IHDOE Ch 41

How did she find out?

Her heart sank with shock, but she feigned composure on the surface.

[Sophia] "I have no idea what you're talking about."

[Stella] "Denying it won't help. He already confessed everything."

That miserable drunkard!

She had explicitly warned him that their conversation was a secret, yet he blabbed immediately.

This is why one should never deal with the faithless.

Even with her actions exposed, she replied brazenly.

[Sophia] "Yes, I told him. What of it?"

[Stella] "Did you know that if Blin's father found out, he would stop her from entering the academy?"

[Sophia] "I knew. That's precisely why I told him."

[Stella] "Ha."

[Sophia] "Listen here, Miss Stella. You've been at this orphanage for less than a year, but I know these children far better than you do! I am much more of an expert on Blin than you'll ever be! If her own parent and the teacher who cared for her agree that she shouldn't go to the academy, who are you to meddle?"

[Stella] "So you're saying you did nothing wrong, Miss Sophia?"

[Sophia] "I did it out of concern for Blin! If she enters the academy, how could she possibly afford tuition? How would she handle the nobility's territorial cruelty?"

[Stella] "And that's why you tried to marry her off as an old merchant's second wife?"

She nodded without hesitation.

[Sophia] "Yes. Miss Stella, I found the finest groom for that child. Granted, his age is a minor flaw, but he is devout and wealthy. Is he not a perfect match for Blin?"

[Stella] "And did she want that?"

[Sophia] "What does a child like Blin know? Adults like us must guide them properly."

The more Satina listened, the more absurd it sounded. She finally brought up the real subject.

[Stella] "Very well. So you care for Blin that deeply, Miss Sophia."

[Sophia] "I'm glad you understand."

[Stella] "Then should I explain it that way to Lord Serpens?"

[Sophia] "...What?"

[Stella] "Lord Serpens was curious about how things ended up like this. So..."

Glaring furiously at Stella as if her gaze could slice her to ribbons, Sophia shouted.

[Sophia] "Shut your mouth! How dare a filthy woman like you utter his name! How dare you wag your wicked tongue to drive a wedge between Lord Serpens and me! A woman like you will be struck down by divine retribution!"

[Stella] "I merely stated the facts. Why would that drive a wedge between you?"

[Sophia] "Do you think I don't know you're trying to seduce him?"

[Stella] "Me?"

[Sophia] "I know everything. You don't care about this orphanage in the slightest."

Stella remained silent.

[Sophia] "Repent, Miss Stella. Everyone makes mistakes. So repent, pray to God, and never see Lord Serpens again."

Stella smiled brightly.

[Stella] "Repent... I have no idea what I've done wrong. Miss Sophia, did it look as though I was seducing Lord Serpens? You're spot on. I am seducing him in accordance with God's will. So how did it look to you?"

Her crimson eyes curved enticingly.

[Stella] "Did it look as though Lord Serpens was falling for me? Ah, seeing you try to keep me in check like this, it seems even to outsiders that Lord Serpens is quite fond of me."

[Sophia] "You...!"

Sophia trembled violently with rage. Her suspicions were confirmed. This woman named was undoubtedly an incarnation of the devil sent to tempt Serpens! And she was the only one who hadn't succumbed to the devil's temptations. She had to protect him from this woman.

Whatever tiny lingering hesitation remained in Sophia's heart vanished completely. Letting out a deep sigh, she forced herself to calm down.

[Sophia] "Let's both calm down for a moment, Miss Stella. I was too harsh with my words."

She stood up and walked naturally toward the kitchen.

[Sophia] "My goodness, where are my manners? I haven't even served you a cup of tea. It so happens I received some fine tea leaves recently. Let me brew us a pot."

Keeping out of Stella's sight, Sophia carefully pulled out a small bottle of poison and laced the tea.

They said drinking this causes one to vomit blood and die seven hours later.

She felt no guilt over killing a person. This wasn't a human being; she was a demon bewitching Serpens. Everything she did was for Serpens' sake.

Returning to the table with tea and snacks, Sophia took her seat.

[Sophia] "Now, let's talk more calmly. It seems we both got overly excited earlier."

[Stella] "Is that so? I believe you were the only one who got excited, Miss Sophia."

Stella lifted the teacup placed before her. The moment her lips touched the rim, Sophia's heart hammered against her ribs.

Suddenly, Stella pulled the cup away from her lips and smiled at her.

[Stella] "Miss Sophia, don't stare so intensely. It makes it glaringly obvious that you tampered with this tea."

[Sophia] "W-What do you mean, tampered?"

Her heart pounded wildly.

[Stella] "Miss Sophia, I will give you one last chance. Do you want me to drink this?"

[Sophia] "I have no idea what you're talking about, Miss Stella."

Stella let out an enigmatic laugh. Then, lifting the teacup, she drank it down without hesitation.

