up. The moment Leah saw those eyes, her heart fell. She could see that something was very wrong. -We found the Lubedoa family who tried to rebel! In case of rebellion, you can kill them on the spot! They were dragged with their hands and feet bound. Not knowing where they were going, they were dragged away and when they arrived, people from the family were gathered. It was about 50 people. They seemed to have failed to grasp the situation. Asaya frantically looked for someone among those caught. Among the crowds, there were only the most familiar people. Among the captured vassals, there was no one from the Schrandel family, nor was Lishayas, one of the members of the Lubedoa family. Asaya was devastated. She should be glad that Reibene and Lishayas, the two people she loved were not caught, but anxiety and fear overcome joy. She felt cold. They loved each other like brothers and sisters. The memories of wearing the same bracelet, drinking tea together in patronage, and going to the market together, passed by like a flash. And the last conversation with Lishayas rang in Asaya¡¯s ears. [Asaya Sister, I want you to be happier than anyone else. Because I love you so terribly. I have always admired your life. I love everything that you love.] [As I always said, I love everything that you love because I love you terribly. But these days, I have a problem. Can we share love? l am greedy about all the things you love. I want to be with you in that love too, I can share everything with you, my sister¡­ Why don¡¯t you give it to me?] [l realized, there¡¯s nothing we can share. So, I have to take it from someone to have it. Right?] Asaya had rather not seen them in front of her eyes forever. She was glad to think that they escaped. However, she was naive. Why did they reappear? She wanted to ask why were they, who were her family, standing on the Church¡¯s side and watching all the family members being escorted? Why were they the only ones who have survived this terrible tragedy? Why did they hold hands together? Why were they wearing the same bracelet? ¡°Ugh!¡± Asaya opened her eyes. In a terrible nightmare, cold sweat was flowing all over her body. Tears filled her eyes while gasping for breath. She tried to hold back the tears by biting her lips and closed her eyes tightly, but it was in vain. It was because someone grabbed her hand from the side. ¡°Cry.¡± Asaya turned her head to a calm voice. Edwin, who was in his street clothes, sitting by the bedside with a tired face. It didn¡¯t matter why he was here or what happened. Asaya started crying uncontrollably at his calm and still word. He didn¡¯t do anything. He just watched. There were no words of consolation or concern, but Asaya felt comforted for some reason. Like a fool, she cried for a long time without pride. Even until the moment the crying ceased and lost her consciousness again, Edwin remained by her side until the end. Chapter 19.1 - Part 1. Handy Hand ***** Soon after Asaya wailed like a child, she fell asleep again. Edwin stayed by her side until dawn, yet Asaya didn¡¯t wake up, even after the sun rose in the middle of the day. Tik Tok. His long fingers drummed on the table for the nth time. As if it was testing his patience, the regular tapping and rumbling sounds, and the conversation between Lucia and Diana who were waiting. Eventually, he called the doctor to look at Asaya. ¡°There is nothing wrong with her body. She is just weak.¡± After the examination, Edwin briefly kicked his tongue in the opinion of the doctor. He seemed relieved, but he was not completely satisfied. ¡°She eats better, wears better, and sleeps better than before. I don¡¯t know why she collapsed suddenly and won¡¯t wake up. How could she survive outside the wall with such a weak body?¡± ¡°I think her physical strength is good. Maybe it¡¯s just her mental power is exhausted.¡± ¡°Ha.¡± ¡°Besides, wasn¡¯t she hired as your personal priest? Then, she would have to use her powers frequently, and it was accumulated without knowing, and I am guessing that this time, she was completely exhausted by excessive force.¡± ¡°Can this be considered a common case? If so, it would be normal if other priests also collapsed?¡± ¡°There is no comparison between other priests and the young lady, who spent most of their lives training mentally. Her innate power is hale, but she doesn¡¯t seem to be able to control it properly. It takes a long time of mental training to manipulate her powers properly.¡± At the doctor¡¯s words, Edwin frowned. ¡°That means she could fall hundreds of times in the future.¡± ¡°Right now, the priority is to recover the stamina that has been rapidly exhausted, and after that, how about finding a teacher to help her practice mental training.¡± Tsk, Edwin clicked his tongue again. While looking at Asaya¡¯s sleeping face with folded arms, his face was full of displeasure. ¡°That¡¯s a heap of work.¡± He used to be irked and disdained to pay attention to little things, but now he didn¡¯t seem to mind it. The old doctor looked at him with interest, as if he were unpredictable. Then Edwin gazed at Asaya asleep, reminiscent of last night when Asaya cried like a child. The tears pouring out was an intriguing part to think back on. Asaya Rubdoa came to this place and had never shown any signs of difficulty or weakness of her own. However, after being unconscious, her sadness or her bottled emotions have erupted vividly. At best, it was all about being infuriated at Reibene Schrandel. She was a woman who was skilled at controlling her emotions. Whenever she was afraid or uncomfortable, her emotional expression of crying, angry, or joy was quite dull. That was what made Edwin pay heed to her from the beginning. ¡°Reibene, why on earth¡­..¡° An unpleasant name came out of Asaya¡¯s mouth. Recalling that moment, Edwin frowned openly with a grimy look. Unsurprisingly, the old doctor, who was noticing the blatant and vivid emotional changes, hurriedly stepped back. ¡°Then, I¡¯ll take my leave.¡± Whether the doctor went out or not, Edwin gave no interest. His interest was fixated on Asaya, who was sleeping. Diana and Lucia, who were standing a little further apart, prepared to escape, thinking that they were tiresome enough for him to look at them. Even after they left, saying they had to go out because of work, Edwin¡¯s gaze was still locked on Asaya. ¡®¡¯She said they were engaged. It seemed like they were smitten with each other.¡¯¡¯ Edwin remembered what Asaya told him about her past with Reibene. In her sleep talking, she called out the name of her ex-lover made Edwin feel unpleasant even though he knew their marriage was political. ¡®¡¯It¡¯s annoying.¡¯¡¯ Edwin thought Asaya was a truly irritating woman. There was nothing that could bother him before. They agreed to keep this relationship strictly give and take; by keeping an appropriate distance and taking advantage of each other, but he felt something subtly starting to form. She¡¯s probably the first one to get on his nerves. Edwin frowned, realizing that his hand unconsciously reached for Asaya. Then, right before he was about to stroke her cheek, he hurriedly removed his hand. He leaned back on the chair, then touched his forehead and stared at the ceiling. Over his head, a schedule to be implemented right now floated. A man¡¯s time, where one minute and one second was more expensive than gold, was passing meaninglessly. Although he, himself, was aware of it, he remained motionless like a stone. Why did it matter if she was sick? It was not a life-threatening matter or a critical issue. She was just drained and knocked out. It wasn¡¯t long before his reason became muddled. And Edwin couldn¡¯t resist these long-awaited subtle changes. He stayed next to Asaya¡¯s bed for a long time. It wasn¡¯t until after a full day before Asaya came to her senses. Chapter 19.2 **** ¡°Are you uncomfortable anywhere?¡± Asaya stared blankly at the ceiling, struggling to get up. Her body was heavy, and her head was blank. Frowning at the slight tingling headache, Lucia and Diana made a fuss wanting to call a doctor right away. ¡°It¡¯s okay. I must have been unconscious for too long.¡± ¡°Are you really okay?¡± ¡°Yes, would you bring me a glass of water?¡± ¡°Of course! I will also prepare medicines.¡± ¡°Medicine?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a supplement that replenishes your body. You have to take it consistently until your stamina is restored.¡± Diana went out to get medicine and water, and Lucia guarded Asaya¡¯s side and looked at her complexion. Asaya checked the watch then asked. ¡°How long have I slept?¡± ¡°You have been asleep for three days.¡± ¡°3 days¡­. so, I slept for a long time.¡± ¡°Do you know how surprised I was when the Duke came in holding you unconscious? No, why did you go there? I¡¯ve told you many times that you shouldn¡¯t go around on your own¡­.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to cause so much trouble. Please forgive me.¡± ¡°From now on, never again! This shouldn¡¯t happen. At least tell me when you go anywhere.¡± ¡°I will do that.¡± It was an unavoidable situation, but Asaya was uncomfortable that it had distressed the people of this mansion, including Diana and Lucia. Besides, she had been unconscious for three days. She didn¡¯t know she would sleep for so long because she was a little overwhelmed. ¡°What about Riverarden?¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay there now. There are fewer casualties than expected, and most of the dead bodies have been handed over to their bereaved families, and the injured are being treated. The villagers are living in a temporary shelter near Riverarden.¡± Fortunately, the problem wasn¡¯t so serious. Asaya sighed in relief. ¡°Is it completely finished?¡± ¡°I heard that the investigation is still ongoing. The damage recovery work is in full swing now, but I don¡¯t think you need to worry much. The recruitment of workers was also closed, and a load of donations was collected. Only the priests got busy. The priests from the convent and the monastery are working hard to purify the bad energy. Well, it seemed to be nearly finished.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a relief.¡± ¡°The world is bustling with the performance of the lady and your friend. The villagers of Riverarden want to express their sincere gratitude. There were also a lot of good articles with titles ¡®Two heroes of Riverarden¡¯.¡± Heroes. Asaya laughed awkwardly because Lucia¡¯s outspoken expression was burdensome. ¡°My lady, here is water and medicine.¡± Diana brought the water and medicine and handed it to Asaya. Having received water and medicine, Asaya emptied a cup of water at once and then emptied the bowl of bitter medicine. Diana put the sweet, hardened honey in Asaya¡¯s mouth. ¡°The Duke was very worried. Do you know he stayed by your side all day?¡± ¡°He stayed by my side?¡± ¡°As soon as he got back from organizing Riverarden¡¯s work, he would stay in the lady¡¯s room. The Duke must be very tired too.¡± ¡°The Duke barely slept. He looks sick. Honestly, I wonder who should worry about who.¡± Asaya felt uneasy after listening to Diana and Lucia. She had been asleep for three days which means that she had left Edwin¡¯s body for three days without care. Royal hormones are secreted every day, so she shouldn¡¯t skip a day to inject divine power. In addition, his body was so sensitive that it could break down anytime. ¡°How is the Duke¡¯s condition? Is it serious?¡± ¡°Well, it¡¯s no different from the old days. He just looked a little tired. But actually, I¡¯m used to how tired he looks.¡± Asaya was confused. She touched her forehead and sighed. ¡°Don¡¯t worry too much, lady. It has only been three days. I¡¯m sure he has been cared for by other priests.¡± It wasn¡¯t very pleasant to see that someone else did what she was supposed to do. Therefore, Lucia¡¯s words were not comforting at all. ¡°I have to go.¡± Asaya, who was getting up then immediately fell down. There was no strength in her legs. Diana and Lucia helped her get up and spoke. ¡°You just slept without eating anything for three days. Don¡¯t overdo it.¡± Asaya thought it was absurd that she was so vulnerable because she was only starving for three days. Often, outside the wall, she was deprived of food for more than a week. Still, she could walk on her feet just fine. The situation was much better now than then, but she was shocked by her delicate body. No matter how much power she used, her body was overwhelmed, but wasn¡¯t this too excessive? Asaya, who was discouraged, soon corrected her thoughts. ¡°I¡¯m hungry, can you prepare some food?¡± ¡°Sure! I¡¯ll tell the chef right now!¡± Edwin said he would be back in the evening. Until then, Asaya wanted to recover her strength as much as possible, so tonight she could resume her duty. No matter what, the contract conditions must be fulfilled. Asaya was anxious because she knew that the head of this contract was Edwin. She was worried that she would be kicked out because she couldn¡¯t fulfill her role, or else that would be a liability for her family. Although he¡¯s a cold person, she doesn¡¯t believe that he¡¯s that kind of person. So, she should not be preoccupied with the comforting thought that the favors that have existed were forever. Asaya struggled to crush her heavy heart and rubbed her head. Anxiety had enveloped her. Instead of fulfilling her duty, she rested. There was no way the man, who was as hard as a knife, could let this pass graciously. She should be held accountable. But what terrified her the most was his physical condition. ¡°Will he be okay?¡¯¡¯ Asaya struggled to contain her anxiety, hoping that his body, like a time bomb, would not explode. Chapter 20.1 **** The beautiful young man who Lishayas bought for a large sum was provided with the largest and best room in the outbuildings used by hers. GT slowly looked around the room he was assigned to. The room was equipped with all the basics necessary for living, such as a fluffy bed and warm blankets, a wardrobe with extra clothes made of luxurious fabrics, chairs and tables. GT liked the bed which he ran to immediately and laid his body down. Until he contacted the smuggler and entered the wall, he slept on a muddy floor, on a pile of rotten straw, or on a pile of garbage piled up like a mountain. ¡°Do you like the room?