She Was Sent by God

 

 

Sir Beller, the Duke’s most devoted servant, was among them. Laslo wept for several days after his death.

 

– Due to an epidemic, two princes died one after the other.

 

A terrible epidemic that began in the south spread across the entire country.

 

Sutmar, which had little contact with the outside world, had a relatively low death toll. However, the capital city, which had a large floating population was devastated.

 

Agnes recalled the situation when a black flag was hung in the palace to announce the prince’s death.

 

It wasn’t a major issue since there was still a good chance of seeing a future generation born because both Sebastian and the queen were still quite young.

 

At that time, she could not have imagined that it would be the beginning of everything.

 

“Madam.”

 

“Huh?”

 

Her hand, which had been writing down what would happen in the future, came to a halt, and she turned her head. A maid she had seen in the morning was standing next to her, looking familiar.

 

“I came to ask how you would like to have your meal.”

 

“Is it already lunchtime?”

 

After talking to Niall, she started writing on the paper and soon the sun was at its highest point.

 

“Yes.”

 

“There’s nothing I want, so you don’t need to prepare anything,” Agnes said bluntly, returning her gaze to the piece of paper.

 

She couldn’t recall what happened after that.

 

She was disappointed in her pathetic self. At this rate, she won’t be able to help him. The dreadful future would only be repeated in three years.

 

“Understood.”

 

The maid stepped back and bowed politely.

 

‘I wish I’d been smarter, or perhaps wiser and more knowledgeable like Bushke……’

 

She jumped out of her chair at that precise moment, knocking it over in the process.

 

“Wait a second!”

 

She then called over a maid who was about to leave.

 

Bushke, also known as the Sage, may have a solution.

 

“Did you call me, Madam?”

 

“Bu-, no. Who is the castle’s advisor?”

 

Realizing she hadn’t been introduced to Bushke yet, she asked for her title instead of her name.

 

“Her name is Bushke Hershko.”

 

Agnes’ abrupt question appeared to have perplexed the maid, but she soon calmly responded to her request.

 

“Please summon her here.”

 

For the first time, the maid hesitated to respond while submissively lowering her eyes.

 

“Did you not hear what I said?”

 

“Yes, I did. Madam. Hershko, however, rarely stays in this area because she frequently travels throughout the territory.”

 

She made an ambiguous facial expression and lowered her head even more.

 

“Hmm.”

 

Now that she thought about it, she had heard that Hershko frequently traveled the territory. 

 

“Are you certain she isn’t in the castle?”

 

“It’s difficult to say for sure.”

 

“Then show me where she’s staying.”

 

“Madam!”

 

Ney, who was observing the conversation from the side, interrupted and asked why the owner of the castle made an effort to meet her subordinate.

 

Of course, this was out of the ordinary. However, for Agnes, gaining knowledge was more important than establishing her status as the Madam.

 

“How could the madam…”

 

Despite Ney’s vehement protests, Agnes simply reassured her.

 

The maid gave the princess a brief glance before taking the lead.

 

She followed the maid across the castle, feeling very familiar with the surroundings.

 

Even the worn stones and parched grass felt familiar.

 

It was approximately halfway there. In the distance, she noticed two men laughing. They were not commoners based on their attire.

 

They noticed Agnes was moving closer to them, but the two men made no attempt to stop and extend their greetings. Rather, they continued chatting among themselves and walked casually past her, as if she was a stone pillar.

 

“Hold on!”

 

Ney raised her eyes sharply as she watched it.

 

“Don’t waste your time on things that aren’t worthwhile.”

 

Agnes was familiar with both of their names, titles, and faces and knew why they didn’t like her.

 

“Ha, but Madam.”

 

Agnes shook her head and smiled bitterly.

 

“This is it.”

 

They had reached the West Watchtower’s entrance. The stairwell seemed to go on forever.

 

“I’ll go up and see if Bushke is there.”

 

“Alright.”

 

The maid quickly walked away.

 

It was a shady spot, so it was cool even in the summer. Agnes lightly shivered.

 

“Should I bring something to wrap around you?”

 

Ney had a worried expression on her face.

 

“No, it’s just a bit chilly…”

 

“Who’s there?”

 

Next to the stone pillar, a familiar voice could be heard.

 

“Ah.”

 

Agnes was startled when she realized who was speaking.

 

“Oh, what brings you to such a humble place?”

 

Zoltan approached them with a frivolous smile after realizing it was the princess.

 

They had only exchanged greetings the day she had arrived in Sutmar, so they were still getting used to each other’s faces.

 

His manner of speaking and moving seemed strange. Furthermore, his entire body stank of alcohol.

