LADBITW Chapter 3

The Blessingsayer of Axias

Ten days later, late at night, they arrived at the Axias territory.

Killian emerged from a warm bath that had melted away the fatigue of travel and paused as he entered his bedchamber.

The beautiful golden-haired, blue-eyed woman he'd brought from the Sevitas estate sat on his bed wearing only a white, translucent slip, then rose and bowed her head.

It was déjà vu—no, not even that. It was the exact scene he'd witnessed days ago.

The location had changed to his own bedchamber, and this time she seemed somewhat more present—not the vacant-faced creature from before. Yet the woman remained expressionless. Her composed, deep-set eyes lowered respectfully, demurely avoiding his gaze.

Over the past several days, he'd barely registered her existence.

Only when they stopped to rest and he glimpsed the carriage did he remember a strange woman had joined their party. She'd made no fuss during the long journey—grueling for someone experiencing it for the first time—which meant she required no attention. Convenient.

Had she been nauseous at first?

The woman said nothing.

"You're quiet tonight."

"……."

Killian walked toward the table and spoke flatly.

"Do you remember what you said that night in Sevitas?"

"……."

A beat late, the answer came.

"Yes. I remember."

The words Lietta had spoken that night were phrases the Sevitas estate's head maid had drilled into her through relentless repetition, a kind of indoctrination.

Though the strong sedative had left her unable to think clearly, fragments of memory remained.

'Grand Duke Axias saved your life. Never forget he is your benefactor and you must serve him well.'

'Whether you live or die depends on how you conduct yourself. Don't disgrace the Sevitas name. If you fail and are cast out, you'll be dragged back to die!'

Honor…

Even in her dazed state, she'd smiled faintly at those words.

Seeing this, the head maid had raised her hand as if her insides would burst, but ultimately she'd only struck her own chest with a clenched fist—she couldn't risk leaving ugly marks on flesh to be offered to a high personage.

Apart from that single smile, Lietta had merely sat blinking vacantly, her eyes unfocused.

'Why does she still look senseless? How much alucinno did those ignorant soldiers give her!'

'Repeat after me. "Grand Duke Axias." Say it!'

'"Grand Duke Axias. Thank you for sparing my life. I will serve you faithfully."'

Rough hands had seized Lietta, shaking her.

'Say it!'

Lietta recalled that night distantly, as if watching through gauze. Grand Duke Axias had rejected her when she was drugged with alucinno, not in her right mind.

His rejection had stirred nothing in her.

She would simply be dragged away to die.

It didn't matter.

Living was sordid. Dying was sordid.

But the head maid's words had been empty threats—what awaited Lietta was not death.

Lietta had been dressed beautifully and transferred to Grand Duke Axias's party like precious cargo.

They'd stopped at the house so she could gather belongings, hadn't they?

She vaguely remembered picking up a few things. That too had felt like nothing, stirred nothing.

Then came the long journey.

She'd never taken such an extended carriage trip in her life, yet she cared nothing for where they were going or what would become of her.

Whose property she became, when she would die. It was all the same…

And so Lietta's mind had drifted throughout, unmoored.

Grand Duke Axias's languid words pulled her back to reality.

"Won't you say something like 'just kill me'?"

As if she didn't understand the question, no answer came immediately.

Killian poured wine from the tray cart into a glass and continued.

"If you're going to wear that expression, it might at least be entertaining if you said something like that."

Entertainment…….

What her body, her life, meant to them.

The woman smiled weakly.

The smile barely showed on her face.

"Everything already depends on Your Grace's will. What could this humble woman say? Do as you please."

Killian gazed at her thoughtfully. He approached with his wineglass.

It doesn't matter anymore. She'd thought that, yet—

Lietta closed her eyes to avoid flinching from his hand, to avoid feeling wretched about it.

Killian Axias left her untouched and walked past.

Lietta opened her eyes blankly, blinking, as an emotionless voice came from behind her.

"Have you never heard the rumors about me?"

What kind of question was this?

There were so many rumors about him that Lietta couldn't guess which one he meant. Was he referring to the rumor that he killed women who didn't satisfy him?

It was meaningless to her anyway.

Did he want her to tremble with fear?

Perhaps it was an aristocratic taste—to enjoy such displays and toy with his playthings.

Lietta simply murmured listlessly.

"Do as you wish. Whether you let me live or kill me, take me and kill me or kill me without taking me…"

A leisurely voice continued.

"I see."

Killian set the wineglass on the bedside table and removed his coat.

"Get dressed properly. I'll summon the butler."

Standing dazed, Lietta questioned a beat late.

"……Pardon?"

Without looking at her, he said, "I don't need bedroom attendance. I'll have them give you a separate room. Go sleep there."

Lietta floundered, unable to comprehend his words, finally answering after a long pause.

"Why…?"

