Chapter 48

‘This room is way too frilly.’

They had worked hard to decorate the so-called Saintess’s quarters in white and purple—the representative colors of the Order of Ralphican—but it was at a level where just existing in the room felt like a burden.

‘Well, I’m satisfied nonetheless.’

At the Rubel mansion, it was a shared room; at the protagonist’s house, it was an attic. During the expedition, I had drifted between tents and inn rooms. The Baron’s mansion had a proper room, but I couldn’t exactly relax there, could I? I was about to plant my butt on the fluffy, lace-covered bed when I immediately stood back up.

‘I can’t lay my dirty body on a sacred bed.’

I was going to wash up thoroughly and then pass out today without doing a single, solitary thing. Popes, factions, protagonists, quests—I didn’t want to think about any of it; I was just sick of it all.

‘Still, I achieved the goal of becoming the Saintess.’

I felt I truly deserved what people called “rest” now. Both physically and mentally. With a pious heart, I was about to run the water for the bathtub when—

Knock, knock.

“E-excuse me…”

Along with the cautious knock outside the door, I heard a youthful voice. To think someone would interrupt my perfect relaxation time. I desperately wanted to ignore it, but that wouldn’t work. If they broke the door down wondering if there was a problem, that would be an even bigger issue.

‘But for some reason, that voice sounds familiar…’

Where had I heard it? Racking my brain, I reluctantly opened the door to find a brown-haired girl bowing her head.

“Hello! Saintess! My name is Emily, and I’ve been assigned to serve you starting today!”

Emily.

…Emily?

‘Wait, is it the Emily I know?’

Emily straightened her back, looked at my face, and tilted her head.

“Uh… uh-uh-uh!”

‘Yup, it’s her.’

It was a common name, but it was definitely the person I knew. The servant belonging to the Order of Ralphican who had traveled with us during the expedition.

“Be-Belita? How are you here?”

Emily impertinently dared to point her finger right at the Saintess. Then, realizing what she was doing, she looked at her own finger in shock and covered her mouth with both hands. It was a reaction that suggested she had no idea the Saintess was me…

‘Why wouldn’t she know?’

I had caused such a scene at Lanta Village that day. To think Emily, who had been there, wouldn’t know.

“You didn’t know it was me?”

“No, everything was so chaotic… I was just hiding among the crowd the whole time. Actually, I don’t remember much from that day. I don’t really want to, either…”

Ah, she must have self-deleted those memories due to the terror. That’s probably better for her mental health.

“Ah! I-I’m so sorry! Being so rude to the Saintess…!”

She hadn’t even realized she was speaking informally. I gave Emily a sign to stop as she repeatedly bowed her head in apology.

“B-but.”

“Emily. We were friends. And it’s not like I’ve been officially recognized as the Saintess yet. Just treat me comfortably.”

“Fr-friends…”

Emily contemplated for a moment before nodding her head.

“But I still can’t use informal speech…”

I told her to do whatever made her feel comfortable. Emily told me she had been assigned as my personal maid. It was only natural for a person of high status to have hands and feet to serve them. Recalling my past as the one doing the serving, I felt a fresh sense of irony now that the roles were reversed.

“If you ring the bell in the morning, I’ll prepare your washing water and clothes. Please let me know if you’d like to have breakfast in the bedroom or the dining room! Um, and also…”

Was this delicate, personalized service? It was a good service.

“Ah! You were about to wash up, right? I’ll help you!”

I take it back. It was an excessive service.

“No, I wasn’t going to wash.”

“Pardon? But you’re holding a towel…”

“I was just going to wipe off some sweat.”

“Then please ring the bell in advance when you want to wash! I need time to draw the bathwater and get the scents and bubbles ready!”

I didn’t need any of that. Scents? Bubbles? Why on earth were those necessary? Those things would only delay the journey to my bed. By the way…

‘She’s as talkative as ever.’

At first, she had spoken while tentatively watching my reaction as if she were nervous, but she seemed to have relaxed as the conversation went on. She was gradually regaining the “chatterbox” energy she’d lost due to the shock of my identity. This wasn’t good.

“Also, my massages are incredible! It’s great to relieve fatigue while enjoying a bath!”

I refuse. It hadn’t been that long since I’d finally managed to wash with my eyes closed.

‘A massage is a bit tempting, though.’

But prolonging bath time was an absolute no, and I hated having someone else there. Especially if that someone else was the talkative Emily, it was even more out of the question. I firmly showed my discomfort.

“I prefer washing alone.”

“Ah… I understand how you feel, but you’ll have to get used to it from now on…”

Emily smacked her lips as if she were disappointed. I didn’t want to talk about baths anymore. I attempted to change the subject.

“Emily. I know you don’t like remembering that day, but thank you for doing me that favor. For bringing Sir Hereis.”

“Oh, stop! It wasn’t even that hard!”

“No. It was thanks to you that we were able to save the village.”

“R-really?”

Emily’s eyes grew wide. It seemed she had never even imagined such a thing.

“Hehe. To think I actually played a part in that miracle… I feel so proud!”

The Shop Points were piling up fast. I’d reached a level where I didn’t even have to worry about running low. On top of that, new items were available.

‘I’ve got plenty of points and gold. My heart feels so full.’

