QHIM chapter 32- Fake Justice

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“Stop struggling. You’re making contact.”

Jerome’s words that followed made my body stiffen like a statue.

I almost bit my tongue at the hard sensation I felt near my hip.

To describe Jerome now, he was like a B-grade slasher movie with a convincing poster.

I wanted to beat myself up for letting my guard down, even for a moment, deceived by his handsome exterior.

With a cold expression, I muttered,

“How did you do it?”

“Do what?”

“Your hair color, your whole demeanor. You’re like a completely different person.”

“My hair was always this color. It turned darker because of Mephisto.”

So the weakening of Mephisto’s power affected even the color of his hair.

I glanced at Jerome’s face. Smiling softly, Jerome spoke up,

“Shall we start the duties of a married couple now?”

“I have someone I like.”

For the first time, the always-relaxed Jerome froze.

This was my chance. I immediately struck Jerome’s solar plexus with my elbow and broke free from his grasp.

I swung my arm so hard that I fell forward from the recoil.

‘I’m going to hit the floor!’

I braced myself to hit the ground face-first and squeezed my eyes shut, but Jerome caught my forehead with his hand, preventing a nosebleed.

Jerome sighed with a mixture of relief.

“You should be careful, darling.”

“…Not in the reception room.”

“…”

“It’s… it’s too bright here. It’s embarrassing.”

As soon as I spat out the excuse I had managed to think of, I felt my tongue curl up in shame.

Embarrassing, my ass.

There was nothing embarrassing about it. Bright or dark, I didn’t want to be in any intimate situation with this man.

But judging by Jerome’s mood, it seemed that if things continued this way, I would end up carrying out the act on that velvet sofa.

After a moment of silence, Jerome pulled me into a tight embrace.

“You’re right; I’ve been inconsiderate. For you, Jeanne, I’m probably your first man. I’m sorry for being so forceful.”

“…”

“Then… is the stable okay?”

Not okay.

I stared at Jerome, who was grinning broadly, with a blank expression, then slowly got up and trudged toward the locked door.

As I opened it, I met the gaze of Duke Michael, who was walking this way.

“My daughter-in-law!” Duke Michael called out cheerfully upon spotting me.

Bang! I slammed the door shut and quickly locked it.

I thought to myself that there must be a basement under the floor.

It seemed this crazy father and son duo were intent on making me the mistress of the Howard family.

Jerome, sitting casually on the sofa, picked up a book as if nothing had happened.

“It seems my father is eager to marry us off.”

“Why on earth?”

“It must be because my neurosis seems to have improved thanks to you. Oh, and there’s one more thing…”

Jerome, who had been deep in thought, leaned on the sofa armrest and chuckled softly.

“My father has already bought an estate in your name.”

This was the most shocking news I’d heard all year.

✽ ✽ ✽

As the weather grew chilly, I led Duke Michael to the glass greenhouse instead of the garden terrace.

Sipping his tea, Duke Michael began,

“To get straight to the point, thanks to you, my son’s condition has noticeably improved. I’ve praised you to Duke Carlotte so much that my mouth is tired. I’m truly grateful, and I’m not just saying that.”

I looked at Duke Michael with a puzzled expression.

His condition improved?

That couldn’t be.

Mephisto was still inside Jerome.

I glanced over at Jerome, who was still exploring the garden.

With his hands behind his back, Jerome reached out among the flowers.

‘Is he going to pick a flower? How unexpectedly romantic.’

But contrary to my expectations, Jerome grabbed not a flower but a large poisonous centipede.

He stuffed the squirming centipede into his mouth and chewed.

My face naturally stiffened.

‘It seems his madness has… worsened.’

Jerome spat out the centipede’s legs and, as soon as our eyes met, gave a shy smile.

I turned my gaze away from Jerome with a blank expression.

“I’m glad to hear that Jerome’s condition has improved. But regarding the temple recommendation letter you promised me… Oh, I’m not trying to rush you, but I was worried you might have forgotten, considering how busy you are.”

“Well, about that, I intended to give you the recommendation letter, but it turns out that even with it, only certified students from Academy 3 Class or higher can enter the temple.”

I clenched my fists on my lap.

The temple was the most prestigious institution for nurturing and managing divine magicians in the empire.

It was clear that just one recommendation letter wouldn’t be enough to get in.

As my face darkened, Duke Michael cautiously spoke up.

“I heard that Lady Jeanne is twenty this year. How about enrolling in the academy? The vacation is almost over, and I’m worried about sending Jerome back to the academy alone.”

What a cunning bastard. I silently stared at Duke Michael, who smoothly attempted to deceive me. Realizing the fierce look in my eyes, Duke Michael quickly added,

“But… the academy uniform is really cute. Oh, right. I actually brought some past exam questions for you, my dear. If there’s anything you need for the exam, I’ll provide everything.”

