The Returning Husband Refuses to Divorce Chapter 22

The temple…

Since this banquet was essentially a private event within the Evanhardt domain, held for the Evanhardt Knights, the delegation would not be particularly large.

The official victory celebration was scheduled to take place in the capital a few months later.

Thus, rather than sending a large delegation, the temple had opted to send one high-ranking priest accompanied by several lower-ranking priests to serve as attendants.

…And Ines was acquainted with most of the temple’s high-ranking priests.

Was it Helien coming this time?

Helien Bron.

A woman in her mid-thirties, she was one of the temple’s prominent figures, having followed an elite training path since childhood.

“I think it would be best if I received her personally.”

Even though the temple professed equality, there was an unspoken hierarchy among its priests.

And Helien Bron was unquestionably one of the highest-ranking figures among the senior clergy.

She’s directly under the Pope.

Ines was the only person in the north sufficiently familiar with temple etiquette to attend to someone of Helien’s stature. Therefore, this was a task only she could perform.

…Even if she would rather not.

“Will you be all right?”

“Pardon?”

Ines blinked.

“Of course. It’s a matter concerning the temple. I should be the one to do it.”

But Zecard’s expression did not relax.

“You don’t have to do it.”

His words were so unexpected that Ines was momentarily at a loss for words.

“This isn’t a matter of choice. I’m the Duchess, and I used to belong to the temple. It’s only natural that I should receive the guests.”

“That doesn’t matter.”

Zecard stopped and looked straight into Ines’s eyes.

“I have no intention of forcing you to do something you don’t want to do.”

It was a strange thing.

Ines’s life had always been governed by obligations and restrictions.

No one had ever asked what she wanted.

“It’s really all right. I want to be of help, too.”

Smiling, Ines gave an answer that was only partly sincere.

“Besides, if I don’t step forward now, people will find it strange. They’ll wonder why the Duchess isn’t fulfilling her duties.”

In particular, the way Ines conducted herself at this banquet would determine whether she was properly recognized as the Duchess.

Zecard must have understood that as well. That was probably why he had suggested that they receive the guests together in the first place.

Zecard gazed at her silently for a moment.

However, rather than continue the conversation, he started walking again.

“…Very well. But if you change your mind at any point, please tell me.”

Ines breathed a sigh of relief.

Thank goodness he didn’t press me any further.

For a fleeting moment, a faint shadow clouded Ines’s face before disappearing.

The truth was, she really did not welcome this situation.

Helien Bron had been responsible for training the Saintess candidates. To Ines, she was practically a teacher.

Everything Ines knew about etiquette and other subjects had been taught to her by Helien.

…In a manner that was mercilessly harsh and terrifying.

It’s fine. She’s no longer my superior.

Back when Ines belonged to the temple, she had looked up to Helien. But now that she was the Duchess, there was no reason to feel intimidated by her.

When they were nearly at the reception room, Zecard stopped instead of going straight inside.

“If it becomes too difficult or you no longer wish to do it, you can stop at any time.”

For a moment, Ines wondered whether Zecard knew something.

But that was impossible. Matters within the temple could never be discovered from the outside.

Still, his words made it seem as though he genuinely supported her, and Ines felt some of her tension ease.

“I understand. Thank you for your concern.”

Zecard gazed at her intently, as though engraving that smile into his memory.

The imperial delegation arrived.

“Ah, it’s been a while, Duke Evanhardt.”

The man’s name was Roderick Carlisle. He was a nobleman from the capital and one of the emperor’s close associates.

Someone more important than I expected.

The House of Carlisle had risen rapidly in prominence since Roderick became its head. In fact, the man himself, Roderick Carlisle, was more valuable than the family name.

The well-groomed, middle-aged man offered his hand with a genial smile.

“Didn’t we see each other in the capital not long ago?”

“It’s already been more than a month. That feels like a long time to me.”

Roderick laughed heartily.

“You look much better, Duke.”

Their conversation was remarkably informal. Considering what had happened with Enrique recently, Ines wondered if Zecard might actually be quite close to the emperor’s inner circle.

“And this must be the Duchess.”

