The Predator’s Contract Partner

“It must be that bitch who put the nameplate there! Right? The one who prayed here all night is Elisha.”

Carola finally gathered her thoughts and declared. The Head said coldly to her:

“How do you know Elisha put the golden nameplate? She put it here? Carola! The only people in the house who know where it is hidden are you and Jacob.”

The corners of Elisha’s mouth curled up the tiniest bit. In the temple’s basement was a secret storage for the collections related to holy relics. Carola was often careless, opening the hidden depository in front of her and sometimes even ordering her to run errands for her. One task involved the Gaju’s nameplate, so she discovered where it was kept.

“Besides, only you and the High Priestess have the key to this temple. And it’s just Gail. That’s why you messed up Elisha’s preparations for the ritual last night? Do you think I gave you an extra set of keys for this? If you have something to say, say it.”

Then, someone burst into laughter. It was Prince Jewel who everyone had forgotten.

“You— you? Haha. You are so pretty. Yes. I asked you to prepare a woman who looks like Elisha this time.”

However, Prince Jewel hadn’t come to his senses yet. He was approaching Elisha with staggering steps while the servants’ hands loosened. When Carola pointed out Elisha, he seemed to think she was a courtesan she sent him.

“You must be out of your mind.”

Before reaching Elisha, he was blocked by Lucerne. He mercilessly struck Jewel across the face.

Strike! His face jerked back with such a loud noise, making one wonder if Jewel’s jaw had been shattered.

“Arghh!”

Jewel curled up unsightly. Lucerne’s blow awakened his senses. Only then did he blink.

‘Huh? I… … . now… … . What just happened?’

His face went white. Jewel met the expressions of the empress and Ilione staring at him.

Carola watched Jewel and calculated a way to live. She shouted loudly,

“The truth is… … . Prince Jewel raped Carola!”

Jewel paled at Carola’s accusation.

“W-what are you talking about! Why would I rape you!”

“Carola didn’t want to. The prince dragged me here and molested me!”

“Don’t make me laugh! There’s even a note you sent me!”

Coincidentally, the emperor who entered the place belatedly saw the whole scene. He looked at Jewel in disbelief.

“Jewel what is this!”

“Royal Father! Look, it’s not… … .”

The emperor looked around. When a servant whispered something in his ear, he immediately grasped the situation.

“Take away that stupid bastard! Right now!”

The emperor shouted. Jewel was taken away with a bewildered face. Soon after, the Lord issued the same order.

Jacob’s knights also took Carola.

***

Birds started chirping in the grove near the temple. People felt like they were watching a midsummer night’s nightmare.

***

The wife of the first grandson, the de facto successor of the Duke of Cartier, and the eldest son of the imperial family had an affair. Also, in the Duke’s shrine. On the Duke’s most prized treasure.

If the two families started holding each other accountable, the entire empire could be shaken.

“What is this… … .”

“Is what we just saw real?”

People gathered in front of the temple, and their murmurs grew into a dull roar.

A moderate incident becomes a scandal that people can laugh about.

But when people witness an event so bizarre, they don’t even realize it’s a scandal.

“This… … . If it’s handled wrong… … .”

People were even frightened of this incident. Those who were quick-witted left quickly, thinking they might bear the brunt of a titan’s rage.

The Duke was also very rarely so flustered and agitated. Even Gail, who had followed the Head, forgot to retrieve Gaju’s nameplate.

[Ramund de Cartier]

The cotton veil Carola wore was torn and scattered over the name.

People slowly left their seats, and Lucerne and Elisha glanced at each other.

***

“Then what shall we do now?”

“What do you have in mind?”

Elisha whispered.

“We have to go see Carola’s failed plans.”

***

Carola’s life was now in Lucerne’s and Elisha’s hands. They headed towards the dormitory where the Duke’s knights stayed. A small barn was behind the dormitory, but no one was around.

Ian and Nora, standing in front of the temple, followed Lucerne and Elisha.

“Oh! Ah! How are you here… … .”

The woman who came out of the barn with a water bottle freaked out. It was none other than Pansy.

“Open the door.”

Lucerne beckoned. Nora slammed the door.

“Is it inside?”

“Yes.”

Early morning sunlight poured into the barn. Startled by the loud sound of the door opening, the man lying on the cot in the barn stood up.

“Who is this? Huh?”

It was Zain, still half asleep. Last night, he hid in this barn, biding his time to attack Elisha.

Pansy brought him food. Zain ate the food she gave him without question. The food contained sleeping pills that she had put in it. He fell asleep after that. And now it was dawn.

‘… … I truly loathe him.’

Elisha’s stomach was rumbling, and she was about to vomit just from looking at him.

In her previous life, she had many terrible moments in her life. But the first deeply imprinted terror was the night he carried her father’s head.

The shock and scar she suffered at that time left a profound afterimage of her trauma deep inside. Even after that, Zain was a dreadful nightmare branded on Elisha. In her past life, she would always run away if he was nearby.

‘There’s no need for me to interrogate him myself.’

So Elisha left it up to Lucerne and the knights to enter the barn.