The Executed Saint Reincarnates as a Princess and is Loved by Her Older Brothers - Episode 65

“What… what is this…!”

The past, which should have long been over, was thoroughly exposed, leaving Duke Turenne in a daze.

“Ugh! Why now…!”

The Duke of Turenne, who was about to scratch his head, had his neck yanked back and was immobilized.

“I have no intention of forgiving you, Duke de Turenne.”

Lionel grabbed the Duke of Turenne by the collar and lifted him into the air.

“If you want to kill the queen, go ahead. But why involve Jill… the saint? Why did she have to die!?”

Whether it was to protect Hortense or for any other reason, it was unacceptable for Juliet, who had nothing to do with it, to be falsely accused.

“No matter the circumstances, I will never forgive you for sacrificing the innocent saint…!”

It was as if the king of beasts had bared his fangs.

Hatred boils fiercely, tightening with the force of pent-up anger.

Not understanding why Prince Lionel was so enraged by the saint’s death, Duke Turenne groaned in agony.

“Lil, stop it! I’m going to die!”

It was when Duke Turenne’s consciousness began to fade, Angela stepped in to stop him, and Lionel eased his grip.

An out-of-place carefree voice was released without reading the tense atmosphere.

“Hmm? Is someone there?”

Angela and Lionel both got a headache before they could even look back.

I knew it would definitely become a hassle, so it was the voice of someone I didn’t want to call to this place.

“Hey, answer me! What are you doing over there?”

Nathan was wearing an outer coat, as if he was planning to go somewhere.

He is a man who resembles my father, who was notorious for his numerous affairs, and since he is only lightly dressed with just a few attendants, he might be on his way to meet one of his mistresses.

“Lionel!? Princess Angela!? And… Duke Turenne!?”

Seeing Lionel restraining Duke Turenne, Nathan suddenly changed his expression.

“Lionel, you! Are you committing such an outrage knowing that the Duke of Turenne is my right-hand man?!”

Nathan, his bl00d boiling, shouted in a domineering manner, but Lionel brushed him off effortlessly.

“I will inform you step by step later, so please be quiet for a moment.”

“Is that how you speak to the king?!”

Nathan barked loudly as he approached Lionel, forcefully pushing him in the chest.

Lionel didn’t even stagger, let alone fall, but Duke Turenne didn’t miss the slightest opening. With all his might, he twisted his body and reached for his feet.

“──!”

What Turenne grabbed in a hurry was a hand candle.

A lit candle is pulled from its holder and soars high into the air.

“Ahhh!”

A scream like tearing silk rang out. It was the maid’s voice.

The candle that Duke Turenne threw landed on the maid’s skirt.

The fire that started to scorch from the hem spread to the white apron and flared up in an instant.

“Ahhh! It’s hot!”

The maid’s scream pierces the stillness of the night.

In the moment when everyone present was captivated by the flames, Duke Turenne quickly dashed in the opposite direction.

“Wait! Duke de Turenne!”

Lionel quickly follows suit.

Angela, left behind, trembled in front of the flames.

“Ah… ah…”

I think I have to help the maid, but my body won’t cooperate.

Just seeing the flames makes my heart sink. Just inhaling the smoke makes my limbs stiffen. Just the sight of the sparks makes my whole-body wither.

No… scary…! Fire is scary…!

The fire that caused her death in her previous life. The flames that consumed Juliet’s body.

I am struck by an indescribably strong fear, and I just can’t move.

I looked at Nathan, hoping he would help, but he just stood there flustered and confused, showing no signs of moving to assist.

Even though Nathan shouldn’t have any trauma from his past life, he is truly useless.

“Help me…!”

The maid desperately beat the flames on her skirt, crying out in pain as she collapsed on the spot.

She must be around fifteen or sixteen. The image of the young maid overlaps with that of Juliet, who was once engulfed in flames.

I have to… pull myself together…!

Scolding her frightened heart, Angela steeled herself.

“I’m coming to help you now!”

Angela unfastened the clasp at her chest and removed her cloak. It was a pitch-black cloak chosen to blend into the night, meant to keep an eye on the movements of Duke Turenne.

The material of the maid outfit is linen. Since linen is a plant, it is flammable and has a coarse weave, making it burn quickly.

In contrast, Angela’s cloak is made of silk. Since silk is produced by silkworms, it burns relatively slowly, and because it is a high-quality material woven with fine threads, it is less likely to catch fire.

(Please! Disappear!)

Angela raised her cloak with both hands and enveloped the source of the fire, cutting off the air.

The fire contained within the cloak bursts forth, and it’s terrifying to the point of death. Just feeling the heat radiating from it makes me feel like I might faint.

Angela desperately fought to maintain her fading consciousness and, in a frenzy, covered the maid to suppress the spreading flames.

The fire is losing its intensity as it is deprived of oxygen by the thick fabric.

Eventually, the hem of the maid’s dress turned into black ash and crumbled away.

“…disappeared?”

Angela, breathing heavily, stared at the maid.

“……Are you not hurt……? Are you okay……?”

“Y-yes, thank you very much.”

The maid suffered burns on her knees and legs, but it seems to be minor injuries. Blinking in disbelief, she looks back at Angela.

“Wh-why would the imperial princess be interested in someone like me…?”

──Why did a princess of a nation risk her life to save someone as insignificant as me, a mere maid?

“Because… being engulfed in flames… is very painful…”

The moment she spoke the words, tears began to fall from Angela’s purple eyes.

Burning to death is truly agonizing.

Intense heat. Pain searing through my entire body. The agony of suffocating with my throat blocked. No matter how much time passes, I have never forgotten that suffering.

“I’m glad you didn’t have to go through the same thing. I’m so relieved you’re safe…!”

I’m really glad that a young girl with a bright future didn’t end up like Juliet.

“Your Highness the Princess…!”

Tears overflow from the maid’s eyes as well.

When Angela gently took the soot-stained hand of the maid who was crying and expressing her gratitude, the vision suddenly darkened.

Before she knew it, Lionel had returned. Enveloped by the shadow cast by his tall figure, Angela looked up.

“Lil?”

Lionel has firmly captured Duke Turenne, but… something seems off.

As if his heart had been grasped in a vice, Lionel covered his face with his large hands. Trembling slightly, he murmured in an overwhelmed voice.

“……An angel…!”

“?”

Indeed, the name is “Angel Angela,” but what are you saying now?

I didn’t understand why Lionel was trembling, but thanks to that, Angela’s fear of the flames eased.