¡± ¡°I like it. Thank you, madam.¡± ¡°If you have any other needs, ask for anything, I¡¯ll buy it for you.¡± GT¡¯s new owner and hostess of this mansion, Lishayas smiled and climbed onto the bed. Then she hugged GT in her arms. ¡°Your face is as beautiful as a woman, but your physique is quite strong. I love the hard muscles.¡± A young man with a cute face and a body that was sculpted perfectly. Lishayas exclaimed, sweeping GT¡¯s hard chest. GT, who was staring at her, groaned and pulled the corner of his mouth. Then he skillfully hugged Lishayas ¡®waist. ¡°Madam is beautiful, too.¡± ¡°You have a sweet tongue, I see.¡± Lishayas got on top of GT. Then she stroked his beautiful face. ¡°How beautiful you are. It¡¯s like a doll that the craftsman made very elaborately. I don¡¯t think you are a fool. You understand the situation now. You know what you have to do, right?¡± ¡°Of course, madam.¡± ¡°I hope I can keep you by my side for a long time.¡± ¡°I will try to give you the best satisfaction.¡± Lishayas was satisfied with the obedient answer. She laughed happily and began to unbutton GT¡¯s shirt buttons one by one. GT just lay defenselessly and watched her. ¡°Can you tell me your name, madam?¡± ¡°My Name? Why do you want to know?¡± ¡°I would like to know about you too, madam.¡± The sculptural upper body was revealed through the shirt. His body rolled roughly outside the wall and wasn¡¯t cute at all, unlike his face. There were scars in several places and his whole body was covered with hard muscles. It was beautiful as if it had been refined. Was there another man as beautiful as this man in the world? It was a dazzling beauty comparable to Grand Duke Kabelheider, who was praised as the most handsome man in the Empire. How could a person like this be outside the wall? GT was an impeccably beautiful man, and his appearance looked like a Royal with the best gene. Lishayas, who was weak for beauty, was fascinated by him. ¡®¡¯What should I do?¡± She had never given her name to the slaves she had bought. Because she bought them to play with for a while, then threw them away when she got tired of them. If she was tired of GT, she would throw him away too. Would she ever get tired of this beautiful man? Dazzling silver-haired hair and pure white skin, long curved eyelashes, clear and big eyes reminiscent of a deer, a smooth and high nose, red lips and a manly split chin. There was nothing she didn¡¯t like. She wouldn¡¯t get tired of him. No, she thought she shouldn¡¯t be bored. Wasn¡¯t he an unprecedented luxury? She had to make him worth it. ¡°My name is Lishayas. Lishayas Schrandel. ¡°Schrandel.¡± GT, who slowly muttered on the name of the new owner, erased his smile and hugged her tightly in his arms. His eyes were calmly submerged and flashed like a flash of light. ***** The chef of the Kabelheider family was more talented than anyone else. And the course dishes created by such a chef were completed and served to Asaya at the level of a splendid dinner comparable to the emperor¡¯s meals. All healthy foods that were good for her body were prepared. The result of Edwin¡¯s command to feed and care for Asaya was flawless. The ingredients were also nutritious. The perfectly qualified meal was great, but there was a big problem. ¡°I can¡¯t eat any more.¡± There were too many types and amounts of food served for one meal. Asaya declared surrender at the splendid dinner. She was so full that her stomach was as swelling as the mountains. Nevertheless, there were many foods on the table that she hadn¡¯t even touched yet. The chef smiled gladly at Asaya¡¯s sight. ¡°Did the food suit your taste, my lady?¡± At the chef¡¯s question, Asaya cleaned her mouth with a napkin and smiled satisfactorily. ¡°It was great. It was a pleasant meal. Too much of it.¡± ¡°Oh you are too kind.¡± ¡°No, it is true.¡± As the chef was the oldest among the servants of this mansion, Asaya did not want to give him a hard time. Usually, formalities were considered according to their status, but the chef here was a white-haired old man, and it was common to treat elderly people with respect no matter how high their status was. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, you¡¯ve been suffering because of me.¡± ¡°I just obeyed the Lord¡¯s command to feed the young lady well. I also had a lot of fun cooking.¡± ¡°Thank you for taking care of me. They have been carefully prepared, but I¡¯m sorry I couldn¡¯t taste them all. What about the rest of the food?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. The leftover food will be shared among the servants. Thanks to the young lady, it will be a fun and abundant meal time for us too.¡± At the chef¡¯s answer, Asaya stood up comfortably. ¡°Thank you, I ate well.¡± ¡°Thank you very much, my lady. The atmosphere here is great since the lady came here. Above all, I¡¯m really happy to see the Duke in good condition. It¡¯s all thanks to you.¡± ¡°I¡¯m just doing what I have to do here.¡± ¡°I¡¯m just doing what I was ordered and you also deserve it.¡± ¡°Then, I look forward to more delicious meals in the future.¡± The short conversation ended pleasantly. Asaya wrapped around her belly and headed to the bedroom. After taking the medicines that Lucia and Diana had prepared, she put a candy in her mouth. Then she combed her hair and changed her clothes. Then she looked at the reflection in the mirror. -That¡¯s a good fate. At an instant, Reibene¡¯s sarcastic voice pierced her ears. Asaya rubbed her face, which had grown fuller than when she first came here. ¡°It looks good.¡± Chapter 20.2 **** It has already been a month since Asaya came to Kabelheider mansion. In less than a month, the perfect adaptation to this comfortable and luxurious life was reflected in the mirror. Instead of Asaya Lubedoa, who wore dirt and dirty scent on her body, trembling with anxiety, and watching her surroundings, this Asaya Lubedoa changed into new clothes, combed her hair, and applied good perfumed oil to her face. She was in a very strange mood. Her reflection in the mirror felt unfamiliar. ¡®¡¯Why do you care so much?¡¯¡¯ Asaya was fully aware that she was being treated very special in this place. She was also realizing that their treatment was becoming more luxurious and meticulous. Her physical condition was not very serious. She just needed some rest, but the people here were paying too much attention, and she felt like she was at the center of it. Did the people really think she is special? The foolish expectation kept rising. [Asaya. You are just a substitute for Menefrida. Do you think it will be forever? No, there is definitely someone who will replace your place.] Again, Reibene¡¯s unpleasant voice scattered her mind. And Asaya thought about the name she didn¡¯t care about. ¡®¡¯It¡¯s Menefrida. Isn¡¯t it the name of the person who used to be the Duke¡¯s personal priest?¡± Substitution. The word made her heart ache. Expectations and hopes that rose for a while were shattered and scattered. ¡°Menefrida, you must have been so good to him, too, haven¡¯t you?¡± ¡°The Duke is good to me because I am his full time priest. What useless thought did I have? I shouldn¡¯t act as if I am special just because people around here treat me as such.¡± Useless anticipation will only return later as a painful reminder. Asaya repressed her emotions with reason and drew a line again. She reminded herself not to give special meaning to Edwin¡¯s actions, and do not view him as special. Never forget that this was a mutually beneficial business relationship. It was time for her to cut out the useless feelings and refine her mind. Realizing that the time was up, Asaya got up and headed to Edwin¡¯s bedroom. The sound of water was heard in the room. As soon as she realized that Edwin was in the same room, Asaya began to get nervous. It had been a while since she saw Edwin. She didn¡¯t know how to look at him or what to say. Should she apologize for not fulfilling her duty first? What would he say? Was his body okay in the first place? All sorts of miscellaneous thoughts wandered in her head. It wasn¡¯t long before the bathroom¡¯s door opened. Asaya made eye contact with Edwin coming out as he brushed his head with a towel. His sturdy upper body was clearly revealed because the gown was not properly closed. Asaya, who became embarrassed for no reason, coughed away and dropped her gaze. Edwin, looking at Asaya indifferently, slowly opened his mouth. ¡°Why are you here?¡± ¡°Yes?¡± Asaya was puzzled by his question. Every day at 10 o¡¯clock, she had to come to Edwin¡¯s bedroom to sleep next to him. It was a natural routine here. What should she even say to the obvious? ¡°I heard that you just woke up today, so go and take a rest. Rest in your room for a few more days.¡± ¡°¡­.I¡¯m okay.¡± Asaya checked Edwin¡¯s condition. His jawline was much sharper than before. The beautiful face was full of heavy fatigue, as if he had suffered a lot the last few days. The dark circles under his eyes were noticeably darkened. It was a color similar to when she first met him. Lucia said he hadn¡¯t slept properly the last three days. ¡°You don¡¯t look okay at all. Stop being stubborn and go back to rest. Take a few days off.¡± ¡°I¡¯m really okay. I ate my meal today and slept well for 3 days, so I feel refreshed. There is no problem at all.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know why you refuse to rest. Do you want to make me a vicious employer who makes sick people work?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not like that, I¡¯m worried about you¡­¡± Edwin sat in a chair with his gown on. Then he picked up the teacup on the table. ¡°Who is worried about who when you look like you are about to fall anytime soon.¡± ¡°You are sick, too.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not a big deal for me to overwork for only 3 days. Before I met you, I was in this state every day for two years, but I didn¡¯t die. So don¡¯t worry and go back.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t look okay. I¡¯m sorry.¡± Edwin looked up as he savored tea at Asaya¡¯s apology. ¡°What? What are you sorry for?¡± ¡°It¡¯s my duty to take care of your body, but I didn¡¯t perform my duty properly.¡± Edwin looked at Asaya with a frown. He looked very annoyed. ¡°Do I appear to be such an inflexible person? I have no intention of blaming you for that. No one here can hold you accountable just because you take a little more rest. I don¡¯t know why you should apologize to me for that. Rather, I owe you.¡± Edwin sighed as he looked at Asaya¡¯s white face. Watching her droopy look was annoying. Even though it wasn¡¯t something to be annoyed about. It¡¯s been a while since it¡¯s been so difficult to control his emotions. No, wasn¡¯t it something that can¡¯t be counted in his lifetime? He always looked at everything reasonably. In his view of thought, it was divided into whether the affairs of the world were rational or irrational, and even though it was concluded that this was a behavior that has no problem at all, emotions were not controlled. Asaya¡¯s attitude was frustrating, but it was also frustrating that Asaya was involved in this matter in the first place. ¡°Did you know how I feel when I found you being attacked by a devil there? Why did you do such a reckless thing? Why do you make me in debt for doing something I didn¡¯t even tell you to do, and why do you apologize to me for that subject? Even after doing something that you deserve to be praised? But I don¡¯t know why it¡¯s annoying again.¡± As saying so Edwin wondered why did he keep judging all this irrationally? ¡°You were so afraid of death that you¡¯ve reached out your hand to me, but then you jumped into a near-death situation. If you just ran away, no one would have blamed you.¡± ¡°I lived outside the wall, making a thorough distinction between situations where I had to run and situations where I should not. Most of the time I ran away. But that day, I was in a situation where I was not supposed to run away. Not far away, there was my family¡¯s residence, and furthermore, there was a grand residence where you and I were staying. But I admit that I was careless. I worried about the Duke. Because I couldn¡¯t control my condition myself, and left you for 3 days.¡± Asaya quietly approached Edwin and grabbed his robe. ¡°I heard you couldn¡¯t sleep properly.¡± ¡°So?¡± ¡°I¡¯m here. Please let us sleep together.¡± Directly injecting power may be overwhelming the body. But it would be okay to be close together. At least, the subtle power that leaks out could heal his insomnia or his sensitive body. Edwin stared at Asaya¡¯s little white hand holding his robe, then he looked at Asaya¡¯s calm face and curled up his mouth. ¡°You make very dangerous remarks. Do you know because of you, my feelings are all mixed up these days. I can¡¯t control them properly.¡± Edwin gently wrapped Asaya¡¯s wrist. Then dragged her and headed straight to bed. It was only a gentle pull, but her whole body was swung up and the soft bed touched her back. Edwin said, looking down at Asaya, with his eyes wide open. ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re gonna be okay?¡± Chapter 21.1 - Part 1. How We Will Be Different ***** Edwin didn¡¯t use strength. He was just holding her wrist lightly. There was no coercive movement. Still, Asaya couldn¡¯t move as if her whole body was bound by chains. She felt overwhelmed by a beast that could immediately reveal its fangs and bite her throat. The weight felt above was moderate. Rather than being reluctant to feel crushed, her heart was pounding. Asaya was sure that he would not do anything, and in fact Edwin did nothing. It was just a beautiful devil looking down from above, and she was trapped in his arms. The man called the devil was still beautiful. Even if the shade under his eyes was darkened from tiredness, even if his lips, which were usually reddish, faded slightly, it did not matter at all to his beauty. Rather, it only added a subtle atmosphere to the beauty. ¡°No rejection?¡± ¡°You didn¡¯t do anything.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you think I¡¯m planning to?