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※ This work contains depictions of coercive relationships, explicit language, and other graphic content. Reader discretion is advised.

Side Story I. In the Forest on the Day of the Hunt (Saintess’s Perspective)

Even Serenity, who wasn’t particularly perceptive, knew the Crown Prince saw her as a tool to secure the nobility’s support.

From the beginning, he made her uncomfortable. Perhaps having judged she wouldn’t like his true self, he easily revealed his nature.

“Saintess, I do not let those who obstruct my path stand in my way. If you wish to protect those around you, it’s best not to defy me.”

“She’s just a friend!”

This was what Serenity heard when she met the Crown Prince upon learning Lady Moulton had been taken to the palace, thinking it was because of her.

That day, she learned he had sent the Knight Commander under the pretext of protection to surveil her.

But she was the Empire’s Saintess, and he was the Crown Prince.

No matter that she was the goddess’s proxy, as a subject of the Empire, Serenity could not defy the Crown Prince’s orders. She had no choice but to ride with him during the Hunt for his ‘protection.’

Chasing a large black bear, Serenity, riding in front of the Crown Prince as he drove the horse roughly, was shaken to her core.

Being near this cruel man, who seemed not to regard anyone but himself as human, was stressful.

“Your Highness, I will never, even in my dreams, come to like you.”

“What a pity. Don’t worry. Even if it’s not you, I’ve found a replacement.”

Even after riding so hard, they lost the bear. Serenity spoke to the Crown Prince.

Looking for a place to rest the horses, they found a clearing and dismounted. When the Crown Prince extended a hand to escort her with feigned manners, Serenity retorted.

“Who are you planning to make a sacrifice this time…!”

“Someone you know quite well, I believe. Aren’t you two rather close?”

At the words of the Crown Prince, who had helped her down with a cruel smile, Serenity felt her heart sink.

It was clear his words now were aimed at one person.

“Her…! Why her? Is it to punish me?”

“No. It’s because she might be quite useful to me.”

Even if it wasn’t to punish her, his treatment of someone she cared for as an object left Serenity speechless.

She had to stop his actions somehow.

That woman had already suffered enough because of her. She couldn’t let her be used by the Crown Prince.

“Do you know about the Black Saintess, Saintess? …Oh, looking at your face, you don’t.”

“The Black Saintess…?”

“Your dearest friend, that Lady Moulton, is the hidden Black Saintess.”

Hearing of the Black Saintess for the first time, and that it was Edith… Serenity couldn’t understand what the Crown Prince was saying.

“The Black Saintess has a unique power of her own. I will do anything to obtain that power.”

Whatever it was, the Crown Prince was boldly stating right in front of Serenity that he would use Edith as a tool.

Wanting to stop at least that, Serenity stepped in front of him.

“Your Highness! Neither Edith nor I…! Are your possessions!”

The Crown Prince laughed loudly at her righteous outcry, the sound seeming to mock her.

“Haha, haa… No matter that you are the Saintess, I will not forgive anyone who obstructs my path. And Saintess, even without you, Lady Moulton can now take that place…”

Seeing the Crown Prince’s cruel smile as he spoke his final words, Serenity felt goosebumps rise on her arms.

‘It’s dangerous. I must never let those two be near each other…!’

Then, with the sudden appearance of Edith and the Young Duke Mikael, whom she’d met a few times, Serenity could no longer answer the Crown Prince.

After the Hunt ended, before heading to the banquet, Serenity stood before Edith’s door, thinking she must ask the High Priest about the Black Saintess she’d heard of that day.

“From the Young Duke, and even the Knight Commander! Edith, you really are popular, aren’t you?”

When Edith opened the door, dressed more beautifully and strikingly than usual, Serenity admired her and thought, indeed, anyone could fall for her.

If she had hunted, she too might have naturally offered all her game to Edith.

Offering congratulations, Serenity entered the banquet hall with Edith, determined not to let a situation arise today where the Crown Prince and Edith were alone.

But she couldn’t prevent the situation she feared.