I Once Thought I Had No Place, Being Married Off to An Enemy Nation as A Token of Apology but That Was Only for One Night - Chapter 8

“Honestly, you should have just said so in the first place.” “It was Your Majesty who misunderstood! I said from the beginning that I wanted to analyze the curse.”

I puffed out my cheeks slightly, annoyed by his outrageous assumption. Seeing my expression, he let out a faint, wry smile.

“I see. Then I was in the wrong this time. So, do I just need to take off my clothes?” “Yes. Please show me the traces of the curse.” “Very well. My upper body, then.”

Sitting on the sofa across from me, he began to unbutton his shirt. It was night, and the only light in my bedroom came from the glow of magic tools, illuminating his firm chest as it was revealed.

I let out a tiny squeak and covered my face with my hands. Though his frame was slender, his body was toned, and I could see the faint outline of his abdominal muscles. When I peeked through the gaps in my fingers, he gave me a flat, unimpressed look.

“I will ask once more. You are here to analyze the curse, correct?” “Yes, yes, of course!”

I cleared my throat, forcing myself to switch back into my professional mindset as a Saint. I observed him closely, but I could not see any visible traces of a curse. However, when I had accidentally touched him earlier, the power I felt was definitely coming from his upper body.

“Is it perhaps on your back?” “Yes. Correct.”

He shifted on the sofa, twisting his upper body away from me. On his back was a large, ominous pattern. Within its dark aura, I felt a faint trace of holy power. It was an exquisite magic circle composed of conflicting forces. I found myself unable to look away, gripped by an overwhelming urge to break it. Simultaneously, a flood of technical knowledge required to lift the curse rushed into my mind.

What was that just now?

Following that mysterious sensation, I instinctively reached out and extended my finger toward the magic circle.

“Noel, it is dangerous to touch the curse.”

Albert issued the warning just as my finger made contact with the pattern.

“I am so sorry. Was I not supposed to do that?” “No, it is just that I was told the magic circle would reject anyone who touched it. Are you alright?” “Yes. I did not feel any resistance at all.”

It did not hurt, but this sensation… what was it?

“Noel, are you crying?” “What?”

I touched my cheek and realized there were faint traces of tears.

“I am sorry. I think some dust got in my eyes.”

I hurriedly wiped them with the back of my hand. “Forgive me. Could you please lie down?”

“Very well.”

He looked as though he wanted to say something more, but he complied and lay face down on the sofa. I walked around the low table to stand before him. It was a hexagonal magic circle. Something was definitely strange. It had the malice characteristic of a curse, yet at the same time, it felt like a form of protection.

“May I ask when and where you received this curse?” “This is the curse of the Demon King. It is passed down along with the imperial succession.” “The curse of the Demon King?!”

That was completely unexpected. I knew it was a powerful curse, but I never imagined it originated from the Demon King himself. Its dark aura certainly made sense now, but if that were the case, what was this holy presence I felt?

“This pattern utilizes a hexagram. Hexagrams are used for barriers, seals, and the harmony of opposites. They are rarely used for curses like this.”

I wondered if it really was just a curse. I kept the thought to myself, knowing it might be an insult to his belief in the legend of the White Saint. However, he let out a short laugh.

“You truly are excellent. This is the curse of the Demon King, but it is also the blessing of the White Saint.” “That sounds like a riddle.” “Not quite. It is simply that the White Saint modified the curse cast by the Demon King.”

He shared a piece of the legend with me. Long ago, the White Saint and her seven knights sealed away the Demon King. As he was being sealed, the Demon King unleashed a curse to take the Saint down with him, but one knight acted as a shield and took the curse instead.

It was the worst kind of curse, one that could never be broken and would pass to blood relatives upon the host’s death. Normally, the knight and his entire lineage would have perished. However, the White Saint used the very magic circle that sealed the Demon King to suppress the curse within the knight. She could not break it within her lifetime, but she promised that across the cycles of reincarnation, she would eventually return to free the knight from his burden.

“Was that knight the founding Emperor of Rayvel?” “Yes. And the remaining knights became the Hexagon Lords to protect the key to the seal.”

It was a grand tale. Had I not seen the curse with my own eyes, I might have dismissed it as a fairy tale. But the curse was right here. The story must be true.