¡± Asaya pondered for a moment. His sudden change of attitude was embarrassing, but it wasn¡¯t surprising. She expected this to happen anyway, and she was prepared. But for some reason, she wasn¡¯t afraid or scared. She didn¡¯t know why, but Asaya was convinced that Edwin would not turn into a beast. Because she was convinced that they were like water and oil that could not be mixed. She thought she would never have to sleep with him now or in the future. ¡°You have the authority here, so how can I say anything no matter what you do?¡± In an extremely passive attitude, Edwin smiled and frowned. ¡°It sounds like you¡¯re already surrendered.¡± ¡°Then what should I do? You and I made a deal, and with that deal, you have the authority over not only my body but also my life. I have no complaints because It¡¯s a deal that I took up on. Even if the Duke is holding me here right now .. I can¡¯t do anything about it.¡± Edwin briefly clicked his tongue. It was amazing to see her lying defenselessly. Asaya¡¯s attitude of being a puppet as if it was okay was strangely annoying, but he couldn¡¯t find fault with it because she wasn¡¯t really wrong. ¡°You¡¯re awfully realistic.¡± ¡°Because I learned that pride will not feed me.¡± Asaya Lubedoa was more realistic than anyone, as a woman who had lived in the land of temptation. However, it was too much for Edwin, who had almost no emotions. He understood the environment she lived in made her think that way. However, for some reason, Edwin did not like Asaya¡¯s blind obedience. ¡°Okay, I didn¡¯t even intend to forcefully hug you from the beginning anyway, but seeing you like this makes me lose my strength.¡± ¡°Of course, I already knew that you didn¡¯t want to do anything from the beginning.¡± ¡°Are you sure that I will never touch you?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± With such a firm conviction caused Edwin to become curious. ¡°Why?¡± And Asaya replied as if it were too natural. ¡°Because you have plenty of women throw themselves at you.¡± Asaya knew very well through the talkative Lucia and Diana, how women were involved in the scandal with Edwin Kabelheider. All of them were women with status, knowledge, and honor. After hearing about them all the time, Asaya became aware of reality. As Edwin was a great man, and such a great man would always attract outstanding women. That was why Asaya was convinced that there was no reason for Edwin to force a woman from outside the wall like her. Why would a nobleman like Edwin want to bother with someone like her anyway? It would never happen. ¡°There¡¯s no reason for you to be bothered with a woman from outside the wall.¡± The answer, which seemed natural, touched Edwin¡¯s heart. Asaya always put herself down. That may be the way of life she has been living, but Edwin already told her many times to adapt to her new status because she was no longer living outside the wall. However, Asaya was still seeing herself as a lowly person to the end. Edwin pulled Asaya¡¯s wrist, and her small body quickly came into his arms. ¡°Have l ever treated you as a lowly woman outside the wall ever since I brought you here? In my memory, it doesn¡¯t seem I have, not even once.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right, there wasn¡¯t.¡± ¡°But why are you so sure? Do you think that I think you¡¯re a lowly woman and I won¡¯t touch you? Do you think I see you as a dirty person?¡± The atmosphere has changed subtly. Edwin¡¯s face was lowered right in front of hers. It was such a short distance that she could feel his breath on her face. At best, 3cm, if he stepped forward a little, their lips would touch. Asaya gazed at Edwin¡¯s calmly sunken pupils, realizing that something was going wrong. Her face felt hot. As the danger alarm rang loudly, her heart began to pound. ¡°It¡¯s difficult if you define our relationship alone. It will be different if I am interested in you.¡± His large, long hands covered Asaya¡¯s face. The smoothly stretched fingers gently rubbed her skin and hair. With a very gentle touch, the heat rose, and her mind was confused. The breath she felt right in front of her nose felt sweeter than before. ¡°I¡¯m curious. How will we be different from now on?¡± His lips, which had been keeping a close distance, touched hers closely. His hand that touched her cheek moved to the back of her head and stroked through her hair. At this moment, all the doubts and reasons were broken. Asaya closed her eyes and instinctively wrapped Edwin¡¯s waist. Her head was confused, but the pleasure of impulsive behavior came first. She decided to let go of the complicated thoughts. Even if after thinking about it for a hundred days, the answer to this moment would never come out. It was because of the sudden atmosphere. The kind of atmosphere made people feel impulsive. Since both were not in a rational state, it was not a situation that would make sense, so Asaya rationalized it in her head. His body, wrapped around hers, was both firm and warm. The bare skin on his chest was madly soft, and his whole body smelled of pleasant perfume. It was warm and cozy. Asaya felt like she was curled up in a soft and warm blanket in the middle of the harsh winter. It was dangerous, but it felt good. She seemed to melt away in his warmth. Her body, resembling the bare branches of a cold winter tree, was too warm by the heat. It was dazzling and soft as if embracing the morning sun. Even though it was only an extremely impulsive act, Asaya felt the illusion of being loved. Does being loved feel like this? It was ironic that she felt the warmth and love from this uncomfortable relationship. The warmth which she had never felt by the man (Reibene) who she once believed they were in love. However, the lips that had been in contact for a long time, fell. Edwin frowned as he looked at Asaya as hard as a wooden statue. ¡°That¡¯s why being impulsive is dangerous. Well, it doesn¡¯t matter. You are sure to be more alert now.¡± It was the same as last time. It was Edwin who kissed her first, but he was surprisingly calm. In a way, he was shameless. Still, Asaya didn¡¯t have the courage to openly ask him what this kiss meant. No, in fact, it was likely to be a meaningless act. If she asked, probably only a ferocious answer would come back. She might be treated as a fool if she asked for the meaning of an impulsive kiss. Perhaps there was no meaning. Maybe his kiss was just an indirect demonstration that there could be physical touching in the future. Chapter 21.2 - Part 2. How we will be different **** ¡°¡­.more alert?¡± Asaya laughed heartily. It was funny that she was overreacting alone. There must be one or two women who have touched his bed. That kind of person couldn¡¯t have any meaning for such a kiss. Just because they kissed a few times, it didn¡¯t have any special meanings. ¡°What are you being stupid about?¡± Asaya was clearing up her confused mind and suddenly realized she was still in Edwin¡¯s arms. As Edwin acted casually, Asaya tried to be as calm as possible and opened her mouth. ¡°How long will we be doing this for?¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t like it, then leave, it was you who dared to sleep with me.¡± ¡°But do we have to sleep like this?¡± To Asaya¡¯s question, Edwin thought for a moment and replied insignificantly. ¡°I like it because the power flowing out of your body feels much stronger.¡± It wasn¡¯t quite a lie. Naturally, the higher the degree of physical contact, the stronger the concentration of power exposed. ¡°It¡¯s better to keep close.¡± ¡°I¡¯m glad.¡± ¡°I felt like I needed to take a look at my body too. So I took a vacation.¡± ¡°Oh? For how long?¡± ¡°One week.¡± ¡°Ah, that¡¯s great.¡± Yes, he needed more rest. He had struggled so far, and had been working on Riverarden¡¯s case to some extent. ¡°Think about what you want to do.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°What are you so surprised about?¡± Wouldn¡¯t anyone be surprised if they suddenly got asked like that? Asaya struggled to suppress the words that had reached the end of her throat. ¡°Are we going to spend our vacation time together?¡± ¡°Of course, it¡¯s already been a month since I brought you here, but I haven¡¯t really paid attention to you. It wouldn¡¯t be a bad idea to build memories together while I am free. Also it¡¯s better to get around outside than staying at home.¡± It was more of a notification than an invitation, but nothing bad. It was true that Asaya was stuck in the mansion and felt frustrated. She also wanted to look a little farther away than just going around close by. ¡°Okay. When does your vacation start?¡± ¡°From tomorrow.¡± Asaya admired his tremendous ability to execute. ¡°You are fast.¡± ¡°My time is always faster than others.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll think about what to do. By the way, it¡¯s your vacation, can you really make time for me?¡± Asaya wondered if she would take away his time, which was more expensive than gold, but Edwin considered it insignificant. ¡°I have never taken a break, so I wouldn¡¯t know what to do. It¡¯s annoying to think about it. I can¡¯t just go on a vacation and leave you at home. There is a mountain of paparazzi lurking around to get our information, if we go separately, it means we give them a scandal to write about.¡± ¡°Ah, you¡¯re right.¡± ¡°We¡¯re engaged, so if we go out on a date while taking a break, it¡¯s good for others to see that we¡¯re on good terms.¡± Was he originally a person who was conscious of the gaze around him? Asaya was puzzled by Edwin, who was speaking strangely today. However, Edwin continued to say his words. ¡°If you don¡¯t like it, tell me now.¡± ¡°What would you do if I said I don¡¯t?¡± Edwin, who had been thinking for a moment, fluttered. ¡°Then I won¡¯t take the vacation. I have nothing that I want to do, so what¡¯s the use of taking a rest? There is nothing as useless and pathetic as wasting time.¡± His voice was harsh, but he did mean that spending time with Asaya was not a waste. ¡°It wouldn¡¯t be a date if I go alone.¡± ¡°A date?¡± ¡°Well, we¡¯re going to be married soon. Why not go on a date? Don¡¯t you think we should try everything others try?¡± ¡°Ah.¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t like it. I won¡¯t force you.¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s good. What I don¡¯t feel good about is you giving me your time. I am just worried that you have to force yourself to make time because of me.¡± Judging from what Asaya seen so far, Edwin wasn¡¯t active outdoors because he was always on a busy schedule. Besides the work-related parts, he mainly enjoyed hobbies such as reading books or listening to music. He had to live with fatigue and pain all his life because of his sensitive body and extremely reluctant to do physical activities. ¡°It¡¯s true that I did force myself to make time. I can¡¯t concentrate on my work because I¡¯m annoyed seeing what happened to you. So I want us to spend time together. ¡° ¡°If that¡¯s the case, you can spend the time how you would like to. I don¡¯t mind if I¡¯m only staying in the mansion. You don¡¯t have to force yourself to do anything like a date.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not forcing myself to do it. I have been working all day every day, I just felt the need to put a turning point in my life. Also I am annoyed seeing you get trapped in the mansion all the time. And¡­.¡± He murmured, then sighed. Frowning as if he was frustrated, he tangled Asaya¡¯s head in a mess. ¡°I brought you here as a preliminary Grand Duchess, as a subordinate to take care of me, not just feed, sleep, and raise livestock at home. You don¡¯t have to do what I want. Stop giving me all the attention. Stop being so obedient. Don¡¯t act like you¡¯re a pet. I can¡¯t stand that act.¡± ¡°Ah, yes.¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t want to go on a date now, we can try it later. At that time, I can¡¯t be sure how it will turn out.¡± Asaya stared at his expressionless face. He closed his eyes as if it were more annoying to speak. His long eyelashes, smooth nose, and firmly closed lips¡­ Even his sleeping face was cold like the north wind in the middle of winter, but the dry words that poured out of him felt sweet and caring that maybe deep down, he could be a caring person after all. Asaya felt good and uncomfortable at the same time whilst being bathed in his kindness. ¡°Were you always like this? Have you been this friendly all along?¡± Asaya thought to herself. She felt weak by his tenderness. No, not just her but anyone would feel the same. At times like this, she wished he would be dominant and cruel, because then, she wouldn¡¯t have useless expectations. Asaya closed her eyes, squeezing her thumping chest which was a little faster than usual, constantly reminding herself that unnecessary expectations should be cut off boldly. Chapter 22 - Invitation *** When the news of the Duke¡¯s vacation came, the servants of the mansion were in great shock. It would be worthwhile for people to take a break, but the news of Edwin¡¯s untimely vacation left the people in awe. That wasn¡¯t all. The news of his vacation was also featured in a manuscript that mainly dealt with news in the territory. After the death of Serafina, the former lord, Edwin, who had never rested since taking over the office, declared an official vacation for the first time. It was unknown how the article came out, but a man with all sorts of impure modifiers, including the nickname ¡°the Devil of August¡± became an unprecedented romanticist in the world. Asaya looked with amazement at Edwin, who was drinking tea leisurely with his newspaper. The person involved in the article, ¡°Lovers of the Century,¡± was reading his story as if he had no objection to a novel-like story with all kinds of juicy details in it. The person mentioned in the article as ¡®Lovers of the Century¡¯, not someone else¡¯s story, was reading my story as if they were watching someone else¡¯s story, whether there was no objection to the story like a novel with all kinds of flesh attached. The useless news is amazingly fast. Edwin wondered if these reporters were to work at Riverarden, the cleaning up would be done faster. ¡°So did you decide what to do?¡± ¡°I just need some rest for today. There¡¯s an uproar outside.¡± ¡°We could just call in the soldiers and drive out all the reporters.