The Grand Duke Seeks Death

The Healing Bath and The Mystery Lady

Genesis arrived at the Holy Church three hours after the sun was at its peak, just in time for his healing bath to be ready. The nuns assisted him on his way to his private house, which The Holy Church made exclusively for their major donors. The Holy Church built Genesis' house south of the West wing of the Main Church, near a cliff that is overlooking the ocean. Being the most generous amongst the donors of the Church, Father Gerard made sure that the Grand Duke has the biggest house built inside the Church’s compound. Though Genesis wouldn't mind just a private room, he felt secured to stay in a house exclusively built for him.

"The Healing Bath is almost ready, Your Highness. The Saintess shall accompany you in your bath." Sister Belle stated.

"The Saintess?" Genesis asked, a bit surprised.

"Yes Your Highness. Is something the matter?"

"Nothing. I just realized that I have never been alone with the Saintess. Every time I visit the Church, she would just tend to me for a moment, and then leave immediately."

"Do forgive us Your Highness, our Saintess is a bit...fragile back then." Sister Belle explained.

"I see. And she isn't now?"

"W-well... She is now improved. Training a commoner to be a Saintess takes a lot of work and effort Your Highness." Genesis' ears twitched upon hearing Sister Belle's words. The Grand Duke felt Sister Belle's disgust with the way she emphasized the word commoner.

"Are you the one training her to be a.. proper... Saintess?" Genesis asked.

"Yes Your Highness." Sister Belle proudly declared.

"I see. So, you are of higher rank than the Saintess."

Sister Belle blinked twice, confused for a moment. And as soon as she realized what the Grand Duke was pointing out, Sister Bella blushed in embarrassment.

"From what I learned, being named Saintess is the will of the Divine. I think High Priests tested her divine powers back then. Tell me Sister, how does a Nun train a Saintess?" Genesis asked, teasingly.

"G-grand D-duke... I... Uh.." Sister Belle was flustered as her mind was going blank.

Genesis smiled. "Oh! Please do not misunderstand Sister. I am merely interested on how you as a noble nun, train a commoner Saintess." Genesis played with his chin as he acted like he was thinking deep. "Shall I request your company instead? If you are powerful enough to train a commoner Saintess, then I have more chances to heal better with you overseeing my bath. You are more powerful than she is, right?"

"Y-your Highness... Please forgive my arrogance-"

"If I remember correctly, you are from House Palencia. You belong from one of the greatest families of healers in Hydra."

Sister Belle's eyes widened upon hearing her house. Her heart started to beat faster, fearing for her family's safety. She trembled and her knees weaken as she knelt before the Grand Duke.

"P-please Your Highness... M-my family has nothing to do with my actions..." Sister Belle pleaded with a trembling voice. "Forgive me for blundering the Saintess. I shall see to it that my actions be punished accordingly."

Genesis looked down on Sister Belle, staring hard but devoid of any emotion. If there's one thing that Genesis silently enjoys, its knocking down arrogant nobles to the ground, literally and otherwise. He ought to answer Sister Belle's plea, but with how easily she knelt before him, he now lost interest, and just left her kneeling.

As soon as he arrived in his private bath, he got out of his clothes and proceeds to his bath. Upon opening the door, warm mists welcomed him. The calming scent of eucalyptus and peppermints soothes his senses and as he dipped into the water, relief almost immediately set in. He sighed in relaxation, but he came to full alert when a skinny figure emerged from the mist.

"Is the bath to your liking, Your Highness?" Klia asked.

Tall, skinny, pale, slightly tanned skin with honey-colored hair, demure movements and somehow dignified, Genesis thoroughly observed Klia. She looked fragile and weak. She's too skinny that Genesis feared that she'll crumble upon touching.

"It is, Saintess."

Klia trembled in excitement upon hearing his voice. She feared she might faint from nervousness the moment he entered wearing only his skin. She knew she's in for a lot of impure thoughts, but she never knew he was too gorgeous. His muscular body filled with a few battle scars, his square jaw that accentuates the intensity of his gaze through his dark eyes, the lusciousness of his pinkish lips, and just simply existing and breathing, is a sin for a named Saintess to look at.

"Would you mind me asking a few personal questions Saintess?"

"Not at all Your Highness. Please ask away."

"'Did you prepare this bath by yourself?"

Klia paused for a moment, then smiled politely. "Yes.. Your Highness."

"I see."

Klia bit her lip to prevent herself from conversing. Sister Belle and Father Gerard adamantly told her not to tell anyone about the process of preparing the healing baths. They said that the process of preparing the healing baths need to be kept in secret to keep the "business" aspect of the church alive.

"I've been taking these baths for two years now. I can't seem to properly relax without it now."

"The gods are grateful for your sacrifices, Your Highness. This bath is the least we could do to help you recover your strength."