At that moment, I understood where the knowledge in my head had come from. It was the research compiled by the White Saint over many lifetimes, the knowledge necessary to break this curse. It was etched into my soul so that one day, I could finally free the Emperor.

“This is both a curse and the proof that the White Saint existed, proof that she protected us.” “Is that why you said you would give everything to her if she returned?” “That is part of it. But I swore to give her everything because she actually saved my life.”

I remembered him mentioning that during his speech. “You were saved by the previous White Saint?” “Yes. I was just a small child. I was afflicted with a severe case of erosion disease after an accident.”

To be severe, he must have been exposed directly to miasma.

“And you were saved by her?” “Yes. I should have died, but I was saved by her power.”

That happened over twenty years ago. If I was born shortly after that, the timeline fits perfectly. I traced the pattern on his back with my finger, wondering if I truly was the reincarnation of the White Saint.

I have no memories of a past life. However, looking at this pattern, I feel a strange sense of duty. An impulse pushes me to analyze this curse and set Albert free.

“She is your savior, then.” “She is. Without her, everyone in this land would have been destroyed by the Demon King. That is why we decided from birth to live for her sake.”

Their loyalty was the real thing. If I claimed to be the White Saint, he would likely forgive my past and give me everything simply because of who I was. But I did not want that.

I do not want a place to belong as the White Saint. I want a place to belong as Noel.

I want him to acknowledge me for my own strength. As a first step, I focused on analyzing the curse. The knowledge in my soul accelerated the process tremendously, but I hit a wall at the most crucial part. I stopped there.

“Are you finished?” “For now, I have memorized the structure of the curse.” “I see. I will ask again. Do you think you can break it?” “Well…”

The knowledge of the White Saint alone was not enough to break this curse. The fact that the previous Saint failed to do so was proof of that.

However, I remembered a document I had seen once in the forbidden library of Ashtal. That book contained knowledge that the White Saint did not possess. At the time, I had only skimmed it out of boredom, but I was certain that those records could bridge the gap in the White Saint’s knowledge.

This meant that because of my connection to Ashtal and my status as the reincarnation of the White Saint, I was the only person in the world who could save Albert.

“It is impossible right now. But I will break it. I promise.” “I see. Then I shall look forward to it.”

He spoke with an expression that suggested he did not expect much. How frustrating. One day, I am going to surprise him. With that thought, I placed my palm on his back.

“I cannot break the curse yet, but I can purify the miasma clinging to it.” “I appreciate that, but did you not just perform a large scale purification yesterday? Is it safe for you to use your power again so soon?” “A small amount like this is no problem.” “A small amount?”

Oops. I should have been more modest. But if he is surprised by that much, my life here is going to be very stifling.

“I am perfectly fine.” “Very well. Then I leave the purification to you.” “Yes. Please keep looking forward.”

I waited for him to turn his head away before activating my power. Snow tinged with a faint light drifted down onto his back. The white snow turned black as it absorbed the miasma eroding Albert, then vanished like melting ice. Suddenly, Albert flinched.

“Is this your purification?” “Yes. It is snow, but it should not feel cold. Is it ticklish?” “No. I am just surprised. Despite its name, it feels like a gentle warmth that washes over the soul.” “You are the first person to ever say that. So please, do not look back. I finally made a good impression, and I do not want to ruin it.”

I felt him about to turn around and checked him immediately. I could not let him see my white snow. Wait, why is he making that face? He looks like he really wants to say something.

“What is it?” “Do you feel ashamed of the name Black Snow?” “My brother used it to mock me. But I am not ashamed of it now.”

The name Black Snow is proof that I purified a great deal of miasma to save people. I have no reason to be ashamed. I want Albert to acknowledge me as the Saint of Black Snow.

“Your Majesty, please give me a duty as a Saint.” “Why?” “That was the pretext for my marriage in the first place. Besides, Frieda told me that the Empire is short on Saints.” “That is true. But if you act as a Saint, you will have to stand on the dangerous front lines.” “I am prepared for that.” “Anyone can say the words. The battlefield is more dangerous than you think. You are the Empress; it is better for you to stay quiet in the capital.”

