Chapter 7
“That makes sense.”
Tepe let out a groan as he cautiously glanced at Edward.
The truth was, House Tesseron hadn’t been completely unaware of the temple’s schemes.
If anything, the temple’s increasingly blatant attempts to push Sepina toward the Duke had seemed suspicious enough that they had begun their own independent investigation.
Edward’s observation that Sepina’s holy power fluctuated unpredictably had only deepened their suspicions.
“Lately, the temple has been referring to Miss Sepina as ‘His Grace’s,’ or ‘His Grace’s possession,’ with absolute certainty.”
“…As if they’d already decided she would become the destined mate that even the ducal house has yet to find.”
Tepe accepted Gorgo’s words with a troubled expression.
From the beginning, no one could predict with certainty who would awaken as the Dragon Incarnation’s destined mate.
If it were that simple, there would never have been Dragon Incarnations who died young without ever finding their destined partner.
And yet…
The temple was far too confident.
That was precisely why they had investigated.
In the end…
House Tesseron had concluded that the temple was conducting some kind of secret experiment.
“Now that I think about it…”
Tepe muttered.
“It was probably an experiment to artificially grant Miss Sepina powers similar to those of a true destined mate.”
Without realizing it, they had come astonishingly close to the truth.
Because Lucy really had existed only to strengthen Sepina’s abilities.
Gorgo continued calmly.
“And if the temple called even someone as important as Miss Sepina ‘His Grace’s property’…”
“…”
“Then there’s no need to guess how they referred to the other test subjects.”
If Edward confronted the temple about their experiments, everyone already knew how they would respond.
They’d shamelessly claim they did everything for His Grace’s sake.
And if they went that far…
They had undoubtedly called every experimental subject “His Grace’s property,” just as they had with Sepina.
Tepe was willing to bet an entire roast pig on it.
And then His Grace would take it one step further.
If the temple insisted,
“They’re yours.”
Edward would simply answer,
“Mine? Then I’ll be taking them.”
…And calmly carry them away.
So that’s why…
He immediately concluded that a temple experiment equals something that belongs to him!
Only then did Tepe finally understand the situation.
With a sigh, he relaxed.
Gorgo, meanwhile, had simply worked backward through the logic and arrived at the conclusion that the woman was one of the temple’s experimental subjects.
“And more importantly…”
He shifted his gaze toward Lucy’s wrist.
Tepe instinctively looked as well—
—and flinched.
There were round wounds that looked as though blood had been repeatedly drained from them.
Heavy chain marks still circled her wrists.
And countless needle marks covered her arms.
“Those injuries…”
“They’re the marks of experimentation.”
Edward answered before Gorgo could, his voice carrying its usual crooked edge.
He lowered his eyes toward the unconscious woman in his arms.
What an amusing woman.
When she’d spoken to him earlier, she’d sounded surprisingly bold.
Almost fearless.
But she couldn’t hide her expression.
Even while speaking so confidently…
Her face had been filled with desperation.
She had clearly been afraid of him.
Yet at the same time…
Her eyes had sparkled as though she’d finally found a lifeline.
Her tiny hands had desperately clung to his arm and shoulder, gripping him with all the strength she possessed, terrified that if she let go, she’d lose her only chance.
He rather liked that desperation.
Anyone else would probably call him cruel for thinking such a thing.
Edward had never denied that his personality was terrible.
Besides…
He had always believed that people who lacked something—
People driven into desperation—
Were far easier to control.
Which meant…
This woman wouldn’t be difficult to handle either.
She owed him her life.
She wouldn’t dare run away.
Or try to escape.
Edward removed one of his gloves.
With his bare fingertips, he gently twirled a strand of the sleeping woman’s hair.
The moment he touched it—
The nauseating miasma clouding his senses subsided.
His mind became astonishingly calm.
There was even something strangely familiar about the purification flowing from her.
If that’s the case…
Perhaps…
The true source of the purification he’d been receiving through Sepina all this time…
Had actually been this woman.
Satisfied with his own deduction, Edward smiled.
“An experimental subject capable of purification…”
“This is actually rather convenient.”
Lately, he’d grown increasingly dissatisfied with the temple.
The Dragon Incarnation and the temple existed in a mutually beneficial relationship.
But beneath that cooperation…
They had always been quietly competing over which side held the upper hand.
