Quietly Hiding that I am a Man chapter 60- Fake Evidence

* * *

The longer the silence dragged on, the more I broke into a cold sweat.

It would have been less nerve-wracking if he had just gotten angry and said no, or dismissed my words as nonsense.

But instead, the Duke just stared at me with a subtle expression, leaving me clueless about what he was thinking.

‘Maybe… trying to convince him with just a mana stone is too much? I’ve already used the “get on my knees and beg” tactic once, so repeating that might be pushing it…’

As I was debating whether to confess, ‘Actually, I was lying! I’ll go back to my room now and do some embroidery or arrange flowers,’ the Duke broke the silence and slowly began to speak.

“When I was grieving after losing my wife, Marie succeeded in his first flower-blooming spell. It was the same flower you recently brought to bloom. That flower was one my late wife truly loved.”

This was a backstory even I, the author, hadn’t known.

I felt strangely moved, realizing that even the side characters I’d written carelessly had their own lives.

The Duke, who had been smiling weakly, clenched his fist tightly.

“I always thought I was the one protecting Mari, but… in truth, he was the one protecting me.”

“…”

“How could he have done that? Such a small child…”

At the Duke’s words, I suddenly thought of Jerry, who had been worried about Jerome.

Jerry, with those sparkling eyes, saying he would make Jerome better—his feelings must have been just like Mari’s.

“It’s not great power that saves people, Jeanne. In the end, it’s a selfless heart that does.”

I widened my eyes in surprise at the Duke’s unexpected words.

It was a statement in complete contrast to Jerome’s philosophy.

Hesitantly, I spoke up.

“But Jerome said power is necessary.”

“And you believed the words of a child who’s barely lived a few years?”

The Duke raised an eyebrow, clearly amused.

Jerome might not be that young, but in the Duke’s eyes, having endured countless trials over decades in the imperial palace, Jerome must have seemed like a mere child.

I found myself caught between whom to believe, feeling increasingly confused.

“Of course, which path you choose is up to you. As you continue your journey, you’ll come to understand, bit by bit.”

“…”

“It’s almost exciting now, wondering what kind of trouble you’ll get into next. Just don’t cause enough to make me get called into the academy.”

The Duke let out a dry laugh, as if he couldn’t believe it.

His reaction was more positive than I expected, and my heart began to race.

Noticing my dumbfounded expression, the Duke wiped the smile off his face and returned to his usual stern demeanor. I quickly grabbed his arm.

“So… does this mean you’re allowing me to enroll in the academy?”

I was so shocked that my voice cracked mid-sentence.

The Duke clicked his tongue and pulled his arm free.

“It’s not like you’d listen even if I tried to stop you at this point. Especially after accepting so many mana stones, it’d be pointless for me to protest.”

“…”

“However, you only have one year. Within that time, bring back results that I can acknowledge. If you can’t, I’ll have you taking bridal lessons at home.”

Even though it was only a one-year reprieve, the fact that I had bought myself time made me so happy I could have leapt into the air.

I nodded vigorously and shouted energetically.

“Yes, I’ll do it! I’ll bring results, no matter what!”

“I’ll send you the results of the artificial mana stone research as soon as they come out. You deserve some credit for finding the sample, after all.”

The Duke finished speaking and passed by me with an indifferent expression.

I stifled the laughter that threatened to escape and let out a sigh of relief.

‘It’ll be fine. I can keep the secret hidden, even at the academy. I’ve done well so far, haven’t I? I’m getting the hang of playing the noble lady.’

Feeling like I’d just climbed over a massive mountain, my eyes stung with emotion.

I swallowed the swelling feelings and opened the pocket watch hanging around my neck.

The five empty slots inside caught my eye.

Collecting all the stones to use Maya’s powers to destroy Mephisto, sealed within Jerome, was my most important goal.

I tightened my grip on the watch, solidifying my resolve.

‘Once I retire from this noble lady act, I’ll move to Sacre. I’ll live quietly in an isolated cabin, writing the novels I love.’

In the quiet land of Sacre, I would hunt with a bow and write a medieval fantasy novel, just as my editor once asked me to do.

‘Hah, what if I become too famous from writing such a masterpiece? Should I prepare an autograph in advance? No, I need to return to my room right now and start writing the first chapter of a novel that will make the whole world weep…’

As I was dreaming about my grand life as a writer in another world, someone urgently called out to me from behind.

“My Lady!”

Turning my head toward the familiar voice, I saw Tweety running toward me, her eyes puffy from crying.

It seemed he had come after hearing belatedly about my return.

When she threw herself into my arms, I flinched in surprise. Tweety, sniffling, spoke between sobs.

“It’s such a relief that you’re back. I was so worried. Are you alright?”

“Really? You’re not happy that your cranky mistress was gone?”

Tweety raised her voice, sounding indignant.

