I Sought Out the Tragedy's Scheming Mastermind

‘What is this feeling of love that makes people so reckless?’

Hera clicked her tongue and crushed the rose.

The red rose clumped in Hera’s hand.

The blood had already stopped seeping from her pricked hand.

At that time, she willingly agreed because she had to somehow change Rube’s mind and cover up Mary’s affairs.

Not long after that, she was shocked when he asked to postpone the fake engagement.

He was her chess piece, but at some point, it felt like he had jumped from her grasp and into the hands of Eliana.

Rube was originally a difficult man to tame.

‘How hard I’ve tried to get you on my side.’

Even after he said he would be on her side, it wasn’t the first time she struggled with his stubbornness of always insisting on neutrality.

Hera was both interested yet displeased to watch Eliana Mussieux rise exponentially in value when she only planned on using her for a while and then tossing her.

It was even more embarrassing because she was a difficult woman to control.

She thought it would be better to kill her and pretend it was an accident, but in reality, it was best to keep her around to manipulate Rube.

‘I thought she was a calm girl, but she captivated Verkley and Rube.’

Hera’s head throbbed, thinking she was losing her touch, not knowing how hard it would be to control her.

For now, she thought it would be more beneficial not to kill her, so she left it alone.

It was a different story if Verkley protected her in this way, however.

Yes, Eliana Mussieux only had to have complete influence over Rube.

Hera dropped the possibility of her the moment Verkley involved himself in protecting Eliana.

‘Eliana is a hand that I must toss away, but I should make the most of what I can use.’

Hera was firming up her mind to some extent.

“Excuse me.”

At that time, a maid entered the room and bowed.

Hera watched the maid sharply.

The maid gathered the laundry, careful not to make eye contact with Hera.

Hera continued to stare.

The maid felt Hera’s persistent gaze and stopped.

And as she carefully raised her head, Hera crooked her finger, signaling her to come closer.

The maid approached cautiously.

The next moment, Hera slapped the maid across the cheek.

Slaap!

With a sharp noise, the maid fell to the floor.

It was a sudden beating, but the maid knelt and trembled.

Then, she bowed and begged without knowing what she had done wrong.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Empress Dowager, Your Majesty!”

“What did you do wrong?”

“Pardon?” 

The maid gazed up at Hera blankly.

Hera curled her finger and ordered her near again.

Slap! 

As the maid crawled in front of her, her cheek flamed up.

It was due to her second beating.

The maid tried to hold back her cries with her hand.

Hera raised her chin in response.

“Are you going to make me ask you twice?”

“I, heuk, I deserve to die for my grave sin!”

“You must think of your life so lightly judging by your words. At this point, death would be a sin.”

Hera rose from her seat, roughly shaking the maid’s chin.

Sophia was observing from the side and signaled the trembling maid to leave.

As the maid sobbed and left the room cautiously, Hera stared at the door remotely and spoke in a lifeless tone.

“Cut her.”

“Yes.”

“But don’t kill her.”

Sophia nodded at Hera’s command.

All this occurs in secret.

Hera, a specimen of benevolence externally, was a silent and terrifying outlaw inside the palace.

The maid’s error was clear.

The sin of appearing before Hera when she was in a foul mood.

And the sin of failing to disappear after catching onto her mood.

Those were the maid’s mistakes.

Hera flashed a wicked smile.

‘First, I’ll dispose of the thorn in my side. The saintess.’

She had no intention of giving Grand Duke Crombell the saintess, which would only make him stronger.

And it was the same with Verkley’s blindness.

She didn’t want to see him recover.

Hera spoke in a very graceful voice.

“I’ll have to meet with the saintess in private.”

“I will start preparations.” Sophia left the room, answering in a rigid tone.

* * * 

At last, Saintess Gabriel entered the capitol.

Those who spotted the saintess made way and sprinkled pollen on her.

Gabriel was the perfect beauty fit for the image that people often envisioned as a saintess.

Her blue hair resembling the sky was visible under her white veil.

Half her face was shielded by the veil, her skin like white jade, and her gold eyes shone brilliantly through the cloth.

