A little later, when I finished the conversation and left the salon, my attitude toward the Crown Prince had completely changed.
“The trial will be crowded and the roads will be congested. Please take care, Your Highness.”
I placed one hand on my chest and bowed my knees respectfully.
With every step you take, Your Highness, I sow flowers in my heart!
The Crown Prince seemed a little taken aback by my suddenly bright eyes but soon nodded.
“You too, Saintess, be careful on your way. Ah, Sir Arthur.”
The Crown Prince called out to the knight who was a step away as if he had just remembered something.
He was the knight who accompanied me to the lion's den when I was being dragged there as a sacrifice.
He came forward at the Crown Prince's call, holding a large package wrapped in green silk in his hand.
“It’s been a long time, Sir Arthur.”
I smiled and greeted him, then looked back at the Crown Prince and asked.
“But what is this?”
“This is a dessert made by the royal pastry chef.”
“Dessert?”
“Everyone was excited and preparing for the Saintess who had returned after 13 years to come to the Imperial Palace. I brought some with me in case you couldn’t come, and I think it was a good idea.”
“Oh my, I’m sorry for disappointing you unintentionally. I feel sorry for the royal servants.”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s not just today.”
He answered nonchalantly and then directed his gaze towards Sir Arthur.
“I’ll put it on the carriage.”
As I watched the neatly wrapped package being loaded onto the carriage, I soon bowed my head slightly toward the Crown Prince.
“I will eat it gratefully, thinking of the hearts of those who prepared it for me. Now, I will leave.”
Then I quickly got into the carriage.
Eventually, the carriage set off, but it couldn't pick up speed because of the crowds that filled the road.
Even though those who saw the Saintess's carriage cheered and gathered around, it was almost crawling, but instead of being annoyed, I hummed a tune.
'Now I have a place to return to!'
Even if he is immediately discovered to be a fake Saintess and is kicked out of the temple, I won't have to sleep out in the open.
Moreover, how happy I am that I have not lost the historic mansion that has been passed down through generations, just as the Crown Prince said, and I no longer have to feel guilty about it!
“I’m sorry, Saintess. The crowds are so large that we may be delayed in arriving.”
“It’s okay. As long as it arrives by tomorrow, that’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”
Thanks to this, I was able to maintain my saintly gentleness even in this annoying situation.
By the time I arrived at the main shrine, humming the song “Lulu Lala,” the sky had already gotten dark.
'Even so, it was a bit much to travel a distance of 30 minutes in four hours..."
I walked to the bathroom, rubbing the stiff nape of my neck.
I felt all the fatigue of the day disappear as I soaked in warm water infused with fragrant flower petals and herbs.
'I'm tired even though I haven't done much.'
I thought it might be a good idea to go to bed early today.
I was just about to throw myself on the bed after changing into my bathrobe.
“Saintesa, what should we do with the slaves assigned to us today?”
The maid who was serving me asked.
'That's right, those scumbags!'
The mention of those people, whom I had forgotten in the joy of reclaiming the mansion, made my drowsiness disappear as if it had been washed away.
“Where are you now?”
“First, they were locked in solitary confinement. His Holiness said that he would leave their disposal up to the Saintess.”
As expected, our Holiness!
I cheered inwardly.
Slaves belonging to the Great Temple were naturally under the jurisdiction of the Pope.
Of course, in the eyes of others, I was a victim who had lost their parents, so no one would say anything if I touched them, but it would have been more comfortable if I had been given full authority.
Because I can take revenge without worrying about what other people think.
“I must carefully guide them so as not to disappoint His Holiness’s expectations.”
I smiled faintly and opened my mouth again.
“I would like to meet them in person. Could you bring them here?”
“Yes, I understand, Saintess!”
She left the room with a solemn expression as if she had been given a great responsibility, and returned a little later carrying a long line of trash.
They were all pale.
'Of course, they should be like that. How much karma have they accumulated over the years?'
There was no need to bring up the musty past.
“Shayne, I’m sorry to say, but I think you should be the one to apply for the abolition of the Veloce family. Melina is still young and timid, so I’m not sure if she should be given such a heavy responsibility. After living comfortably as a Princess, you should take on this level of responsibility.”
“You said that the Princess will be the sacrifice instead of our Melina? What should I do about this? How dare you so easily sacrifice your daughter, who is the legitimate successor to the family line, even if you don’t love her. How heartbreaking it must be for the late Duchess... I don’t think she raised her so lovingly to be a stand-in for his illegitimate child.”
“I’m sorry, Sister. Like other families, I, an illegitimate child, had to be sacrificed, but my father said that he couldn’t stand seeing me become food for the lions even if he died... I’m really sorry, Sister...”
