“I demand the return of Saintess Daina.”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

The eyes of the grand duke shone brightly. Priest Pedrick coughed, flinching in the green light.

“Didn’t you take the saint from our temple? It was strange when you bought the humble child.”

“….A humble child,”

Deheen repeated after Pedrick in a low voice. Pedrick trembled as he felt the dangerous air from him.

“We know that Daina has become aware of her awakening. She belongs to our temple, so please return her. Our situation has gotten difficult now.”

The way of speaking was such that it was from someone who never saw the person as anything but an object. Deheen’s patience reached its peak, and the corners of his lips curled up coldly.

“I don’t know how you knew it, but… you bought the saint for only a million errins. The Grand Duke is too much.”

In the end, Deheen lifted his leg and kicked the table hard.

Bang!

The table broke with a tremendous roar. Pieces splattered all over the places, smoke billowed, and the office became a mess.

“Grand Duke Deheen! What are you doing!!”

“What am I doing? I’m just protecting my daughter.”

He didn’t stop there, instead he drew his sword. Raising a sword against a priest was tantamount to declaring war on the temple. As the situation turned urgent, even the paladins and Deheen’s knights raised their swords.

In an instant, the office was in an atmosphere of confrontation. There was tension on everyone’s face, their complexions lost their color.

Everyone, listen carefully.”

Deheen roared loudly.

“Her name is not Daina, but Esther. And she is not a saint, but my daughter.”

“Your Excellency! No!”

There was no stopping it.

After finishing his words, Deheen struck the sword without hesitation and Priest Pedrick’s left arm was cut off. It was the true image of Deheen, the grand duke who was famous for being monstrous.

While everyone was frozen, the priest who came with Pedrick jumped between the two. He shuddered and poured all his divine power into Pedrick’s arm. Soon after, there was a lot of blood and the arm was reattached. Pedrick, who almost lost one arm, was pale.

“What is this… what have you done….”

“Once more, if you don’t stop talking about my daughter.”

Deheen gazed right into Pedrick’s eyes. Then, he polished his words with sincerity.

“I’m ready for war.”

★★★

Priest Perikel was dozing off while guarding the prison’s entrance.

Then, his eyes opened because he heard footsteps coming down the stairs. Perikel stood up and waited for the main character of the sound to arrive.

It was Saintess Rabienne, as he had expected.

“Lady Saintess! Have you come to pray again? How many years has it been… you can stop now.”

“No, Daina was a dear friend of mine. I can’t give up.”

Rabienne smiled bitterly and lowered her big eyes. Perikel’s eyes that were on Rabienne were filled with admiration.

“The benevolence of a saint who shows mercy to such a monster. The monster will never know how much grace this is.”

With a sad smile at Perikel’s words, Rabienne put her hands together to set an example.

“It’s my job as a saint. Priest Perikel, I’m sorry, but could you please excuse me for a moment?”

“Yes, I understand.”

This often happened, so Perikel answered as per usual. Perikel turned his stiff shoulders and took the soldiers out of the tower.

After confirming that there was no one else around, Rabienne opened the door to the prison.

As she walked into the room, her expression glistened with joy.

“I’m here.”

Where the bright voice of Rabienne was directed to, the small body of a woman was curled up, tied helplessly to a magical tool, it was Daina, whom Rabienne called a dear friend.

Rabienne walked straight toward Daina who hadn’t responded to her words. As soon as she arrived in front of Daina, she grasped Daina’s cheek with her right hand. Daina’s body, which could not overcome the strength, staggered.

“I’m here?”

“…….”

However, Daina didn’t respond. Her empty gaze only stared into the air, with nothing in it. Not heading to Rabienne who was calling her.

When Rabienne saw that the amount was less than she expected, her voice filled with irritation. She sighed and approached Khalid, her guard. Then she pulled out his sword. A sacred sword given only to the paladins representing the temple. In the center was a red ruby, symbolizing the eyes of the goddess, Espitos.