'Good that she's come to her senses, but she's making me repeat myself.'

Her name was Lietta, wasn't it?

Killian glanced at her face as he unbuckled his sword.

"If you wanted to be held, I'm afraid that expression isn't remotely seductive. With a face like that, even a love confession would sound like news of a family death."

Now more comfortably dressed, Killian picked up the glass he'd set down and brought it to his lips.

Having received the same critique as before, Lietta lowered her head blankly.

Again, it took a long time for her to answer.

"I apologize."

Nothing surprising about that reaction.

Killian lost interest.

"Get dressed. Don't make me say it a third time."

No matter how beautiful, he had no desire to hold a woman wearing that face.

Lietta fumbled to pull a robe over her slip.

Shortly after, Killian set down his empty glass and pulled the bell cord.

Soon a knock sounded and an elderly man's voice resonated.

"You called, Master?"

"Enter."

An aged butler with neatly groomed gray hair entered and bowed his head.

Killian gestured toward Lietta with his chin.

"Show the lady to a room where she can sleep. See that she lacks for nothing during her stay. Find her a house in the territory where she can live."

Lietta stared at him with a bewildered expression.

The butler bowed his head.

"Understood."

An indifferent gaze turned toward Lietta.

"Tonight, go sleep in the room you're shown. I'll secure you a house within the territory. Starting tomorrow, you'll live there."

Lietta couldn't muster any reply.

Killian was already no longer looking at her.

The elderly butler, as if unconcerned that she hadn't answered, quietly escorted her from the room.

The next day, Lietta followed the old butler Ern outside the castle walls.

Axias, a land the plague's grip had not yet reached, brimmed with peace and vitality.

Through the carriage window, Lietta found herself drawn to the bustling streets—a sight she hadn't seen in so long—her gaze vacant.

The weather was clear. People's faces were bright, everyone moved busily, and every corner overflowed with life's energy.

There had been a time when Sevitas, where she'd lived, was like this too.

When her husband and child were still beside her…

"We've arrived."

At Ern's voice, Lietta snapped from her reverie. Their carriage had stopped before a clean two-story house with a front yard and garden.

Lietta stared up at the house with her mouth slightly open. Not one of her neighbors in Sevitas had owned such a fine house.

"What do you think?"

Lietta couldn't answer for some time, then replied vacantly.

"It's pretty… It looks like a lovely house."

"Does it?"

Ern smiled warmly and opened the carriage door, stepping out first. Then he extended his arm to escort her.

Such courtesy—except when her husband did it playfully—was something she'd never received. Awkwardly declining, she grasped the handle herself and stepped down.

Now that the house stood before her eyes, reality began gradually returning.

I see. He's found me both a place to live and employment. How generous.

Would this be the house where she'd work and live as a resident housekeeper? It seemed rather small for a noble who could afford servants, which worried her.

Would there be a separate room for the maid? Though small, the house was so pretty and clean there seemed nothing to fault.

A clean house made work easier. If it was a house like this, even if her quarters were a shed, she'd be content.

"It's not yet half a year old—a new house. Not spacious, but it's in the inner castle district with good location, so it shouldn't be too bad for living."

"Ah. Yes…"

Ern guided Lietta toward the house, beginning to explain about location and lighting.

"Axias has a dry climate, but it rains frequently in summer. You should ventilate often during summer. Apart from being careful not to let rainwater damage the wooden window frames from exposure, there shouldn't be much to worry about."

Lietta listened attentively. Yet the most important topic—about the master of the house—still hadn't come up.

Ern went on to explain the location of nearby markets and shops where she could obtain necessities. Then, as if finished, he clasped his hands together politely and asked, "The house is roughly equipped with furniture and items necessary for immediate living. Well, does the house please you? Would you like to see inside?"

Something was strange. See inside? Necessary furniture and items were equipped?

Having denied reality, Lietta finally questioned belatedly as she stood before the house.

"The people……. who live in this house?"

Ern bowed lightly and answered.

"Are you asking if someone lived in this house? No one has occupied it yet. If Miss Tristy chooses it, you would be the first resident."

Lietta made a strange expression, thinking it couldn't possibly be.

"Perhaps… surely not, but are you saying I should live in this house… alone?"

Ern tilted his head slightly and smiled.

"Do you have someone to live with? An acquaintance in Axias perhaps…"

Lietta hastily waved her hands and answered.

"N-no. This house, I mean, you're giving it to me……. Are you asking if I like this house in that sense? Whether it would suit me to live in?"

Butler Ern saw Lietta's confusion and paused briefly as if checking whether his words had been problematic. Then he answered carefully.

"Of course."

Lietta covered her mouth in surprise and confusion.

Finding her a house meant that?

Not as a live-in maid, but entering as the owner of this house?

Lietta shook her head with a flustered face and answered.

"It's too large… Far too generous."

