Chapter 3

'The celebration is an extremely grandiose event that the temple holds every year.

During this period, many people should visit the temple, including members of the four great clans.

For me, who cannot leave the temple, this is the best opportunity, because many outsiders will enter the temple.'

– In any case, he will also have to attend the celebration, – one person came to Daina's mind, which was clouded as if she was in a fog.

'Grand Duke Dehsin.

The head of one of the four great clans that support the Empire, as well as the head of the Grand Duchy of Tersia.

He is especially good in combat, so he is always on the front line of the war. The wars in which he participates never end in defeat, and wherever he goes, it's not sad, he doesn't leave a single living soul.

People call him a murderer, obsessed with war and bloodshed.

The main rumor about him is that even a newborn baby, just weaned, was torn from his mother's arms by him and brutally murdered.'

– If I attack such a person…

'There is a huge difference in status between me, a commoner orphan, and the Grand Duke.

If I try to commit such an act as the attempted murder of the Grand Duke, it will not be strange that I will die on charges of barbarism.

Besides, the Grand Duke already has a bad relationship with the temple. In the past, he scared a novice girl who was just bringing blessings and knocked her out.

In this regard, he is the best choice.

It may be a pretty risky idea, but I want to grab at straws.…'

– I will do my best, – Daina passionately wanted to break the endless loop of returning to her terrible and painful past.

She couldn't miss the opportunity she got when she came back a year earlier. And to do this, Daina decided to die at the hands of a monstrous killer who was crazy about the massacre.

***

Daina came out of the chapel with her shoulders slumped. Her slow walk along the temple corridor seemed pointless.

'For me, who wandered the streets of Goara homeless, this temple was the only home…

Deep in my heart, it has always been a precious and very meaningful place for me…

Only now it hurts me so much to be in this stuffy place...' – at that moment Daina felt sick, and she felt disgusted with everyone who passed by her.

– Ugh… – Daina's head felt heavy again.

'I need to get to my room as soon as possible,' – Daina's thin face turned pale and turned white.

Someone crept up on her from behind, muffling their footsteps. Only Daina, who couldn't afford to think about anything else, didn't notice it.

– Daina! – The young man standing behind Daina slapped her on the shoulder.

Surprised by the sudden touch, Daina froze in place. She didn't scream, but she tensed because of the surprise.

It was because of the flashback of offensive memories. Someone was waiting to see her, and this fact greatly surprised Daina.

'The more my life repeats itself, the more painful it becomes.'

– Why are you so surprised? It's me, Khalid.

'Khalid, one of those involved in the terrible bullying of me.'

Daina's gaze fell on the young man's blond hair, which seemed to be filled with the sun.

'Khalid Dimarrois.

He's exactly who I liked.

14-year-old Khalid, who is still a sweet young man, and not the one that Rabien turned him into...' – Daina's palms trembled as she looked into the young man's eyes.

At the same moment, she clearly remembered how Khalid, without hesitation, cut her with a sword.

'No!' – Daina backed away from Khalid, feeling very disgusted.

– Daina? Khalid, who felt that Daina's behavior was somehow strange, tried to get closer.

However, Daina felt disgusted again and quickly took a step back.

– Hi, – Daina replied, glad that her voice didn't sound as bad as she thought.

– What happened? You don't have a very good complexion. You look too pale.

– No, it's not true… It's all good.

Khalid, who was two years older than Daina, currently held the title of temple disciple.

He was the scion of a prestigious aristocratic family, and many of his peers followed him, not because he came from a high noble family, but because he was the best in his skills.

It was a coincidence that Khalid met Daina. Khalid treated Daina well because she was one of the candidates.

Daina liked Khalid.

He was her first love, whose feelings Daina kept to herself, not daring to reach out to him, however, when Khalid became a knight of the temple, serving Rabien, he became a different person.

He did whatever was required if Rabien was jealous of someone or wanted something. He didn't hesitate, even hurting Daina.

He plunged his sword into Daina and stood aside, watching her being mercilessly bullied. In the many repetitions of her lives, Khalid has never saved Daina.

'Hypocrites…

My heart is no longer beating and will never beat for a man like Khalid.

From now on, he's just a hateful creature to me.'

– Daina? What happened? Did the older candidates bully you again? Why do you look like that?

– I've already said I'm fine. Can I go now?

Khalid hesitated, as if embarrassed by the dryness of Daina's tone.

As soon as she got Khalid's permission, Daina immediately turned around. She didn't want to see him anymore, so she quickly ran away.

Khalid, who wanted to follow Daina, stopped dead in his tracks. He sensed that Daina was avoiding him.

– Did I do something wrong? Khalid scratched his head and looked puzzled. His gaze, full of question, looked at Daina's retreating back.

***

Next to Duke Dehsin, nicknamed the military maniac, was a competent adjutant named Ben Haver.

