Chapter 22: Chapter 15 ─ The Trap

Moments after Rudel left.

Lucy was planning what to do today.

"Umm, should I do laundry or buy dinner today?"

"Rudel said he'd see to a quick finish."

Lucy blushed a little at the thought of being Rudel's wife now.

"Before planning dinner was arbitrary, now I crave it. Hahaha, I feel like I've become quite the wife... even though I'm 17."

Someone rang the doorbell.

"Coming."

She went to check who it was, as she opened the door, she was surprised to see an unexpected face.

"Jude!?"

Jude was standing in the doorway wearing a smart suit, his face was now recovered and back to his usual handsome self.

Lucy wanted to close the door, but he stepped forward and put his foot in. He entered after pushing Lucy aside.

She glared at him.

"You, you don't give up do you? I told you, I'll tell you as many times as you want, I'm Rudel's woman and I don't love you!"

"That doesn't matter."

He walked over to her and took her arm, removed the bandage and there was the priestess emblem. Jude raised his right hand and activated the prayer power of the emblem.

The power of prayer is a way of knowing when someone holding an emblem can be identified as real or fake and even knowing if it is likely to be an inferior emblem or one of a great noble.

Fake emblems happened because of the empire.

Jude smiled sinisterly as he whistled.

Men in uniform entered.

"We show our greetings to the sapling priestess!"

"...?"

Lucy didn't understand this, Jude explained.

"You see. I had to prove that you really were the priestess as my dad didn't believe me. I spent many days thinking about what to do to prove it until I remembered this simple event."

"I felt like an idiot, but it was worth the wait. Now you'll have to come with me."

He tugged at her hand, but she refused.

"No! I'm Rudel's woman and I'm not going anywhere."

Jude looked at her angrily, but he didn't want to lose his temper again.

"Lucy. You may not understand, but your existence is significant to all of Aster. Everyone depends on the sacred tree."

"We've been without one for over ten years. Do you know what will happen when everyone finds out you are one?"

Lucy, then, understood Jude's foul play.

"Jude... you really are despicable. Is this really your way of winning me over?"

Lucy understood that if Aster found out she was the priestess and she was in Rudel's hands. A war would break out to get her back, it might not only be between Aster against Rudel, it could also involve the kingdom.

To Lucy, this act of cowardice showed that Jude did not love her but only monopolized her.

She left the house after taking the sapling, she said to Jude in a low voice.

"Rudel will come and put you in your place, you'll see."

"I hope so. That count has no idea what it's like to make an enemy of an entire nation."

With the news of the priestess Lucy, Rudel would be an enemy of all, even the Acting Chairman himself would be in danger as everyone would learn that the fire years ago that killed the priestess's entire family was set by Randolf.

As they entered the limousine, Jude communicated to her.

"We'll go put you in a dress first, we're going to a very important ceremony for us."

He commented as he brought his arm close to Lucy's shoulder.

As she was touched by him, she felt nothing except revulsion.

(Rudel. Hurry back.)

◇◇◇

The temple of the sacred tree also acts as a church.

Several people were gathering there to witness the union of Tom and Sara in marriage.

Lucy was brought here in a beautiful dress which matched her eyes and showed off her large breasts.

Rudel would be amazed to see that dress if he were here.

Upon entering, many murmured.

"Hey, that girl is..."

"Rumor has it that it is her."

"Where's the evidence? We had many impostor’s years ago claiming to be survivors of that house."

Many didn't believe Lucy was the priestess, but Jude didn't care, he would soon prove it.

Cliff was in the seat reserved for his family.

He looked at Lucy and his bitter face turned into a fake smile.

"Oh, but who do we have here."

"The future priestess, Lucyelle-sama."

Lucy didn't return the greeting, Cliff expected it.

"Be seated, the ceremony will soon begin."

As they sat down, Jude placed his hand on her shoulder again.

At that instant, a maid approached.

"I'm sorry to disturb you Jude-sama, but the lady next to you was requested to be present."

"Lucy? Who sent for her?"

Cliff and Jude were on high guard, the maid relaxed them with the name she spoke.

"Sara-sama requested her presence for a meeting."

"Sara? ... Very well."

Jude stood up so Lucy could accompany the maid.

"As long as it's Sara or it's right here it's no problem."

Lucy was confused.

(What would Sara want with me?)

The maid guided Lucy towards Sara.

