Chapter 21
In an instant, the entire room froze, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over it.
It wasn’t Ariadne’s voice that had caused it, but the emperor’s—and that made it even more shocking.
Ariadne had only intended a tiny hint, but since the emperor had perfectly voiced what needed to be said, she had to suppress a smile.
“Actually, that’s why I called the minstrel. We must be certain about this matter of her powers.”
Ah. The story was getting interesting.
Ariadne hadn’t realized the emperor cared this much about Ashley’s powers.
“As Ariadne said, if these rumors are false, we must find those spreading them and punish them. How dare they tarnish the Saint’s reputation.”
“…….”
Hearing the emperor’s words, Ariadne thought silently: I need to leave before the minstrel arrives.
If he found out that Ashley’s healing powers were really disappearing, who knew what the count would do.
‘It would be a little amusing to see those proud faces crumble,’ she thought.
She wondered what expressions the count and Ashley would make if the minstrel revealed that her healing powers were fading. She could barely hide her curiosity.
You can’t hide the truth forever. Eventually, people would know her powers were gone—but not yet.
“The Saint’s powers are fine, Your Majesty. Right, Ashley?”
Ariadne smiled gently at Ashley. Ashley’s pale face forced a weak smile, trembling slightly. This was all she could manage. Ariadne found it amusing and stepped closer to pat her shoulder.
“Your Majesty, there’s nothing to worry about. You may leave without concern.”
“Indeed. That is best.”
The emperor stroked his chin and put on a solemn expression.
Seeing this, the count stepped forward.
“Your Majesty, the Saint should rest for a while.”
“Hmm… I suppose I have taken too much of your time.”
“Not at all. We are grateful for your attention.”
The emperor said a few more words of concern for Ariadne and Ashley, then left. Naturally, Canin and Diego followed him out.
Diego glanced at Ariadne as he left, but she gave no reaction.
Soon, only the count, Ashley, and Ian remained in the room.
Ariadne spoke quietly toward the count.
“Ashley’s powers… they’re having problems, aren’t they?”
The count scowled, worried about who might overhear.
“Quiet.”
“Be thankful. I’ve known but pretended not to.”
‘Quiet?’ Ariadne thought. The count’s disdain for her seemed to grow stronger every day. He treated her as if she weren’t even his daughter. It used to hurt, but not anymore.
‘He’s probably acting that way to hide his anxiety.’
Ariadne saw right through him. How long could they keep pretending her powers were fine while they were fading? How long could they keep their heads high and trample over others?
And if the powers they had looked down on for so long appeared in me—what faces would they make?
She laughed at the thought, imagining their regret. So for now, she would let them enjoy their illusion a little longer.
“Don’t go spreading such rumors. Her powers are fine!”
The count’s urgent voice made Ariadne smirk.
“So you do know,” she said, smiling at the trembling Ashley. Everyone had benefited from the healing powers, expressed as “Saint’s powers,” so how could they not know?
Then Ian spoke up.
“Ariadne, even so, calling her that…”
“You still don’t get it.”
“No, it’s not that. I’m just worried about you. What’s gotten into you lately…”
Ian looked at Ariadne with sad, empty eyes. She was fed up with his pity. When his words failed, the count grew angry again.
“Don’t talk about such things anywhere. It won’t help you, and it could harm the family. Do nothing to bring shame on the house.”
“Oh, well said.”
Ariadne couldn’t help but smile at his words. She crossed her arms, staring at him calmly, noticing his anxious expression.
“I’m done playing along with Ashley’s Saint act. I’m done being treated like a family accessory by you, father.”
“What?”
“When His Majesty asked what I wanted in return for saving Prince Canin, I said I wanted independence from the family.”
The count’s mouth opened, stunned. He wanted to say something but held back at the mention of “His Majesty.”
“His Majesty said I could have what I wanted.”
Normally, this would have been impossible. The emperor would have refused, prioritizing the count and Ashley. But because Ariadne saved Canin, and Canin had asked that she be allowed to leave, the emperor couldn’t ignore her. He had no choice but to give an ambiguous answer.
“What…!”
For the first time, the count looked genuinely flustered, blinking quickly to process what he had heard.
“So, don’t consider me part of the Blairus family anymore. Don’t treat me roughly.”
She had had enough of the fake Saint act and her father encouraging it. There was no need to watch the predictable end of this act. She straightened her posture and spoke clearly.
“Therefore, I am breaking off my engagement with Ian. Since I’m leaving the family of my own accord, keeping that engagement makes no sense. Right?”
“Ariadne!”
Ian finally shouted, shocked.
“Breaking off the engagement… is that really so easy for you?”
He approached her anxiously, reaching out to calm her, but she firmly rejected his hand.
“Yes. There’s nothing difficult about it.”
No need to explain further. Ariadne drew a clear line and turned her gaze back to the count.
The count let out a bitter laugh, then spoke angrily.
“Ariadne!”
“Don’t call my name. You are no longer my father.”
Her sharp words left everyone unsure of what to do.
“You truly are mad!”
“Yes. And it would be best if you no longer interfere in my actions. You know the rumors about me.”
“Me… me!”
Ariadne’s reputation had reached its peak, and she didn’t want to stay near the count or Ashley any longer. She glanced around once, then said goodbye to Ian.
“Take care, Ian.”
“Ariadne… that’s no…”
She ignored him and finally approached Ashley, who looked terrified despite her earlier calm.
“Saint.”
Ariadne spoke gently, formally using the title.
Ashley shrank and began trembling.
“I hope you enjoy that honor for a long, long time.”
Like a knight swearing loyalty to a lord, she bowed respectfully to the Saint and stepped back.
“This is where we part ways, father.”
“Ah… you are no longer my father. Farewell, count.”
Ariadne didn’t forget to show respect to the count as well.
They stood frozen, unable to stop her as she walked away.
And that was Ashley’s greatest mistake—she had completely lost the chance to even pretend to be the Saint properly. She didn’t realize that honesty would have been better.
Ariadne turned and left the room.
A few days later, a minstrel invited by the emperor truly arrived at the palace.