The fact that they came looking for me, the one chosen as a sacrifice, and gently teased me was enough to make me tremble with anxiety.
I looked at them with their heads bowed in a shabby manner and smiled.
“It makes me feel bad to see these people who were once my family, like this.”
I opened the door with words I didn't mean and continued speaking quietly.
“Although you have committed sins that cannot be washed away, the Goddess has given you another chance through Her mercy. Please serve Her with all your heart and soul in gratitude so that the sins accumulated in your souls can be washed away.”
“...Yes, Saintess.”
Perhaps because the maid was glaring at them from the side, the way they answered was equally obedient.
“First of all, Mushikan, you should help with the temple chores. Um... Sister? Excuse me, but could you please show me around?”
I hesitated for a moment about what to call the maid, and then I vaguely said, "Sister."
“Understood, Saintess!”
Fortunately, the maid dragged the trash out without showing any particular displeasure.
'Come to think of it, I haven't even asked your name yet. I'll definitely ask next time.'
Even though I won't be staying here for long, she's like my personal maid, so I should know her name.
Having made that resolution, I looked back at the accessories and opened my mouth.
“Madam Magadha and Melina, stay with me and follow my instructions. I intend to personally guide you according to the will of the Goddess.”
At those words, the faces of the two people, who were already pale, turned even paler.
“Ha, but how can sinners like us stand by the Saintess...!”
“Right, can’t we just help out with some chores?”
It seemed as if they figured that it would be better for their body to be tired than for them to stay by my side.
'You're quick-witted.'
As they expected, it would be better to do manual labor than to stay by my side.
But no matter how quick-witted they are, what can they do?
I'm the one making the decision.
“No, you can’t.”
I smiled and declined their request, and thus began their hell.
“Mrs. Magadha, there’s still dust behind the bed. I told you to do your best to clean it as if you were wiping away all the sins you’ve committed!”
“I’m sorry, I’ll clean it again, Saintess!”
“Melina, did you wash the blanket properly? There’s still a stain here.”
“Huh? Where...I can’t see it...”
“It’s here, here!”
“Where on earth is it... It’s just clean, Saintess...”
“Oh my, your eyes must have been so clouded by all the sins you’ve committed that you can’t even see a stain this obvious... Just wash it again.”
“...Yes, Saintess.”
“Oh my, what should I do? I accidentally stepped on your clothes.”
“Oh, those are clothes I just washed...”
“Yes, I am sorry. What should I do, Madam Magadha?”
“No, I think it’ll be clean if you brush it off a little. I’ll brush it off for you!”
“Um, I was planning to wear it to prayer tonight. I can’t go see the goddess wearing clothes that have already been soiled once.”
“Huh? Then surely...”
“Yes, sorry, but you have to wash it again. Is that okay?”
“...”
“Oh my, one of my earrings fell out the window? It must have been blown away by the wind.”
“...Those heavy earrings?”
“Why are you looking at me like that, Melina? It’s like you’re looking at me like I’m deliberately dropping it and acting weird.”
“Oh, no. That can’t be.”
“Really? Am I mistaken?”
“Yes. How could I dare think of you like that?”
“Of course. Well, can you go out and find it for me?”
“Huh? Do you want me to find those little earrings? In that big garden?”
“Yeah. What’s the problem?”
“Oh, no. Yes...”
I had so much fun with them that I felt like I was letting out all the emotions I had been building up.
Delton couldn't stand to watch and clicked his tongue.
“There is a limit to dog training. Don’t you think this is a bit too much?”
“That’s too much, it’s what they used to do.”
Yes, in fact, I was just doing the same thing back to them as they did to the Duke's servants.
'They have been tormenting my family so much all this time.'
There was no particular reason.
They have been manipulating the Duke's servants as they please, whether because they claim to be loyal to me, or because they want to assert their ridiculous authority, or because they are in a bad mood that day.
How pitiful it was for them to work so hard and cry, unable to quit because their livelihood depended on it.
I can still vividly remember the family members who would cry out in sorrow when I quietly called them back, handed them the bonus money and offered words of comfort.
'I'm getting angry again when I think about it.'
Anger welled up again, and I overturned the ink bottle on the desk.
Then I soaked my shoes with the ink that had spilled on the floor and went out into the hallway.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
One step, one step, with each step I took, black footprints were clearly engraved on the white tiles.
Thanks to that, the expression on Mrs. Magadha's face, who was wiping the hallway tiles with a mop at my command, suddenly crumpled...
'What? What are you going to do? What can you do besides staring at me like that?'
I followed Mrs. Magadha, who was cleaning the floor with a face that was almost crying.
