CH 29

Isis was waiting for Isabelle’s answer, anticipating what she would say.

Since unbelievable things suddenly started happening, she might ask what made this all begin.

But, Isabelle replied firmly.

“I’m not curious about everything that’s surrounding me. I just want clear answers on some things.”

Isis couldn’t reply for a moment because she was caught off guard.

As expected, it was difficult to comprehend human beings.

“…My Isabelle. I know you’re a curious child. Why aren’t you curious about something related to you?”

Instead of explaining with detail, Isabelle just smiled.

The power of words was stronger than anyone could expect.

Sometimes, one would be shaken just by hearing a story indirectly.

If there really was a great and unwavering reason why she’d have to devote her entire being to Pilsburg…

She might still be thinking about her own happiness first right now, but she might feel sorry for abandoning her family. Isabelle wasn’t willing to be swayed by something that wasn’t of her own will.

‘And I also can’t trust Isis completely yet. If this is a grand scheme for me to succeed Pilsburg…’

Isabelle grew up learning that she should serve her god and obey god’s providence all her life. However, what she learned was all from the scriptures.

No one knew the true nature of the gods.

After the goddess descended to the mortal realm, Isabelle acknowledged that the Isis from the scriptures and the Isis in front of her were different beings.

‘The underworld reapers were also nicer than I thought. Let’s not think that Isis is unconditionally nice.’

Isis’ benevolence might become poison to Isabelle.

She thought that Isis would sulk again if she knew this, but Isabelle wouldn’t lower her guard.

It’s clear that she’s a goddess in the flesh, but not all gods can be trusted.

“Goddess Isis, I’m curious about two things.”

“Ask me anything and I’ll answer with only the truth. However, keep this in mind.”

“What is it?”

“My Isabelle. I find humans to be difficult and detestable.”

And at this moment, the illusion of Isis being a benevolent goddess had shattered.

“…That’s exactly the opposite of what the scriptures say.”

“Humans blindside me and always disappoint me, even when I show my love and all my heart so that humans could be saved. Especially Pilsburg.”

Isis stroked Isabelle’s hair and recalled someone.

“So I’m not going to bless Pilsburg’s bloodline anymore. You are the last of the lineage that I will give my blessing to.”

“……”

“My Isabelle. I’ve descended here to protect you and you alone. But I don’t know what kind of future you, a human being, will face.”

Isabelle couldn’t understand what Isis was saying.

Was the goddess scaring her because their conversation suddenly got serious?

And as Isis said this, her gaze was entirely grim.

“Now. You can ask me about the two things that you’re curious about.”

“…Are my mother and father alive?”

“They have both left this realm. They passed away quite a while ago in human time.”

“Then… Why did they abandon me?”

Just the question that Isabelle asked in itself was already wrong.

If the answer was that they really did throw her away because they didn’t want her…

If they didn’t need her or if they let go of her because they had someone else to take her place…

Isabelle thought that she would be very sad if an answer like those would come back, and after seeing Isis’ expression, Isabelle froze.

The goddess, who always carried herself with dignity, had a very heartbroken expression.

It was still so full of affection, but it looked as though tears would fall any moment now.

“…Isadora, your mother… She didn’t abandon you, but snuck you out. And you must know that everything happened very carefully under my protection.”

“……”

“Your mother cared for you more than anyone else. I still can’t forget her desperate prayers. She told me that she wanted to send you somewhere else because she loved you so very much.”

The stiffness in the goddess’ voice gradually softened, and her words went straight to Isabelle’s heart.

It felt as though she was going to cry, so Isabelle kept her lips tightly shut.

At the back of her mind, she’d been thinking that she had been abandoned as she was in the care of the saintesses.

And little by little, Isabelle might have been hurting herself with such thoughts.

‘Maybe Isis is just telling a white lie…’

However, hearing that she hadn’t really been abandoned was so sweet—sweeter than any other words of comfort. To the point that she wanted to believe it at once without questioning it.

“Thank you for letting me know, Goddess Isis.”

“My Isabelle, have you asked everything you’re curious about?”

“If I have something I want to know later, may I ask you more questions?”

“Yes, you can.”

Isabelle replied with a smile.

“Then, I’ll get going now.”

“…It’s not like time is running out, so should you really go back so soon? Stay here and rest a little.”

Sitting on the sofa, Isis tilted her head to the side and carefully caressed Isabelle’s hair.

Isadora’s voice overlapped.

“Goddess Isis! My name means that I’m someone who’s been blessed by you. Did you know?”

