IFLDMHF | Chapter 123

Since the Duke of Rudion’s form of address might be confusing, you want me to call you ‘Duchess’ instead of ‘Madam’?

At such an unexpected statement, Damien was left speechless.

But what followed from Evgenia was even more bewildering.

After drawing a clear line with him, Evgenia subtly turned her body and observed the Duke of Rudion’s expression.

Then, as soon as their eyes met, she beamed with a satisfied look.

As if she were a child expecting praise, saying, “I did well, right?”

For Damien, who knew Evgenia’s true nature, it was utterly baffling.

The Duke’s reaction was just as surprising.

His eyes had widened in shock at Evgenia’s words, but soon his lips curved into a gentle smile.

He seemed truly delighted by her actions.

‘Are they really getting divorced?’

They say only the couple knows what happens in their marriage, but judging from this scene, they looked like they would live happily ever after.

From the perspective of someone who officiated their wedding and blessed their future, this was a good thing.

Even so, seeing this unfold in front of him was embarrassing, and Damian couldn’t hide his awkward expression.

At that moment, Evgenia, whose face had flushed as if she had received an incredible reward from the Duke’s smile, subtly signaled to him.

It was a clear sign to proceed with healing the Duke.

“Show me the injured area.”

Damien, having no intention to hesitate further, immediately approached the bed and raised both hands.

A bright white light burst forth, enveloping the bandaged arm and the rest of his body before gradually fading.

The Duke moved his previously broken arm and gave a small nod.

“Thank you, High Priest.”

“It’s nothing.”

Damien replied calmly, then glanced at Evgenia.

As if asking, ‘Is this enough now?’

But…

“Duke, are you really alright? Do you have any other pain?”

Evgenia had no interest in him whatsoever.

While Damien inexplicably felt dejected, the Duke responded with a smile.

“Yes. In fact, I feel even lighter than before.”

Of course he would.

The ever-dedicated Duchess had pressured him with her expression to use divine power beyond just the injured arm.

Not only had the broken arm healed completely, but even unnoticed minor wounds had disappeared, and he was likely feeling more energized as well.

As Damien grumbled inwardly, he suddenly felt an odd sense of discomfort and stopped.

Had he ever felt this dissatisfied when healing someone with divine power before?

Even when he had reached his physical and mental limits, he had never felt this way.

So why was he feeling like this now?

The answer was clear—he resented and felt uncomfortable with Evgenia, who had once used threats against that person.

But…

That was a past that no longer existed.

If he continued to let it affect him and acted pettily, the one in the wrong would be himself.

Even if the memories of that other timeline remained vivid in Damien’s mind.

Especially when the goddess had even given him an oracle to assist Evgenia.

As Damien stood frozen in place, overwhelmed by uncontrollable self-loathing…

“Master.”

As if sensing the treatment was over, the butler, who had been waiting outside, approached swiftly and whispered something into Euclid’s ear.

Euclid nodded.

“Tell them I will be there shortly.”

“You know how impatient they are. I barely managed to stop them from coming here immediately. They might already be on their way by now.”

Well, that certainly sounded like something they would do.

Fortunately, Euclid also wanted to meet them right away today.

“There seem to be many visitors to the ducal estate today. High Priest, I will have a room prepared for you to rest in. We will serve dinner as well.”

After instructing the butler to escort the guest to a chamber, Euclid addressed Damien.

At that, Damien, who had regained his composure, shook his head with a more formal demeanor than before.

“No, that won’t be necessary. I have companions waiting, and I need to return to the temple.”

“But—”

“It’s alright. I didn’t come here to receive the Duke’s hospitality.”

A look of confusion briefly crossed Euclid’s face.

‘Then why did he come to the ducal estate?’

But instead of answering, Damien simply looked at Evgenia.

She returned his gaze with an annoyed expression, as if to say, ‘Why are you looking at me?’

“…….”

It had only been a minute since he decided to stop being curt with her since she had done nothing wrong in this timeline.

And yet, it had taken just a second to break that resolution.

