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chapter 13
‘With that kind of temper, it’s not like she would’ve donated a single coin.’
The woman narrowed her eyes as if she couldn’t believe Sienna’s question.
Her green eyes coldly swept over Sienna from head to toe.
“Pretending you lost your memory? What kind of trick is this, Sienna?”
Faced with hostility she didn’t understand, Sienna simply stared blankly at the girl.
Perhaps her reaction wasn’t what the girl wanted, because her tone grew even harsher.
“So you became the Saintess and now you think you can erase your past and live elegantly? Don’t even dream of it.”
“……”
That part was true. Sienna was planning to run away tonight and erase her past completely. Her past as a beggar, and her past as a Saintess—without anyone knowing.
“……”
Since it was true, she didn’t reply. But the girl seemed to take her silence as defiance.
“I guess you’ve finally gone mad—”
“By the way.”
Sienna cut her off with a bright smile.
The startled girl blinked, and Sienna added calmly,
“Who are you to speak to me informally?”
The girl’s face turned red like a ripe apple.
Caught off guard, she began fuming, unable to control her anger.
‘This is more boring than I thought. One more word and she might cry.’
Just then, a priest passing by with a large basket poked his head through the open door.
“Saintess, on the eve of the dawn ritual, why is there such a disturbance?”
His tone carried confusion.
But the moment he spotted the girl standing in the middle of the room, fuming, his expression hardened.
“No—Lady Adele. Why is a failed Saintess candidate still here? Didn’t the High Priest tell you to vacate the room immediately?”
Adele’s flushed face turned even redder.
“……I was told we’re usually given three days.”
‘At this rate, her face might burst,’ Sienna thought.
The priest scolded her again.
“This is the only room suitable for the Saintess. You must leave at once. What difference does it make whether you leave today or the day after tomorrow?”
“……”
Tears welled up in Adele’s eyes. She was clearly holding them back so they wouldn’t fall.
Even Sienna, who didn’t particularly like her, felt a moment of pity.
But Adele suddenly spun around and yanked hard on the bell rope by the bed, shouting a name loudly.
“Anna! Anna!”
Quick footsteps echoed down the hallway.
Sienna turned toward the sound.
The brown-haired girl who had helped her dress earlier rushed in, breathing heavily.
Anna bowed politely.
“Unni Adele, did you call me?”
Without turning around, Adele gave her orders.
“Pack my things. I’m leaving this disgusting place immediately.”
“……Yes!”
As if used to this situation, Anna began packing the belongings into a bag. The priest simply stood there with his arms crossed, watching.
The three of them stood still while the thinnest and most unremarkable girl hurried to pack someone else’s luggage alone.
Unable to stand it, Sienna stepped forward.
“I’ll help.”
The moment she knelt down, a sharp voice cut through the air.
“Don’t touch my things with your dirty hands!”
It was Adele.
Sienna turned her head toward her. Adele still stood with her back turned, face hidden.
‘……Should I grab that rude honey-colored hair of hers once?’
While Sienna was debating it, Anna whispered softly, sensing her displeasure.
“Saintess…! I’m done. Please don’t trouble yourself.”
With her nimble fingers, Anna had already finished packing.
“Unni Adele, it’s ready! I’ll escort you to the hired carriage in front.”
Adele, her face still hidden by her long hair, left without a word of farewell.
Anna followed behind, struggling with the heavy luggage in both hands.
Only then did the priest rub his hands together with a satisfied expression.
“The commotion is settled. For dinner, we have chicken grilled with lemon dill butter and a terrine made of seven vegetables. Anna will bring it shortly.”
‘Anna again?’
It was a workload no one could handle, even with ten bodies. Judging by her thin frame, she clearly wasn’t eating properly.
Noticing Sienna’s uneasy expression, the priest asked,
“Is something troubling you?”
“Ah… no. Could you perhaps add a very large loaf of bread to dinner?”
Seeing his puzzled look, Sienna quickly added,
“I have quite a big appetite.”
“I’ll inform the kitchen.”
“Thank you.”
Sienna smiled to smooth things over.
As soon as the priest left and closed the door, she sat heavily on the bed.
The room was quiet, but her thoughts were loud.
‘Don’t worry about it. I’m leaving tonight anyway.’
Sienna forcibly pushed the brown-haired girl, Anna, out of her mind.
Creak—.
‘Ugh, at this rate the whole Empire will hear I’m running away in the middle of the night!’
Sneaking outside, Sienna glared at the tactless door hinge.
The night had already settled in blue darkness.
She looked around in the moonlight. Fortunately, there were no black cloaks or white cloaks in sight.
Finally relieved, Sienna tucked a large bundle under her arm and walked out proudly.
‘Crown Prince or Grand Duke, what does it matter if they’re handsome? Their brains are at grasshopper level. If they truly needed a Saintess, they should’ve at least assigned a guard!’
As if summoned by that thought, a heavy voice spoke.
“The night air is cold, Saintess. Where are you going?”
“……!”
Her thoughts had jinxed her. Pale-faced, Sienna turned toward the voice.
From the shadows of the bamboo grove near the temple wall, a knight emerged. He wore a white cloak.
Sienna forced a smile at the approaching knight.
“I couldn’t sleep. I thought I’d take a walk.”
The knight eyed the brown bundle in her arms suspiciously.
“And what luggage does one take on a walk?”
Oh no, this!
Sienna’s face turned ashen, almost the same color as the bundle she held.
When she hesitated, the knight’s suspicion deepened.
“If it’s not too much trouble… may I see what’s inside?”
He stepped closer.
Sienna clutched the bundle tightly.
Seeing he wouldn’t back down, she reluctantly untied the knot.
“As you can see….”
Inside was the bread she had saved from dinner. Emergency rations, in case she couldn’t sell her bracelet right away.
The loaf was nearly the size of a wagon wheel, and the knight’s eyes widened.
Sienna hurriedly explained,
“……Ducks! It’s for the ducks in the pond.”
The knight still looked baffled.
“At this hour?”
“Midnight snacks taste the best!”
“……Is that so.”
Leaving the unconvinced knight behind, Sienna pretended to head toward the pond.
He followed at a brisk pace. When she took one step, he took one. When she took two, he took two. Anyone watching might think they were practicing a newly released waltz.
‘He’s openly tailing me.’
Sienna suddenly turned around, clutching the bread sack.
Lowering her eyelashes shyly, she spoke in a gentle tone.
“Sir Knight, walking together like this at night might cause misunderstandings.”
“Ah. But…”
“Surely His Noble Highness the Crown Prince didn’t order you to monitor the Saintess?”
Not like that infamous Grand Duke Bledel, after all.
With the most benevolent smile, Sienna beamed. She looked every bit the divine Saintess blessed by a goddess.
The knight of Howlaner flushed red. To protect his master’s honor, he had no choice but to lie.
“That is not the case. I merely happened to step out—”
Sienna scoffed inwardly.
Happened to step out, my foot.
It was clearly surveillance.
She was still thinking about how to shake him off when a duck that had wandered out of the temple pond waddled toward her.
At that moment, a brilliant idea flashed through her mind.
