🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 10
Ariadne, now convinced of her healing ability, quickly left the Emperor’s bedroom.
She had never intended to heal the Emperor in the first place. She had only meant to test whether she truly possessed something like healing power.
But she could tell. The Emperor had improved significantly thanks to her.
It was hard to believe.
Even as she ran back to her room, her pounding heartbeat echoed loudly in her ears.
“Haah.”
She was so rushed that she was still out of breath even after reaching her room.
To think she had healing power.
And, coincidentally, her younger sister Ashley’s divine power was disappearing?
Ariadne made a decision in that instant.
‘I need to get out of here as soon as possible!’
If she stayed, she might end up being caught by the Emperor like Ashley had been.
‘I have to make sure no one finds out about my healing power.’
She steadied her resolve. Since she couldn’t escape immediately, she would stay hidden until an opportunity came.
Then she began thinking about what she should do with her healing ability.
‘I’ll run a clinic.’
Why should she use healing power to serve as some “saintess” and live a life of service? What was so important about earning honor, anyway? Her desire to be loved and acknowledged by her family had long since been abandoned.
She would operate a clinic, heal the sick, and receive payment in return. She would treat people in exchange for a fair price.
Yes, that would be good. With that thought, Ariadne felt as if her path forward had become clear. She fell asleep quite peacefully.
The next day.
Ariadne had to wake up early due to the hurried voice of a maid shaking her awake.
“Mm…”
She had gone to bed late because of what happened yesterday, so she was extremely tired.
But the maid’s next words instantly drove away her sleep.
“Miss, His Majesty has invited you to luncheon.”
“Me?”
Rubbing her eyes, Ariadne asked in surprise. The maid nodded mechanically.
“You must not attend without proper attire, as you did during the audience room incident.”
Even though she had just woken up, it sounded like scolding. Ariadne could tell the maid had been sent by the Count.
“Oh, Father sent you, didn’t he?”
“…Yes.”
The woman with glasses—sharp and rigid in appearance—lowered her gaze slightly and glanced at Ariadne through her lenses before adjusting her glasses again.
She did not deny being sent by the Count. She was as strict as iron.
“Get up at once.”
Ariadne disliked the fact that the Emperor would be there. Of course, there was no way he could know about her healing power—but still, something about it felt unsettling.
“Can’t I just not go?”
“No.”
The maid answered firmly.
“Ugh. I don’t want to.”
Ariadne frowned in annoyance.
She somewhat liked her “villainess image,” so she intended to keep maintaining it. That way, no one would connect her to the sudden appearance of healing power.
Thanks to that image, people also avoided approaching her, allowing her to live a much quieter and more comfortable life than before.
Except for days like today—when her father, the Count, interfered.
“….”
“Get up.”
As Ariadne did not move, the maid spoke as if issuing a command. She had likely already received strict instructions from the Count.
Ariadne had no intention of playing along.
“Fine. I’ll handle it myself. You can leave.”
“No, I cannot. The Count ordered me to assist you until you are fully prepared.”
Ariadne let out a small laugh.
“I’d advise you to leave unless you want to see me show up at the luncheon in a negligee.”
“What…?”
This was the first time the maid’s expression broke. Ariadne smirked, fully aware of how childish and absurd her words were. But she needed to make her father understand, even in trivial ways like this.
Otherwise, he would continue interfering.
And to leave this place, she needed to minimize the Count’s interference.
“Just let me do things my way. Are you deaf?”
Only then did the maid’s rigid expression falter.
“…What?”
She frowned as if verifying the rumors she had heard about Ariadne.
“Exactly as I said. Or would you prefer to be treated like one of the Count’s servants and beaten until you learn obedience?”
“I am employed by the Imperial Palace. That would be disrespectful to His Majesty.”
The maid replied without backing down.
“Good. That would be interesting. What if you send me to the Emperor’s luncheon dressed in a negligee? I’ll just say you didn’t give me clothes. How about that?”
Even Ariadne knew it was absurd nonsense. But today, she intended to fully wear the mask of a villainess—stubborn, foolish, and unreasonable.
