Chapter 07

“That makes sense.”

Tepe let out a groan and cautiously glanced at Edward.

In truth, the House of Tesseron hadn’t been completely ignorant of the Temple’s schemes.

If anything, the Temple’s increasingly aggressive efforts to push Sephina onto Edward had become so suspicious that they had begun conducting their own investigation.

Edward’s observation that Sephina’s holy power fluctuated unpredictably had only fueled those suspicions.

“Recently, the Temple has been referring to Lady Sephina as ‘the Duke’s possession’ or ‘something that belongs to the Duke’ with increasing certainty.”

“…While insisting she’ll become the companion that even House Tesseron has yet to find.”

Tepe sighed heavily as he continued where Gorgo had left off.

A Dragon Incarnate’s destined companion was never something anyone could predict with certainty.

If it were, there wouldn’t have been Dragon Incarnates throughout history who died young without ever finding theirs.

‘And yet the Temple was far too confident.’

That was why they had investigated on their own.

The conclusion House Tesseron reached was simple:

The Temple was conducting some sort of secret experiment.

“Looking back now…” Gorgo said, “it was probably an experiment to grant Lady Sephina power similar to that of a true companion.”

They had come remarkably close to the truth.

Lucy really had existed solely to strengthen Sephina.

Gorgo continued calmly.

“And if the Temple called even someone as important as Lady Sephina ‘something that belongs to the Duke’…”

“…Then there’s no need to wonder how they’d refer to the other test subjects.”

If Edward questioned them about their experiments, the Temple would undoubtedly shamelessly claim:

‘Everything we did was for Your Grace’s sake.’

They would probably even insist that the test subjects, like Sephina, all belonged to the Duke.

Tepe would have bet an entire roasted pig on it.

‘And His Grace would only take it a step further.’

If the Temple said, They’re yours, then Edward would simply answer,

“Mine? Then I’ll take them.”

Without the slightest hesitation.

So that’s why he decided that Temple test subjects were his property and brought her back!

Only then did Tepe finally understand.

Working backward through the logic, Gorgo had concluded that the girl must be one of the Temple’s experimental subjects.

“…More importantly.”

Gorgo shifted his gaze to the girl’s wrists.

Following his gaze, Tepe flinched.

Round wounds that looked as though blood had been repeatedly drawn, along with bruises left by shackles, marked her skin.

And countless needle marks covered her arms.

“Those injuries…”

“…Are traces of experimentation.”

Edward answered before Gorgo could.

He looked down at the unconscious girl resting in his arms.

‘A strange little woman.’

When she’d spoken to him earlier, she’d sounded remarkably confident and brazen.

‘Though she couldn’t hide her expression.’

She’d spoken as smoothly as though butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth, yet her face had betrayed absolute desperation.

She’d been visibly afraid of him.

Yet at the same time, her eyes had sparkled as though she’d found the lifeline she’d been searching for.

And those tiny, insignificant hands had clung desperately to his arm and shoulder, terrified of letting go.

He liked that desperation.

Most people would call that proof of a terrible personality.

Edward himself had never denied that his personality was, in fact, awful.

Besides—

People who lacked something…

People who were desperate…

Were always much easier to control.

This woman wouldn’t be difficult either.

After all, he had saved her life.

She wouldn’t dare run away.

Edward removed one of his gloves.

His bare fingers gently wrapped around a lock of the sleeping woman’s hair.

The moment he touched even a single strand—

The nauseating corruption within him settled.

His thoughts became calm.

More than that…

Her purifying power somehow felt familiar.

Judging by his body’s reaction…

Perhaps the source of the purification he’d been receiving through Sephina all this time…

Had actually been this woman.

Satisfied with his own deduction, he smiled.

“A purification-capable test subject.”

“This might actually work out well.”

The Temple had been getting a little too full of itself lately.

The Temple and the Dragon Incarnate existed in a mutually beneficial relationship, but beneath the surface they had always been quietly competing over who held the upper hand.

Sephina herself constantly tried to overstep her place.