Butler Ern smiled warmly and replied.

"It's a house bestowed by the Lord. It cannot be more humble than this."

Humble?

Ern took out a key, unlocked the door, and guided Lietta inside.

"Let's look inside."

Unable to stubbornly refuse while he held the door open for her, she hurriedly followed him in.

Once inside, it became even clearer that the house was far too generous and fine for one person to live in alone.

The house was perfectly furnished with everything—dining table, sofa, wardrobes. All were unused new items. It was strange that despite having furniture, the house had never been used.

Lietta stood awkwardly unable to move, as if she shouldn't be there, then finally managed to speak.

"Does this happen often?"

She'd thought it would be a house where she'd work as a live-in maid. But her own house?

She hadn't even gone around with the butler looking at houses.

The butler had simply had her board the carriage and come straight here, then opened the door with a key. As if there had been a house prepared in advance for just such an occasion.

The answer that came with Ern's smile confirmed her suspicion.

"If you're asking whether the Master often bestows houses for those he brings to stay, it happens occasionally. You needn't feel burdened. Would you like to see other houses?"

Lietta shook her head vacantly.

"No… No."

'Is the butler testing how shameless I am?'

Lietta asked with a cautious attitude.

"I don't mean the house doesn't please me, but is there a smaller house?"

Ern answered.

"Most are similar in size, but there are larger houses if you wish. Shall we go see them?"

At the old butler's answer, Lietta set aside her complicated thoughts. She hadn't the nerve to trouble him further. She simply bowed her head in resignation, feeling overwhelmed.

"Then with apologies, I'll take this house…"

"You will? Very well. Then I'll instruct the servants to bring your luggage this evening."

Ern said this and asked Lietta to extend her hand.

When Lietta reflexively extended her hand, Ern drew a coin purse from his breast and placed it in her palm.

Clink. A heavy weight and the sound of metal clinking together.

The loosely tied purse gaped slightly, revealing the gold coins inside.

Lietta's eyes widened.

Ern continued.

"This is settlement support money. Use it for one month's living expenses."

Lietta's face went blank seeing Ern offer an amount she'd never touched in her life, calling it one month's living expenses.

Before the words it's too much could leave her mouth, the old butler calmly continued as if he'd anticipated she would say exactly that.

"It's your first time, so there will be many expenses. Axias also has higher prices than Sevitas. For the next year, I'll come monthly to give you half this amount."

Lietta's face went stupid as she questioned.

"You'll give me money every month?"

"Yes. The reason we don't give it all at once is the risk of thieves or loss. Take your time considering your future livelihood, and if you're at a loss about making ends meet or unsure what to do, feel free to come ask anytime."

She was struck speechless with confusion. Yet Ern's words weren't finished.

"If you wish to open a shop or buy land, come find me anytime and tell me. If the business scale is large, you'll need to prepare a business plan, but most likely the Master will review and approve it."

Approve a business? Give her land?

Unable to gather her wits, Lietta suddenly realized why he was being so generous and closed her mouth as if doused with cold water.

This is payment.

She had no dignity left to feel humiliated about it.

She stood dumbly, then carefully, trying not to seem rude, hesitantly held the coin purse back out to Ern.

"I have money I brought from Sevitas. That will be sufficient."

The old butler answered without hesitation.

"Please don't refuse. It's my duty to ensure the Master's people lack for nothing."

Lietta thought Ern was speaking elegantly in euphemism.

She didn't withdraw her hand but bit her lip and lowered her head, then raised the purse a bit higher, offering it again.

"…His Grace didn't hold me. I cannot accept this money."

Ern answered calmly.

"I know."

"Pardon?"

Killian didn't send women he'd held away in such manner in the middle of the night. To Lietta, whose eyes widened in surprise at something she couldn't have known, Ern bowed instead of explaining at length.

"There was room for misunderstanding in my words. I apologize. I meant nothing else. Since the Lord brought you here, Miss Tristy is the Lord's subject and the Lord's person."

Lietta looked at Ern with a confused expression.

After a long pause she opened her mouth, but foolish words tumbled out unbidden.

"Butler……. you're being kind to me because I spent the night with him……. isn't that it?"

The aged butler smiled.

"I'm simply showing proper courtesy to someone the Master looks after."

After Ern left and she was alone in the house, Lietta sat on the bed blankly.

What conversation had she just had with the old butler?

Everything felt unreal.

Before the confusion of suddenly having a generous house and frightening sum of money—

The fact that he'd simply left her alone.

The fact that she'd been released couldn't sink in yet.

Just a short while ago, hadn't she been living confined to the house, waiting day by day for the day she'd be buried with Casarius's corpse?

She still felt as if guards were outside watching to ensure she didn't escape.

The peaceful birdsong outside made Lietta's shoulders tremble.

As if finally waking from the alucinno she'd drunk before moving here.