Genesis smiled briefly. "The Holy Church of Hydra has never had any named Saintess before. I'm glad that we finally had one. From what I heard, you're of common birth."

"Yes your Highness. I was an orphaned child before Father Gerard took me in."

"What happened to your parents if you don't mind me asking?"

"My father was a soldier Your Highness, he was killed in battle."

"And your mother?"

Klia paused for a moment, and as she remembered her mother, she couldn't help but clutch her hand. "She's...dead your Highness."

Genesis creased his forehead upon hearing a lie from the Saintess. "I guess even a Saintess lie when she's being asked about her life. Forgive me for prying."

Klia's eyes widened. "Grand Duke! I-"

Genesis laughed.

"Y-Your highness?"

"I find you interesting Saintess." Genesis confessed.

Klia blushed. "Y-your Highness..."

"May I see you tomorrow as well?"

"I-if it is the Grand Duke's wish." Klia answered shyly.

"I look forward to it, Saintess."

Genesis flashed his most attractive and courteous smile before getting up and leaving. His smile turned to a devious smirk as he wrapped his robe around his body.

Evening came and Genesis requested to have his meal inside his chambers. While he dined on the terrace, he noticed the big tree by the cliff. With his eyes squinted, he noticed movements of a silhouette, so he decided to take an evening stroll.

Genesis stealthily walked towards the big tree, hiding from the bushes. And as soon as he tried to look for the silhouette, the pointy end of lance weapon is just a few inches before his eyes. He raised his hands slowly while he stepped up. Just then, everything from his perspective came into slow motion as he laid eyes on the woman pointing a weapon before him.

She was dressed as a boy, but her figure gave out her gender. Though she covered her nose and lips with a cloth, her beautiful green eyes were enough to render Genesis speechless.

"Who are you? What are you doing here? How did you get past the holy barriers?" asked the woman while she threatened to skewer Genesis with her lance.

Genesis chuckled in response.

"What's so funny? Keep your hands up where I can see them!"

Genesis raised his arms higher while smiling.

"Who are you?! Answer me or I will slice your face!" the woman threatened.

"For a woman who wants answers, you sure ask too many questions." Genesis answered, silently looking for openings and weak points. Sadly, his opponent doesn't have any openings for the moment.

"For someone who's about to die, you're too nonchalant."

"Well, it looks like I am at your mercy then." Gen smiled once more, hoping to charm his way to safety.

"Mercy won't be given unless you answer me. Now for the last time, who the f*ck are you?!"

"The name's Gen. I am but a lowly merchant, seeking the Holy Church's help to heal my soul."

"Soul? Why? Are you possessed by the devil?"

"...I am."

The woman eyed him suspiciously for a moment, still pointing the lance at Gen.

"Milady, I promise you no harm. So please, let down your weapon. My arms are getting heavy."

The woman leaped a few meters back before letting her lance down. "I'm no lady." she stated.

"Oh, but you are. May I ask that you uncover your face?"

"You're in no position to ask me of that, Mr. Gen."

"May I at least know your name?"

"That too."

"That's kind of unfair. You pointed and threatened to s***h my face."

"And you lied to me. I say that's fair enough."

"I lied to you?" Gen asked, surprised.

"Did you honestly think that this damn place will let a lowly merchant wear its finest silk robes? I am not stupid."

"If you saw through my lie, why did you let me live?"

"I'm not that heartless. I don't strike cursed men."

Genesis' ears twitched. "You think I'm cursed?" he asked.

"I know you're cursed. I can see your soul shackled with a black curse."

Genesis clutched his hands. He can't afford to let anyone he doesn't trust know about his curse. "Then you leave me no choice." he muttered, lunging forward to capture the woman.

But the woman was quick on her feet. She dodged Genesis' swing and answered with a right hook. Genesis blocked her fist with his palm, grabbing her towards him, locking both of her arms behind her, pulling her close to him. Genesis moved to uncover her face using his free hand, but in a matter of seconds, the woman bobbed her head forcefully backwards, hitting Genesis' nose.

The pain caused him to weaken his grip on the woman's arms and she took advantage of that second to wriggle her way off him. But Genesis was quick enough to grab the cloth covering the woman's face.

And as he laid eyes on her once more, his eyes widened.

"Saintess?" he asked.

The woman who looked like Saintess Klia quickly covered her face, grabbed her weapon and ran swiftly towards the cliff.

"Wait!!" Genesis tried to stop her, but it was all for naught. He looked below the cliff and found nothing but rocks and waves crashing. He took a step back and scouted the area, but he can no longer see traces of the woman.

He looked at the cloth he was holding and fortunately, the cloth was embroidered with what seemed like the woman's name.

"Maxene."

"So, you're called Maxene." Genesis smiled in delight but then a warm red liquid trickled down his nose. "Oh s**t!" he cursed.