Edward wasn’t stupid enough to miss the greed hidden in her eyes.

Perhaps the reason her purification always felt so revolting…

Was because traces of her sticky, possessive emotions seeped into it.

‘But if I have this woman…’

He wouldn’t need to endure that anymore.

He wouldn’t have to remain in the capital simply because Sephina was there.

He could finally return to his northern territory—a place he’d neglected for far too long.

The more he thought about it…

The better his mood became.

‘I don’t know where this little mouse came from…’

‘But her timing is impeccable.’

Without realizing it, he recalled the girl’s expression after she’d seen his face.

She’d looked completely defenseless.

As though she’d been utterly overwhelmed.

She’d even fainted.

‘She must have fallen for me completely.’

People staring blankly after seeing his face…

People losing themselves in admiration…

Edward had seen expressions like that countless times.

Normally he would have thought nothing of it.

But somehow…

The satisfaction he felt from her reaction was stronger.

A desperate woman who had also fallen in love with him.

That would make things much easier.

‘That’s why…’

His heartbeat felt so pleasant.

Like a contented beast, he absently stroked her hair.

Across from him, Tepe carefully asked,

“So…”

“What are you planning to do with her?”

“I’m taking her with us.”

“All the way to the duchy? Are you sure that’s wise?”

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

“Well…”

Tepe glanced outside the carriage.

Dong… Dong… Dong…

The Temple’s emergency bells were still ringing relentlessly.

Torchlight from the Temple soldiers flickered beyond the carriage windows.

“They’re searching this desperately.”

“She must be an extremely important test subject.”

Gorgo nodded.

“Tepe has a point.”

“They may pursue us.”

“…”

“And even if you take her…”

“…Honestly, I don’t think she’ll last very long.”

It sounded cold.

But it was simply what his eyes told him.

The girl looked filthy, emaciated, and so frail that a light poke might knock her over.

Those capable of purification had to remain healthy.

Purifying corruption consumed considerable stamina.

Tepe added cautiously,

“To be honest…”

“She looks like someone who needs purification herself.”

Hearing that, Edward’s already crooked smile widened further.

“Who said I was planning to keep her forever?”

“So…”

“…You’ll throw her away later?”

Even another man could be dazzled by Edward’s beauty.

His lips curved into a thoroughly unpleasant smile.

“No need to look so troubled.”

“…”

“She doesn’t seem like an innocent little test subject.”

“She doesn’t?”

“She tried to negotiate with me first.”

Edward remembered the way her tiny tongue had worked so skillfully.

“Master, that woman is a fake!”

“The Temple insists Lady Sephina is your true companion, but actually…”

Granted…

Most of what she’d said merely confirmed suspicions he already had.

Still…

For someone so small…

She certainly had a silver tongue.

Without thinking, his fingertips drifted toward her closed lips.

“She knows something.”

“That’s why she tried to make me an offer first.”

“…”

“The audacity…”

“…of this little mouse.”

“Huh? Mouse?”

Tepe blinked.

‘Isn’t a mouse the Duke’s favorite animal?’

‘Did His Grace just compliment her?’

While Tepe and Gorgo exchanged bewildered looks, Edward smiled.

“Regardless.”

“We’ll use her for as long as she’s useful.”

“…Until you find your true companion?”

Tepe asked.

Edward gave an ambiguous smile.

“Yes.”

“Until then.”

“…”

“I’ll keep her around until her purification ability is exhausted.”

“Then I’ll discard her.”

As he said that, he gently held the frayed ends of her split, brittle hair.

Even her hair felt like the shabby fur of an underfed little mouse.

Enjoying the sensation, Edward thought,

‘She’s already fallen for me.’

‘Feed her a few decent meals, and she’ll follow me around obediently.’

…

That assumption…

Lasted less than a day.

* * *

The very next day.

As Edward stepped down from the carriage to stretch, a sheet of paper fluttered into view.

His eyes slowly shifted to the person holding it out to him.

“And this is?”

Despite the slight trembling in her fingertips, the woman answered proudly,

“A contract.”