「 I don’t care about that. Don’t bother me. 」

“Goddess Isis, I’m not going to get married! I want to hunt together with the goddess for the rest of my life.”

「 You’re saying something that your heart doesn’t feel. 」

“Goddess Isis… I’ve been looking for you desperately. Where were you when I begged you to kill the person who’d become my husband.”

「 …Who owns the seed of the child that’s growing in your stomach? 」

Isis once again frowned, then she spoke to Isabelle.

“My Isabelle. You only need to know one thing—I am on your side. My blessing shall never grace Pilsburg ever again.”

At this moment, Isis forgot for a moment that Isabelle, who she’s trying to save through her grand plan, was also a human being.

* * *

After accepting Isis’ power, Isabelle became absorbed in studying magic.

And since she was learning from the goddess herself no less, her growth was unrivaled.

“My Isabelle, try it again.”

“Yes!”

Watching Isabelle train from beyond a window, Riggs was pleased.

It was very pleasant to see how Isabelle had now become part of his daily life.

Whenever her magic would improve little by little, she smiled and clapped cheerfully, making her surroundings bloom like a flower garden.

‘It’s like spring has come.’

However, as he turned back to his desk, this place looked more desolate compared to a frigid winter.

After enjoying their honeymoon for a few days, he found piles upon piles of documents waiting on his desk for him to go over.

‘It’s like this every year around the time of the imperial council meeting and it’s driving me nuts.’

The imperial council meeting was a conference where high-ranking nobles and the emperor would gather once a year to talk about major policies of the empire.

And the social aspect of it couldn’t be ignored either since the noblemen would also usually bring their wives and children.

This time, according to what’s customary, Isabelle also had to attend the meeting because she had become the Duchess of Cardiago.

Riggs’ expression became distorted.

It would be more fun to go on a trip far away with Isabelle, but the destination this time would be the Pilsburg Imperial Palace, and the imperial family was openly seeking out Isabelle.

No matter how vigilant they’ll be, it’s clear that they’re walking right into a trap.

However, leaving Isabelle behind would mean that the security around them would be halved.

And if there’s such a distance between them, there’d be many inconveniences.

‘No matter what happens in the palace, we won’t be able to take action immediately.’

But of course, the biggest reason she had to come was because he had no desire at all to be away from her.

It was a difficult predicament. Riggs considered several scenarios while organizing his chaotic desk.

Meanwhile, he discovered a luxurious looking envelope sandwiched between the documents.

“Bill. When did this letter come?”

“It arrived only this morning. I believe it was sent by His Majesty.”

With little interest, Riggs opened the envelope.

About a month before the imperial council meeting, the emperor’s invitation would always come in the form of a letter.

As expected, the emperor’s magnificent signature could be seen on the golden letter.

However, the content this time was different from the usual.

“His Majesty isn’t in good health and cannot attend this meeting.”

Although it wasn’t any pleasant news, Riggs’ face lit up strangely.

In fact, he looked positively thrilled. He finally settled on a plan for his attendance to the imperial council meeting while lowering the risk of Isabelle being in danger.

“Bill, send out invitations to the nobles. The view at the Cardiago territory will be nice around the time of the imperial council meeting, so let’s hold the meeting here. Tell them I’ll cover the fees for the gate.”

Bill noticed the underlying meaning of Riggs’ relaxed voice, and soon he bowed his head.

Since there was still plenty of time before the meeting, changing the venue wasn’t a big deal.

Rather, this would serve as an opportunity to filter out the deadwood¹.

‘His Highness is trying to gauge the reaction of the nobles.’

The ones who could use their heads well wouldn’t dismiss the whims of the next emperor.

Although the physical distance between the capital and the Cardiago Duchy was considerable, the nobles shouldn’t be inconvenienced because they would be going through teleportation gates.

If the notice was too late, then the nobles would have to pack their things again, but there wouldn’t be any aristocrats who’d go to their destination a month in advance.

And if Cardiago was going to pay for the burdensome gate fees, many people would like it because it was a chance for them to travel.

‘There’s no reason for any household to oppose this, even if this was a situation where they’d feel the need to.’

Being the faithful butler that Bill was, he knew his master’s intent would not end there.

What he’s really trying to deal with was the Pilsburg household, which was aiming for the three-syllable lady.

‘I’m curious. Would the person who raided Cardiago be able to show up here himself?’

The opponent was the Pilsburg Imperial Family, but there was nothing to worry about.

With his chin propped up on one hand, Ephelix Cardiago smirked. He’s always been ready to sit on the emperor’s throne.

¹ people or things that aren’t useful nor helpful in achieving a goal