¡± ¡°Such acts would just stimulate them more.¡± ¡°Well, they do not hesitate to do anything that stimulates me. Is there a law that tells them not to stimulate because of me?¡± ¡°But it¡¯s better to refrain from going out today. I haven¡¯t fully recovered my physical strength, so it¡¯s a bit burdensome to go out. I think it¡¯s okay to spend time chatting at home like this. You have a week left anyway.¡± With Asaya¡¯s words, Edwin glanced at her and found a piece of cake lying on the table as if it were new. ¡°Why are you not eating it?¡± ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°The cake.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t it for you?¡± ¡°If anyone had given me a cake, that person would have been fired right away. I don¡¯t need to spend expensive money in the mansion for a servant who is not familiar with even my taste, who hates sweets.¡± Asaya looked at the cake and Edwin alternately. It certainly looked far from sweet. ¡°Then, is this mine?¡± ¡°Who else?¡± ¡°Oh, I didn¡¯t know.¡± ¡°Do you not like sweets?¡± ¡°No, I like it. Thank you.¡± After Edwin called the chef and instructed him to serve a new cake each day, Asaya lifted a fork and started to eat the cake. In the meantime, a new tea was provided to accompany her. At that time, a servant who looked pretty young came up. ¡°The invitations from the Adorasium have arrived.¡± ¡°Oh my God, it¡¯s here.¡± Edwin received the invitations and slowly read it. ¡°This is the beginning of terrible torture.Time is so fast. It¡¯s already National Day.¡± The most troublesome day of the year, National Day, was back. The only difference from the previous one was that there were two invitations. Edwin handed an invitation to Asaya. ¡°This is yours.¡± ¡°Mine?¡° Asaya was confused and received an invitation. Surely, when she checked it, her name was really written on it. It was an invitation with the emperor¡¯s seal. ¡°Am I going to Adorasium with you, too?¡± ¡°Who will go if the one who will be the hostess of Kabelheider does not go? Are you going to stay alone in this place without me? This is a big deal.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know if I would dare to attend ¡­¡± ¡°Why not? You were once a noblewoman, wouldn¡¯t you know well about National Day.¡± ¡°I was. However, I have never attended the official National Day celebration. I¡¯m often worried that I will cause trouble.¡± ¡°Are you the worrying type? You are already worried about something that hasn¡¯t even happened yet.¡± ¡°Because each one of my words and actions will be the subject of evaluation, and the evaluation will affect your reputation.¡± ¡°In the end, you¡¯re not worried about getting judged there, but you¡¯re worried about making me look bad?¡± When Edwin said she was absurd, Asaya answered naturally. ¡°The Duke¡¯s reputation is important.¡° Edwin was dumbfounded. He knew what kind of treatment he would receive there, but he didn¡¯t understand that her worries were for him. Yes, they definitely wouldn¡¯t be treated well there. It would be a silent battleground where numerous nobles and key figures gathered. It would be a common atmosphere that even for the immediate large and small social circles, the class was divided according to the region of origin, status, or level of property, and thoroughly harassed and excluded. If Asaya was taken to this big event at this time, it would be natural for her to become the focus of attention. But It was certainly an unavoidable situation. Edwin frowned in the imagination that was unfolded right before his eyes. ¡°You¡¯re right. If my wife was bullied and ignored there, I would be in trouble too.¡± ¡°So is it okay for me not to come?¡± At Asaya¡¯s words, Edwin stood up from his seat, sulking. ¡°What are you running away from? You just have to be prepared to avoid being ignored.¡± Edwin immediately called one of his servants to come and instructed, ¡°I¡¯ll write a letter. Send it to Mrs. Romula.¡± ******* ¡°Mrs. Romula? Are you sure?¡± Lucia and Diana reacted more sensitively to the name ¡®Romula¡¯ than anyone else. They blinked their eyes as if they couldn¡¯t believe it, and soon cracked their nails in anxiety. ¡°Why is Mrs. Hippil Romula¡­?¡± ¡°Why? Who is she?¡± Asaya asked. ¡°Mrs. Romula was the nanny of Duke Kabelheider. She was also the servant of Serafina, the former Duke.¡± ¡°In that case, does she have a family-like bond with them?¡± Asaya asked. ¡°They¡¯re more like an actual family. She¡¯s been in charge of Duke Kabelheider since Duke Serafina died. Originally, she was the real hostess of the Kabelheider family.¡± ¡°Why did she leave?¡± Asaya asked once more. ¡°After Menefrida died, she withdrew from the hostess¡¯s position and from the Kabelheider family.¡± Lucia and Diana looked at each other. ¡°Menefrida, was she the former priest of Duke Kabelheider?¡± Asaya was curious. ¡°How did you know?¡± Asaya first heard the name ¡®Menefrida¡¯ from Reibene. He told her that she was Menefrida¡¯s replacement. Instead of answering, Asaya smiled bitterly. ¡°I don¡¯t know how you know the name, but you should never speak of it out here.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right, especially in front of Duke Kabelheider or Mrs. Romula.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Asaya asked. ¡°We can¡¯t tell you why. Anyway, the name is taboo here. Don¡¯t ever try to find out about Menefrida. Just pretend you don¡¯t know anything about it and forget.¡± Asaya was confused by the unexpected reaction. She didn¡¯t want to learn more about her from the beginning. After all, there was no reason to know deeply about her circumstances, who was not in the world anymore, and was a former exclusive priest. She just wanted to do well in her job here. She didn¡¯t think about how or why Menefrida died, but looking at Lucia¡¯s and Diana¡¯s attitude, she felt strange. Asaya wondered why they were afraid just by putting the name Menefrida in their mouths. It seemed like Menefrida¡¯s death was unexpected. Was she not welcomed here? ¡°Anyway, Mrs Romula is a very strict person. Duke Kabelheider called her in, but it¡¯s doubtful whether she will respond to the call or not.¡± ¡°There is no one but only Mrs. Romula as an etiquette teacher. But I heard that she is that strict and the curriculum is harsh. Lady Daisy had Mrs. Romula as her etiquette teacher, but there was a situation where Mrs. Romula poured tea on Lady Daisy¡¯s dress while having a tea party. And her leg was bruised.¡± ¡°Duke Kabelheider calling in Mrs. Romula makes me anxious. There¡¯s not even one noble family who wants to have her as a teacher of etiquette. It tells you that much about her.¡± ¡°By the way, I heard that Mrs Romula has been out of business for a long time because of her old age. She is reluctant to interact with people and is spending the rest of her life in a small mansion in the remote mountain.¡± ¡°I think she is trying to live a life that is separated from the world. She is not a nun, but she pursues a life like one.¡± ¡°But it would be nice if she can come and help Lady Asaya. Because the deadline until National Day is too short. No one will be willing to take the job.¡± For now, Asaya thought the best option was not to attend the event. However, the invitations had the Emperor¡¯s seal on it so ¡®not attending¡¯ was an impossible option.There was no provision in the law stating that anyone would be penalized for refusing to attend the national event, but refusing the emperor¡¯s invitation meant being disrespectful to the emperor, it is an act of disregard for his authority, and so the risk of being penalized is high. As Diana and Lucia said, the remaining period was so tight that it was doubtful that there might be anyone who would take charge of etiquette education. Even if it was lucky to find a teacher, there was no guarantee that she would be able to master the education perfectly. ¡°Bishop Schrandel will also attend the event, right?¡± At Asaya¡¯s question, Lucia nodded as if it was a natural answer. The fact that Asaya has to see Reibene at the event added more anxiety. ¡°Is Bishop Schrandel married?¡± ¡°Yes. He got married when he got the Bishop¡¯s position. I heard it was an extraordinarily grand wedding. And the Cardinal officiated the wedding in person. Everyone was talking about it for a while, weren¡¯t they?¡± ¡°It was very noisy, and his wife was also a beautiful woman.¡± ¡°Yes, she was a great beauty. There were dozens of paparazzis that followed her intensively, and her portraits and pictures were drawn by the paparazzis pouring into the streets.¡± ¡°Do you know her name?¡± Asaya curiously asked. ¡°I do. It¡¯s Lishayas Schrandel. It¡¯s rarer to find someone who doesn¡¯t know her name.¡± Asaya laughed at the familiar name. Lishayas. It was the name of her childhood friend who Asaya loved and cherished at one time, and it was also the name that she cursed countless times. ***** ¡°Don¡¯t come out for the time being.¡± Lishayas hastily got dressed as she was talking to GT. The servants, who were watching outside the door, urged her to hurry, and the maids who followed her tidied up her clothes. She hurried out of the annex and headed to the main building, leaving behind the gentle eyes of GT looking at her far away. He saw a familiar figure. Lishayas jumped toward the wide back of her husband, the only one she really loved. Without hesitation, she embraced him. ¡°Welcome back.¡± Reibene turned around. Then he hugged Lishayas tightly in his arms. ¡°Lisha .. Ha! Now that I see you, I can breathe again. How have you been?¡± ¡°I missed you and thought I¡¯d die of loneliness every night, but I¡¯ve been well. I can never worry you. But did you come back earlier than expected?¡± ¡°I had to come back early. I ran into a very poor situation.¡± ¡°I heard about August, that an intermediate demon broke in and caused disturbance. Fortunately, it was said that the initial response was good and it was finished well.¡± At the words of Lishayas, Reibene laughed. ¡°That¡¯s not a big problem.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not?¡± ¡°Do not be surprised and listen. Asaya is back.¡± At such news, Lishayas hardened in place like a stone statue. She blinked, doubting her ears. Then she asked with a serious expression. ¡°What did you just say?¡± ¡°Asaya Lubedoa, the girl is alive.¡± ¡°But what do you mean she¡¯s back? You mean she¡¯s in August?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Then shouldn¡¯t you have kicked her out of the wall or killed her immediately?¡± ¡°I couldn¡¯t do that.¡± ¡°Why? Because of your old feelings? Because you miss her?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous. All I love is you, Lishayas. I didn¡¯t kill her because of Edwin Kabelheider, that bastard.¡± Lishayas hugged her body tightly, feeling goosebumps all over her body at the name of Kabelheider. At that moment, the scandal of The Duke Kabelheider, who had made the public sensation a while ago, passed through her head. The world has turned gray. The feeling of anxiety rising wrapped around her body. As her pulse accelerated and her airways narrowed, she felt suffocated. Lishayas, by all means, hoped that Reibene would not bring terrible calamity from his mouth. But the wind shattered. ¡°Asaya came back as a woman we couldn¡¯t touch. She¡¯s Edwin Kabelheider¡¯s fianc¨¦e.¡± Chapter 23 - Trembling Heart ****** ¡°Asaya Lubedoa is alive.¡± Was there any other news that was as terrifying and unpleasant as this? Lishayas doubted her ears. She didn¡¯t know how to react. She needed time to organize her thoughts. So she just looked at Reibene without saying anything. ¡°Are you lying?¡± Lishayas asked as if she was still doubtful after a long silence. Reibene shook his head as if to confirm her doubts. ¡°It¡¯s true. I saw her with my own eyes. We met and had a conversation.¡± ¡°Are you serious? Asaya was supposed to be dead, now she¡¯s suddenly alive? Oh my gosh!¡± Lishayas tried to deny Reibene¡¯s words. She tried to deny the painful reality but looking at his serious face, she realized that the catastrophe was real. Lishayas stumbled, feeling her legs weakened. Fortunately, Reibene reached out to catch her just in time before she fell, however, she was still out of her mind. She was gripped by shock, and soon ran out like a crazy person. Looking up at the sky with her hands wrapped around her head, Lishayas laughed maniacally. All the servants that were watching the scene felt their heart race, scared of the situation. She laughed, then wiped away the tears from her eyes with a bitter look on her face. ¡°Asaya, you¡¯re amazing, I¡¯ll give you that. Were you really under the protection of the goddess Hebeia? It¡¯s been 7 years since you were in that hellhole, and yet you¡¯re still alive. You had nothing but a weak body and you survived. How lucky you are! How much the Goddess loves you!¡± After Lishayas had calmed down, Reibene got closer to her and spoke. ¡°Leah, she is alive too. Asaya¡¯s mother is also alive. But her mind is not good. Also, there was a child who looked like her younger brother.¡± ¡°She must have a brother to replace me. How about Count Lubedoa?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t see him there. He¡¯s probably dead by now, that would be great.¡± ¡°She came back for revenge, right? To pay us back for that day?¡± Lishayas¡¯question made Reibene grimly distort his face and cursed. ¡°She is not the same old Asaya we once knew. She is not at all dignified like she was, but a savage. Revenge? There¡¯s no doubt about that. The way she gnawed her teeth at me and was so proud with the Kabelheider¡¯s name. It was a very repulsive sight.¡± ¡°Wouldn¡¯t anybody be proud of having the Kabelheider¡¯s name?¡± Lishayas couldn¡¯t deny the fact that Asaya was a great woman. May it be from the past or present. Somehow, Lishayas was terrified that Asaya was alive but felt relieved at the same time. She wondered if she should cry or laugh. She couldn¡¯t understand her complicated heart. Her heart pounded at the thought of meeting Asaya who she hated and loved once again. Lishayas was stunned at herself. It was fascinating that a terrible hate and a deadly love could coexist. ¡°Will she be coming to the National Day celebration?¡± ¡°She will. She is Duke Kabelheider¡¯s fianc¨¦e, after all.¡± ¡°Then, we will see her soon.