With the holy sword in her hand, Rabienne tried to return to Daina. Then Khalid, who was buried in darkness like a shadow, came forward.

“I’ll do it. You don’t have to get your hands dirty.”

“Is that so?”

Rabienne widened her eyes as if in thought, then she grinned and handed the sword to Khalid.

The holy sword, blessed by the goddess. A sword of justice that was to be used only to carry out the goddess’ will wounded Daina’s palm.

“Umm….”

‘It hurts—’

Daina suffered from the pain that was piercing through her hand, leaning back her head. However, her screams failed to escape. It was because of the cloth that was tightly stuffed in Daina’s mouth.

The cloth meant to prevent self-harm was a shackle that could not be released except during mealtime.

As if she didn’t like the look, Rabienne rubbed her mouth. She passed Daina and went into the void behind her back.

There was a crystal bottle connected to Daina. The red liquid was shaking inside.

“Why is so little gathered?”

Maybe it was because of anguish. For the first time since Rabienne entered the prison, Daina’s head was cleared up. At that moment, her eyes met with Khalid’s, who was staring at her.

Khalid turned away from her eyes mixed with resentment, anger, and hatred.

All the blood from Daina’s hand flowed into the bottle that Rabienne was holding. The red liquid was Daina’s blood, and Rabienne drank her blood and emptied it clean.

“Well, good.”

Rabienne, who drank her blood and smiled broadly, was as beautiful as a dead flower. Daina’s blood glistened over her prettily curved lips.

Daina stared at Rabienne, her lips trembling. Feeling the gaze, Rabienne smiled even more brightly and drew her face closer.

“Why? Are you complaining?”

Rabienne stroked Daina’s tangled hair. Then, she held a few strands of hair and tucked them behind her ears.

“You dared to take what’s mine. You don’t know your place, yet you have the power of a saint.”

Rabienne strode and pushed Daina aside. Daina’s head crashed against a hard wall.

Rabienne, who achieved her purpose, left the prison with a smile. Daina’s eyes closed weakly as she looked at the backs of the two.

‘I’m the real one. I’m the real saint… I am….’

As always, it was only in Daina’s mind.

Her cry reached no one.

Krieek.

The thick iron door, which had been tightly closed, opened with a clatter. They were the new sisters dressed in white who opened the door to the prison where Daina was.

“It’s meal time.”

The oldest of the three, Rachel, was frosty. Rachel took the lead in entering the room. She was followed by her junior, Helen, and the newcomer, Annie. Annie was the new girl who would take charge of Daina from today. It was the first work given to her.

Annie, who entered the room with a nervous face, opened her mouth in surprise at the sight of Daina.

The many wounds seen through the clothes with clear blood stains were shocking.

“S-Sister Rachel, that figure is… who did that?”

A panicked Annie stuttered and asked Rachel.

“Who did that? That’s the way it is. She can’t bother others here, so she’s abusing herself.”

“How can she do that when she’s tied up like that?”

“That’s why she’s a monster.”

Rachel told her to stop asking questions and be quiet. Annie restrained herself under the glare, but she couldn’t erase the feeling that something was strange.

Rachel went forward, grabbing Daina’s chin and forcefully raising her head. Then Daina, who was asleep, woke up with quivering eyelids.

Daina’s clear eyes moved slowly as if she was trying to grasp the situation. Her eyelids would have been closed again if it was a normal day, but not today.

Her eyes fell on Annie, who was standing behind Rachel. And then, in a moment, she was revived.

The other girls didn’t know, but Annie felt Daina’s gaze staring at her. In the dark, Annie’s arm was filled with goosebumps.

“Si-Sister! This….”

“What are you doing standing still? Have you forgotten what you have to do?”

“Ah… No!”

Annie, who was about to talk about Daina, shut her mouth at Rachel’s scolding. Meanwhile, Helen took the cloth out of Daina’s mouth. It was to feed the food they brought.

