Chapter 3
“What’s the commotion?”
Theogrim turned his gaze toward the source of the sound. He was encircled by a ring of people, surrounded by that familiar cheer.
Countless hands and wildflowers stretched out toward him, and beyond them, in the distance, a familiar figure came into view.
With her head bowed as if ashamed to reveal herself under the sunlight, the silhouette of a slender and delicate neck, black and radiant hair.
More than anything, the vivid… scar revealed beneath the wet fabric.
Arzeletta.
The moment he realized it, the clean and composed young man’s brow furrowed.
“Theogrim-nim!”
“Theogrim-nim! Please take my hand! Bestow your blessing upon me!”
“Please pray for me!”
Mounted on a white horse, Theogrim still carried himself with grace, but in that moment, his eyes did not reflect those who were chanting his name.
With his neat brows slightly furrowed and his gaze cast into the distance, what filled his eyes was Arzeletta alone.
Arzeletta, the lowly laundry maid.
Repulsive, despised by the entire world, detestable and worthless Arzeletta.
Arzeletta’s body, soaked in water, was vividly etched into Theogrim’s violet eyes. The slender and delicate curve of her waist and back, her round and full hips, the deep line in between, her tempting thighs, and then…
……!
Startled by the thought that had arisen without his intent, he violently shook his head.
Even for the briefest moment, he must not succumb to lust, to the whisper of Satan. Theogrim urgently prayed to the god who watched over him.
He offered a prayer of repentance in his heart and at last took the reins in his hands.
“Del Rose?”
The adjutant at his side, Ianes, looked at the young man in surprise.
Surely… does he intend to approach that woman? Here, with so many watching?
“Where are you going?”
No sooner had Theogrim pulled the reins to turn his horse than the loyal adjutant blocked his path.
“Step aside, Ianes.”
“You’re not seriously going there, are you? You mustn’t. Not now, Del Rose. Too many eyes are watching.”
“One of the people of my domain is in pain. I cannot ignore it.”
“If you side with that woman now, Del Rose, everyone here will feel personally insulted.”
“…….”
“Think of the bigger picture. You must stand with the many. Everyone in this square is that woman’s enemy. Therefore…”
At Ianes’s words, Theogrim shook his head and resolutely pulled the reins.
“Del Rose…!”
The flustered adjutant tried to hold him back.
The face of Theogrim, as he turned away, was as calm and composed as ever.
Ianes was not unaware that Theogrim’s actions were righteous.
If Theogrim had been the sort to ignore a person being tormented for the sake of appearances, Ianes would never have followed him with such loyalty.
Just as Theogrim was about to run toward the laundry site—
“Theogrim-nim, will you perform a ‘Purification’ today as well?”
“Will you cleanse us of our sins?”
“……!”
At the sudden words, Theogrim turned his gaze.
Everyone—old, young, and children alike—was looking up at him.
Their eyes were full of reverence and affection.
The hand gripping the reins trembled.
The purification ritual that Theogrim performed without fail every day was the most sacred and important duty he carried out as the successor of Rosenburg Castle.
The reason he could be loved, the reason he could become the next heir to this immense power, the reason he existed in this place.
“…….”
Theogrim bit his lip subtly.
He was burdened with a duty this significant.
If he were to run to Arzeletta now, it would be Arzeletta alone who would have to bear the consequences.
He could not, on a moment’s impulse, throw her to the curiosity of so many people.
Theogrim’s neat throat trembled.
Lowering his gaze and slowly steadying his breath, Theogrim at last lifted his face.
People offered smiles of admiration and reverence toward the smooth right side of his face, unmarred by any scar.
To them, even Theogrim’s stern gaze and tightly closed lips appeared only as the features of a savior.
“…Let’s go, Ianes.”
“Yes, Del Rose.”
When Ianes raised his hand in signal, the crowd blocking the path immediately parted to either side.
Without pause, Theogrim rode off toward the castle.
Ianes cast a brief glance over Arzeletta’s back.
How pitiful.
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