---
Fortunately, Dana was spared from a ridiculous death.
But when she opened her eyes, Dana had to grimace at the sharp pain.
What is this? Where am I? This place is… a mill?
Dana was lying on a pile of straw inside a very cleanly kept mill.
Startled, Dana jerked her upper body, then let out a groan as a splitting headache struck.
“Don’t overexert yourself. You’re badly bruised.”
Who is this woman?She looked about Dana’s age. A woman dressed in white was looking down at her.
While wrapping bandages around her ankle, the woman said, “I heard you were in a carriage accident. Luckily, nothing is broken.”
“Ah, I see. But…”
Where is this place? And where is Carl?
As Dana looked around, the woman smiled gently. “Looking for your husband?”
When she stared blankly, the woman kindly informed her. “Your husband went to get some food.”
“He should be back soon.”
Who is my husband supposed to be? Ah, don’t tell me! Did I possess another body again?Panicking, Dana grabbed her hair to check.White hair.So this was still Danae Windsor’s body, but…
“Your husband is incredibly handsome. My goodness, I’ve never seen someone that good-looking in my life.”
“…Excuse me, but who are you?”
“Ah, I’m Natty. I met your husband earlier. He has such a nice voice. I’m envious.”
Dana was starting to feel that this situation was increasingly strange.Who on earth is this woman? And who is this husband she’s talking about? I do have a shitty fiancé, but I don’t have a husband.
“Ah,look, he’s coming in now.”
Just then, the mill’s door opened. Dana tensed up, looking towards the door.Who could my husband be?
The man entering was extremely handsome. Gentle and soft features, fair skin, tousled platinum blond hair…
“Un—” She was about to say, ‘Uncle?’ but…
“Dana.” Carl called her name first. “You must have waited long.” Then, at the speed of light, he approached and shoved a baguette into her mouth. “Eat first. Let’s talk after.”
After sealing her mouth with bread, Carl turned around smiling. “Thank you for taking care of her, Miss Natty. When did my wife wake up?”
What?!Dana nearly choked.
“She just woke up,” Natty said with a shy smile. “I’m glad I could help.”
“Haha, I’m the one who’s grateful. Thank you for treating her.”
“If you need anything, please call for me anytime.”
Thud,as the door closed, Carl approached with a serious face.
“Sorry, Dana. Are you okay?” As he said that, he brushed the crumbs from her lips with his finger and sighed. “How does your body feel?”
“Uncle, what is all this—”
“Shh!” He shoved another piece of bread into her mouth. “Those people think we’re a married couple.”
“If they find out we’re not, they’ll kick us out.”
Dana glared at him. But since the bread in her mouth was warm and soft, she chewed and swallowed it. She could roughly guess the situation. There was only one reason Carl would suddenly pretend to be her husband. Which meant this place was…
“So this is where the heretics live.”
“Yes.” Carl nodded gravely. “Heretics are living in Kaltusa.”
The followers who worshipped the Moon Goddess. The heretics had a unique culture. Everyone had to get married when they turned 18.And the priest chooses the partner.If someone refused marriage…Burned at the stake, or exiled. It’s either one of the two.
In other words, if you were an adult and still unmarried, you weren’t even treated as human. Moreover, they fiercely practiced the belief that ‘husband and wife are one entity,’ and couldn’t accept spouses traveling separately. If a married couple tried to live apart…They’re either being executed or exiled.Once again, they weren’t treated like human beings. Which meant…
To treat me, Carl and I had to pretend we were married.Dana sighed.
Heretics living in Kaltusa, a ghost town abandoned by the empire’s people. Strictly speaking, those people didn’t even belong to this land. They had no right to drive Carl and Dana away. Rather, as citizens of the Besman Empire, Carl and Dana were the ones with the right to stay.
“There was no time to argue since I needed to treat you first.” Carl seemed to feel deeply sorry for Dana. “That woman earlier, Miss Natty, is a healer. Thanks to her, you were treated and given medicine for first aid.”
“I’m sorry, Dana. I really am.”
Of course, he’d feel sorry. After all, she got hurt because of him. Dana glared at him with that meaning. But then…No, no. Don’t forget my purpose for coming here.No matter what, she had succeeded in luring Carl to Kaltusa.
Just then, the door swung open.
“Carl, how is your wife doing?”
Carl greeted the man entering with a friendly smile. He was middle-aged, dressed in white, with a wrinkled face and a benevolent smile.
“Will bread be enough? The villagers are about to gather for a meal. Would you like to join us?”
“No, my wife is unwell, so she needs to rest for now.”
“That’s a pity. I wanted to share some grain wine with you.”
Did they already become friends? The man called the chief seemed to like Carl quite a bit.Seriously, his social skills are unbelievable.
After a moment, the chief shifted his gaze to Dana, who was behind Carl. “I am Natan, the chief of this village. I heard you were injured, so feel free to stay here until you recover.” As he spoke, his eyes slowly scanned Dana’s body where she sat on the straw. His face was calm, but his gaze felt unpleasant.
“Thank you, but my wife is a bit shy around strangers.” Carl naturally blocked Natan’s view, shielding Dana from his gaze. “My wife needs rest, Chief.”
“Is that so? To my eyes, she doesn’t seem badly hurt.” Natan made a pointed remark and patted Carl on the shoulder. “Think about what I mentioned earlier. Though you are outsiders, you are welcome to participate in the ritual at any time. The ritual will continue for several more days.” With that, Natan left the mill.
“That man is the chief?”
“Yes. Funny, isn’t it? Taking over a ghost town and acting like a chief.”
“But what was he talking about just now? What ritual?”