Thank you, Yelena.

For what?

You sacrificed yourself

I should be thanking you, Uncle. Yelena alarmingly cut the marquis off as soon as the word sacrifice came out.

Thanks to you, Uncle, Im living a happy married life with my beloved husband.

Im truly grateful.

Yelena smiled silently.

Marquis Linden wasnt a tactless person. He cleared his throat and then smiled with Yelena.

Thats good. I was worried since you moved so far from home, but it looks like life at the ducal castle suits you.

Of course. But why are you bringing this up again as if it isnt old news?

Ah, about that

Marquis Lindens face lit up. He looked happy.

Not so long ago, we were able to successfully excavate our first relic.

Relic?

Indeed. Ah, I havent told you about the business.

The thing Marquis Linden had been greedy enough to think of selling off his own daughter Mielle for was none other than an ancient relic mine.

Duke Mayhard owned the mine. Since the mine was close to the capital, he hired someone else to be in charge of the excavation and restoration of the relics.

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Aha, thats why

Yelena gave a mental nod. She had been curious as to why the marquis had been ready to force Mielle into a marriage. It wasnt like he needed the money.

I can see why he would do that for relics. It had always been his dream

If the marquis succeeded to safely excavate and restore ancient relics, the gains hed secure would not only be financial.

Honor.

The achievement of restoring the relics abilities would create a name for himself to be remembered for generations to come.

But it was also just something Marquis Linden had always hoped to accomplish.

Congratulations. What kind of relic is it?

Its still undergoing examination. Im not completely sure, but I think it might be a weapon

A weapon?

Do you want to take a look? Its a short carriage ride away.

Thats okay.

Unlike Marquis Linden, Yelena wasnt very interested in relics and, even more so, if they were tools used in past wars.

Marquis Linden seemed disappointed about losing the chance to show off the relic, but he didnt ask twice.

***

Yelena left the marquis estate for home by horse carriage. It wasnt a long trip, so she didnt feel the need to use Sidrion.

Instead, Sidrion sat with her in the carriage as her guard, along with the three knights.

Yelena, who had been looking out the carriage window, suddenly turned her head and spoke.

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Does anyone like tarts?

There was a tart shop in the capital that Yelena used to visit regularly. Edward had even teased her on her wedding day, asking her what she would do now that she could no longer go to the tart shop.

The shop happened to be along the way back home.

Thomas furtively answered Yelenas question with his own.

Do you like tarts, Madam?

Yes, I do.

At her reply, the three knights quickly blurted out their responses.

Then I like tarts too.

Me too.

I love tarts.

Sidrion quietly watched as this exchange, where such a thing as independent thought did not exist, unfolded. He made eye contact with Yelena. He still hadnt given his answer.

The man shrugged. Does my preference matter?

Of course it doesnt. Coachman, take us to the dessert shop I used to always go to.

Understood.

The coachman skillfully shifted the carriages direction.

But the carriage did not move for long.

Yelena was smiling at the thought of visiting the shop after a long time when the carriage came to an abrupt stop.

Hm?

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The scenery outside the carriage window was different from what Yelena remembered.

Did the shop move locations? Yelena thought to herself. Then, she heard the coachmans voice.

Um, Young Miss

What? Is there a problem?

Theres a carriage in front of us, but

Before the coachman could even finish speaking, a strange voice spoke. The speaker sounded decrepit.

Upon seeing the attire of the man who approached the carriage window, Yelena instantly knew who he was.

Youre a priest.

The man was wearing priest attire belonging to the temple. He looked to be middle-aged or elderly.

The man laughed mildly.

Yes. I am Bekah, a servant of the god Ior. God bless you, Young Lady.

Please call me Madam, not Young Lady. God bless you too, Mr. Priest. But whats the matter?

Its just that Our carriage cannot move because theres a problem with one of the wheels.

Yelena extended her neck to look out the window.

It was true. The white horse carriage that was blocking the road seemed to be stuck in place.

It looks like the wheel fell out.

Yelena wasnt sure of the exact details, but thats what it looked like to her.

The priest nodded.

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Fortunately, it isnt broken, so I think it just needs to be fastened again. But as you can see, we are but frail priests, so we are shorthanded and in a pinch.

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