Roderick placed one hand over his chest and bowed courteously.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Duchess Evanhardt. My name is Roderick Carlisle. I’m honored to make your acquaintance.”

Ines inclined her head slightly.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Count Carlisle.”

She had been worried about receiving her first official guest as duchess, but his apparent friendliness put her at ease.

“Now, then! Let us catch up after all this time!”

Roderick led the conversation with an amiable attitude throughout.

He had a gift for entertaining others with lighthearted humor without ever crossing the line.

“Come to think of it, His Majesty has been talking about you quite often lately, Duke.”

“I doubt he has anything good to say.”

“Ha ha! You know him well, indeed.”

Roderick burst into hearty laughter.

“He used to say you were so obedient, but the moment the war ended, you started doing whatever you pleased. He’s been grumbling about it endlessly. And why on earth did you have to rush back to your domain so quickly?”

“Is there any reason I shouldn’t have?”

“Not at all. But His Majesty was rather disappointed. He said, ‘How could you treat a fellow comrade-in-arms like this?’”

Ines quietly sipped her tea as she listened to their conversation. It was a little surprising to see Zecard chatting so comfortably with someone.

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

“Excuse me.”

The person who entered was the head maid.

She hesitated briefly before approaching Ines and lowering her voice.

“My Lady, there’s something I need you to check.”

“Me?”

“Yes. It concerns the preparations for receiving the temple delegation.”

Ah.

Ines immediately nodded.

“Very well.”

She rose from her seat and turned to Roderick to ask for his understanding.

“I’m sorry, but would you mind if I stepped away for a moment?”

“Of course. There’s no need for you to worry about it, Duchess.”

Roderick waved his hand with a smile.

“If anything, I’ve kept you here for too long, talking away on my own.”

“I’ll be back shortly.”

At that, Zecard began to rise as well.

“I’ll go with you.”

“No.”

Ines quickly stopped him.

“It’s just nearby. She said there’s something simple I need to check.”

Zecard looked displeased, but he did not try to stop Ines again. She promptly followed the head maid out of the reception room.

Fortunately, the matter she needed to check was nothing serious.

Ines gave the head maid several specific instructions in accordance with temple etiquette.

I should get back quickly.

No matter how little she had to say, she couldn’t leave a guest waiting for too long while receiving them. As the Duchess, she had a duty to make an appearance.

Ines quickened her pace.

The corridor leading back to the reception room was quiet.

Perhaps because most of the servants were downstairs preparing for the banquet, there were fewer people around than usual.

Still, things seem to be going smoothly so far.

She had been a little concerned because the servants had been acting rather suspiciously lately, but surprisingly, nothing had happened.

Then again, they only disliked Ines. They practically worshipped Zecard, their lord. Since this banquet was being held for Zecard and his knights, they were unlikely to sabotage it.

She had just turned the corner in the corridor when—

Click.

The sound of heels striking the floor reached her ears.

Ines raised her head without thinking.

The temple uniform was the first thing she noticed.

Pristine white and gold.

A familiar emblem.

A priest?

Had they arrived already?

According to Zecard, there was still some time left.

As Ines lifted her gaze while pondering this, her movements came to an abrupt halt.

“…”

The woman standing before her had noticed her as well.

Ash-brown hair neatly pinned up.

A priest’s robe without a single wrinkle.

Sharp eyes that seemed unchanged despite the passage of time.

Helien Bron.

In an instant, Ines’s mind went completely blank.

Ah.

She couldn’t breathe.

It was strange.

She had been perfectly fine just moments ago…

Ines repeated to herself over and over that she was no longer a young Saintess candidate.

She no longer needed to worry about Helien’s opinion or seek her approval.

And yet—

“Ines.”

The moment she heard that familiar voice, her body stiffened before she could stop it.

〈Stand up straight.〉

Her back straightened of its own accord.

〈Lift your head.〉

Her jaw tightened.

〈Wrong again.〉

Her fingertips turned cold.

〈How do you expect to become a Saintess if you can’t even manage something this simple?〉

“…”

She needed to breathe.

But her chest felt so constricted that she could barely draw air into her lungs.

“It’s been a long time.”

Helien stood before her, looking down at her with eyes so cold they were almost unbearable.