A completely unrefined noblewoman.
Let the Count and his lackeys see how ridiculous she could be.
That was what she was thinking.
After Ariadne pushed once more, the maid finally sighed and stepped back.
She had heard the rumors—that Ariadne even behaved freely toward a saintess. So she decided it was better to comply than to deal with her further.
“…I will wait outside.”
“Good.”
The maid adjusted her glasses once more and quickly left. The “foolish villainess act” had worked better than expected. And the maid would report everything to the Count.
That would force him to think more carefully before interfering again.
Ariadne smiled faintly and began preparing for the luncheon.
It seemed the Emperor had invited everyone of House Bliers, including Ariadne.
It was a formal occasion.
It was also meant as an expression of gratitude toward the saintess who had been caring for his illness.
The Count and Ashley were already there when she arrived. The Emperor had not yet appeared.
When Ariadne entered, the Count first scanned her outfit from head to toe.
“Seems you are not dressed like a lunatic today.”
“……”
Without responding, Ariadne simply nodded in greeting and took her seat.
“Tch… manners,” the Count muttered.
“Father, I’m not a fool. So perhaps you should focus on Ashley, who’s trembling beside you.”
“……”
Ashley looked visibly pale to the naked eye.
She must have believed she failed to heal the Emperor last night.
Understanding this, Ariadne hummed lightly to herself, almost amused.
Ashley, irritated by the sound, spoke.
“Could you be quiet, sister?”
Ariadne, just as she was about to place a neatly folded napkin on her lap, lifted her head and looked at her.
“Why? Was it too loud?”
“Yes.”
Ashley replied sharply.
“I wonder why the saintess is so low-spirited today. Did your divine power fail you yesterday?”
At that, Ashley’s face crumpled miserably.
It was the expression of someone struck at the core. Ariadne suppressed her laughter.
“Be quiet, Ariadne.”
It was the Count who rebuked her, just as expected.
“What kind of disrespect is that toward the saintess? And your behavior lately as well—stop acting so vulgar.”
“What did you just—”
Their tense exchange was cut short by the Emperor’s arrival.
He entered loudly, laughing heartily.
“Ahahaha! You’re all already here?”
Everyone rose and bowed.
The Emperor waved them down as he took his seat.
“Don’t be so formal among ourselves. Sit, sit.”
Ariadne sat again and observed him carefully.
He was clearly different from yesterday.
Almost like a different person entirely.
The healing power had definitely taken effect.
“Ah.”
Ariadne let out an involuntary sound of admiration.
His once dull, deathly complexion now had color in it, his cheeks fuller, his face healthy enough to seem like a different man.
As he appeared so energetic, Ashley also looked visibly relieved.
It must have felt strange—her divine power supposedly not working, yet the Emperor appearing perfectly fine.
Only Ariadne, who knew the truth, observed everything with quiet amusement.
The Emperor turned to Ashley and spoke.
“So the rumors about the saintess were all nonsense after all. Since yesterday, I’ve completely regained my strength. That momentary lack of response must have been my imagination.”
“……”
Ashley stared at him blankly.
“I heard you suffered greatly due to illness. So I invited you here to express my gratitude.”
The Emperor smiled, waiting for her response.
Ashley’s wandering gaze briefly met Ariadne’s.
Ariadne gave her a meaningful smile.
Clearly unsettled, Ashley quickly turned back to the Emperor.
“Thank you. I am glad my divine power could be of help to Your Majesty.”
At that, Ariadne almost laughed.
Ashley was acting as though she had been the one to heal the Emperor. Ariadne smirked and looked between the two of them.
‘This is interesting.’
She watched Ashley’s performance.
Wondering when that flimsy mask would fall apart, Ariadne casually looked at the food in front of her.
‘This might actually work out well.’
She decided she might as well play along with Ashley’s obvious act. If everyone believed Ashley still possessed healing power, Ariadne had no need to reveal her own ability.
Two birds with one stone.
It was going to be a very satisfying meal.
After all, the healing power was hers.
‘I wonder how long she can keep up that smile.’
Ariadne smiled innocently and picked up her knife.
