No Trace of The Curse

From the moment the white carriage past through the black metal gate, the duke had already detected Sister Astrid's arrival. Since he was sensitive with the flow of mana, he had closed his eyes and observed the priest's every movement. It wasn't exactly a full blown vision like what an oracle could do, but it was more of a mana detection, from her breathing to the rhythm of her heartbeats.

Sometimes even from the speed of someone's heart alone, it was enough to discern one's intention whether to harm or to remedy. And the duke noticed the slight turbulence that flashed by through mana. It was a short disorderliness before everything returned to its original tranquility.

As soon as he felt that change, Sister Astrid entered the room not long after. The duke knitted his eyebrows. Leonard Angwin who noticed the change in his facial expression turned to stared at him which the duke answered by shaking his head.

Thus, Leonard shifted his head back to the sister once again. His pair of sly eyes observed Astrid's movement intently as she began her mana examination.

When the duke noticed the flow of her mana that had abruptly come into a stop and a frown that formed on her face, his deep voice echoed from behind, "Is there something wrong, Sister?"

However, Sister Astrid who was the subject of questioning remained silent. The crease on her forehead deepened as she tried to sense the familiar feeling that she felt during her christening in the past.

It was fleeting, but she had detected the same spiritual essence that felt as though it had encapsulated her surroundings and sent everything into the silent of darkness. It felt peaceful for a second.

Cold and lonely but... peaceful.

Unfortunately, before she could make sure of it, the feeling had already disappeared as if it was never there in the first place, as if it was merely her imagination.

Meanwhile, the duke who also detected her mana scouring the entire room instead of checking on Ophelia, spoke once again. But this time, his voice boomed with authority. There was a hint of iciness in his words that dampened the temperature of the surroundings.

"Sister, the patient is right before you."

This time, the duke's words resounded very clearly in Astrid's ears. The sister couldn't help but shiver with her eyes still closed. Then, without answering the duke, she proceeded to control her mana to assess Ophelia condition.

However, to her surprise, no matter how many times she ran her power through the lady's body, she couldn't find anything wrong with Ophelia. She was merely exhausted, slightly anemic, and obviously terrified. She also had a fever but that was it.

Astrid opened her eyes again and looked at Lady Ophelia in confusion. She couldn't help but wonder, 'Is it truly just a problem with her mental state?'

"H-How is it, Sister?" The duchess stammered. Her eyes brimmed with hope as she looked at Astrid. But, when the duchess saw the sister looked back at her with a peculiar look, she immediately understood that Astrid also couldn't cure her niece.

"Oh...." her body collapsed to the floor again as she cried into her hands. "Is there nobody who can cure this poor child? Her future is going to be ruined just like that?"

"Mother!" Both Elias and Tristan tried to calm the duchess to no avail.

"Wait, Your Grace. I didn't say that I couldn't cure the lady."

"Wh...What?? So, you know of a way?" The duchess scrambled to her feet again in excitement while the servants and her sons couldn't looked away as they couldn't bear to watch the duchess be disappointed again. However, when they heard what the sister said next, it immediately shocked them.

"It's not a matter of healing the lady but, there's nothing wrong with Lady Ophelia besides exhaustion, anemic, and a fever. And of course, her unstable emotion which I believe to be fear."

"What?"

Not just the duchess, everyone was dumbstruck by the result of the examination. They turned to look at the shivering Ophelia and was pretty sure there was something wrong.

"Are you sure, Sister?" Dr. Clinton asked skeptically which Astrid responded with a firm nod.

"I am certain, Sir. I couldn't be wrong since I've examined the lady through mana."

As her words fell, the surroundings became extremely silent all of the sudden. They all looked strangely at Sister Astrid, except for the duke and Leonard Angwin.

Noticing their peculiar gaze, Sister Astrid calmly asked, "Is there something wrong?"

At first nobody answered her. But, a few seconds passed, and Julian was the one who spoke up. His face was expressionless as he answered, "It's nothing, Sister. It's just we also tried to use magic before your arrival but Ophie reacted badly to it. However, she's strangely calm when it's you."

In that moment, Sister Astrid put on a customary smile that she usually do when dealing with the people after the sermon. "It's probably because my mana is that of a holy power."

She then bowed slightly as she added, "Our gift has the power to soothe people's heart as I'm often told."

While the duke remained expressionless, there was a feeling of contempt in Leonard's eyes as he watched Astrid smiled kindheartedly. Not wanting to waste more time dealing with her, Leonard asked immediately.

"So, what can you do to help the lady, Sister?" Despite his contempt, Leonard spoke with respect and a smile on his face.

"I can help calm the lady. Using my power, I shall put her to sleep. For now, I believe we can only focus on stabilizing her mental state and ask the lady after she's rested and comfortable."

"Ah, yes please do so! Your Grace, you agree as well, right?" The duchess turned towards the duke. Her eyes were begging him to nod which he did.

"We'll have to trouble you then, Sister."

Sister Astrid bowed once again as she answered smilingly, "It's my pleasure to help."

Thus, Sister Astrid cast her holy power at Ophelia and the trembling lady gradually calm down. She slowly let go her tense nerves and fell asleep. The whole process only took less than five minutes.

Afterwards, Julian helped moved Ophelia to the bed and the duchess tucked her in while Belladona waited on the side. Dr. Clinton was also on standby inside the room while he listed down several herbs to buy for Ophelia's medicine.

As the duke and the rest of the people left the room, Sister Astrid who was going to be escorted back to her carriage suddenly stopped.

"Your Grace," she called. And the duke along with Leonard turned around to look at the smiling Astrid.

"Forgive me for the sudden request, but may I visit Lady Alice?"

The duke immediately knitted his brows, while Leonard looked askance at the sister. "Whatever for, Sister, if you don't mind me asking?"

"It is actually His Excellency's request. He wanted to know if Father Gilbert, the priest who came by yesterday did a good job. And if he does, His Excellency wishes to know if Lady Alice has gotten better."

Listening to Astrid's words, both the duke and Leonard were taken aback. His Excellency, it's the archbishop himself! Leonard reflexively turned to stare at the duke who was pursing his lips. There was a momentary silence afterwards which made Sister Astrid immediately noticed that there was indeed something odd about Lady Alice.

After a few seconds, the duke finally opened his mouth, "I--"

However, his sentence was quickly silenced by a young and delicate voice.

"Hmm? Daddy, this sister wishes to visit Alice?"

And they all turned to see a young lady in a simple regency dress with her rose-colored hair draped upon her back, standing in the hallway. Her thin lips curved into a crescent shape, smiling from ear to ear, appearing absolutely adorable and innocent.