168

“Where are you heading right now?”

At present, the Grand Duke and I were traveling by carriage after lunch.

I regrettably declined lunch with Ren, who had rushed over out of concern, and, as my father-in-law wished, I joined the Chancellery staff for a full-day immersion experience at the central ministry’s staff canteen. He quickly realized that although the number of matters to handle had increased compared to before, each took less time. And that this was currently an insanely busy season as well…

“We’re going to meet the victim in the Special Baptism sexual bribery case, one of the three temple corruption scandals.”

“Why would the Chancellor be involved in something like that?”

The Grand Duke’s question sounded like genuine curiosity rather than sarcasm.

“Everyone’s focused on catching and punishing the perpetrator, but nobody thinks about the victim’s wounds. I’m going because I want to help even a little. If there’s any progress, we could create policies or support institutions.”

“You already have enough on your plate for one person to handle all this alone, Chancellor.”

“No one ordered me to do this. I’m doing it because I want to. Someone like you, who keeps honor and dignity as an example, may not know, but workplace sexual harassment happens quite often. I think this case is one of the worst examples of workplace bullying and sexual assault. It must be eradicated for the sake of nurturing talented people.”

If you view the temple as a workplace, it was a case of being deceived and threatened by an internal superior and becoming a victim.

“…I see.”

The Grand Duke fell silent, seemingly lost in thought for the entire carriage ride.

“Coco, you’re here?”

“Master—no, Chancellor, you’ve arrived?”

Olgard and Nora, newly appointed as a deputy cleric, came out to greet us. When I introduced the Grand Duke who accompanied me, their expressions instantly stiffened. I had grown used to such reactions by now.

“The client agreed to meet anonymously, so ask if it’s okay for the Grand Duke to sit in. She may be frightened, so don’t reveal his identity—just say he’s a Chancellery staff member.”

“Ah, understood.”

Olgard and Nora led us to an empty office where the counseling would take place.

“Could you wait here for a moment? Coco, I need to talk to you briefly.”

Curious, I asked the Grand Duke for his understanding, then followed Olgard and Nora outside. Both looked distinctly flustered.

“Did you just bring Grand Duke Damian Fortuna, who is Vespera Duke’s father? When did you meet him? How? Why?”

A barrage of questions poured out.

“It kind of happened that way. I’ll handle it. He won’t cause any trouble.”

“No, that’s not the issue—are you okay?”

“Do I not look okay?”

Nora the cleric answered.

“Not at all…”

“He said he was curious about what my work looks like, so he’s doing a day-in-the-life. Don’t worry, he won’t be rude. Also, it’s a bit awkward that Olgard is worried about me.”

“…It could happen.”

Living with Marcella, Julie, and Rio seemed to bring out my old personality. I didn’t force myself to act close. I believed time would naturally fix things.

“There have been a significant number of clerics who performed the Special Baptisms, and many victims were reluctant to open up about their experiences. Still, one person agreed to counseling—would that be alright? The Grand Duke said he can join. She said there’s no strict need to be anonymous.”

“Is that so?”

I stiffened at the news Nora had brought.

‘So she doesn’t care who hears or sees her? This might be more serious than I thought. Can I help…’

I started to feel worried. But I couldn’t break the appointment with a client who had mustered the courage to sign up.

‘Let’s try it first and then think.’

Just then, another cleric informed us that the client had arrived.

“Let’s go.”

In a sparse room with only a desk and chairs, the Grand Duke and I sat side by side. Soon after, a knock sounded and a beautiful female cleric with long silver hair entered and took a seat.

“Hello. My name is Cornelia. Anything we discuss here today will never go outside this room, so please feel safe and speak comfortably. You are safe.”

The cleric’s golden eyes were hollow and lifeless.

“…Hello, El…Li…je,” she said haltingly.

