Chapter 8 Part 13
‘Why is the Duke here?’
His territory for the subjugation was on the opposite side.
Tartan dismounted from his horse. He immediately approached Sharun and made the sign of the cross. Pleased with his actions, Sharun extended her hand.
It was the blessing of the Holy Maiden. Without hesitation, Tartan kissed the back of her hand.
“This lady is indeed the Holy Maiden. Escort her to the castle at once.”
The duke’s knights quickly surrounded Sharun.
“Please, come this way, Holy Maiden.”
“Thank you for your help.”
Sharun followed the knights with a gentle greeting.
“Please, mount up.”
One of the knights offered her a horse. Sharun had one of the soldiers crouch down so she could use his back as a step to get onto the horse.
Aksion frowned at the duke’s actions.
“Her identity has not been verified.”
“No, this lady is indeed the Holy Maiden. Can’t you feel the holy power?”
The Mahart family was known for their sensitivity to holy power. People often said the Maharts could “read” holy power, meaning they could sense and even determine someone’s status based on the holy power they emitted.
“Let’s return at once.”
The knights escorting the Holy Maiden began to move. The duke turned and left the forest.
“Do you think she is the real Holy Maiden?”
“Why did the Duke appear so suddenly…?”
The confused knights murmured amongst themselves. Aksion turned his gaze away from the spot where the duke had vanished.
“We will return to the castle after completing the subjugation.”
“Form up!”
At Jacob’s command, the knights arranged themselves.
The subjugation in the valley, aided by Elia’s illusions, ended swiftly.
On the way back to the castle, Sharun became the topic of conversation.
People questioned whether she was truly the Holy Maiden. However, the duke’s appearance had all but confirmed her identity.
Before entering the castle, Elia spoke quietly from beside him.
“Aksion, do you believe she is the Holy Maiden?”
“…In terms of holy power, yes.”
There was no room for doubt. However, the timing of the Holy Maiden’s appearance was strangely early.
The atmosphere in Mahart Castle was tense. Elia nodded.
“Let’s go in together.”
A banquet awaited them inside.
Elia attended the banquet as Aksion’s wife. When they entered, Tartan announced the start of the meal.
“Please, take your seats.”
The dinner began in a state of confusion.
“Greetings, I am Sharun Deias, the 34th Holy Maiden of the Temple of Light.”
Sharun slightly bent her knees, holding the hem of her dress.
The Crown Prince and Sharun, the two honored guests of the duke’s castle, sat facing each other.
“Oh, I forgot to mention, thank you all for inviting me. Crown Prince, young lord.”
Sharun’s delicate smile brightened her face. The Crown Prince paused momentarily while cutting his meat.
“I don’t recall inviting you here.”
“Of course not. I came with everyone’s permission.”
Her gentle voice and polite demeanor seemed to be ingrained from her teachings at the temple. Yet Sharun performed everything with an air of naturalness.
The Crown Prince, observing her closely, asked further.
“When will the Holy Maiden return?”
“I am also on a pilgrimage, like Your Highness. When I return is up to the will of the god. Therefore, I plan to stay at the duke’s castle a bit longer.”
At her mention of the pilgrimage, Varlan’s expression turned cold for a moment.
Ignoring the Crown Prince’s reaction, the duke offered Sharun hospitality.
“Stay as long as you wish.”
“Thank you. The duke is indeed a warm person.”
Was it natural for the duke to show such favor simply because she was a Holy Maiden?
The duke’s attitude towards Sharun was almost that of a devoted follower.
“Let’s get along well, Princess.”
Sharun’s gaze finally landed on Elia. She mouthed words only Elia could see.
‘I told you, we would meet again.’
Something was going wrong. Sharun’s words were soon masked by her warm smile.
“Take care of her.”
The castle’s maids escorted Sharun to the guest quarters.
Duke Tartan stood as if guarding the path Sharun took. A sword rested at his side, the Sun Sword hidden within its sheath.
‘No opening.’
Elia needed to retrieve the Sun Sword, but the duke never let it out of his sight, making it difficult to find an opportunity.
His obsession was abnormal, as if he knew someone would try to take the sword.
While Elia watched the sword, Sharun turned around.
“Duke, may I have a moment of your time? I want to express my gratitude for letting me stay here.”
“Of course.”
The duke approached Sharun.
The two climbed the stairs and disappeared from sight.
Elia felt she would not sleep soundly tonight.
* * *
The next afternoon.
The monster subjugation was scheduled to be halted for two weeks. Although it was time for the knights to check their equipment, the extended period was unusual. Everyone suspected it was due to the esteemed guest staying at the castle.
‘It’s fortunate we get to rest for a while, but…’
Leaving Sharun at the castle while they went on subjugation missions made them uneasy. The most concerning issue was the relationship between Tartan and Sharun.
‘What is Sharun planning to do here…?’
There was no such thing as purposeless actions. Elia left her room, hoping to clear her mind by heading to the garden.
However, there were guests who had arrived before her.
“Please bestow your blessing upon me, Holy Maiden,” Marcus prayed with his hands clasped.
The elders of Mahart were gathered before Sharun, seeking her blessing. Holy power gathered in Sharun’s hands. The pure and sacred energy she emitted was greater than that of the high priest, bathing the elders in divine light.
“This is true holy power,” Marcus remarked in awe. He had recently fallen and injured himself, but the holy power had healed his wounds completely. Everyone knew his pointed remark was directed at Aksion.
“I ask for your blessing as well.”
“Please bless us.”
The gathered elders were either neutral or supporters of the duke centered around Marcus.
“Of course,” Sharun said with a benevolent smile, touching each elder’s forehead.
“Indeed, the god has not forsaken Mahart. The Holy Maiden is on the duke’s side!” Marcus declared loudly, drawing the attention of the onlookers.
Elia, watching the scene, made eye contact with Sharun.
“Hello, Princess. The weather is lovely, isn’t it?”
All eyes turned to Elia, forcing her to step into the garden. The ground was still wet from the rain the previous night.
“Hello, Sharun. Are you sharing your holy power?”
“Yes. There are many people in need. I must share it willingly if my help is required.”
Impressed by the noble words befitting a Holy Maiden, Marcus praised her.
“She is truly compassionate, unlike some others.”
He didn’t forget to shoot a glare at Elia. Despite the embarrassment from the last party, he remained consistently irritating.
When Elia did not respond, Marcus, visibly upset, openly mocked her.
“Princess, why don’t you seek her blessing as well?”
“I am always willing,” Sharun said, smiling brightly. Elia shook her head in refusal.
“I’m fine. I am in good health.”
Sharun smiled but said nothing, looking at Elia as if she were a skeptic defying the temple’s teachings.
“Holy power not only heals the body but also brings peace to the mind.”
“Of course. If it’s due to some strange pride…,” Marcus trailed off. His gaze shifted behind Elia.
“My wife does not need a blessing,” Aksion said, pulling Elia into his embrace. Their eyes met as he held her close.
“You are my blessing,” he whispered sweetly, causing Elia to blink in surprise.
The knights behind Aksion began to cheer at the sight.
“They truly have the best relationship here.”
“Hah, I need to find someone to love.”
The knights’ envious and exasperated comments created a noisy atmosphere.
Sharun passed by Elia and stood between the knights and Aksion.
“Shall I bless the knights as well?”
Who could refuse the Holy Maiden’s kind offer? But Jacob, with a smile, gently pushed Sharun away.
“Thank you for your concern, but we are fine.”
“Holy Maiden, there is no need to trouble yourself with such people,” Marcus said, waving his hand hurriedly. However, Sharun responded with nothing but a serene smile.
