Volume 6 - CH 19

It wasn’t shallow sympathy for others, but feelings as if it were happening to me.

Shannon’s situation was no different from mine.

The situation between us resembled each other like a mirror.

The difference is that in the original story, Selina’s marriage to the Archduke would later become Selina’s rope of salvation, whereas Shannon’s is a rotten rope.

That’s all.

“You can’t generate power that you don’t have.”

A deep disappointment hung over Shannon’s grey-brown eyes.

“However, I can make you a priest.”

Again, a glimmer of hope shone on Shannon’s face.

Shannon’s joy and sorrow at my words demonstrated how desperate she was.

“Really… can I become one…?”

“It’s entirely up to you. Whether you intend to hold my hand or not.”

This time as well.

Her decision was something that had already been determined.

“What do you want to do?”

Shannon was left with only one choice.

⇺⇺⇺⇼⇻⇻⇻

At my persuasion, Shannon washed up and groomed herself. She also started eating her meal.

And thanks to that, Camilla was delighted.

“Well done, Selina! Excellent work!”

In fact, persuading Shannon wasn’t something Selina could do.

Afraid to arouse Camilla’s suspicion, I requested Shannon.

“Mother, it was my decision to change my mind! That useless stuttering girl did nothing!”

“……”

Well… that sounded a little sincere.

Camilla, on the other hand, was busy decorating and preparing the county castle for the arrival of the Marquis of Whiterot a few days later.

‘She must be overjoyed that Shannon has changed her mind.’

While Camilla’s attention was drifting away, I also had Shannon prepare her plan.

“Are you sure the marquis won’t be coming?”

“If you do your task properly.”

Shannon feared that the Marquis of Whiterot would arrive safely at the castle and take her away.

I didn’t go into great detail with Shannon about what would happen to the Marquis Whiterot.

“Didn’t you see it when you went to the temple? Where are the Duke’s personal soldiers stationed?”

“Yeah.”

Since the head of the priesthood belonged to Duke Maple, he was protected by the Duke’s private soldiers even in the sacred temple.

“Go to the temple and bring the shield used by the Duke’s private soldiers.”

“Shield? But that’s heavy!”

“Then just bring a knife or whatever you’ve got. All you need is something with a pattern of the Duke’s crest.”

Marquis Whiterot was a powerful Northern lord. It was a waste of time to blame his death on the barbarians.

“You’ve got to be crazy. That area is beneath the Duke’s. If you mess with him, your life will be in danger!”

Shannon’s eyes were worried about me even as she said those words.

‘Are you a tsundere?’

I couldn’t help but ask that question.

Shannon’s words and actions have always struck me as distinct.

“What is your purpose for doing that to my family?”

“……your family?”

I was dumbfounded for a moment. And when I asked again, Shannon flinched.

Since when has Duke Maple been Shannon’s family?

‘This child really……’

Nonetheless, I refrained from asking her that question. Because it is more important for her to understand the situation.

“Shannon, they are not your family.”

She turned her head to avoid my stares after being stung by the sharp fact.

Knowing how complicated Shannon and Adrian’s birth was, I spoke as carefully as I could.

“Have you ever received anything from Duke Maple? Has Duke Maple ever stroked your hair like a grandfather?”

“……”

Shannon’s eyes then shook like an earthquake, as I had expected.

“Your name is Shannon Berry. Duke Maple has nothing to do with you.”

Even if you marry that horrible marquis, even if you go missing like his six other wives, even if you die and have a funeral… …

“The Duke doesn’t care about you. The same is true for your mother.”

Shannon eventually collapsed when I told her the cruel truth.

Shannon collapsed against the wall, as if her legs were trembling.

Amidst covering her face with her hands, she did not cry again.

She now understands.

That no one would comfort her even when she was crying.

‘So be nice to me.’

Shannon raised her head in despair and said.

“……don’t think I trust you completely.”

“I know. ”

I don’t trust you either anyway.

⇺⇺⇺⇼⇻⇻⇻

The arrival of the Marquis of Whiterot was just around the corner.

“I’m guessing they’ll arrive around dawn tomorrow.”

“That soon? However, the schedule is two days later.”

“You are aware that the topography of the West differs from that of the North.”

The North had many rough mountain ranges, whereas the West had mostly flat terrain.

“They are skilled in horsemanship. They’ll be here sooner than expected.”

Ohooooo…

I trusted Cedric’s analysis.

He prepared this work so meticulously that it was difficult to believe he was worried at first.

Cedric appeared irritated because the barbarian leader became more and more courageous without making any concessions.

All that remained was to decide who would take the Marquis of Whiterot’s head.