◇◇◇

When she reached the room where Sara was, the maid knocked on the door and a voice allowed her to enter.

Lucy entered and the maid carefully closed the door.

There stood Sara, watching everyone arrive through the large window that was in full view of everyone.

This room was not for a bride-to-be, but Sara wanted to look at the people who would falsely wish her happiness.

Turning she looked at Lucy, a bitter smile made.

"I see you're better off than before."

Deep down, she meant it, though a part of herself hated Lucy.

Lucy didn't know what Sara wanted with her, but this was her chance to settle the score.

"Sara, I want you to tell me why you were bullying me. Rudel said it was to protect me from Jude and Derrick."

"I can't believe that. If it's true, why would you do it knowing who I really am?"

Sara picked up a diamond comb and walked over to Lucy.

"Your hair is a mess, coming in a limo is horrible for a dress. Let me fix it for you."

"... Okay?"

Lucy was confused at this kindness.

She sat down at a mirrored table and Sara began brushing her hair.

"Where do I start?"

"From the beginning."

"Okay, let me tell you the story why I hate you."

Sara accidentally used force to brush Lucy's hair, causing her hair to be pulled and she felt pain.

"Over ten years ago, almost a few months before the Vermillion Household tragedy, there was a knight who worked for us."

"That knight was a foreigner who came to live with us and became part of our family. He was a useless, lousy knight, bad manners, lazy, perverted and above all..."

Sara felt a squeeze of bitterness in her heart, but continued to tell her story.

"Most of all... very loyal."

"Whenever there were problems at home or manpower was always needed, he was there. He was kind to everyone, always lending his hand to others without expecting anything in return."

"In truth, he was a very ridiculous knight. So much so, it made me happy to see him every day, even Romeo was close to him."

"But one day."

Her hands paused, Sara remembered vividly what happened that day.

"We received a message from Vermillion Household saying to send our knights because there would be a large-scale operation to retrieve the sapling."

"We didn't want to send him as he had no experience in the dungeon. He was so insistent that we could not stop him."

"Days passed and then, on a rainy afternoon..."

Lucy stepped forward to Sara.

"I'm sorry."

"What are you sorry for?"

"You were there?"

"Were you a witness to his last moments?"

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"Did you have to go and see the body and identify it?"

"Did you have to listen to how he was the only one who died and others survived?"

"Did your family who demanded that we send our knights send a letter of condolence just because he was a knight without a surname?"

"Hey, Lucy, answer me."

Sara turned Lucy around, she looked at her red eyes covered in tears.

"Why are you apologizing?!"

"You have nothing to apologize for!"

"Your parents are the ones who should do it!"

"But they're dead. A dead person can't apologies for another dead person!"

"That's why I hate the Vermillion family. I don't hate you, I hate your parents, I hate your family."

"I don't know what my father did to them to make him burn your house down, but whatever he did, I don't think my father did it out of a fit of madness or jealousy as many say."

"My mother knows he still loves your mother. There is nothing she can do for him and all she can do is nod."

"..."

Sara realized she was just venting to Lucy.

"I'm sorry. You wanted to know the truth and I told you personal things."

"Although those words of mine are part of the reason I was bothering you and I enjoyed it."

"I guess my life with Tom is the karma I deserve for being such a horrible woman."

Lucy stood up and seeing how Sara blamed herself, hugged her with all her might.

"I hate you too. You selfishly said you would protect me, but you just enjoyed doing it."

"You owe me for that. I'll make sure you do."

She turned away from Sara and showed the back of her right hand.

Sara was surprised to see the priestess emblem.

"I don't know I told Jude, but Rudel is the guardian. I'm waiting for him to come and put an end to this madness."

"Sara, I'll make sure Rudel saves you too."

"My mother told me how she was happy to marry the man she loved, I'm sorry for your father, but I won't forgive him for what he did, you are different as you have nothing to do with him."

"For that, I will save you, I will take you to the kingdom too!"

Lucy took Sara's hands to make that proclamation.

"... Why would you do that?"

She asked.

Lucy scratched her head.

"Hehehehe. You see, I wish to take you as my servant so I can pay you back for everything you did to me. I really want to make you pay for everything. But if I leave I won't be able to come back and if I take you I won't have to find an excuse to stay."

Sara laughed at Lucy too.

"Really. You're a big idiot hahaha."