Her figure was so beautiful that no one could believe she was human.

People cheered at the arrival of the saintess.

The sick tried to rush inside, but the soldiers blocked them.

The saintess was expected to enter the palace splendidly. However, she proudly presented herself riding a small white horse, not an expensive carriage.

Her slender body rode the horse with her back ramrod straight, and she delivered an overwhelming aura.

Grand Duke Crombell shielded her.

He was wary of people with his large and sharp gaze.

It was an act to prepare for a situation in which annoying people might intervene and delay time.

Those who made eye contact with him were so terrified that no one dared to interfere during the march.

Saintess Gabriel did not go to the Imperial City first. She went to the Temple of Hosios.

A young priest greeted her as soon as she reached the Temple of Hosios.

“You must be exhausted after such a long journey.”

“It’s not a problem.” 

“You’d better unpack first.”

The priest took Gabriel’s baggage and claimed to guide the way.

Gabriel began to follow, but then she turned back to Grand Duke Crombell and said goodbye.

“See you tomorrow, then, Grand Duke.”

“I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning.”

Crombell drew back after paying special respects to the saintess.

Gabriel followed the priest with elegance.

In the temple, believers were snooping around, trying to catch a glimpse of the saintess’ face.

The priest had been leading her to the accommodations for a while when he spoke cautiously,

“I… there is someone who wants to see the saintess.”

“Well, I’m quite a bit tired right now…”

“They’re already waiting at the accommodations.”

Gabriel’s eyes fluttered at the priest’s words.

It was more of a warning rather than an apology.

The priest looked flustered at Gabriel’s response.

Gabriel guessed who was waiting for her.

Judging from this secret request, it was someone who did not want their meeting to be known.

Gabriel agreed with a calm face. “Very well.”

“Thank you, Saintess.”

A smile bloomed on the priest’s face as if he were relieved after sitting in silence for a moment.

The priest carried on with ease, touched by the saintess’ nature, who willingly agreed to this meeting despite it being a rude request.

Gabriel followed the relaxed priest quietly.

A moment later the priest announced her arrival when they reached the accommodations.

“Here comes the saintess.”

When the door opened, she saw a beautiful woman with red hair.

Gabriel entered gracefully and stared at the woman who greeted her.

Her face shone with interest.

She had a clue who this noblewoman with red hair could be.

The priest rushed around in confusion and introduced Hera to Gabriel.

“Saintess, these are the accommodations where you will be staying for the time being, and this is Her Majesty, the Empress Dowager.”

Gabriel just continued to stare at Hera even with her introduction.

She was an impressive woman with fiery red hair.

Her lips were pressed together, painted a nice color, and her gentle smile seemed kind.

Finally, Gabriel opened her mouth and greeted Hera.

“I apologize for letting the empire’s flower bloom in such a humble place.”

Hera responded without a sign of displeasure despite the late greeting.

“No, I knew I’d see you tomorrow, but I just couldn’t resist my curiosity and asked you for such a rude favor.”

When Hera smiled broadly, Gabriel also smiled in return.

Hera continued. “I brought some precious tea because I wanted to share it with you. Come this way.”

Hera pointed to the already prepared table of refreshments.

A luxurious tea set was arranged neatly.

Gabriel thanked Hera lightly and sat across from her.

“The… ahem.”

In the meantime, the priest who led Gabriel did not leave and showed a desire for something.

‘Why won’t you leave? Is there something else to do?’

Gabriel looked at the priest in question.

The priest turned to Sophia, who was standing beside Hera.

“You must return before the Priest arrives.”

His eyes looked a little nervous.

Sophia nodded lightly and held out a white envelope to him.

“You don’t have to worry about that. Good work.”

“Thank you.”

The priest took it, put it in his pocket, and avoided her seat.

Gabriel felt somewhat saddened.

It was obvious how discipline in the temple was falling apart.

‘He’ll probably die.’ Gabriel mumbled sadly to herself, remembering the disappearing priest.

If Hera wanted to meet with the saintess in secret, it was highly likely that she would kill him to tie all loose ends.

Gabriel intuitively knew that Hera’s intention to visit her was not pure.