¡± ¡°Yes. We will be reunited again. Asaya Lubedoa will definitely die this time.¡± Reibene said firmly. There was no way the church would let Asaya stand still. There was no way they would spare her life, who had the bloodline of Runeshard Lubedoa. They would try to kill her somehow because in their eyes, Asaya was a very dangerous woman. As Runeshard Lubedoa did, she may try to destroy divine authority, and she must be killed. ¡°Are you going to kill her right away? Should I kill her instead?¡± Lishayas asked. ¡°I will kill her. The mad woman is trying to dig up the ¡®work of that day¡¯. And if the secret rises above the water¡­.There¡¯s going to be a big ripple, and I will not let it happen.¡± Reibene said with a firm determination. ¡°If she is alive, she should have lived quietly¡­Why did she have to come forward and cause trouble.¡± Lishayas sat up with bitterness. She never thought that they would be reunited again. She didn¡¯t even think Asaya would be alive in the first place. She knew their relationship would be impossible to recover or reverse like it once was. But now, it was inevitable. The event that year was like a dagger which had stabbed Asaya¡¯s noble and pure heart, but she still came back alive and stronger than ever. The moment Lishayas realized that the dagger was not fatal enough to finish her off, she needed a knife. It seemed that Asaya had been in the harsh and barren land, where it drove people to the brink of death, had not been enough to sever this relationship. Therefore, Lishayas had no choice but to cut off the relationship herself. Lishayas leaned against Reibene, with her arms folded in his arms. Then she muttered in a soft voice. ¡°This year¡¯s National Day¡­ It must be exceptionally noisy.¡± **** On the 3rd day after Edwin, a workaholic announced his vacation and shocked everyone, today was the day of the promised date. Today, he was planning to visit Matthia Square, which was considered the largest and most crowded downtown area in August. They needed appropriate attire to wear to National Day, and Matthia Square was the exact place to visit. Asaya had been sitting in front of the mirror since early morning. At the news of the two going out for a date, Lucia and Diana were overwhelmed with excitement and began to doll Asaya up. ¡°Do I have to be decorated like this?¡± ¡°Yes. If you go outside, there will be a lot of eyes on you, so you need to dress up beautifully.¡± ¡°There will also be countless paparazzis who will be waiting to capture all of your features and movements. So it¡¯s good to look appropriate, right?¡± Although Asaya was once a nobleman, she lived in seclusion, so she knew little about the general daily life of the nobles. When she was called Lady Lubedoa, Asaya always insisted on a modest outfit. No, in fact, because she was a member of the priesthood and a faithful church member, it was natural to avoid fancy dresses. ¡°Isn¡¯t it too fancy?¡± ¡°This is close to everyday wear. Other wives like to wear this kind of dress as casual clothes. Since colorful dresses are a symbol of wealth and power, I heard that even casual clothes are becoming more and more colorful nowadays. The capital aristocracy would wear fancier dresses than this.¡± ¡°The Grand Duchess should wear this much.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right, you shouldn¡¯t let others look down on you. Costume is a symbol of status. Now you have to stick to the outfit that suits your status.¡± The dress they chose for Asaya was beautifully crafted, even though it wasn¡¯t as flashy as it would be seen at a ball or a party. The black dress had long sleeves and a long hem compared to ordinary casual clothes. White jewels such as sparkling diamonds and pearls were adorned on the circumference of the neckline, and the sleeves and hem of the dress were embroidered with sparkling silver threads. Because the weather was quite chilly, a cape-shaped shawl made of white fur was also prepared. It wasn¡¯t too flashy, but the dress decorated with sparkling jewels and embroidery seemed luxurious enough to be called formal wear. ¡°Do you feel uncomfortable in this dress? Would you like something more colorful?¡± Asaya shook her head hurriedly. There were many more colorful and over designed dresses which were too much for her taste. ¡°No, it¡¯s fine. I want to wear this one.¡± ¡°My lady, it¡¯s all done! Do you like it?¡± Asaya looked at herself in the mirror. It was a beautiful sight. She looked so stunning that it was incomparable to the day she first came to the mansion covered in dirt. And this beauty far from reality was very strange to Asaya. The appearance that she saw every day came to her differently. ¡°Duke Kabelheider will be surprised. My God, you are so beautiful!¡± Asaya looked in the mirror and laughed bitterly. Ever since coming here, she had subconsciously avoided the mirror, the appearance in the mirror was always unfamiliar. However, today she felt a sense of disparity beyond the usual unfamiliar emotions. Was it just an illusion? The extravagant appearance reflected in the mirror felt fictional. Lucia and Diana¡¯s remarks, which kept on praising her every time, also felt unusually uncomfortable because the sense of separation from reality felt even greater than it already was. All of this was just an intentional game. Today¡¯s date was just a step that shows they have a good relationship under the name of buying the attire that was needed, and today, she had to act as a fiancee who was happier and more lovelier than anyone else. ¡°Are you happy, my lady?¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯m very happy.¡± ¡°We¡¯re glad.¡± Asaya pulled the corner of her mouth and pretended to smile. Today, she had to maintain the appearance of a happy fiancee, however, the worries had already filled her head. ¡°Go downstairs quickly, my lady! The lord is waiting.¡± Asaya stood up from her seat at Lucia¡¯s urging. Seeing her beautiful reflection in the mirror, she told herself once again not to be swung over by fleeting hope and useless anticipation. She vowed to never repeat her previous mistakes again. She didn¡¯t want her heart to get shaken once more. Edwin was insensitive to beautiful things. To be precise, the expression that there was no inspiration might be more correct. He was born beautifully and grew up being praised for his beauty by countless people, and he got tired of it. It was a natural instinct for humans to like beautiful things. Even bees are tangled in flowers with darker scents and pretty colors, and it is also true that the value of gems and jewels scattered on the road only have the same value as ordinary stones. Edwin had rarely been interested in something extremely outward, whether it be a beautiful woman, colorful clothes or shiny jewelry. It may be because it has become a habit to search and observe what the inside looks like rather than looking at people¡¯s appearance, but when dealing with people, he always cared about words, actions and moods rather than the appearance of others. ¡°Sorry to have kept you waiting for so long, the preparation time was longer than I thought.¡± Edwin stared at the beautiful woman who was just coming down the stairs. Asaya¡¯s appearance was quite unfamiliar to him. Her figure in a black dress with her blonde hair tied up clearly stood out. ¡°It seems to have taken a while. Diana and Lucia must have struggled.¡± Lucia and Diana, who were standing behind Asaya, grinned proudly. Their mouths were itchy to show off their work but managed to hold it in. Asaya stood in front of Edwin, feeling a little embarrassed to come before him. She didn¡¯t know why, but she was embarrassed as if she was standing naked in front of him, and deliberately looked away. Edwin glanced at her and reached out his hand. Asaya stared blankly at the outstretched hand, making a quaint expression and spreading her hand on his. ¡°This is the first time I¡¯ve ever seen your hair tied.¡± His long fingers swept past her ears through the slightly flowing fine hair. As he looked slowly at Asaya, a bright smile appeared on his face. ¡°It suits you well.¡± With a rare bright smile, Asaya looked at him as if she were surprised. What did she just see? It was the first smile that a man who had always adhered to a cold expression. It was different from the usual pale smile. Asaya was shocked and realized that Edwin knew how to smile after all. The smiling appearance of the Grand Duke, nicknamed the devil, was more like an angel that enchanted and dazzled made her in awe. Asaya replied timidly, feeling her face burning. ¡°Thank you.¡± Edwin gently embraced Asaya¡¯s embarrassing hand. ¡°Then let¡¯s go.¡± He took the lead by grabbing Asaya¡¯s hand. Asaya¡¯s heart was beating rapidly and she felt a strange feeling rose all over her body. A thoughtful compliment and a wonderful smile made her heart tickle strangely. She couldn¡¯t believe that she could feel the warmth and kindness exuded from the man who was known for his coldness and indifference, even though his tone and actions weren¡¯t much different than before. It was still hard and blunt. It seemed like just yesterday that Edwin was like a dry tree standing alone in the cold. What a strange feeling. A strange warmth that would not suit a man who was colder than anything else in the world. The look, the tone, and the treatment are the same without any change. Still hard, still blunt. It seems like yesterday that I thought it resembles a dry tree standing alone in the cold. Asaya suddenly felt an indescribable happiness from her trembling heart. Chapter 24 - A Life To Live In The Future **** It was peaceful inside the wagon, running at a moderate speed, neither fast nor slow. ¡°Today, we will take a tour of Matthia Square, the largest of the downtown areas. There is a famous dress shop nearby. After shopping, we will have dinner. The timing will fit perfectly.¡± Today¡¯s schedule was very simple and neat just like Edwin himself. It was indeed a concise and fruitful schedule. Asaya nodded with satisfaction. ¡°Think about what you want to do tomorrow.¡± Edwin asked. ¡°Are we going out tomorrow, too?¡± ¡°You can decide if you want to rest or explore around more.¡± ¡°Can¡¯t you decide? You were planning today¡¯s schedule by reflecting my opinion.¡± Asaya spoke. ¡°I think it¡¯s only natural to use the vacation for you.¡± Edwin¡¯s casually spoken words were so commonplace that Asaya doubted whether she had misunderstood his words. Did she get it wrong? His remarks were interpreted as ¡®I made time only for you¡¯. Wasn¡¯t that terribly romantic? It really didn¡¯t fit with his personality. Asaya felt embarrassed because of Edwin¡¯s consideration. ¡®You¡¯re kind.¡¯ Asaya whispered to herself. Suddenly, Edwin asked suspiciously as if he heard something he wasn¡¯t supposed to hear. ¡°Kind? I¡¯ve never heard such a word in my life.¡± ¡°Oh? Why? I think you¡¯re a kind person.¡± Asaya said. Even though Edwin had a cold expression and a blunt personality, he was a caring person. ¡°You¡¯re a very warm person to me.¡± At Asaya¡¯s words, Edwin started to think about his actions. It seemed to be true that he was generous to Asaya. He treated her differently compared to the others. Why did he do it? He wondered. Was it because she was special? Was it because she was willing to risk her life for others? Was that the reason why he worries about her well-being and happiness? ¡°I tend to be more generous with things I like.¡± Edwin struggled to swallow the words that followed. With a light smile, Asaya opened the window of the carriage and looked out. It was chilly, the sky was clear without a single cloud. The soft sunlight and the chilly wind slightly touched the face of the two. ***** Matthia Square, the largest of August¡¯s downtown areas, was crowded with many people. A large fountain was located in the center, and the high- rise commercial buildings were densely packed. Numerous wagons came and went busily, and there were crowds of people gathering around the bard singing to appreciate the songs. Even though there were so many people, for some reason, Asaya felt quiet and relaxed rather than a noisy feeling. Compared to the general private house, the towering buildings and the colorful signboards that dazzle the eyes created a grandeur that overwhelmed the surroundings. Besides, there were many people in this place with extraordinarily gorgeous outfits with shiny jewelry. The atmosphere and feeling were different from the streets of Riverarden she saw the other day out. This was the place owned by rich and wealthy nobles. ¡°I was worried that my clothes were too fancy and that it would stand out. Now I see that it was a useless worry.¡± Asaya looked at the people at the square in awe. The clothes of those nobles were truly remarkable. As Diana and Lucia said that colorful clothes were in fashion, it was very common for women to wear colorful dresses made of lace in abundance. Even wearing dresses that looked heavy, their walk was very neat and quiet. The clothes of those who appear to be nobles were really amazing. As Diana and Lucia said that fancy dress is fashionable, it was very common for women to wear fancy dresses made with rich laces. Even when wearing dresses that looked heavy just by looking at them, their gait was very upright and quiet. Their footsteps moving steadily while maintaining a comfortable posture without shaking was unbelievable to her eyes. ¡°If you stand there with that expression, you will be laughed at.¡± Edwin said. ¡°Ah, do I look like a fool?¡± Asaya laughed embarrassingly and closed her lips hastily. Then she hurriedly refined her expression. There were so many gorgeous people that she felt shy. Even though there was no reason to feel upset, her shoulders shrunk. She felt like a stranger who was dressed fancily but unable to blend in. Asaya once again recalled her origin in the scenery that looked closest to the ideal life she had longed for when she lived outside the wall. ¡°Why do you look so depressed? Relax.¡± ¡°I feel like a stranger.¡± ¡°Why would a stranger be scared to death? None of them would be able to fool around with the stranger I¡¯ve put so much effort on.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not afraid of being harmed. I feel intimidated. This is a completely different place from where I used to live. I can¡¯t completely erase the gap.