Kazimir acknowledged that, for the first time in decades, he had slept so well that he dreamed of nothing. It had gone on for a few days until last night.

But Wilhelm knew nothing about this. The head butler assumed Kazimir had slept dreamlessly due to the new charms from the capital's Grand Temple.

Kazimir parted his lips, his voice monotonous, "Call Magnus. I want to see him now."

"Yes, Your Grace. I will prepare the bathroom first."

Wilhelm noticed the finality in Kazimir's voice. He immediately heeded the young Duke's order. He filled the bathtub and made sure the temperature was right before leaving.

The young Duke often wanted to be left alone when he bathed. He only called the servants for assistance on rare occasions. His valets would be on standby to help him get ready after his bath.

Kazimir stepped inside the bathroom once Wilhelm was gone. He raised his hands, deftly loosening the laces of his tunic's collar. The soles of his feet touched the cool marble floor.

'Has Magnus found that lady? Who is she?'

Kazimir took off the tunic, revealing the lean muscle beneath the fabric. He tossed the clothes aside before stopping next to the bathtub, staring at something slowly dissolving in the water.

Wilhelm scattered the ground mana stones, which were enchanted with calming spells. They helped to soothe him after a night of torturous nightmares.

The early morning light filtered through the high windows, blending with the lamps inside the bathroom. They cast soft shadows over his toned chest, which was marked with countless jagged and soft scars from his previous battles.

Lowering himself into the warm water, Kazimir leaned against the tub. He exhaled another sigh. Pushing his fringes away, he turned his violet eyes to stare at the high ceiling.

"Commander."

Magnus' familiar raspy voice echoed from behind. The crimson-haired man, one of the young Duke's trusted knights, had quietly entered the bathroom.

Without turning his head, Kazimir raised his right hand, beckoning Magnus to come closer. Droplets of water slid from his palm down to his exposed back, catching the flickering morning light.

"Did you find anything?"

Magnus stood with his shoulders squared, ready to answer his Lord. The knight's gruff voice filled the quiet air of the bathroom.

"I did, Your Grace. She is Lady Aylin Elora Montclair, the only daughter and the youngest child of Count and Countess Montclair. The lady is currently in the capital for her debut."

Upon hearing which family the mysterious young lady came from, Kazimir narrowed his eyes. He turned sideways, causing the water to lap against his torso.

"That Montclair? Are you certain? Does she have divine power? Is her name ever recorded with the temple?"

Magnus patiently replied to each of Kazimir's questions, "Yes, Your Grace. The lady is from the Montclair family. The temple doesn't have any record of her. If she does have divine power, it might have just awakened."

Kazimir blinked, disbelief flickering in his eyes. For some reason, he doubted the young lady's divine power had just manifested.

She had appeared very skillful in handling her power. Certainly, such behavior wouldn't come from someone who had just experienced the awakening.

"Didn't you say she's here for her debut? Not just for the Foundation Week's celebration?"

"Yes, Your Grace," Magnus nodded, clarifying his previously spoken words, "Lady Montclair is among the chosen debutantes for the imperial debutante ball tonight."

Kazimir recalled the invitation to the imperial debutante ball tonight, on the eve of the Foundation Week. He usually did not stay long for such an event, but…

"Your Grace, I found something else. It might or might not be trivial."

"Speak."

Magnus' next words deepened the frown on Kazimir's forehead.

"The lady was the one you saved from falling once you reached the Grand Temple. Do you remember the event?"

"...I do."

In disbelief, Kazimir recalled the event brought up by Magnus. He had just entered the Grand Temple when one of the ladies passing by had almost tripped over her feet.

Kazimir hadn’t looked at the lady's face when she thanked him for saving her. He had simply resumed his strides after letting go of his grasp on her arms.

That lady... was she?

Surely, this wasn't a coincidence.

The more he thought about the strange young lady, the more seeds of doubt were planted in his heart. This uncanny experience sent alarm bells ringing in his head.

"You can go."

"Yes, Your Grace."

Kazimir hurriedly stepped out of the tub after Magnus left, spilling water on the marble floor. After tying the towel around his waist, he rushed out of the bathroom. He abruptly stopped opposite the bed.

His violet eyes fell on the golden tassel lying next to the white ribbon. Seeing it invoked the memory from a few days ago.

Without him realizing it, a pair of invisible eyes were staring at him before vanishing.