The usual meal given to Daina was a liquid that was as good as water because it had to be swallowed without chewing.

Rachel spilled the liquid she had brought into Daina’s mouth. She couldn’t eat it on her own, so most of it splashed messily around her mouth.

‘Poor thing.’

Annie had a bitter feeling that she had become an accomplice to the abuse.

No one gave her an explanation about the top-class criminal. She was just ordered to keep quiet about everything she saw here.

What kind of sin did this girl commit to be treated like this? Annie thought that way while blankly staring at Daina. Again, their eyes met.

—Release me.

At that moment, an enchanting voice that Annie had never heard before rang in her head

Annie’s eyes, when she heard the voice, were dazed.

—Come on, now!

Dania quickly ordered Annie one more time. Annie wasn’t aware of the situation. Under Dania’s command, she released her hands from her body.

Dania didn’t miss this moment. No, she couldn’t miss it. This was the only girl who could hear her command.

There was no hesitation because it was a moment that she had been eagerly waiting for.

Squeezing all her strength, she bit her own tongue hard. Subsequently, a frightful, unbearable pain hit her.

‘That’s it.’

Only then did a hazy smile dawned on Dania’s face, which had been expressionless all this while.

“Oh my god! Annie! What have you done…! No! Call the Saintess right now!”

Rachel, who belatedly realized Dania’s condition, screamed. Helen poured out her divine power to heal Dania, but it was useless. In order to prevent Dania from using her own divine power, they tied her whole body with a leash that could suppress divine power.

Dania’s condition worsened beyond control. It didn’t take a long time.

In just a few seconds, Dania completely stopped breathing.

“No way—”

Rachel sank to the floor with a puzzled expression. Helen also stared blankly at Daina, trembling because didn’t know what to do.

Under their gazes, Dania turned on the hard prison floor.

A lonely and pitiful death.

It was the 14th death of the real saint who was thoroughly concealed.

★★★

“Dania?”

Dania woke up to a voice calling her name.

As she blinked my eyes a couple of times to get rid of the blurry focus, the voice came closer.

“Daina? Are you all right?”

She turned my head slowly toward a voice that was resented by the depths of her heart.

‘Rabienne.’

The moment she saw her, her heart fell to the floor and was crushed. Though it was the young Rabienne who called her Dania, an indescribable anger wound around her whole body.

“And…”

It didn’t take long for her to realize that she had regressed. She choked up with nausea.

“Dania, are you sick? Do you want me to take you to the treatment room?”

Rabienne looked at me worriedly and she turned pale. The friendly and amiable appearance of Rabienne was quite different from the version of her that Daina saw in prison.

“Oh, no. I don’t feel well. Thank you for your concern, Lady Rabienne.”

Daina barely managed to open her lips to respond.

“Friends.”

Daina smiled bitterly at Rabienne’s words. At the same time, an old memory from her time in prison came to mind.

“Lady Rabienne! Please let me go! We’re friends! Yes?”

“What? Ahahaha. Friend? Are you crazy? Am I supposed to be friends with something like you? Did you really think so? How stupid.”

“But-but… we’ve been friends—”

“Dania, listen carefully. I never thought of you as a friend for a single moment. How can you, an orphan, and I, be friends? You and I live in different worlds.”

The current appearance of Rabienne was all pretense. Now that Daina knew the true nature of Rabienne so well, she was just disgusted by her.

“You’re so weird today. Why don’t you tell the nun and take a rest?”

“I should.”

Daina didn’t want to interact with Rabienne if she could, but she forced herself to smile in order not to raise suspicion.

Looking around belatedly, it seemed like it was time for the class to strengthen divine power. She could see the faces of the female candidates who she had been training together with as a child.

“I don’t know why Lady Rabienne even talks to such a girl.”

“I know. There are levels even among the candidates.”