Dehsin was known for constantly changing his aides-de-camp ever since he became a Grand Duke. He couldn't find a good adjutant with a cunning mind.

However, Ben was different. He was the only one.

Darwin (Duke), just by looking at Ben, who hasn't been here for ten months, could tell how competent he is.

Because of this, Ben was very popular among the nobility. There was even a whole queue of people who wanted to introduce themselves to him.

In fact, Ben's ability to handle his job was really outstanding. He skillfully coped with any difficult task.

If only Darwin wasn't as stubborn as he is now.

– Do you really want to go to a party in a similar costume?

– Yes, it's strange that you have to come to the temple in white clothes. I am the strongest formality I know, – Darwin, who was saying this, was dressed in full-dress armor, just like during the war.

Ben couldn't say no, so he rubbed his chin in embarrassment.

'The Duke's clothes are not suitable for most temple events where you need to be in white. And knowing this, because of his antipathy to the temple, he specifically puts on armor.'

Darwin had a very bad relationship with the temple. This gossip was raised and discussed from all sides at every reception.

Ben was even more worried that if Darwin appeared in such an outfit for the celebration, the formality of visiting the temple would be irrevocably violated.

– Your Highness, if you insist, I'll put your clothes with me and... it doesn't matter, – Ben was about to suggest that they change, but when he saw Darwin looking at him with an icy look again, he quickly swallowed his words.

Darwin Dehsin was born to rule.

His physique was much larger than that of ordinary people, and his unusual young eyes instantly overwhelmed those around him, although the man himself did not even move.

No matter how much Ben looked into the Duke's overwhelming eyes, he still couldn't get used to this look, despite the fact that he had been in this manor for ten months.

– Ok. My Lord, let's go.

– What about the children?

– They're waiting on the ground floor.

Darwin's green eyes shone for a moment, and then quickly disappeared behind his eyelashes.

His eyes were beautiful and indomitable whenever they shone like that, however, few people dared to look into the Duke's face.

And all because they were stunned and scared even before the moment came when they could look into Darwin's eyes. Most people didn't want to make eye contact with him, so they avoided looking Duke Dehsin in the eye.

– Let's go down, – Darwin easily and almost noiselessly descended the stairs.

When he came down to the first floor, his twin sons, Dennis and Judy, who were playing on the sofa, stood up and greeted him.

– Father! Are you leaving already?

Darwin looked at the twins indifferently.

Even if they were twins, the atmosphere between them was completely different. Even after seeing them for the first time, the twins were very easy to distinguish. It was enough just to look at their clothes.

Dennis's clothes were spotlessly clean, and books and glasses created an intellectual atmosphere.

But Judy's clothes were covered with dirt from the garden where he came from. The buttons on his shirt were buttoned incorrectly, and his hair was sticking out in all directions.

Darwin let out a sigh when he saw the sight of his restless son:

– Judy... who else did you fight?

Judy raised his voice a little and smiled innocently in response to his father's question:

– It was a race with Chen. But I won.

In the mess he made, there was not a drop of shame to be seen, on the contrary, the boy triumphantly straightened his shoulders and boasted.

– Good job, – Darwin tried to praise Judy when he said that he had won, but quickly pulled himself together, remembering that now was not the time for this.

– Don't make too much noise until I get home, – a heavy tone escaped Darwin's lips, and his warning gaze looked straight at Judy.

– Oh, then can I do a little thing? – however, Judy, despite the icy look of his father, grinned.

– If you do that, will you obey?

– Of course, I'm a good kid.

– Unexpectedly, – Darwin didn't expect Judy to keep her calm. The man knew perfectly well that if he left, his son would create new troubles. – Have you ever thought about the people who have to clean up after you?

– That's what they're here for.

– No. They work for me, not for you, I hired them.

When the conversation between them began to gain momentum, Dennis acted as an intermediary:

– Don't worry, Father. I'll take good care of Judy, – and immediately cast a trusting glance at his father.

Darwin felt a little uneasy, but he decided to believe Dennis' words:

– Yes, Dennis, please see to it.

'They are really very different in everything,' – Darwin shook his head, looking at his two sons.

After a couple of moments, Darwin, who was about to leave the mansion, stopped:

– I'll buy you presents on the way back. Tell me what you want.

Since there was a lot of work, Duke Dehsin always had to be either away from the estate or in his office. Therefore, he usually bought children various material gifts, as an apology for not being able to be near them.

Dennis thought for a moment, and then said what he needed:

– Buy me The Voice of God, written by Deputy Crisper. The latest edition has already been published, and the temple will have to sell a limited edition just during this event.

Darwin stroked Dennis's hair and nodded:

– OK. Judy, what do you want?

Judy's eyes sparkled, as if he had been waiting for this moment.

Darwin frowned slightly, thinking that the gleam in Judy's eyes was too suspicious.

– I want a sister.

Darwin's ominous premonition turned out to be correct. The air in the living room froze, as if Judy wanted an absurd thing.