The Saintess Became the Northern Grand Duke’s Daughter - Chapter 12

Villaim handed out a letter to the High Priest, whose face was red.

 

The clear handwriting on the luxurious stationery was definitely Liriette’s.

 

The content wasn’t long.

 

[Liriette plans to stay at Windsorais Castle from now on. I never intend to return to the temple again, so don’t look for me.]

 

That was the end.

 

There were no words of gratitude or regret for the High Priest. It just felt that she wanted to cut ties with him.

 

The High Priest crumpled the letter with a face full of spirit.

 

“Liriette is a child I have raised with all my heart since she was a baby. She also followed me like her parent. There’s no way Liriette would have said such a thing.”

 

He sounded confident.

 

But Villaim said with an unwavering face.

 

“I understand your surprise, but everything in the letter is true. Miss Liriette has expressed her stubborn determination to never return to the temple.”

 

“No. I will never believe that. On the contrary, I have a hideous and terrifying doubt.”

 

“A doubt?”

 

“I’m wondering whether His Grace the Duke of Windsorais did this because he’s greedy for Liriette’s divine power.”

 

Villaim’s sullen face instantly became stern at the accusation towards his master.

 

“Right now you’re saying that His Grace the Duke kidnapped Miss Liriette?”

 

“Yes!”

 

The High Priest answered in a clear voice.

 

Villaim said, resisting the urge to throw the man in front of him at any moment.

 

“How dare you insult His Grace the Duke of Windsorais who defends the Empire. It seems that the High Priest isn’t afraid of losing your life.”

 

“Are you threatening me now?”

 

“It’s not a threat, it’s a courtesy.”

 

“Where is there a courtesy to a kidnapper!”

 

Kidnapper.

 

At the disrespectful words, Villaim’s eyes showed clear hostility. However, the High Priest didn’t back out either.

 

The High Priest knew well.

 

What a great person the Duke of Windsorais is.

 

The Duke was one of the most powerful people in the Empire, both in name and reality.

 

No matter how much he is respected by the people, even if he is the High Priest, he has to bow his head in front of him, saying, yes, yes.

 

However, the High Priest couldn’t take Liriette away from the Duke in this way.

 

‘Knowing what kind of child she is!’

 

Liriette possessed divine power.

 

Of course, considering that people with divine power usually express their power from a very young age, she may not be able to express her power forever.

 

Nevertheless, Liriette was a goose with the potential to lay golden eggs.

 

‘You’re trying to take such a child with just one letter?’

 

If the Duke had offered a reasonable price for taking Liriette, he would have pretended to be agonizing.

 

‘I can never tolerate him stealing Liriette like a robber like this!’

 

The High Priest said with an angry face.

 

“I don’t think there would be any point in exchanging words with you here. Please guide me to His Grace the Duke immediately. I will have to meet and talk with His Grace in person.”

 

The Duke of Windsorais was no fool.

 

Even if he was a duke, he didn’t think he could bring Liriette back from the High Priest with just a letter.

 

However, the Duke didn’t feel the need to visit the High Priest at all.

 

After all, Liriette was by his side.

 

[The lost side will come.]

 

Looking at the High Priest, who moved according to the Duke’s thoughts, Villaim happily nodded.

 

“That shall be done.”

 

 

The High Priest hurriedly prepared to leave.

 

First, he picked priests to wait on him. Among them was Noelle.

 

Noelle moved her hand with a worried face.

 

“Is it true that Lily was kidnapped by the Duke?”

 

Regardless of Liriette’s will, he took the child without permission, so it was an absolute kidnapping.

 

So, the High Priest nodded his head proudly.

 

“Yeah.”

 

At the High Priest’s answer, Noelle’s face instantly turned pale.

 

“Is Lily okay? In case the Duke hurts Lily…”

 

The High Priest spoke in an annoyed voice to Noelle, who moved her hands quickly.

 

“I don’t know either. Don’t ask unnecessary questions and prepare for your trip.”