“Dania, I’m disappointed if you call me that. We’re friends, aren’t we?”

Even from far away, she heard them grumbling. But she turned away from them with a face that was as if she had heard nothing.

[Rabienne de Braons.]

The only daughter of the Braons family that had produced the most female saints in history. Rabienne was the foremost among the saints candidates, not only because of her noble origin, but also her divine abilities.

She was someone who was born with everything under god’s love. No one doubted that Rabienne would be the next saint. Everyone wanted her to be the saint for the peace and prosperity of the temple.

Daina did, too. Rabienne was once a kind person who paid attention to Daina. The orphan.

Daina stopped thinking and stood up.

As Daina approached the nun who was watching another candidate, she turned her head and frowned.

“What’s the matter?”

“I have a bad headache, can I go get some medicine?”

“I told you, you don’t have talent, so you should try twice as hard as other candidates.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Puh. Go ahead.”

Daina’s heart throbbed under the gaze of Sister Laura, who was not happy to see her like she saw a bug.

It was a familiar gaze to Daina, an orphan. She, whose divine power was ignored because of her origin.

She bowed silently and left the training room.

As soon as she came out into the empty hallway, her legs wobbled. It was because the tension was eased late.

“Haa.”

Daina leaned against the wall and let out the breath she had endured all the time. When the sense of reality returned, she felt angry.

‘I am alive again.’

She wanted to die, but she couldn’t. The world seemed to inculcate that it’s impossible to escape from Rabienne.

Every time she was captured by Rabienne and was put in prison, she had the same end, biting her tongue and dying. Without knowing the reason, she regressed several times and repeated the same past.

“Ha….”

Daina closed her eyes and tried to calm her anger. She had learned enough from her past experiences that nothing would change even if she gets angry.

All she could do now was go back to her room.

“I have to check the date.”

With a resigned look, Daina walked heavily. Upon returning to her own room, she strode through the door quickly and locked it.

The room Daina hadn’t seen in a long time was still small and narrow. As one of the remaining rooms in the temple, it seemed as if it was about to collapse.

Nevertheless, it was the only sanctuary given to her. All she had throughout her life was this room.

“……”

Daina stopped looking around the room and approached the desk. The only drawer contained a diary that she had used every day. Her small hand carefully flipped the diary. The page that was turned over quickly stopped at the place where the last entry was written.

Radoanian calendar, August 4th, Year 381.

“Year 381?”

For the first time, Daina’s eyes, which weren’t panicked even when she saw Rabienne, shook.

It was because the date in the diary was not what she expected.

The return that she had gone through so far was the same. In Year 382, in April, when she was 13-years-old, it was always the same year, the same month. There was no time to run away from the temple because she returned when the former saint was about to die.

However, this time, it was a year earlier.

The only thing that had been repeated countless times was different this time.

‘Is something different?’

Daina grabbed the diary tightly. Her expression did not change, but her lips were slightly trembling.

Perhaps this was the last return. A little hope was about to rise in Daina.

But she shook my head. She had been looking forward to it so far, and she had to despair as much as she expected. She didn’t want to experience that feeling again.

‘Don’t expect anything stupid.’

It was better not to expect it in the first place.

Daina leaned her head back and looked at the ceiling. There was no lamp, so she was sad because the dark ceiling looked exactly like jer.

She would feel a bit relieved when she cried, but her tears refused to fall. She cried so much in the past that it had dried up.

“What did I do so wrong?”

Self-help adjustment was made.

She was Daina, who was still 12-years-old on the outside. It was a dark, gloomy statement that made her feel uneasy.

After staring blankly at the ceiling for a long time, she clenched her fist as if she had made up her mind. Then, she left the room with a stiff face.

The place where Daina headed to was a temple dedicated to the goddess. At the moment the temple was empty. Even the priests who maintained the entrance thoroughly for some reason were absent.

