The leaves of the willow trees swayed gently in the afternoon breeze as birds scattered from their branches, their calls fading beneath the sound of prayers.
Inside the church, hundreds of worshippers knelt beneath the towering stained-glass windows of St. Maria Church, the largest church in the Kingdom of Jiran. Believers from every corner of the kingdom dreamed of praying here at least once in their lives.
Today, the entire church seemed washed in holiness.
Rozia sat with her family near the outer edge of the congregation. Her back was straight, but unlike the rest of her family, she wasn't particularly moved by the priest's sermon.
"The Goddess of Light bestowed upon humanity a ray of sunlight," the priest proclaimed, his voice echoing throughout the hall. "Through her divine blessing, humanity received magic and overcame the First Demon War.
"The Goddess is merciful. She is kind. Her grace reaches even those who disobey her.
"She granted certain people the privilege to rule, for without order, the world itself would collapse. Today, our brothers and sisters of the upper class carry the mandate of Heaven. They shall guide us toward peace and protect us from the demonkind."
The congregation began to pray.
Some bowed their heads. Others wept. A few raised their hands toward the heavens, overcome by what they believed to be the Goddess's mercy.
Rozia simply watched.
To someone who had lived in the modern world, it all felt somewhat childish. The idea of a divine mandate being used to justify the existence of an upper class sounded suspiciously like convenient propaganda.
Yet when she glanced at her family, she couldn't bring herself to laugh.
Her mother was praying with tears in her eyes. Her father had his head bowed respectfully. Even her sisters looked deeply moved.
Rozia felt strangely helpless.
She wasn't an atheist anymore.
Before coming to this world, she had been one. But reincarnation had forced her to reconsider everything she thought she knew.
She had memories from another world inside her head. Memories that shouldn't have been there.
If her soul could leave one body and awaken in another, then the existence of a soul was no longer merely a matter of faith. She was living proof that something existed beyond the physical body.
But that only created another question.
What kind of being could create a soul?
And what kind of being could move that soul from one world to another?
If such a being existed, wouldn't that being be something humanity could only describe as God?
Rozia didn't know whether the Goddess worshipped by this church was truly the God she believed in.
But she believed in God now. Only one god.
Just not necessarily in everything the church claimed about Him.
The prayers eventually ended.
Rozia and her family left the church and began making their way home.
They had barely walked a few streets when several men stepped into their path.
They were large.
Not merely muscular, but built like men who spent their lives fighting. Their arms were thick, their clothes rough, and their expressions carried the confidence of people accustomed to getting what they wanted.
Theador immediately took a step backward.
"What do you want from us?"
One of the men laughed.
"Hey, young lady."
His eyes settled on Rozia.
"You don't need to know where we came from. Just hand over the formulas for those expensive products of yours."
He paused.
"Or else..."
His gaze shifted toward Rozia's mother and older sister.
The meaning was obvious.
Rozia's expression hardened.
Around them, pedestrians slowed down to watch.
But no one stepped forward.
And Rozia couldn't blame them.
One injury could cost a fortune these days. Anyone who interfered might end up involved in a fight, dragged into the authorities' investigation, or worse.
People had families to feed.
They had homes to return to.
Everyone had something to lose.
Rozia swallowed.
She could negotiate a business deal.
She could calculate profits, discuss prices, and argue with merchants until sunrise.
But this?
She had no experience dealing with people who were willing to use violence to get what they wanted.
For the briefest moment, her thoughts went to Liser.
Then she dismissed it.
How could he possibly be here?
The men began advancing.
Rozia's mind raced.
She needed authority.
Something powerful enough to make these men hesitate.
Then she remembered the one name she could use.
"Don't come any closer."
Her voice trembled slightly, but she forced herself to stand her ground.
"I'm a confidant of the Fourth Prince."
The men froze.
For a moment, silence fell.
Then they burst into laughter.
"The Fourth Prince?"
The largest man wiped a tear from the corner of his eye.
"Don't be ridiculous, lady. Why would a prince take an interest in some common merchant?"
His smile disappeared.
"Hand over the formulas."
He pointed toward Rozia's older sister.
"And that woman."
Rozia's blood boiled.
Her hand instinctively reached into her bag.
The pendant Liser had given her...
Her fingers found nothing.
She froze.
"Shit."
She had left it behind.
The men continued forward.
Then came the sound of hooves.
Clop.
Clop.
Clop.
The laughter stopped.
A carriage approached from the distance, accompanied by several mounted guards.
At its center rode a man dressed in a deep blue robe.
A priest's crest was embroidered across his chest, but the insignia was far more elaborate than anything Rozia had seen before.
The man's expression was cold.
Not angry.
Not surprised.
Simply cold.
The thugs immediately recognized the crest.
Their faces went pale.
The man stopped his horse.
"What are you doing?"
His voice carried across the street.
"Robbing people on church grounds?"
The thugs immediately dropped to their knees.
"Your Highness! We didn't mean to!"
The man looked down at them.
"You didn't mean to?"
"We... we only wanted the formulas for those new products!"
The man's eyes narrowed.
He turned toward his guards.
"Take them to the prison."
The thugs began trembling.
"Your Highness, please!"
"Beat them until they understand the seriousness of their mistake."
The men's faces drained of color.
"Please, young master! Forgive us!"
