Chapter 46
‘I shouldn’t underestimate the Adventurers’ Guild’s intelligence network.’
Of course, I couldn’t say for certain that every Adventurers’ Guild had such capable information channels.
It might simply be that Dante Veratis himself was exceptional.
‘As expected—Lycian’s friend really is something.’
How much did he know?
Only that I was the Duke of Tierney’s daughter and the Duchess of Winterberg?
Or the hidden truths beyond that?
I met his gaze head-on. Whatever Dante was thinking, I had nothing to be ashamed of.
I was firmly resolved to divorce Raul, and I wouldn’t mind saying so outright.
In any case, I was already as good as abandoned by Raul. The divorce papers simply hadn’t been filed yet—that was the only difference. In every other way, we were strangers.
Once I used ‘Fate Distortion’ and freed myself from this abnormal status condition, all that would remain would be the formalities.
I let out a slow breath and began.
“There’s no reason to hide it at this point, so I’ll tell you the truth.”
“……”
“My full name is Muriel Tierney Winterberg. I’m the Duke of Tierney’s daughter—and the Duchess of Winterberg.”
As expected, Dante didn’t look surprised. He merely tugged one corner of his mouth upward.
The one who looked truly shocked was Allen, who had clearly known none of this.
“Th-the Duchess of Winterberg…?! The wife of this territory’s lord? Ms. Muriel, you’re a noble?”
At Allen’s stunned question, I scratched my cheek awkwardly.
“Well… technically. Though I’m not exactly living like one.”
“B-but you said you hated nobles, Ms. Muriel. It didn’t sound like a lie….”
“That’s—”
“She could’ve been acting.”
Dante cut in before I could answer. His violet eyes were sharp enough to pierce through me.
“Allen, maybe she said that to win you and the others over. And in the end, it worked, didn’t it?”
Allen hesitated, then clenched his fist as if mustering courage.
“Even so, Ms. Muriel is truly a good person. I still believe that….”
Dante let out a quiet sigh, then turned his gaze—not to Allen, but to me.
“As you can see, Allen’s too naive to make cold judgments. Daphne is at least cautious, but her thinking is rather straightforward. And Mikhail… well, who knows what he’s thinking.”
“……”
“Ms. Muriel—or should I address you as the Duchess of Winterberg?”
“Just Muriel is fine. I’m not treated much like a duchess anyway.”
“Very well, Ms. Muriel. I’ve heard that you possess purification abilities. I can’t fully believe it until I see it with my own eyes, but I doubt Allen and the others would lie. So it’s probably true.”
“……”
“For us, joining hands with a Purifier would be beneficial. You will undoubtedly become someone whose name is remembered in history. However…”
Dante trailed off and glanced at Lycian. Lycian, arms crossed, was glaring at him with a frigid expression.
“There are quite a few unsavory rumors about you. I don’t believe all of them, of course. But frankly speaking, it’s an open secret that the Tierney family has committed its share of unjust deeds. I’m not sure it’s wise for us to board the same ship as the daughter of such a house.”
“…I understand.”
“And I can’t help but question your intentions in keeping Lycian by your side.”
“…?”
I frowned slightly, tilting my head.
‘Does he think I’m using Lycian?’
For a split second, the Husbandry skill flashed through my mind, and guilt pricked at me. But that hadn’t been my choice—and I swore to the heavens, I wasn’t using Lycian.
I lifted my chin, ready to refute him—
Wham!
Something flew from beside me straight at Dante’s forehead. He swiftly raised a hand and snatched it out of the air.
An empty coffee cup.
The one who’d thrown it was—
‘L-Lycian!’
Startled, I turned to him. Lycian’s face was terrifyingly cold.
“Watch your words, Dante Veratis. She is not someone you may speak of carelessly.”
His voice had dropped to a chilling low. Dante frowned, tilting his head.
“…I don’t get it. Is this really the prince I know? That nasty temper hasn’t changed, so you haven’t been body-swapped… Did you take some kind of elixir?”
…In truth, Lycian was under the influence of something far stronger than any love potion. My Husbandry skill.
A stab of guilt hit my stomach. But I couldn’t reveal that.
Before things escalated further, clearing up Dante’s misunderstanding was the priority.
They might not get along perfectly, but they were still friends. I couldn’t let them fight because of me.
‘First, calm Lycian down.’
I wrapped my hand tightly around his. He flinched and looked at me. Meeting his eyes, I shook my head firmly.
‘Don’t fight.’
“……”
I hadn’t spoken aloud, but he understood.
