Episode 15

“…I can see a faint blue aura around you, my lady.”

“Around me?”

It wasn’t until Russelin heard Lily’s words that her expression mirrored her maid’s surprise.

When it came to a blue aura, only one possibility came to mind.
After receiving Aydin’s magic, her body had felt strangely light, as if unburdened.

“…Is it still visible?”

“Yes. But it’s so faint, I feel it could disappear at any moment…”

Russelin looked down at her hand slowly.

As Lily had said, a faint blue aura shimmered there.
But just as a glimmer of hope touched Russelin’s eyes, the aura dispersed, vanishing into the air.

“Ah, it’s gone. So, that was indeed…”

“…Yes, it seems it was divine power.”

“It felt so warm. Like you, my lady—a gentle, comforting presence.”

Lily seemed grateful simply to have witnessed even the slightest trace of Russelin’s divine power.

It was likely her way of offering comfort, understanding Russelin’s situation.

However, Russelin, unusually, found herself unable to respond to Lily’s words.

Instead, as she recalled the power that had quickly faded, her face took on a look of determination.

‘Even if I’m only a half-backed priestess, maybe I can still wield some divine power.’

Could this mean that she, too, might fully confront the fate of Ragnar?

Perhaps escape this prison-like existence and finally have the means to challenge Aydin…

‘You have more than one protector to choose from.’

If she could join hands with him…

“Leonard Estere…”

“My lady? What did you say?”

Even as Lily asked, Russelin’s mind was already fixed on her newfound resolve.

No matter what it took, she would have to hold onto him.
She needed to see Leonard again.

With her determination clear, Russelin looked at Lily with sharpened focus.

“Lily, how long have I been unconscious?”

“You’ve been asleep for two whole days, ever since the Duke brought you here himself.”

“Two days… that’s not a short time.”

Not long enough to lose the opportunity, though.
Russelin felt a pang of impatience.

Leonard Estere was a challenging figure, unlike Aydin Bert.
He was unpredictable, impossible to control.

Even her chance encounter with him, which had sparked his interest, had been unforeseen.

But if she could use it well…

“I can’t just sit around…”

Clenching her teeth, Russelin forced her weary body to stand.
But her legs wobbled, and Lily quickly stepped in to support her.

“My lady, you could hurt yourself! You’re not fully recovered yet…”

“Lily, I need a favor.”

Ignoring Lily’s worried words, Russelin clutched her maid’s sleeve with urgency.

Seeing the desperate look in Russelin’s eyes, Lily managed to swallow her surprise.

Had Russelin ever been this desperate before, whether at Lavrenti or here at Bert?

Even if there hadn’t been a prior instance, Lily knew she had no choice but to act.

Supporting Russelin to steady her, Lily bowed her head respectfully.

“Tell me what you need. I’ll follow your wishes, my lady.”

“I need paper and a pen, without anyone else knowing.”

Is she planning to write a letter? Then, perhaps…

Lily recalled the name Russelin had murmured moments before.

Though it wasn’t her place to wonder, she couldn’t help but look at Russelin with concern.

“…Are you certain about this, my lady?”

Russelin didn’t chastise her for the bold question; instead, she clasped Lily’s hand reassuringly.

“It’s alright. I won’t do anything reckless. Trust me, Lily.”

“…I heard that the Duke will be away for a short while this evening.”

Lily spoke quietly, bowing her head to Russelin.

“I’ll deliver it discreetly when I serve you.”

“Thank you, Lily. I’m counting on you.”

At Russelin’s heartfelt words, Lily nervously fiddled with the hem of her skirt, speaking carefully.

“My lady, I truly hope you find happiness. I hope you achieve what you desire.”

“Lily…”

“Please remember, wherever or whenever, I am always on your side.”

Russelin couldn’t bring herself to respond to Lily’s heartfelt words.
She felt there was little a mistress could offer to her devoted maid in return.

As a strange silence settled over them, a loud, dull thud broke through.

Bang!

“What’s the meaning of this?”

“Aydin…?”

Aydin strode toward them without so much as a knock, his presence commanding the room.
Lily instinctively stepped closer to Russelin, bowing her head respectfully to him.
But Aydin’s gaze was sharp, seizing the opportunity to glare at Lily.

“How dare a mere maid speak so freely to her mistress.”

“H-Hah… I… I’m terribly sorry, Your Grace…!”

Lily trembled, unable to withstand the oppressive aura emanating from Aydin.

But just as Aydin’s harsh words settled over them, Russelin swiftly stepped forward, blocking his path and standing in front of Lily, as if to shield her.

“Don’t do that, Aydin. Lily has been by my side since childhood.”

“So? Does that mean it’s acceptable for a servant to act insolently toward her master?”

“…You know that’s not what I meant.”

Russelin could barely withstand Aydin’s intense gaze, her hand trembling slightly as she clenched her fist to steady herself.
Aydin’s eyes swept over her frail form, and he clicked his tongue in annoyance.

“Leave us. I have things to discuss with Russelin.”

“…Understood, Your Grace.”

Lily hesitated, casting one last concerned look at Russelin before reluctantly departing.
Russelin exhaled a sigh of relief, but her heart remained heavy.
Unaware of her inner turmoil, Aydin stepped closer to her.

“Don’t do anything to provoke me—either you or your maid.”

“…What bothered you so much?”

“The way you speak as if you’re planning to leave.”

Russelin barely managed to hide her surprise, responding to him calmly.

“It’s just your worry. I was only feeling regretful for failing to stand by you at the palace.”

Aydin’s sharp gaze softened slightly as he accepted her plausible explanation.

“And what brings you here now?”

“What, am I not allowed to be here?”

