Chapter 21: Chapter 23

My eyes widened at the unexpected words of the Grand Duke.

“Title of nobility?”

“Yes”

“Oh,”

I didn’t mishear it. I was speechless. I never thought I’d get such an offer.

“At this point, I’m sure there will be people who will think it’s strange if I suddenly get a title.”

After being expelled from the Sorne family, suddenly getting a title would create a controversy.

I would stand out too much….

Grand Duke Hamilton spoke as if he read my thoughts.

“You don’t have to worry; I’m not asking you to appear in the noble society again but only to get a title.”

“What do you mean?”

“The title is just a protective measure.”

She frowned and tried to understand the Grand Duke’s words.

“For example…?”

“For example, you can avoid being recorded as someone who suddenly died like a few days ago because the death of nobles must be confirmed directly.”

Certainly, having a noble status could give her more protection under the imperial law.

“But… I think it’s just that the title would only get me more attention.”

“Then I will give you the title privately.”

“What? Oh…. Right. I can receive the title here in the principality.”

It was then that she remembered the fact that she had forgotten for a while because of the sudden offer of the Grand Duke.

The man in front of her is the owner of a frozen land located in the northern part of the empire.

The principality is a land that is recognized for its autonomy. Therefore, the duke was able to confer a peerage at his discretion at any time to anyone in the principality.

And nobles with the title he gave can also be protected by imperial law.

Why did I forget this?

Then there is no reason to refuse.

I can definitely gain some things from this.

“Well, there is no reason to refuse, if your Highness gives me a title behind closed doors.” she quickly seized the opportunity that came before her eyes.

Then a satisfied smile came to the mouth of Grand Duke Hamilton.

“Good choice,”

Then the Grand Duke took a long scroll out of his pock and handed it to me.

“I think you’ll have to choose from here first.”

“What’s this?”

I glanced at the scroll and the Grand Duke alternately, giving him a questioning look.

“They are families that had lost their homes because of an accident or they suddenly disappeared.”

“I see,”

When I opened the scroll, I saw the names of quite a few families.

Among them, there were names I had heard of, and there were some names that were completely forgotten now.

So many families have disappeared.

Somehow, I felt strange.

I’m sure they’ve raised their families with great care. But you never know how life will go.

A tower built with great care can collapse or become more solid.

From now on, I must destroy the tower built by the Duke of Valkyr.

I hope you’ll keep it high until then. The higher you climb, the more miserable you will be when you collapse.

Thinking of Duke Valkyr, who was happily enjoying his00 glory made my stomach boil.

The duke, who did not know what I was thinking, tilted his head a little as my answer had been delayed.

“Do you feel uncomfortable?”

“What?”

“Most of the families listed there were destroyed due to bad events, so it is worth noting.”

“Ah. No. It’s not uncomfortable at all. I’m just a little worried.”

I shook my head quickly, denying the Grand Duke’s thoughts.

“Really? Then I’ll give you time to think.”

“I’ll tell you by tomorrow morning.”

The Grand Duke nodded and stood up.

The duke, who was about to leave the room, remembered something he had forgotten to say.

“I almost forgot; I’m going to the capital again tomorrow morning.”

“Capital?”

He nodded with a troubled look.

“My brother has issued a convocation order. Maybe it’s because of the kidnapping of young people throughout the empire.”

I nodded with a serious look at the Grand Duke’s words.

Because of the disaster predicted by God, worries and anxieties filled the empire. When kidnapping of the children took place the atmosphere became even more horrendous.

Suddenly, I remembered Emily, who must be admiring her room right now.

Emily is also about the same age as the kidnapped children.

“I hope you can catch the culprit”

The Grand Duke was surprised for a moment then said;

“…maybe the meeting won’t be long. It will take about three days.”

“You’re going to the capital, right?”

“Is there a problem?”

“No, I have a favor to ask of you.”

Ivan replied with a faint smile.

“This would be my first work for you. I have to work hard.”

“Well, I’d be honored,”

I took out the books of the Sorne family, which I had kept, and handed them over to the Duke.

“It’s… “

“It’s a book that my father had hidden secretly. This will keep my father’s feet tied for a while.”

