MHHC Chapter 30

Jealousy

Adelheid's pale green eyes widened into perfect circles. Did she love him? The question arrived so unexpectedly that at first she could barely comprehend its meaning—could not even register the miraculous fact that Valentin had spoken the words without a single stammer, his voice threaded through with something smooth and dangerous.

She blinked several times before managing to ask, "So... you're asking if I love my husband?"

"Adele."

He spoke her name with the cadence of appeasement, his smile blooming beautiful across his features—but unlike his usual expressions, this one carried a chill beneath its surface, like frost forming on glass in the dead hours before dawn.

"The... only one... you should call... husband... is me."

Even his intonation felt wrong, stiff and mechanical, stripped of his characteristic hesitation. Which meant, if one heard only these words, he might sound like someone driven half-mad with jealousy—

The moment that thought crystallized in her mind, Adelheid dropped her gaze in confusion. Surely not. Jealousy? Truly?

'Why?'

She tried to answer with composure, but once the awareness took root, her voice emerged trembling like a leaf caught in wind.

"It's... it's not love or anything like that."

Valentin's expression softened with what looked like relief at her answer. Yet like a hunter checking two or three times whether his prey's breath had truly ceased, he pressed further with renewed interrogation.

"Then?"

"The reason I asked you to return him is because in the human world, when a leader disappears without a proper heir, the damage inflicted upon the territory's people is catastrophic."

"......"

The Shadow would depart from Valentin's body the instant it fulfilled the first contract in its entirety. No one could harbor affection for the leash constraining them. The problem was that when that moment arrived, Ansgar would lose both its leader and its spiritual pillar simultaneously.

'It would become a bloodbath in an instant.'

The rumors about Valentin's resurrection grew more embellished with each territory they crossed—flesh accumulating on bone, transforming into something increasingly divine. Adelheid thought that by the time these whispers reached the capital, she wouldn't be surprised if Valentin had become Morig's avatar incarnate. She could wager her life on it, if someone dared make the bet.

The Emperor publicly called Valentin his most beloved nephew, desperate to bestow upon him even greater power and wealth. Had he not feared the Empress and her family's reach, Ansgar would likely be hundreds of times more prosperous than it was now.

Such an Emperor would never let this opportunity slip through his fingers. And where money flowed, all manner of parasites inevitably swarmed, hungry for crumbs and carrion.

"Lord Oskar does remain, but he frequently absents himself from the territory. If Your Grace were to die suddenly during one of those absences, vultures from every direction would descend upon Ansgar with ravenous intent. They might even go to war over it. And even if that doesn't happen..."

Adelheid hesitated. She wanted to prevent Oskar from inheriting the Grand Duchy at all costs. That man had never abandoned his ambition to claim her—his former sister-in-law—as his wife.

But this was too personal a reason to voice aloud. Adelheid grasped for another justification and found it.

"The Grand Duke has managed Ansgar's territory stably for a long time. He governs the land better than anyone, so even after Valentin... departs, we can rest assured."

"......"

"If things work out that way, I'll be free too, so... eventually, I definitely want to visit the Ivory Tower. I'd like to study herbology more deeply."

Perhaps, while pursuing truth in the Ivory Tower, she might discover a method to nullify a contract with a demon. After all, every conceivable form of knowledge converged there, in that labyrinthine repository of secrets.

"Hmm."

Valentin looked less than satisfied with her answer, but he didn't press further. As he closed his mouth, awkward silence flooded the room like water seeping through cracks. Then—

Knock, knock.

The sound of a fist striking wood, heavy and deliberate.

"Your Graces. Are you awake?"

Margaret's voice filtered through. Valentin glanced toward the door, then bent to retrieve the dagger that had fallen to the floor—the very object that had remained invisible when Adelheid searched for it moments ago.

Remarkably, the green medicine that had been caked upon it had vanished without trace, leaving the blade immaculate.

He walked to the bed and drew the dagger across his palm. Several drops of blood fell onto the clean bedsheet like crimson seeds. Before Adelheid could widen her eyes in shock, the wound on his palm sealed itself instantaneously, flesh knitting together as though time itself had reversed. No matter how astonished she felt, all of this seemed utterly inconsequential to Valentin—mere trivialities beneath his notice.

"Come... in."

He wiped the blood from the blade and set it on the table with indifferent casualness, answering with the same tone one might use to discuss the weather. Despite wielding a silver blade supposedly lethal to demons, he treated it with the carelessness of someone holding a common stone.

The door opened and Margaret entered, bowing respectfully to them both. Adelheid hastily gathered her robe from the floor and clutched it against her chest.