All night long.
“The trial will be crowded and the roads will be congested. Please take care, Your Highness.”
I placed one hand on my chest and bowed my knees respectfully.
With every step you take, Your Highness, I sow flowers in my heart!
The Crown Prince seemed a little taken aback by my suddenly bright eyes but soon nodded.
“You too, Saintess, be careful on your way. Ah, Sir Arthur.”
The Crown Prince called out to the knight who was a step away as if he had just remembered something.
He was the knight who accompanied me to the lion's den when I was being dragged there as a sacrifice.
He came forward at the Crown Prince's call, holding a large package wrapped in green silk in his hand.
“It’s been a long time, Sir Arthur.”
I smiled and greeted him, then looked back at the Crown Prince and asked.
“But what is this?”
“This is a dessert made by the royal pastry chef.”
“Dessert?”
“Everyone was excited and preparing for the Saintess who had returned after 13 years to come to the Imperial Palace. I brought some with me in case you couldn’t come, and I think it was a good idea.”
“Oh my, I’m sorry for disappointing you unintentionally. I feel sorry for the royal servants.”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s not just today.”
He answered nonchalantly and then directed his gaze towards Sir Arthur.
“I’ll put it on the carriage.”
As I watched the neatly wrapped package being loaded onto the carriage, I soon bowed my head slightly toward the Crown Prince.
“I will eat it gratefully, thinking of the hearts of those who prepared it for me. Now, I will leave.”
Then I quickly got into the carriage.
Eventually, the carriage set off, but it couldn't pick up speed because of the crowds that filled the road.
Even though those who saw the Saintess's carriage cheered and gathered around, it was almost crawling, but instead of being annoyed, I hummed a tune.
'Now I have a place to return to!'
Even if he is immediately discovered to be a fake Saintess and is kicked out of the temple, I won't have to sleep out in the open.
Moreover, how happy I am that I have not lost the historic mansion that has been passed down through generations, just as the Crown Prince said, and I no longer have to feel guilty about it!
“I’m sorry, Saintess. The crowds are so large that we may be delayed in arriving.”
“It’s okay. As long as it arrives by tomorrow, that’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”
Thanks to this, I was able to maintain my saintly gentleness even in this annoying situation.
By the time I arrived at the main shrine, humming the song “Lulu Lala,” the sky had already gotten dark.
'Even so, it was a bit much to travel a distance of 30 minutes in four hours..."
I walked to the bathroom, rubbing the stiff nape of my neck.
I felt all the fatigue of the day disappear as I soaked in warm water infused with fragrant flower petals and herbs.
'I'm tired even though I haven't done much.'
I thought it might be a good idea to go to bed early today.
I was just about to throw myself on the bed after changing into my bathrobe.
“Saintesa, what should we do with the slaves assigned to us today?”
The maid who was serving me asked.
'That's right, those scumbags!'
The mention of those people, whom I had forgotten in the joy of reclaiming the mansion, made my drowsiness disappear as if it had been washed away.
“Where are you now?”
“First, they were locked in solitary confinement. His Holiness said that he would leave their disposal up to the Saintess.”
As expected, our Holiness!
I cheered inwardly.
Slaves belonging to the Great Temple were naturally under the jurisdiction of the Pope.
Of course, in the eyes of others, I was a victim who had lost their parents, so no one would say anything if I touched them, but it would have been more comfortable if I had been given full authority.
Because I can take revenge without worrying about what other people think.
“I must carefully guide them so as not to disappoint His Holiness’s expectations.”
I smiled faintly and opened my mouth again.
“I would like to meet them in person. Could you bring them here?”
“Yes, I understand, Saintess!”
She left the room with a solemn expression as if she had been given a great responsibility, and returned a little later carrying a long line of trash.
They were all pale.
'Of course, they should be like that. How much karma have they accumulated over the years?'
There was no need to bring up the musty past.
“Shayne, I’m sorry to say, but I think you should be the one to apply for the abolition of the Veloce family. Melina is still young and timid, so I’m not sure if she should be given such a heavy responsibility. After living comfortably as a Princess, you should take on this level of responsibility.”
“You said that the Princess will be the sacrifice instead of our Melina? What should I do about this? How dare you so easily sacrifice your daughter, who is the legitimate successor to the family line, even if you don’t love her. How heartbreaking it must be for the late Duchess... I don’t think she raised her so lovingly to be a stand-in for his illegitimate child.”
“I’m sorry, Sister. Like other families, I, an illegitimate child, had to be sacrificed, but my father said that he couldn’t stand seeing me become food for the lions even if he died... I’m really sorry, Sister...”