The temple was a place where only permitted people could enter and leave. It was a place where she could not enter as a junior-level candidate.

In the past, she kept the rules of the temple strictly because she was afraid of being punished by the goddess.

However, she was not afraid of the temple’s rules anymore. The goddess did not respond, even to Daina, who was her saint.

The expressionless Daina approached the goddess’ statue at a rapid pace. As the statue reached a well-visible position, she looked up at the statue.

The statue of the goddess standing tall in a noble manner.

Daina stared at the statue with empty eyes, unable to feel alive. The long-forgotten emotions had filled her heart with pain.

“I just liked being here…”

Daina, an orphan, entered the temple when she was 5-years-old. Until then, she lived her life mixed with beggars. It was her daily routine to get robbed. Then, she accidentally caught the eye of a priest.

Recognizing that Daina had divine power, the priest bought her at a low price and brought her to the temple. The people of the temple were not kind to Daina, but she was grateful to have a place to stay. Every day was fun.

However, she lost everything because she gained the saint’s power by chance.

“Why was I born?”

‘I was not loved by anyone. I was betrayed by everyone who I gave my heart to.’

‘Rabienne, who I cherished. The nuns and priests, who I respected. And Khalid, who I liked.’

After repeating her numerous regressions, Daina realized that she was a cursed being, a being that should not be in the world.

If she had to live like this, it was better not to be born into the world.

“I want to stop.”

She didn’t want to be used anymore. Even though living for Rabienne was her fixed destiny.

However, the situation was not very hopeful for her.

Daina had tried numerous self-inflicted attempts to kill herself, but failed. If she tried to harm herself after returning, she was healed immediately and could not die. No, rather than healing, the body seemed to have changed so that it couldn’t kill itself. She was only able to do self-harm when she was being locked up in the prison and tied to a magical tool that blocked her divine power.

‘I couldn’t even try to get killed by someone else.’

It was because the period she returned to was always a period when outsiders were blocked, and murder was prohibited for people inside the temple.

“You can’t go out of the temple…”

Even though Daina had a year’s worth of time, her origin was a problem. Orphans were forbidden to leave the temple before reaching adulthood. It was in the name of protecting the temple’s property.

“Wait.”

Daina, who had been pondering for a long time, raised her head. Her dark expression had brightened up a little.

“There’s a celebration coming soon!”

The celebration was the temple’s annual event. During this period, many people were required to visit the temple, especially the four major families.

It was a good opportunity for Daina, who could not go outside of the temple, to meet many outsiders.

‘Grand Duke Deheen. That person will come too’

A person came into Daina’s mind; he was only cloudy as if he was surrounded in fog. It’s the grand duke.

He was the patriarch of the Grand Duchy of Tersia, one of the great families that supported the empire. His fighting ability was particularly good, and he was always in the vanguard during war. The wars he led never lost, and he was notorious for not letting a single life remain.

People called him a ‘war-and-slaughter killer’. In the story of a cruel rumor, a newborn infant who was about to be breastmilk by his mother was killed the moment he was taken away from her arms.

Furthermore, Grand Duke Deheen was not on good terms with the temple. In the past, there was a time when he scared a priestess who delivered blessings to him, knocking her out.

In many ways, Deheen was the best person to choose to kill her. She knew her plan was full of loopholes, but she wanted to grasp at straws.

“I’ll try it.”

Daina wanted to cut the damn cycle of her regression.

She couldn’t miss the opportunity of the acceleration of her regression. To do so, she decided to die in the hands of the monster, who was crazy about slaughter.

★★★

Daina walked out of the chapel with drooping shoulders. The structure of the temple was captured in the eyes of Daina, who was walking slowly in the corridor.

For Daina, who wandered along the streets of Goara, this was her hometown and home. It was such a precious space.

But now, she was so distressed to be in the temple. She felt nauseous for a moment, and everyone who were passing felt disgusted.

“Huh…”

Her head was about to get dizzy again.

