The Goddess And Charm Value (1)

“Hey there, long time no see, kittens. That overwhelming muddy color is the same as ever — I spotted you from far away. At this point it’s practically art! More importantly, is that Crown Prince Isaac over there? I’ve always wanted to get acquainted. Perhaps fortune is finally smiling on me.”

The moment he entered the room, Sphida spoke at lightning speed without pause. Just listening made one feel like biting their tongue, yet he spoke flawlessly. As Cordelia quietly admired him, Isaac nodded with royal composure.

“I have heard of you. I understand you assisted in creating Cordelia’s announcement newspaper. I am grateful for that.”

“Oh, such gracious words. Just as the rumors say, Your Highness is truly splendid! A purity like sacred water flowing through a holy spring, overflowing elegance worthy of royalty! — Would you allow me to conduct a full-day close coverage interview sometime?”

“I do not mind the coverage… but would there be demand?”

“What! That humility is also a virtue, but it seems Your Highness does not understand your own value. As for demand, let me assure you the newspapers would sell out instantly.”

“Truly! I would want at least ten copies! Paper deteriorates easily!”

Clenching her fist and speaking passionately, both Sphida and Isaac turned toward her. Startled, Cordelia quickly coughed.

“S-so, may we hear the information I requested?”

“Of course!”

At once, Sphida spread numerous documents across the desk.

Everything written there concerned Hina — or more precisely, Elrina.

In exchange for introducing Isaac to Sphida, Cordelia had asked him to investigate Hina (Elrina) in this world.

“Holy Maiden Hina’s registered name is Elrina. No surname. Born in a small rural village, lived with her father and mother until being brought to the palace as the Holy Maiden.”

Cordelia nodded. Up to here it matched the Flowers of Lakisen setting.

“B-u-t… apparently she was disliked in the village from long ago. Rather, she was severely bullied.”

“Really?”

Cordelia frowned.

In the setting she knew, Elrina had a good relationship with the villagers. Bullying was entirely new information.

“Seems she was an outrageously selfish young lady since childhood. On top of that, her strange remarks made people call her a witch. Being chosen as Holy Maiden erased the witch rumors, but… she and her parents were nearly driven out of the village.”

“That can’t be…”

Cordelia fell silent.

(Hina was selfish and disliked by girls… but boys never rejected her no matter what she said…)

Thinking back, something had been strange from the start.

The heroine Hina was rejected by Isaac, and even the king — supposedly her most effective target — was unaffected by her signature pleading. Both were unimaginable in her previous life.

(The goddess did say she “made a mistake in your settings” when we came to this world. What if that setting concerned Hina’s charm or affection values…?)

Cordelia herself would gladly grant a request from Isaac — someone she loved. But if the same request came from another man she did not like, the chance of refusal would increase sharply.

It was only speculation, yet thinking of the “mistaken settings” that way made everything fit.

(I should speak with Hina directly after all…)

In her previous life, every man knelt before her. If Hina still lived with that same expectation… Cordelia felt she could finally glimpse her suffering.