Chapter 44 - Controlling the Narrative
"So, the Church's announcement about recognizing the Spirit of Darkness... that was about you, Marcel-san?"
"Yes... it was."
"Then this little one is a Spirit of Darkness."
I had invited Abbott-san into my carriage to get Kuro out of public view. Kuro was currently sitting on my lap, batting at my bag as if trying to tell me something. I wondered if he was hungry.
"Kuro, I'm sorry. I don't have any treats with me."
Kuro seemed to lose interest in the bag and moved over to sit next to Abbott-san, staring up at her.
"I only have these... I wonder if he'll eat them?"
Abbott-san gave a small, awkward smile and pulled a bag of cookies from her purse. She offered one to Kuro, whose eyes lit up. He took the cookie in his mouth, hopped down to the floor, and began munching away happily.
"I'm sorry, it's like he was begging..."
"No, I brought them in case I got hungry on the way to the bookstore. I didn't know spirits ate sweets, but he's quite adorable when he eats."
I had decided to be honest with Abbott-san about the Spirit of Darkness since she had already seen through his nature. The Church had already officially announced the recognition of such spirits, but the fact that I was the one who contracted with one hadn't been made public yet, largely due to the events in the Marcel territory.
Despite the announcement, the fear of the unknown still lingered among the populace. The priests of the Great Church were currently working to rebrand the Spirit of Darkness as an object of reverence rather than dread. My contract was scheduled to be announced alongside the Spirit Summoning Ceremony in the autumn.
"What do you think, Abbott-san? About the Spirit of Darkness?"
"I can't even imagine what kind of power a Spirit of Darkness might hold."
"That's fair. This little one is a low-level spirit, so he doesn't have any particularly special powers."
"It's just... the word 'darkness' alone carries a negative image for those who don't know better. But looking at him, it's clear those fears are groundless."
Abbott-san looked at Kuro with a kind expression. If someone as objective as her felt this way, I wondered how the majority of people—those who couldn't see spirits—would react.
"The problem is that only a limited number of people can actually see Kuro. Nothing is scarier than what's left to the imagination."
"True. You have the support of the Royal Family and the Church, so no one will dare harm you directly. But what you need to watch out for are the rumors."
"Rumors..."
"Even if there's no direct harm, rumors are hard to stop and even harder to punish."
She was right. Rumors spread like wildfire. If a completely wrong idea took hold in society, correcting it would be an uphill battle.
"Still, perhaps it's a good thing that the contractor is you, Marcel-san."
"What do you mean?"
"You have a dignified, somewhat unapproachable aura. But you're also the Crown Prince's fiancée, an object of both attention and admiration. If people hear that you contracted with a Spirit of Darkness, they might see it as the kingdom gaining a new form of divine protection."
"Like image manipulation?"
"Exactly. Instead of hiding it, why not be proactive? If you share information, people might be more inclined to accept it positively."
Instead of hiding... share it. I hadn't really done anything regarding the Spirit of Darkness myself. His Highness had handled the negotiations with the Church, and I lacked the power to investigate its traits. But perhaps as the contractor, I could influence public perception.
"Thank you, Abbott-san."
"Of course, going public comes with its own risks. You should definitely consult your fiancé."
"Yes, I will."
Abbott-san gave a small shrug and a worried smile. "I'll help you too, of course."
Having someone like her by my side gave me a surge of courage.
A few days later, when His Highness visited my home, I told him about my growing friendship with Abbott-san. He seemed genuinely happy for me. I then shared the conversation we had in the carriage. He listened intently, his expression turning serious.
"She has a point," he murmured, his brow furrowing in thought.
"I want to start by reaching out to those who can see spirits. If they see Kuro for themselves, they'll know he isn't dangerous."
"Yes, that's true. Those who see him will tell those who can't. It could help build a positive image."
"Then..."
As I leaned forward, His Highness reached out and firmly grasped my hand. His eyes were filled with a desperate intensity.
"But... I refuse to lose you again."
"Your Highness..."
"When I heard Alois had kidnapped you... I've never felt my blood run so cold. I admit, I've been overly cautious because I want to protect you."
He took my hand in both of his, his grip gentle but firm.
"Thank you, Your Highness. You are always protecting me."
"Of course. And I will continue to do so."
However, before we could take action, rumors began to circulate within the academy as if on cue. The whispers claimed that I had contracted with a Spirit of Darkness, and that the spirit was a malevolent entity.
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