The Fake Saintess Awaits Her Exit

It was well after a long time that I finally emerged from my study. Only when the concerned officials knocked on my door and urged me to come out did I manage to gather my wits and step outside. The individuals who had been waiting for me quickly dressed me in a finely tailored attire.

Even as I made these preparations, my mind was still preoccupied with the missing letter. The words that promised to return lingered in my thoughts.

“What kind of deal was it? And when will they come?”

The contents of the letter kept plaguing my mind.

“Madam, are you alright?”

Had I been lost in thought for too long? A minister who had been explaining something to me called out.

“I’m sorry, what did you say?”

“I mentioned that it might be best to omit the final ceremony of today’s prayer meeting.”

“Ah.”

I nodded in agreement to the minister’s words. The ceremony that had caused such an uproar yesterday, despite being the crucial part of the prayer meeting, the ritual of blessings. Although it didn’t involve the use of holy powers, it attracted a large crowd.

“There’s nothing more we can do.”

In my heart, I still desired to proceed today. However, I doubted anyone would still seek the Lady’s blessing. I learned from eavesdropping on the ministers’ conversation yesterday that rumors spread even faster after the event turned chaotic. Furthermore, it seemed that Evelina had been actively enticing men before the prayer meeting even began.

“Isn’t it only right that we abstain from such activities before the prayer meeting?”

The anger that had flared up at the mention of courtesans had now shifted to resentment towards Evelina. While I had tried to empathize with her given that I inhabited her body, the fact remained that a villain is a villain. Not even a shred of sympathy arose in me, especially when I recalled the offerings in the study.

“Ha.”

Why did I end up in Evelina’s body and face such circumstances? As I pondered this, I covered my mouth with my hand.

“Goodness.”

Not long ago, I had been grateful for the fortunate opportunity to live in a healthy body.

“I have lost my mind.”

Instead of expressing gratitude for the given fortune, I was now searching for something better as if it had been mine from the start. While berating myself for such selfish thoughts, I stood there, and the door opened, revealing a familiar person.

“Commander of the Temple Knights, Latvan, greetings to the Lady.”

“I entrust today to you as well, Latvan.”

Before Latvan could say anything more, I intentionally exerted force and wished him well for the day. Otherwise, he would surely mention yesterday’s events and request further punishment. My gaze, fixed upon Latvan, stopped at his cloak.

“It seems your cloak has changed.”

“Ah.”

Yesterday, he had been wearing a cloak with red lining. However, today, it was a similar shade of red but different from the previous cloak.

“It must be the color for ordinary knights.”

Upon closer inspection, it also appeared slightly smaller. It was clear that this cloak was not his own. I recalled how he had covered me with the cloak after I endured the rotten egg baptism.

“It was because of me.”

“I apologize, Sir Latvan. It was my fault.”

“…”

Whether or not it was the right thing to say, Latvan turned his face without uttering a word, as an act of courtesy. Then, in a slightly subdued voice compared to his greeting earlier, he replied.

“You needn’t worry about it.”

As if there were any chance not to worry. At first glance, it might not be noticeable, but upon closer inspection, it was evident that the cloak didn’t suit him.

“Rest assured. There won’t be any ceremonies today where you have to meet people directly, as was the case yesterday. So, your cloak won’t get dirty again.”

“…”

In an attempt to lighten the stiff atmosphere, I added a touch of laughter to my words. However, Latvan’s face grew even sterner.

“I should refrain from such unnecessary remarks.”

As I approached, I sensed that Latvan was avoiding me more and more. Why was that, I wondered, until I caught sight of the expressions on the faces of the attendants standing beside me. They wore expressions that seemed to convey their weariness towards me.

“Incredible.”

Why had I forgotten about what had happened between him and Evelina?

“It’s nothing short of a miracle that he is here right now.”

Yesterday, I had felt a sense of familiarity as if he were an old friend, all because of the favor he had bestowed upon me. It wasn’t as if Latvan didn’t feel the same way just because I had no connection with him.

Upon realizing this, a wave of embarrassment washed over me. While trying to soothe my flushed face with a fan in my hand, one of the attendants I had seen yesterday inquired.

“Shall I prepare something to drink?”

I quickly nodded in response to his words. I felt I had to pretend to be occupied with something else. Perhaps they had already made preparations. The attendant swiftly prepared and brought the tea. Though my face was heating up, hot tea didn’t seem appealing, but I had to drink it for the sake of diverting attention.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. It seems the tea I personally selected suits your taste.”

“…?”

Upon hearing those words, I briefly glanced at the teacup. I had thought it was the tea that the attendants had brought on their own, but Evelina had personally chosen it? The scent and taste were nothing special, so what had appealed to me?

With those thoughts in mind, I slowly sipped the tea. Fortunately, as it became difficult to speak under the pretext of drinking tea, the attendants turned to Latvan and began discussing the event. He turned away from me as they did so.

After a moment had passed and I had finished the teacup, a sudden sensation swept over me.

“Oh?”

My head felt a slight dizziness.

“Lady Saint?”

The attendant who brought the tea called out to me as if asking if something was wrong. As I tried to reassure him that I was fine, the dizziness returned. The moment I thought the ceiling was spinning, a loud crash echoed through the air, and darkness engulfed the world.