[Stella] "Cough!"

The moment the liquid slid down her throat, Stella coughed up blood. Blood spatters ruined her clothes and stained the sofa.

W-What? This isn't quite the effect I was told.

Still, seeing her vomit so much blood proved the poison worked.

Finally... finally this woman will be gone! I did it! I protected Lord Serpens!

She swelled with ecstasy as she watched Stella collapse to the floor. Her final reaction left a lingering unease, but it hardly mattered now.

Just then, someone knocked on the door.

Who could it be at this hour? I'm not expecting anyone.

Holding her breath, she peeked outside cautiously, only to see Serpens standing at the door.

Goodness! Lord Serpens is at my house!

Sophia glanced back at Stella lying in the living room. She desperately wanted to greet him, but she couldn't let him see this gruesome scene.

I'll meet him another time. Yes, after I dispose of the corpse...

Before she could act, a loud crash shattered the door, and Serpens barged inside.

[Sophia] "Lord Serpens! How can you commit such a rude act entering a single woman's house?!"

Ignoring her words, he shoved his way inside recklessly.

[Sophia] "Lord Serpens!"

She threw herself forward to block him, but the small house offered an unobstructed view of the interior from the doorway.

---

Sitting in the empty chapel, Serpens looked up at the divine statue.

[Serpens] "O God, what was I supposed to do?"

The image of Stella's departing back from the park haunted his thoughts endlessly. Had he wanted to stop her, he easily could have. Yet he hadn't dared to hold her back.

What on earth happened to Miss Stella for her to compare herself to a woman like Satina?

Satina Bersabet.

A woman obsessed with men, casting aside temple authority without the slightest awareness of her role as a Saint candidate. A woman rumored to be abandoned by God, incapable of wielding even a speck of holy power despite her title.

[Priest] "Satina seems to have no shame at all. Infatuated with the Crown Prince, she didn't even attend temple events."

[Priest] "Haha, did you hear a Saint candidate got on her knees and begged the Crown Prince for a single embrace?"

Grinding his teeth at the memory of how she disgraced the temple's honor, Serpens contrasted her with Stella.

How different was Stella? She possessed devout faith, vast knowledge of the scriptures, and a thoughtful heart that put others first. She couldn't be compared to a woman like Satina.

His mind was a tangled mess. He knew Stella was right. As a priest, he was bound to love all people equally according to God's teachings. Involving himself further with her would spark rumors of favoritism. As she warned, his reputation might fall into ruin.

Yet he couldn't turn a blind eye to her. He wanted to help her break off the engagement and ensure her happiness.

What am I to do?

Amid his inner turmoil, a child in shabby clothes burst frantically into the chapel.

[Child] "T-Trouble! Lord Serpens! Something terrible happened!"

[Serpens] "What is it?"

[Child] "Teacher Stella... Teacher Stella...! Please help, Lord Serpens!"

The moment he heard her name, Serpens reacted on instinct.

[Serpens] "What happened to her?! Lead the way! Hurry!"

---

[Serpens] "What... what in the world..."

Serpens stared blankly at Stella lying in a pool of blood.

Is this a dream?

The scene before him felt entirely surreal. Demanding answers, he grabbed Sophia by the collar.

[Serpens] "What did you do to her?!"

Terrified by his ferocious expression, Sophia shook her head wildly.

[Sophia] "I-I don't know! Miss Stella suddenly started vomiting blood and collapsed! I was panicked too...!"

Serpens roared, his face twisted in fury.

[Serpens] "Don't lie to me! You clearly did something!"

The child who led Serpens to the house shouted.

[Child] "Now is not the time, Lord Serpens! We have to get Teacher Stella to a doctor right away!"

[Serpens] "R-Right!"

Ignoring his white uniform getting stained with blood, Serpens scooped Stella into his arms.

[Child] "I know a skilled doctor nearby!"

[Serpens] "Y-Yes. Please lead the way."

The child calmly took charge on behalf of Serpens, who was paralyzed with panic.

As he turned to carry Stella out, Sophia desperately grabbed his arm.

[Sophia] "W-Wait a moment, Lord Serpens! Please listen to me! I..."

[Serpens] "Get out of my way. Otherwise, I will cut you down."

[Sophia] "...Lord Serpens?"

[Serpens] "I will make sure you pay dearly for what you have done. So wait right here."

Unwilling to waste another second on Sophia, he hurried after the child, cradling Stella close as they rushed toward the doctor.

[Doctor] "I need to examine her now, so please step outside, Your Excellency."

[Serpens] "Can I not stay by her side?"

[Doctor] "Having you in the room during treatment will only cause a distraction."

[Serpens] "Very well. Please, I beg of you..."

The moment Serpens stepped out of the examination room with an anxious face, the doctor closed the door, approached Stella, and whispered.

[Doctor] "Lady Satina, you may open your eyes now."

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