The fact that they came looking for me, the one chosen as a sacrifice, and gently teased me was enough to make me tremble with anxiety.
I looked at them with their heads bowed in a shabby manner and smiled.
“It makes me feel bad to see these people who were once my family, like this.”
I opened the door with words I didn't mean and continued speaking quietly.
“Although you have committed sins that cannot be washed away, the Goddess has given you another chance through Her mercy. Please serve Her with all your heart and soul in gratitude so that the sins accumulated in your souls can be washed away.”
“...Yes, Saintess.”
Perhaps because the maid was glaring at them from the side, the way they answered was equally obedient.
“First of all, Mushikan, you should help with the temple chores. Um... Sister? Excuse me, but could you please show me around?”
I hesitated for a moment about what to call the maid, and then I vaguely said, "Sister."
“Understood, Saintess!”
Fortunately, the maid dragged the trash out without showing any particular displeasure.
'Come to think of it, I haven't even asked your name yet. I'll definitely ask next time.'
Even though I won't be staying here for long, she's like my personal maid, so I should know her name.
Having made that resolution, I looked back at the accessories and opened my mouth.
“Madam Magadha and Melina, stay with me and follow my instructions. I intend to personally guide you according to the will of the Goddess.”
At those words, the faces of the two people, who were already pale, turned even paler.
“Ha, but how can sinners like us stand by the Saintess...!”
“Right, can’t we just help out with some chores?”
It seemed as if they figured that it would be better for their body to be tired than for them to stay by my side.
'You're quick-witted.'
As they expected, it would be better to do manual labor than to stay by my side.
But no matter how quick-witted they are, what can they do?
I'm the one making the decision.
“No, you can’t.”
I smiled and declined their request, and thus began their hell.
“Mrs. Magadha, there’s still dust behind the bed. I told you to do your best to clean it as if you were wiping away all the sins you’ve committed!”
“I’m sorry, I’ll clean it again, Saintess!”
“Melina, did you wash the blanket properly? There’s still a stain here.”
“Huh? Where...I can’t see it...”
“It’s here, here!”
“Where on earth is it... It’s just clean, Saintess...”
“Oh my, your eyes must have been so clouded by all the sins you’ve committed that you can’t even see a stain this obvious... Just wash it again.”
“...Yes, Saintess.”
“Oh my, what should I do? I accidentally stepped on your clothes.”
“Oh, those are clothes I just washed...”
“Yes, I am sorry. What should I do, Madam Magadha?”
“No, I think it’ll be clean if you brush it off a little. I’ll brush it off for you!”
“Um, I was planning to wear it to prayer tonight. I can’t go see the goddess wearing clothes that have already been soiled once.”
“Huh? Then surely...”
“Yes, sorry, but you have to wash it again. Is that okay?”
“...”
“Oh my, one of my earrings fell out the window? It must have been blown away by the wind.”
“...Those heavy earrings?”
“Why are you looking at me like that, Melina? It’s like you’re looking at me like I’m deliberately dropping it and acting weird.”
“Oh, no. That can’t be.”
“Really? Am I mistaken?”
“Yes. How could I dare think of you like that?”
“Of course. Well, can you go out and find it for me?”
“Huh? Do you want me to find those little earrings? In that big garden?”
“Yeah. What’s the problem?”
“Oh, no. Yes...”
I had so much fun with them that I felt like I was letting out all the emotions I had been building up.
Delton couldn't stand to watch and clicked his tongue.
“There is a limit to dog training. Don’t you think this is a bit too much?”
“That’s too much, it’s what they used to do.”
Yes, in fact, I was just doing the same thing back to them as they did to the Duke's servants.
'They have been tormenting my family so much all this time.'
There was no particular reason.
They have been manipulating the Duke's servants as they please, whether because they claim to be loyal to me, or because they want to assert their ridiculous authority, or because they are in a bad mood that day.
How pitiful it was for them to work so hard and cry, unable to quit because their livelihood depended on it.
I can still vividly remember the family members who would cry out in sorrow when I quietly called them back, handed them the bonus money and offered words of comfort.
'I'm getting angry again when I think about it.'
Anger welled up again, and I overturned the ink bottle on the desk.
Then I soaked my shoes with the ink that had spilled on the floor and went out into the hallway.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
One step, one step, with each step I took, black footprints were clearly engraved on the white tiles.
Thanks to that, the expression on Mrs. Magadha's face, who was wiping the hallway tiles with a mop at my command, suddenly crumpled...
'What? What are you going to do? What can you do besides staring at me like that?'
I followed Mrs. Magadha, who was cleaning the floor with a face that was almost crying.
All night long.
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