After the truth about the Special Baptism came out, no matter how much the newspapers tried to hide the victims’ identities, they were inevitably revealed. That caused additional secondary trauma to the already wounded victims. Even under orders from the Emperor and the Pope that they would not be excommunicated and would be considered unfortunate victims, it didn’t help. The saddest part was that even after the spell forbidding disclosure was lifted, they were too terrified to speak.

“You don’t have to say anything right away. You can speak slowly when you’re ready.”

“Ch… Chancellor… you have to be addressed with a lower title…”

Even then, her concern with titles felt frustrating.

“In this space, I’m not the Chancellor—I’m here to hear Elise the cleric’s story. It’s fine. And before I became the Chancellor, I was a fallen noble too. I was someone who barely made ends meet day to day.”

“Really…?”

Starting with light topics seemed to open up her speech bit by bit.

“Of course. I was assigned from the shop I worked at to the capital, and working there led me here. Even I think it all happened absurdly fast. Elise, where are you from originally?”

“Me…?”

Suddenly tears began to stream down Elise’s face.

‘Oh no, did I say something wrong? Are her relations with her family bad?’

Those tears were truly heart-wrenching. I gently placed my hand over the one she had resting on the desk.

“Is it a very sad memory, perhaps?”

Elise shook her head. Thank goodness.

“Then, can you tell me why?”

“Because I have so many… happy… memories.”

“With your family?”

“Yes…”

“If it’s okay, shall we start with that story?”

Elise fumbled and slowly drew out her memories, and the Grand Duke and I listened earnestly.

We couldn’t know everything about her life, but it seemed she had been raised with love by good parents. It was unfortunate, however, that her mother and father both passed away early—one from illness and the other from an accident.

‘I certainly didn’t expect it to be over in one sitting.’

I wrapped up the first counseling session and encouraged Elise.

“Elise, I’m here to help you. I’ll listen to your story again and again and make requests to help you overcome your wounds. It will surely be a difficult time, but can you come regularly to counseling so we can move forward together?”

Elise’s head nodded very slowly up and down.

“Thank you. I’ll try too, Elise.”

She meant it. I hoped her hollow eyes would fill with a future.

After the session, while tidying up, I thought about how to proceed and made a decision: like with Raven, I would visit frequently to build rapport and gently draw out deeper stories. I shouldn’t pressure her but let her speak as much as possible on her own. I believed that was the first step to recovery.

‘Ah, the Grand Duke is beside me, isn’t he.’

I had been so absorbed in the counseling that I had forgotten who was next to me. It must have been rather dull for him, having to sit and listen without saying a word.

“Sir, it must have been hard. I didn’t properly consider your feelings…”

“Can wounds like these really be healed?”

The Grand Duke’s gaze was deeply sunken with thought.

“We do what we can. The wounds aren’t their fault. I’ll try to meet with them often until they can face it. Seeing it in person makes my heart ache.”

“…I feel the same.”

The Grand Duke’s voice was very heavy.

“I’ve seen many people wounded in body and spirit on the battlefield. But this is the first time I’ve met people like this in this manner. You’re right. They definitely need treatment.”

“Sir…”

“If it would help for a cleric to quit and settle somewhere, or to leave for another country, say the word. I’ll actively assist.”

That was tantamount to opening his duchy. Strictly speaking, the Grand Duchy was classified as a principality operating without imperial interference, so if the victims wished, they could start anew there. It wasn’t my intention to tag along for that reason, but as a result, we could offer more practical help to the victims.

‘He certainly doesn’t look it from his appearance, but he’s very warm. She resembles him, too.’

The Grand Duke took a handkerchief from his bosom and murmured softly.

“…Passed…”

“Yes?”

It sounded like he was muttering something I couldn’t make out. When I asked him, the Grand Duke suddenly blurted out loudly.

“I like you so much it’s a shame to give you to my son!”

The corners of the Grand Duke’s eyes were reddened. The handkerchief in his hand had absorbed moisture.

“Grand Duke, a-are you crying?”

Who, who made my father-in-law cry?!