**********

[Four days ago, the Grand Temple]

"We're honored to have you with us here today, Duke Arkel. May the blessings of Goddess Farharh lead you to the paths of your choice."

The priest's words went in and out of Kazimir's head as he battled to stay composed despite the excruciating head pain. The ache was intense, but he wouldn't easily display his vulnerability in public.

"May the Goddess' blessings be with you as well."

Kazimir thanked the young man, who was clad in a white robe, before turning around to leave. The thick soles of his black boots rose and fell on the white marble.

The towering white spires gleamed under the golden afternoon sun. Its lights were reflected on the polished floors and the pristine walls.

The masterpiece that was the Grand Temple's divine architecture did not faze Kazimir. He tuned out the echoes of voices, either from talking or chanted prayers, that came from the clerics and visitors.

The Grand Temple had received more visitors recently because of the approaching Foundation Week. Everyone here was busy, from the lowest-ranked clerics to the High Priest.

'I'd better rest for a while.'

Instead of heading straight to the main entrance of the temple, Kazimir took a turn to the garden. His steps were quick and familiar in the maze of the majestic Grand Temple.

Kazimir headed to a secluded spot in the garden. The place was well-maintained by the Grand Temple, and it flourished with vibrant spring blossoms and ancient trees.

White stone pathways wove through the garden, passing the ornamental fountains and the statues of revered figures. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves and petals, causing the water to ripple.

Kazimir lowered himself under a tree, its extending branches and lush leaves offering him shade from the sun. He bit his lower lip hard when a sharp pain suddenly shot through the back of his mind.

'The charm… where's the charm?'

Kazimir fumbled with the interior pocket of his black coat. He brought out a satin pouch, the one he had just received from the High Priest.

The familiar sight of a long white ribbon with gold embroidery greeted him. Exhaling a soft sigh, he placed it over his eyes before tying both ends into a simple knot.

The calming sensations, albeit vague, helped to keep Kazimir's pain at bay. He decided to rest here for now, knowing that being surrounded by the Grand Temple's divine energy would be better for him.

Kazimir had been extremely busy for the past few weeks. He’d had to complete crucial tasks in the dukedom before leaving for the capital. His existing dark circles had become even darker.

After traveling by train powered by mana stones, Kazimir had arrived at Bramora, the capital of the Braxten Empire. The journey had taken one week. The Arkel Duchy in the west was considerably far from the capital.

'Please... at least for tonight, I can sleep well.'

Despite experiencing similar nightmares for around two decades, Kazimir could never get used to them. Moreover, his heart often constricted in pain and his head ached.

These miseries were incomparable to the ones Kazimir had experienced during his subjugation campaigns against the vicious mystical beasts. They were more malevolent.

'...footsteps?'

Kazimir's senses abruptly spiked when he caught the sound of faint footsteps coming in his direction. From the echo, he deduced it came from someone much smaller, be it a child or a lady.

But...

Before Kazimir could move the ribbon away from his eyes, an unseen force washed over him. It reminded him of the familiarity of a divine warmth, but the power felt purer than what he had ever felt.

Kazimir's thoughts thawed out as his breath slowed. All the threatening pain eased away, melting into nothingness.

The world faded into a dreamlike haze as the gentle, yet commanding, divinity lulled him into a slumber.

When Kazimir came to, he didn't know how many hours had passed. He was more surprised by the complete absence of the familiar ache. His violet eyes flung open in shock, hidden under the white ribbon.

For the first time in forever, Kazimir felt light. He knew it was such an understatement, but he couldn't find the exact words to describe his feelings.

No lingering screams of bloodstained dreams and no heavy clawing at his chest and mind.

The deep, encompassing peace was something Kazimir had never experienced before. The first thought that came to his mind was, did the new charm really work wonders on him?

But...

As Kazimir raised his hand to remove the white ribbon, a voice, unfamiliar yet gentle, echoed above the soft breeze rustling the leaves. It belonged to a young lady.

"Did you sleep well?"

Kazimir hastily pulled the ribbon away from his eyes. His violet orbs immediately zeroed in on a direction, to the person whose presence remained undetected by him until she spoke.

A young lady sat on a white wrought-iron bench a few meters away from the tree Kazimir was under. He abruptly sat up, the furrow on his forehead deep.

Who was she?

One of the visitors?

But... why did he sense an alluring warmth of divine power from her?