‘I must hurry up and go to my room.’

Daina’s hurrying face was pale despite it being no longer stark white. Behind Daina, whose stomach seemed like it would burst flame, someone who was silencing his footsteps came close to her.

Daina didn’t notice him, as she couldn’t afford to care about anything else.

“Daina!”

The man standing behind her struck her shoulders. Surprised by the sudden contact, Daina froze on the spot. She didn’t scream, but her body stiffened by fright.

It was because of the memory of being abused. The touch of the hand made Daina’s heart beat. The more painful the life that was repeated, the worse it became.

“Why are you so surprised? It’s me, Khalid.”

And Khalid, was one of those who took part in the terrible abuse.

Daina’s view was filled by his brilliant hair, which seemed to be similar to sunshine.

‘Khalid Dimaroye.’

He remained the same as Daina had always liked. The eyes, which seem to be a little slanted, were shaped like a half-moon, and looked attractive to anyone.

It was the 14-year-old Khalid before he was transformed by Rabienne.

Daina’s hand throbbed as she met him in the eye. At the same time, she vividly remembered the memories of him, putting a sword in her without hesitation.

‘No.’

Daina backed away from Khalid who felt the rejection.

“Daina?”

Khalid, who felt Daina’s condition was strange, tried to get closer. Daina felt uncomfortable and quickly straightened her back.

“Hello,”

Daina thought she was fortunate to have made a more casual voice than she expected.

“What happened? You don’t look good. You’re pale.”

“No? Exactly… It’s the same as usual.”

Khalid, who was two years older than Daina, was a paladin apprentice. He was a child of a well-known noble family, and many of his peers followed him because he was the best.

It was such a coincidence that such a person like Khalid became acquainted with Daina. Khalid went out of his way to take care of the outcast candidate.

Daina liked that kind of Khalid. He was her first love that she kept inside because she thought she could not dare to reach him.

But after becoming a paladin guarding Rabienne, he turned into a completely different person. He did whatever Rabienne told him to do. He didn’t hesitate even if it hurt Daina. He stabbed Daina and stood on the sidelines.

In her repeated lives, he never saved her.

‘Hypocrite.’

Daina’s heart did not beat for Khalid anymore. He was nothing more or less to Daina.

“Daina? What are you thinking? Did the top candidates bother you again? Is that so?”

“Not really. Can I leave?”

“Huh? Well, yes.”

Khalid stammered, bewildered at Daina’s dry response. Daina turned around as soon as Khalid gave his permission.

She didn’t want to face him even for a moment more, so she walked away quickly. But Khalid, who was trying to follow Daina, took a step and stopped. It was because he felt that Daina was avoiding him.

“Did I do something wrong?”

Khalid, who was confused, scratched his back. His eyes relentlessly pursued Daina’s back.

★★★

Ben Haber, a competent assistant, was next to Deheen, who was known as a war maniac. After becoming the grand duke, Deheen was famous for constantly changing his aides.

Most aides were not satisfactory for the demanding Deheen. It was Ben who Deheen chose to settle with.

Based on the other aides, who had never been around for more than three months, people were able to see how competent Ben was. He was by his side for 10 years already.

For this reason, Ben was popular among nobles. There was even a line of people who wanted to be introduced to him as an excellent aide.

In fact, Ben’s ability to handle his work was remarkable. Even when he was in charge of difficult tasks, he completed them well.

Unless Deheen is stubborn as he is now.

“Are you really going to go with that outfit?”

“Yes. It’s strange that you must wear a white uniform to go to the temple. It’s the most formal I could see.”

Deheen, who said that, was dressed in formal armor as he was in the war. Ben couldn’t say no, he could only stroke the tip of his chin in perplexity.

Deheen’s attire was not appropriate for temple events where most of them were dressed in white. Although he knew about that, Deheen wore armor because he was antagonistic with the temple.