“…Why are you acting like this, really?”

Russelin’s voice was tired, worn out by his relentless suspicion.
Yet Aydin’s gaze remained filled with intense possessiveness.

“Why are you always stirring up trouble lately? If you’d just stay quiet, I’d keep you close.”

“…Stay quiet.”

Russelin repeated his words, her brow furrowing unconsciously.
Maybe life was easier when she hadn’t known anything.
But in the end, that path led only to…

‘…No, I can’t accept that.’

Russelin took an instinctive step back from him.
But Aydin wasn’t about to let that go unnoticed.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

With a swift, forceful pull, he grabbed her and brought her against him.
Caught off guard, Russelin found herself pressed tightly to his chest, and Aydin looked satisfied.

“Why… Why are you doing this…?”

“Do I need a reason to hold my fiancée?”

Ignoring her discomfort, Aydin sat on the sofa, pulling her down beside him.
His rough touch felt unfamiliar today, more invasive than usual.
She knew she had to accept this, to keep him from suspecting her true feelings.
And yet…

“…It’s uncomfortable when you come on so suddenly.”

“Don’t think you can refuse me.”

“Refuse…?”

Just as Russelin was about to offer some excuse, she froze.

“Oh, you’re already here.”

The familiar figure that stepped into the room made Russelin’s pale face go even paler.

She felt a strange ache in her chest, as if an old wound was beginning to throb again.

Pressing a hand against her chest, she struggled to look up.
She worried that Aydin might notice her reaction.

“Don’t pull away.”

“Aydin!”

Aydin wrapped his arm firmly around her waist, pulling her close.
Startled, Russelin lifted her head, only to meet his greedy gaze directly.

“Even a half-backed priestess should fulfill her duties, don’t you think?”

Aydin smirked cynically, as if relishing the fear in her eyes.
Then the woman seated herself gracefully before them, her smile sweet and sharp.

“I’m delighted to join you, though I didn’t realize Lady Lavrenti would be here as well.”

“…!”

The familiar voice echoed in Russelin’s mind—a voice she had hoped never to hear again.

There she was, the woman Russelin had vowed to avoid at all costs.

“It’s our first time meeting properly. Pleased to meet you, Lady Russelin Lavrenti. I’m Celia.”

“…”

“I’ve heard so much about you from him, but I must say, I can barely sense any divine power from you. I almost mistook you for a commoner.”

Celia.

True to her title as the “pure priestess,” Celia sat there in her pristine white dress, smiling softly.
Her gentle voice carried a false warmth, but Russelin knew how easily that mask could shift to reveal cruelty.

‘With those very hands… she killed me.’

The memory of Celia piercing her heart with a blade flashed before Russelin’s eyes.

She remembered the cruel smile Celia wore as she stood over the bloodied scene.

“Ugh… ugh…”

“Lady Lavrenti?”

Russelin struggled to breathe, her chest tightening with panic.
Before she could catch herself, Celia’s sharp gaze was upon her.
Russelin clenched her teeth, forcing herself to breathe steadily.

‘I want to run away…’

She wanted to escape Celia’s piercing gaze.

She wanted to shove Aydin away from her. But her weakened body wouldn’t cooperate.

‘No… I can’t let Celia suspect anything…’

A fragile sliver of self-control pulled Russelin back from the edge.
She couldn’t allow herself to lose composure here. Somehow…
Almost instinctively, Russelin clutched at Aydin’s coat.

It looked as if she were clinging to him, which made him sneer with satisfaction.

“I invited Celia. For your sake.”

“For… what?”

Russelin’s pale face turned toward Aydin, who seized her wrist as if he had been waiting for her reaction.

Her thin wrist felt empty of any divine power.

Aydin’s indifferent gaze shifted slowly to Celia.

“Celia will teach you how to control divine power.”

“What… did you say?”

“It’s ridiculous that Ragnar’s priestess can’t even handle a protector’s magic.”

Aydin spoke as if her inadequacies were trivial, a mere flaw to be corrected.

Russelin’s clenched fists trembled, but she couldn’t find the words to respond.

‘I can’t stay silent. I need to say something… anything…’

In that agonizing moment, something strange gripped her body.

“Ugh!”

Suddenly, she felt an overwhelming heat surge through her, suffocating her, burning within her chest.

She turned instinctively toward the source of the sensation.

“I’m happy to help, as aiding Lady Lavrenti means aiding Aydin. Don’t you agree, Lady Lavrenti?”

“C-Celia…”

Even as cold sweat beaded on her brow, Russelin gritted her teeth and furrowed her brows.

Celia’s calm smile didn’t waver as her potent divine energy coursed through Russelin’s body.

Though they were both priestesses, Celia’s energy felt nothing short of oppressive.

It was a clear warning.

“Since we’ll be staying together at Bert, let’s support one another. And if you ever encounter any difficulties with the household, do let me know.”

“…”

“I must admit, though, I worry a bit. I wonder if I might end up taking Aydin’s love away from you.”

A warning that any attempt to stake a claim on what was Celia’s would lead to consequences.

Russelin couldn’t respond, lowering her head in defeat.

The oppressive energy tormenting her vanished.

“I look forward to getting along, Lady Lavrenti.”

“…Of course, Celia.”

Russelin bit down on her lip, her instincts screaming with fear.
She needed to act quickly.

If she didn’t, she wouldn’t escape Bert—she would be devoured by them first.
TL/N: Wow a true piece of shit I mean wow he sneered? Cuz she cling to him? Called his mistress to teach her fiancé how to use divine powers? Grapes her leaves her misreable wow just wow what if her breaks her legs in the next chaps so she can’t leave him. :sideeye: well he killed her if first life