"Margaret. What is it?"

"My apologies, but Father Padre wishes to see Your Grace."

"N-now?"

"Yes. An urgent message arrived, and he must depart for the capital this afternoon. He's already completed his travel preparations and insists on seeing Your Grace before leaving—absolutely refuses to depart otherwise. Even when I told him you were still abed, he wouldn't hear of it..."

"Good heavens. What time is it? How long has he been waiting?"

"One o'clock in the afternoon. He's been waiting for about an hour now."

"Tell him I'll be right there."

Adelheid hurriedly gathered the clothes she'd discarded yesterday. But the maids had no intention of allowing her to wear yesterday's garments. They entered with military precision, erected a privacy screen, and produced fresh undergarments and a new dress.

With astonishing skill, they braided Adelheid's disheveled hair into neat plaits and helped her don the new clothes. Within mere minutes she wore a fresh dress with a golden waist ornament cascading down her side. A fox fur cape draped across her shoulders.

Meanwhile, Valentin dismissed the servants' assistance and leisurely dressed himself. He wore light leather armor, apparently planning to tour the territory.

"I'll... follow... you. Adele."

He caught her chin and pressed a light kiss to her forehead. Then he gazed at her with eyes overflowing with reluctance, as though releasing her caused him physical pain, before finally leaving the room.

Adelheid gently touched the spot on her forehead where his lips had rested. By the time she lowered her hand, all preparations were complete.

When Adelheid descended to the rear courtyard, preparations for departure were indeed finished, just as Margaret had said. Every horse wore its saddle, ready to depart at a moment's notice. Only the supply wagon following the priests still received final provisions.

She passed through the dense formation of priests and horses, heading toward the High Priest's carriage. Padre stood stroking his horse's mane when he saw her and made the sign of the cross.

"Grand Duchess."

"Father Padre. I didn't realize you'd be leaving so suddenly. I thought you said you'd stay a week..."

"An urgent message arrived from the Imperial Palace yesterday. Judging by the timing, it must have been dispatched around when I arrived in Schleicher Territory. Forgive me for departing earlier than planned."

"If the Imperial Palace summons you, then His Majesty calls—how could I be selfish enough to object?"

"Let's continue our conversation in the carriage. I have something important to discuss with you, though it won't take long."

Adelheid grasped Padre's hand and climbed into the carriage. The moment she settled onto the seat, the door closed behind her. Padre sat across from her, his expression grave as he spoke.

"What happened?"

This question fell within expected boundaries. Adelheid answered with studied nonchalance.

"Nothing happened. Perhaps because the holy oil's effect wasn't strong enough, His Grace didn't fall asleep."

"...Are you certain?"

"I'm certain."

"Can you swear it before Morig's name?"

Adelheid's words caught in her throat, her eyes blinking rapidly. She had been registered as a devotee of Morig from birth, and following strict guidelines, whenever she couldn't attend the diocese's prayer meetings, she brought even modest offerings to the castle's altar, doing her utmost to maintain her faith.

For Adelheid, swearing upon Morig's name served as unambiguous guarantee that her words contained no falsehood—a binding testimony before the divine.

Adelheid lowered her eyes and opened her mouth without excessive delay.

"I swear it."

Padre's sharp gaze softened gradually as he studied her face, some measure of gentleness finally settling into his features.

"Well, indeed. They say it's been more than a decade since the Dragon of Bitzleben vanished without trace. If it were to reveal itself, it would hardly choose a time when so many eyes watch so closely."

"......"

"My priests and I spent several days examining various parts of the territory, but we found no particularly suspicious traces. There are definitely signs that demons passed close to the castle, but no evidence they penetrated inside."

"That's truly fortunate."

"A few things still seem suspicious, but... seeing that the Grand Duke remains unharmed even after Morig's Veil was restored suggests my concerns were baseless."

Adelheid nodded with forced composure.

If Padre caught even a glimpse of her anxiety, he would use every means at his disposal to expose Valentin's true identity. And then the priest would die.

'That absolutely cannot happen.'

Adelheid clasped her hands together as though gathering her resolve. Padre, seemingly oblivious to her inner turmoil, offered a few final gentle admonishments.

"Though luck favored us this time, you must never forget to observe your surroundings and maintain vigilance. If you notice anything suspicious—anything at all—contact me immediately. Understood, Adelheid?"

"Yes. I will."

"Then... I'll see you next at the Imperial Palace."

Adelheid's eyes widened at Padre's casually delivered remark.

"You said the Imperial Palace?"

"Yes. Ah, haven't you heard yet?"