The Duchy of Arden (3)

‘There must be a temple in the Duchy of Arden….’

As a saint, she will be assigned to a shrine in the Duchy of Arden. Her status was as high as that of the Pope, if not higher. While it would be impossible to see him every day, she would be able to visit the duchy on a pretextual basis.

The Temple would not be able to refuse her request; they would be thrilled to have Iris back in the fold!

‘Okay, I’ve decided, let’s not delay, Michael must have already arrived at the Duchy!’

Jumping up from her seat, Iris asked for a carriage to be prepared in an energetic voice.

?

“Castille…. You mean the province?”

The High Priest frowned, realizing where it was as soon as he heard it. The entire region of Castille was the Duchy of Arden.

Everywhere you went, the temple was in some bustling town or city. Moreover, it was customary for a saint to be sent to a shrine in a large city, not one in a small town or village.

The high temple in Castille was in the same city as the Duke of Arden’s manor. The High Priest’s wrinkles deepened as he realized what Iris was asking for.

“Saintess….”

“Is it impossible? There is the matter of the Duchess of Arden’s wounds and…. The Duke of Arden has given me so much, and I can only hope to repay his favor by helping his people.”

“One…. There are unsavory rumors about the two of you, and I’m afraid that now that you intend to go there, you’ll be involved in another one.”

Then there was the presence of Michael’s wife, Rosetta. The rumor has it that Rosetta was completely framed, but…. No one looked kindly on any woman who approached her husband, even if it was to heal the scars on her face.

“Nothing of the sort you fear will happen.”

Iris replied, her tone again pleading. The High Priest looked at her with disapproval. Though she hadn’t changed much in appearance or demeanor, Iris had changed strangely over the past two years.

As a saint, she should be reluctant to be rumored to be with a man, but she doesn’t seem to find it difficult…. She’s up for anything and seems to have brightened up considerably.

‘If that’s all it is, it’s probably a good thing.’

The saintly woman had suddenly become immature. A wild horse, galloping towards what it wants without regard to its surroundings….

‘I don’t think Iris was like this when she was younger….’

Iris was calm and considerate of those around her. The High Priest wondered if Iris had been repressed all her life and her personality had changed after being exposed to aristocratic society.

‘Some people give up after they’ve been turned down.’

As it turned out, Prince Michael loved the falsely accused young lady dearly, and though it was hard to see Iris by his side, it was what she wanted. It would be to the Temple’s benefit if Michael could shock her into turning her back on him.

“I understand…. I’ll post your words up there.”

“Thank you, High Priest.”

The High Priest stared at Iris as she bowed crisply. She had changed too much, he thought.

?

The carriage carrying Michael and Rosetta’s luggage didn’t arrive until after dinner, and even then, the distance, which had been shortened by the use of a teleportation circle, made her realize how far they were from the capital.

Although much of the luggage was already at the ducal residence, it still needed to be organized.

It was the servants who did the actual organizing, and even with Rosetta’s instructions, it took quite a bit of time.

It was late at night when she finished, and she was tired. Michael put her to bed first and pulled out his communication crystal ball.

He knew he would have to make his call from the other room so as not to disturb her sleep, but he still found it difficult to get her out of his sight, especially since he didn’t want to leave her alone.

Michael.

A familiar face appeared through the communication crystal ball. Michael gave a ceremonial greeting and studied the Emperor’s complexion.

“…I see the job went well.”

Yes. Is the Duchess sleeping?

“Yes. She is sound asleep.”

Alexis realized that Michael hadn’t come out of the bedroom, seeing his background.

He’d want to be more careful, given that this was Rosetta’s first day in the ducal residence. Especially since Isabelle Carulias hasn’t confessed her involvement in Lydia’s death.

Just as Annette had manipulated the confessions of the nobles, so too did the public opinion of the common people not arise of its own accord in a single day. It was the result of many rumors carefully spread by members of the imperial faction.

He hadn’t expected public opinion to turn so quickly in Rosetta’s favor, but he suspected that the issue was so sensational that rumors spread quickly.