He had a very bad relationship with the temple. It was a gossip that was never missed in social parties.

That’s why Ben was worried that Deheen relationship with the temple would be irreversibly wrong if he wore something like this.

“Your Grace, if you’re like that, I’ll pack some clothes… No.”

Ben tried to suggest taking white clothes separately, but he quickly swallowed his words when he saw Deheen’s cold gaze on him.

Deheen was born to rule people. His physique, which was clearly bigger than the average person, was in high spirits, and his unique youthful eyes overwhelmed his surroundings even if he remained still.

No matter how often he encountered him, Ben’s lips were always burning whenever he had eye contact with Deheen over ten years.

“Okay, then let’s go.”

“What about the kids?”

“They’re waiting on the first floor.”

Deheen’s eyes glistened for a moment and quickly buried under languid eyelids. They were very beautiful eyes when they shine properly, but only very few people saw them.

It was because people felt overwhelmed and fearful before even making eye contact with him. Most of them were reluctant to make eye contact, they tended to avoid his gaze.

“Let’s go down.”

Deheen lightly walked down the stairs in a neat and tidy manner.

When he arrived on the first floor, his twin sons, Dennis and Judy, who were playing on the sofa, jumped up and welcomed him.

“Daddy! Are you leaving now?”

“Yes.”

Deheen looked at the twins casually. Even though they are twins, the atmosphere of the two was very different.

Even those who met them for the first time could easily distinguish between the two. Just looking at the outfit they’re wearing now, something like that.

Dennis’ undisturbed and neat clothes were flawless. The books and glasses in his hands created an intellectual atmosphere.

But Judy’s clothes were covered with dirt from where he came from. His shirt was buttoned up incorrectly and his hair was sticking out.

Deheen, who saw the scene, let out a sigh.

“Judy… Where else did you fight?”

Judy laughed innocently and raised his voice.

“I just had a race with Chen a while ago. But I won.”

There was no sign of being ashamed of his messy clothes. Rather, he triumphantly stretched out his shoulders and showed off with pride.

“Good job.”

Deheen tried to praise Judy for his victory, but he regained his composure, recalling that it was not the time.

“Don’t make a thing too big while I’m away.” A heavy voice came out between Deheen’s lips.

Deheen’s look of warning was on Judy.

“Oh, then can I cause a small thing?”

But Judy smiled regardless of Deheen’s cold gaze.

“If you don’t make it, would you listen?”

“Of course. I listen to my father very well.”

“Mhm.”

Deheen did not expect Judy to stay prim and proper from the beginning. He knew he would cause trouble, so he said to smoke as little as possible.

“It’s a surprise, think of the people who have to clean up your mess.”

“That’s what they are supposed to do.”

“No, no. Those are the people I hired for me, not for you.”

As the conversation between the two seemed to grow violently, Dennis intervened.

“Daddy, don’t worry. I’ll take good care of Judy.”

His eyes were trustworthy. Deheen was embarrassed, but he decided to trust Dennis’ straightforward answer.

“Yes. Dennis, please.”

‘They are so different in many ways.’

Deheen shook his head as he looked at the two contrasting children. Soon after, Deheen, who was about to leave the mansion after being seen off by twins, paused.

“I’ll buy you a present when I get back. Tell me what you want.”

Deheen had a lot of work and was often away from home. He used to replace the feeling of being unable to be with the children through material gifts.

“Please buy me the written work by former Chief Crisper. There’s an updated version, and they’re selling it for a limited time during this event.”

Dennis thought about it for a moment and said just the book would do. Deheen patted Dennis on the shoulder and nodded.

“I see. Judy, what about you?”

“I do.”

Judy’s eyes twinkled as if he had been waiting. Deheen frowned a little at Judy’s eyes, thinking that Judy’s eyes were shining too much.

“I want a sister.”

And Deheen’s ominous foreboding was correct. The air in the living room froze as if he had already promised Judy’s wild remarks.