“Can I enter the temple if I become a divine magician of Class 3 or higher?”

“That’s right. Though, of course, you’d have to pass a challenging entrance exam.”

Duke Michael was right. The entrance exam for the Imperial Academy was notoriously difficult.

Since it gathered the most talented individuals in one place, mediocre magical or divine abilities weren’t enough to even take the exam.

With Jeanne’s rather average magical and divine powers, he would surely fail the first round.

However, with only about two years left until her engagement with Carlisle, it was too risky to invest time in the academy entrance exam, which was akin to a bar exam.

Jeanne needed to become a saint as soon as possible.

‘Then I have to take the shortcut.’

Though he appeared to be joking around, Duke Michael was, in fact, the tower master, the head of all magicians. Now that I had finally gained his favor, I wanted to make use of it somehow.

Setting my teacup down, I smiled gently.

“Is there any way I could enroll without taking the entrance exam? Using your authority, Duke Michael? I want to enter the temple as soon as possible.”

“…That would be difficult. Unless Lady Jeanne were to become part of our family, that is. Even the emperor would find it hard to grant a special admission to the Imperial Academy.”

“I see…”

Feigning difficulty, I hesitated and then let out a deep sigh.

“In that case… I think I’ll pass on attending the academy. Duke Carlotte is eager to marry me off soon. I have no talent in magic anyway, so I suppose that’s the best way I can contribute to my family.”

“…”

“I was even considering meeting the young heir of the Ratselk Count family that was mentioned last time…”

While pretending to be conflicted, I observed Duke Michael’s reaction. His eyes wavered, and he quickly grabbed my hand.

Then, in a determined voice, he said,

“Haha, my dear daughter-in-law, or rather, Lady Jeanne, if that’s what you wish, I can make it happen right away. Don’t worry. I’ll explain everything to the admissions officers.”

“Really? I’m so happy to hear that you’re willing to go to such lengths for me. I also want to get along well with Lord Jerome.”

Hahaha.

Hahahahaha…

I quickly withdrew my hand that had been caught mid-laugh. Now that he had gotten what he wanted, there was no reason to face Duke Michael any longer. After bowing politely, I spoke.

“Well then, take care, Your Grace. I’ll just go and say hello to Lord Jerome.”

“Sure, take your time. You can have a nice, leisurely chat.”

He seemed really pleased. It wasn’t hard to understand why.

After all, from Duke Michael’s perspective, his son, who had been almost like a madman, had been cured at once. He probably wanted to keep his son close to him for life.

‘Of course, I have no intention of letting that happen.’

Since he seemed keen to get Jerome and her closer, she thought it would suffice to just show them getting along moderately.

I stopped walking through the wide greenhouse.

I saw Jerome sitting under a large willow tree, so engrossed in something that he hadn’t even noticed me approaching.

“What are you doing?”

“Watching ants.”

With his bulky frame, he was surprisingly capable of doing something so cute.

I plopped down next to Jerome and leaned back against the willow tree.

The atmosphere was so peaceful that it was hard to believe Jerome was sitting next to me.

As Jerome quietly watched the ants, he spoke.

“When the queen ant can no longer lay eggs… the worker ants tear her apart and eat her.”

“……”

“Isn’t that cute?”

“Jerome, I’ve been meaning to point this out for a while.”

Taking a deep breath, she spoke firmly.

“Your standard of what’s cute is definitely strange.”

“Haha…”

Jerome’s laughter dissipated into the air.

The willow leaves swayed gently. I listened to the birds chirping for a moment before asking.

“How’s Mephisto these days? Is he still telling you to kill me?”

“Hmm, no, he hasn’t said much. He used to chatter away to the point of annoyance.”

Jerome finished watching the ants and leaned his shoulder against me.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves and shone on Jerome.

With a self-mocking smile, Jerome turned to look at me.

“But Mephisto isn’t the kind of guy to disappear so easily. One day, I will become heretic again, and then I’ll try to kill you again, Jeanne.”

“……”

“Maya is quite cruel. Why must it be you? If it was another, I could kill any other human without hesitation.”

Raindrops started falling from the dim sky. T

he sound of raindrops hitting the glass dome grew louder. Jerome entwined his fingers with mine. His dry, emotionless tone pierced my ears.

“Why must I kill you to survive?”

I felt the strength slowly leaving Jerome’s hand, which held mine. For some reason, I saw myself overlapping with Jerome, both of them having resented the gods after their fathers’ deaths.

I replied in a calm voice.

“Don’t talk so weakly. It’s not like you, a hero.”

Jerome flinched and trembled. I gripped his hand tightly and pulled him toward me.

Come to think of it, it was probably the first time I had pulled Jerome toward me.

“Let’s find a way together.”

For a moment, surprise flashed in Jerome’s usually composed eyes.

I continued, smiling faintly at him.

“A way to completely eliminate Mephisto within you.”

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