 

A frown appeared on Ney’s face as soon as she noticed.

 

Agnes felt strange when she saw Zoltan. She knew exactly how he’d die. When she closed her eyes, the image of him leaning against a tree while bleeding from a sword wound so large that his intestines were visible still flashed in her mind.

 

– Don’t die.

 

Agnes bit her lower lip subtly.

 

Even so, she fled without giving the dying man a second glance. In that moment, she felt horrified by her own cowardice and selfishness. The emotions of that day surged up and clawed at her chest.

 

She owed him a great deal.

 

“What, am I not deserving of a response?” Zoltan frowned.

 

It was only then that Agnes realized she was staring at him with a blank expression. 

 

“No. I apologize, Sir Zoltan. I was just lost in thought for a moment. What did you say?”

 

“I asked why you were at the West Watchtower. It’s not a location that the princess would be interested in.”

 

“I had heard that the castle’s advisor lived here, and I had a question for her.”

 

“To Bushke? Hmm. She isn’t here right now. The old woman enjoys wandering around. So she’s most likely hiding somewhere in the territory.”

 

She was surprised by his unexpectedly compliant and polite attitude.

 

The Zoltan she remembered was rude and spoke informally to her. She remembered how they were constantly arguing because of that.

 

‘Were we not in a bad relationship at first?’

 

Her recollection of him was hazy in some ways.

 

She couldn’t pinpoint what had gone wrong in her relationship with Zoltan. For some reason, whenever Zoltan saw her, he always treated her as his enemy.

 

“If she’s not here, I can’t help it.”

 

However, at this point, the man in front of her was giving her a very favorable gaze.

 

Unknowingly, the princess smiled faintly.

 

“Thank you for informing me, Sir Zoltan. Thanks to you, we avoided wasting our time.”

 

Sadly, today was not the day. Furthermore, there was an event this evening where the vassals would be introduced to her, so it would be a good time to arrange a meeting with her.

 

“Well”

 

He didn’t say whether he thought Agnes’s display of gratitude was awkward or unexpected; he just appeared a little perplexed.

 

“Madam, Bushke isn’t here,” 

 

The maid came down at that precise moment and gave her a firm response. She wore a troubled look on her face.

 

“Yes, Sir Zoltan told me about it. There’s nothing we can do.”

 

She accepted it without resistance and began walking away from the watchtower.

 

“Princess!”

 

She had not gone more than a few steps when she heard Zoltan calling after her.

 

He shook his head and quickly approached Agnes’ side.

 

“That…hmm, are you now busy?”

 

“Now?”

 

How unexpected.

 

Zoltan was never particularly amiable or considerate toward Agnes from the first time they met until the end.

 

“I don’t have anything specific to do.”

 

“Then, uhmm. Can I take you somewhere for a minute?”

 

“Where do you mean?”

 

“Just for a second. I’d like to speak with you.”

 

Zoltan Arpad is often ridiculed and misunderstood, but it wasn’t unreasonable. The stench of alcohol pervades his body, and due to his temper, he was frequently involved in bloody fights.

 

“Of course,”

 

But the majority of the time, his rage was a result of his inability to tolerate injustice. He had a big heart and always gave what he had to those in need.

 

They walked silently.

 

Zoltan led her to the castle’s only managed garden. It was a place that had been cherished and well-kept by the former Duchess, preventing it from falling into disrepair by scraping together what little budget was available.

 

“Here…”

 

Ney sighed as he looked around the garden.

 

“Please take a seat, princess.”

 

The table where Zoltan led her was particularly rusted.

 

Ney noticed it but remained motionless, as if stunned.

 

In the royal palace, this would have been unimaginable.

 

“How could… this kind of place…”

 

Ney shivered as if she had been soaked in cold water.

 

It seemed like she thought Zoltan had deliberately brought the princess to this place to belittle her.

 

Perhaps if she hadn’t known the inner workings of the palace, she would have been equally surprised.

 

“Ney.”

 

“Yes, Madam.”

 

“Go and get a cup of tea.”

 

“Yes,” Ney said after a brief pause.

 

She gave Zoltan a stern look before walking away. Zoltan’s mouth twitched as he noticed it.

 

“Are all the palace maids so arrogant?”

 

Zoltan asked when Ney had disappeared completely from their sight.

 

“As milk siblings, we grew up together.”

 

“Hmm, yes?”

 

Zoltan nodded in understanding.

 

The milk siblings of a princess are frequently the daughters of low-ranking aristocrats. Therefore, among the palace maids, they held the highest status.

 

“Um…….”

 

In an effort to gauge Agnes’s mood, Zoltan found it difficult to speak.

 

“How is the princess adjusting to life here?”