Sepina, too, constantly tried to overstep her boundaries.
Edward wasn’t foolish enough to overlook the greed hidden in her eyes.
Perhaps…
The reason her purification always felt so unpleasant…
Was because she couldn’t completely conceal the sticky obsession tangled within it.
But if I have this woman…
There would no longer be any reason to endure that discomfort.
Or worry about losing control.
Nor would he need to remain in the capital simply because Sepina was there.
He could finally return to his own territory—
The land he had neglected for far too long.
The more he thought about it…
The better his mood became.
I don’t know where this little mouse came from…
But her timing couldn’t have been better.
His thoughts drifted back to the woman’s expression after she’d seen his face.
She had looked utterly defenseless.
As though she’d been struck speechless.
Then she’d fainted.
She must have fallen for me completely.
People losing themselves after seeing his face…
People staring blankly in complete fascination…
Edward had seen those reactions countless times.
Normally, he wouldn’t have cared.
But somehow…
The vacant expression she’d worn filled him with a much deeper sense of satisfaction.
If a woman who was already that desperate had also fallen in love with him…
Everything would become much easier.
That’s why…
My heart feels this light.
As he absentmindedly stroked her hair like a satisfied beast…
Tepe carefully asked,
“So…”
“What do you intend to do with her?”
“I’m taking her with us.”
“All the way back to the duchy? Is that really alright?”
“Why wouldn’t it be?”
“Well…”
Tepe glanced outside the carriage.
Dong… Dong… Dong…
The temple’s emergency bells were still echoing throughout the night.
The flickering light of soldiers’ torches swayed beyond the carriage windows.
“They’re searching this intensely.”
He frowned.
“She must be a very important test subject.”
Gorgo nodded.
“Tepe has a point.”
“There is a possibility they’ll pursue us.”
“…”
“And even if you do bring her…”
He looked quietly at Lucy.
“I honestly don’t think she’ll survive for long.”
It sounded cold.
But it was simply the truth.
She was filthy.
Malnourished.
Painfully thin.
She looked so fragile that a single push might knock her over.
Those capable of purification needed healthy bodies above all else.
Purification consumed tremendous stamina.
Tepe cautiously added,
“Honestly…”
“Rather than purifying miasma…”
“It looks more like she’s the one who needs purification.”
Hearing that…
Edward’s already crooked smile widened even further.
“Who said I planned to keep her forever?”
“So…”
Tepe blinked.
“You intend to throw her away later?”
Even from a man’s perspective…
Edward’s beautiful lips curved into a thoroughly wicked smile.
“Don’t look so horrified.”
“…”
“She doesn’t seem to be some innocent little experiment.”
“What do you mean?”
“She tried to negotiate with me first.”
Edward recalled the conversation.
“Master! That woman is a fake!”
“The temple will insist Miss Sepina is your true destined mate, but actually…”
Granted…
She had merely listed things he’d already more or less suspected.
Still…
For someone so small…
Her little tongue had moved remarkably smoothly.
Almost unconsciously…
His fingertips brushed across his own lips.
“She knew something.”
“So she tried to strike a deal before I did.”
“…”
“The audacity…”
“Of that little mouse.”
“…A mouse?”
Tepe blinked in confusion.
Isn’t a mouse His Grace’s favorite animal?
Was… was that just praise?
Even Gorgo looked momentarily surprised.
Edward merely smiled.
“Either way…”
“We’ll use her for as long as she’s useful.”
“…Until you find your true destined mate?”
Edward answered with an ambiguous smile.
“Yes.”
“Until then.”
“…”
“I’ll keep her around until her purification abilities run dry.”
“Then I’ll discard her.”
As he spoke…
He gently gathered the ends of her hair in his fingers.
Even her split, dry hair resembled the shabby fur of a starving little mouse.
Enjoying the texture one last time, Edward thought,
She’s already fallen for me.
As long as I keep her fed…
She’ll obediently follow me everywhere.
…
That assumption…
Didn’t even survive a full day.
Flap.
The very next morning.
Edward had just stepped down from the carriage and stretched his stiff body—
When a single sheet of paper fluttered into view.
His gaze slowly shifted toward the person holding it out.
“…What’s this?”
The woman gripping the paper was trembling from head to toe.
Yet despite her shaking hands…
She boldly declared,
“It’s a contract!”