My chest began to throb with anticipation. I wondered what kind of items had been updated. I’d have to check slowly once Emily left. If only she would leave…

“When I told people I’d been assigned to serve the Saintess, nobody believed me! You have no idea how upsetting it was.”

Uh-huh. I bet. But when are you going to leave…

“Sophia from next door laughed at me! Harper across the street treated me like I was delusional! But once you’re officially appointed, they’ll all know. They’ll see my words weren’t just crazy fantasies! I can’t wait for that day to come.”

Oh boy. The topic had shifted from baths to grievances, and Emily had officially entered full chatterbox mode. Having missed the timing to tell her to get out, I forced a smile and reacted as best I could.

‘It’s better to raise her affection if possible.’

She was going to be my closest aide; it would be scary if her affection was in the negatives. Forcing myself to find a reason made the disappearance of my precious relaxation time somewhat bearable…

“Emily. Didn’t I tell you to cut back on the unnecessary chatter in front of the Saintess?”

Ah. Because I’d turned my brain off and was only giving mechanical responses, I hadn’t even noticed someone else had entered the room. Ilian was leaning against the open door with the corners of his mouth twisted into a smirk.

“Lord Ilian!”

“The Saintess looks like her soul has left her body.”

“Aaaah! Don’t tease me. What do you even know about women’s gossip, Lord Ilian!”

Ilian gave a half-hearted shrug as if to say, ‘Is that so?’, but I—a woman in appearance only—felt a sudden prick of conscience and changed the subject.

“What brings Sir Ilian here?”

“My, giving me the hint to leave already? You’re so heartless, considering how long it’s been since I stepped inside…”

Ilian made a show of wailing as if he were heartbroken. My heart, however, only grew cold.

“…I’m joking. I came in a hurry to deliver word on a matter that was decided abruptly.”

An abruptly decided matter? From here until the next chapter was a blank period in the protagonist’s story. It was an unknown world, even to me.

“There will be a general assembly next week. Since you are now one of the Church’s decision-makers, you must attend. It will also be the place where you are officially introduced to the public.”

An official introduction. That sounded like it was going to be an incredibly uncomfortable event. Well, I suppose I can just sit there and come back. I’ll just handle it based on the situation. No need to overthink it.

“As Cardinal Beatrice mentioned, you should prepare your heart in advance.”

First Beatrice, now him—why did they keep trying to create such an ominous atmosphere? For now, I simply nodded.

“Emily will take full charge of the preparations. There will be much to learn in many ways, so I can only hope the Saintess is a good student.”

“Don’t worry—I mean, don’t worry about it. I’ll do fine.”

I wasn’t sure what I had to learn, but surely it couldn’t be harder than everything I’d been through so far. I confidently balled my hand into a fist.

“Well, that’s certainly reliable.”

Ilian chuckled, calling me cute, which instantly sent my mood plummeting into the abyss. At any rate, having delivered his message, Ilian placed his hand on the doorknob.

“Emily will help if you find anything uncomfortable. She’s a trustworthy friend, so lean on her.”

“I’ll handle it myself.”

“Well then. I’ll see you at the assembly. Emily, make sure the preparations are flawless.”

“Ah… yes! Leave it to me!”

I caught Ilian before he could leave. Something had come to mind that I needed to pass on. I whispered a few words to him so Emily wouldn’t hear. His eyebrows twitched slightly, but he nodded in understanding.

“You two are much closer than I thought!”

As soon as the sound of the door closing echoed, Emily—who had been bowing politely since Ilian touched the handle—sprang up and shouted. Exactly what part of that led her to such a conclusion?

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Lord Ilian act so friendly with someone before!”

Because she was staring so intensely, a blunt denial slipped out of my mouth before I could stop it.

“You must be mistaken.”

“Oh, Saintess! Believe it or not, I’ve watched Lord Ilian for over ten years now! My mother was his wet nurse!”

No wonder they seemed oddly close during the expedition; they had that kind of history. Emily’s eyes sparkled as she whispered.

“As someone who knows him that well, I can officially certify it! He’s more playful than usual and subtly more tender. I think Lord Ilian likes you quite a bit! Gasp. Could it be… a pink-colored aura¹ flowing between you two?”

Are you kidding me? Goosebumps broke out all over my body.

“No.”

“There’s definitely a reason why he came all this way just to ask me a favor personally…”

“I said no.”

“Yeeees…”

“Saintess! Are you awake!”

“Mmm…”

Who on earth is it at this ungodly hour… Oh, right. Emily said she was coming in the morning. I snapped awake. My fatigue had lessened slightly, but I still felt sluggish as I forced my body up.

Knock, knock!

“Saintess! You have to get up!”

“I’m up. Come in.”

“Understood~!”

Emily entered the room asking if I’d rested well, and behind her were three servants, each with a distinct personality. They were waiting for me, each holding an armful of items on their carts.

“The sun is already high in the sky and you’re just now waking up? You’re still such a sleepyhead, Saintess!”

If anyone heard her, they’d think I overslept every single day.

“So, why are you here?”

“Acha! Did I not tell you yesterday?”

You didn’t. I wasn’t particularly curious, so I hadn’t asked for details either. Emily suddenly took a strange pose, one hand on her hip and the other on her forehead, tilting her head toward the ceiling.

“Ahem! While modesty is a virtue in our Order of Ralphican, did you know we also place great importance on an appearance that is clean, looks grand, yet is well-decorated without being too flashy?”

…What is she even talking about?