“D-don’t say things like that! While you were gone, there was such a cold wind blowing through the Duke’s household! The Duke and the young master were in such foul moods. It was terrifying, really…”

It seemed the atmosphere in the house had been terrible while I was away.

After gently pushing Tweety away from my arms, I asked in a calm voice.

“By the way, Tweety, did any letters arrive for me while I was away?”

“Letters? Oh! Now that you mention it, there was one from the Royal Academy addressed to you. Should I go get it?”

I nodded immediately, feeling that it was finally time.

Tweety ran inside the mansion and soon returned with a letter.

I tore open the sealed letter and read it slowly.

As soon as I finished reading the last sentence, a soft smile spread across my face.

[Jeanne von Efilia, we congratulate you on your enrollment at the Royal Academy, recognizing your boundless potential.]

It seemed that Duke Michael’s lobbying had worked.

The thrill of having gotten exactly what I wanted sent a wave of satisfaction through me.

“Alright, time to get serious.”

Taking a deep breath, I clenched my fist with determination.

With a satisfied grin, I murmured to myself.

“I need to find the best party members who’ll be good enough to carry me through.”

✽ ✽ ✽

“Lord Luke, I’m sorry for keeping you waiting. I got so caught up taking care of the garden…”

Lily, wearing a gardening apron, appeared, blushing as she smiled awkwardly.

Luke, surprised by her unpretentious appearance, shook his head.

“No, it’s fine. I should be thanking you for welcoming me on such short notice. I didn’t know you had an interest in gardening.”

“Haha, yes. Around this time, I have to repot the plants. Sometimes, I have to trim the tangled roots with scissors, too. Are you interested in gardening, Lord Luke?”

Luke awkwardly replied, scratching the back of his neck.

“Not flowers, but I’m interested in herbs. My father was a herbalist.”

“Oh, really?”

Lily checked Luke’s expression and then smiled gently.

“So, what brings you here today?”

At her question, Luke’s face darkened.

After hesitating, he clenched the fists resting on his knees and began to speak.

“A few days ago, I had an encounter with the Divine Dragon, Bermut.”

“Bermut? Isn’t that one of Maya’s sacred beasts? Wow, you met a truly rare being.”

“Yes, but in its arms, there was that woman.”

The smile on Lily’s face disappeared.

Luke, whose hands had been resting on the garden table, intertwined his fingers.

His calloused hands trembled slightly.

“During that encounter, I received an prophecy from the beast: that woman will save the stars from disaster.”

It was the first time he had ever felt such intense murderous intent toward someone.

When he heard the prophecy that Maya had bestowed his blessing upon Jeanne, Luke had felt as though his own mother had abandoned him.

“At that time, I was the only one who knew how to interpret the divine prophecy, so I could have pretended I didn’t hear it… But since I heard the prophecy of the divine beast, I must deliver it to the temple.”

“…”

“The moment I relay that prophecy to Archbishop Revulin, that woman will be elevated as the Saintess of Maya.”

Luke clasped his hands together as if in prayer and tightly closed his eyes.

After a long silence, Lily burst into laughter.

Luke looked puzzled at Lily’s sudden outburst of laughter.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I was wondering why you were looking so serious… It seems you’re more naive than you appear, Lord Luke.”

“…”

“You said you were the only one who could interpret the prophecy back then. Doesn’t that mean that no one can prove it even if you report a fake prophecy?”

Luke’s face turned pale at Lily’s words.

He was suggesting that he should report a fake prophecy to him.

Luke, who couldn’t claim to have lived a perfectly righteous life but always tried to follow the rules, found the idea of delivering a fake prophecy unthinkable.

“No, no matter what, I cannot deliver a fake prophecy. To twist the prophecy of the divine beast out of personal revenge would be a grave sin.”

“So, you’re saying you’re willing to abandon the future of the children of the Aileen tribe just to keep your own beliefs?”

Luke fell silent at Lily’s sharp words that struck at the heart of the matter.

He gently stroked his teacup and continued in a soft tone.

“The moment the Saintess of Maya emerges from Sacre, the Empire will never be able to turn its back on Sacre. Ignoring the land of the Saintess might even earn them Maya’s wrath.”

“…”

“You don’t need to worry about a thing. Just follow my lead, Lord Luke. Now, lift your head.”

Luke knew it as well.

He was only pretending to struggle with the decision, but in the end, he was going to choose the worse path.

‘No, Maya. You didn’t abandon me.’

With his mind made up, Luke slowly lifted his head.

‘I abandoned you.’

In the eyes of the saint, a dark flame was now burning—one of jealousy, envy, and vengeance.

Lily stood up and stopped in front of a flowerbed in full bloom.

She plucked a pale purple jasmine flower and held it in her hand.

“Turning a saint into a witch…”

Lily, with her back to Luke, smiled darkly.