Amalda blinked in disbelief after hearing Eleanor’s artifice.
“I can’t believe Nor-chan can do such things…” “However, everything I told you is true. She agreed to become the Incompetent God’s Saintess on her own volition, and yet she tried to make it seem like it was Amalda-sama’s fault. Not to mention my parents, she even seduced the duke — the House of Duke Luveria — to frame you as the villain.”
Eric clenched his fists on his lap while he continued his tirade.
It was truly infuriating just recalling it.
If there was such a thing as evil in this world, then it should only be that woman and none else.
‘Did you want to make Amalda-sama appear as the villain that much that you have the gall to drag the name of the House of Duke Luveria into this?’
Eleanor and Eric couldn’t see eye to eye. However, his parents, who had been dubious about her, immediately took her side the moment the Duke Luveria was mentioned.
Even Count Cradil who favored Eric also did the same.
Duke Luveria had strong ties with the Imperial Family, and he wielded great influence over the aristocratic society.
He was famous for his excellence and impartiality, and he was well-trusted by the other noble houses.
In contrast, even if Amalda was the Saintess of the Supreme Deity, it had been only a month since she assumed that role.
"
"
She still hadn’t participated in any large-scale festivals yet, so the nobles were still unaware just how magnificent she was.
‘Just a few words with Amalda-sama will be far more than enough to make them see just who the liar here is, and yet…!’
Eric gritted his teeth to reign in his frustration, then he shook his head.
Count Cradil and his parents would definitely see the truth if they were to see her personality for themselves.
It was for this reason that he went against all odds in order to visit Amalda.
“Amalda-sama. Please participate in today’s discussion. Please let the truth be known from your own lips.”
Eric seemed to have strengthened his resolve as he looked straight into Amalda’s eyes.
Amalda held her cheek, as if bothered by the whole affair. She then replied after a moment of hesitation.
“Hmmm, I see. I don’t want to believe it, but if Nor-chan is lying, then then it’s necessary that we have a proper talk. Perhaps, she needed to lie because of some circumstances…”
She heaved a deep sigh, as if it was totally hard to bear.
She painted such a tragic picture as she lowered her gaze the ground, her usually lively azure eyes clouded over.
“I will… try to send a letter to His Grace the Duke. He collaborated with Nor-chan, so there must have been a reason.”
“…Amalda-sama, you’re personally sending a letter to Duke Luveria? Are you acquainted, perhaps?”
Eric was taken aback by her unexpected answer.
He was pretty sure that she was born into a baron’s family.
Even if she was the saintess of the supreme deity, that didn’t give her the rights to casually send a letter to the duke, coming from a baron’s family as she was.
Eric was puzzled on how this came to be, when Amalda laughed bashfully.
“We’ve been friends since a long time ago. I frequently went out with the Duke, together with Marion-chan, too. He has been very kind to me for a lot of things to the point that I feel apologetic.”
‘Marion — then that must be Eleanor’s older sister.’
She was also the wife of Duke Luveria, and the perpetrator of this meaningless discussion.
“Because of that, Marion-chan hated me…Ah, no! I shouldn’t have such a thing! Eric-sama, please forget it!”
Amalda pressed her hand to her lips as if she just returned to her senses, then she shook her head.
“It’s not Marion-chan’s fault! It’s just a misunderstanding, it seems. I don’t have any intention like that…”
“………..”
‘I see.’
Eric suddenly had an epiphany as to why the duke was suddenly involved in this matter.
‘It’s just like her sister.’
It all boiled down to Eleanor’s sister — Marion’s jealousy towards Amalda.
Amalda seemed unaware of it, but based on her story, the duke was apparently captivated by her.
Marion noticed this, so even though she’s already married, she still detested Amalda, so she hatched this plan to deceive her — there should be no other reason than this.
‘It’s making me nauseous.’
Eric snorted, as if trying to expel his discomfort.
He was angry at the malice that Amalda just exposed, and yet he couldn’t help but pity her for still refusing to blame anyone.
“Eric-sama? You have been quiet for some time now, is there a problem?”
“…No.” Amalda’s tone was bright. Eric lifted his head.
There was no trace of gloominess in her smile.
“I understand. I will forget about what I just heard. However, will you do me a favor in return?”
“Favor?”
Amalda tilted her head, apparently baffled, so Eric narrowed his eyes.
He was certain that Duke Luveria had also gazed at Amalda the same way that he do now at some point in time.
Eric felt stifled thinking that Duke Luveria was Amalda’s close friend.
He claimed he despised jealousy, but he was also jealous of the man that had once been by her side.
‘But I’m the one who is beside Amalda-sama now.’
No matter how excellent or handsome he was, he was still the Duke, so by that status, he wouldn’t be able to stand beside Amalda now that he has a wife.
That gave Eric a faint sense of superiority.
He hid this muddy sense of joy as he smiled back at Amalda.
“I will keep today’s conversation as a secret between us, but in return — will you please call me ‘Eric’?”
Amalda was taken aback by Eric’s suggestion, but her cheeks were tinged with red.
There it was again, that gooey, sludgy sense of pleasure welling up in him.
The duke probably hadn’t seen her like this before.
Other men, too — not even her deity, he was sure of it.
Hi everyone, Hanazakura here, thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Hungry for more? Great news! You can read 5 chapters in advance for as low as $3 at Patreon 🙂