¡± ¡°The past is passed. Right now you are standing here as a prospective wife who promised to marry me. Accepting your new life is what you have to do in the future.¡± Edwin wrapped her hand. ¡°Realize now and adapt, the life you have to live in the future.¡± He led Asaya and stepped forward. His gait was more relaxed and confident than anyone else. He turned his steps only looking forward and not at anyone¡¯s eyes. But so many eyes fell on him. Unlike Edwin, who walked with the gaze as if there was nothing to care in the world, Asaya was very concerned with the eyes felt from all sides. Whether Edwin was a lord or not, he was a man who would catch people¡¯s attention anyway. His beautiful yet clean appearance, which was taller than average, would attract other people¡¯s attention even if he was wearing rags. Though simple and neat, he was more glamorous than anyone else here. Without covering his whole body with shiny ornaments, without doing anything attractive, or brushing his hair carelessly, he was obviously an attractive man by nature. ¡°Try to walk without paying attention. In the future, we will receive even more people¡¯s attention than this.¡± The feeling of standing in the pouring hundreds of gazes must be uncomfortable, but it was nothing for Edwin. Asaya thought if she showed her sloppy appearance beside him, Edwin would get criticized. Then, Asaya raised her head with her back as straight as possible. The pouring gaze and the gossiping voices were uncomfortable, but it wasn¡¯t enough to get scared or anxious from. If she was alone, she might not have been able to withstand it, but it was quite worth it because she had Edwin¡¯s firm hand. ¡°You tend to care a lot about people¡¯s attention.¡± Edwin said. ¡°It wasn¡¯t like this from the beginning, but it¡¯s a habit created by living outside the wall. As I looked at people, I observed them. But this place seems to be far from the ordinary I thought. The buildings are too big and colorful, and the majority of people are upper class.¡± ¡°Because it is the largest commercial district, it is unavoidable that there are many rich people here. It¡¯s the most glamorous and sparkling place in August, and it¡¯s one of the places that anyone on a trip must visit. That¡¯s why I chose it, but I think I chose the wrong place.¡± Edwin said. ¡°No, I was a little embarrassed, but I like it. It¡¯s definitely cleaner and more colorful than any other place I¡¯ve ever seen. It¡¯s fun to the eyes. It¡¯s definitely a new experience.¡± Certainly there was a lot to see and everything was magnificent. Not only everybody¡¯s outfits were dazzling, but the tall and high-rise buildings were so colorful and sparkling that it almost hurt the eyes. In addition, various objects and food were also worth seeing. Not all of them were of the size that could be found in the general market, and there were a lot of tourists with exotic appearances and rare items that seemed to have been airlifted from abroad. Walking along the streets, Asaya looked at various items, merchandise and even food. She gradually stopped paying attention to people¡¯s judgemental stares. However, it was uncomfortable to walk because there were many people. Edwin, who caught her first fall, stood next to her and turned around to protect her from others. After a while, they got to the dress shop. When they were about to go in, they met a mother-daughter duo outside the shop. ¡°I see we¡¯re all here. Lord Kabelheider.¡± The middle-aged woman, who seemed a little older, greeted Edwin with politeness. The young woman standing next to her hurriedly looked at Edwin and showed him courtesy as well. ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you. I¡¯m Lily Rosemante.¡± Edwin alternately looked at the middle-aged and the young woman who introduced herself as Lily. Then the middle aged woman spoke. ¡°This is my daughter, sir.¡± ¡°Oh, is she the one who got engaged not long ago?¡± Edwin asked. ¡°Yes, we are preparing for the wedding next year, so I came to see the dress my daughter would wear. May I ask who the lady next to you is?¡± ¡°This is my fianc¨¦.¡± Edwin said without hesitation. ¡°Ah It looks like the rumors of your engagement were true.¡± The middle-aged woman was embarrassed, but she was polite, and she gave Asaya a brief greeting. Then, Lily grinned as if she were browsing through Asaya. It was a very short moment, but it was definitely ridiculed. ¡°Are you here to pick out a wedding dress?¡± Lily asked. ¡°No, I¡¯m here to tailor a dress for the National Day celebration.¡± Asaya responded. Lily¡¯s face was briefly distorted at the words National Day celebration. Meanwhile, the middle-aged woman standing next to her looked at Asaya and Edwin with anxious eyes. ¡°Does your fianc¨¦ need an etiquette teacher, Lord Kabelheider? I heard she came from outside the wall, she probably needs some basic etiquette.¡± ¡°My wife is very polite and smart. It¡¯s not about your concern or anything to interfere with.¡± Edwin said annoyingly. ¡°Grand Duke, I know that you are not worried, but the National Day celebration is an important event. The loss of honor of the person representing the province is the same as the loss of August¡¯s status. I am truly worried.¡± The duo¡¯s polite manners suggest that they were very influential family members within the estate. Asaya slowly looked at the mother and daughter. Asaya knew they were pretending to worry about August¡¯s honor but the reality was a mockery of Edwin, who has a lowly outsider for a wife-to-be, and that was a shame. However, regardless of the intention contained in their speech, it was a concern that Asaya fully understood. Nobles receive a general education that was directly connected to life. Manners, gait, language, art, academics, etc. This courtesy education was very strict, so it was possible to distinguish the status by just walking. In the meantime, it was unpleasant for them to take the uneducated person from outside the wall to a place where the distinguished guests gathered together. This may be a kind of gateway to living in this strange land as a stranger. Asaya was willing to accept this gateway and set out to take care of it. ¡°I fully understand what you are concerned about. If so, what can I do? Can I show you that I¡¯m not the level of your concern?¡± Asaya said to the middle aged woman. ¡°What and how do you prove it?¡± Despite the obvious ridicule in the eyes of the two mothers and daughters, Asaya opened the door of the dress shop. ¡°After we¡¯re done here, would you like to have supper and chat with us?¡± Asaya said. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s been a long time since I had dinner with Count Rosemante. It would be nice to invite the Count and have a meal together. What do you think, madam?¡± At Edwin¡¯s question, Mrs. Rosemante and her daughter, Lily, were embarrassed and looked at each other. Mrs. Rosemante, who had been contemplating for a moment, replied in a calm voice as much as possible with her facial expression corrected. ¡°He¡¯s just around here. I¡¯ll send a servant to ask if he wants to join us.¡± ¡°Yes, then we¡¯ll shop while waiting for the servant to return.¡± Edwin spoke. Mrs. Rosemante replied with her head upright at Edwin¡¯s words. ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s go in.¡± The mother and daughter entered the dress shop in a sour mood. Edwin and Asaya followed. There was a grim tension in the dress shop that resembled a battlefield. Chapter 25 - Expectations ***** Maybe this was a test and a task that must be solved. It wasn¡¯t just a fight at the level of controversy. In the future, Asaya, who had to live here, had to endure and face it. It was a price for wearing the status of a noblewoman that no strangers outside the humble walls dare to match. Asaya looked around the dress store, there were quite a few customers looking around than expected. The inside of the store was spacious. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s been a while, Mrs. Rosemante! Your daughter is getting married next month, right? Congratulations.¡± Said the store owner. ¡°Thank you. Today I came to pick out a wedding dress for my daughter. Oh, you have to say hello to Duke Kabelheider, not me.¡± ¡°Duke Kabelheider?¡± The gazes of the women, who were looking around, turned to Edwin and Asaya. Then, they immediately gave a greeting to Edwin. ¡°My Lord.¡± Edwin greeted them with a brief silence, as if he was familiar with this situation. Since all were embarrassingly concise greetings, there was a high probability that they were not familiar with Edwin except for Mrs. Rosemante. ¡°Please pick whatever you like. We have a wide selection. From formal wear to everyday wear.¡± Asaya had to choose the dress to wear at the National Day celebration, regardless of her personal likes and dislikes. It was a difficult choice for her. Clothes are becoming more and more fashionable, and those who led the fashion were nobles. The nobility¡¯s outfit was very important because it wasn¡¯t just showing the way, it was showing knowledge for knowing the flow of the times. She knew that the latest trend was as flashy as possible but the designs, colors, and types of subsidiary materials used should be considered in detail, but Asaya was ignorant about this subject. She was trying to survive desperately outside the wall every day, so how would she know about trendy attire? ¡°It¡¯s difficult, I don¡¯t know what¡¯s best.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not about choosing the best one, but to choose a design that you like.¡± ¡°No, the dress to wear at the important event should be carefully selected with the best effort. Whatever I do, I¡¯ll be rebuked, but at least I wouldn¡¯t be ashamed.¡± For the ladies, a dress is like the armor of a knight. Choosing a dress roughly was no different than going to the battlefield with a useless weapon. However, it was hard for her to have a keen eye for choosing weapons, who had never experienced that battlefield. There were many professional shoppers in the shop, but calling them for advice wasn¡¯t a good thing in the current situation. At the center of the hustle and bustle was Mrs. Rosemante and the shop owner. They were complimenting the pure white dress that Lily Rosemante had chosen. If Asaya picked anything up, it was obvious that she would be laughed at because she was from outside the wall with no sense for fashion. In fact, they were watching Asaya and Edwin while pretending to choose a dress. Their eyes of a hawk were looking at what dresses and accessories Asaya would choose, it made her uneasy. Asaya, who hesitated for a moment, looked at Edwin. ¡°Would you pick one for me?¡± In the current situation, Edwin¡¯s choice would be best. After all, Edwin would know more about trendy fashion better than Asaya, who had lived outside the wall for 7 years. Moreover, if he chose a dress for Asaya personally would show the people that they were a happy and affectionate couple, and no one would be able to ridicule the Grand Duke for his hand-picked dress. ¡°Please choose a dress that will suit me.¡± In a desperate situation, Asaya raised her head and acted confidently. Edwin looked at Asaya and thought that it was as if the kitten was on the verge of intimidating the other person. The act of holding hands in a timid manner while being confident was very cute. ¡°It would be my first time choosing a lady¡¯s dress, so I don¡¯t know what the outcome will be.¡± ¡°Are all these dresses here made by one designer?¡± Asaya asked. ¡°No, there are many dresses that have been brought in from many places.¡± ¡°Somehow, it seems that there are too many kinds for an individual to choose.¡± ¡°The owner of this place will accept all goods from every designer from the entire estate and everywhere else.¡± ¡°But why doesn¡¯t the dress say who the designer is?¡± ¡°That¡¯s the peculiar way of operation here.¡± What was unique about this store was that it wouldn¡¯t specify who made the dress or where it came from. Dresses from various places were displayed indiscriminately, including clothes of new designers whose names were unknown, and clothes of the best designers worth tens of billions of gold. This method of operation was directly suggested by Mrs. LeBlanc, the designer, and as a condition of accepting it, the owner had to open her shop in August, not in the capital. ¡°People say that they came here to hunt for treasure.¡± ¡°To hunt for treasure¡­?¡± Asaya asked in confusion. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter where they came from or who made them, they have very high value.¡± Asaya, who was listening to the conversation silently, raised her head in amazement. ¡°Madam LeBlanc? The genius designer who was dedicated to the royal costumes?¡± Asaya asked. ¡°Do you know about Mrs.Leblanc?¡± Edwin asked. ¡°I¡¯ve heard of her.¡± ¡°She¡¯s the most famous and tough among designers. Thanks to that, it was quite difficult to just open the shop with her designs here.¡± ¡°I¡¯m surprised. I thought it would be a private shop in the capital instead of a place right here in August.¡± Asaya said. ¡°I hope the dress I choose will be Madame LeBlanc¡¯s design. Let¡¯s see, which one shall I pick?¡± Edwin looked carefully over the dresses, then stopped in front of a black dress. It was a form of transparent lace overlaid on a silk dress. Inside the skirt, a chiffon lining was added to enhance the volume of the hips. The body of the dress was decorated with sparkling jewels, giving it a feeling of sprinkled star powder. It was a delicate and dazzling yet simple dress. ¡°I like this dress.¡± Edwin said. This dress, which was decorated only with very small jewels, without many of the common flashy decorations, looked ordinary compared to other dresses. However, it had caught Asaya¡¯s attention as well. She wanted to be as inconspicuous as possible, but at the same time, it seemed like a dress suitable for the occasion. ¡°I like it too. It¡¯s luxurious but not excessive, I think it¡¯s beautiful.¡± Asaya said. ¡°Then try it on.