The Tragedy of The Villainess

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***

"It's divine power, Lina. Calm down.”

“Divine power? If it's divine power, it's nothing. I don’t want it. Does it make sense?”

"Don't cry, Lina. It's only three months, and the priests said it'll be over in just three months..”

Lina burst into tears and nodded.

3 months.

It was three months. That limited time was the hope that sustained Lina.

After three months, the sacred child would be transferred from her body to the sacred tree. This was exactly what was normally recorded in the Bible.

So, Lina only had to endure three months.

Kalis had a complicated look on her face. Before he came in, he spoke to priest Jubelud. He was told that as soon as Lina heard that she was pregnant by divine power, she just fainted. Her body and mind had become so weak that she could not bear the shock.

The priest also said that Lina continued to look for Kalis. So he said to make sure that what he said was also comforting…

"…Lina.”

It was unknown if it was his divine power, or the divine power of Lesche Berg, or Seria’s. They won’t be certain until after 3 months.

Kalis rubbed his dry face and opened his mouth.

“You didn't hear whose divine power is tied to it, did you?”

"…I didn't hear."

The fact that two divine powers could be combined was something that Lina had learned while taking the class. Kalis spoke in a slow voice.

“He said it could be my divine power or the divine power of God.”

Lina finally looked relieved.

“I'm glad if it’s Kalis… I was scared that it might be a total stranger.”

“It could be God's child.”

The reality of having an unwanted child out of the blue was too much to handle, but if it was someone she didn't know, she would have felt cursed.

"Lina. I'll tell you in advance.”

"…Hmm? Tell me what in advance?"

Kalis continued to speak slowly.

“It doesn't matter whose child it is, I will take responsibility for the child.”

***

“What are you thinking? Grand Duchess.”

At Linon's words, Seria moved her meaningless gaze from the window.

"I didn't know I would have a child with another woman."

"…Grand Duchess, please!”

"What?”

"Don't say that because it hasn't been confirmed yet. My heart is about to drop."

It was not an exaggeration. Linon's face was really pale.

"Why do you look so pale?"

"No, His Highness…"

"Lesche? What's wrong with Lesche?"

Linon hesitated and said.

‘I don't think the Grand Duchess has seen this, but His Highness went out to the frontier earlier and was in a bad mood…The Berg knights were frozen for a while, unable to speak. The sturdy knights did, but what about the soft and feeble me?"

“Hmmm.”

The call from the temple about Lina and the report from the demon defense post came at the same time. Lesche decided to visit the border first.

Seria thought about going with Lesche, but ….

She wasn't sure she could handle the atmosphere.

It was surprising that Lina had come back, but she even came back pregnant. And it was even more unimaginable that the child may be the result of Seria’s divine power combined…. After she heard that, she thought it was ridiculous, absurd, amazing.

‘How is that possible?'

‘Between me and Lina?’

Of course, Seria was also a Stern, so she could at least remember most of what the Bible said. She also knew that there were several instances in the Bible of children being born out of the union of divine power.

Who in the world reads the Bible and could predict this would be their story?

It was her ex-fiancé’s wife and child…

The more she thought about it, the more she was appalled, but still, that was the extent of it.

It was ridiculous.

But there was a possibility that Lina's child may have combined with Lesche’s divine power.

So it could be Lesche’s child. ….

Her mood plummeted. She felt like the floor caved in. So she thought it’d be better to go to the Great Temple first. The priests were restless, and it hadn’t been long since she received the Stern insignia.

‘The b*stard Tuban said this isn’t in the book.’

‘He even took my precious blue diamond…..’

Seria stared out the carriage window at the fast passing scenery.

If, indeed, it was Lesche’s divine power.

How would he react?

***

"Your Highness. Please check again tomorrow morning."

Alliot said as he looked at Lesche. Alliot had yet to hear the secret message from the Great Temple. So he didn't know why Lesche’s complexion was so somber.

Still, it was only after the primary confirmation of the boundary line that he was able to ask.

"…Your Highness. Did something happen to the Grand Duchess?”

Lesche asked as he put his sword into the case.

“Alliot."

"Yes, Your Highness."

“Are there any women who prefer a man with a child?"

“I don’t think there are.”

Lesche swept his hair roughly.

He didn’t even know why there was even a hint of divine power in his body. He didn’t know why Berg was one of the Grand families.

If he hadn't been one of the heads of the seventeen families, he wouldn't have been able to take that precious Stern as his wife. Lesche thought about Seria as he took off his cold constellation gold armor.

He was going crazy.

***

Priest Jubelud was relieved to see Lina in much better shape after meeting Kalis.