Maybe I can keep it tied for the rest of my life.

“Yes, I’ll do my best.”

“Yes please.”

Ivan shrugged his shoulders and left the room.

clatter~

After the Grand Duke left, I remained alone in the room and looked at the names of the extinct families.

***

The capital was bustling with the return of the saint.

That’s because rumors of the saint’s party, who had won a great victory from the first disaster, already spread.

“People are sprinkling flowers!”

Hestine covered her mouth with her hands as they walked past her, sprinkling all kinds of flowers and cheering.

Berkian, who was sitting next to her, smiled at Hestine’s pure response.

“Of course. You’re on this march.”

“That means….”

“Yes, they are here to be blessed by your existence.”

Hestia wept at Brother’s definite answer.

I can’t believe this is all for me.

“Well, the new saint is full of tears.”

“Oh… I’m sorry. Bishop Rondell.”

Hestine dropped her shoulders and apologized, and Berkian gave the bishop a sharp look.

It was an unspoken order to calm her down quickly.

Bishop Rondell’s pride was hurt for a moment by Berkian’s gaze, who was much younger than him, but he managed his expression because he was his money line.

Bishop Rondell, sighing in his heart, comforted Hestine with a gracious smile.

“Oh, dear. I didn’t mean to reproach the saint.”

“Is that so?”

When Hestine asked, wiping away her tears, Bishop Rondell nodded and said,

“Of course! I was just impressed by the gentle heart of the saint.”

“I wish you had said so from the beginning.”

Bishop Rondell smiled awkwardly at Berkian’s sarcasm and bowed again to apologize.

“I’m sorry, Prince, and the Saint.”

At last, Hestine threw off her sullen face at the repeated apology of the bishop.

“No, I was the one who misinterpreted what the bishop said.”

“…thank you for your generous understanding,” said the bishop, with a bitter mouth.

This led to an awkward silence in Hestine’s carriage at the center of the march.

Berkian clicked his tongue briefly and caressed Hestine’s shoulder.

“Brother?”

“Hestine. You, the Heroine of this march, you shouldn’t look like that.”

“I’m sorry…”

“Come on. Smile. Show a smile to those who serve you.”

Under Berkian’s gentle pressure, Hestine forced the corners of her mouth up.

As my brother said, I don’t think I should be depressed as the main character of this march.

‘Because I am a saint’

The shouts of the people did not stop until the carriage reached the Imperial Palace.

***

“Brother, I’m so nervous.”

Hestine could not hide her nervousness before visiting the emperor.

Where did the excitement of the hospitality so far go, and Hestine bit her lips and trembled with anxiety?

“You don’t have to worry about it. You are no longer a humble citizen, but a Valkyr and saint.”

“Yes, but…….”

“Hestine, when are you going to throw that ugly side of you. Don’t you know that you now belong to the Duke of Valkyr?”

Hestine stepped back at Berkian’s reproachful gaze.

It was a reflex action.

Berkian, seeing Hestine like that, recovered his expression belatedly.

“Hestine, you have won the flag of victory in your first battle against disaster. You have made a great contribution.”

In fact, Hestine did little.

She just gave the knights a blessing a couple of times just to show she’s doing something.

Originally, Hestine had to take the lead in purifying the demons.

But her brother, Berkian, blocked it.

Saying that she should not waste her energy to save only a small village.

“So, His Majesty will welcome you well.”

Only then did Hestine nod to Berkian’s words and face, which had become quite soft.

“Your Majesty wants you to come in.”

After a conversation between the two siblings, the emperor’s servant spoke softly.

Berkian cleared his throat and covered Hestine’s shoulder.

“let’s go,”

Hestine was led into the reception room by Berkian.

Then they saw the emperor sitting on the high throne.

He was always beautiful and dignified.

She was scared at his arrogant smile as if a sharp knife was hidden behind it but, on the other hand, she is also afraid her heart would be stolen by him.

Hestine who was staring at the king did not show any courtesy.

Berkian noticed Hestine’s situation, hurried her.

“Hestine!”

“Oh… I’m sorry!”

To Berkian’s urgent voice, Hestine bent her knees late.