¡± Edwin urged. After choosing a dress, the staff waiting next to him quickly got the dress along with its matching shoes and accessories. Then the staff took Asaya to the changing room. Mrs. Rosemante, who was watching this, also beckoned to her daughter Lily to try on a dress. When Lily entered the fitting room, a strange stillness filled the shop. It was like a beauty competition between the two young women. People¡¯s anticipation was strangely high to see who would get the crown. Mrs. Rosemante covered her lips with a fan and held back the laughter. She was relieved to see Asaya¡¯s dress was nothing but plain and simple and thought to herself. ¡°You¡¯ll only be embarrassed, even if you wear expensive clothes, you know no etiquette. Can you even walk properly?¡± Mrs. Rosemante bit her lips and waited for Asaya and Lily to come out anxiously. After minutes passed, and the door of the fitting room opened almost simultaneously. Mrs. Rosemante looked at Asaya first and prepared to mock. However, she lost her words after she saw Asaya. ¡°It¡¯s a good fit. It¡¯s more to my liking than I thought.¡± Asaya said. ¡°It definitely suits you well.¡± Edwin commented. Everyone was lost for words at Asaya¡¯s appearance. Lily was dressed very well in the latest fashion, and had long been pushed back. Moreover, Lily¡¯s dress was so big that it seemed difficult for her to walk properly. On the other hand, Asaya¡¯s dress, which was supposed to be laughed at for being ordinary, shed its easiness when it found its owner and broke away from the luxurious dress. Not to mention the luxurious feeling of silk fabric, the luxuriousness was further maximized by the addition of small jewelry decorations that were not excessive with a sophisticated fit. The dark black color made Asaya¡¯s white and pale skin look much more transparent and clean. Even her blonde hair that hung down was dazzling against the black. Asaya gently grabbed the hem of her dress and walked elegantly. She was naturally a perfect noblewoman without having to prove to anyone. Seeing Asaya¡¯s upright and neat posture without shaking, Mrs. Rosemante sighed briefly. ¡°She has no problem walking. It¡¯s a very well-made dress.¡± Asaya stood face to face in front of Edwin, thanks to the shoes, his eye level, which was usually high above, seemed a little lower. Edwin sighed as he slowly swept Asaya¡¯s appearance, smiling satisfyingly. ¡°It looks good on you.¡± Mrs. Rosemante¡¯s face burned red, feeling embarrassed. As anyone could see, this fight was a victory for a lowly stranger. Mrs. Rosmante hurriedly sent Lily into the dressing room, as if all the gossiping voices seemed to be mocking her. ¡°Please forgive my rudeness earlier. I don¡¯t think we have to go to dinner to show your skill.¡± Everyone¡¯s eyes were focused. Nevertheless, Mrs. Rosemante did not care and admitted the defeat of this invisible flag fight. ¡°In fact, when I heard about your engagement, there were many people worried. I also did. I thought you were a woman who didn¡¯t have the basics. It was a rash and short thought.¡± Walking was more strict and important than any other etiquette education. Nobles practice years to walk properly. Mrs. Rosemante neatly admitted her rashness because she could see that Asaya was a person who had learned minimal etiquette education just by looking at her steps without having to go to the dining table. ¡°Will you forgive me?¡± Mrs Rosemante¡¯s gaze was precisely at Asaya. Asaya nodded with amazement and joy at her behavior that was different from her appearance that looked strong and stubborn with pride. ¡°I know that a quiet and graceful gait can only come from long training. The reason why the person who received proper etiquette education came to live outside the wall is a personal matter, so I will not ask.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± Asaya responded. ¡°I hope you prepare well for the event.¡± There was no sarcasm in Mrs. Rosemante¡¯s tone this time. ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll do my best so that I don¡¯t bring down the honor of August.¡± Asaya said. Mrs. Rosemante turned to Lily with an expressionless face. ¡°Lily, I think it would be better to choose a dress next time.¡± The spectators looked at each other with a different look. The social world was so popular that today¡¯s small happening would soon be on the lips of an unspecified number of people. It was a disgrace to Mrs. Rosemante, but it was a relief that the silent war did not end up as a dirty one because she admitted her loss. Asaya went in to change her clothes. Helpers who helped with the change of clothes carefully moved the dresses and products that had been tried on. ¡°Well done.¡± Edwin praised. ¡°In this world, choosing a dress is war.¡± Asaya said. ¡°It¡¯s childish but you handled it wisely. It¡¯s been a while since Mrs. Rosemante came in.¡± Edwin said. ¡°The Lord¡¯s help was great. ¡°Asaya relieved her tension, secretly exhaling a sigh of relief. Edwin, on the other hand, seemed quite joyful, as if he had had an interesting experience. ¡°Why do you suddenly seem so happy? Because of how nervous I was?¡± Asaya asked. ¡°It was a fun experience. As expected, you didn¡¯t let down my expectations.¡± Edwin responded. ¡°What did you expect?¡± Asaya asked. ¡°Your strategy with unexpected challenges.¡± Asaya didn¡¯t like the challenges so much. It was the same case today as it was with Reibene Schrandel. However, she felt relieved that the victory today was hers. ¡°The unforeseen existence has messed up our date. We have to enjoy our quiet time now.¡± Edwin said. ¡°Shall we go for dinner?¡± Asaya suggested. ¡°Yes. Since there are no unwelcome guests, we can spend our time alone.¡± Edwin agreed. He reached out and held Asaya¡¯s hand again. Asaya knew it was an act to show the public, but she was conscious of his behavior, and glanced at him contentedly. ¡°Great job today.¡± Edwin said as Asaya smiled quietly at his plain praise. Chapter 26 - Definition Of Relationship Was it because of the incident at the dress store earlier? Now everybody¡¯s glances aren¡¯t as uncomfortable as before. Walking next to Edwin, Asaya was able to explore the streets in a more comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. After walking a while, they arrived at a large building. There was a restaurant located on top with a white sign with the restaurant¡¯s business name. It was simple but strangely stood out. It was a little difficult to climb up the stairs to get to the restaurant but once they got to the top, the view of Matthia Square was magnificent. ¡°Choose what you¡¯d like to eat.¡± Edwin said. ¡°Then.. I¡¯ll go with steak.¡± Asaya said. ¡°I¡¯ll have the same thing.¡± ¡°Very well.¡± The employee disappeared with the menu, and another employee brought out the wine bottle, wine glasses, and hot bread. Asaya ate the freshly baked pre-dinner bread and gazed at the panoramic view of Matthia Square. ¡°The view of Matthia Square from above is much more beautiful than I had imagined.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s watch as much as you like during meal time. You couldn¡¯t even look around properly earlier because you were uncomfortable with people¡¯s attention.¡± ¡°I looked around enough. After leaving the dress store, I felt comfortable and enjoyed sightseeing. It¡¯s a wonderful day today.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t have to say anything you don¡¯t have in your heart. I know that all you did today was hard work.¡± Edwin said. ¡°What kind of hardship would that be? Well, It was true that people¡¯s glances were uncomfortable, but it was a pleasure to see the wonderful scenery. I feel like I¡¯m in a whole new world. I realized that the world inside the wall has changed a lot over the past seven years.¡± Asaya said. The meal they ordered came out. While it was being served, Asaya took in the view of Matthia Square to her eyes. She could never have imagined the experience of enjoying a fine meal in such a beautiful place. The city surrounded by colorful lights was full of beauty and vitality, and people from various provinces came and went, but there seemed to be no room for strangers from outside the walls to blend in. However, after the incident at the dress store, Asaya had a proper confidence boost. ¡°It was like a miracle. The Lord gave me a miracle.¡± Edwin, who was cutting the steak, stopped and looked at Asaya. ¡°I feel more real now that I¡¯m here. I feel like this is what I live for, and I can finally breathe.¡± Edwin looked at Asaya silently and frowned for some reason ¡°Miracle? No, I just offered you a deal. I didn¡¯t give it to you. It¡¯s a mutual agreement. You don¡¯t have to thank me unconditionally. You bet your life on this deal. I think this is not something you have to thank me for. Do you have resentment?¡± ¡°Resentment?¡± Asaya asked in confusion. ¡°I brought you in for a bargain. Aren¡¯t you aware that your life is tied to me? I took the most important thing from you. Freedom. It¡¯s an absolute value that can¡¯t be priced with anything, and you still thank me?¡± Asaya listened calmly to Edwin and smiled at him. ¡°From the very beginning, there was no such thing as freedom. What freedom is there for lowly people who can¡¯t even be treated as humans? And even if it was there, I wouldn¡¯t have thought it was sold at a bargain price. The cheap price for the lord is not the cheap price for me.¡± ¡°But the relationship that I bought with money doesn¡¯t change.¡± A relationship was bought with money¡­ Asaya laughed bitterly at the heartless line. All of this wonderful life was freely offered. The relationship with Edwin was also just¡­made up. ¡°Thank you for the lack of resentment.¡± Edwin said. ¡°Why should I resent? You didn¡¯t force me to do it. I accepted the offer with my own free will. Why shouldn¡¯t I be grateful?¡± Asaya said. ¡°You¡¯re not aware of how reckless you¡¯ve been.¡± Edwin put down the steak knife. ¡°Aren¡¯t you aware of how dangerous your loyalty is for me now?¡± Blind loyalty seems dangerous. He slowly opened his mouth, thinking he had to draw a clear line about this relationship. ¡°As a Grand Duke, I¡¯ll give you everything you can enjoy but that¡¯s it.¡± A calm voice drew a line coldly. ¡°I will bind you in the shackles of marriage, but I will never be able to treat you lovingly as my wife. You¡¯ll live with just the shell of the Grand Duchess. So even if you marry me, you can¡¯t have children or have a family full of love. You have to live your life tied to me. It means that if you have someone you love, you can¡¯t go to that person. That¡¯s what selling life is like. It¡¯s not something to be grateful for. It means you don¡¯t have your initiative in your life.¡± At Edwin¡¯s words that followed, Asaya slowly brooded the cold words. The more she brooded, the more cruel the words were. It was too much to take in while enjoying a fine meal at a restaurant with the spectacular city view. However, the words were natural and realistic. Asaya wasn¡¯t hoping for anything more here, and Edwin¡¯s words were a reminder to bring her back to reality. She realized that this relationship was only good on the outside. ¡°It¡¯s not something to thank me for. It doesn¡¯t matter if you resent and hate me. You shouldn¡¯t be grateful.¡± ¡°Are you saying I hate you?¡± Asaya asked. ¡°I don¡¯t mean to do that, but at least don¡¯t treat me as a benefactor. I am not your benefactor. I¡¯m not the one who deserves your blind loyalty. Do you understand what I mean?¡± Edwin clearly drew a line so that they wouldn¡¯t get any closer. In the end, he wanted this relationship to remain only for mutual interests. Thanks to this, Asaya¡¯s spirit was lifted. Living in a dreamlike reality, she forgot for a moment that this place was real. ¡°Yes, a relationship that was bought only with money, I knew it from the beginning. There is no reason to be disappointed¡­¡± Asaya thought to herself. She didn¡¯t expect much. She thought that they could get along better. Either it was a contract or a lifelong relationship, Edwin was a good person. She thought that if she spent time together with this person, their relationship would be improved for the better. She had such expectations. However, this relationship was nothing more than a business relationship from start to finish. ¡°I know what you mean. If the Lord¡¯s will is like that, I will do as you wish.¡± There was no way that a commoner could live with a high-ranking noble. Were his praises so far just an act of necessity? Asaya silently sliced ??the steak. She didn¡¯t hate him or think lowly of him. It was better to draw the line clearly than to leave it vaguely. However, apart from this, she felt somewhat complicated. The meat was soft but for some reason it was hard to chew. Along with the feeling of a stiff neck, shame filled up. Great atmosphere, splendid views, delicious food, and dazzlingly beautiful marriage partners. A date with all the perfect conditions should end happily, but only bitter resentment remains. Such a splendid night passed. ****** Edwin also recognized that the end of the date, which should have ended pleasantly, was the worst. It was a money-related relationship, but it didn¡¯t have to be bad. Why did he have to be so harsh towards her? Nonetheless, it was a choice Edwin couldn¡¯t resist in the situation. It was a relationship that started under a clear deal, Asaya smiled and thanked him for what was offered as a result of the deal. Every time she did so, Edwin felt a lump in his throat. He was not a good man. He shouldn¡¯t be. He was supposed to be bloodless and tearless, but he still had conscience. It was not very pleasant to hear the words ¡°thank you¡± in this situation, which was tantamount to the use of violence against a woman who had nothing. ¡°How come you¡¯re stuck in your study when you¡¯re supposed to be having a good time?¡± Marshall asked. Edwin sighed slightly and looked at Marshall. The competent subordinate was very meddlesome. Sometimes very annoying. ¡°Did you enjoy your time outside?¡± Marshall asked. ¡°Not really.¡± Edwin reluctantly answered. ¡°Is that why your mood has subsided? I just feel as though your mood is different before taking vacation and after coming back. Did something happen?¡± Marshall asked. ¡°You have a lot of interest in people¡¯s business, don¡¯t you?¡± ¡°People¡¯s business? It¡¯s my job to care about my employer¡¯s business.