He sounded just like Frieda. Back then, I said I would obey, but…

“Emperor Albert, I was sent here as an apology gift. Right now, I am not worthy of being the Empress. That is why I want to prove with my own strength that I am worthy of being your Empress and a member of this Empire.” “So you want to head to a dangerous battlefield? Were you not simply forced to marry me by your country’s orders?” “I do not deny that.”

It was true. I was forced into an unwanted marriage. But that was before I knew the Emperor was the boy I admired.

“Do you not resent your homeland?” “I do not deny that either. However, there are people dear to me in that country.”

As soon as I said that, Albert’s body gave a small jolt.

“Your Majesty?” “It is nothing. Who are these dear people?” “Well, you see, I actually had a place to belong in that country. Unfortunately, I only realized it after I had lost everything.”

The topic of having a place to belong was something I had discussed with the boy from my childhood. I was worried he might catch on, but fortunately, he did not show a clear reaction. Instead, his voice sounded strangely weak.

“Do you want to go back?”

His voice was laced with an uncertainty I had never heard from him before. He sounded almost anxious.

“No. I have decided to make a new place for myself in this country.” “I see.”

He fell silent.

“Your Majesty?” “So, what do you intend to do in this country?” “I hope to act as a mediator between Rayvel and Ashtal. I believe that is the duty of a princess married into a hostile nation.” “That is a noble ambition, but it will be difficult as long as that man is the next King.” “I agree. In that case, we should just replace him.”

When I laughed, Albert turned around abruptly.

“Your Majesty, I told you not to look back!”

I barked at him, and he hurriedly turned his head away again.

“My apologies. I was just taken aback by what you said.” “No, I am the one who should apologize for speaking so harshly.”

I apologized, but my heart was pounding. Was it okay? Did he see the white snow? It was only for a second, and most of it had turned black from the miasma, so it should be fine, right? But asking if he saw the color of my snow would just give me away. I could only pray he had not noticed and continued the purification.

Eventually, the snow stopped turning black. Seeing that, I finally ended the miracle.

“How do you feel?” “This is wonderful. I feel so refreshed. It has been a long time since my body felt this light. You truly are talented. Thank you.”

He looked back over his shoulder and smiled. This smile was completely different from the superficial one he wore earlier. I was so happy that I beamed at him.

“It was worth the effort then!”

He looked surprised for a moment, and then his gaze began to wander.

“What is it?” “I was hesitating to say anything because you were being so serious, but how long do you intend to stay like that?” “What do you mean?”

Then it hit me. In my concentration to see the pattern clearly, I had leaned forward until I was practically straddling his back.

“I am so sorry!”

I scrambled off him, trying to get my feet back onto the carpet. In my panic, I tripped over my own feet and almost slammed face first into the low table.

“Careful.”

At the last second, Albert sat up and caught me. His arms were wrapped around my waist from behind. It was not a graceful princess carry; I was being held like a piece of luggage. From an apology gift to a piece of luggage… how embarrassing.

“I am truly, deeply sorry.”

This time I calmed down and stood properly on the carpet. I sat back in my seat and looked away to hide my blushing face. But Albert stared intently at my profile.

“I see. You are not used to this sort of thing.” “Of course not! What on earth do you take me for?!”

I looked at him reflexively, but the embarrassment was too much, and I looked away again. Albert apologized, though I could hear him chuckling deep in his throat.

“My apologies. I just cannot shake the image of the Saint who visited this land before.” “Was she really that bad?” “I heard she barged into my room in a state of undress and was caught by the guards. Apparently, she even tried to seduce the knight who caught her, and he came to me in tears asking for help.” “I apologize on behalf of my country for that.”

Honestly, my brother could have chosen a more decent Saint. If he had chosen me back then, things might have gone a lot smoother. As I was thinking that, Albert’s expression turned serious.

“Noel. I will grant you permission for the Isenwald territory.”

I was surprised to hear him use my name without a title for the first time. It took me a moment to realize he was giving me permission to go on a purification mission to Frieda’s land.

“Is it really alright?” “Yes. But in exchange, I will hear no complaints. You must prove your worth as a Saint to everyone.” “I accept, with gratitude.”

This was my chance to be acknowledged not as the White Saint, but as the Saint of Black Snow. I would not let it slip away.