The two girls started laughing after declaring their true intentions.

Someone knocked on the door.

"Sara-sama, it's about time. They've also come for Miss Lucy."

"It's okay."

Sara looked at Lucy.

"Are you sure Rudel will come? My father wishes for my happiness, he doesn't really mind giving up being Acting Chairman for something like this."

"He will come. I am his woman after all, he won't leave me alone, he promised."

"We just have to wait."

"All right."

With that acceptance for both girls, the wedding began.

◇◇◇

The ceremony was beginning, great nobles can exercise the role of priest depending on who the couple marrying.

Linus held that position today.

Tom was happy and proud of his brother.

For Sara it was the opposite.

Lucy, who was pensive, ignored Jude's comments about getting married soon.

(What Sara said bothers me a bit.)

(Why did my family want the offspring so badly?)

(True, I had heard my mother tell my father that time was running out. But time for what exactly?)

(No, wait, there was something else I saw.)

Lucy delved further into her memories.

(A little before the fire I went into my mother's office, it was dark in there, but I saw something shiny, I went over to look and it was...)

"The slave collar!"

After shouting that, there was a great shaking.

Then the door broke and Battler came in with a rifle in his hands.

"I've come to take my wife, Jude! Give me Lucy!"

"Rudel!"

Sara and Lucy shouted at the sight of Rudel, Randy who was present shouted.

"What is that man doing here, he should be dead!"

"What are you talking about Randy-dono?"

Randolf was close to Randy, he heard what he said, but due to Rudel's intrusion he was unable to probe further.

Rudel opened Battler's hatch and stepped out showing his right hand to everyone.

"Listen up you idiots, do you see this?"

"This is the evidence that indicates that the sapling chose me as the guardian!"

"You know why? You're useless and not to be trusted at all!"

"That's why this plant chose me, an outsider, none of you were worthy to be the guardian."

"Worst of all, you stole my priestess."

The murmurs turned to shouts of dissent.

"Then it is true that that girl is the priestess!"

"Even if that nobleman of the kingdom is the guardian, we will not accept it."

"It's true! We mustn't let that guy keep the priestess or the sapling no matter what!"

Hearing the voices of the nobles, the citizens of Aster, Cliff used this opportunity to his advantage.

"That's right!"

He stood up and pointed at Rudel.

"We have the priestess and that man has the emblem of the guardian being a foreigner. It means he has stolen what is ours and we must get it back."

The nobles supported Cliff, the great nobles from Lunor Household, Wayne Household and Randy supported him.

Linus who was offended by Rudel interrupting the most important day in his brother's life agreed with him.

"Count Bradford, in view of the problems between us. I suggest we end this by a duel."

"A duel?"

"That's right. Duels also allow you to remove emblems, if you win we will stop bothering you, if we win you will not only lose, you will also leave the priestess-sama alone."

Rudel looked at Lucy, she felt, she trusted him.

Rudel smiled sinisterly with his usual evil expression.

"Alright, but let's add this. If you guys win I will not only leave Lucy with you, I will give you the sapling and most of all I will leave and never bother again."

"You won't just leave just like that! You'll leave your airship, that horned ship as a token of apology!"

Randy was confident that Aster would win, but he also wanted Rudel's ship, he agreed.

"Fine, I'll give you my ship too. But if I win, not only will they leave Lucy and me alone, they'll also apologize to me for being a jerk and..."

Rudel held up his finger and pointed at Sara.

"I'll take Sara too, I'll take her as my wife as well as Lucy."

"You really say that!"

Lucy and Sara shouted at the same time.

Linus and the other great nobles, including Randolf who didn't say anything, raised their hands and the emblem on their right backs glowed brightly.

"We great nobles swear before the sacred tree will, that this duel will be clean and fair."

A huge magic circle materialized below the spot.

Rudel asked something he did not ask before.

"By all this, who am I going to fight?"

Randy spoke in Linus' place, he had it planned before but could never look for the opportunity to make it happen.

"You're going to fight the best knight in Aster!"

"The ranking of the top 100 knights, including the leading knights! Hahahaha there's no way you're going to win against the elite of this country!"

"Only 100? I thought it would be about 500 or 600 to take it seriously, but if you want to be only 100..."

Cliff proclaimed the following.

"The duel will take place this instant! Outside the temple!"

And so would begin not only the revenge of the great nobles but of all Aster against Rudel.

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