¡± Marshall laughed sarcastically. Edwin felt more tired talking to Marshall, then he pressed his hand against his eyes. ¡°Did you have a fight with Lady Asaya?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°Then you don¡¯t need to exhaust yourself like this.¡± Edwin removed his hand from his eyes and looked at Marshall. It was an unpleasant look, but Marshall shrugged without worrying. ¡°I know there are many things on your mind, but please take a good rest during your break.¡± Edwin gave no answer. He was lost in thought. He wasn¡¯t a person who cared much about the feelings of others. His feelings were also dull, but there was no reason to tirelessly count the feelings of others. He didn¡¯t care about anyone in the first place. It¡¯s annoying. The thought itself bothered him again. ¡°If you want me to take a break, would you like to leave now?¡± Edwin asked. ¡°I will. But don¡¯t worry too much, all your hair will fall out.¡± Marshall said. ¡°I wonder if my hair will fall or if your head will get cut off first.¡± Edwin said threateningly. ¡°Then have a good night.¡± Marshall hurried off. Edwin closed his eyes at the serenity. The surroundings were quiet, but he didn¡¯t know why it was so noisy in his head. Having in mind something that wasn¡¯t supposed to be there and then worried about it, he went beyond his scope of understanding. The feeling was unfamiliar and annoying. Having to care about something was very tiring anyways. Was it the wrong choice to bring her inside the wall? It was a good calculation of the benefits that could be gained by bringing the commoner in. But why did the calculated situation start to deviate little by little? ¡°Ha.¡± He exhaled heavily. The sleepless night was just getting deeper. Chapter 27 - Bearable Asaya tossed and turned all night long without sleeping. She was bothered by the fact that Edwin still hadn¡¯t come back from work, and with what Edwin had said at the restaurant. She wasn¡¯t sad or angry, but she was strangely annoyed. It kept bothering her. Eventually Edwin came back at dawn. Asaya had to laugh bitterly, interpreting this was his intention to completely draw a line. ¡°Good morning, Lady Asaya.¡± A servant greeted Asaya. ¡°How¡¯s about the lord?¡± Asaya asked. ¡°He¡¯s probably in the library.¡± ¡°Was he in the library all night?¡± ¡°I think so. Our Lord is a known workaholic.¡± It wasn¡¯t because of work. Asaya touched her forehead and sighed slightly. Edwin obviously tried to avoid her. Inevitably, the uncomfortable airflow continued. Did he pretend to be okay but he wasn¡¯t? He must have been uncomfortable. Asaya smiled bitterly and walked to the library. She Knocked on the door gently. After a while, she heard a brief voice asking her to come in. Asaya carefully opened the door and entered the library. There he was, sitting in a chair, and gently opened his eyes. ¡°Isn¡¯t our appointment time in the afternoon?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s not have it today.¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°We¡¯re uncomfortable with each other. Is that why you avoided me?¡± Edwin softly frowned at Asaya¡¯s causal question. ¡°I have never avoided you.¡± ¡°Then why did you sleep in the library uncomfortably?¡± ¡°I just had something to think about.¡± At Edwin¡¯s firm answer, Asaya slowly approached him. ¡°I forgot my situation for a while. I thought I could have a good relationship with you in the future because you¡¯re kind. However, I must have been mistaken. I didn¡¯t know that my feelings toward you and my presence would be burdensome. It was a very presumptuous idea.¡± Asaya knew well that the distance between them was as high as the wall that divided the world of the nobles and the commoners. The wall that could never be crossed. ¡°There will never be anything beyond that line. So don¡¯t feel uncomfortable.¡± Edwin didn¡¯t respond. He just looked at her with the expressionless appearance as usual. When Asaya had finished speaking,she nodded and went out of the library. Edwin, who was left alone, tapped on the desk with his long stretched fingers. This was primarily one of his reactions when he felt upset. Asaya¡¯s spoken words were clear and concise. She basically repeated what he said to her at the restaurant but why did he feel so unpleasant now after hearing it from her lips? He stared blankly out the window, trying to ignore the strange feelings had left uncomfortably between them. **** Since that day, time had passed without anything special happening. More precisely there was no time for something special to happen. After making the relationship clear, Asaya treated Edwin the same as the day she first saw him. Strangers. Edwin also showed no reactions and acted as usual. However, they still went on dates regularly. They went out and looked at every corner of the estate, but there was no joy like the first date. The outings that the two of them had were more like a show rather than a date. Meanwhile, the National Day celebration was just around the corner. ¡°l am preparing for an important guest visiting today.¡± Edwin said. ¡°Who is this important guest?¡± ¡°Mrs. Romula said she wanted to meet you.¡± Edwin said. Besides Mrs. Romula, Edwin was constantly looking for someone who could be in charge of etiquette education, but finding a teacher was a difficult situation. No one was willing to educate a person from outside the wall. In addition to that, the deadline for the National Day celebration was too closed. Meanwhile, the news of Mrs. Romula¡¯s visit was very welcoming from Asaya¡¯s point of view. ¡°I have to prepare carefully so that she can agree to be my teacher.¡± Asaya said. ¡°I hope you don¡¯t get too disappointed if you can¡¯t get a courtesy teacher, because I think you¡¯re a capable woman no matter what.¡± Edwin praised. ¡°You overestimate me.¡± Asaya said. ¡°Aren¡¯t you underestimating yourself?¡± Edwin asked. ¡°I am a more realistic person than anyone else.¡± Asaya said. ¡°That¡¯s the same for me.¡± Edwin said. Asaya laughed lightly. Edwin seemed to be a more ferocious man than anyone else, but at times like this he was a very friendly man. But that was it. Asaya, as before, decided not to attach meaning to every single word or deed. ¡°I will work hard to meet your expectations.¡± ***** Romula Brotagne. The nanny of Edwin, the Lord of August, who took over the title after the death of Lord Serafina. She served as the hostess of the Kabelheider family, and one of the few people Edwin was obedient to. ¡°My name is Romula Brotagne.¡± The woman, who was rumored to be a strict manners teacher, was a very profound and quiet woman according to her reputation. She had white hair and a wrinkled face, which showed traces of time, was full of grace and beauty. Her posture of her old age was very upright and tidy, and the orderly behavior added weight to the quiet atmosphere. ¡°I¡¯m Asaya Lubedoa. Please take good care of me.¡± Mrs. Romula glanced up and down Asaya as if she was searching for something. She wasn¡¯t outright, but Asaya could see that Mrs. Romula didn¡¯t like her. In a way, her attitude was natural. Who would be happy to teach new etiquettes to a lady who was already over twenty years old? Besides, she wasn¡¯t even a noble lady but a commoner. ¡°Edwin brought you in from outside the wall?¡± ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡± Asaya politely answered. Mrs. Romula was at loss. Courtesy education couldn¡¯t be achieved in a short time. Aristocratic children were educated in general manners from a very early age. The duration of the training varied widely depending on whether or not it was fully acquired, but it would take at least a few months to a few years. ¡°How can I educate a person who knows nothing until The National Day celebration?¡± The courtesy education of the nobility would take place throughout life. Courtesy education for the nobles was not just etiquette education, but it also included court etiquette, foreign languages, arithmetic, musical instrument performance, dance, singing, religious rituals, shogi¡­.etc. It didn¡¯t make sense to teach all such an education in less than a month. ¡°I heard that you were visiting and we prepared some refreshments. Why don¡¯t we enjoy tea time and discuss the future direction of education?¡± Asaya offered. Just in time, Mrs. Romula was craving sweets under the rising stress. In addition, tea time would help make it possible for her to be at a certain calming level. She nodded after she had finished thinking. ¡°Alright.¡± The refreshments prepared at tea time were delicious fresh cream cakes with a teapot of herbs, milk, honey and sugar cubes were set in turn. Mrs. Romula, who enjoyed tea with a cup of tea with her back straight, took notes of Asaya¡¯s manner. She relaxedly tasted the aroma tea, and soon spread the prepared napkin over her lap. The way Asaya raised her teacup was gentle.The movement of putting down the teacup after a sip was also quiet. Mrs. Romula was amazed at her impeccable posture. ¡°Marshall said he was having a lot of trouble getting a courtesy teacher. Perhaps because of my origin, it is difficult to find a teacher who will take charge of education. In the meantime, I am very happy that Mrs. Romula took the time to visit me.¡± At Asaya¡¯s gentle and polite tone, Mrs.Romula doubted for a moment whether the woman sitting in front of her was really an innocent woman brought from outside the wall as rumored. There was no frivolity in the actions of the beautiful woman sitting in front of her. Her voice and speech were also very calm and soft. She didn¡¯t look like a person who grew up without learning at all. ¡°It won¡¯t be just because of where you came from. The deadline is so tight that I can¡¯t even think it would be possible.¡± ¡°It¡¯s bad timing. I wonder if I dare to attend the National Day celebration, but an invitation was sent with my name on it, I can¡¯t refuse it¡­ and I have to make the impossible possible. Can¡¯t you help me? I know it¡¯s a ridiculous request. Still, please do it despite my shame. Can you help me, not for the Lord, and for August here? I need a great teacher to make that impossible possible.¡± Asaya pleaded. ¡°Why do you refer to me as a great teacher?¡± ¡°I heard that you were in charge of the general education of the Lord. Isn¡¯t that something you can tell just by looking at the lord? Asaya said. Mrs. Romula burst into laughter after hearing what Asaya said. ¡°That stupid guy is the worst student I¡¯ve ever produced.¡± ¡°If he is the worst then who can be greater? He is the youngest of the twelve lords, and despite being less experienced than the others, he made this estate prosperous.¡± Asaya said. August estate was once a barren land under the former Lord. However, now it was a prosperous land that stood shoulder to shoulder with the capital thanks to Edwin. ¡°Everyone in this land is indebted to Kabelheider¡¯s name. The honor of the estate is our honor. If you are going to be the hostess of Kabelheider, you should know this better than anyone else. This is where heavy determination follows. Will you be able to handle that position?¡± Mrs. Romula asked. ¡°To be honest, I am not confident. For me, this is too much of a responsibility, and I have neither the guts nor the ability to bear the weight of it. But I have to deal with it. That¡¯s the challenge I¡¯ve been given, and that¡¯s why I can live with my family here. That¡¯s why I need your help.¡± Asaya said. Mrs. Romula looked at Asaya¡¯s unshakable eyes and spoke. ¡°You¡¯re a transparent person. Those eyes resemble the ones I know well. Just like seeing Serafina in my youth. Where did you learn etiquette?¡± ¡°I learned it when I was a kid. But I have lived outside the wall for about 7 years.¡± Mrs. Romula¡¯s hardened expression was finally softened. The clogged up feeling was now being swept away. ¡°If you have been learning all along, why do you need my help?¡± ¡°My habits may have changed because of living outside the walls for so long. In addition, I lived in a very remote place and I didn¡¯t enjoy social gatherings, I couldn¡¯t dance well. I received training on dancing, but it¡¯s been so long and I don¡¯t remember it. I don¡¯t know anything about the trend of social circles.¡± ¡°Were you a member of the church?¡± ¡°Yes,I have power.¡± ¡°Then, all this weird situation makes sense.¡± Mrs. Romula had taken care of Edwin since childhood. So, she was one of the people who knew the situation better than anyone else. The shock when she first heard of the engagement was still vivid. Mrs. Romula had thought that Edwin would die of loneliness after living alone and buried in work all his life. It wasn¡¯t that he wasn¡¯t interested in women, or that there weren¡¯t any women around him, but Edwin just wasn¡¯t interested. He was the one who snorted and ignored the advice of the elders in August that he should marry quickly and have children for generations to come. All proposals to Kabelheider were declined, and only polite rejection letters were sent. The news of his sudden engagement was surprising, but when she learned that his fianc¨¦e who came from outside the wall, Mrs. Romula almost fainted. ¡°This relationship can¡¯t be true.¡± As soon as she realized that it was a play, Mrs. Romula regained her mind. ¡°For the remainder of the period, we have to do our best. However, the basics will not be difficult to learn.¡± ¡°I will work hard.¡± ¡°You will have to. You will be the focus point at the event. They will compare you with Menefrida.¡± ¡°Menefrida, the former servant of the Lord, it seems that she was a great person.¡± At Asaya¡¯s words, Mrs.Romula frowned openly and expressed displeasure. ¡°In a sense, she was great. You have to be careful not to be like her.¡± ¡° Yes?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t forget your place. Don¡¯t be presumptuous. I hope that you will not be a disgrace to the Lord like her.¡± Disgrace..? Asaya was shocked by Mrs. Romula¡¯s cold words. But she didn¡¯t say anything anymore. After drinking the remaining tea and eating the cake, she instructed Asaya to start training right away. Asaya followed her after Mrs.Romula, who took the lead, and thought about her attitude. She was embarrassed by the outspoken Romula¡¯s contemptuous attitude. However, Asaya decided to leave her resentment behind. Severe education began.