Chapter 5

"I was able to heal the wound itself... but the pain may linger for a while."

In the healing room where the priests of the royal palace wait, Exis, who used to be the High Priest, told this to Rishel while casting a recovery spell on her. Exis is a middle-aged man with a sharp, brown-haired appearance. This is Rishel's private healing room, and only Rishel and Exis are present.

"---Because of me... Lady Rishel had to endure such treatment. I am truly sorry."

Exis bowed his head and apologized to Rishel.

"---No, please don't worry. Everyone makes mistakes."

Saying this, Rishel lowered her eyes. Yes, the one who had given the prophecy of the Holy Maiden was Exis, when he was the High Priest, the highest-ranking position in the temple. The Holy Maiden he announced was Rishel. However, Rishel could not handle the power of the Holy Maiden, and it was Maria who could use it. He was dismissed from his position as High Priest for misinterpreting the prophecy and is now Rishel's dedicated healer.

Why did the prince, who is hostile to Rishel, assign a healer with such high divine power as Priest Exis to Rishel? Rishel wondered, but it was probably to make others think that he had colluded to designate Rishel as the Holy Maiden. She also speculated that it was to hide the marks of violence.

After a moment of silence—after confirming that no one else was around—

"I still believe that you are the Holy Maiden."

Exis whispered in a low voice.

"Please stop. It will only raise suspicions. You know better than anyone the position I am in now."

"…I am sorry."

Rishel felt frustrated at Exis's apology. If he hadn't given the wrong prophecy that Rishel was the Holy Maiden, this situation wouldn't have happened. Of course, she knew that he didn't do it out of malice. If he had, he wouldn't have been dismissed from his position as High Priest.

Still—this person took away my happiness.

Is he still trying to make me unhappy? Exis, who was once the High Priest, was a first-rate healer. The pain and the wound were gone, though a slight scar remained.

Rishel thanked Exis and left the room. When he offered to be her guard, Rishel declined. If she had a guard in the castle, the prince would become openly displeased, thinking that she didn't trust him.

She needed to check the status of the rebellion soon.

Suddenly, looking down into the courtyard with an open atrium, she saw the Holy Maiden Maria. Next to her stood Franz, Rishel's ex-fiancé, leaning close to her.

Rishel felt dizzy. When did they become so close? Why are they talking alone when the prince is around?

Most of all, the look in his eyes as he gazed at Maria—told the story of his love for her. It was the same look Franz used to give Rishel.

For Rishel, he had always been her only support. She had believed, without any evidence, that he would never betray her. But it was all an illusion. ……I have nothing left.

His eyes, as he looked at Maria, were the very eyes of someone in love. Rishel felt her heart being crushed. At least, I didn't want him to look at another woman like that in front of me. I wanted to keep dreaming a little longer.

Without any support… why do I even live?

Rishel quickly left the scene, unaware of the Holy Maiden's pleased gaze following her.

■□■

"Please be careful, Father."

Rishel called out to her father, Guen, who was heading to suppress the rebellion. It was the first time in a long while that she was allowed to meet him, as he had come to report that he was heading out to suppress the rebellion within the palace. Guen looked around and said,

"Yes. It shouldn't take long to suppress it.

...But more importantly,"

Guen gently touched Rishel's cheek, which was slightly bruised from being hit.

"Are you alright?"

Guen's words made Rishel feel as if she was being blamed for not performing her duties, and she lowered her eyes. Her father Guen had always been a man who dedicated everything to the country. When assassins attacked the king, her mother, and Rishel at a social event, Guen chose the king over his wife without hesitation.

As a result, her mother died protecting Rishel.

Her father must be disappointed in her current inability to serve the country. Rishel concluded this and looked back at Guen.

"Yes, I may not be perfect, but I will do my best."

"That's not what I meant. I..."

Just as Guen was about to say something,

"Lord Guen!!! The enemy intends to occupy the Longjard fortress!!! A messenger has arrived!!!"

"Understood!!! I'm on my way!!! Rishel, after this battle, let's meet again. I have something to talk about."

Saying this, Guen left, and Rishel watched his back with anxiety. However, Rishel and Guen never met again after that.

■□■

The rebellion led by the commoners was suppressed by Guen's efforts. However, Guen fell off a cliff during the battle and could not be found despite the soldiers' desperate search.

Rishel felt an urge to rush to the scene immediately, but the prince would never allow it. She felt frustrated that she could only worry.

Maria, who had finally realized that her policies had been hurting the people due to the rebellion, became depressed and secluded herself in her room. The prince, who was now preoccupied with her, stopped harassing Rishel.

She felt a sense of relief at the end of the unjustified abuse and violence, but it happened at a banquet held to encourage the Holy Maiden Maria.

"The engagement is broken off due to the crime of inciting the rebellion—"

Suddenly, the prince announced this in the center of the banquet hall, and Rishel froze. A murmur spread through the hall.

What is he talking about? Who would believe such a lie?

I, who was confined in the capital with restricted contact with others, the mastermind of the rebellion? And the one who suppressed the rebellion was my father, who died in the battle.

Through my father, perhaps the rebellion could have been planned. But I was also restricted from meeting my father Guen. Without any connections to the Longjard region, how could I have incited the rebellion?

Rishel was stunned, but as she looked around, everyone averted their eyes.

Then, Rishel realized. There are no sane people left in this country.