Chapter 6 …
Late at night. The study of Duke Agnito.
Duke Agnito let out a deep sigh.
Today, the minister had gone through every last ledger before leaving.
“I trust you will fill in the discrepancies in the records… My dear Duke Agnito.”
He knew exactly what those words implied. Even with his eyes closed, the humiliation was vivid before him.
“Damn it…!”
Finally, with a curse he could no longer hold back, he crumpled the documents in his hands.
Today was a day of charity—a day for Agnito to show the other nobles that he was still in power.
Even though the line of the saint had ended, Agnito’s authority remained intact. His daughter, Esther, was still alive, and the nobles believed that the connection with the temple had not been entirely severed.
Yet, in front of the other nobles, he had been openly humiliated, and even the donations they had secretly siphoned off had been thoroughly investigated.
“Damn it…”
His head ached. Broken relationships could be repaired with money, but as long as Hanisha existed, the shame of that day would keep surfacing.
Now, trying to hide the child for another reason would only arouse suspicions of abuse.
He could neither reveal the illegitimate Hanisha nor hide her again.
‘Hanisha… I want to get rid of that child…’
Strangely, the temple protected people, especially children, excessively. Even orphans were given names and entered into the temple’s register.
A name could only be removed from the temple register once the child reached adulthood, and the level of detail in management was so meticulous that it almost felt compulsive.
It was laughable.
The increase in war orphans had begun years ago, the result of a religious war the temple itself had sparked.
They had killed the children’s parents in the name of God, then opened their granaries once a year in the name of God, feigning benevolence.
Of course, that hypocrisy was one reason why Agnito could feel slightly justified despite his own wrongdoing.
Yet the anger never subsided.
If only his youngest sister, Serphina, had quietly married the person chosen by the temple, the saint’s power would not have ended…
As he let out a deep sigh, there was a knock, and someone entered.
It was Esther’s nanny and her maids.
“Did the child return safely?”
“Yes. As always, she completed the event without incident.”
That was a relief. At least the empire knew Agnito was still standing.
“But…”
For some reason, the nanny hesitated after giving her report.
“Your Highness cried quite a bit today.”
“She cried? Why?”
“She said she was startled because you did not come to fetch her… but she seemed quite anxious for a child’s sake.”
Before the sentence even ended, Duke Agnito sprang to his feet.
He went straight to Esther’s room, knocked, and entered.
Esther, sniffling, looked up at her father with wide eyes.
“D-Dad.”
“Why are you crying? Were you so upset I didn’t come for you?”
Blinking rapidly, Esther quickly wiped her eyes.
“No… it’s just that my eyes hurt…”
Duke Agnito gently stopped her frantic wiping.
“If you go out with such puffy eyes, people will tease you. ‘The princess with such swollen eyes,’ they’ll say.”
He handed her something from his pocket.
It was a handkerchief made of the softest silk. Esther was already familiar with it.
When the illegitimate Hanisha was born and Agnito fell into despair, Esther was born—the only future who could pull Agnito from his despair.
Since then, the Duke had spared no expense on anything related to Esther. This handkerchief was one of those things.
Seeing her father’s affection through his eyes, Esther felt her heart slowly relax.
No, she even felt a twinge of sorrow. From morning to evening, she had represented Agnito and diligently completed the event, and all that awaited her at the end was Hanisha’s schemes.
Perhaps that was why Esther wanted to cling to her gentle father with all the childlike affection she could muster.
“It’s nothing… I just… had a little fight with my sister.”
“…You mean Hanisha?”
Esther nodded.
“She made me carry things and… tormented me a little.”
She deliberately didn’t mention Hanisha opening her powers, as she feared that might mean she would have to share the affection meant only for her.
In truth, Esther didn’t particularly hate Hanisha.
Once she had reached an age where she could think clearly, she had felt pity for the mistreated Hanisha. After all, Esther had memories of her mother, but Hanisha did not.
However, now that everyone loved her and recognized her as the only Agnito princess, those feelings began to fade.
Her father’s gentle embrace. Always-kind servants and sweet desserts. The title of Agnito’s future.
But Hanisha—the daughter of the real saint.
If she had to share all that was hers with her sister…
Then what would happen to me… what would happen to Esther…
“Sniff…”
Tears began to well up again in Esther’s eyes.
Once she started crying, she rarely stopped.
Seeing this, Duke Agnito’s eyes briefly flickered with irritation.
He still had mountains of work to handle.
Yet here he was, wasting precious time soothing meaningless words from a child.
Still, he suppressed his rising anger.
“Don’t worry, Esther. I will scold Hanisha properly.”
“Really?”
Esther’s face brightened momentarily, then her shoulders slumped.
“No… it’s not that she’s really bad… um, just scold her a little.”
“Very well. My good daughter.”
Duke Agnito stroked Esther’s head.
Feeling reassured, Esther began to chatter about the day’s events.
Eventually, she grew tired and fell asleep.
Duke Agnito’s expression hardened once more, though her even breathing betrayed no sign of trouble.
Checking the time, it was past midnight.
A spark flashed in the otherwise calm Duke’s eyes.
It was already the second incident caused by Hanisha today.
Would this be the last?
He couldn’t know.
She might continue to stay by Esther’s side, shaking things up.
Esther was the only child who could wash away the family’s shame.
She had to be raised as a kind and innocent child, so the saint’s line could continue.
‘There can be no more disturbances.’
With that thought, Duke Agnito gave orders to his subordinate.
“Prepare the carriage. Only one driver. Make him a worthless fool who can vanish at any moment.”
If the illegitimate child grew any further, it would be easy enough to remove her.
After that, the Agnito household became quiet for a time. The other nobles, who had regularly visited to discuss business with Duke Agnito, stopped coming.
‘Of course, they wouldn’t completely sever ties with Agnito. There are still ventures that have been set up.’
But the important thing was that such an incident had happened, period.
“Thanks to the temple’s audit that day, I think support for the children will increase for the time being.”
Lisa cheerfully reported the rumor circulating in the mansion.
She seemed pleased that Bert and Esther no longer tormented her.
‘Of course, she’s probably sharpening her knife, waiting for the next time…’
I kept my mouth shut, deciding it was better not to mention that to Lisa.
She brought a mirror over with a “Done.”
In the mirror, I saw myself, hair braided to the sides, blinking at my reflection.
“How do you like it? Are you pleased?”
“…It doesn’t feel like me. Too cute.”
“Nonsense. You have always been cute, my lady.”
Lisa smiled proudly and smoothed the slightly crooked hairpin once more.
“The priests will be captivated at first glance when they see you like this.”
Her sparkling eyes were filled with confidence, as though she truly believed the priests would adore me.
“Th-Thank… ah-choo!”
“Oh my, you’re cold, aren’t you? Sorry.”
Lisa quickly adjusted my scarf in response to my sudden sneeze.
“They said the Eastern Temple is next to the northern region and very cold… they weren’t kidding. I should’ve brought more clothes.”
I sniffled instead of replying. She was right—it was very cold here.
It was a week after Charity Day.
Suddenly, my long-unopened door was thrown open. The head steward, whom I had never spoken to before, appeared and said bluntly:
“The Eastern Temple has contacted us. They request that you visit the temple as soon as possible.”
Children from all noble families received blessings from the temple.
But as a child born illegitimately, I had never once visited the temple.
Duke Agnito had never allowed me to leave the mansion.
Thus, the temple’s message was like a symbol of freedom—or forgiveness for my illegitimacy.
It was also why Lisa had personally rolled up her sleeves to help me get ready.