As expected, Lycian let out a quiet sigh and blinked a couple of times. Then he interlaced his fingers with mine, firmly.
‘Thank you.’
I mouthed the words and offered him a soft smile.
He gave me a faint one in return and whispered without sound.
‘I’m sorry.’
Dante watched our silent exchange with a strange expression.
“I don’t know if I’m dreaming or awake….”
He muttered as if dazed, then drained the cold coffee in his cup in one gulp.
When his gaze returned to me, I quickly spoke.
“I understand what you’re worried about… but I swear, I’m not trying to use Lycian.”
“……”
“To be honest, I don’t even really know who he is. One day, he was collapsed on top of my vegetable patch, so I just… picked him up.”
“…Picked him up?”
Sensing this would take some explaining, I cleared my throat.
Then I told Dante and Allen everything—how I came to live alone in the contaminated zone, and how I happened to pick up Lycian.
When I finished, silence filled the drawing room. Dante’s lips parted as if he had many thoughts, while Allen… oddly enough, looked a little angry.
“…?”
Why was he angry?
The answer came quickly.
Allen began fiercely criticizing Raul, his voice trembling with indignation.
“No matter what someone’s done, how can you just abandon them in a contaminated zone? Living there long enough makes you sick—it can kill you…! He would’ve known that!”
I stared at Allen, wide-eyed.
Being abandoned in a contaminated zone—was that this gentle person’s sore spot?
‘Could it be…?’
The suspicion had barely formed when Dante reached out and patted Allen’s shoulder.
“Calm down, Allen. I understand how you feel.”
“……”
Allen pressed his lips together, eyes growing glossy with tears. He raised his sleeve to wipe at them.
“I’m sorry… Mr. Dante, Ms. Muriel… It just brought back bad memories….”
“It’s okay. That’s understandable.”
“I-I’ll step out for a bit. You can continue talking.”
Was he embarrassed by his sudden anger and tears? Or was it something he didn’t want others to see?
Allen hurried toward the door. But just before grasping the handle, he paused and turned back to Dante, still sniffling.
“Mr. Dante… please don’t push Ms. Muriel too hard. I truly think she’s a good person… and I believe the kindness she showed me wasn’t fake. I’m sure she has her reasons too.”
“……”
Dante let out a long sigh and waved him off.
“Alright, alright. Go wash your face with some cold water. If everyone finds out you were crying, it’ll be chaos.”
Allen sniffled softly, nodded, and stepped into the corridor.
Click.
As the door shut, heavy silence settled over the drawing room again.
I looked at Dante as if to say, Well?
He cleared his throat awkwardly.
“Please don’t misunderstand. I wasn’t trying to paint you as a villain, Ms. Muriel. I was simply….”
His gaze flicked to Lycian. Rubbing his face with one hand, he continued.
“This is just the first time I’ve seen something like this. I was curious what kind of magic was at play, so I tested you a little.”
“…?”
“You may not know much about Lycian, Ms. Muriel, but he’s never been particularly warm toward others. And he’s certainly not the type to be bound by anyone.”
“Ah….”
‘So he tried to scratch at me a bit and see what peeled off—and it didn’t work.’
I let out a hollow laugh and met Dante’s eyes.
“You seem to know Lycian well, Mr. Dante. Then you must also know he’s not someone who can be used by another.”
“That’s….”
Dante’s lips twitched before he finally conceded.
“You’re right. Lycian isn’t someone who can be used. It seems I worried for nothing.”
Beside me, Lycian let out a faint, airy scoff.
I lightly tickled his fingers, then asked Dante,
“If I told you that all the rumors about me were false—that the crimes I supposedly committed were nothing but slander—would you believe me?”
Dante opened his mouth, then looked off into the distance with an awkward expression.
“I’m sorry. I tend to be suspicious.”
“That’s fair.”
“However… yes. Allen may be naive, but he has a good eye for people. And from what I’ve seen… you don’t seem like a bad person.”
“……”
“And I’m sure there’s a reason Lycian stays by your side.”
Dante exhaled a sigh as heavy as stone and rose from his seat, walking to the side table.
After some clattering, he returned with herbal tea. The scent of chamomile spread softly through the air.
Sitting down again, he took a sip before speaking.
“I won’t pry further into your personal matters, Ms. Muriel. If you wish to tell me more, I’ll listen. In any case… shall we move on to the real topic?”
It had taken quite a process to get here. I tasted the chamomile tea and gave a faint smile.
“I’d like to form a cooperative partnership with the Veratis Guild, Mr. Dante.”