QHIM chapter 31- Fake Justice

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“I have lived for thousands of years, but in dragon society, my age is still considered that of an infant. I once met the Golden Dragon, who is an adult, and he said something to me…”

Thousands of years and still considered an infant.

To a human, who lives barely a hundred years, it was an unfathomable concept.

I nodded slightly, prompting Ber to continue quickly.

“Maya’s power is said to reincarnate repeatedly, with her soul inhabiting new bodies. The image of a ‘saintess’ is just something created by filthy humans.”

“…”

“So, the term ‘incarnation’ would be more appropriate than ‘saintess.’ Of course, it’s true that the incarnations tend to be born more often as young girls… but it’s not without any changes.”

Ber seemed to know something. I scratched Ber’s sniffling nose and asked.

“So, where is this Golden Dragon now?”

“He enjoyed a wandering life so much that after the incarnation he served died, he mingled with human society. Oh, and he mentioned that the incarnation he served was also a man.”

“…”

“He said the incarnation was extraordinarily beautiful, even from the perspective of a dragon who has lived for ages. Of course, not as beautiful as Master, but still, hehe.”

So there is a precedent. That would explain why Jeanne, a man, has Maya’s powers, but the issue is with ‘reincarnation.’

If Maya’s soul reincarnates into a human body, there cannot be two saintesses born in the same era. But Jeanne had a younger sister who was the ‘true saintess.’

Feeling like I was back to square one, I shook my head.

“No, even so, that doesn’t make sense. If it’s continuous reincarnation, there can only be one incarnation of Maya at a time. But I had a younger sister who was the real saintess of Maya.”

“A younger sister? You have a younger sister?”

Ber asked, surprised. A scene from the original story flashed through my mind.

Jean, who had fallen to the side, held his stinging cheek and groaned.

Nayane, who was panting heavily, quickly hid Jeanne behind her. Jean looked at Nayane with a resentful expression.

“Mother likes Jeanne more than me.”

“No, that’s not true.”

“…”

“Jean, it’s not because I dislike you. Your younger sister is different from us. Jeanne is the Saintess of Maya.”

Nayane stepped closer and held Jean’s shoulders. Gazing into Jean’s angry eyes, Nayane spoke gently.

“So, I beg you. Just once, be a useful child for Mother.”

“…”

“You don’t want Mother to end up hating you, do you?”

Hearing Nayane’s words, Jean’s face brightened.

‘I see, it’s not that Mother likes Jeanne more than me. Jeanne is the Saintess of Maya, which makes her more useful to Mother. That’s why she chose her.’

Jean’s gaze fell on Jeanne, who was looking up at him with hunched shoulders. She looked just like him, but as Mother said, Jeanne, his younger sister, was small and weak.

Unlike himself, Jean knew she wouldn’t survive even a day if she were sent to the Duke’s household.

His lips, crusted with dried blood, trembled as he nodded.

“Alright, I’ll do it.”

So if I become the more useful child…

“I’ll go to the Duke’s household in Jeanne’s place, Mother.”

Mother will come for me, surely.

‘Could it be… did Mother lie to protect her daughter? To send her son instead?’

I felt a strange heaviness settle over me. Even after possessing this body, I had never felt sympathy for Jeanne.

She was just a supporting character I had created. But now, I couldn’t help but feel a bit sorry for her.

‘So she couldn’t even run away and had to pretend to be a princess, holding onto the hope that one day Mother would come for her.’

Knock, knock.

While I was lost in these complicated thoughts, someone knocked on the door.

Ber quickly hid under the table. As soon as I told them to come in, the head maid bowed her head respectfully.

“Lady Jeanne, Duke Michael requests an audience with you.”

I nodded and stood up. Since it had been quite some time since I met Jerome, I had expected this visit sooner or later.

As I stepped into the corridor, I noticed the weather had turned much colder.

As I rubbed my chilly arms, the head maid draped something over my shoulders.

It was a luxurious fur, made of what appeared to be mink with its slightly bluish-black hue. I asked in a curious voice.

“This looks like an expensive fur. Where did it come from?”

“Lord Cedrick ordered it. He said to give it to you as it’s gotten colder.”