“Did Marquis Haneton tell you that? He’s taking responsibility for the child?"

"Yes. But I'm a little sorry for Kalis. All he was thinking about was getting divorce."

Priest Jubelud nodded at Lina's comment. After exchanging a few more words, he left the room.

"Then rest well, Saintess."

However, priest Jubelud felt complicated.

Marquis Haneton had yet to request his divorce from the Saintess. And he still couldn't forget about Seria.

Furthermore, he did not mention that it might be the sacred power of Stern and the Grand Duke Berg.

However, Kalis’s response was understandable.

That it could be his child instead of from the other two.

But if the child was from the other two people, wouldn’t it be completely different stories?

Since Lina had just returned, her body's shock still hadn't worn off, and her spirit was weakened by the shocking news of her pregnancy.

They had to wait at least a week. After feeding her delicious food and replenishing her body with good medicine, if Lina regained her strength, it wouldn't be too late to let her know the truth then.

The priests were also scared that the Saintess might faint.

“Saintess. Look out the window.”

"The moon is red today.”

"I heard the Saintess appeared under the blessing of the moon."

At the priests' tantalizing words, Lina also looked out the window. She was afraid of the moon, but also curious. What in the world was that moon, and how could it take her away and bring her back?

"……."

Looking at the red moon, Lina suddenly frowned a little. She stretched out her hand. Strangely, looking at the red moon reminded her of a treasure that she had forgotten all about.

It was that beautiful necklace with a bright red gemstone encrusted in the center and a star carved in gold.

It was Seria’s necklace.

She suddenly remembered what she had said to Seria on the Tshugan plains.

"When you divorce later, you will return it to His Highness the Grand Duke, right?”

She said it hastily because she wanted it, but on second thought, she shouldn't have said that to Seria. If she were to divorce Kalis, Seria would not have thought of it that way either.

Moreover, thanks to Kalis, she was able to calm down and think positively and accepted this situation.

She even had a new realization after experiencing the extraordinary event that she had been given a child through the union of divine power, and that it might even be God's child. She was truly a testimony of God.

“The world I was originally from had a Bible, and I found a story similar to mine there. It makes a little more sense if I think about it.”

The Priests' eyes lit up at the words "Saint's original world and the Bible." Lina spoke to the priests and found stability on her own.

There were two Stern, or three, who were precious, but there was only one Saint.

There was nothing she could tell Seria to have an equal friend relationship.

If she apologized for her previous rudeness, and if Seria generously accepted her apologies, they could get to know each other slowly.

If she became a normal and lovely friend, Seria may give her the necklace as a gift. Eventually, Lina regained some of her former exuberance.

“Kalis has a strong sense of responsibility."

The priests opened their eyes wide at Lina's words.

"I saw him running like crazy from the entrance from the temple entrance to here. He came to see the Saintess."

"Is that so?"

Kalis’ words sounded reassuring, "It doesn't matter whose child it is, I’ll take responsibility." He was also a friend who had taken care of her and treated her well in this strange world.

Lina smiled and raised her stiff body.

She'd spent a few days in the dim light, and she wanted to walk. It was late at night, but it would be nice to visit Kalis and have a nice conversation.

Lina took her steps. The place where Kalis was was close to the building where Lina was. The patrolling holy knights also gave way to Lina.

If it was the Haneton's castle or mansion, the servants would have been guarding the bedroom, but this was the Great Temple. So there was no servant who dared to guard it.

Only Haneton's aide was sitting there.

“Saintess?"

The aide jumped up as soon as he saw Lina. He looked puzzled. Lina remembered the aide and said lightly,

"I'm here to see Kalis.”

"Ah… the Marquis is sleeping."

"Already?"

Lina was about to leave, feeling disappointed. But then she suddenly realized that something was wrong, because of the aide’s behavior, like he was trying to keep her out of Kalis’s room.

It was suspicious.

“Saintess? Ah, the Marquis is really sleeping…!"

‘'I'll just look at his face. It’s okay, right?”

“Saintess…!”

Without any time to stop, Lina opened the bedroom door. However, contrary to Lina's vague expectations, the bedroom was quiet and frozen. Moreover, Kalis was closing his eyes on the bed quietly, just as the aide had said.

“He’s really sleeping…”

The aide sighed, inwardly relieved.

It was the moment when Lina was about to turn around with an embarrassing look. Kalis covered his face with both hands with a low moan. The face reflected through the gap of his hand revealed his deep agony. Tears flowed down from his tightly closed eyes.

"Kalis….?"

The moment a panicked Lina hurriedly walked to the bed where Kalis was lying.

"Seria…"

At the name Kalis called out in a cracked voice.

Lina's feet came to a halt.