The Emperor turned his head slowly, majestic. As expected, it was Charlotte who called him.
"I changed into a tunic as you ordered. It's the first time I've ever worn something like this... is it right to dress like this?"
She was wearing the same light blue tunic that Rosalynd wore.
"Flawless, Saintess. If Rosalynd were to come back alive, this is what it would look like. As a faithful servant of God, I couldn't be more thrilled."
Emperor Dharma exaggerated and admired. Then the assistant priest who was standing beside her, who was waiting on her, also said a word.
"Did you know? Saintess Charlotte. In fact, it is the actual clothes worn by Rosalynd. It was kept in the central cathedral so that it would not be damaged."
"Yes? Is that really? OMG! I don't dare to wear it because it's undeserved. How could I have such a precious garment..."
Emperor shook his head slowly.
"Don't be overwhelmed, Saintess Charlotte. If you don't wear it, who will? It's a garment prepared just for the Saintess."
Charlotte looked perplexed, helpless for a long time.
"Don't you know the meaning of this evening's memorial service, Saintess? It would be most fitting for you to wear it."
However, the Emperor was resolute and did not back down.
"Then, I will wear it with gratitude, Your Majesty the Emperor. I'm guessing you're asking me to do a good job."
Feeling helpless, Charlotte bowed.
"Your Majesty the Emperor. I am so honored that you have treated me so undeservedly. I will never forget this grace."
It was more polite than a Saintess, but the Emperor was pleased with it.
'It's weird.'
She is overly humble in everything, sometimes even humiliating. A girl with pitifully low standards and discernment.
He couldn't be happier when the new Saintess listened and took the initiative to do so.
He was worried that Charlotte would look like a child dressed as a Saintess, but luckily it seemed to end up being a misunderstanding.
On the contrary, he could feel a dignity that he didn't usually feel in her. It was not in the least sufficient to establish the authority of the central cathedral.
'Could it be that Rosalynd doesn't look like Charlotte?'
All portions of the Bible about Rosalynd's appearance were so badly damaged that the original could not be read. The miracles she performed and the clothes she wore contrasted with what was written in detail.
Because of this, even though the Emperor had no knowledge of Rosalynd's appearance, Charlotte's appearance was perfect enough to make him think so.
"Then I'll go get ready for the parade, Your Majesty."
"Yes, I'm sure you'll do well. As an old servant of God, I will always pray."
Charlotte bowed again, and the Emperor nodded graciously to her.
Watching the back of Charlotte as she left with a scurrilous stride, the Emperor turned to his assistant priest.
"What do you think? Isn't she being cocky behind my back?"
"There is no sign of that. On the contrary, she is always unapologetically impressed by the hospitality of the Central Cathedral"
There was not the slightest hint of respect in them. Only an outspoken appraisal of Charlotte remained.
"Oh, just..."
"But, what?"
"Count Albrecht or the former Countess, Odette's parents. It looks like Charlotte is putting together information about them."
Emperor furrowed his brows. Not a dead Odette, but an interest in her parents?
"I think Count Albrecht kept sending someone to try to get in line with Charlotte, so she was curious to find out."
Emperor furrowed his brows. Anyway, that pesky Count.
"Well, I suppose so. For a mountain villager, the Count would be a strange thing."
"Yes, I think so."
"After all, she's not going to do anything else behind the scenes, is she? I'm glad enough."
Charlotte's scent was like Rosalynd's rose.
She was better than Odette to set up on Rosalynd's Day, so even if she was accused of trying to erase Odette, she had a reason to refute it.
"Good Saintess. She is the kind of Saintess that this age needs."
Emperor said with a pleasant stroke of his beard.
With the excitement of the Empire, Charlotte looked even better in Rosalynf's outfit than expected. This evening, was the biggest celebration ever.
Today marks the end of the era of the dead Odette.
There was not a speck of dust in the painting he had drawn.
***
The Count's overbearing voice echoed through Fernand's room.
"I don't think you're more useful than Odette, who died last year."
Fernand, who had been tied up and dragged away, had no light in his eyes.
This was the reason why the Count had to leave the square until dawn in a cheap carriage throughout the fortress.
Not knowing which gambling house Fernand was locked in, he had to search all the gambling houses in the capital.
Busy with the courts, the Count discovered that Fernand was deeply addicted to gambling only after the trial was over.
It wasn't a moderate gamble that could be said to be the quality of an aristocracy, but the fact that he had become a gambling addict at the level of a gambler who really wanted to get rich.
"It's been two years, I've been working hard for that dog for two years to save him. Is he gambling while I'm doing it?"
It was Rolf who brought things to this point.
Rolf, who thought that if the fact of Fernand's poisoning reached the ear of the Count, he might abandon the trial, did not report it to the Count.
He apparently believed that he could control it on his own, but it turned out to be a complete misjudgment.
If only he hadn't sorted out his fortune to give away to Shylock and Sasha if his financial situation hadn't been so bad that he had to sell the guns in his armory. The Count would not have noticed that Fernand was in this state even now.
"Are you insane?! If your father is going through such a hard time to save his son, why ydo ou sell your father's treasure and go to the casino? What a bloody loser!"
The Count threw the staff he was holding at Fernand. Thanks to its delicate workmanship and fine gold ornaments, it was a staff that symbolized the authority of the Count.
It was a waste to throw like this, but the Count couldn't help but feel the anger bubbling up inside him.
"The heir to the Count's family is doing this like a rat while I have to tighten my family's belt?"
The Count knew Fernand well. He's sure he'll apologize and try to get out of the situation.
That was Fernand's bad habit. Trying to make a false apology to make the situation go away.
"This time, no matter how much you pretend to be remorseful, you can't just get over it."
Fernand's reaction, however, was beyond the Count's expectations
"Would it have been as hard for you as it was for me? Yes? How could it have been worse than I had to tremble for two years in fear of dying!"
"...!"
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