The Final Task of the Forsaken Saint: A Command to Marry the Barbarian Count - Chapter 16

A week had passed since the arrival of Saint Lebel.

Dirk had just received a letter from Seriu, delivered by a swift horse. The luxurious envelope and paper inside were a response from the royal palace to the protest regarding Saint Lebel’s unaccompanied arrival in Rostock.

As Dirk read through the pompous letter, he could feel his expression darkening. He knew his face must have looked like a demon ready to crush dragons with a single hand. Even Seriu, who was used to Dirk’s serious face, flinched slightly at the aura of murderous intent emanating from him.

The letter from the royal palace was awful.

“The palace claims that Saint Lebel’s unaccompanied arrival was her own decision. They express regret that she, being from a common background, failed to adhere to court customs and did not follow their instructions. They say they will send the dowry and other wedding gifts at a later time…”

“They think they can just get away with that excuse? They must be living in a fantasy,” Seriu said with a sharp tone.

“Long time since I’ve heard such harsh words from you,” Dirk replied with a bitter smile.

He then turned his attention to another letter, one that had been opened already. It was from the Crown Prince Curtis, and the wax seal was stamped with the royal crest of the Lymiest Kingdom.

It was a letter Dirk had sent to Curtis detailing the situation, and this was the response that had arrived in return. It described, in detail, why Saint Lebel had come to Rostock alone and, at the same time, revealed how the palace had treated her.
“Saint Lebel possesses tremendous magical power and status, but due to her commoner origins, she lacks noble support.

The aristocrats despise her, and despite her revered position as the Saint, she is detested by the noble bureaucrats and palace servants,” Dirk read aloud.

“From Seriu’s report, I gather that ‘Saint Lebel avoids staying with attendants, suggesting she has been subjected to harassment in the palace.’ He was furious about it,” Seriu added.
Dirk could feel a slight relief knowing that Lebel had managed to interact well with her attendants here, as opposed to the difficult situation she must have faced in the palace. But his face quickly tightened again.

“So, she couldn’t trust her servants, then. The royal family knew about it, but because her time in the palace was short, they ignored it. It seems that embezzlement of her dowry was common there,” Dirk continued.

The ceremonial official who had been assigned to her was a habitual embezzler, but the one who had been pushing him was Prince Emilien. It seemed that Emilien had to make up for the misused dowry to cover for the failed engagement. Dirk couldn’t help but wonder what Emilien’s true intentions were.

The Church and the Saint were supposed to be revered by the entire country. They were important figures in the state, and the royal family had protected them because of their value. Lebel’s private engagement with the second prince was likely a measure of protection, yet the prince failed to fulfill his role.

Crown Prince Curtis, however, seemed to be using the situation to completely discredit his younger brother, Emilien.

Dirk’s job, according to the Crown Prince, was to protect Lebel, and to manage the situation in Rostock. But, considering Curtis’s cunning, Dirk couldn’t shake the feeling that his role in this was part of a larger scheme.

Dirk knew well that Lebel was not weak. He had come to understand that over the past week through their conversations and by watching her live her life here in Rostock. She wasn’t just physically strong; she had assisted in the dissection of magical beasts, interacted fairly with servants, and was unafraid of those who opposed her. She faced everything head-on and stood strong on her own.

Because of this, even the knights like Seriu and Rider, who had initially held animosity toward her, had come to accept her. She embodied the ideal of Rostock’s people, who valued independence and self-reliance, regardless of power or status.

However, just because someone was strong didn’t mean they could do whatever they wanted. Dirk had accepted this marriage to make use of her abilities, but even so, he couldn’t help but want her to find peace here.

“I hope she can live peacefully here,” Dirk muttered to himself, thinking of how happy she seemed when enjoying the local food and wearing the traditional Rostock clothes.

Seriu, who seemed to have the same thoughts, nodded gravely.
“She is perhaps the most comfortable with Rostock’s ways of any outsider. The servants have been eagerly hoping that you won’t let her go, my lord.”

Dirk couldn’t help but agree. Lebel was unlike any woman from the capital or from Rostock. He would have to get to know her better to understand why she had agreed to this unequal marriage and what drove her.

“Then, what should I do to get closer to her?” Dirk asked aloud, contemplating his next move.

Seriu’s face softened with pity.

“I suppose, for now, the best course of action would be to try spending time with her, getting to know each other’s preferences. But…” he hesitated, “I’m sure if you suggest hunting or combat training, Lady Lebel will flatly refuse.”

Dirk understood what Seriu meant, and the suggestion was quickly dismissed.

“What else should I try then?” Dirk wondered aloud.

For a moment, he considered one particular aspiration that had always been close to his heart, a goal he had longed to achieve since becoming the lord. However, he decided it wasn’t the right time to bring it up.

“Perhaps we should just ask her directly. She’s not a typical woman, so we might be overthinking things.”

“That seems like a wise idea,” Seriu agreed.

With the decision made, Dirk stood up, feeling a little more at ease. It was time for lunch, and he couldn’t let his thoughts get too weighed down.

“Let’s go for lunch,” Dirk said, and Seriu nodded. As they made their way to the dining hall, Seriu sent Marc ahead to prepare everything.

Marc, still unused to the change in atmosphere, no doubt felt that Dirk was scheming something sinister, as the lord seemed so full of energy. However, after years of serving him, Seriu recognized the more earnest side of Dirk’s recent behavior. This was the first time he had been so openly engaged in matters involving someone else.

This sudden shift in focus—toward Lebel—was something Seriu had never seen before, and he wondered what the future would bring for both Dirk and Rostock.

Dirk, once consumed with consolidating power and bringing order to his lands, now seemed focused on something—or someone—else entirely. He was ready to face the storm Lebel would bring, but only time would tell if it was a storm of change or something else entirely.