Even though he had delivered the goddess’s oracle and made it clear that he would help in any way…

Why was she reacting like this?

Feeling a sudden sense of defiance, Damien impulsively spoke.

“Then, Duchess, would you escort me?”

“……What?”

“I would appreciate it.”

“Well… I was going to do that anyway.”

Evgenia scratched her cheek and reluctantly agreed.

After all, it was the host’s duty to see off a guest.

Since Euclid was busy greeting another visitor, it was only natural that she, as the lady of the house, would do so.

It was just that the fact that he specifically requested it made it feel a little strange… and oddly meaningful.

In the end, Evgenia walked out of the chamber alongside Damien.

Seeing that Euclid was now fully healed put her mind at ease, and her steps down the hallway felt lighter.

“Duchess.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

The moment Damien called her, Evgenia immediately stopped walking and responded.

Because she already had a feeling that Damien still had something to say to her.

Rather, it was Damien who was caught off guard by Evgenia’s reaction.

As soon as they stepped out of the duke’s bedroom, she took the lead without a word, her face indifferent. He had expected her to continue acting detached.

But contrary to his expectations, the moment she locked eyes with him, her posture clearly indicated that she was willing to listen to what he had to say.

For a moment, Damien forgot what he was about to say and glanced around.

Beyond the windows lining the long hallway, a lush green garden came into view.

As if something had piqued his curiosity, Damien asked,

“The North looks quite different from what I had heard.”

“Ah.”

At that moment, Evgenia’s expression suddenly showed that something had come to mind.

“In fact, the weather has been getting unusually warm recently.”

“Has it?”

“Yes. I’ve been investigating the cause, but I couldn’t find anything. But after hearing what you said today, I think I finally understand why.”

Lowering her voice slightly, Evgenia leaned toward Damien.

“I suspect the goddess has intervened in some way.”

“The goddess…?”

“Yes!”

When Delano had claimed that the climate change was because of her, she had scoffed at the idea.

Even now, she didn’t truly believe that the goddess had a special fondness for her, protecting and blessing her in particular.

As Damian had said, the goddess merely supported her because, like Evgenia herself, she wanted Euclid to be happy.

Since she now knew that divine intervention was possible, that was the only plausible reason she could think of for the sudden warming of the weather.

However, unlike Evgenia, who seemed certain, Damien gazed out the window with a strange expression.

Then, he spoke with firm conviction.

“That’s not it.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t sense the goddess’s power.”

If the goddess’s blessing had descended upon the North, there was no way he wouldn’t have noticed.

“If it were another kind of power, that would be a different story.”

Damien narrowed his eyes, trying to grasp the nature of the energy enveloping the North, and muttered to himself.

Then, suddenly, he extended his hand toward Evgenia.

“May I see your hand for a moment?”

“My hand?”

Evgenia narrowed her eyes and pulled her hand back protectively.

“I’m a married woman, you know.”

“…I am the High Priest.”

“Hm.”

Despite that, Evgenia’s expression clearly showed her reluctance.

Seeing her hesitation, Damien spoke in a firm tone.

“I swear I have no impure intentions. I need to confirm something, so please, give me your hand.”

“…Ahem.”

Since he had gone this far, she couldn’t refuse.

With great reluctance, Evgenia offered her hand—one she hadn’t even held with Euclid a few times.

Watching her remain on guard until the end, Damien couldn’t help but feel like some kind of scoundrel.

Suppressing his rising irritation, he let out a deep sigh, took her hand, and closed his eyes.

Then, without realizing it, his eyelids twitched slightly.

Since he had received a divine oracle regarding Evgenia, he had expected to sense the goddess’s power within her.

But inscribed deep within her soul was a blessing entirely different from the goddess’s—a presence of unknown origin.

Had he not physically held her hand, he wouldn’t have noticed it at all.

A strange sense of déjà vu struck him, and Damian’s eyes flew open.

He glanced at Evgenia once, then at the scenery outside the window.

It was at that moment—

“What exactly do you think you’re doing here?”

A sharp, irritated voice rang out from behind Damien.