Now that I think about it, Cedrick hasn’t been around lately. Cedrick, known for his exceptional intelligence, was often dragged into financial meetings.

Despite his relatively young age, he was recognized as a genius.

Perhaps because he had been learning from his father, the Minister of Finance, Cedrick was particularly skilled in economics, mathematics, and statistics.

‘Intellectuals are always busy, no matter the era.’

With a determined expression, I clenched my fist. If that’s the case, I need to make sure this mink fur is worth its value.

In the absence of Cedrick and Carlotte from the mansion, Jeanne was effectively the face of the Efilia Ducal House.

I had to ensure I did not commit any offense, even unintentionally, in front of Duke Michael.

I mentally reviewed the etiquette of noble ladies that I had studied diligently since my possession and headed downstairs.

“But what are all those carriages?”

I frowned at the sight of carriages streaming into the mansion grounds. Wasn’t Duke Michael supposed to come alone? The head maid answered cautiously.

“Well, he didn’t know what you might like, so he brought all sorts of things that are currently popular among noble ladies—jewelry, pets, desserts…”

“…”

I’ve never seen such a wasteful display of wealth.

Not that I’m thrilled by it.

Tsk, clicking my tongue, I wrapped the fur tighter around myself.

It was clear that these gifts weren’t given out of pure gratitude; there had to be some ulterior motive.

I decided it was best to quickly conclude the business and send him on his way.

“I apologize for coming so late, Duke Michael…”

As soon as I opened the door to the reception room, my body froze.

Inside the room wasn’t Duke Michael, but a man I had never seen before.

He turned his head toward me while reading a book on the sofa.

As soon as our eyes met, I flinched. The well-dressed man was obviously from a noble family. The perfectly tied tie and buttoned cuffs spoke of his impeccable upbringing.

‘Those eyes… I’ve seen them somewhere before.’

I approached slowly, my expression cautious. The man, who had risen from the sofa, stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at me.

I hadn’t noticed while he was sitting, but standing up, he was incredibly tall. It felt like I could be completely overshadowed by his presence.

The man, smiling brightly, extended his hand as if he were pleased to meet me.

“Nice to meet you, Lady Jeanne. It’s an honor to see you again.”

Again? I narrowed my eyes and scrutinized his face.

Even to my eyes as a man, he had an exceptionally handsome appearance. Platinum hair and light gray eyes.

Despite his beautiful features, his robust physique had an inexplicable wildness. He seemed both like a sunny field and a gloomy marsh.

He did seem familiar, but I had never met a character as strikingly and elegantly handsome as this. I looked at him blankly as he kissed the back of my hand.

“Forgive me, but may I ask your name…?”

Just as I tried to pull my hand away, a familiar mark caught my eye under the sleeve of his shirt. A symbol tattooed on his arm. It was a sacred ritual tattoo.

As soon as I recognized the man’s identity, chills ran down my spine.

The familiar madness shone in his eyes as he stared at me intently. Jerome whispered in a calm voice.

“I have good skin, so I heal from any wound easily.”

His strong grip pulled my hand.

His large hand, veins protruding, wrapped around my shoulder.

Jerome tilted his head to the side. His elegant appearance clashed with the vulgar words that entered my ears.

“Maybe that’s why the wound your teeth left on my tongue keeps healing.”

“…”

“It’s frustrating. I’ve been biting down on the part you bit, and now it feels like my taste buds are numb—like I can’t taste anything. But strangely, that excites me… Yesterday, I climaxed while biting my tongue.”

I glared at Jerome, who casually spoke about vulgar topics that could make one grind their teeth.

Though he pretended to act normal, he was still rotten inside. Jerome, noticing my expression, asked curiously,

“Why do you look like that? Don’t tell me…”

From beyond the door, I could hear murmuring voices.

Hastily, I shoved Jerome’s shoulder and turned toward the door.

Even though Mephisto was sealed away, being alone with this pervert was dangerous.

Jerome, who embraced me from behind as if mocking my effort, reached out toward the door.

I felt my heart sink when I heard the click of the lock.

‘This crazy bastard.’

No matter how much I struggled, Jerome didn’t budge.

I dug my nails into his arm that was tightly wrapped around my waist.

Pressing his body against my now pale back, Jerome whispered with a smile,