After all, such bloodshed at the Emperor’s ball was bound to raise eyebrows.

Have you told your wife?

“I haven’t told her yet because she has a lot on her plate today.”

He felt a little uneasy at the thought of confiding in Rosetta. Public opinion had turned so quickly that he hadn’t had a chance to tell her that the incident at the ballroom was a hoax. Rosetta might not be comfortable with having to lie to people.

Now that the Duchess has been exonerated, the guilty party will be the first to make contact.

If it had been a one-off, they would have been shunned by society, but they had spent over a year tarnishing the reputation of an innocent young lady.

This was an offense that could have resulted in imprisonment, not to mention liability to each family.

If they were commoners, they could get away with it, but if they were nobles, they could be sued by the House of Whirsen and forced to pay huge reparations.

Already, Count Whirsen has been inundated with letters of apology, and I’m sure they’re doing anything to avoid their child’s imprisonment somehow.

Of course, not all families admitted guilt. To the very end, some families denied their children’s accusations and insisted they were innocent.

But the imperial court had already laid layers of traps and secured evidence.

The Dukes of Carulias have been searched and their weaknesses exploited, so their resistance will be short-lived.

The Duchy of Arden is far from here…. Nevertheless, there will be some who will send men to apologize or come in person.

Although the trial of Isabelle, the most culpable, was to be prioritized, the accusations and trials of the rest of the young ladies were to proceed sequentially. The investigation into Isabelle is incomplete, so they’re still waiting on the charges against the young ladies, but it will happen soon.

If Rosetta could give them a signature or letter of forgiveness before the trial date, they could receive a lighter sentence.

That’s why Michael’s stay at the palace was so short.

To make it harder for them to get to her.

Their reaction was predictable, as few of them had the slightest indication that they were sorry for Rosetta until Annette pressed them.

All they had to do was get their hands on some proof of forgiveness.

“I’ll never let them get close to Rosetta.”

If the Duchess wants to observe the trial, let me know. She can return to the capital, or if not, I’ll have the palace wizard arrange for her to watch through a crystal ball.

“Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty.”

Come on. This is a job that could leave long-lasting scars, so it’s good to be extra considerate.

“I am aware.”

As he spoke, Michael turned his head to look at Rosetta, who was sleeping soundly, neither tossing nor turning.

“Then…. I’ll see you later, Your Majesty.”

Yes. Have a good honeymoon, too.

With those words, the crystal ball’s light faded. Michael broke the spell on the crystal ball and stood up. Returning to the bed, Rosetta rubbed her eyes and looked at him.

“…Michael?”

“Are you awake? I should have come in more quietly….”

Michael whispered as he lay down next to Rosetta. Rosetta smiled sheepishly and snuggled into his arms. Her body was warm through the thin fabric.

“I’ll be asleep in a minute, I’m still sleepy….”

“Get some sleep. I’ll be with you.”

The words sounded as if Michael wasn’t going to sleep, but Rosetta couldn’t say another word and closed her hazy eyes. Soon her breathing became even, and Michael was satisfied.

‘Good night, Rosetta….’

?

As public opinion in the capital formed in favor of Rosetta, the first to rise to the occasion were the Count’s hired hands.

They gathered in the kitchen where the food was being prepared and talked about it. Each had an onion and a potato in their hand and was diligently peeling them, for they would have been scolded by the head maid if they were empty handed.

“So it is, then, our dear lady is innocent, and she is not evil, so that cannot be!”

“That’s right, if I saw a woman who looked like a saint or something, I’d avoid her…. Why would she keep picking on her and harassing her?”

They were secretly ostracized when they went outside the mansion, being asked “That Whirsen?” The bully wasn’t just the noble families, but the saintly Iris Leon.

They keep saying that their young lady was too foolish for such a plot, but no one would listen.

Even when people tried to look at Rosetta with their ax-like eyes, thinking, “Is it really so?” They doubt them thinking Rosetta is not mean to them because they are her servants.

Moreover, Marie, Rosetta’s maid of honor, was always jumping up and down in Rosetta’s defense, so they were in a tight spot.

“Oh, what did I tell you!”