 

Although Noelle had many things she wanted to ask the High Priest, yet she kept her mouth shut.

 

Watching Noelle walk away with a downcast face, the High Priest clicked his tongue.

 

‘That defective thing!’

 

In fact, Noelle wasn’t a proper priest to wait on the High Priest.

 

Because she was very ignorant, she couldn’t even flatter him, and her actions were sluggish.

 

The only reason Noelle was taken was because she was particularly close with Liriette.

 

‘Even if it’s cumbersome, taking her would be useful in some way.’

 

In a few hours they were ready to head north.

 

Despite being prepared in a hurry, the performance was amazing.

 

The carriage pulled by six horses was luxurious, and there were over thirty priests following.

 

Above all, the appearance of the High Priest sitting in the carriage was a spectacle.

 

He wore a fur cloak as large as his body over his thick flesh.

 

Villaim’s mustache twitched.

 

‘Does he think that he can prevent the northern cold with something like that?’

 

Ridiculous.

 

But Villaim didn’t bother to point it out.

 

“Then we will depart.”

 

Not long after leaving the road, the High Priest was serious.

 

“You’re not going to the gate?”

 

“Using the gate costs a lot of money. So, when we use the gate at the Duke of Windsorais, it’s when we have a very urgent business.”

 

“Now, if this isn’t an urgent business, what is it?”

 

Villaim cut it short.

 

“It’s not, from His Grace’s point of view.”

 

“…!”

 

The High Priest asked to use the gate, saying it was nonsense. However, Villaim completely ignored the words.

 

The road to the north without going through the gate was very long and rough.

 

They were often attacked by wild animals and monsters, and had to sleep on the barren land without permission.

 

Most painful of all was the wind that became stronger as they approached the north.

 

The High Priest shrank in his carriage.

 

His lips were blue and his teeth chattering, even though he was wearing an expensive fox fur cape.

 

It was bitter cold.

 

Even more horrifying was the fact that this painful journey lasted another month.

 

***

 

Windsorais Castle.

 

Liriette was looking at the large window. All she could see out the window was pure white snow.

 

A kind voice came from behind Liriette.

 

“There is still a long way before the High Priest arrives at the castle.”

 

It was the butler Simon.

 

Liriette gave an awkward smile as if he had caught her feelings.

 

It was fifteen days ago that she asked the Duke to let her stay in the castle.

 

In the meantime, the Duke sent his men to inform the High Priest. That he wouldn’t send Liriette back to the temple.

 

The High Priest said he would come to find Liriette right away.

 

Ever since hearing that, Liriette has been checking the window every day.

 

Like a rabbit who gets scared whenever a carnivore comes to eat it.

 

Simon guessed the reason without difficulty.

 

‘Miss Liriette got up before sunrise and knelt down to pray for an hour, and until His Grace’s eyes healed, she ate only bread and vegetables.’

 

Even if it was the rules of the temple, it was too harsh for a child who was only 10 years old.

 

More than anything, Liriette desperately wanted to get out of the temple.

 

‘The rumor that the High Priest cares for Liriette like his daughter must be false.’

 

On the contrary, it must have been very bad.

 

‘You damn pig, just come. I won’t let you think of coming to see Liriette again.’

 

Simon laughed, hiding his evil thoughts.

 

“I’ll let you know as soon as the High Priest arrives. So don’t worry too much and be comfortable.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

Liriette answered obediently and left the window.

 

‘It’s as Simon said. No matter how much I care about when the High Priest comes, it won’t help me at all. I’d rather do what I can do now.’

 

Liriette went to visit the maid, Marie.

 

It was the first time that Liriette had searched for someone first, so Marie’s face came to her mind.

 

“What is it, Miss Liriette? Do you need anything?”

 

She looked up at Marie and said.

 

“I want to work.”

 

Her mouth opened as if she had been hit in the back of the head with a hammer, and she shook her head.

 

“Miss Liriette is a precious guest to His Grace the Duke. We can never make you work.”