"We were wrong!"
"We'll never do it again!"
The man didn't even bother responding.
His attention had already shifted toward Rozia.
Then, almost as if a switch had been flipped, his cold expression softened.
He smiled.
"My apologies for the inconvenience, young lady."
He dismounted.
"Would I have the honor of inviting you and your family to tea?"
Rozia hesitated.
There was something about his smile that made her uneasy.
But she understood what he was offering.
He wanted to speak privately.
She nodded.
"Thank you."
-------------------------
The room they entered was spacious and elegantly decorated.
Rozia sat with her family on one side of the table while the blue-robed nobleman sat opposite them.
Her father looked like he was sweating through his clothes.
He kept glancing at the man's crest and the insignia embroidered along his sleeves.
Theador had never sat this close to someone of such rank.
"Let us begin with introductions," the man said.
His eyes settled on Rozia.
"May I know your name?"
"Rozia."
"Rozia."
He smiled.
"A beautiful name."
His gaze shifted toward the others.
"And your family?"
Rozia gestured toward her father.
"This is my father, Theador."
Theador immediately straightened.
"M-my name is Theador, Your Excellency."
"And these two?"
"My mother and my older sister."
The man nodded.
"I see."
He took a sip of tea.
"Then let us get to the point."
Rozia's expression became serious.
"I've heard that several men attempted to obtain the formulas behind your new products."
Rozia remained silent.
"And I've also heard," he continued, "that you have some connection to the Fourth Prince."
Rozia hesitated.
"I'm not trying to pry into your private affairs. But because the incident occurred on church grounds and involved members of my household's territory, I am obligated to understand the circumstances."
Rozia studied him.
He sounded reasonable.
Polite.
Even helpful.
And that was precisely what made her cautious.
Still, he had rescued them.
After a moment, she gave him a vague explanation.
"I've received some support from the Fourth Prince."
She deliberately avoided explaining how close their relationship actually was.
The man's eyes brightened.
"So the miraculous products really are your creations."
He leaned back.
"Fascinating."
For the first time, Rozia noticed something different in his expression.
Calculation.
The man smiled again.
"Allow me to properly introduce myself."
He placed his cup down.
"My name is Freander. I am the younger brother of Duke Crolista."
Theador nearly choked.
A duke's brother.
That explained the crest.
Rozia remained composed, but her mind began racing.
Freander continued.
"You needn't worry. As a member of the Crolista household, I assure you that justice will be served."
He paused.
"However..."
His tone changed.
"The Fourth Prince may appear powerful, but appearances can be deceiving."
Rozia frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Freander smiled.
"Let me tell you something about the upper class."
He leaned slightly forward.
"Political power is not always the same as actual power."
"The Fourth Prince may be able to support your business today. But can he guarantee its safety tomorrow?"
Rozia didn't answer.
Freander smiled.
"We needn't discuss such unpleasant matters today."
He reached beside him and picked up a small wooden box.
"Instead, consider this compensation for the trouble my people caused you."
He opened the box.
Inside was a bronze jewelry set.
Rozia's eyes widened.
"No. No, Your Excellency. That's far too expensive."
"Nonsense."
Freander took the set from the box and placed it in her hands.
"It is merely a gesture of sincerity."
Rozia hesitated.
"You don't have to..."
Freander smiled.
"Or do you look down upon the Crolista household?"
Rozia immediately shook her head.
"No, of course not."
"Then accept it."
His fingers briefly brushed against hers.
A chill ran down Rozia's spine.
She instinctively pulled her hand back.
Freander's smile didn't change.
Perhaps it had been an accident.
Perhaps.
Rozia forced herself to smile.
"Thank you, Your Excellency."
"Think nothing of it."
Freander leaned back into his chair.
"I'll visit your merchant guild tomorrow. We can discuss your business there."
Rozia nodded.
"I understand."
A few minutes later, she and her family left the room.
The door closed behind them.
Silence filled the chamber.
A soft knock came from the other side.
"Enter."
An attendant stepped inside.
"Sir."
Freander looked toward the closed door.
"Should we begin the second part?"
Freander smiled.
"No."
He picked up his tea.
"Let's play a little longer."
The attendant hesitated.
"Sir?"
"If she is sensible, she will understand what I'm offering her."
Freander's smile widened.
"And if she isn't..."
He shrugged.
"Then we proceed with the second plan."
"Understood."
The attendant bowed and left.
Freander walked toward his desk.
He opened a drawer.
Inside was a small collection of documents.
And beneath them was a portrait of Rozia.
He picked it up.
There was genuine attraction in his eyes.
But attraction wasn't the only thing there.
He wanted her products.
Her knowledge.
Her connections.
Her growing influence.
And perhaps, eventually, her.
A common merchant girl would once have been nothing more than a passing amusement.
But Rozia was no longer merely a commoner.
She was useful.
And useful things were worth possessing.
Freander looked toward the window.
Through it, he could see Rozia and her family disappearing into the distance.
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"You won't get away from me."
-----------------
Rozia walked home beside her family.
She barely spoke.
Something felt wrong.
The man's kindness had been too convenient.
His timing had been too perfect.
And that brief touch...
She couldn't shake the feeling that she had just stepped into something far more dangerous than a simple business dispute.
The thought spread like vines in her heart.