The Abandoned Duchess Seems to Want a Peaceful Life - Chapter 136

Chapter 136: Gods and Thunder

A strange, awkward tension filled the carriage on the return journey.

Marie’s complexion was still pale. Looking out the window, she saw Cedric and Lloyd riding ahead, their horses flanking the carriage as they navigated the rain that had begun to fall once more.

Cedric was composed, but Lloyd seemed completely shaken, and even the horse carrying him looked uncomfortable.

Marie, sitting opposite, seemed to have regained her composure, but her face, perhaps due to the dimness of the carriage, appeared even whiter than usual.

Thunder held two meanings in this world.

One was the idea that it represented the power of the King of Demons, the enemy of the gods. The other was the idea that it symbolized the gods striking down their enemies from the heavens.

With these two contrasting interpretations, thunder was something humans couldn’t control. The inhabitants of this world were instilled with the awareness that they must fear thunder and the wrath of the gods.

In fact, thunder didn’t exist as a magical attribute. Judging from everyone’s reactions, no one had ever even considered trying to manipulate it.

—It’s quite strange, really.

Religion wasn’t something that dealt with taboos in this world.

Unlike in her previous life, the idea of people being bound by religion was muted. The church held some level of authority over marriage, funerals, and other rites of passage. The two organizations, the church and the temple, strongly discouraged war and private feuds.

After all, witches and wizards weren’t discriminated against in this world. Even alchemists had a state-run organization. Despite sharing many similar cultures and customs, the foundations of this world were entirely different from the “medieval” world of her previous life.

Most restrictions were enforced not by religion but by the royal family, the nobility, and the territorial laws they established.

In fact, Melfina hadn’t really touched upon religious taboos even after regaining her memories of her past life. During her sixteen years as Melfina, she had interacted with the church and the temple only when receiving a “blessing” and during her visits to the temple’s orphanage as part of her charitable work.

Even in her daily interactions with Marie and Cedric, she hadn’t sensed any disparity in their religious values.

Melfina reached out and lit the lamp hanging from the carriage. The interior brightened slightly, easing the frozen atmosphere.

“Marie, would you mind if I sit next to you?”

“Eh? Yes, please.”

She moved slightly aside, and Melfina shifted to sit next to her. The carriage wasn’t spacious, and the ceiling was low. Both Melfina and Marie were on the slender side, but sitting side by side, they were close together.

“You were scared back there, weren’t you?”

“Yes, I’m still terrified. What if something happened to Lady Melfina…?”

Marie, despite her fear, was still worried about her. Melfina couldn’t help but smile, a warmth filling her chest.

“Where did you hear about thunder, Marie?”

“The housekeeper told me stories when she tucked me in at night. She sang a song about how bad children are struck by lightning and die, about the robin who stole red berries and was struck by lightning and burned, and about the forest wolf who was struck by lightning and burned.”

“Ah, my nanny sang that song to me too.”

“It’s a famous lullaby, isn’t it?”

As they talked, Marie’s tension eased, and a small smile finally graced her lips.

“They say it when scolding you too, don’t they? I can’t imagine Marie ever getting scolded by an adult.”

“Well, I was quite a bit of a tomboy as a child. I was often threatened with being taken away by thunder, or by a werewolf.”

“Oh, fuf.”

Melfina put her arm around Marie and squeezed tightly.

“Lady Melfina?”

“It’s okay, Marie. I won’t let them take you away. For your sake, I’ll fight thunder itself.”

“….No, Lady Melfina, you must escape first. Otherwise, I can’t escape with a clear conscience.”

“If it’s the wrath of the gods, escaping won’t help, will it? Wouldn’t facing it head-on give you a slightly better chance of winning?”

“No. ….Even though I’m sure it won’t happen, if Lady Melfina were to be struck by lightning, I would take her place.”

Melfina gently patted Marie’s shoulder, stopping her before she could finish the last part of her sorrowful statement.

This secretary was the kind who, even if the opponent were thunder—the wrath of the gods—could indeed carry out her words.

“Neither you nor I have done anything to anger the gods, Marie. I can say for sure that everyone present was a good person. That’s why I wasn’t so scared.”

“….Yes. No matter what happens, Lady Melfina won’t be struck by lightning.”

“And you too, Marie.”

She spoke softly, clinging to her beloved younger sister who was beside her.

And she silently apologized in her heart for bringing up her nanny.

Melfina’s nanny had never sung frightening songs to her. All she could remember were the kind and gentle songs.

Good night, good night, my dearest child.

May the morning light shine upon you.

May the shadows of the leaves gently protect you.

May the sheep bleat and the cows moo, but you shall not shed a tear.

May all that is bright and all that is beautiful be with you.

Good night, good night, my dearest child.

May a bright tomorrow shower down upon you.

Thinking back, perhaps it was due to Melfina’s highly sheltered upbringing. She recalled the familiar melody of her nanny’s voice, singing songs full of love.

Her strict ladylike education blurred the memories of her childhood. But it was certain that she hadn’t been around adults who would instill a fear of thunder in her, for better or worse.

From commoners to knights raised in the capital, thunder was apparently considered something terrifying in this world, enough to strike such fear into everyone.

That was probably why Melfina was considered unusual.

—It’s both the power of the gods and the power of their enemy.

She believed it wholeheartedly, which was why she reacted that way.

—I, who defy fate, am surely on the side of the enemy.

If the gods truly controlled thunder, it would strike straight at her, with Marie and Melfina by her side.

A sardonic smile touched her lips, and she closed her eyes, leaning her head on Marie’s shoulder.

“Lady Melfina?”

Marie, surprised by the intimate gesture, called out her name in a hesitant voice.

“It’s okay, Marie.”

For Melfina, the fear of the gods was a thing of the past.

“It’s okay. Whatever happens, I’ll protect you.”